Meet Tony James of Throne of Grace Clothing in Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony James.

Tony, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey started off as a High School student who excelled in Fashion Merchandising and had a desire to become a fashion design and or Visual Merchandiser. My love of fashion stems from being the youngest of four kids to a single father. I never had the luxury to buy new clothes or obtain name brands. In fact, most of what I wore were hand me downs. To avoid being made fun of at school, I learned to make the most of what I had. Coordinating less than desirable fabrics and textiles and creating silhouettes that left a positive influence on my peers. From that point, I loved seeking articles of clothing from second-hand stores and breaking stereotypes of what a male from my neighborhood and ethnicity should look or dress like. Early on as a child, I knew I wanted to create clothes for the masses, build a name for myself, give back to my community, and inspire kids from my city to dream big!
After graduating from High School, I was provided with many references from teachers who wrote letters of references to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. I was sure I was on my way to fulling my dreams of becoming a design and visual artist. I completed the application process and submitted all the necessary admission projects, and was accepted to the school. The next step, finding funding to pay for the two-year program. I explain to my Father how far along I’ve gotten and needed his help to possible fund my schooling. My Father kindly flew him and I to downtown LA to view the campus and to complete my final interview. I was a kid in a candy store while on the campus tour. The inside of my was jumping with excitement and my heartbeat at unexplainable rates. But kids like me never made it that far so I was afraid to show my excitement or get my hopes up. Upon arriving home one thing after another happened and I never got a chance to follow my dreams of attending Fashion School… I would find out many years later that God had other plans for me. I worked as a Hairstylist before entering a calling on my life to work with youth and fulfill my desires of fashion. I found myself on a journey of finding Faith and Purpose. As I decide to follow my convictions, I found myself giving my life to Christ. I’ve dedicated my life to helping youth in the Phoenix area as a mentor and working directly with youth struggling with mental/behavioral health. While serving Christ, my passion for fashion was placed back on my heart. I felt compelled to create a line of clothing, that wasn’t going to edify me as I once desired, but would edify my God. I prayed, “if it’s your will for this to be done, will you provide a way?” Shortly after, I began to receive unexpected funds from known and unknown sources. People began to cross my path that were willing to help educate or provide service to jump-start my clothing line. I had enough funds to purchase my first screen press to start making shirts. I asked my wife, Stephanie if I could mount it to the kitchen table, she replied, “This is your dream, and I believe in you, not only mount it to the table but turn this dining room into your work station” All I needed was a name for the line. I always kept a scripture on Hebrews 4:16 in a draw, I would go to that draw and read that scripture when I felt less than, inadequate, or unworthy, and it always made me feel better. The scripture reads….“ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” It was during a visit of feeling unworthy that I read this for the 100th time when my heart said THRONE OF GRACE! That will be the name! A line that will remind everyone of Gods love for each of them thru His Grace and Mercy. Not that I had some minor funds, equipment, and a name, I began producing shirts and selling them at Youth Events, Conferences, and out of my trunk.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been a few speed bumps in the way in the area of funding, artistic blocks, opposition from the church and church people, and even more so, having faith.

Throne of Grace is not only a clothing line but a Ministry that thrives on providing clothing to people in need and following convictions. I felt God testing my heart and asking me if I had faith that he would provide or if I was in it for my own glorying and our operating on my own understanding. After producing the first large batch of shirts that would be used to launch my website, I was told by my mother-in-law Lupita that she would be going to Mexico to take donations to children and families in need. So without hesitation, I loaded up her car with my first batch of shirts to begin my online presence and trusted that God would be seen, heard, and sought after thru this leap of faith.
As a designer, I don’t want to just make designs or shirts for the church, but I want to make dope clothes for everyone to wear regardless of your religious affiliation. I want the shirts to open up discussions for people to have discussions and to listen to the stories of struggles and victories of others. In doing this, “the religious” sector of my faith tends to disapprove of the designs and possibly even judge them before understanding the meaning and reasoning behind them. I typically get a few DMs a month in my Instagram account that consist of people telling me I’m misrepresenting the faith or somehow displaying negative or sinful images. However, I have gotten many responses from former believers and unbelievers that tell me that the shirts designs and conversations that stem from them left them with a desire to reconcile their relationship with God or create one.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Throne of Grace Clothing story. Tell us more about the business.
I am the Founder and Creative Director of Throne of Grace Clothing. We are a clothing line based in Phoenix but also run as a ministry aimed at helping those in need. Our clothes are designed to stem from my faith in mind but are created for all walks of life. We currently focus on T-shirts and hats and making custom Denim, blazers, and shirts for private clientele. We’ve clothed famous Celebrities to celebrated Pastors, but our favorite client is the person next door. The everyday youth, Young Adult, or Parent. We pride ourself on being a line for the people.
We pride ourself on donating free products to events, ministries, and community efforts to provide for those in need.
I love pulling over when I see someone wearing TOG, thanking them, listening to their testimonies, and giving them a free shirt and a hug.

What sets us apart is our ability to provide dope threads for both those with faith and those that may not know God. We like to erase the lines of what people or the church consider “worldly & righteous” …we operate on a judgment-free friendship and even have a pray request portion on our online store.

Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
I’m a Phoenician and absolutely love Phoenix. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to relocate to other states but can’t find myself with the heart to leave.

I love the emerging dynamics of cultures, fashion, and Art that have arrived in Phoenix. There is so much more inspiration due to the architecture that has arisen and the acceptance of Art and individualizations colliding. I love that we have a big city feel with a small town heart.,

Contact Info:

• Email: throneofgraceclothing@gmail.com
• Website: Website: throneofgraceclothing.com
• Instagram: IG: throneofgraceclothing

Image Credit:
Phoenix Suns

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