Ryan Castro’s childhood was painted with graffiti covering city walls, the sound of skateboards rolling across pavements, and hip-hop beats echoing from Medellín’s street corners. In that world, he learned to tell his story through clothing long before music became his primary language.
From a street performer to a global Latin star, Ryan has made his mark not only with music but also with fashion. His breakout track Jordan laid the foundation for his collaboration with Nike, which in turn opened the door to Paris Fashion Week, another milestone in his journey to define himself through both sound and style.
The Journey and the Mark of Ryan Castro
Growing up in Medellín, Ryan witnessed the natural intersection of music and street culture. Jordan was the spark that launched him onto the international stage, paving the way for the capsule collection Nike by Ryan Castro, featuring T-shirts, jackets, and customizable sneakers, pieces that allowed fans to wear the stories he tells.
When he stepped onto the KidSuper runway at Paris Fashion Week, he felt firsthand how fashion had become an extension of music. The nerves melted as the lights came on, replaced by pure exhilaration. On stage, he carries the same aesthetic, choosing designs by Guillermo Andrade, Nike, or pieces from Ghetto Med and La Petit Mort, creating a visual thread that ties seamlessly with his Sendé tour.
That dialogue continues beyond the runway, spilling into the crowd: fans show up in Jordans, Air Force 1s, or Ghetto Med staples, transforming music into a living image. For Ryan, it’s also a way of bringing Latin culture and Colombian spirit to the world, carrying the pulse of the barrios to the great fashion capitals. To him, the path from the streets of Medellín to Paris is proof that passion can open doors to what once seemed impossible.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Outside of music, how did your personal relationship with fashion begin?
RYAN CASTRO: I’ve been connected to it since I was young. In Medellín, graffiti and skateboarding taught me that clothes are not just to wear, but a way of telling the world who I am and what I’m feeling. Just like music, every shirt or pair of sneakers I choose is a small chapter in my story.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: How does your personal style reflect your music?
RYAN CASTRO: From day one, they’ve been one and the same. Jordan is the clearest example: a track born from streetwear spirit that eventually led to my collaboration with Nike. The Nike by Ryan Castro collection, sneakers, jackets, T-shirts, turned my music into something people can touch, wear, and become part of.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: What surprised you the most about fashion weeks?
RYAN CASTRO: The energy. Everything moves incredibly fast, fittings, rehearsals, line-ups, and then suddenly you’re on stage. I was surprised to realize fashion beats with the same heart as music: intense, passionate, and relentless.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Which brands have inspired you recently?
RYAN CASTRO: Nike is definitely a cornerstone in my career. But on the Sendé tour, I also found myself in brands like Ghetto Med and La Petit Mort. Some of their designs connect perfectly with the atmosphere of my music.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: How did it feel stepping onto the Paris Fashion Week runway for the first time?
RYAN CASTRO: Nervous, I won’t deny it. But the moment the lights came on, everything turned into pure excitement. Walking for KidSuper felt like proof that my love for fashion is real, it’s not just something I admire from the sidelines.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: KidSuper is known for storytelling and creativity. How did this collaboration resonate with you?
RYAN CASTRO: Naturally. We both come from the same roots: street culture, graffiti, hip-hop, skateboarding. I grew up with that energy in Medellín, so stepping into KidSuper’s world felt like meeting my own youth again.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: How does fashion help you connect with your fans?
RYAN CASTRO: Music gives them rhythm, but fashion gives them an image to embody it. I get emotional when I see fans showing up to my shows in Jordans, Air Force 1s, or pieces from Ghetto Med. That’s when I know my story has truly touched them.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Do performance outfits and runway looks influence each other for you?
RYAN CASTRO: A lot. On stage, I always wear pieces rooted in streetwear, the same source that fuels my music. I’ve collaborated with Guillermo Andrade for performance looks, and Nike has been by my side for the most important shows.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: How do you see Latin culture, especially Colombian culture, shaping global fashion?
RYAN CASTRO: We bring authenticity. Streetwear in Colombia isn’t just a trend, it’s everyday life in the barrios. That’s why I founded Ghetto Med, to take that style and that spirit to the world.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: Looking back from Medellín to Paris, how do you see your journey?
RYAN CASTRO: To me, it’s proof that nothing is impossible. I once sang on sidewalks, and now I’m walking at Paris Fashion Week. There are still milestones ahead, but looking back, I feel nothing but gratitude and pride for how far I’ve come.
HARPER’S BAZAAR: What do you hope the public sees when you step into fashion alongside music?
RYAN CASTRO: That an artist can be fluid and multidimensional. I’m not confined to music or clothing; what I pursue is culture, expression, and representing where I come from in every space I enter.
***Creative Team***
Muse: Ryan Castro @ryancastrro
Production/PR: Burgerrock Media @burgerrockmedia, Irma Penunuri @burgerrock
Photographer: Pedro Torres @pedrotorresphotography
Videographer: Franco Salas @debeserfranco
Stylist: Moana Naruse @moannu
Grooming: Dounia Messa @messa__beauty
Production Assistant: Karla Gonzalez @karlitaa21 Danika Backe @Danika.ashleyy Mehdi Arar @ar_me
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