Crafting Meaning Through Design with Fashion Designer Columbus Hinson IV

Columbus Hinson IV has built his world on meaning and intention—cultivating relationships with the same care he brings to creating garments that embody narrative and nuance. It is this refined sensibility that has elevated his ready-to-wear brand, FOR HINSON, into a house where fashion transcends utility and emerges as modern storytelling.

With the debut of his 2025 collection, The Love Is Yours To Keep, Columbus explores the quiet strength in giving—revealing the beauty of offering pieces of oneself without expectation, and the power of choosing to love freely. Through this body of work, he deepens his narrative approach to design, adding yet another layer of intention and meaning to the art of storytelling in fashion.

We’ll let the creative himself tell you the rest.

When were you first introduced to fashion and design?

It was always with me subconsciously. We often hear in a lot of mainstream interviews of designers being asked “how they got into fashion” and its always “oh my mother or my grandfather taught me how to sew” or “my mom was super into fashion.”  That wasn’t the case for me…no shade at all to the family lol. Growing up on the west side of Charlotte, fashion was never really a thing. I found myself adding personality to everything, from school uniforms to personal style. Throughout high school we didn’t have to wear uniforms, so I got to experiment a little bit more, playing with different silhouettes, and defining my personal style.  

How has growing up in Charlotte influenced you as a designer and how you value meaning?

Growing up there were a couple negative influences around me and because of that I felt like I bottled a lot of my personality in. Now, through fashion, I’ve found a language to finally release it all—a way to tell my story without limitation. Every sketch, every garment, every detail feels like fragments of my bottled-up personality pouring out into the world giving everything a deeper meaning.  

What made you decided on your namesake label FOR HINSON?

“I would like to acknowledge that it is a play on me being the fourth.”  Being a first-generation college student, I wanted to create something for the Hinson name, and put something out there of substance that created a name for itself.  It allowed me to make my mark on the brand but not make it solely about me.

Who is the person wearing FOR HINSON?

Anyone who values intention, integrity and meaning. If you identify with the brand-it’s yours, there is not an age minimum or maximum.

 “FOR HINSON is chic, romantic and created to help convey a story and if that resonates with you, I’m here for it!”

Having had the privilege of graduating from the illustrious NCCU, how did your undergraduate experience shape you as a designer?”

“It shaped me as a creative and refined my design skills, especially during a time when I struggled to find direction.” Immersing myself in organizations like Fashion Inc. and dHA gave me invaluable, hands-on experience in creative direction, apparel, and design. Those opportunities opened my eyes to the breadth of what the industry has to offer and allowed me to sharpen my skills in real time. My professors pushed me to take bigger risks and that guidance was pivotal, filling a gap I didn’t realize I needed.

How do you approach embedding meaning into your designs from the very beginning?

It develops over time. Usually, it starts with a feeling or an idea, and I think about how I can translate that into something tangible. From there, I begin experimenting—playing with draping, exploring colors, and seeing how the pieces come to life. It’s a process that’s both fun and, at times, stressful, but it all unfolds gradually until it reaches the final product.

 “My biggest advice is not to rush your creativity—allow yourself the time and space to let your ideas evolve naturally. Often, the most authentic and impactful designs come when you let the process breathe.”

When creating, how do you balance telling your story with giving others space to create their own meaning?

“I always have a purpose behind what I create, and I hope people can feel that. For example, with my Half of a Heart blazer, I wanted it to symbolize half of a heart. With certain pieces, though, I want people to make them their own—if they wear it in a way that feels right to them, that’s perfect.

Most designers infuse their own identity into their designs or draw inspiration from another persona—like an aspirational self, family, and friends. Would you say FOR HINSON reflects you personally?

“In a sense, yes—especially when it comes to simplicity and celebrating Black people in their utmost beauty. That’s 100% me. Often, I design pieces that I would personally wear. When I shop, I tend to gravitate toward unisex items, and I try to bring that sensibility into the brand’s identity with classic pieces like blazers and tailored pants.”

What’s your approach to maintaining a career while also dedicating time to your creative business?”

It all comes down to knowing when to step back and take a break. Some days I can give 100% to both my creative work and my 9-to-5, while other days I can only focus on one. As creatives, there’s this pressure to always be in ‘creation mode,’ but that’s not necessary. There’s no need to overproduce or create just for the sake of it. I also believe that what you put into your body reflects what you put out, so I make time for yoga, light incense, say my prayers, and nourish myself— prioritizing my mind, body, and spirit.”

