THERAPY THROUGH ALTER EGOS
The artist who contributed the Czech half of this year's “Czecho-Slovakian” Pavilion…
IN CONVERSATION WITH AARON PIERRE
AARON PIERRE ON STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF
There is a certain inevitability to Aaron Pierre’s relationship with BOSS. His career has been shaped by determination and his considered, unwavering approach to his craft that has taken him from the stage into cinema and TV. But yet beneath that momentum is a grounded sense of self, an ambition and authenticity that feel aligned with the BOSS philosophy of defining success on your own terms.
Meeting Pierre at the BOSS store in London, this becomes the thread of our conversation. At a moment when his career moves between increasingly different worlds from BOSS and fashion to Lanterns, Love of Your Life and Star Wars: Starfighter, there is a striking consistency to his approach: curiosity, self-determination and, above all, the responsibility to remain himself.
Elisabeth Kiko: Your relationship with BOSS feels very natural. What originally drew you to the brand? Was there already a personal connection to it?
Aaron Pierre: I would say it’s a combination of the two. When I was younger and I did have a little bit of change, I would always gravitate towards BOSS. I would get something very simple, like a T-shirt or something inexpensive, maybe even a pair of socks. So it does feel like a full-circle moment in a really beautiful way. But I think what gravitated me towards BOSS then is the same thing that gravitates me towards BOSS today, and why our partnership thrives in the way that it does. I think it’s because we share a philosophy. To me, BOSS has always felt like a fashion house that emphasises being true to yourself and being the most authentic version of yourself: the one that is unapologetically you.
EK: There is this idea of a suit almost functioning as armour, something you put on to feel more confident or powerful. But you seem to approach clothing slightly differently.
AP: Everyone’s origin story is different. I come from very humble beginnings, and a philosophy that was instilled in me from a very young age was that confidence and presence is something that you build from inside out. I never had the means to get that from material things when I was a kid. But even if I did, those who raised me would have had the same philosophy anyway. You build that inside out, and material things, like a beautiful suit, a pair of shoes or boots or a jacket, complement what you’ve already worked very hard to develop. I’m very grateful for that perspective because I therefore never rely on clothes to make me feel that way. They only ever complement it. It feels like something that is an extension of me rather than being everything that I am.
EK: When you step in front of the camera for BOSS, how does that differ from stepping in front of a camera as an actor? Are you still inhabiting a character in some way?
AP: I think for me, this year was the year that BOSS and I found our rhythm within this dynamic, within this relationship. The first year we had our rhythm, we had our flow, but naturally in the second year it deepens. You’re more familiar with one another. You understand one another on a deeper level. And I think you can feel it. You can feel it in the imagery. Last year, we definitely did our thing, but this year we did our thing.
EK: It feels like an interesting moment for you: the BOSS campaign, Lanterns, Love of Your Life: very different projects and mediums arriving around the same time. Is there a common thread between them for you?
AP: I think the common thread is what my career is, what my craft is. My craft and my career is to explore my humanity – to explore humanity generally. I love each medium equally. I love stage, that’s where I started. I love film. I love series. What I love is taking on different characters, embodying different characters and exploring and excavating the different psychologies and personality traits and characteristics and physicalities that all of these characters have, or that I believe they have in my interpretation of them. So I think the common thread is just the exploration of humanity.
EK: And has fashion become another part of that exploration for you?
AP: In my opinion, fashion is most enjoyable when it’s an inclusive space, when it’s a space that celebrates unique qualities, individuality, lack of limitation and self-expression. Before my partnership with BOSS, I didn’t really know much about the fashion space. I also didn’t really imagine myself in the fashion space. And what this partnership has done that is so special is I’ve learned that there is a space for me in it. I’m someone who loves being a student. I love being a student of life. I love being a forever student. Something that’s been really thrilling is now having the vocabulary to articulate what I enjoy and what I don’t enjoy so much, what I want to achieve with a look and why. Why I think this Chelsea boot will do it more than this loafer. Why I think this tie is more appropriate than that. Why I feel I need a pocket square or I don’t. It’s really fun. I didn’t know the space existed for me, and it’s been so empowering to now have the vocabulary to articulate what I want to explore in this space.
EK: Your work requires you to continually inhabit other people: different characters, psychologies and entirely different worlds. How do you hold on to your own voice through all of that?
AP: I feel like I have a responsibility to be myself in every space that I’m in. And that can be the hardest thing to do sometimes. Because just the nature of what it is to be human is sometimes you want to blend in. Especially with this partnership and being in the public eye, I feel a responsibility to be the most authentic version of myself, and to allow people who have blessed me with their support to enjoy that journey with me – me navigating these different beautiful moments within my truth. Being yourself is something that can take years to learn how to do and can sometimes be the hardest thing to do. But I’ve been at a point now for some years where anything other than just being myself feels exhausting. Anything other than being true to myself and being unapologetically authentic, it feels exhausting. And I can immediately sort of catch it. Providing you’re not hurting anybody, I think that’s the path, isn’t it? To just be you. It’s that age-old saying: everyone else is taken.
EK: With Lanterns, you’re entering the enormous world and fanbase surrounding DC. Does a project of that scale bring a different kind of pressure or responsibility?
AP: I definitely recognise the enormity of the responsibility and all that comes with that. But I also feel just an immense joy. I’m having so much fun sharing this work with the world, and experiencing people engaging with it is really beautiful. I’m also really excited about Star Wars: Starfighter. All of these worlds, worlds that I dreamt of being part of and never imagined I would be fortunate enough to be part of, to be part of those worlds in such a real way. I’m just immensely grateful. And I’m so thankful to those who are joining me on this journey and experiencing it alongside me.
