Diallo Redefines Athletes' Lifestyle Through Heritage And Authenticity

Forbes

2 days ago

Tyrod "DIALLO" Taylor, and Dex Robinson, co-founders of the epitomes brand. DIALLO
Curating areas of lifestyle, DIALLO has engaged audiences since its inception. Founded by Virginia natives, and inspired by NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor's middle name, friend and relatives, Dex Robinson and Taylor have created the Diallo brand name in search of refining a lifestyle suited for the modern man and sports aficionado. Their shared love for thrifted gems, retro sportswear, and vintage silhouettes shapes the brand's DNA.
Founded by Virginia natives, and inspired by NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor's middle name, friend and relatives, Dex Robinson and Taylor have created the Diallo brand name in search of refining a lifestyle suited for the modern man and sports aficionado. DIALLO
Originally envisioned as a multi-purpose retail space in D.C. that combined fashion, a barbershop, and community events, DIALLO pivoted during the pandemic into a full-fledged lifestyle brand. Their signature perforated jerseys, born from the need for breathability, became an instant hit, embraced by athletes and celebrities like Future and Wale.
"We didn't expect the jerseys to become our signature," admits Robinson. "But people connected with the authenticity."
DIALLO is a lifestyle movement rooted in nostalgia, community, and bold self-expression. August 8th,
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: (L-R) Tyrod Taylor and Dex Robinson attend the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo byfor ESSENCE) Getty Images for ESSENCE
DIALLO debuts Act III: Echoes of Legacy , a new collection that threads together stories of Black labor, community, and enduring American modern style.
Between the cousins, they both concluded that the fashion journey for athletically built men is different; 'too many well-known brands - simply - didn't fit guys with more athletic builds,' Taylor and Robinson echo.
Culture has long enlisted fashion as a carrier of subversive messages, yet DIALLO found that the cut-and-sewn identity supports their narrative. "Though we're from different parts of Virginia - about an hour apart - we found common ground in our upbringing, history, and traditions,' says Taylor. 'The clothes we create are just one way we tell that story. Everything we make is rooted in those Virginia traditions and shared experiences."
Founded by Virginia natives, and inspired by NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor's middle name, friend and relatives, Dex Robinson and Taylor have created the Diallo brand name in search of refining a lifestyle suited for the modern man and sports aficionado. Steven Jackson
Blending their own sports backgrounds with authentic style and storytelling, the latest rollout features denim reimagined with DIALLO's unmistakable craftsmanship, with a sensibility that feels genuine for daily wear. Act III also infuses the line with nods to classic American polo and football style, silhouettes that reflect cross-generational staples made for daily wear, brought together by stories that echo community and family.
DIALLO goes deep for Taylor, as his middle name is one of the closest things he has to his family and his roots. The West African translation for the word insists on being 'bold' and 'exuding confidence,' according to him.
Founded by Virginia natives, and inspired by NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor's middle name, friend and relatives, Dex Robinson and Taylor have created the Diallo brand name in search of refining a lifestyle suited for the modern man and sports aficionado. Steven Jackson
"Diallo is a West African name, but it's also my middle name,' says Taylor. 'I grew up asking my mom how she came up with it. She always said she and her best friend made it up, but that wasn't enough for me. I dove deeper and decided that the name means something. It's elegant, unique in our community, and something my family has always called me. The meaning - 'bold, exuding confidence' - aligns perfectly with who we are and what this brand represents."
Founded by Virginia natives, and inspired by NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor's middle name, friend and relatives, Dex Robinson and Taylor have created the Diallo brand name in search of refining a lifestyle suited for the modern man and sports aficionado. DIALLO
DIALLO's Act III: Echoes of Legacy collection introduces new core pieces, including rugby shirts, raglan shirts, two-tone shirts, technical cargos, track jackets, and graphic tees. Classics reimagined, like the Oxford shirt, are remnants of uniforms and workwear, with a color-blocked track jacket to signal DIALLO's sartorial evolution.
Old high school jerseys in signature DIALLO silhouettes, polo and football references, denim and workwear that pay homage to the legacy of Black labor and craftsmanship in America. The brand reimagines personal and cultural memories into tangible, elevated pieces that resonate with athletes, artists, and everyday consumers alike.
Founded by Virginia natives, and inspired by NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor's middle name, friend and relatives, Dex Robinson and Taylor have created the Diallo brand name in search of refining a lifestyle suited for the modern man and sports aficionado. DIALLO
"We pay homage to things that made us who we are," says Robinson. Whether it's a reworked football jersey, a workwear polo, or a cropped hoodie, each piece tells a story like a grandfather's couch, a childhood car's color, or a high-school practice jersey, all dear to Taylor and Robinson's upbringing.
DIALLO's future extends beyond apparel with the founders hinting at lifestyle products, fragrances, home goods, and experiential spaces. These will be infused with the same Virginia-rooted nostalgia that defines their clothing and brand. "DIALLO could be a soap, a fragrance, a feeling," says Robinson. "It's about legacy."
Founded by Virginia natives, and inspired by NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor's middle name, friend and relatives, Dex Robinson and Taylor have created the Diallo brand name in search of refining a lifestyle suited for the modern man and sports aficionado. Steven Jackson
As Taylor concludes, "We're not just creating clothes - we're creating a narrative." In a world saturated with European luxury names, DIALLO stands out by honoring Black heritage, athletic culture, and timeless storytelling.