Sterling “Steelo” Lofton is a self-taught designer, dancer, and multidisciplinary artist born and raised on the East Side of Chicago—shaped by the neighborhoods of Grand Crossing, Chatham, and South Shore. Deeply rooted in Chicago footwork, Steelo has spent over 15 years performing and teaching the dance worldwide, using it as a cultural language and a foundation for storytelling.

In 2019, Steelo launched Stitched by Steelo, a design practice merging fashion with movement. Each piece is crafted with a dancer’s eye—built to move, speak, and honor the body's rhythm. His garments blur the line between costume and ready-to-wear, drawing influence from Black style histories, everyday resilience, and the kinetic energy of the street. Signature projects include the “Footwork Saves Lives” series and custom pieces for IN THE WURKZ, where fashion becomes an extension of choreography.

Steelo's work has been featured in campaigns with AT&T, in documentaries by VICE and the Chicago Tribune, and on international stages from New York to Kuwait City. His design process is rooted in storytelling, often combining cut-and-sew methods with dance, film, and music to create fully immersive experiences.

As a designer and dancer, Steelo is committed to uplifting Black creativity—bringing footwork culture to fashion weeks, galleries, and performance spaces, while mentoring the next generation of artists to move boldly through every medium they touch.