2faced
Streetwear often mirrors the cultural trends and values of its time, and as a result acts as a
canvas for self expression in relation to the world around it. Because of this, streetwear has the
ability to constantly evolve, and in the realm of this ever changing style, 2Faced, a streetwear
brand owned by Brenden McDonald-Bell, stands as a striking fusion of influences while
remaining deeply rooted in personal experience, Southern roots, and a bold reimagining of
fashion’s boundaries.
By Zuza Gaboush
Born and raised in Fayetteville, NC, Brenden’s journey from a high school fashion enthusiast to a brand founder offers a refreshing narrative of perseverance, creativity, and the duality of life itself. Fayetteville, North Carolina—a place often associated with military bases rather than fashion capitals—was the spot from which Brenden first began to explore his love for style.
"North Carolina is a melting pot of influences,"
he explains. "You've got people from all over: California, New York, the South. There's a diverse mix, and people here like to tweak things and make them their own." When Brenden was growing up, his older brother had lived in California for a bit and returned with a new, different style that influenced Brenden deeply. Unlike anything he had seen around him, Brenden was introduced to the world of skate-wear aesthetics. This blend of Californian influence and the roots of Southern style became the perfect blend for the creation of 2Faced’s unique aesthetic. That adaptability, the urge to reinvent, has become a signature of the 2Faced brand. However, Brenden didn’t solely pull inspiration from the aesthetics he was running into physical contact with. His relationship with fashion is deeply intertwined with the impact that music had on his exposure to style as well. Growing up in the South, he was heavily inspired by the Dirty South trap music scene—artists like Gucci Mane—and the aesthetics of hip-hop music videos. The oversized jerseys, baggy pants, the emphasis on exclusivity and luxury brands—these elements not only shaped his musical taste but also directly influenced his style. "I always loved finding pieces no one else had," Brenden shares. "Exclusivity was huge to me." This love for rare and distinctive items later became a cornerstone of 2Faced's ethos, with a constant drive to create clothing that stood out in a world flooded with mass production.
As Brenden’s love for fashion deepened, his style evolved. In high school, he began experimenting with luxury streetwear—trying to emulate the flashy looks seen in music videos. Laughing, Brenden recalls that, “In high school, people would always say, ‘Brenden is the best dressed, he’s always putting that shit on!’" But soon, he realized something:
"I wanted to expand my style. I didn’t want to just wear high-end luxury; I wanted to mix that with the grunge aesthetic, the skater vibe that I originally sought inspiration from.”
This blend of high luxury with streetwear grunge became the core of his identity. Yet, when he looked at the market, he noticed a gap. "I didn’t really see any clothing brands doing that, so I thought, why not create my own?" And so, Brenden’s journey from a high school dreamer to the founder of 2Faced began.
Initially, Brenden faced setbacks—most notably the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed his plans to launch. But rather than seeing this as a failure, Brenden took it as a sign to slow down and refine his ideas. “I took [COVID] as a sign that it wasn’t my moment yet, I didn’t want to be rushing into it.” Waiting for the perfect moment to strike, when 2022 arrived, Brenden was ready. After obtaining his LLC, perfecting his logo, and finding the right manufacturers, he finally began bringing 2Faced to life. Fully self-taught and motivated, Brenden honed his skills through YouTube tutorials, refining his knowledge on the clothing industry, garments, fabrics, etc. All skills necessary to fulfill the dream he had been envisioning. Coming up with a name for his brand was a deeply intentional and calculated move for Brenden. For him, his brand represents more than just an aesthetic—it acts as a philosophy. "I know 2Faced often has a negative connotation," Brenden explains, "but for me, it’s about embracing duality. There’s a good side and a bad side to every person, to every situation." This law of duality runs deep in 2Faced’s designs, with a common theme being skull imagery, symbolizing the tension between life and death, the living wearing motifs of the undead. The fact that Brenden is a Gemini was another factor that didn’t hurt supporting the creation of his brand name. “People are constantly shifting between different sides of their personality depending on where they’re at, who they’re talking to.” This mentality, combined with his desire to show that life isn’t always straightforward, soon became the heartbeat of his brand.
Brenden’s creative evolution is most apparent in his Fire and Desire jackets, his 2024 Valentines day drop. Inspired by a moment of clarity he experienced while driving and listening to Drake’s "Fire & Desire," Brenden noticed the sunset and felt a powerful creative surge to connect the breathtaking colors and song title into the perfect fusion. This realization led to the creation of an intricate colorwave design—a combination of burning fire-oranges and deep purple-pink hues, crafted on a suede work jacket. The jackets, which symbolize the interplay of passion and longing, were perfect for the holiday of love and quickly became one of his most beloved pieces of any collection. We recommend you check these pieces out on his website- they truly are one of a kind pieces that define the bold, unique styles of the 2Faced brand.
Like many creators, Brenden has faced his share of obstacles. The challenges of consistency and balancing life’s unpredictable nature with running a brand can be daunting. Unforeseen personal issues can force you to take your focus off of your brand and direct your energy elsewhere; for Brenden, the saving grace was remaining committed to following through with his goal. Despite the struggles, 2Faced continues to expand. His advice to others for how to push through and gain success is clear: "It costs a lot to start. You’ll lose money in the beginning, and you have to stay committed to the long game. Do your research! Research is like, 90-95% of starting a brand. There’s so much behind the scenes that people don’t realize. The business side of things is just as important as the creative side."
As Brenden looks to the future, his dream for 2Faced isn’t rooted in fame or flashy accolades. He’s not looking to be front and center. "I’d love to walk around Fayetteville and see people wearing my stuff. Just go to the mall and see my clothes on people, and they don’t even know that I’m the one behind it.” For Brenden, success is about building something bigger than himself— working towards making something that will outlast him. His ultimate goal is financial freedom for his loved ones, and he’s determined to make that a reality. "I want to put my little brother through college and help my mom with bills. It’s about building something sustainable." And as 2Faced grows, Brenden wants to show the world that you don’t need to come from a big city to make a lasting impact in the world of fashion.
"It’s not where you’re from—it’s about what you want and the drive you have to build something for yourself."
With a dedicated fanbase and a clear vision, the future of 2Faced is bright. Brenden has already teased the next chapter: "V.2 of the Undead Rockstar Collection is dropping this summer!" The momentum is real, and with each drop, 2Faced continues to redefine what it means to blend music, fashion, and the complexities of life itself. So, the next time you see someone rocking 2Faced, know that it’s more than just clothing—it’s a representation of duality, passion, and the drive to overcome life’s challenges. Ever changing, inspiring and always humble, 2Faced is the brand to watch as it continues to redefine the streetwear scene.
