Jerry Lorenzo, the visionary behind the Los Angeles-based label Fear of God, has been named the Fashion Innovator of the Year by WSJ. Magazine. In defiance of traditional business, Lorenzo has cultivated a homegrown brand that not only competes with but also challenges the reign of European fashion giants.
Jerry Lorenzo for WSJ. Magazine
Fear of God’s meteoric rise to prominence is all the more remarkable, considering Lorenzo’s lack of formal fashion training at the brand’s inception a decade ago when he surpassed fashion mainstays like Supreme on bestseller lists.
Delving into the magazine’s in-depth profile, written by Jacob Gallagher, Lorenzo discusses how his upbringing and spiritual beliefs have been instrumental in shaping his brand’s identity. He proposes a fresh perspective on American luxury, framing it as the freedom to evolve into the best version of oneself.
To Lorenzo, style reflects America’s diversity. “American luxury to me is the freedom to be the best version of yourself,” says Lorenzo. For the designer, it’s “not just clam chowder from Boston. It’s a gumbo pot of all these different cultures and experiences and points of view that represent visually what America is today.”
Lorenzo touches upon the complexity of his past association with early backer Ye, noting the challenging nature of maintaining a relationship with the artist. It was only before Fear of God’s first runway show in April that the two had reconnected after a long hiatus.
Complementing Lorenzo’s narrative is the insight provided by Justin Bieber’s stylist, Karla Welch, who clarifies the essence of Fear of God’s appeal: “He’s so cool. So all these kids are just like, Yes, you lead, I’ll follow.”
By likening him to titans like Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani, Welch reinforces that Lorenzo’s design direction is a guiding force in the industry.
