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Co-Founder and Creative Director
Fola Lawson is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Southern Gents. Fola began his career in accounting, having graduated in 2009 from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s & Master’s in Accounting and obtained his CPA license shortly thereafter. Prior to pursuing his professional career, Lawson always had an avid eye for photography & design and found joy through his artistic expression.
Continuously drawing inspiration from the world of design, Lawson quickly developed an affinity for personal style while pursuing his professional career in accounting. Fola mastered the art of dressing with a curated and simple essential wardrobe and in September 2012, decided to create a style blog focused on attire, grooming and a modern approach to men’s dressing.
Fola gathered his closest friends to establish a menswear collective called ‘Southern Gents’, and began hosting networking events around his hometown of Houston. The social gatherings were an immediate success and as a result, Lawson recognized that many other Houstonians craved an environment where they could mingle in style, and meet like-minded individuals. In 2013, Lawson launched Southern Gents’ e-commerce destination with a select edit of accessories and a mission to educate men about the basics of menswear styling.
Today, Southern Gents is an e-commerce destination with a complete collection of fashion forward pieces that are re-engineered from traditional styles to fit a more modern lifestyle. Serving over 30 countries, and over 30,000 customers to date, Southern Gents continues to serve its international audience, motivating men to be the best version of themselves.
Fola spent four years practicing public accounting and eight years as a Financial Controller. Lawson's background in accounting has shaped his practical approach to fashion and in 2020 he pursued Southern Gents as a full time endeavor. A husband and father of two boys, Lawson enjoys spending time with his family, he is a sports fan and a European Car enthusiast.