Check Out Antonio Jones’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonio Jones.

Hi Antonio, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born and raised in South Memphis, Tennessee, Antonio Jones is a creative entrepreneur, graphic designer, and founder of the streetwear brand Rough Feathers Clothing. A graduate of LeMoyne-Owen College, Antonio earned his degree in Fine Arts in 2007 and began his journey in graphic design in 2005.

In 2012, after leaving Foot Locker, he launched Rough Feathers Clothing — a brand built on the message that no matter your race, creed, or color, everyone experiences hardship in life; you simply use your wings to fly over it. The brand represents resilience, individuality, and perseverance through adversity.

Through the creation of Rough Feathers, Antonio experienced both highs and lows that taught him how to adapt, pivot, and remain resilient while continuing to grow his vision. His commitment to originality and consistency has allowed the brand to gain recognition across the country.

Antonio has traveled throughout the United States hosting pop-up events and marketing his brand, while also having sports celebrities like Stephen Jackson & Allen Iverson wear Rough Feathers apparel. He was selected as a participating designer for the Harlem Fashion Row Retreat in New York and has been featured on the streaming platform Tubi (Dirty D series, Nasty 2022 and Gangster’s Daughter 2023).

His work and entrepreneurial journey have also been highlighted by publications such as the Memphis Flyer and 4 memphis 4. Today, Antonio continues expanding his impact by mentoring and branding six up-and-coming youth athletes within the sports community.

One of his most memorable collaborations was working with Old Dominick Distillery to design a limited-edition whiskey label accompanied by a custom merchandise apparel collection.

Through fashion, design, and storytelling, Antonio Jones continues to build Rough Feathers Clothing into a brand rooted in culture, perseverance, and purpose.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has the journey been smooth? Not at all. Entrepreneurship is far from easy, and it is not meant for everyone. One of the biggest lessons I learned throughout my journey is that you will often be the first person to work and the last person to leave. Having that mindset alone can make you question whether you made the right decision.

One of the most challenging parts of building Rough Feathers was learning the clothing industry from the ground up. Finding the right equipment, sourcing fabrics, locating manufacturers, and meeting deadlines became an everyday process filled with trial and error. But going through those experiences taught me valuable life lessons and helped prepare me to better handle every next move.

Another unexpected obstacle came when my vehicle was broken into and my computer and hard drives were stolen. That experience was devastating because I lost important client files and had to rebuild relationships while searching for new opportunities at the same time. It tested me mentally, creatively, and financially.

Even through those setbacks, I continued my journey without always knowing where the next level of growth or capital would come from. Life has a way of constantly testing you, and entrepreneurship reveals your character through how you respond, adapt, and bounce back from adversity.

Through every hardship, I learned that resilience, faith, patience, and consistency are just as important as talent.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For the most part, I consider myself a creative at heart. My day rarely ends at a normal time because my mind is always thinking about the next idea, project, or way to create something meaningful.

While I specialize in graphic design, I am also the product creator behind my clothing brand, Rough Feathers. Over time, I have become known as an overall artist because my creativity expands beyond one lane — from sewing and garment creation to photography and visual storytelling.

What I am most proud of is being able to teach the skills I have learned throughout my journey. My goal has always been to use my creativity and experiences to inspire others and hopefully make a positive difference in someone’s life.

What sets me apart is my commitment to consistency and originality. I believe in staying true to myself, creating with purpose, and continuously building in a way that reflects both discipline and authenticity.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I feel the essential qualities that have played a major part in my success are patience, originality, and consistency. There are a few more, but these have been core in shaping me into the man and entrepreneur I am today.

Patience is something you learn over time and realize is necessary for growth. Life will throw many turns your way that force you to wait, but through those moments, you learn the value of delayed gratification.

I never wanted to be anyone else, so being myself has always anchored my originality. Setting yourself apart gives you an advantage when opportunities come, and in the end, people remember you for being authentic.

Consistency has become a way of life for me. Acting, thinking, and working with discipline over time builds character. Consistency can feel boring sometimes, but it teaches commitment and resilience. Showing people that you are willing to put in the work repeatedly says a lot about who you are. That’s how I continue building small wins that eventually grow into bigger ones.

Contact Info:

• Website: RoughFeathers.com
• Instagram: RFClothing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RFClothingCo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajonesdesign/
• Twitter: Rough_Feathers
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rfclothing

Image Credits
Loyalty Films, Add Color Graphics