Different Regard
Made in Baltimore: How Steven White of Different Regard is Stitching Style, Sustainability, and Soul into American Fashion
In the heart of Baltimore’s Howard Street, the hum of sewing machines and the rustle of fabric tell a story of reinvention — not just of clothing, but of community. Behind that story is Steven White, co-founder and creative director of Different Regard, a fashion brand reshaping the way America thinks about custom design and local production.
White didn’t set out to become a designer. His career began in finance, but a diagnosis of narcolepsy changed his trajectory. “My instructors told me to find something I was passionate about,” he recalls. That search led him to join his business partner in building a company that would later become Different Regard — a brand grounded in craftsmanship, precision, and purpose.
What started as a T-shirt concept quickly evolved into a full-service fashion house. By 2013, White and his partner made the bold move to bring production in-house, giving them creative freedom and the ability to control every stitch, seam, and silhouette. Today, the company operates from a 4,000-square-foot studio where ideas move from sketch to showroom, all under one roof.
Different Regard isn’t just about clothes — it’s about people. White employs a team of six artisans from around the world, from Hungary to Sri Lanka, who bring diverse perspectives and skills to the craft. Together, they design everything from tailored suits and gowns to custom draperies and small-batch apparel for other brands.
Their process combines old-school technique with modern technology. Hand-cut paper patterns hang beside digital renderings stored in Gerber Technologies’ systems. Every new fabric is tested for durability and sustainability before being brought into production. Even leftover materials find new life in ready-to-wear pieces like vegan-leather pants and upcycled hooded tops.
White’s commitment extends beyond design to education. Through partnerships with local schools like the Baltimore Design School, Different Regard is training the next generation of makers. Students learn sewing, pattern-making, and the business of fashion — gaining real-world experience in an industry that often feels out of reach.
“When young people come here, I want them to see that you don’t have to sew to succeed in fashion,” White says. “There are so many roles — creative, technical, managerial — and they all matter.”
Different Regard’s growth is equally impressive. With boutiques in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon and BWI Airport, the brand offers custom and ready-to-wear garments to travelers and locals alike. Their clientele ranges from everyday professionals to celebrities like *Real Housewives of Potomac*’s Robin Dixon, for whom they created a stunning all-local ensemble complete with matching boots, corset, and hat.
Despite his success, White remains loyal to his roots. “Baltimore is where my story began,” he says. “This city gave me my first custom piece as a kid — and I want to give that experience back.”
As the fashion world races toward fast production, Steven White and Different Regard are slowing it down — one stitch, one story, and one community at a time.