2. Jerry Lorenzo is a Self-taught Los Angeles Designer from Chicago, who
launched Fear of God’s first collection in 2013. Fear of God Label is “an ode to
Lorenzo’s spirituality and diverse past”(Hypebeast). Fear of God is designed,
produced, and distributed in Los Angeles. Fear of God is what Lorenzo as
God being a symbol and the depths of God represented by the clouds and
darkness. “I wanted to use clothing as an outlet to show a cool side of
Christianity” (Hypebeast)
While attending Grad school Lorenzo worked in retail, but ended up
pursuing a corporate job in sports. With his retail experience he noticed
pieces he wasn’t able to find each time he would go shopping. “I essentially
started to go to downtown Los Angeles to make pieces that were missing
from my closet” (Vogue).
The first collection was featured on flannels, extra long t-shirts, leather
paneled hoodies, long draped tanks, side zip hoodies, and ripped trousers.
The color pallette mostly revolved around grays, black, or red.
3. Behind Fear of God
J. Lorenzo’s inspiration comes from his muses and influences. He
speaks about his parents being major influencers to him on his strong
connection with religion, and the talk with his parents that set the Fear of
God background. God is the symbol where the clouds and darkness
represents the depths of God to him. Lorenzo’s upbringing is a key influence
to the brand. Lorenzo’s love for gospel music and to Metallica, and Nirvana
shows in Fear of God. The elements of style to the brand is through one of his
muses Allen Iverson, former NBA player who was known for a rebellious
attitude yet style that influenced the NBA to
create a dress code. Allen’s long basketball
jersey, loose shorts, and arm sleeves remind
Lorenzo of Rick Owen’s silhouettes that
influence the element of style in Fear of God.
Lorenzo mentions The Breakfast Club’s John
Bender’s 90s grunge style that inspires the
cut-off sleeves on flannels, but Lorenzo will
incorporate a zipper somewhere referring
back to the hip-hop style. “I’m blessed to
come after Hedi Slimane who’s made grunge
luxury. I’m blessed to now come after Rick
Owens who’s made the Allen Iverson
silhouette this goth-luxe silhouette. So now I
can take my interpretation of what I think is happening in fashion, and I can
take my influences from the ‘90s and I can say exactly what I want to say”
(Hypebeast).
J. Lorenzo is trying to perfect the everyday look for any occasion
including if a man was going to the gym, to the movies, or lunch meeting.
F.O.G emphasizes on small details that attracts a lot of the younger
generation.
4. Lorenzo says F.O.G “caters to the kid
that’s settling for a hoodie that doesn’t
really fit the way I know he wants it to
fit” (Hypebeast). Lorenzo’s keeps a
strong influence on the young
generation when he says he’s always
keeping them on his mind when making
F.O.G clothes. For those who look up to
Balmain and Margiela he aims to capture
their attention more to Fear of God.
Signature Styles
-Oversized jackets -Army boots
-Flannels -Band Tees
-Distressed jeans -Bomber jackets
5. Collaborations
F.O.G x Pacsun
Lorenzo teamed up with Pacsun to make the diffusion line of Fear of God,
aiming for the kid in highschool or college that isn’t able to spend a ton of
money on a single of Bomber jacket. “I felt like partnering with PacSun was
important because it’s far enough from where Fear of God sits at Barneys”
(Hypebeast)
7. John Elliott is a designer from San Francisco, but John Elliott the
label is in Los Angeles. Elliott co-founded his label with business partner
Aaron Lavee. After working in retail for 8 years, he moved on to
wholesaling which he quickly quit when he realized he wanted to start
making his own garments. He did not attend fashion school or study after
a big name, he took the initiative to go learn himself. The first thing he
sought out to design was high quality t-shirts, hoodies, and jeans with
higher back-rise.
Elliott started off by helping “En Noir” label. “I really had the
foundation of what I wanted to do in my closet, from just being a collector”
(Business). His inspiration for jeans we’re from A.P.C. denim and from
when he worked for Simon Miller jeans.
“The Cast” jeans designed by Elliott reflects the
inspiration behind them. “I take a more modern,
architectural approach — with clean lines and less
of the ‘authentic’ details. We don’t have hidden
rivets; we don’t have the stitch details that reference
8. a vintage feel” (Business). Elliott describes his “denim approach” is using
French Terry.
“The foundation that we built this company
on was really three pillars: French terry,
denim and jersey”
(Business of Fashion).
By seeking to use the best quality of terry and denim this linked him
to partner with a Japanese distributor, where he was able to create his
own fabrics (Vogue).
His signature piece is the Villain sweatshirt that features interior kangaroo
pocket, with zippers lined on the sides was an online overnight success.
He launched his first collection in the Fall
of 2015 which featured skinny stacked
sweatpants, ribbing layered jerseys, slim
denim, rider jackets, and myriad
Nikes. Most noticeably recognized for
his attention to Nike, Elliott at only
eight year olds began to draw shoe
design ideas he use to send to Nike.
Nike responded back in a letter that
he still saved to this day.
9. “The brand is the result of me solving the problems I had with my own
wardrobe. I started with basic categories and focused on creating
functional yet modern fits with unique fabrics” (GQ).
Another key signature piece of Elliott is the Escobar sweatpants that
are slim fit, with the tight ankle. Elliott aims for a young aesthetic where
everything is made to be slim and long with attention to detail and custom
made fabrics. Elliott’s long, slim tee’s are inspired on a basic take of a
baseball tee.
“I wanted clean lines and a modern fit while still utilizing
traditional, authentic manufacturing techniques” (GQ).
Influenced by Patt Duffy a local skater who Elliott watched through
Plan B skate videos that he describes as “the Michael Jordan” in his
hometown. Deion Sanders is another influential to Elliott through his
confident attitude, and lastly Kurt Cobain. Elliott mentions going through
his father’s closet to find the red flannel inspired by Cobain.
10. Impact
After only 2 years from launching John Elliott he already has the
attention from not only Kanye West, but a number of athletes that include
Nick Young, Victor Cruz, J.R. Smith, Amare Stoudamire, etc. Elliott wants
to eventually move on to shoes, and sunglasses. From featuring Nike’s
Lebron 12 in his first show, Elliott has already been voted for Best
Menswear Designers.
