Langston Howard is 17 and already stocking shelves. The designer and entrepreneur behind LRH Made turns clothing into a message, and his first collaboration with PacSun is about to put that message in stores across the country.
Who are you, and what are you building right now?
"My name is Langston Howard. I'm a 17 year old designer and entrepreneur, and I'm building LRH Made, a fashion brand focused on creating pieces that tell stories and make people think differently. Right now, one of the biggest things I'm working on is my first collaboration with PacSun, which will be available in stores across the country. It's exciting to see something that started as an idea become a collection people will actually be able to wear."
What was the moment you decided to actually go for it?
"It started with me trying to solve a problem in my own life because when I was younger, I struggled with confidence and motivation. I found that wearing clothing with positive messages helped change my mindset, so when I couldn't find pieces that reflected the messages I wanted to wear, I decided to create them myself. That's how I started The Top by LRH, a brand built around encouraging people to become the best version of themselves mentally, physically, and financially. Looking back, what started as a way to motivate myself turned into something much bigger, because now those same messages have the opportunity to inspire other people too."
"Wearing clothing with positive messages helped change my mindset, so I decided to create them myself."
What does Metro Detroit mean to your work?
"Metro Detroit has had a huge influence on the way I think about design. The city's history of innovation, manufacturing, music, and entrepreneurship is something I really admire. Detroit has always found ways to reinvent itself, and that's something I try to bring into my work. I want to create pieces that are original, tell a story, and represent the creativity that this area is known for."
What's something people your age get wrong about what you do?
"I think a lot of young entrepreneurs look at business from a small perspective. We focus on pop ups, hand to hand sales, and trying to make our next sale. While those things matter, I think it's just as important to chase bigger opportunities. Things like collaborations, partnerships, and building relationships with larger companies can change the trajectory of a brand. That's the way I like to think about business."
"Collaborations, partnerships, and relationships with larger companies can change the trajectory of a brand."
What's next? What does the near future look like for you?
"Right now, my biggest focus is launching my PacSun collaboration. Seeing something I designed go from an idea to being sold in stores across the country is something I've been working toward for years. I'm excited to learn from the experience, keep growing LRH Made, and continue building a brand that can have a real impact."
