Four Designers Redefining Streetwear

Who says menswear has to be boring? These four fashion designers are proving that when it comes to style, the options are limitless. Each of them has carved out a unique lane in streetwear, catering to different audiences, aesthetics, vibes, and visions. But they all have one thing in common: they’ve woven true passion and bold vision into every single stitch.

Throughout history and across cultures, people have used fashion to honour their faith. Queshan Canty is doing exactly that with his streetwear brand Gréyce and Merci. The name is a subtle nod to the luxury of French fashion houses. More importantly, it’s a reflection of the faith that inspires Canty’s designs.

The Chicago native founded the brand as a celebration of the answered prayers he says healed him from a seizure disorder he suffered with as a teen. “I want people to know the testimony behind [Gréyce and Merci] because it’s not just a streetwear brand. It’s the faith and prayer that went into these clothes,” Canty explained.

People are certainly paying attention. Over the last five years, Gréyce and Merci has been spotted on celebrities like Chris Brown and NLE Choppa and has amassed a loyal customer base. Canty has poured sweat, tears, and prayers into building this momentum, and he has no plans to stop.

“I want my brand to be a worldwide brand strongly built on faith. I want to be the first faith-based brand on Rodeo Drive. I want the world to see that His grace and mercy are real.”

If you’ve seen a cool anime t-shirt recently, there’s a good chance it’s by HYPLAND. The brand is the brainchild of Jordan Bentley, who combined his love for art, skateboard culture, and anime to create head-turning streetwear when he was just 13. Fifteen years later, HYPLAND continues to stand the test of time.

Bentley describes HYPLAND as a “uniform for the culture,” a way for people to connect over common interests. “Something as simple as sharing the same taste in fashion or eye for design can create a friendship that lasts for years,” he noted.

HYPLAND has no shortage of pop cultural references for its customers to bond over. Collabs include Naruto, Hello Kitty, and Attack on Titan. These collections, along with Bentley’s marketing genius, have helped grow HYPLAND into a multi-million-dollar company.

As the brand has matured, so has Bentley’s vision for himself. He has plans to expand HYPLAND into other spaces, but he’s also looking to redefine his role as a founder and designer. “I know there’s another kid out there who’s just trying to figure it out; you can’t be what you can’t see. So, I’m trying to walk the path of a leader.”

Streetwear is typically associated with comfort and swag, but Jay Loren is bringing a touch of couture to the style. His brand, J.Loren, marries traditional silhouettes and pieces of streetwear with elevated elements like embroidery, beading, and premium fabrics.

Loren, who has always loved fashion, learned to sew and design clothing because he recognized a gap in the market. “I wanted things I didn’t see in stores when I was younger. So, it led me to make my own stuff,” he explained.

Over the last 10 years, Loren has sharpened both his skills and his vision as a designer. He’s taught himself the art and business of fashion—from creative direction to photography—and has successfully released multiple collections.

For his upcoming collection, Labyrinth, Loren is weaving the story of his path from newbie designer to landing major platforms like New York Fashion Week. The pieces will feature maze prints and patterns to reflect the challenges and doubts he’s navigated on his journey.

“Now the brand is what I’ve envisioned,” Loren explained. “I’m proud of that because I’ve learned step by step to get where I am now. It hasn’t been easy. But I wouldn’t change a thing.”

There is no material quite like leather. It’s adaptable and made to last. That’s why David Minor, Jr. chose it as the signature material for his menswear brand NYRVA. The New York-based designer leans into brutalism, a style that embraces the beauty of raw materials.

“I like concrete. I like rusty. I like imperfect. I feel like that’s how leather is. It turns into something beautiful the more you wear it,” Minor explained. The clothing and accessories he crafts for NYRVA are designed to be worn repeatedly, meaning each piece will eventually have a uniquely lived-in look and feel.

Minor’s brutalist inspiration isn’t the only unique thing about his approach to fashion. His design philosophy is inspired by his love of museums, and he aims to create pieces that would work as both wearable art and display-worthy artifacts.

NYRVA also doesn’t follow traditional timelines for releases. It’s a choice Minor celebrates with his tagline: Style over Season. “I ended up finding a pace that works for me. I don’t worry about a fashion calendar or seasons. If it’s the summertime and I wanna drop a fur coat, I will. If it’s wintertime and I wanna drop shorts, I will.”