There’s a particular kind of courage required to walk away from stability and step fully into a dream, especially when you’re the first from your hometown to do it. For Justin Haynes, the global designer-tailor behind JUS10H, that moment came at a crossroads: accept a promotion that would take him away from his ailing father, return to an entry-level position, or bet everything on himself and his vision for fashion.
He chose himself. And in doing so, he didn’t just launch a brand. He became the first designer ever from Springfield, Massachusetts to showcase at Paris, New York, LA, Miami, Milan, Dubai, and Aspara Fashion Weeks. Today, as Vice Chairman of the Tokyo Fashion Council’s Board of Directors (the first African American recognized as a Japanese Industry Leader) and Vice President of The West Africa Fashion Council, Justin has proven that trusting your instinct, staying true to your vision, and putting in the work can rewrite what’s possible. His signature aesthetic (retro chic menswear, womenswear, and children’s wear infused with bright colors, distinct patterns, and elegant patchwork) has adorned celebrities from Kelly Ripa to Nick Cannon, Melissa McCarthy to Angela Yee. But beyond the accolades and red carpets, Justin’s story is one of unshakeable faith, relentless work ethic, and the kind of authenticity that makes his designs instantly recognizable.
In this Behind The Look feature, we reached out to Justin to learn more about the style influences that shaped him, the symbolism behind his signature patchwork, and what it really takes to build a legacy in fashion.
Style as an Inheritance
Long before JUS10H became globally recognized, Justin was a kid paying attention. “Growing up, I would say ‘layering’ layers was a huge impact in my styling during high school,” he recalls. “I loved, and still do jackets, denim jackets, trench coats – just something about a nice layering piece.” But it wasn’t just about the clothes themselves. It was about witnessing style as a form of self-expression and excellence. His mother and grandmother became his earliest fashion role models, demonstrating what true style looked like in everyday life. “Their style was so unique and classic back then, that it’s become classic vintage now. From church to everyday living, I had some awesome examples of what STYLE really was.” That foundation (seeing fashion not as frivolous but as intentional, as something that elevates the ordinary into something memorable) would become the bedrock of everything Justin would build.
The transition from admiring fashion to creating it professionally came at one of the most difficult moments in Justin’s life. Working in luxury retail with a promising career trajectory, he was offered a promotion that required relocating to Chicago. The timing couldn’t have been worse: his father was seriously ill and leaving wasn’t an option. “My father was very ill at the time and I just couldn’t leave,” Justin shares. “So I walked in the office and told my boss it was my last day and I started right away.” The decision to walk away from the security of a corporate position and commit fully to becoming a fashion designer required a level of conviction that most people never muster. In Springfield, Massachusetts, leaving job stability to chase a childhood dream isn’t easy to do. But Justin understood that: some dreams don’t wait for convenient timing. “Every day you wake up is a success story,” he says when asked how he defines success. “Another opportunity to do what you couldn’t or didn’t do the previous day is a BLESSING & SUCCESS!!!”
If you’ve seen a JUS10H piece, you know it immediately. The patchwork tailoring has become Justin’s calling card: a distinctive aesthetic that marries craftsmanship with bold individuality. For Justin, patchwork isn’t just a design choice but a statement of purpose. “Patchwork symbolizes my personality. My sense of uniqueness,” he explains. “It’s a sense of ‘I do what I want in Fashion’ – having patchwork on tailored garments wasn’t a thing until JUS10H. Yeah, patchwork jeans and sweaters may have been but not suiting. So to summarize it symbolizes individuality.” That willingness to break conventions, to take something considered casual or rustic and elevate it to formal suiting, is what sets Justin apart. He didn’t ask permission. He didn’t wait for the industry to validate his vision. He simply made what felt true to him, trusting that others would recognize its value.
And they did. His work has earned him the “Best Women’s Ready To Wear Designer” award multiple times (2019, 2022, 2023), the “Natural Born Artist Award” three consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2020), and recognition from The Knot as “Best Of Weddings 2024 & 2025” for his excellence in formal and bridal wear tailoring. Early in his career, Justin struggled with something many creatives face: the fear of judgment. “One of the challenges was not worrying about what others thought of my design work. I would always be so worried about what people would say.” But experience and success taught him a crucial lesson about criticism and creative vision. “Today, that’s changed. I still want to hear opinions and suggestions. I’ve just learned to take in what I want and throw away what I don’t. My confidence in ME has grown.” That confidence now anchors everything he creates. When asked what values guide his work as a designer, his answer is immediate and unwavering: “Staying true to ME! I believe if I love it, others will. I’ve learned not to bend. I care less about the price point. If it doesn’t remain true to me, I don’t want any parts of it.” It’s a philosophy that has served him well: from dressing celebrities for the Oscars to being named Top Business Leader of 2020 by Yahoo Finance, Top Entrepreneur of 2020 by USA Today, and ranking #2 on the New York Times Top 10 Influencers list.
Justin sees his work as storytelling, and the narrative he’s most passionate about telling right now is simple: “I’m creating a story of GETTING IT DONE!!! I want it to be known that I GOT IT DONE!!!” That story isn’t just about personal achievement but about what’s possible when you commit to the work. “Work! You have to put in the work to see results. AND, you have to do it the RIGHT WAY!! Fast breaks only last temporarily.” It’s a message earned through experience, through being the first from his hometown to reach international fashion weeks, through becoming the first African American recognized as a Japanese Industry Leader in fashion. These aren’t accidents, they’re the result of consistent, intentional effort. Despite the accolades and global recognition, Justin remains remarkably grounded. “What keeps me grounded is knowing that it can all go at any second. I’m ‘in’ today but I could be ‘out’ tomorrow. My circle is extremely small. However, it’s strong” With his inspiration rooted in family, he shares his greatest source of guidance: “My Mom – the strongest person I know. She has dealt and handled more than I could EVER. She still treats everyone with respect. Even the ones that did her so wrong. And I admire her for that.” That same grace and resilience show up in his approach to the future. When asked about dreams still waiting to be chased, his answer reflects a deep faith: “So many!!! But I’m taking it day by day! Right now, whatever door God opens will be what I walk into. My dreams are laid before Him. It’s whatever he says now.”
If you ask Justin to describe his life and journey in one word, he chooses “Unbelievable.” And when you consider the scope of what he’s accomplished (over 75 magazine features, partnerships with Adidas Brazil and New Balance Lifestyle, showcases with audiences over 10,000, positions of leadership on international fashion councils), it does feel almost surreal. But perhaps the most telling measure of success is simpler. When asked what his younger self would say if he could see him today, Justin’s answer is immediate: “He would say, JUSTIN, MAN… you did it!!!!!” And he did. From Springfield to Paris, from luxury retail to luxury design, from worrying about others’ opinions to confidently declaring “I do what I want in Fashion,” Justin Haynes has built not just a brand but a legacy. JUS10H isn’t just bringing fashion to everyday life, it’s proving that with faith, work, and unwavering commitment to your vision, you can rewrite the rules entirely. The patchwork isn’t just in the garments. It’s in the story itself – pieces of faith, family, loss, courage, and relentless determination stitched together into something beautiful and entirely his own.
Follow Justin Haynes and JUS10H: Instagram: @theofficialjus10h Website: www.jus10H.com
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