RJ BRANDS CUSTOMS: Confidence isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you step into

You speak openly about overcoming low self-esteem and self-confidence. At what point did you begin to transform those challenges into something creative rather than limiting? That shift usually doesn’t happen all at once—it builds quietly over time. For a lot of people, it starts at the moment when avoiding those feelings becomes more exhausting than facing them. Early on, low self-esteem tends to feel like something you have to hide or “fix” before you can create anything meaningful. But the turning point comes when you realize those exact struggles are the raw material. Instead of waiting to feel confident, you start expressing yourself as you are—uncertain, evolving, real. For many creatives, that transformation begins when: You stop comparing your behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. You recognize that authenticity connects more than perfection. You channel what you feel (doubt, pressure, growth) into your work—whether that’s fashion, captions, music, or visuals.

RJ Brands Customs carries a strong message of individuality. How do you translate something as personal as self-acceptance into a visual language through fashion? Translating self-acceptance into fashion isn’t about making everything perfect—it’s about making everything intentional. You’re taking something internal and giving it a visible form people can wear, feel, and recognize. Imperfection becomes design, not a flaw. Clean, factory-perfect pieces feel distant. But distressing, asymmetry, raw edges, or hand-done details signal realness. It tells people: “You don’t have to be polished to be powerful.”Customization = identity

When pieces feel one-of-one or slightly different, it reflects the idea that no two people carry confidence the same way. Even small variations—patches, stitching, color flips—turn clothing into self-expression instead of uniform.

Growing up in Petersburg, Virginia, how did your environment influence your sense of identity and creative direction? Growing up in Petersburg shapes you in a way that’s hard to replicate anywhere else—it’s a place with history, struggle, pride, and quiet creativity all layered together. That kind of environment naturally pushes you to figure out who you are early, because you’re constantly seeing different versions of survival, expression, and identity around you. So when I create through RJ Brands Customs, it’s really a reflection of that experience—raw, intentional, and rooted in individuality. Everything I design carries a piece of that story, because for me, it’s not just about clothing, it’s about identity and self-expression.

Your work blends 90s fashion with contemporary elements. What draws you to that era, and how do you reinterpret it in a way that feels relevant today? I’ve always been drawn to 90s fashion because it represents a time when style felt unapologetic and expressive. People weren’t overthinking trends the way they do now—they were setting them. There was a raw confidence in how oversized silhouettes, bold graphics, and streetwear were put together. It wasn’t about fitting in, it was about standing out and owning your identity. What really inspires me is the authenticity of that era. It was driven by culture—music, street life, and individuality—and you could feel that in every look. That energy aligns with what I stand for creatively, so it naturally influences my work.

You describe your brand as more than fashion. When someone wears your designs, what do you hope they feel or realize about themselves? I’ve always said my brand is more than fashion because it’s really about how people see themselves when they wear it. When someone puts on one of my pieces, I want them to feel a sense of confidence that doesn’t come from validation, but from within. Like they don’t have to question if they stand out—they just do, naturally. More than anything, I want them to realize that individuality is their strength. You don’t have to fit into a mold or follow what everyone else is doing to be seen or respected. The way you are, your story, your style—that’s already enough. The clothes are just an extension of that. I also want people to feel empowered in a quiet way. Not forced, not loud for the sake of attention, but a real presence. The kind where you walk into a room and you’re comfortable in your own skin, and that energy speaks before you even say anything. If anything, I want my designs to remind people that confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you step into. And sometimes, all it takes is putting on something that feels like you to realize that.

There’s a clear intention to empower others through your work. How do you approach designing for people of different backgrounds, identities, and body types? For me, designing for different backgrounds, identities, and body types starts with understanding that individuality isn’t one look—it’s a spectrum. So I don’t approach design with a “one type fits all” mindset. I focus on creating pieces that allow people to bring themselves into the clothing, instead of the clothing defining them.

A big part of that is versatility. I design with the intention that a piece can be styled in multiple ways, worn differently depending on the person’s body type or personal aesthetic. Whether it’s through adjustable elements, relaxed fits, or thoughtful proportions, I want people to feel like the piece works with them—not against them. I’m also intentional about representation. The way the brand is shown—who’s wearing it, how it’s styled, the environments it’s placed in—matters just as much as the design itself. People should be able to see themselves in the brand without feeling like they have to change who they are to fit into it. My job is to create something that meets people where they are, and gives them the freedom to express that in their own way.

Starting your brand in 2016 required a leap of faith. What were the biggest internal or external obstacles you faced in those early stages? Internally, it was a lot of self-doubt—questioning if I was ready, if my ideas were strong enough, or if people would even understand the vision. When you’re building something from nothing, there’s no blueprint, so you really have to trust yourself before anyone else does. Learning to push past that and stay consistent, even when I didn’t have immediate validation, was one of the biggest challenges.Externally, it came down to resources and exposure. Not having access to major funding, connections, or a big platform meant I had to be creative with everything—how I produced, how I marketed, and how I got the brand in front of people. It forced me to build from the ground up, piece by piece.There was also the challenge of being taken seriously. When you’re starting out, especially independently, people don’t always see the long-term vision right away. So I had to stay focused and let the work speak over time.

But honestly, those obstacles shaped the brand. They taught me resilience, discipline, and how to move with intention. Looking back, those early challenges weren’t setbacks—they were part of the foundation that made the brand what it is today.

