It really all started by accident, or at least that’s how Nathaniel Johnson answers when asked how creating custom pieces became his career. For the past few decades, Johnson has quietly run his own design house, aptly named Nathaniel’s Original, right here in Rochester. Many know him for his gorgeous custom prom gowns, elegant bridal wear, and exceptional runway shows, so it may come as a surprise to know that his design career began with a single shirt.
As a child, Johnson’s first real glimpse into garment creation was through helping his aunt. As she constructed pieces for family and friends, his aunt would ask him to cut out patterns or assist with other parts of the sewing process. In his late teens, with no idea what he wanted to do after high school, Johnson took a shot in the dark and put all those sewing skills to the test to create his first shirt. While it was purely a personal passion project based on a desire to own something he did not already see in the world, this single top became a hit. Friends, family, and strangers would compliment the piece, asking where they could purchase one like it.
That moment planted a seed in his mind and inspired Johnson to continue making custom clothing. At the time, Johnson was working for B. Forman in administration when the buyer from the juniors department saw his pieces in a fashion show. The buyer was entranced, and, thus, for the next five years, Johnson made micro collections by hand of up to twenty coordinating garments available exclusively at the department store. They routinely sold out incredibly fast, further advancing Johnson’s blossoming fashion career. It got to the point where staff at the department store would advise customers to contact him directly, helping him build a loyal clientele for custom garments.
Since deciding to take the plunge and shift to a full-time career in fashion design in 2000, Johnson has been met only with celebration and growth. Many harness his talents for the most special days of their lives, and others see his skill and want to feature it in events like Fashion Week Rochester. As a participant many times over, Johnson has always approached the shows with creativity at the forefront of his designs. At this year’s shows, not only will he have designs featured on two of the three days but also on the bodies of the Garth Fagan Dance company, which will perform in the show Thursday night.
Garth Fagan Dance is a staple of Rochester’s arts community. Known for unique fusion of multiple dance styles, the company has created performances that have moved and inspired audiences for generations. Now celebrating its fifty-fifth year, this award-winning company is partnering with Johnson to create something unforgettable.
While Johnson’s designs will debut exclusively during the performance, we’ve brought them together with part of the talented dance company to show what a match they truly are. Power and confidence radiate from the dancers as they model African wax prints, sequined lace, and recycled denim. While not all from the same collection, these pieces pair seamlessly and create a striking visual statement. Bold, experimental, and ready to be seen, there is no doubt that Johnson and Garth Fagan Dance are cooking up something inspiring.
With Fashion Week Rochester 2026 nearly upon us, the anticipation for Johnson’s latest designs as well as his Garth Fagan Dance collaboration is building. Fashion Week tickets are available now at rochesterfashionweek.org, but Johnson’s vision extends far beyond the runway. In the next phase of his career, he plans to offer sewing courses to help the next generation of fashion designers find their footing. Additionally, he plans to open a small boutique where he can focus on capsule collections that are produced in limited quantities and entirely his own vision. If you would like to keep up with Johnson’s unfolding next chapter, follow him on Instagram at @nateshop.
Photographer: Tomas Flint (@tomasflint)
Clothing design: Nathaniel’s Original (@nateshop)
Models: Sabrina Shiman, Kiara Jolié Haywood, Daria Clarke, Raea Moorehead, Jahkim Hodge-Price from Garth Fagan Dance (@garthfagandancecompany)
Location: Memorial Art Gallery mag.rochester.edu
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2026 issue of (585).
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