“Most people do not know, that being different is a power!” – @tchooupiii

Frenchman Martial Bernard’s first shoot took place in March this year, since then, he's learnt more and more about how the streetwear world, and has risen to over 2,000 followers as a result. We caught up with Martial to talk about making it in fashion, in the fashion capital of the world and how he uses Instagram to express himself.

“Dare to express your difference.” – Not a crafted line plucked from Nike’s latest advert, but the words of Martial Bernard, known as @tchooupiii on Instagram. Posting his latest styles for the world to see, whilst managing young adulthood on the continent, Martial has come to learn a lot about how he expresses himself.

One of Martial's favourite images.

“Instagram serves me to express myself through the clothes I wear - because style is a way of saying who you are, assuming your personality, showing your difference.

“Unfortunately, very few people dare to assume it and many underestimate it ... Indeed, most people tend to fix their judgements on material and stupid things, some stop at the colour of the skin, or others to religion, or just stupid physical appearance, the worst is that they do it without even realising it.”

This is a stark contrast to how Martial originally saw Instagram, saying he originally aimed to become influential and “promote brands of clothing (he) likes”. Now he understands how Instagram and streetwear, is an expressionist movement, and embraces his difference in every post he makes.

In celebrating his difference, Martial has slowly grown his following due to his unique style and flair, and now intends to continue his assent towards the very top.

“Instagram can be a springboard for developing your notoriety.”

Martial knows this by fact, because he’s done his research.

“I know that more than 60% of users say they discovered a new product or service on this network. So it's a real way for you to make your brand known.” So with that information, Martial has a dream to set up his own streetwear brand, but insists, it’s a “strategy for the long term”.

For now, Martial constantly “puts (himself) in the shoes of a stranger who discovers his feed, to analyse the consistency of his feed, and his words, attempt to “reveal a story” to his followers. With his profound view of the platform he loves, and his ambition to get to the very top, who knows how far his story will go?