Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Barnes.
Phillip, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up being bullied and teased, made to feel like my presence needed to be minimized. I wasn’t loud or flashy back then. I was shy, observant, and always calculating how to protect my peace. Somewhere along the way, I realized that if I dressed well, people might focus on the clothes instead of the parts of me I didn’t feel safe revealing. At first, style became my shield, a silent way to manage perception.
But even then, I never wanted to look like everyone else. I had an instinct for standing out. I’d experiment with colors most people avoided. I paid attention to trends but refused to be confined by them. I didn’t dress to fit in. I dressed to feel like myself.
As I matured, something shifted. What started as camouflage became expression. I began to understand that style wasn’t just about clothes, it was communication. It reflected not just how I wanted to be seen, but who I was becoming. That evolution—from self-protection to self-expression—is what laid the foundation for Sole_Stys.
And for me, it always starts with the shoes. That’s been my ritual for years. The sneakers set the tone. They determine the vibe, the energy, the message. I pick the shoes first, then build everything else around them. That’s why Sole_Stys isn’t just about styling from the top down, it’s about grounding you from the feet up. It’s about honoring where you walk, how you walk, and what you’re walking toward.
At one point, I started looking for Black stylists, someone who could understand both the cultural nuance and emotional depth behind how we show up. But I could hardly find any. There was a gap in the industry, and I realized I wasn’t just searching; I was being called to fill it.
Today, my style isn’t about deflecting attention, it’s about owning presence. I often walk into spaces where I’m the only Black man in the room. That used to intimidate me. Now, I embrace the responsibility that comes with that visibility. It’s a quiet form of leadership. And considering how withdrawn I used to be, that transformation means everything. I’ve learned to take up space; not just with my voice, but with my look, my purpose, and my confidence.
Sole_Stys was born from that journey. It’s not just about helping people look good, it’s about helping them feel aligned. I work with men who are ready to turn their pain into presence, their story into style, and their walk into something worthy of who they truly are.
Because real style isn’t about following trends. It’s about embodying truth. And sometimes, it starts with the right pair of shoes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. The road to Sole_Stys, and to becoming the version of myself I am now, has been layered with challenges, both internal and external.
Confidence didn’t come naturally to me. I was shy for most of my childhood and even into high school. I wasn’t the one speaking up or drawing attention. I was the quiet observer, carefully navigating environments where I didn’t always feel seen or safe to be fully myself.
Style became my voice before I had the words. But even that wasn’t always accepted. People constantly asked why I dressed “so nice” or said I was overdressed for the occasion. Some thought I was doing too much. Others questioned my color choices or asked why I picked the pieces I did, as if standing out was something to be explained or apologized for.
But I kept showing up anyway. I kept choosing looks that felt like me, even if they didn’t match the room. I realized that the discomfort I caused in others was often a reflection of their own limits, not mine.
The path has also come with real pressure. As a Black man, especially one who often finds himself as the only one in the room, there’s a weight that comes with being visible. There’s a responsibility in how I show up, how I carry myself, and how I lead. And navigating that while building something authentic hasn’t always been easy.
There were seasons of doubt, imposter syndrome, financial setbacks, and feeling misunderstood. But every time I wanted to shrink, I reminded myself of the bigger mission: to help people, especially men like me, move from hiding to honoring who they are.
Sole_Stys was born out of that tension. It’s not just about style, it’s about reclaiming identity, creating presence, and telling your story before you say a word.
Because what some people see as “doing too much” is really just doing you fully, unapologetically, and on purpose.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sole_Stys?
My business, Sole_Stys, is more than a style consulting service. It’s a movement rooted in identity, healing, and self-expression. I launched Sole_Stys to help men, especially Black men, use personal style as a tool for confidence, clarity, and cultural pride. We’re not just picking outfits, we’re crafting presence.
Our services include everything from wardrobe consultations and sneaker therapy to color matching, grooming guidance, and identity-based coaching. I call it Style After Survival™ because for so many of us, style isn’t about fashion, it’s about finally being seen. It’s about reclaiming our image after years of being misread, overlooked, or forced to shrink.
And at Sole_Stys, we always start with the shoes. That’s the foundation. The right pair of sneakers sets the tone, the mood, and the movement. From there, we build the entire look—upward and outward—making sure every piece speaks to who you are and where you’re headed.
We’re just getting started. We have merch launching soon that reflects the heart and voice of the brand. We’re rolling out color analysis services to help clients understand which tones and palettes best align with their energy, goals, and identity. And we’re currently developing a Sole_Stys lifestyle lookbook, a visual experience that showcases how style, confidence, and cultural storytelling come together through intentional dress.
Everything we do is about alignment. Whether it’s your fit, your mindset, or the way you walk into a room, we want you to show up whole. Sole_Stys is here to remind you that your story deserves to be seen, and that what you wear can be both a reflection and a declaration of that truth.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the style and image consulting industry moving in a much more holistic, identity-centered direction. People are no longer dressing just to impress, they’re dressing to express, to reclaim, and to heal. The days of one-size-fits-all style advice are fading. What’s replacing it is something deeper: style as self-actualization.
In the next 5 to 10 years, I think we’ll see a rise in services that combine fashion with wellness, psychology, and cultural awareness. Clients are seeking more than a polished outfit; they want to feel aligned with their values, their personality, and their lived experiences. Especially among Black men and other marginalized groups, there’s a growing hunger to rewrite the narrative around masculinity, success, and presence.
There will also be a shift toward sustainability, customization, and deeper storytelling in style. AI might help with technical styling, but connection—real cultural, emotional, and spiritual connection—is something that can’t be automated. That’s where Sole_Stys lives.
As a brand, we’re staying ahead of that curve by offering services like color analysis rooted in cultural tone, “Style After Survival™” coaching, and eventually building immersive experiences like lookbooks and identity-driven workshops. We want our clients to not just look good, but to feel seen, affirmed, and empowered every step of the way.
Because in the future, the most powerful style won’t just be what you wear. It’ll be what your look says about who you are, what you’ve overcome, and where you’re going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sole-stys.com/
