Fashion industry veteran and pioneer Shawn Pean had a goal in mind when he created his clothing line: to pivot away from the business side of fashion and explore what a new renaissance of luxury could look like. And that’s exactly what he did with the creation of June79, an innovative apparel line that translates luxurious European fabrics into unique, tailored garments with an unmistakable “Brooklyn attitude.”

Born in that same borough of New York City, Shawn Pean has always been one to appreciate his roots. His dedication to fashion led him to embark on a lengthy (and often competitive) career in luxury fashion, holding coveted positions at some city’s most successful department stores, such as Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. He also worked with iconic brands such as Valentino and Balmain.

But after 20 years of sharpening his skills and bringing new ideas to various brands, Pean wanted a change. He decided to step out on his own in 2021, and thus June79 was born from his eclectic pool of European and Brooklyn inspiration. While the line is known for its colorful and floral reimagining of luxury fabrics, the brand holds a great deal of personal significance to Pean, who has labeled himself a creative architect rather than a fashion designer:

“First and foremost, June is my brother’s name and I was paying homage to him. Unfortunately, he passed some years back. Initially, when I was on the business and corporate side of things I spent 20 years on the business side of fashion. He was always like ‘why don’t you start your own thing?’ At first, I was like, no I’m not trying to do all that, but I think for me it was hearing his voice and decidedly making that choice to say you know what it’s a tough road to brand build, but this is what I want.”

With June79, Pean has also had the opportunity to promote and help other Black-owned fashion brands. For those in New York City, his store can be found at 265 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018.