Justin Caskey’s vision for 'Faded Fabrics' embraces streetwear and community

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Faded Fabrics owner Justin Caskey poses outside of the Flint Local 432 on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (Photo: Anthony Summers)

FLINT, Michigan — When I walked into the Faded Fabrics pop-up at the Flint Local 432, the first thing that hit me wasn’t the clothes. It was the energy. There’s a mix of ambition and familiarity in the air, like you’re stepping into someone’s dream while it’s still being built.

Racks of streetwear are lined up like soldiers, each piece bold and unapologetic. The music’s a mix of Hip-Hop and rock, which fits perfectly with the brand’s attitude.

The man behind it all is Justin Caskey. He didn’t just stumble into fashion. Faded Fabrics grew out of his earlier brand, Cake Fiend, and his desire to create something bigger without losing the original spirit.

Caskey told me the name comes from the reality of the fashion industry. “You can be on top one season and gone the next,” he said. That’s why their motto is Live in the Moment, Everything Fades.

Wins and losses don’t last forever, and for him, being faded is about accepting that and taking risks anyway.

Within the Faded Fabrics collection are staple pieces fans of the clothing line expect, but there’s also the Frenemies design that has a rockstar, skull-and-crossbones vibe, and Die Trill that’s full of bold, old English typography. Some designs are made in-house, while others come from collaborations with outside artists to keep things fresh.

Faded Fabrics, pictured on Aug. 8, 2025, hang ready for customers to purchase inside Local 432. (Photo: Anthony Summers)

Growing up in Flint shaped more than just Caskey’s style. “Flint and Genesee County are the home of the risk takers. We know what it’s like to lose it all and build it back,” he told me. That mindset is sewn into everything hanging on those racks.

Caskey’s connection to the Flint Local runs deep. Back in his high school rapper days, it was the place that gave him a shot, whether he was playing to a packed crowd or just a few people scattered around the room. Choosing this venue for his first storefront wasn’t just about location. It was about loyalty and coming full circle.

The Local itself has been a safe space for Flint’s artists, musicians, and dreamers for decades. Standing in that room, I understood why Caskey would want to launch here instead of chasing bigger cities. “Hollywood is in your backyard,” someone once told him. “You just have to build it.” And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

Pictured on Aug. 8, 2025, a customer supports Faded Fabrics’ opening inside Local 432. (Photo: Anthony Summers)

The store also doubles as a creative hub. It’s a place where someone can come in for a hoodie and leave with the resources to launch their own brand. “Everything we do for our brand, we can do for yours,” Caskey said.

Some pieces mean more than others, as Cake Fiend will always honor Caskey’s late friend Chad “Flacko” Everett. And the August Drop, which started as a birthday release for his brother, has turned into an annual tradition his followers look forward to.

As for the future, Caskey hopes to stay at the Local and maybe open in Detroit. But for now, it’s about building community.

“There’s a community here that truly cares about how you feel when you dress,” he said.

And standing there, I believed him.