The Complete Guide To Fear Of God: History, Sizing & Collaborations
Who Made Fear of God?
Fear of God was created by Jerry Lorenzo Manuel, the son of former Major League Baseball manager Jerry Manuel. Because his father worked in baseball, Lorenzo moved frequently across the United States as a child, changing schools often. This experience exposed him to a wide variety of cultural influences, which later inspired his fashion brand. After earning an NBA, Lorenzo planned to become a sports agent, but his relationship with a Hollywood actress changed his path. He noticed a gap in the nightlife sceneβthere were parties for hip-hop, techno, or A-list celebrities, but nothing in between. So, he decided to become a party promoter, organizing events that brought these different styles together. This approach eventually led him to blend luxury fashion with streetwear through his brand, Fear of God.
Why Is It Called Fear of God?
The brandβs name, Fear of God, comes from Lorenzoβs strong religious upbringing and his ongoing faith, which continues to be a significant influence on his work.
Β The brand reflects many of his passions, including baseball and music, especially his love for Metallica. The name also carries a deeper meaning for Lorenzo, symbolizing both his current faith and the challenges he faced in understanding it as he grew up. He often deflects praise and credits his success to God rather than himself.
History of Fear of GodΒ
Fear of God was launched in 2013, but Lorenzo was already known for launching the trend of tour merchandise in the early days. He started by creating merchandise inspired by artists like Kanye West and Justin Bieber. Initially, he ran the brand from his garage, where Virgil Abloh first discovered his work. After a few conversations, Lorenzo began supplying clothes to Yeezy and eventually gained attention from major retailers like Barneys. Fear of God helped start the movement of luxury streetwear in the fashion world. Lorenzo hopes to grow the brand to reach a broad audience, similar to Ralph Lauren, but with a more inclusive approach that speaks to various American subcultures. The brand draws inspiration from the 1990s, featuring references like Kurt Cobain and characters from films like *The Breakfast Club*. Still, it feels fresh and modern, influenced by today's street-style icons. While Fear of God started with T-shirts and streetwear, it has evolved into a unique form of new American luxury. Its designs reflect everyday wear with a touch of sophistication, embodying the American spirit through color, shape, and emotion. The brand celebrates more than just hip-hop and grungeβit also includes nods to Wall Street, California skate culture, varsity jackets, and classic denim.
Fear of GodΒ
Now in its seventh collection, Fear of God is known for signature pieces such as oversized bomber jackets with ruched sleeves, plaid flannel shirts with zip details, and expertly distressed denim. The collection has expanded to include elevated wool and cashmere knitwear, relaxed suits, and even a few loafers. The brand uses high-quality materials sourced from Japan and vintage fabrics, like repurposed military sleeping bags, and tailors items in Italy using top-tier Italian and British fabrics. Unlike traditional fashion calendars, Fear of God releases collections only when Lorenzo is ready, which means the next collection might take a long time to arriveβthe seventh collection took two years to complete.
EssentialsΒ
What began as a more affordable and accessible line called F.O.G. was rebranded as Essentials in 2018. While the concept stayed the sameβproviding simple, wearable basics like hoodies, T-shirts, and sweatpantsβthe line offered these items at a lower price. Each piece focuses on comfort, wearability, and timelessness, making them versatile additions to any wardrobe. This seasonβs casual collection was designed as an entry point into Lorenzoβs vision of new American luxury, featuring weathered black colorways and a tennis-inspired sneaker.
AthleticsΒ
Even before the first Fear of God x Nike collaboration in 2018, sport played a major role in Lorenzoβs inspiration, especially the off-court styles of top athletes in basketball and baseball. This season, Fear of God partnered with Nike again, reimagine classic sportswear for the modern era. The collection explores the emotional side of sports, reworking iconic NBA warmup pieces into clean, modern designs that blend nostalgia with contemporary materials and styles. The collection captures the idealized look of well-dressed athletes arriving at practice, featuring thoughtful details like backless sneakers that appear as if the heels have been lowered for easy wear.
Fear of God FootwearΒ
While the Fear of God x Nike collaborations are some of the most talked-about in the industry, the brandβs own footwear designs are also highly sought after. From the stylish Military Sneaker, which echoes Raf Simonsβ version of the Nike Vandal, to the Basketball Sneaker, a fusion of Dunk and Air Jordan, all Fear of God shoes are crafted from premium leather. Custom lasts ensure that the brandβs footwear stands out from others.
Fear of God HoodiesΒ
Fear of God hoodies are designed to be worn oversized, featuring long sleeves, plunging side splits, and boxy shapes. The main collectionβs hoodie styles change each season, ranging from short-sleeve versions to Rick Owens-style extended hems, while Essentials hoodies tend to have more consistent sizing.
