Essentials: James Whitner

This edition of Essentials features James Whitner, owner of boutiques Social Status, A Ma Maniere and A.P.B. Coming from a rough area of Pittsburgh, it took James Whitner a brush with death before he broke out of the poverty he was surrounded by. With a longstanding affinity for footwear and street culture, Whitner moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to pursue his passion in fashion. As a result, Social Status was born. Originally a denim brand, Whitner expanded the company into a clothing store, and since 2006, has diverse onto seven other outposts. For his Essentials, James carries around accessories from his in-house collection, alongside a collaborative sneaker with New Balance. A passport is needed for frequent buying trips to Paris, London and Japan, while an iPhone and MacBook Pro is needed for any creative who looks to stay productive while traveling. Enjoy Whitner’s Essentials here and stay tuned for our next installment.