Justin Williams Is a Style Nomad Carving His Own Lane
Justin Williams
For Justin Williams, fashion has always been more than fabric and silhouettes. It’s a language, a way to map out where he’s been and where he’s going. Born in Buffalo, raised in Louisville, and sharpened in New York City, his journey is a patchwork of influences that bleed directly into how he dresses and designs himself today. “Buffalo gave me that rugged edge, Louisville gave me Southern touch points like my grills and jewelry, and New York? That’s where I built the vision,” he says.
The seed was planted early, though Justin didn’t realize it at the time. As a child, his mom often played fashion shows on TV, and while other kids tuned out, he was glued to the screen. By the time high school teachers asked about future plans, when others said “doctor” or “lawyer,” Justin blurted out what felt impossible: “I just want to live in New York and make clothes.” That dream didn’t feel so far-fetched once he enrolled in fashion school in Brooklyn and immersed himself fully in the craft.
Today, he describes his style with one word: nomadic. To him, it means adaptability. “I could go preppy one day and rugged the next. I can do monochromatic, avant-garde, or technical. Everywhere is a home if you know how to make it one.” That flexibility isn’t just aesthetic – it’s how he’s carved space in fashion, working across design, photography, and assisting with styling.
Some of his most affirming moments have come not from industry insiders but from strangers. A compliment on the street or a quick conversation in passing confirms that authenticity translates. Then there are moments with icons: like when A$AP Rocky sized up his fit, laughed at his joke, and told his team, “You don’t have to introduce me to him — he gang.” For Justin, it was surreal, but also grounding. “It showed me that being myself is enough.”
With campaigns in motion and new pieces ready to launch, Justin is focused on building a community around his brand. His advice to young creatives is blunt but motivating: “All things suck when you first start. Your sword starts dull before it can get sharp. Who’s gonna cheer you on if you don’t cheer yourself on?”
Justin has logged the hours, trusted the process, and kept it authentic. In a world full of replicas, he’s proving there’s power in being a style nomad.