Pictured: Designer Matthew Bell and Mentor Jacqueline Malone
Sixteen-year-old creative powerhouse Matthew E. Bell, founder of 14th Pharaoh Apparel, stunned Chicago’s fashion scene on October 16th with his self-produced showcase debuting his latest collection, R.A.W. (Rugged, Arcane, Wounded). Held at the historic DuSable Museum Roundhouse and presented by the Support Black Excellence Foundation, Inc., the show fused fashion, music, and storytelling in a striking tribute to Mental Health Awareness Month.
Bell—an award-winning designer, music producer, and cultural changemaker—delivered a deeply personal presentation featuring 25 original designs ranging from streetwear to avant-garde couture.
Each look told a story of resilience, identity, and transformation, and were created using a variety of organic cotton & denim, jacquard, handmade kozo paper and textured gradient tie-dye fabrications.
“The human experience is the heartbeat of my collection,” Bell explains. “With R.A.W.—Rugged, Arcane, Wounded—I wanted to take us back to our inner roots. Rugged represents the outer shell, how the world perceives us. Arcane reflects the hidden self, the mysteries of our inner process. And Wounded acknowledges our pain—but also our power to heal.”
Beyond his sartorial brilliance, Bell showcased his multidimensional artistry through original music he composed and produced for the event, creating a powerful host of The Next Breath Podcast and a Youth Commissioner appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Earlier this year, he made history as the youngest designer to ever showcase at the 30th Anniversary of the Black Women’s Expo and served as keynote speaker for the Mayor’s Ignite Your Future Summit (2025)atmosphere that elevated the runway experience. His models brought each piece to life through choreography and movement, crafting an emotional narrative that left audiences inspired.
Featured recently on CBS Chicago, 14th Pharaoh Apparel continues to redefine youth-led fashion with purpose and sustainability at its core. Since launching two years ago, the brand has championed organic, eco-friendly, and skin-safe fabrics—merging streetwear and luxury through a lens of empowerment and authenticity.
When he’s not designing, Bell advocates for social impact as the host of The Next Breath Podcast and a Youth Commissioner appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Bell continues to lead with purpose. Earlier this year, he served as the keynote speaker for Mayor Johnson’s inaugural Ignite Your Future Summit (2025) and made history as the youngest fashion designer ever to showcase at the 30th Anniversary of the Black Women’s Expo.
Expanding his creative reach, Bell is also stepping into film—appearing as a ninja in Blade of the Waning Kingdom (post-production) and taking on roles in Silenced and Blood and the Moon (pre-production).
Whether designing, performing, or mentoring, Matthew Bell continues to build a legacy grounded in style, wellness, and empowerment—proving that the future of fashion is young, bold, and deeply intentional.
Follow the brand
Fashion House: 14th Pharaoh Apparel
Designer: Matthew E. Bell, CEO & Creative Director
Website: https://14thpharaoh.com
Instagram: @14thpharaohapparel
Custom Orders: By appointment only
Talent Management
info@supportexcellence.org (Support Excellence Media – Talent Management Division)
Photo Credits
TZIN Photography (@tzinphotography) | Raymon Grove (@RGImages) | Chicago Fashion Week (Jude Gabriel Nelson @jud.e)