With a fresh studio in Tower Square and a City Hall proclamation in hand, international fashion designer Justin Haynes is stitching his global success back into the fabric of his hometown.
The Springfield native and High School of Science and Technology graduate officially opened his JUST10 Fashion Studio in Tower Square on Monday, just steps from White Lion Brewing. Later in the evening, he was honored by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and city officials during a City Council meeting.
Haynes, known for dressing celebrities and sending designs down runways from New York to Milan, said the moment felt like a full-circle return after nearly two decades in fashion.
“It took a while to get here — 17 years,” he said. “It is an honor to be recognized by my hometown.”
Haynes closed his Enfield mall location about six weeks ago but continued serving clients during the transition, he said.
Haynes said during an interview that he and brewery owner Raymond Berry Jr. are friends and neighbors — and now their businesses sit side by side.
Reflecting on the space, Haynes said he remembered Tower Square when it was Bay State West, including the connected SIS Center, which housed stores like Foot Locker alongside Steiger’s.
He said the new studio carries over the aesthetic of his Enfield Mall studio, with a more refined feel.
“It is still that vintage New York vibe,” he said. “I am still going to be me.”
The move itself came together unexpectedly. “It is something I talked about for a long time, but I didn’t think it would work,” he said.
He said that closing his Enfield location during the winter set off a chain of events that eventually brought him to Tower Square.
Haynes said that, with support from local arts leaders and conversations with building management, he was able to continue serving clients while preparing to open his new studio.
Haynes said he felt both nervous and excited about returning.
“The State of Connecticut has been great, and I’ll always be in New York — that won’t go away,” he said.
Because of his travel schedule and fashion week commitments, Haynes said he expects to be in the studio part-time for appointments, though visitors can still shop past collections.
“I think it’s good to be able to service my clients here, to be on the bus line and within walking distance,” he said. “Even if people are just coming by to look at the window displays, that means something to me.”
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