rue21 Spring Collection (2025)

As a Black man, stepping outside of your comfort zone can feel like walking a tightrope. There’s an unspoken pressure to move a certain way, look a certain way, even exist a certain way—just to feel safe, accepted, or respected. And in that pressure, it becomes easy to shrink yourself, to play it safe, to stay within the lines that the world draws for you. But I’ve come to a point where I no longer want to live according to someone else’s version of who I should be.

 

Allowing myself to evolve—to fully embrace the man I am and the one I’m becoming—hasn’t been easy. There’s vulnerability in saying, “This is me, unfiltered.” There’s fear in breaking away from what’s familiar. But growth lives in that discomfort. And for me, fashion has become a powerful tool in that journey. It’s one of the few spaces where I can reclaim agency over how I’m seen—on my own terms.Style isn’t just about clothes. It’s about identity. It’s about expression. It’s about freedom. Fashion has given me the language to show up in the world as my whole self—even when the world doesn’t always make room for that. Every outfit I wear, every risk I take with my look, is a quiet rebellion. It’s me saying, “I deserve to be seen. I deserve to take up space. I deserve to feel good in my skin.”

 

There’s something transformative about putting on something that feels true to who you are. It’s not about impressing others—it’s about aligning your outer appearance with your inner evolution. And in doing so, I’ve found a deeper confidence, a clearer sense of self, and a real joy in becoming.

This journey is far from over. But I’m learning that becoming the best version of yourself starts with giving yourself permission to show up—and sometimes, that begins with what you choose to wear.