Meet anwar alston jr. | designer, seamstress, artist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with anwar alston jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi anwar, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from the Eastside of Greensboro, NC, mainly the ghettos of town. Being from there has put a different type of battery in my back when it comes to imagination. Being surrounded by so many families and being around a community that’s built on foundation and hope really drove me, and inspired me to become an artist that can inspire others coming from where I’m from. I was a child of the arts since a youngin, being apart of the boys and girls club we did a lot of things surrounding the arts, so any chance I got to express myself I was there.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What separates me from others is how pure and honest I am when it comes to my story, I don’t sugarcoat to keep an image. I want the people to feel me hold nothing back. It’s easy to stay consistent but insecurities can hinder me. It’s super easy but when you acknowledge your opportunities rather than label them as struggles you’ll prevail. I’ve learned to take everything slow and at my own pace since it’s my vision being executed and being shown amongst the audience. Lastly, I want the world to know that anything can be achieved with a little faith and courage, my brand is about mental health and how that can motivate you to create some fire shit.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay this is a hard question since all my best friends stay and have been to Greensboro. A lot of things come into factor staying is North Carolina. If it’s the weekend I’m taking them to my favorite bar and call of my friends because we are the party no matter what. I’ll take them on a tour to my workspace downtown GSO as well. Any place on Walker Ave is amazing for food, literally. It’s not about the places to hangout, its mostly the people, I’ve been at the house and it’s just me and my friends, and that’s all we need and some music, alcohol and something to smoke on and it’s a real party.

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?
Honestly 4 people, Koke, Marcus, Assad and Shy. My brothers, I remember being a kid and watching my older brother Shy create trends and clothing for the east back in ’04. Koke, a mentor of mine blessed me with the opportunity to be a vender at his first fashion show in Charlotte. After that day I saw how many people believed in me and that really pushed me. Marcus put the battery in my back to do my own clothes because, I was doing my own version of APC x Kanye West in high school he saw what I was doing and motivated me, mind you he’s the main reason I got into fashion. Assad, my younger brother was in the room with me as I was designing my first graphics for my brand in 2016, gave me his honest opinion and 6 years later I still use it.

Website: www.strivearrive.page

Instagram: @freeanwar @strivearrive

Youtube: strivearrive

Image Credits
all images shot by and edited by me and @nikkishonnen on instagram. suit and shorts made by me.