OFF THE RUNWAY

Interview with stylist Brandon Jerrod

@brandonjerrod

Brandon Jerrod is an innovative, ever-evolving stylist who views fashion as more than just clothing. To him, it’s unspoken freedom, confidence, and self-expression. Brandon incorporates history, personality, and a modern edge into every look he creates—from his deep dive into dandyism to his vintage leather jacket. In this open conversation, he discusses what inspires his style, his vision for the future of fashion, and how he balances trendsetting with environmental consciousness. He also opens up about his acting goals and his take on AI’s role in the fashion industry. He launched his first solo runway show, Dandysim, at Fashion Week Brooklyn in April. Ready to be inspired? 

Let’s get off the runway with Brandon Jerrod.

---

When and why did you fall in love with fashion?

Since I was a kid, my mom always had me dressed to the nines! I’m an only child, so my Christmases and birthdays are always filled with tons of new clothes.)

Who is your style icon and why?

My style icon is anyone who confidently wears the clothes—rather than letting the clothes wear them! For example, Rihanna has that DGAF attitude that elevates her style and demands attention and respect. Prince was like that too, and of course, Michael Jackson. 

What is your favorite part of fashion?

Freedom! There’s something so empowering about expressing yourself without words, purely through your aesthetic. Your presence speaks before you do—why not make it fun? Fashion lets you be whoever you want to be.

How would you describe your personal style? 

My style is ever-changing. It doesn’t fit into a box. It’s unexpected and bold, yet refined (so I’ve been told). For me, confidence always comes before trends.

Where did you get your ideas for your Dandy collection? Did you do any research?

I knew dandyism would be a focus this year, especially after the Met Gala and the exhibit that followed. I did a deep dive into the history of the movement—its origins and how it’s evolved today. I was surprised by how broad the definition of a dandy can be, but the feel is consistent: bold, expressive, eccentric yet refined, and very confident. It instantly clicked for me. I consider myself a modern dandy, and this collection was my way of speaking to that.

Describe the future of fashion from your point of view.

The future of fashion will always, in some way, pay homage to the past. As we begin to truly respect fashion’s cyclical nature and understand its roots, we’ll see innovation built on that foundation. I hope future fashion brings even more sustainable methods—making style more accessible while reducing harm to the planet.

Who are your top three fashion stylists?

J. Bolin @stylistjbolin

Daniel Hawkins @1800Dhawk

Rahel Tadesse @stylebyrahel1

How can people elevate their everyday looks into one-of-a-kind moments?

Look for statement pieces—unique items that stand out. A cool leather jacket, bold sunglasses, or an incredible pair of boots you find at a thrift or consignment shop. Those kinds of pieces elevate everyday looks and help you stand out effortlessly.

What’s your favorite vintage find in your closet right now?

Sheesh, I have so many! But my all-time favorite is a vintage rock ’n’ roll leather racer jacket with hand-painted ‘80s rock band names, studs, and all the goodies. I found it in Atlanta at my favorite thrift shop in Little Five Points. It’s simply timeless.

What’s next?

I’m hoping to work with bigger brands and expand into more national and international projects. I’m also exploring acting—currently testing my chops in a few projects. 

Eventually, I’d love to work on the wardrobe side of film too. I’m always fascinated by the costume process on set. It looks like so much fun!

What’s your favorite fashion time period and why?

The 1970s, by far! Platform heels, flowy open blouses, bouncy long hair or Afros, and gender-fluid fashion. I would’ve thrived in the ’70s!

What celebrity would you love to style, and for what event?

I’d love to style actor Jeremy Pope. He’s a risk-taker and has the confidence to pull off anything. Plus, having a great personal style makes collaboration that much smoother.

Before we finish, we’d like to delve a bit deeper into some pressing issues:

How do you balance style trends with sustainable styling? What are some practical ways people can do the same?

 Thrifting! First of all, it’s fun—the thrill of the “find” is unmatched. You often end up with pieces no one else has. There’s no need to toss perfectly good clothing when someone else could love it. Donating or selling clothes and shopping secondhand helps sustain the fashion cycle. What’s old to you is new to someone else—and vice versa. So next time you’re outfit-hunting, hit the thrift before clicking on fast fashion.

How do you think AI will change the job of a stylist—from predicting trends to working with clients?

 If used right, AI can be a major asset in trend forecasting. Plug in prompts about your client’s needs, and AI can scan the entire internet to give you more, faster. But at the end of the day, styling is personal. People want to work with people. Fashion is emotional, and AI can’t replicate that.

Do you use AI in your creative work? Or avoid it?

I don’t currently use AI for styling, but I’m open to exploring it for trend forecasting. That said, I’d be careful not to let it dilute the integrity of my work—especially when it comes to imagery. We can’t let ourselves get lazy just because AI can do the heavy lifting. It should be a tool, not a replacement for creativity.

Conducted by Cyrene Renée, with additional questions and photo (c) by Trudy Giordano