Jerry Lorenzo, the inventive pressure behind Los Angeles-based label Concern of God, describes his strategy as one in every of honesty: ‘clothes that enables individuals to be the very best variations of who they’re’. Working with the tagline ‘American Luxurious’, the 2013-founded Concern of God – alongside its offshoot ‘Necessities’ – imbues quotidian clothes, from hoodies and sweatpants to wool overcoats, blazers and denim denims, with a temper of pared-back class, influenced by the gown codes of Lorenzo’s native California. In doing so, he continues the traditions of American sportswear: a continuum which incorporates Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, each touchpoints for the designer.
Two appears by Lorenzo function in ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Fashion’, the most recent Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Artwork in New York, the opening of which is heralded by the Met Gala. Going down yesterday night, the starry occasion – usually deemed the ‘Oscars of Style‘ – noticed Lorenzo collect a desk of cultural luminaries spanning the worlds of artwork, movie and trend, every of which echoes his all-in strategy to creation (‘we pour all of ourselves into our work’). These included Sinners director Ryan Coogler and his spouse, producer Zinzi Coogler; artists Arthur Jafa, Amy Sherald and Lauren Halsey; designer Andre Walker; actress Yara Shahidi; footballer DeAndre Hopkins; and Lorenzo’s spouse, Desiree Manuel, who he has beforehand referred to as his final muse. (Lorenzo additionally dressed Adrien Brody and Spike Lee for the occasion.)
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures, courtesy of Concern of God)
Right here, in his personal phrases, Lorenzo speaks on curating the right Met Gala desk, the ‘class of honesty’ on and off the crimson carpet, and the way he reinterpreted the determine of the Black dandy on the coronary heart of the ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Fashion’. ‘It’s about speaking dignity: that’s what the dandy was attempting to do, he was utilizing his garments to combat for dignity, to be seen as equal,’ he says. ‘That’s the spirit behind what we’re doing with our company.’
Concern of God’s Jerry Lorenzo on curating the right Met Gala desk and the ‘class of honesty’
‘With the Met Gala, everybody is usually simply within the arrivals [on the red carpet], regardless that it’s kicking off an exhibition. So I feel the vast majority of the individuals who go are those that like to be seen – they exit, and so they get an opportunity to be seen by the world. However I really feel just like the individuals on our desk don’t subscribe to that.
‘It was extra vital for me to honour pals of mine, those that I’m shut with, who strategy their work in the identical manner that I do mine. , rewriting our narrative, the way in which our tradition is seen, and creating an trustworthy image of that. Honesty is the place there’s magnificence: Amy [Sherald] does that via her work, Ryan [Coogler] does that via his work… Arthur Jafa, too. Andre Walker has additionally been doing that for a really very long time.
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures, courtesy of Concern of God)
‘Largely, these individuals are simply pals. Somebody like Ryan, he’s my man, and together with his success [with Sinners], every little thing simply feels as if it is ordained or in alignment. No matter whether or not he had a film out or not, he’d be coming with me, as a result of I’ve a lot respect for him. I do know him on a deep stage, and we’re very comparable in the way in which that we simply pour all of ourselves into our work.
‘What I am attempting to do via Concern of God is to create items that’ll permit individuals to be the very best variations of who they’re’
Jerry Lorenzo
‘I feel the intention of what I am attempting to do via Concern of God is to create items that’ll permit individuals to be the very best variations of who they’re. They do not should stay in pretentiousness or put on an outfit that claims one thing that they’re not. I’m designing one thing trustworthy to who individuals are. That’s the class of honesty: you are simply your self. Should you appear like you are attempting too onerous, or attempting to be what you‘re not, you do not look as subtle as somebody who’s comfy.
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures, courtesy of Concern of God)
‘So for my company, I am placing them in what I consider is a glance that transcends the carpet. In fact I consider they’re going to be elegant, lovely for the carpet, however they’d look simply pretty much as good in the event that they needed to go on a date and by no means even hit the Met Gala. I feel it’s simple for me to do that as a result of I do know myself, who I’m and what I am right here to say, it simply anchors me in each determination I make. I simply need them to be elegant, easy, [ready] for no matter a day would possibly deliver.
‘When it comes to the theme, it’s based mostly on a selected character [the Black dandy], however the story of getting dressed inside Black tradition transcends that. I’m extra taking a look at what the spirit of that’s, and designing into that, not essentially following a selected aesthetic. It’s about speaking dignity: that’s what a dandy was attempting to do, he was utilizing his garments to combat for dignity, to be seen as equal. That’s the spirit behind what we’re doing with our company.
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures, courtesy of Concern of God)
‘All of the appears are customized, with a couple of of the ladies’s appears tailored from our first womenswear assortment, which comes out later this 12 months. Seeing individuals sporting Concern of God is actually the present that provides again: anytime that somebody comes as much as you and says, man, I like the way in which I really feel on this, that’s what I’m designing for. This intangible emotion – to assist somebody really feel higher, nearer to the very best a part of themselves.’
‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Fashion’ runs at The Metropolitan Museum of Artwork Costume Institute from Could 10 2025 – October 2025. It’s supported by Louis Vuitton.
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