Rising Stars: Meet Amir Whigham of Cincinnati

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amir Whigham.

Hi Amir, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At just 22 years old, Amir Whigham has quickly become one of the most influential creative forces shaping Cincinnati’s fast-growing streetwear scene. As a full-time graphic designer, Amir is the name behind many of the city’s rising clothing brands, helping transform local vision into wearable culture.

Amir’s journey began in 2022, when his love for iconic global streetwear labels like Bape and Supreme collided with his desire to create something more personal, affordable, and authentic. “I always wanted to express my own style through designer brands,” he recalls, “but the money wasn’t worth the brand. I wanted to build something accessible that still looked and felt high-end.”

That vision led him to launch his own designs, and it didn’t take long before local brands took notice. The first to reach out was Extravagant Kulture Dept (EKD), a Cincinnati-based brand that helped catapult Amir’s work into the spotlight. From there, he began designing collections for a growing roster of the city’s biggest and most promising streetwear names, cementing himself as the go-to creative partner for anyone serious about building a fashion identity.

Today, Amir’s is more than a behind-the-scenes designer—he’s becoming the connective tissue of a cultural movement. His fingerprints are on the majority of collections dropping in Cincinnati, giving the city a distinctive visual language that fuses grit, ambition, and creativity. More importantly, he’s helping elevate Cincinnati into the broader national streetwear conversation, proving that fashion hubs aren’t limited to New York, Los Angeles, or overseas markets.

Amir’s represents a new kind of hometown success story: a young, self-taught creative turning passion into profession, all while shaping the visual future of his city. The question for Cincinnati isn’t whether Amir Whigham will keep growing—it’s how far he can take the city’s style culture with him.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road for GFX BY AMIR. The journey came with a lot of lessons, late nights, and setbacks that built discipline and vision. I’ve dealt with things like perfecting my craft from scratch, putting time and energy into brands that didn’t stay consistent, and even getting scammed by manufacturers and clients early on. There were moments where I questioned if it was worth it — trying to juggle multiple brands, stay creative, and still keep my own name solid.

But through all of it, the struggles taught me how to move smarter — how to protect my work, price my value, and stay consistent even when support wasn’t there. Every challenge turned into motivation to push harder, sharpen my skills, and build something that represents growth, hustle, and real creativity.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As GFX BY AMIR, I specialize in graphic design and brand development—mainly for streetwear and creative entrepreneurs. I help bring ideas to life visually, from custom logos, apparel designs, and mockups to full Shopify website builds, tech packs, and promotional visuals. I’m known for creating bold, realistic, and detailed streetwear graphics that capture a brand’s energy and identity while giving it that real-world, ready-to-sell look.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come from just experimenting with designs to now building and helping shape some of Cincinnati’s most recognized clothing brands. Seeing people wear, post, and represent brands I helped design gives me a real sense of impact—it’s like watching creativity turn into culture.

What sets me apart is my hands-on approach and my ability to connect with each client’s vision like it’s my own. I don’t just make designs—I help people build an image, a story, and a direction for their brand. My work comes with passion, purpose, and a real understanding of how streetwear connects to lifestyle and community.

What are your plans for the future?
As GFX BY AMIR, my plans for the future revolve around expanding my reach and solidifying my brand as a full creative hub. I’m looking to open a physical design studio where I can bring clients in for hands-on sessions — from logo creation and mockups to full clothing production consultations. I also plan to build out a full design team under GFX BY AMIR, turning it into a go-to creative agency for streetwear brands, artists, and small businesses that want real quality visuals and branding direction.

I’m also working toward dropping my own official clothing line, merging my design style with street culture and storytelling. Beyond that, I want to start offering courses, e-books, and mentorships to help upcoming designers and brand owners learn how to create, market, and scale their own brands the right way.

Overall, I’m looking forward to growth, collaborations, and making a bigger impact in the creative community—not just through visuals, but by opening doors for others like me who started with a vision and a hustle.

Pricing:

• Logos $100
• Designs $200+
• Websites $300+
• Bundle Deal $500
• Flyers/Cover Arts $75

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/aocmirr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gfx_byamir
• Other: https://graphicsbyamir.gumroad.com/