46-year-old Chicago-native, Anthony Prince is using his creativity and perseverance to make a name for himself in the fashion industry. After being incarcerated for nearly 25 years, the father of two is getting a fresh start with Sinew, his own colorful line of custom urban sportswear for men, women, and children.
Prince spent most of his time in prison reading, studying, and reflecting. But he and some of his fellow inmates also took an interest in designing creative clothing items. They started by adding hoods, pockets, and buttons to make ordinary pieces more fashionable. Prince knew that if he maintained the same creative spark he had in prison, he could produce something even more amazing when he returned to the outside.
In November 2020, Prince was released as a result of the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice bill intended to cut unnecessarily long prison sentences. He continued designing and launched his line, Sinew out of the trunk of his car. Today, Prince sells his designs at his Tri-Taylor-area boutique where he customizes activewear pieces using materials like leather, Naugahyde, and suede. He says Karl Kani and Phat Farm are his biggest design influences.
Prince says the name Sinew, which means ‘to renew and revive,’ came to him while studying the Bible during his incarceration. He says that it was through God’s grace that he was able to get out of prison and have an opportunity to start his own business. “When I was incarcerated, I made sure I got up early every morning to read or workout,” he says. “I realized that I had to keep my mind strong to stay focused and hopeful that God was working with me.”
When asked what advice he would give former inmates trying to reestablish themselves Prince says, “Never give up and never give up hope that God is working in your favor.”