PUMA continues to defy tradition and redefine what it means to become successful in the digital age through its RS-X “Trophies” pack. Inspired by the recent spate of influencers and tastemakers emerging from such platforms like social media, fashion, and music, the ‘80s-inspired Trophies pack represents a constantly shifting culture that forces us to embrace the reinvention of fame and to examine the past in order to push forward.
As somewhat of a cultural remixer entrenched in New York City’s creative scene, Jorge Wright, otherwise known as “Gitoo” among his peers, represents this dynamic well. As a contemporary archetype for fame, Gitoo’s infectious personality shines across his social media and has led to a growing number of opportunities, including writing for MTV and even hosting the digital VMAs.
We sat with Gitoo for a quick chat on the path he took to achieve success—however unorthodox, the state of influencer culture in today’s digital world, and how social media has opened new doors on previously closed opportunities. Check out the interview below and shop the RS-X Trophies collection now.
You're a multi-talented figure in New York's fashion and nightlife scenes whose reach has extended across social media and the Internet at large. Could you tell us a little bit about the path you took to get where you're at now?
I wouldn't say it was unconventional; it was more organic. I didn't realize what I was doing until after I did each thing. When I made a Tumblr a long time ago, it was just for fun, and then it got great traction. Then I started doing brand videos, and that did great, and I was just expressing myself. I have a lot of shit to say, there were all these platforms to say it back in the day, so I talked shit on every platform possible.
Twitter and Facebook, all of that. After a while I started working with brands and companies and having people fucking with what I was doing, and I'm like, "Wait, is this a thing?" Being from New York you connect all those things together, and fashion is a part of that, like being somewhere and looking good and feeling popping.
If I was somewhere else doing a lot on social media, it might not have led to fashion or photoshoots, or nightlife hosting or hosting concerts. But because I'm in New York, it's easier to connect all those things together.
What do you think is the biggest difference between today's digital influencer culture vs. the golden days of hip-hop when social media didn't exist?
It's highly more tangible now, it's so much easier. That being said, it's easier for everybody. Back in the day there were artists who wanted to work with brands and would have rapped about them for two years first before [they] would even look at them. Now brands are going to artists first, but because of that it's easier for everybody.
You gotta step it up because it's a level playing field. There are some talentless people and some people with talent who all can get whatever they want, it just depends on your grind and your hustle.
In what ways has this new digital-first world helped you expand your reach and open opportunities for you?
Well, I think because of this new digital world I'm doing this interview right now. [laughs]
[Social media] is like my portfolio, which is really annoying to say and I hate when people say that. My Instagram, or just whatever I'm doing online, helps put whatever I do on a pedestal and shows [that] I get to reach more people. So I'm totally with that, it’s popping and allows me to travel and see places that I probably wouldn't have if it wasn't for these platforms.
But also, it's very detrimental. I don't want to make it seem like it's all fucking perfect because I'm waking up every morning and looking at everybody else's [social media], and they look way more popping in my eyes because I'm never going to be as popping as I want to be obviously. It's a battle of feeling like you have to keep up and then realizing I'm a granny and I don't have to keep up.
And then finding the balance of where's work and fun, so it's helped me a lot but it's also really hard for me sometimes. Like goddamn, I just want to delete all this shit, you know?
