The Birth of Fear of God and the Rise of Essentials

The Birth of Fear of God and the Rise of Essentials

In the ever-evolving landscape of fashion, few names have made as profound an impact in such a short span of time as Jerry Lorenzo, the visionary founder behind Fear of God. What began as a personal project rooted in faith, authenticity, and a passion for storytelling has evolved into a global fashion movement. The birth of   essentialhoodieshop  .us/ and the subsequent rise of its sub-label, Essentials, mark a turning point in how the industry views luxury, streetwear, and the everyday wardrobe.

The Origins of Fear of God

Fear of God was born in 2013, not in a traditional design studio, but in Jerry Lorenzo’s garage. With no formal training in fashion, Lorenzo relied on instinct, cultural awareness, and a deep understanding of what modern men wanted to wear. His vision was simple: to create a brand that fused streetwear energy with luxury-level craftsmanship, all while reflecting his spiritual beliefs.

The brand’s name, Fear of God, stems from Lorenzo’s Christian faith and his desire to infuse meaning and purpose into his work. But rather than preaching through fashion, he let the garments speak for themselves. From the beginning, Fear of God’s collections were defined by layered silhouettes, oversized fits, muted color palettes, and premium materials.

Fear of God gained traction quickly, especially after celebrities like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, and Virgil Abloh began wearing the brand. Lorenzo's styling and design sensibility struck a chord with an audience looking for something that felt both elevated and real—a mix of grunge, hip-hop, sportswear, and spiritual depth. It was luxury with a soul.

Enter Essentials: Making Luxury Accessible

While Fear of God was quickly becoming a force in the high-fashion world, Lorenzo realized there was an underserved market: people who admired the Fear of God aesthetic but couldn’t afford its luxury price tags. The answer was Essentials, launched in 2018.

Essentials wasn’t just a budget version of Fear of God—it was a thoughtfully designed line focused on timeless, everyday basics. The goal was to deliver the same sensibility, quality, and style at a much more accessible price point. And it worked.

From day one, Essentials hoodies, sweatpants, T-shirts, and outerwear captured global attention. Unlike trend-heavy brands that chase seasonal hype, Essentials rooted itself in continuity and versatility. The branding was minimal—usually just a tonal “ESSENTIALS” logo in rubberized print—and the color palette was clean and earthy: black, gray, taupe, cream, and seasonal neutrals.

The rise of Essentials mirrored a shift in fashion itself. As the industry moved toward comfort, simplicity, and sustainability, Lorenzo was ahead of the curve. Essentials offered a curated uniform for modern life, emphasizing quality over quantity, intention over excess.

What Made Essentials So Popular?

The success of Essentials is grounded in its universal appeal. While the mainline Fear of God pieces could retail for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, Essentials offered items starting around $40 to $120. The affordable pricing combined with luxury-like aesthetics made it instantly desirable.

Moreover, the oversized fit, dropped shoulders, and gender-neutral styling allowed people of all sizes and identities to feel confident in Essentials. It became a canvas for personal expression—versatile enough to wear on a coffee run, at the airport, or layered beneath high-end designer jackets.

Collaborations with retailers like PacSun and platforms like SSENSE and Mr Porter helped expand the Essentials customer base even further, making the pieces more accessible to everyday shoppers.

The limited drops and restocks created a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Essentials didn’t rely on loud marketing but instead let word-of-mouth, celebrity influence, and authenticity do the work. Each collection felt refined, cohesive, and consistent—everything modern consumers craved.

Essentials: A Cultural Phenomenon

The Essentials line became more than just clothing; it turned into a cultural staple. Worn by musicians, athletes, influencers, and students alike, Essentials bridged the gap between luxury and everyday wear. It championed the notion that style doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be meaningful.

This cultural relevance gave the line longevity in a market that often burns out quickly. Essentials wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it was perfecting it. Each new collection built upon the last, refining core pieces and introducing slight updates rather than starting from scratch.

The Future of Fear of God and Essentials

Today, both Fear of God and Essentials continue to evolve. Fear of God has moved into more formalwear with its "Seventh Collection" and partnerships with brands like Adidas, while Essentials continues to dominate the casualwear and loungewear space.

Jerry Lorenzo’s vision remains clear: to elevate the everyday while staying rooted in purpose and authenticity.  Essentials Tracksuit  With Fear of God providing the aspirational design and Essentials offering widespread accessibility, the brand has created a full-circle fashion ecosystem.

Conclusion

The birth of Fear of God and the rise of Essentials are not just stories of fashion success—they’re stories of vision, faith, and understanding what people really want to wear. Lorenzo has built something that resonates deeply with the modern world: clothing that is thoughtful, accessible, and, above all, essential.