INHERENT‘s mission as a brand extends beyond the calendar dates of New York Fashion Week (NYFW). “We began as a small online store in 2020 and soon grew into a flagship boutique storefront in Colorado Springs, CO, only a year later,” the company’s founder and designer, Taylor Draper, announced ahead of his latest runway presentation. The mogul has openly battled mental health issues, including depression, and aims to utilize his growing enterprises and collections to destigmatize the conversation around seeking therapy and wellness resources.
“He first came to formal terms with his condition at fifteen following a troubled childhood in Florida. [When] he was diagnosed with clinical depression, he weighed over 300 pounds and saw nothing changing if drastic measures weren’t taken… to have any hope of escaping the demons that plagued him, his mother and he would have to make a major life change,” an INHERENT rep confirmed with The Knockturnal.
This life event influenced the theme behind Draper’s NYFW Fall/Winter 2023 show, appropriately titled “Suited for Wellness.” The collection draws inspiration from classic English tailoring, New York streetwear, and Ivy League styles alike, with the branding power of Myrdith Leon-McCormack. “My mission will not be complete until phrases like ‘walk it off’ or ‘man up’ are redefined in our vocabulary,” Draper confirmed following his runway moment. “Every man’s first instinct should be to open up about feelings of overwhelm or depression without shame, guilt, or fear.”
The forthcoming collection was constructed from wool, cotton, cashmere, twills, and corduroy, with shirtings and knitwear at an accessible price point. Proceeds of all Draper’s sales go to his company’s non-profit: Foundation by INHERENT. The organization is dedicated to creating programs and resources to educate its inclusive network through ongoing events, emerging fashion, and seasonal exhibitions. Take a look at some of INHERENT’s NYFW Fall/Winter 2023 garments below: