Colton Keenan is the young, retail fashion entrepreneur behind the newly launched United Colt in L.A. His fashion and lifestyle brand is dedicated to creating timeless garments for a variety of occasions that promote self-love, acceptance, and expression. 

Keenan, who grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., was inspired by the Baltimore music and punk scene. He initially pursued photography, but his love for design eventually brought him to where he is now. At 20, Keenan interned in Florence, Italy at one of the world’s leaders in the luxury industry, Ferragamo. He earned a degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), one of the top-ranked art and design colleges in the U.S. At 23, Keenan worked with Jason of Beverly Hills in LA designing Super Bowl rings and jewelry for the Hollywood elite. 

Now, Keenan is pushing boundaries using his own designs to establish his name in the fashion industry. His goal is to create timeless garments for a wide variety of occasions; designing comfortable clothes for formal and informal settings. His first collection, Archives, consists of three Western culture motif T-shirts and a tote bag. These were first created to build brand credibility before moving to full ready-to-wear collections. 

He founded United Colt by recognizing the widespread acknowledgment and acceptance of alternative lifestyles. His goal is to serve and welcome a community that has evolved post-pandemic of self-awareness and mental health well-being. 

We caught up with Keenan to talk about his inspirations and creative process and what influenced him to start his namesake brand.

Welcome, Colton.

Tell us about United Colt, your newly launched brand.  When and where did you get started, and what is the motivation behind your brand?

United Colt came to be at a weird time in my life. I started toying with the idea of designing my own clothes and starting something bigger for myself in February of 2022. I had moved to LA a few months prior to work designing jewelry for Jason of Beverly Hills. When I had days off, I would spend my time driving around downtown LA trying to find the perfect fit for my brand manufacturing-wise, so that I could produce the highest quality of the product I could get access to. I had this creative energy inside me with ideas that I couldn't translate into jewelry at my day job. So, I guess this collection is in a way a testament to that space I was in creatively. I was designing someone else's vision and I felt limited in my creativity. I wanted to design what I was inspired by and let my creativity freely flow. I felt that I couldn't do that while having my design restricted by one medium. As far as what the key concept is; I started United Colt to create a brand that relates to and captures the aesthetics I’m so moved by. In doing this, it's my goal to connect with an audience that feels included and seen; promoting self-love, acceptance, and free expression.

When did you realize that fashion could become a career? 

I didn't go to school for fashion. I've always loved fashion, but I have a background in technical design. For many years, I wanted to break into the fashion industry, but I never planned for my journey to take me to build my own company. I realized fashion could become my career when I found myself surrounded by creatives that were doing their own thing; Friends starting brands, peers pursuing art, etc. It was inspiring. I've spent my whole life designing within someone else's vision. I decided it was time for me to shape my own dream and design for what motivated me. It's not that I ever distinctly thought that fashion could, or couldn't become a career, it was more that I had such a clear vision of what I wanted to do and share with others. I also think being raised being exposed to alternative cultures, both through music and media, played a huge role in shaping my design and the direction I want to take the brand. 

How does your personal style influence the United Colt brand?

 I like very clean design aesthetics and I think that directly translates into the items I design for the brand. In the conception phase, I explore topics and aesthetics that I feel moved by and that play a big role in the final product. My own personal style definitely plays into the silhouettes of my garments. I have always loved the avant-garde clothing style, but sometimes the garments are too flashy and extravagant. I aim to use the same theory used in avant-garde clothing, but I want to tone it down and add my own flavor to it.

What are some of the inspirations that have shaped your first collection? 

I had just moved to LA. I was working day to day as a jewelry designer and I would come home at night and concept until 3 am. I had this creative energy inside me with ideas that I couldn't translate into jewelry. So, I guess this collection is a testament to that creative energy. Graphically, this collection takes inspiration from Western motifs including my own take on the gorpcore trend. I took inspiration from motifs used in brands like Reese Cooper and For Those Who Sin and applied my own design philosophy to them.

Do you follow trends?

I never really followed trends. I have my own style that has always been outside of what is popular in mainstream culture. And because so much of this brand relates to my aesthetics and design style, I don't think designing for what's trending has ever been a thought of mine. I design pieces that I think are dope, and I believe that is what I need to share with the world.

What's currently inspiring you? 

Music is a huge inspiration for me, it always has been. Recently, I've been really into blackgaze; which is a mix between shoegaze and black metal. But my music taste is really all over the map. I find myself listening to rap, one day, and classical the next. I also find inspiration from my travels. I was fortunate to travel the world; most notably spending six months in Florence, Italy. My time there shaped my outlook on fashion and granted me a unique design perspective, mixing Westernized culture with European luxury fashion.

What’s your favorite place where you feel most inspired?

Probably my bed, to be honest. I have this thing, it’s a blessing and a curse. After a creative day, when I try to go to bed and I’m at the brink of drifting off to sleep, an idea comes to mind. In this state, I usually reason with and work through these ideas until I feel I need to put them on paper. I have a notebook next to my bed where I draw and write whatever comes to me late at night.  During the day, my mind is usually racing, so when I’m in bed there are no external stimuli — I can finally focus. It's a blessing because this is where all of my best ideas come from, but it’s also a curse because this process will happen for hours and I won't get to sleep until 5 am.

What do you want people to feel when wearing your brand?

When people wear my clothes, I want them to feel confident and comfortable. Exposed to the world of fashion early on, I began to find my own style. I remember then feeling like I grew to a level of confidence I hadn't experienced before. I want people to feel that way in my clothes.

United Colt Archives collections is available online now.

Cecilia Mencia is a journalist, founder, and editor-in-chief at DCTrending.com in Washington, DC.

Colton Keenan, Founder, United Colt