ABOUT

Tylen Butler is an elite competitive épée fencer, fashion designer, and contemporary abstract painter based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is widely recognized as a 3x Junior Olympic fencer and 3x state champion who went on to fence collegiately at Penn State University. Currently, he is training to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Creative & Entrepreneurial Ventures

TAB DEPT: In 2024, Butler founded TAB DEPT-recognized as the world's first luxury, fencing apparel brand. Built completely without outside investors, the brand features daily essentials and high-end fashion statement pieces, such as his signature "MASQUE" print collection, with manufacturing relationships spanning Italy, Spain, and Dubai. The brand operates under the core motto and logo "Be En Garde," representing both a nod to the sport and a mindset to protect one's heart and mind.

Abstract Art: As a contemporary painter, Butler translates the physical choreography, rhythm, and psychological intensity of fencing onto canvas. His artwork features bold chromatic fields and layered gestural compositions that balance deliberate control with instinctive kinetic energy.

Creative Director: He operates a freelance creative consultancy specializing in photography, web development, graphic design, and branding, collaborating with corporate brands and celebrity clients.

Advocacy and Mission

As a prominent Black athlete in a historically niche and expensive sport, Butler uses his platform and his brand to challenge traditional representation boundaries. His goal is to make fencing more culturally accessible, building a community and a cultural movement that inspires future youth of color to see themselves in the sport.