Meet William Morris | Fashion Designer & Culture Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with William Morris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi William, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well I was actually working on another brand with one of my best friends, and creatively our ideas were just so different. At that point in my life it felt like I had just hit rock bottom but I knew that I needed something of my own that would start my own legacy. I’ve loved fashion since I was a kid in elementary school, I knew that I wanted to be apart of the process of people feeling confident and being able to express themselves through the art of fashion.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started working on my brand, William Morris Fashion Galleries late in 2014. I had just moved back home with my mom at the time. I was working an overnight part-time job and attending college. I had began working on designs for the brand with my friend Kurt, who was also working on his brand N3VRMIND The Brand. I took my school refund check and funded my brand. I paid for my LLC and all of the materials needed for me to get off the ground. I wanted to do something to different that would create a buzz around the brand before I actually started selling product so I started handing out free samples of my signature t-shirts. What’s crazy is…”It worked!” Later that spring, Kurt and myself threw a pop up shop at one best store in the St. Louis, DNA. Nate, the owner gave us an opportunity to basically take over the store for the night. We had a great run leading up to the event, we met customers throughout the city to give them “Golden Tickets” as invites to the pop up. That night ended up being one of the best moments for me in my short career in fashion. I definitely wasn’t expecting the support but it overwhelming, in a good way. I hadn’t made any real money at time from my brand, if I recall correctly I did almost $2000 in a few hours. That was more money than I made in a month from the part-time job I was working.

I’ve loved fashion since early on, for me it was just a confidence booster being able to step out fresh. So it’s never been about the money but I would definitely want to provide the life I want for myself and my family by doing what I love. In middle school I used to draw sneakers in class, it had gotten so bad that my teacher actually called my mom on me. I won’t mention her name, but she told me then that I wouldn’t get too far in life drawing tennis shoes. My mind works different, and I’ve held onto that. Not only am I designing for my own brand, I’m working on something special in the footwear department.

Through this journey, I hope to be an inspiration for people and a staple in the culture. I have designed a “Northstar” logo for my brand that represents, William Morris but it also represents guidance and direction. When I felt I was at my lowest point in life the idea of what William Morris Fashion Galleries could do to keep me in line and out of a lot of things that could jeopardize my future. I take pride in that, I take pride in the pieces that design and hopefully people feel prideful while wearing it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow, that’s a good question a little difficult to answer only because I’m an out of the way kind of guy. Personally I love the St. Louis Art museum, and the work that the city has done with the new aquarium is nice. Union Station has the new Farris Wheel as well. There are so many new restaurants that are emerging locally, you have Prime 55, Bait and another one of my favorite places to go is Praino. I’d really like to do a photo shoot their for the brand. And I’d feel like a horrible host if I didn’t take you Redd’ BBQ and if you’re into snacks you gotta go to Scooter’s!

There’s also an arcade, Up Down that’s pretty dope too. I’m a Time Crisis and Street Frighter fanatic so I’m willing to play whomever in either of those, but they have game rooms that have everything from the new to old plus their pizza is pretty good too.

I’m a fashion guy so it’s only right that we go to some of my favorite spots in the city. If you’re looking for sneakers we’re going to 39 Castles, crazy selection! The owner likes to get something in that most wouldn’t expect. And just a few block away there’s DNA, the spot that gave me and my brand my first shot and they carry brands like Rhude, Fear of God and Chrome Hearts. A really dope spot in the city. A couple of new stores that have recently opened like Hustle3 C1t4 that is exclusive to St. Louis designers and also there’s Jerz Closet.

For me it’s home team or no team! So it’s a must we hit Ballpark Village and Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My support system is great, and I truly hope that if I do miss anyone name just know it definitely wasn’t intentional. First I’d like to shoutout my mom, Valeria and my Aunt Stephanie. It was them who coincidentally introduced me to the world of fashion. I used to browse their Spiegel and Neiman Marcus magazines when I younger. I can’t thank my friends enough for being so supportive and available. Trade, Terrell, Brandon and Jonas thank you always being ready! Every “HN” family member I love you to death! My four boys…Adonnis, Aneaus, Zion and Zane, I love you more than life itself. Of course dad! Kurt and Makal for believing in me from the jump. My guys at The Creators Guild, it’s only up! Dami and Lyteita for being the best sisters ever! Bff, Lynn thank you for sitting with me on all of them slow days at The Gallery. Brittanie, I love you more than you’ll ever understand.

Website: www.wmfgstore.com

Instagram: @williammorris_fashiongalleries