Eric Rutherford On His Career Journey, and Overall Impression of Activism in Modern Day Culture
Mr. Rutherford isn’t just a standard guest. When you listen to the first episode of our new podcast, you’ll see why.
Words, BOND OFFICIAL Staff
Photography, Daniel D’Ottavio
The first episode of How He Does It season 1 features Mr. Eric Rutherford in discussion with our editor-in-chief, Igee Okafor. This first installment represents the quintessential design of BOND OFFICIAL’s content strand and Mr. Rutherford isn’t just a standard guest. When you listen to the podcast, you’ll see why.
We’re at the Stereotypes studio located on the lower east side in Manhattan, New York and Rutherford enters with his enthusiasm in full swing. Like we see him around the city in person and on social media, he’s very high spirited and vibrant with an intentional and alluring way of speaking.
He’s a fan of meaningful discussion, and almost immediately, there’s chatter about his experience at the Fashion Media Awards the night before. “I think they really do a the job of highlighting, you know, up and comers. Also, icons like Kate Moss. So, it's wonderful to see a gathering of all these incredible creative talents, these geniuses in a room.”
Mr. Rutherford proceeds to discuss the Indya Moore speech that inspired him highlighting the support for transparency, support, and representation for marginalized communities. “She was very honored,” he says. “She literally was sharing words of wisdom and, it was powerful, passionate. Real activism, change, beauty, everything, you know, she is us.”
Often photographed and sought after at the most elite events supporting various causes, Mr. Rutherford, has come to be known best for his charming online persona, style, and intentional workings of activism. An adaptable perspective that has aligned with him since he was a child.
“My mom wanted both my brother and I to be well rounded individuals, and she believed in trying different things whether it was theater or sports or whatever it might be” he says.
Mr. Rutherford’s introduction to the entertainment industry came as a result of his interest in the arts as a child whose imaginations ran freely. From starring in his first play as a young boy in an ‘Alice In Wonderland’ production at school to being discovered by a model scout alongside his brother in the early 80’s at what he considers to be a very awkward age, it is without a doubt, Mr. Rutherford tapped into something not everyone is able to conceive - potential, an attribute that saw him out of his hometown, Florida and into USC’s BFA theatre program in California where he continued to act and model as time went on.
“I was an actor, waiter, caterer” he says of his time as a young adult, “all those things, you know, that everyone kind of jokes about as a stereotype. I was doing it.”
It wasn’t until a friend of his who owned an event company that hosted Hollywood studio premieres offered him a job as a personal assistant.
“I liked it, the physicality of it. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end, and I like that you're creating something literally on a dirt lot. I've always loved people. I love engaging with people. I love meeting new people, and so I kind of flourished in the guest experience aspect of it.” says an enthused Mr. Rutherford reminiscing on a very defining moment in his life.
Eventually, pursuing Hollywood took a backseat.
Mr. Rutherford says that he became “disillusioned”. He was thriving working in events, and he started second guessing himself, not believing in the talent that he once believed would be what would carry him through.
This conclusion was satisfactory though because he would eventually work for Oprah’s event team where he helped open her school in South Africa. An experience he describes as “lucky” and “moving” highlighting the role of activism people are able to help carry in each other’s lives. Even with wrapping up his career in events as the director of special projects at the Hollywood Reporter, Mr. Rutherford’s current journey seems to fall along the same lines of social conscience.
Mr. Rutherford says, “one of the greatest things that we can do is to share stories with people”. A saying that represents the heart of what his goals are today as a dexterous influencer, and storyteller.
For Rutherford, revisiting his acting and modeling days seemed like a long shot but it wasn’t until a series of signs he decided to reconsider. One of signs being an opportunity that allowed him to work alongside current British Vogue Editor-In-Chief, Edward Enninful on a September issue of W Magazine where Enninful was in role as editor-in-chief at the time.
With this confidence booster, Mr. Rutherford sold his house and said yes to moving to New York on a leap of faith.
He says, “I always believe that God or the universe begins to tap you on the shoulder. You know, to kind of get your attention and then, if you don't pay attention, it does a little nudge, then if you're still not paying attention, it slaps you in the face.”
Moving to New York was only step one. Step two wasn’t easy but he persevered even with occasional judgement and doubt from the people who were closest to him. “No one knew who I was. I mean, I knew a few people, but certainly not the industry.” he says, “Many times, I was just the old guy with the salt pepper hair that would show up. I was willing to go to anything, even the opening of an envelope. I was not going to hold back. I believed in what I was doing, but certainly there were dark days. I had some friends of the time who I respected, and we're kind of leaders in the industry, and they would say to me like, What the hell are you?”
Fast forward years later to present day as one of the most recognizable and respected personalities in the fashion industry, Mr. Rutherford is elated he did not get side tracked by those side comments. Although, he does admit his own challenges, he also notes that he is aware of his privilege and empathizes with the people who still struggle to find the light. “It's really easy to get swept up. Whether it's from outside forces, or the voices in your head.”
He continues, “I've certainly had my own struggles, but because of the color of my skin and because I am male, you know, I have been able to glide by.”
From this point on, the conversation transitions into a profound dialogue high pointing his 30 year sobriety, day to day insecurities, and the importance of celebrating individuality in modern day culture.
He declares. “Listen,” he says, “we don't know when we're gonna die. So make every day the fullest, it possibly could be.”
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