Brandon Graham / publisher

Asked how he first became interested in fashion, Brandon Graham tells stories about his father. “I wasn’t as interested in what people were wearing, but more interested in how things were put together and being able to translate what was in my head to paper.

“When I was a kid, my father used to wake me up at 6 in the morning on the weekends to help him reupholster furniture. I remember being half asleep, arms shaking, while I’m pulling a leather hide over a piece of wood for my father to staple it down. He used to own a furniture design and reupholstering company in Baltimore, MD, but closed down the shop after having my brother and me and getting transferred to Allegany County, MD because of his second job working for the railroad.

“As a kid growing up I always liked to draw and was surprised to learn my father had an artistic background not only with upholstery, but with drawing, drafting blueprints, and interior design layouts.” Graham was eight years old when his father first looked at his drawings, a moment he remembers as a powerful connection between father and son. “That Christmas he bought me a bag full of art supplies. From then on I always asked him to draw something so I could see how he went about it so I could learn his techniques. I’m fascinated by illustrators to this day.”

Very much a student, Graham had to learn the technical aspects of fashion. He apprenticed to Barrington Wisdom, at Barrington Custom Tailors in Cumberland, MD, as he began his studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. In school, Graham’s professionalism and obsession with being the best allowed him to not only appreciate the precision of construction, fabrication, and fit, but it expanded his artistic ability. He interned at Armani Exchange to further his education, then went on to work and consult for companies such as John Varvatos, Armani Exchange, Levis, Dockers, Nike and Fila, focusing on high-end menswear. In addition, he has worked with various designers to develop his own menswear line, Brentwood.

Laid back, but very focused, Brandon has a gift for getting others to open up and share their stories. He also radiates a quiet determination, and dedication to his projects.

See Brandon Graham’s Portfolio.  Click Here.