Photo Courtesy of William Malcolm/UniWorld Group
William Malcolm is a man of style and substance. As the founder and designer of the William Malcolm Luxe Collection, he specializes in custom suits with a “new classic” design. Launched in 2010, the collection also features eyewear and a shoe line. Born and raised in Detroit, Malcolm understands the importance of designing an interior that matches your exterior. Along with creating menswear, the style artist mentors young Black males, inspiring them to fulfill their passion, purpose and power. “I choose to honor kings by making more kings … What I do in fashion, shows young people — especially our young men — that they can set a goal and see that goal come to life,” he said.
Debonair yet humble, Malcolm is proof that chivalry is alive, dressed to the nines and in demand. Lincoln Motor Company commissioned him to design the suit worn by recording artist Mali Music during the RAGTRADE runway show in Atlanta last year. The suit’s design was inspired by the 2017 Lincoln Continental.
Rolling out spoke with the stone cold gentleman about what led him to pursue his passion, his collaboration with Lincoln and his business principles.
How did you get into fashion?
I’ve always been into fashion. I’ve always been into design. Like most people, I didn’t pursue it because it’s not the typical thing. Later in life, my wife encouraged me to pursue my passion. My youngest daughter, I used to pray over her at night. My wife heard me praying over her and telling her, “You can be whatever you wanna be. You can accomplish anything you want; the world is yours.” My wife was like, “Well, you’re not doing that, you’re not happy, you’re not doing what you want to do.” At that time, I was making money, we were going on trips, but I wasn’t happy.
A strong woman will let you walk away from good salary, benefits and a company car to pursue your passion. It’s not easy, I tell people that you have to go through your seed time. If you plant something in the garden, you don’t go back the next day talking ’bout, “Where’s my tomatoes?” It takes time. I’m almost addicted to continuing to plant things and seeing what happens. I’m a man of faith.
We love well-dressed men. Especially with urban men, it’s important to show them wearing more than their pants hanging off their butts.
Absolutely. That’s really what I bring with my work with the young men. The world is not fair; they judge us. They’re gonna hit their car alarm five times if I’m dressed in a suit. But if I’m dressed in something else, they’re gonna hit it ten [times]. The suit is so important. It’s a universal symbol of business around the world. If you go to Indonesia, if you go to China, if you go to Germany — wherever you go — the western style suit is the universal symbol of business. If our African-American young men/young men of color do not know how navigate or do not know how to use this instrument of business for their advantage, then they are disadvantaged.
What does ‘bespoken’ mean?
It’s a term that originated from England. A gentleman would see some fabric and that fabric would ‘bespoken’ for. That means that fabric couldn’t be used by someone else. It eventually became bespoke. In laymen’s terms, it’s custom; it’s made for that particular individual, one of one.
Tell us about your collaboration with Lincoln.
I went to a fashion event and Lincoln was the sponsor. I saw the MKX and I decided to design a suit for the MKX. I got in contact with people who worked at Lincoln and sent them some sketches. They didn’t have a problem with me doing it; they were very welcoming. We completed the suit and from there the relationship blossomed. So then, they came back and asked me to design the suit for the Lincoln Continental [and Mali].
We love Mali Music, he’s a different type of artist. How was it working with him?
Working with Mali and his entire team was a breeze. He was open to letting me create and do what I needed. I put that whole thing together, even his shoes. I did a lot of research on him. I looked at Mali to get a taste of what he wears when he’s normally dressed. The suits that I design for someone is for them—not for me. It’s like how when an actor researches a role, that’s really how I go into my clients. I like to surprise my clients with details that are only on their suit. I tried to tailor the suit to where he [Mali] was comfortable. I have a shoe line coming out and he was the first to wear one of my slippers. He had on William Malcolm everything. He was excited.
What are some business principles that you recommend for entrepreneurs?
Never stop learning. Find mentors that motivate and inspire you in different areas of growth. Only compete against yourself. Create and develop a clear concise brand. Dream Big. Always.
Check out the suit Malcolm created exclusively for Mali Music in the photo gallery. To view more of William Malcolm’s signature suits, visit www.williammalcolmcollection.com.
