Bruce Gregg on Passion, Persistence, and the Production of ‘Menswear’
By Natalie McCarty
Have you ever met someone and just so deeply felt that “Yeah, this is someone that everybody should know.” Well, meet Bruce Gregg.
Shot by Daniel Ferreres, 2023.
Bruce Gregg is one of the most passionate individuals I’ve ever encountered, with a dedication to his craft that’s unparalleled. Always pushing boundaries and mastering new skills, he’s truly a force to be reckoned with.
If you feel like you’ve seen his name before, you definitely have as he is a staff writer for Gut Instinct, or maybe you saw him talking all things Menswear for Shoutout LA.
Recently, I’ve been talking a lot about In-Yun and the red string theory, and Bruce is actually legitimately somebody who I’ve tangible crossed paths with many times in this lifetime (rooted over Van Leeuwen). He’s a kindred spirit and someone I’m grateful to call a friend.
Bruce is a natural motivator. His persistence in his craft is truly infectious, and his passion transfers to everyone around him, driving you to elevate your own career path. With an energetic personality and a clear vision reminiscent of what it must have been like to hang out with Ben Affleck and Matt Dillon during their Good Will Hunting days, his presence on any project undeniably enhances its quality.
I’ve never had such profound appreciation for someone’s craft as I do for Bruce's. His ability to inspire and elevate is unparalleled, and I deeply value having him as a collaborator. Here’s more about Bruce below.
Shot by Daniel Ferreres, 2023.
Q1: Bruce, I’m interested to hear what you would attribute to be your greatest inspiration.
I honestly don’t even know what that would be, so I’m just going to list what I’m really into right now: Pixar, Jon Favreau, The Andy Warhol Diaries Soundtrack, Owen Wilson, Zoë Kravitz, Days Before Rodeo by Travis Scott, Family Feud by Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Paris, SmartLess, and always, always, always Sofia Coppola.
Q2: What rules or principles guide you in your creative life? Are there any philosophies or practices that you stick to no matter what?
Persistence is the only principle I really care about. I did a lot of quitting in high school and still have sad feelings about it. My sister and I both have the word “persist” tattooed on our bodies. This may be an immature idea, but I feel as long as I persist, I will either achieve my dreams or die before I see myself fail. I do have a fantasy of boarding a ship with industrial fishermen and saying goodbye to the arts, but I know damn well I’d find myself back in New York or Los Angeles working on a screenplay.
For Cool American Magazine; Shot by Anton Louis, 2024.
Q3: With your experience in music, acting, and modeling, how do you balance these different creative outlets? Do you find they influence each other in your work?
I’m not struggling to juggle these things. I’ve grown to become decent at a lot of things because certain mediums would always dry out. When I couldn’t book a modeling gig, I’d focus on my beats. When the beats weren’t hitting, I’d focus on my writing. This cycle of productivity keeps the delusion alive. Ideally, it’d pay off one day, but I’m having a blast learning the craft and becoming a better artist, even if my works never see the light of day.
From Bruce Gregg's Menswear Sizzle Reel
Q4: What initially inspired you to start working on Menswear? Can you share a bit about the story behind this project and what it means to you?
When I was living in New York, I spent a lot of my time in the East Village/LES area. I was living on 14th Street, so my place became a bit of a hub for my friends from Queens to come visit. They’re all so driven to become models, designers, and photographers. I wrote Menswear based on them while I was living on the floor of an apartment way deep in the valley. I think it was really based on nostalgia. I was not having a lot of fun in Los Angeles when I arrived, so writing about my brothers back home all day kept me sane. I also have a deep love for fashion, but I don’t think I’ll end up a designer or model, so creating a TV show about fashion sort of maintains a “long-distance relationship” with the industry.
Q6: You have a drive and commitment to your work—across several industries, might I add—unlike anyone else that I know. What keeps you motivated to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new avenues in your work?
I am trying to keep up with Natalie McCarty.
Q7: You’ve lived in Vermont, New York, and now Los Angeles—coincidentally, the same places I’ve lived. Would you say that your physical environment has had anything to do with shaping your work?
Yeah. I always miss wherever I last was. When I was in New York, I missed Upstate and Vermont. Now in Los Angeles, I miss New York. I don’t know what this says about me.
Courtesy of Bruce Gregg's Portfolio
Q8: Looking back at your career so far, is there a moment or achievement that stands out as particularly meaningful to you? What drives you to keep reaching for new goals?
I think the only thing “resume worthy” that I’ve done so far was walking the Coach F/W23 show. It felt undeserved but left a big impact. Getting a taste of the industry shifted everything for me. The staff at Coach, Stuart Vevers, and everybody else involved were so caring and welcoming. I was terrified, but sitting in their offices on the West Side with the city’s lights shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows was maybe the most influential moment of my life.
Q9: Many creatives struggle with self-doubt and external pressures. What advice would you give to someone who’s trying to break into the creative industry but feels overwhelmed or uncertain?
Just try to ignore it. That’s what I’m doing. Persist. Wait them out. If you’re one of a kind, there’s another version of you that’s even better. They will stop. You just have to persist further than them.
Image Sourced from @bruce_gregg
Q10: Finally, what’s next for you, Bruce? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about?
I’m working on a short film with Sasha Lebedeva, based on an excerpt of the script for Menswear. She’s going to be massive, so I just feel lucky that she’s entertained the idea to work with me. She saw one of my flyers pasted up in Hollywood and we’ve maintained a good relationship ever since. When Sasha is the next huge director of Hollywood, I want recognition as one of her earliest fans!