In an industry that often promotes trends over individuality, how do you stay grounded in your own message? In an industry that moves so fast and constantly pushes trends, staying grounded really comes down to clarity and discipline. I had to get clear early on about what my message was and why I started in the first place. Once you truly understand your purpose, it becomes easier to filter out what doesn’t align.

I don’t create based on what’s trending—I create based on what feels authentic to me and true to the brand. Trends come and go, but identity is consistent. So instead of chasing what’s popular in the moment, I focus on building something that has longevity and meaning. Another big part of staying grounded is being intentional about what I consume. Whether it’s social media, fashion cycles, or outside opinions, I make sure I’m not letting that noise override my vision. Inspiration is important, but it shouldn’t dilute who you are.I also remind myself that individuality is the reason people connect with the brand in the first place. The moment I start trying to fit into what everyone else is doing, I lose what makes it stand out. So I treat my perspective like an asset and protect it.At the end of the day, staying grounded is about trusting that being authentic will always outlast being trendy. That’s what keeps the brand consistent, and that’s what keeps it real.

Your journey emphasizes being “unapologetically yourself.” Has there been a moment where staying true to that principle was particularly difficult? There have definitely been moments where staying true to being “unapologetically myself” was challenging—especially in situations where it felt like compromising might open more doors or create quicker opportunities.One of the biggest tests came when I was starting to gain more visibility and began getting feedback on how to “adjust” my style or direction to fit what was more marketable or aligned with current trends. On the surface, it sounded like good advice, but deep down I knew it didn’t fully represent me or the message behind my brand.It’s difficult in those moments because you’re balancing growth with integrity. You start asking yourself, “Do I adapt to be accepted, or do I stay true and risk being overlooked?” And early on, when you’re still building, that pressure can feel real.But I realized that if I compromised the foundation of what I stand for, any success that came from it wouldn’t feel genuine or sustainable. So I chose to stay consistent with my vision, even if it meant moving slower or taking a less conventional path.That experience reinforced something important for me—being unapologetically yourself isn’t always the easiest route, but it’s the most honest one. And in the long run, that honesty is what builds real connection, not just attention.

Fashion can often be about perception. How do you balance external image with the deeper message you want your brand to communicate? Fashion is definitely tied to perception, but for me, the goal is to make sure the external image is always aligned with the deeper message—not replacing it.I approach design and presentation with intention. The visuals—whether it’s the fit, the styling, or the way it’s shot—are meant to draw people in. That’s the first layer. But once people are pulled in, there has to be something real underneath that keeps them connected. That’s where the message comes in—individuality, confidence, self-acceptance.It’s really about balance. I’m aware that image matters, especially in fashion, but I don’t let it become the whole story. Every piece, every visual, has to reflect something deeper than just looking good. It has to feel like something.

I also try to keep things honest. I’m not interested in creating a perfect or overly polished image that people can’t relate to. I’d rather show something real, something people can see themselves in. That authenticity is what bridges the gap between perception and meaning.At the end of the day, the image might be what people notice first, but the message is what makes them stay. So I make sure the two are always working together, not competing with each other.

As you continue to grow RJ Brands Customs, what kind of impact do you hope to have on the next generation of creatives? As I continue to grow RJ Brands Customs, the impact I hope to have on the next generation of creatives goes beyond just fashion—I want to shift how they see themselves and what they believe is possible.

I want to show that you don’t have to come from a perfect situation, have endless resources, or follow a traditional path to build something meaningful. Where you come from and what you’ve been through can actually be your advantage if you learn how to channel it into your work. More importantly, I want to give people permission to be themselves without feeling like they have to conform to be accepted. A lot of creatives hold back because they think their ideas aren’t “marketable” enough or don’t fit into what’s trending. I want my journey and my brand to challenge that mindset and prove that authenticity has value.I also hope to inspire discipline and consistency. Talent and creativity are important, but what really builds something lasting is showing up for your vision even when it’s not getting immediate attention. That’s something I had to learn, and it’s something I want others to understand early. If anything, I want the next generation to look at RJ Brands Customs and realize that being different isn’t a disadvantage—it’s your foundation. And if you stay true to that, you can create something that not only stands out, but actually means something.

Looking forward, what does success mean to you now compared to when you first started your journey? When I first started my journey, success looked a lot like validation. It was about being seen, gaining recognition, and proving—to myself and to others—that I could build something real from my ideas. I think early on, that’s natural. You’re chasing visibility, opportunities, and a sense that what you’re doing matters. But as I’ve grown, my definition of success has shifted. Now, it’s less about external recognition and more about alignment and impact. Success means staying true to my vision, creating with intention, and knowing that what I’m putting out actually resonates with people on a deeper level.

It’s also about sustainability—being able to keep building, evolving, and expanding without losing the core of what the brand stands for. If I can grow RJ Brands Customs while still maintaining authenticity, that’s success to me. And beyond that, it’s about influence in a meaningful way. If my work can inspire someone else to step into their own identity, to create without fear, or to believe in their vision a little more—that carries more weight than numbers or trends.So now, success isn’t just about where I end up, it’s about how I get there and who I’m able to impact along the way.

Fashion Designer: RJ BRANDS CUSTOMS @rjbrandscustomsllc

Photographer: Bradley Adjei @badbrad.pic