Elevating The Ordinary With Every Thread

A Designer Shaped By Roots And Routines

Connor McKnight’s creative DNA is woven tightly with the fabric of his upbringing. Raised in a vibrant Black middle-class household in the suburbs of Washington, DC, he was surrounded by creativity—his father a blues guitarist who DJ-ed at a local radio station, and his mother an aspiring designer whose sewing machine would later become young Connor’s first tool for expression. This grounding in everyday beauty laid the foundation for what he calls “the Black mundane,” a term that belies the richness and depth of his design philosophy. Rather than focusing on trauma or spectacle, McKnight’s aesthetic centers joy, ritual, and quiet dignity—those overlooked moments that define daily life but rarely make headlines.

His inspiration doesn’t come from runway shows or high-fashion editorials alone; instead, it flows from family group chats with more than 30 relatives exchanging stories, photos, and memories. These digital threads serve as a living archive, informing silhouettes, textures, and color palettes that feel intimately familiar yet artistically elevated. His approach isn’t just about clothing—it’s about storytelling, memory-keeping, and honoring generational continuity through fabric and form.

From Deadstock To Distinctive Design Language

McKnight’s materials are as intentional as his motifs. Working primarily with deadstock fabrics—leftover textiles from past eras—he crafts garments that feel simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking. His design vocabulary merges rugged American utility with the sleek sophistication of European tailoring. Imagine the durability of Carhartt fused with the elegance of Armani—each piece tells a story of duality, strength, and grace. He often cites camping gear and military surplus as key influences, translating their functional appeal into garments that are wearable yet expressive.

This fusion didn’t emerge overnight. McKnight initially came to New York to study business at Fordham University before pivoting into fashion during a transformative internship at Kith, where he witnessed firsthand the feverish energy surrounding streetwear culture. That experience propelled him to enroll at Parsons, where he underwent a rigorous two-year program to master technical garment construction. Today, his collections reflect that meticulous training, balancing structure with softness, tradition with innovation, and nostalgia with novelty.

The Pandemic Pivot: Crafting A Vision In Isolation

When the pandemic hit, many designers were forced to slow down, reassess, and recalibrate. For McKnight, this period became a catalyst for self-discovery and refinement. Confined to his apartment, he revisited unfinished projects from his final year at Parsons, including a tailored coat and a puffer jacket that hadn’t quite met his expectations. This time around, he approached them with renewed clarity and patience, incorporating utilitarian nylon, textured textiles, and classic luxury shapes. The result? A collection that not only improved upon his earlier concepts but also solidified his unique voice within the industry.

What emerged from that isolation was a deeper understanding of wearability and longevity—values central to his brand ethos. McKnight’s designs aren’t meant to be worn once and forgotten; they’re built to endure, evolve, and accompany the wearer through life’s everyday rhythms. His focus on creating garments that can be lived in, loved, and layered reflects a broader movement toward sustainable fashion and mindful consumption.

Inspired By Icons And Intimacy

McKnight draws from a rich tapestry of influences, both historical and personal. He admires the technical mastery of 1980s Giorgio Armani, known for revolutionizing menswear with fluid lines and luxurious fabrics, as well as the experimental pleats of Issey Miyake from the 1990s. But beyond these global icons, his inspirations run closer to home—literally. From his grandfather’s yearbook photos showcasing crisp shirting to the flight suits of the Tuskegee Airmen, each reference carries weight and meaning. Even the sensual attire of the 1920s Bohemian Caverns jazz club in Washington finds its way into his designs, adding a layer of sensuality and rhythm to his structured forms.

These diverse inputs coalesce into a distinct visual language—one that feels neither overly nostalgic nor aggressively futuristic. Instead, McKnight strikes a balance between reverence and reinvention, ensuring his pieces feel grounded yet aspirational. His goal isn’t to shock or overwhelm but to offer something quietly confident, something that fits seamlessly into the wardrobe while still carrying a sense of occasion.

Womenswear: A Natural Evolution

While initially focused on menswear, McKnight has recently expanded into womenswear—a move that wasn’t merely about scaling down existing designs. Instead, he approached the category with a fresh perspective, crafting pieces that are undeniably feminine yet retain the same practical elegance that defines his menswear. Flowing dresses, form-fitting shirts, and structured outerwear all carry the hallmarks of his signature style, proving that utility and femininity aren’t mutually exclusive.

This expansion has had a reciprocal effect on his menswear, too. The delicate precision required for silk chiffon gowns has sharpened his attention to detail, allowing him to refine even the most rugged elements of his menswear line. It’s a symbiotic relationship—one that enriches both categories and underscores McKnight’s versatility as a designer. He’s not simply designing for men or women; he’s designing for people who value thoughtful construction, timeless aesthetics, and emotional connection.

Confidence Through Craft And Care

As he enters his thirties, McKnight speaks candidly about the evolution of his confidence—not just as a designer but as a person navigating the demands of running a brand in one of the world’s most competitive fashion capitals. The hustle of New York brings highs and lows, but he’s learned to pace himself, to listen inwardly, and to infuse care into every aspect of his process. This mindfulness translates directly into his work; when clothes are made with intention, he believes, you can feel it.

His latest collection, aptly titled *Ease*, embodies this philosophy. Named after the comfort and simplicity he seeks to instill in his designs, the collection features standout pieces like a fisherman’s wading jacket with box pleats resembling gills and a hunting jacket with oversized pockets, both reimagined in unexpected materials—sun-drenched yellow tent fabric and rich calfskin leather. These aren’t just garments; they’re statements of resilience, resourcefulness, and reverence for the ordinary.

Fashion As Shared Experience

In his own words, McKnight sees fashion as a universal connector—an intimate, daily ritual that transcends trends and labels. “You wake up, get your coffee, and decide how you want to present yourself,” he explains. “That moment matters.” Rather than chasing fleeting hype, he focuses on those staple pieces that feel right, that settle into your life and become part of your identity. His work bridges the gap between runway artistry and real-world wearability, offering something that resonates emotionally while standing the test of time.

By drawing from his own experiences—whether emotional themes or reflections on home—McKnight creates work that feels deeply personal yet widely relatable. He understands that individuality and universality aren’t opposites; sometimes, the most powerful expressions come from sharing what feels uniquely yours. In doing so, he invites others to see themselves in his designs, to find beauty in the mundane, and to celebrate the quiet strength that comes from simply being oneself.