AUTHENTICITY IS JUSTN LOPEZ'S ART FORM
PRESENTED BY NEW BALANCE
SHOT BY JOE PERRI
Whether in front of or behind the camera, Justn Lopez will always make you feel like he’s baring his soul. He demonstrates a nonchalant awareness of how he’s perceived while simultaneously inviting you to see the world from his perspective: as a place that is bright, promising, and beautiful. It’s a kind of balanced optimism that’s in short supply these days, even among creative types. Through the hazy simplicity of film, which the 26-year-old photographer has been shooting on exclusively since 2018, he manages to capture intimate stills that hold your gaze. His unmistakeable talent has landed him projects for fashion’s leading luxury brands. On the other side of the lens, the model and content creator serves up timeless outfit inspiration to his devoted following on TikTok, where his videos have racked up over 4 million likes.
Despite calling New York City home since he graduated from college in 2019, the burgeoning talent still prefers peace and solitude to the city’s hustle and bustle. “Anyone who knows me can tell you that I’m a major homebody,” Lopez admits, self-effacing as ever. Still, being in one of the world’s creative capitals has its perks, offering a neverending source of inspiration, collaborators, and opportunities to chase his many dreams. When asked what his future goals might be given all he’s accomplished so far, his limitless ambition shines through. “All I want to do is everything,” he says, smiling earnestly.
For the driven multi-hyphenate, nothing feels out of reach—as evidenced by his recent link-up with footwear powerhouse New Balance, which he describes as a “full circle” moment given his lifelong affinity for the iconic shoes. He recalls being a kid, flying from his native Florida to NYC to visit family; his grandfather would always don a crisp white pair of New Balance shoes when picking Lopez up from the airport. Captivated by the universal kicks’ timeless swagger, the young creative soon saved up to buy his first pair. It was love at first lace-up—and his collection has only grown since.
“I feel like each pair of New Balance sneakers that I have represents a different part of my style, while also being timestamps of where I’m at in my life,” he shares. “[That first pair] brings me back to [growing up in] Florida before moving to New York. My 550s remind me of my first summer in New York and my first time out of the country. The 576 pair that I have now feels very current and a bit more timeless—like the direction I’m headed towards stylistically for myself now.”
Tagging along as he heads to Prospect Park before meeting up with friends, it’s easy to see why Lopez has attracted fans’ and the fashion industry’s attention. Not only is his impactful style classic in a way that feels modern but as he snaps photos of interesting subjects he spots and poses in his NB 1906R, his authentic engagement with the world around him is tangible—and admirable. In an era when authenticity is often manufactured or co-opted in the endless pursuit of engagement and buzz, the model keeps it real because there’s no other way to live. His attitude echoes the philosophy of unapologetic self-expression that’s guided New Balance to the forefront of streetwear, sportswear, and any creative scene during its century-plus history.
"Being authentic, to me, means being loud about the things you love and not letting anyone dim the light in that. It’s expressing yourself as you please, even if you know not everyone is going to get it—which is fine. Some people never will," Lopez says. Luckily for the fashion-forward visionary, a whole lot of people ‘get it’ when it comes to his multi-faceted artistry. Wherever his next step takes him, we’ll all be following along."