The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, I sit down with Sam Furnish—founder of Bemo's Clothing and the guy behind Baltimore's "born in Baltimore" premium civvies movement.

About Sam Furnish: Sam launched Bemo's Clothing in 2025 after years in the outdoor industry learning product development and manufacturing. The brand name comes from his father's childhood nickname—"Bemo"—given by Sam's grandpa in 1950s Midwest America alongside nicknames like "Peavy" and "Muley." When Sam moved to Baltimore and locals said "B-more," it sounded just like his dad's name. Bemo's Clothing is his homage to both the man and the city that raised him.

We talk about that origin story and why it matters—how family legacy and Baltimore identity aren't just branding, they're the foundation of everything he makes. Sam's creating what he calls "premium civvies" and "born in Baltimore" pieces: clothing that reminds you of that perfect shirt or jacket you found in your parents' attic that suddenly became your go-to. Vintage-inspired but made with modern materials and finishes.

We get into his design philosophy: he'd rather make a few story-driven pieces than chase endless inventory. We discuss the realities of sourcing and manufacturing as an independent brand, how he's building community through collaborations with BMore Flea and Broadway Market, and why his clothing is meant to spark conversations and serve as wearable representations of Baltimore itself.

We also dig into what it means to build a brand with intention in an industry obsessed with scale and constant drops, how he thinks about creating pieces meant to last generations, and why quality and meaning trump volume.

Sam's mission: make clothing that carries real stories, celebrate what makes Baltimore unique, and build a brand that brings people together—not just fills closets.

Follow along at https://www.instagram.com/bemosclothing/ or check out https://bemosclothing.com/.

Listeners can use code THETRUTHINITSART for 30% off.

The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). 

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production: