In 2019, The Quintessential Gentleman introduced readers to Tajh Crutch, the co-founder of Wear Brims, a luxury fedora brand that became the first Black-owned luxury hat company to sell through Nordstrom.
That feature captured the rise of a visionary designer bringing new energy to luxury menswear—an image not often personified by a Black man. Now, Crutch is writing his next chapter—this time solo—with the launch of his newest venture: Crutch Campus, a fashion brand featuring the “Capt. Crutch” Black Cap.
This new brand isn’t just about fashion. It’s about purpose, resilience, and leaving something bigger behind. “It’s something I feel like I left on the table that I got to get out,” Crutch said in our interview. “This run right here is gonna be a legacy run. Crutch Campus is not just a brand; it’s a lifeline.”
Earlier this year, Crutch lost both of his grandfathers within four months of each other, men he calls “two titans” in his life. That grief became the spark for his new venture. “It’s been hard, man. And then just losing them and trying to find something to get back into that space of creating. The only thing that could help me through that process was designing and starting up Crutch Campus. So it’s kind of like a therapy session for me.”
That sense of healing is embedded into every stitch and campaign. Crutch calls the brand “motivational luxury,” with each piece telling a story. “Every piece has a story; every piece is limited. It’s not going to be one of those continuous runs. Once one piece comes out, once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
The name itself is layered with meaning. “Crutch is the people that you can lean on at the end of times. Yeah, it’s my last name, but no pun intended. It’s what you can lean on when you’re going through those ups and downs and keeps you centered and grounded,” he explained. “Campus means community…That’s wherever you build what surrounds you—whether that’s music, clothing, family, or faith. My campus is my family, my friends, music, military. And number one, the Lord. That’s my campus.”
For him, every customer becomes part of that ecosystem. “Crutch Campus is a motivational luxury brand. It allows me to get whatever I have going on and bring those luxury pieces out to the masses, so they can be a part of my campus and help me build at the same time.”
For the brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Crutch Campus is as much about giving back as it is about creating. He’s currently collaborating with Meals on Wheels Atlanta to design a 65th anniversary cap, with all proceeds going toward feeding seniors.
“This run is gonna be different with Crutch Campus. This is a legacy piece. All money is going straight back to them because I want to feed the seniors. That’s how you leave legacy. That’s how you make an impact.”
As he prepares his first full collection for release this holiday season, Crutch says he’s driven by something bigger than style.
“Luxury means detail. It means using a blank canvas to build out something that elevates people’s style and confidence. I live my life as a luxury man mentally. I might not have the biggest house, but I always think at a high level, and I want to design the same way.”
And he leaves us with a reminder of the Crutch Campus mission: “Like our mission with Crutch Campus—always make your reach longer than your stay. What I mean by that is no matter where you’re at in life, and no matter who you meet, make sure they remember you by the good things you do.”
Crutch Campus will release its first full collection this holiday season.
Check out the full interview.