How do you ensure your collections remain true to your vision while still resonating with buyers and clients?

I know this might sound surprising, but I’ve never really thought about that while creating. When I design for women, I consider how a piece will look and drape on the body, but I don’t go beyond that—I don’t want my creative ideas to be diluted by trying to please others.

“I know the meaning behind what I’m creating and how to express it, and for me, that’s enough.”

As a designer who leads with intention and meaning, how do you find your way back to inspiration after a creative block?

“I step away, and that break can be anywhere from a day to a week. As a creative and as a human, you find inspiration in the little things. For me, it might be listening to music and finding a beat I connect with, then asking how I can translate that into my collection. Sometimes it’s going shopping and observing what others are creating, noticing the colors and patterns that resonate. But I’ve learned it’s important not to force it—true ideas often emerge from nothing.”

From your perspective as a designer, how do you approach cultivating personal style?

“Personal style is whatever feels true to you, it’s something that develops overtime time.

“I believe discovering your style also benefits from a thoughtful, almost research-driven approach: experimenting with silhouettes, observing which pieces make you feel most confident, and noticing which colors truly flatter you.”

Tell me about the development of “The Love Is Yours To Keep” and how you landed on that name?

“I was relaxing with a glass of wine, listening to music, and reflecting on what I wanted this collection to convey. I knew I wanted it to explore love, vulnerability, and the experience of being hurt. Once I said those three words out loud, it clicked: ‘The Love Is Yours to Keep.’ It’s about giving your love fully and vulnerably, without expecting anything in return—acknowledging that hurt may come but embracing the act of giving anyway.

This collection was deeply personal, reflecting experiences I’ve had over the past two years—in family, platonic, and romantic relationships. I realized I had been giving so much of myself without receiving the same in return, and this collection became a way to process and express that journey.”

You recently created a beautiful cinematic show for your The Love Is Yours To Keep Collection- take me through your creative layout.

“The show opened with two people opening a door to heavy rain, inviting the audience into my mind. I love using music and sound to convey emotion—the rain felt both melodramatic and calming. As the models walked in, a lone dancer stood center stage, moving to ‘Wish I Didn’t Miss You’ by Angie Stone—may she rest in peace. The lyrics of that song perfectly capture the message I wanted to express with this collection.”

Three striking runway moments from FOR HINSON’s 2025 collection, each embodying the brand’s signature blend of narrative and nuance.

“I wanted the first look to be the white wedding gown, almost to trick the viewer. When you think of weddings, you naturally associate them with love, joy, and positivity. I wanted to subvert that expectation, which is why I paired it with FKA Twigs’ Cellophane. The lyrics—"I do it for you, why don’t I do it for you, why won’t you do it for me’—reflect the theme of giving love without receiving it in return, perfectly tying into the message of the collection.”

The intention was for the transition to feel a bit chaotic because sometimes that’s what love is. You give pieces of yourself away, and that idea is reflected in the dissection of the looks. If you look closely at the collection, you’ll notice different parts of the models’ bodies are revealed—symbolizing the act of giving parts of yourself when loving someone.”

“The nude look represents vulnerability, while the lavender look—shaped like an upside-down flower—symbolizes blossoming and closes the show. This final look, worn by the model at the bottom of the steps, conveys power, beauty, and poise. As she gazes into the camera while the door closes behind her, it sends a clear message: you had access to me, and now you don’t.”

FOR HINSON custom Lilac Gown.

If this collection were a piece of music, film, or art, what would it be—and why?

I choose music because so many emotions can be portrayed through lyrics and sound. If this collection were a song it would be Lady Gagas album Mayhem. This album has a touch of everything-love, heartbreak, and chaos.

How do you see your work contributing to the larger cultural conversation in fashion?

De-influencing overconsumption. “There’s no need to produce so many collections each year. Once you complete one, it’s always about ‘what’s next?’—but I believe it’s important to be present with what you’ve accomplished. I also want to challenge the traditional narrative of luxury and put Black excellence at the forefront of it. It’s something I push for in everything I do, from career to art and design.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Editor’s Note:

Intention isn’t stumbled upon—it’s carefully shaped. While Columbus has only brushed the surface of what it takes to craft true meaning, his work already reveals a thoughtful approach to storytelling, design, and the power of creative expression. Stay connected to Columbus’s journey by following him @forhinson via Instagram and shop his collection looks @forhinson.com.