From Petersburg, Virginia, to the fashion spotlight, Ralph Gregory Jr. is redefining nostalgic streetwear through hip-hop culture, pop culture, creativity, and a powerful message of self-acceptance.
In a world where fashion trends come and go, Ralph Gregory Jr. is building something designed to stand the test of time. As the creative force behind RJ Brands Customs, the rising streetwear talent from Petersburg, Virginia, is merging nostalgic influences with contemporary streetwear while delivering a message that reaches far beyond the clothes themselves: embrace who you are, celebrate what makes you different, and never be afraid to express yourself.
For Gregory, fashion has always represented more than appearance. It is a form of storytelling, a reflection of identity, and a powerful way to communicate without saying a word. His creative journey is deeply connected to his personal experiences with self-esteem and self-confidence, struggles that helped shape his perspective and ultimately became part of the inspiration behind his brand.
Rather than allowing those experiences to define his limitations, Gregory found an opportunity to transform them into something meaningful. Fashion became an outlet for his creativity and a way to explore individuality, confidence, and self-acceptance. He wanted to create pieces that would encourage people to feel comfortable in their own skin, embrace their differences, and recognize that they do not have to conform to anyone else’s expectations to be valued.
That vision became the foundation of RJ Brands Customs, which Gregory launched in 2016 as a leap of faith. Starting a brand meant believing in his ideas, trusting his creativity, and committing to a vision that had the potential to become much bigger than himself. What began as a personal pursuit has continued to evolve into a growing creative platform shaped by his experiences, imagination, and determination to carve out his own lane in fashion.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Streetwear
One of the defining characteristics of Gregory’s aesthetic is his ability to bring the past into the present. Influenced by the expressive energy of 1990s fashion, hip-hop culture, iconic pop culture imagery, and contemporary streetwear, his designs celebrate the visual language of different generations.
His approach is rooted in the belief that fashion should evoke emotion and memories while leaving room for reinvention. Nostalgic references connect people to familiar cultural moments, while modern styling gives those ideas a new identity. The result is a creative direction that feels playful, bold, recognizable, and distinctly personal.
Gregory is especially drawn to the cultural influence of hip-hop, a movement that has long used fashion as a vehicle for individuality, creativity, and self-expression. From the era-defining styles of the 1990s to the constantly evolving language of streetwear today, these influences help shape his vision.
His work also demonstrates a willingness to experiment with unexpected concepts. His custom McDonald’s-inspired backpack collections, for example, transform familiar imagery into distinctive fashion statements. By reimagining recognizable pop culture elements through custom designs, Gregory creates pieces that attract attention, inspire conversation, and demonstrate that inspiration can come from virtually anywhere.
For him, creativity is not about repeating what everyone else is doing. It is about seeing potential in an idea, trusting his imagination, and bringing something original to life.
Fashion With a Deeper Purpose
While the designs capture attention, the message behind them is what gives the brand its deeper meaning.
Gregory understands how challenging it can be to feel confident in yourself, especially in a world where people are constantly exposed to expectations about how they should look, dress, and live. His experiences have helped him recognize the importance of self-acceptance, and he wants his brand to serve as a reminder that individuality is something to celebrate rather than hide.
Through RJ Brands Customs, he hopes to connect with people from different backgrounds, identities, and body types. His vision is not limited to one particular image of what is fashionable or who belongs in streetwear. Instead, he wants people to see themselves as part of the culture and feel empowered to develop their own sense of style.
The philosophy is straightforward: you do not have to follow every trend to be relevant, change yourself to gain acceptance, or look like somebody else to make an impression.
You can create your own identity.
You can embrace your own story.
You can be unapologetically yourself.
That message is woven into the brand’s creative direction and reflects Gregory’s belief that fashion can do more than change how people look. It can encourage them to reconsider how they see themselves.
From Petersburg to the Fashion Week Stage
Gregory’s journey has continued to expand as he introduces his work to new audiences and takes his creative vision beyond his hometown. His collections have been showcased at New York Fashion Week and Atlantic City Fashion Week, providing opportunities to present his designs in front of broader fashion audiences.
These milestones represent more than appearances on a runway. They reflect the evolution of a creative entrepreneur who took a chance on himself and continued working to turn his ideas into tangible accomplishments.
Building a fashion brand requires more than inspiration. It demands consistency, problem-solving, business discipline, and the willingness to keep moving forward when the results are not guaranteed. Gregory’s experience as both a designer and entrepreneur has challenged him to develop creatively while learning what it takes to build a lasting brand.
As his work reaches new audiences and support for his vision continues to grow, he remains focused on developing his identity rather than simply chasing trends. Each collection creates another opportunity to experiment, tell a story, and show the world another dimension of what RJ Brands Customs can become.
His journey also reflects the importance of taking creative risks. Every opportunity begins with an idea, but turning that idea into reality requires the courage to act on it. For Gregory, that mindset has been essential since the day he decided to launch his brand in 2016.
Building a Legacy Beyond Fashion
For Ralph Gregory Jr., success is not measured exclusively by recognition, sales, or the number of people wearing his designs. Those accomplishments matter, but his larger ambition is to create something that continues to inspire others.
He wants his journey to remind aspiring designers, entrepreneurs, and creatives that they do not need to wait for permission to pursue their vision. They can start where they are, use what they have, learn through the process, and allow their creativity to evolve along the way.
His story is also a reminder that personal challenges do not have to become permanent barriers. Sometimes, the experiences that test our confidence can help us discover what we are capable of creating. By channeling his own experiences into fashion, Gregory has developed a platform through which he can share a message of empowerment with others.
As RJ Brands Customs continues to grow, his goal is to expand the brand’s reach, explore new creative opportunities, and leave a lasting mark on streetwear culture. He hopes to inspire the next generation to embrace originality, trust their ideas, and understand that their individuality can become one of their greatest strengths.
The opportunity to be featured in THIS IS 50represents another meaningful chapter in that journey. It offers a platform to share not only the brand’s aesthetic, but also the personal experiences, creative vision, and purpose that exist behind every design.
From Petersburg, Virginia, to the fashion world, Gregory is continuing to build his own path — one rooted in nostalgia, shaped by culture, and driven by the desire to help people feel confident in who they are.
Because for Ralph Gregory Jr., streetwear is more than fashion. It is identity. It is creativity. It is confidence. And above all, it is the freedom to be yourself.
Photographers: David “Damelio” Nicholas, Kash Blanc & Bonita
RJ Brands Customs: Rooted in nostalgia. Inspired by culture. Created for individuality.
