Joshua's Perihelion: New Testament

The first time I met the creative director of Messiah Heaven, the Columbus native had an aura that said a lot without saying anything at all. Though Joshua had only been designing for two months, I could tell that his passion and natural ability to stand out could take him far in his own regards. So when he asked me to join his creative team of one, I didn't hesitate to make it two. In the year and a half since I've done so, I've watched Joshua trail blaze his way through the fashion industry by taking note of the finest aspects of artistry. Spiked hoods, scalene prints, and double layered sleeves are only a few staple risks taken by the creative--yet done with the sleekest approach, much to his personality. Staying true to the thematics of his brand, he sits across from me in a relaxed state before answering my first question:

S: What is your name?

J: Joshua Price.

Camo Thermal via @shamyshadow

S: How old are you?

J: 22.

S: Where are you from?

J: Columbus, Ohio. Eastside of Columbus.

Cross Sweats via @welovehoneyp

S: What is the significance of the name Messiah Heaven?

J: They call Jesus the Messiah. But what a lot of people don’t know is that anyone could be called messiah as the direct meaning is a leader or savior of a particular group, following, or whatever team. That’s how I look at my brand—as a leader of fashion, a big family.

S: When did you know you wanted to be a designer?

stills from NYFW pre-show interview

J: Growing up my mom was always designing clothes as a career for herself and I always liked watching her—it was just a daily part of life. As a kid I wanted to use money I made in the NFL to start a fashion house when I retired. But when I was 18 and couldn’t play anymore due to injury it felt like a sign to start early…I guess I never had a life where I didn’t think I’d be a designer, eventually.

S: What was the first piece you ever made?

J: It was a white thermal and it had “MESSIAH” and two crosses on it in brown leather. That’s the piece that gave me the most confidence to start my brand, for real—the way my closest people responded to it.

Bucket + Thumbprint tee via @joordanburt

S: How has your hometown inspired you as a designer?

J: I wouldn’t say it inspires me necessarily, but it motivates me. Most people I’ve met where I’m from don’t have a lot of big dreams; they’re not very openminded, either. And a lot of those that do have large goals don’t think they’re achievable. I want people to think everything is within reach, that’s all I want around me, too. A lot of people have talent here they just haven’t found a way to live while express it. Being from Ohio just makes me want to go harder--a lot of people don’t think the way I think from what I’ve noticed.

S: What has been the design you are most proud of?

Spiked hood shoot

J: Probably this bucket hat I made at the end of May.

S: Who is your favorite designer?

J: I don’t know…I think I’m my favorite designer. I don’t really look at one particular person’s work more than anyone else’s. *laughs* I just be analyzing myself from the past.

S: What is your sign?

Prep Polo via @themessiahclothing

J: Taurus.

S: What traits do you feel you display best from that sign?

J: I feel like I stand out, I don’t really follow anyone else’s trends. I do what I want and I feel like that’s a common thing with the Taurus I know. I’m also appealing, laid back, and talented, every Taurus is.

S: If you had to describe your brand with three words what would they be?

Tank dress via @eyeamkyri

J: Powerful, healing, and motivational.

S: Who or what keeps you motivated?

J: My mom. I’ve never seen her give up on anything. She had cancer twice while I was growing up and I barely realized it. She’d always work hard and never make an excuse for anything. And she always pushed me to do my best, as well. My family in general is made up of hard workers. My friends, too, they motivate me everyday—especially my friend SheTerria, I love that she never gives up on anything. Without my friends or my mom I don’t know what my life would be like.

NYFW stills via @khali.sall

S: What is your favorite article of clothing?

J: Brown Maison Margiela Replicas.

S: What’s next for your brand?

J: Reaching bigger audiences. More menswear than streetwear. I also want to have a fashion show in the form of a short film soon.

Backstage NYFW

S: What has been your proudest moment in fashion thus far?

J: Being apart of New York Fashion Week.

S: What would your ideal shoot look like with an unlimited budget?

Metal Heaven bikini via @messiah.heaven

J: It would look like a fashion show in heaven.

S: Are there any creative avenues you’d like to take on outside of fashion?

J: Yes, producing music. I also kinda want to do something in film. I’m not sure what aspect yet but most likely on the directive side.

Tank dress via @mybvndz

S: What does a week in your life look like?

J: Waking up everyday and going to the post office to send off clothes or promoting them. Coming up with designs, planning for the future in some way.

Sacrifice x Thumbprint hood shoot

S: If the world were yours for a month, what would it look like?

J: Everyone would be high off life and feel free. They’d love themselves and wouldn’t have any worries. My version of a new testament for a month.