Daily Inspiration: Meet Jaron Joseph C. Ramos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaron Joseph C. Ramos.

Jaron Joseph C., we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Originally from Vallejo, California, I instantly became hooked to the world of visual arts. Growing up in a community of creativity inspired me to explore my own. My Lola was the local seamstress, where she tailored and helped design cotillion and quinceañera dresses for our friends and family. I was the one grandchild that decided to pick up after her and learn to sew, where today I continue to style and design for live musical performances, such as Kehlani, Ylona Garcia, and many local artists from the Bay and Los Angeles Area.

Live music was constantly always present in my life. My family was extremely close, and I grew up alongside many of my cousins throughout the Bay Area. This meant lots of get togethers: from block parties and park picnics, to the kickbacks and sideshows. Music was always blasting: E-40, the Team, HBK, Mac Dre. The feeling of connection with music and live events pushed me to continue working within the industry. My freelance work involves producing unique events for creatives across Southern California, including music showcases, book launches, and fashion shows. I also partner with Goldenvoice at Coachella, bringing unique experiences for Queer BIPOC artists.

At the root of my passions lies my culture. As a Filipinx American, it was important that I learned what building community was in an industry that is often frowned upon by Filipino parents. I supported the Filipino community throughout college, coordinating one of the largest student-led events in the nation: Friendship Games. This event brought over 4,000 Filipinx students to celebrate spirit, pride, unity, and friendship. Working with Seafood City, ABS-CBN and musical artist Ylona Garcia brought the West Coast community to a worldwide stage. Today I continue to uplift other Filipinx creatives, supporting them in their artistic events and branding.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges has been imposter syndrome and defending my worth.

Firstly, having to explain that you want to work in fashion and music to Filipino parents/grandparents is already a feat. If it’s not nursing or business, they typically see it as “just a hobby.” There’s a Tagalog phrase, “bahala ka sa buhay mo,” A typically negative phrase roughly saying, “Do what you want with your life!” This is said when elders are frustrated about your life choices. I took it a bit more literal, and thought, “you know what I will,” as a way to prove that I was serious about my career. It wasn’t until I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations – where most of my educational development focused on the entertainment industry – where they finally believed in my career.

When working in the entertainment space, I’m often surrounded by nepotism and privilege: People have parents in the industry, have money to afford these colleges and internships, etc. Growing up in a low-income and single-parent household meant I had to work for something that none of my family members had any understanding of. I started working as soon as I could, selling corndogs at 15 years old up and down the baseball stadium in San Francisco. Having to fund my own passions was hard work, but gave me so much drive in my career. Getting to where I am now and seeing that sometimes I have to work 10 times harder than the people next to me can be draining, as if I don’t feel like I should be in such spaces.

The entertainment industry is also predominantly old, white, and cisgender. I will never be able to count the amount of times I have received discrimination based on my skin, my age, and my sexuality. There is an unhealthy stigma that when these instances occur, to best keep quiet and ignore, otherwise calling someone out may make you appear “difficult” and “hard to work with.” When I have spoken up and defended myself, I’ve received pretty insane remarks back: “You’re never making it in this industry,” “you’re too young to be doing this,” “tone down the gay.”

There have been many nights where I’ve questioned my love for the industry because of this, but working alongside people with similar backgrounds reminded me the importance of representation. Yes, it is important to take up space and change the demographic of the industry, But it is also amazing to be able to build our own spaces, making events and experiences built for us by us. Intersectionality has been at the forefront of all of my projects big and small, and I will continue have it be so.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In simple terms, I am a freelance creative for the fashion and entertainment industry.

On the Fashion side, I am a stylist, costume designer, and creative director for live performances, such as concerts, music videos, and fashion events. My range of skills can be from designing a performance outfit, to developing a full creative direction for an artist. I am most proud of styling, designing, and assisting in the creative direction of Ylona Garcia’s 2024 APAC Predator League performance in the Philippines, where 30,000 attendees watched. I also became a styling assistant for Scot Louie, working with Kehlani on her recent performances and appearances. This was a huge full-circle moment from me, coming from a fellow Bay Area native.

I also am a freelance event planner and producer. I help create unique live experiences, such as DJ Events, fashion shows, silent discos, and showcases. My most notable project has been coordinating the book launch event for Ysabel Hilado, a Filipino-American fashion designer based here in Southern California, promoting her DIY guide: “Fashion Upcycling
The DIY Guide to Sewing, Mending, and Sustainably Reinventing Your Wardrobe.” Fun fact, I also styled all the clothes featured in the book!

I think what sets me apart from others is my adaptability. The entertainment industry is extremely diverse in work, and working with different companies such as World of Dance, Coachella, and 626 Night Market, gives me a unique perspective on how events and experiences can be ran. It also created a huge network of talented creatives, who I can reach out to for support in various work, such as lighting, choreography, makeup, etc.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I think Los Angeles is a land of opportunity for creatives. the community here is extremely tight nit and defended. You can find all different types of events for different communities, and have different experiences depending on your taste! There are wine nights, raves, listening parties, and DJ events every weekend. There is no doubt you can connect with others and create something with the community!

Sometimes I think some individuals forget about the “why” in their creative careers. Sometimes it feels like certain people only care about likes, how they are perceived, and what big names they’re affiliated with. It’s important that as local creatives we continue to uplift our community, speak up and advocate for the city, and do so with humility and grace.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarongotstyle/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaron-ramos/

Image Credits
personal photo: CJ Choe

additional photos
1) Matthew Baliton
2) Jamie-Lee B.
3) Lauren Bumatay
4) Kayla de Guzman
5) Mikael Angelo
6) Brandon Walkley
7) Instagram: @visiblebibez_
8) John Erichson