Goat by James King brings back classic styles, rich fabrics

Models wear pieces from GOAT by James King  

Quintin Crumpler, founder and creative director of GOAT by James King, built his brand on the legacy of dressing well. Crumpler is inspired by designer Ralph Lauren who built an empire on immigrant roots embracing classic Americana values. Made with an element of utilitarian style, Crumpler also channels the sophistication and hard work of the civil rights pioneers who paved the way for a new generation of Black Americans to chase their dreams.

“Growing up I saw my dad as an accountant going to work everyday and growing up in the church we always had on our Sunday best,” Crumpler says. “As much as I fell in love with Ralph Lauren I began to develop my own taste and perspective.”

His motivation comes from a place that showcases the multidimensional lives of people in the Black community. “I love basketball, but I love reading and loafers as well,” Crumpler says.

For him it’s about transitioning in and out of spaces without buying a completely new wardrobe. The goal is to create pieces that will stand the test of time with an emphasis on quality. Designing clothes with those values at the forefront always start with the fabrics. Each collection features fabrics like tweed, houndstooth, and plaid - staples in more conservative closets- but that compliment the GOAT by James King style.

“With fast fashion they have to use cheaper fabrics to speed up the production process, there’s nothing wrong with that, but our goal is to make something that will last and still be relevant,” Crumpler says. “We really take our time with the fabric we use and that is reflected in the collections we create.”

          A model wears tweed pants and a cable knit cardigan           

There’s a retro vibe in the GOAT by James King collection where he mixes and matches fabrics and while still paying homage to classic silhouettes. The Good Soil, Good Fruit collection features bowling or work shirts in muted tones of pink, green and blue. Tweed pants paired with striped shirts and color block cable knit sweaters reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s New England.

“I like to use fabrics you wouldn’t think of using on certain silhouettes,” Crumpler explains. “For instance this upcoming fall we have a double-breasted cardigan in wool houndstooth, which typically you see a cardigan in knit, so I play around with a lot  of that as well.”

Crumpler’s philosophy is that every detail is important and the Heritage wool chore jackets, plaid quilted jackets, and slightly flared tailored pant is a testament to his attention to the details in every piece. The entire collection is unisex with elements that appeal to both men and women. The tote bags, in particular, consist of mixed fabrics which align with his design language.

“Mixing plaid and hounds tooth with the leather make it look really rich and classic,” Crumpler says.

Each bag was locally produced in the US with sustainability being a part of his production process. The GOAT by James King collection is made in small batches with an emphasis on limited production. Any garments that have not been sold are donated to school children through his No Garment Left Behind program. Producing clothing made with 100% natural fibers like wool and cotton is also essential to Crumpler’s processes, and though the line isn’t 100% sustainable - there is some polyester - Crumpler says he’s working towards that goal.

Currently, the up and coming designer is a member of the IMFC Fashion for Change Incubator 2025 cohort, a program that aims to gives. Black owned brands and designers of color exposure. The program allows designers to showcase their work at MAGIC Las Vegas, PROJECT Las Vegas, and COTERIE New York with complimentary space at each show. Crumpler says it’s been very important to developing his brand because shows like MAGIC in Las Vegas can be costly.

“It not only allows us complimentary entry, but provides us a lot of support and guidance on what to expect and how to position the brand at the shows and interact with buyers,” Crumpler explains.

Models wear a mixture of fabrics and styles
            from GOAT by James King          

With logistics like travel and lodging handled by IMCF, he can focus on doing what he loves - designing clothes. Right now, GOAT by James King has a trunk show at Bloomingdale’s in Atlanta featuring six pieces from his Good Soil, Good Fruit collection. It’s a fresh take on spring and summer with utilitarian shirts in mint green and ivory with details of blue, red and pink that feature bird embroidery. He says the name Good Fruit, Good Soil derives from his values, much like the old fashioned values that fuel his work.

“You as a person have to have good character and compassion for others,” Crumpler says. “I believe in having good character and good actions while dressing well, so that’s the type of message I want to make synonymous with our brand.”