My name is Lamin, but I often go by Rey. I am the founder, owner, and Creative Director of Rey Jaiteh—a New York–based emerging luxury brand.

Born and raised in The Gambia, I moved to the U.S. as a teenager, but my relationship with fashion began long before that. Some of my earliest memories are of trying to sew alongside my father at just four-five years old. A tailor by trade, he introduced me to the craft at an early age, and sewing became something I returned to throughout my childhood.

As I got older, I drifted in and out of it. There were periods when I loved it and others when it barely held my attention. In high school, however, I found myself back at my father's side. After my last class each day, I would head straight to the Harlem African Market, where he worked, and spend the rest of the afternoon sewing in his booth. Those hours deepened my appreciation for craftsmanship and the discipline behind making garments by hand.

It wasn't until I was 19 that everything clicked. What had once been a childhood skill became a calling. I committed myself fully to fashion design and began developing the creative perspective that would eventually become Rey Jaiteh.

Inspired by New York street style, childhood memories, and a lifelong appreciation for art, music, and culture, I built a brand shaped by personal experiences and global influences.

Today, Rey Jaiteh is a New York–based emerging luxury brand rooted in Harlem's cultural legacy. The brand merges luxury streetwear with elevated business casual, creating high-end, handmade garments with an emphasis on tailoring, fit, and versatility. Each piece and collection serves as an extension of my experiences and creative vision, translating personal narratives into garments designed for the way people live today.

Beyond fashion, I work as a film photographer and enjoy building visual narratives that extend beyond garments. Whether through collections, editorials, books, or photography, my work is driven by curiosity, storytelling, and a desire to create work that is thoughtful, enduring, and culturally grounded.