reggie hammonds
Reggie Hammonds. Designer .Stylist
For an extended period, the African American church maintained a reserved stance on the topic of selfexpression and artistic worth. It seemed as though the church was unaware of a creative deity. However, in recent years, a growing number of creative individuals, nurtured within the church, have been encouraged to step out of the shadows and embrace their unique creative brilliance. Among those individuals is Reggie Hammonds. Despite the proximity of the bustling city of Atlanta, just three hours away, Reggie is determined to leave his mark right where he is—in Dothan AL. While fashion discussions in the African American Church have traditionally centered around women and appropriate attire, the narrative is shifting. With an increasing number of black men embracing and feeling at ease with more fabric colors styles and patterns, there has been a noticeable rise in the diverse ways men express themselves within the house of God.However, will this acceptance grow in southern black churches that have a dominant influence of conservative Protestant Christianity?
Fashion undeniably takes a prominent position in black churches, featuring large, stunning hats adorned with decorative accents worn by wise women affectionately referred to as “church mothers.” These women have dedicated years to the church, earning both love and respect, and occasionally facing criticism from the younger church goers. To the more traditional twopiece suits jean skirts, the attire spectrum is diverse. However, with the ongoing “come as you are” movement gaining traction in the last 10 to 15 years, the question arises: Is the church truly prepared to embrace all facets of expression? And most importantly the churches in the deep south?
Come along as we delve into the insights of Reggie Hammonds, a burgeoning fashion designer and devout church attendee, as he discusses his perspectives on the intersection of faith and fashion. Discover the journey he’s embarked upon in embracing his true calling—his creative expression.
Q: The fashion world and the church world are literally worlds apart..lol. Do you think it’s hard to merge those worlds and in what ways?
R : It’s kinda hard to merge both worlds because there will be times that I want to go to certain fashion events, but I realize I have certain church obligations. It almost gives me a feeling of being torn in between the two sometimes. They both are important.
Also, fashion comes with a lot of stigma and parties that the church would likely look down upon. There is also the feeling of being overwhelmed that comes when I’m trying to think of designs.
But then you have my church family where I feel like I’m able to have that creative flow; having an outlet at church makes it easier to merge my faith with my
fashion. When I was growing up, men didn’t have many options; you either wore a two-piece suit or some jeans; there were no wide legs. I like my pants to fit a certain way; I don’t always want them to be straight up and down, I need them to contour a little bit... I need a little shape to them, you know what I’m sayin’?
Q: What has been the stigma that has come with you starting to embrace your true fashion sense?
R : Well, back in the day, I feel like too much emphasis was put on looking like a “man”. If your walk was deemed a little too feminine, you were already looked at as being homosexual, but it’s not that if you are a metrosexual you are just in touch with your feminine side as well as your masculine side. You know what looks right on your body, you know what compliments your body and you shouldn’t be shamed for that.
“There is also this feeling of being overwhelmed that comes when I’m trying to think of designs”
Q: What is your fashion focal point?
R: Well, I always knew I wanted to be in fashion, but I was more interested in being a stylist. I love to dress women; styling women is my go-to. I find that men are a little more conservative and less adventurous when it comes to colors and prints, etc., but I am seeing that men are starting to open up and be more fashion-forward as they see it becoming more acceptable in the media. For instance, I see Dwayne Wade pushing more of the envelope with his fashion choices because he knows that his masculinity isn’t built into his wardrobe.
Q: Give me an example of what you mean?
R: For instance, if I put on a Scottish kilt, people are going to assume that I have on a skirt and question my masculinity, but even if I decided to wear a skirt, I believe I could still rock it and put my masculine flavor on it. You don’t have to be in a box, and a lot of people put men in boxes
Q: Your pretty blessed to go to a church that champions creativity. Did your fashion interest start there, or did it gain momentum when you started going there?
R: I’ve been at my church since 2007, but I have always been fashionable because of my mom and my dad. So yeah, it’s like it’s always been in my DNA. My dad’s shirt matched his jacket, and his shoes matched his socks. My dad was always wearing suits; he was very matchy-matchy. When my parents were married, my mom would wear an outfit that complemented what my dad was wearing, so I think that of influenced my love for fashion in a whole lot of ways. But when
“ but even if I decided to wear a skirt, I believe I could still rock it and put my masculine flavor on it. You don’t have to be in a box, and alot of people put men in boxes”
it comes to me branching out and embracing my own sense of style and things like that, Pastor J (who I also call my spiritual father) helped to unlock some things in my creative journey. There was this one time at a youth conference where he spoke into my life and told me that whatever I put my hands to will prosper because I am a Creative. And I think about that often. Then Pastor J created “I Create” conferences back in 2020 so artists in his congregation and outside of his congregation could have a creative outlet. Because at the time, there were no other churches really tapping into the creative world in Dothan. At our “I Create” conferences, you are able to express yourself not only in fashion but also in art, music, and dance...just all things creative. And I’m grateful for that because that is what made it possible for me to merge my creative life and my spiritual life. So now I know I’m still loved by God even though my boots are a little risqué, because you know it’s...fashion.
Q: Last question: It seems your current church has probably been the most pivotal in your transformative process in terms of your fashion ideals. But do you think other churches you have served in helped you on your journey as well?
R: I feel like each church that’s been a part of my life has helped me to grow in some way, shape, or form when it comes to my fashion sense. When you go to a C.O.G.I.C. church, you see the large hats and the glamour. But at a Non-Denominational Holiness church, you’re going to get a more laid-back, come-as-you-are vibe, where you’re wearing sneakers and t-shirts and stuff like that. And at my current church, it’s all things creative. All of these influences have contributed to my personal fashion journey.
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