More than a brand
About LowKure
A STORY OF PURPOSE & RESILIENCE
Clothing the Conversation for Change
Turning Pain into Purpose
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The LowKure brand embodies the essence of
resilience, healing, and self-discovery.
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The name "LowKure" is a meaningful combination of "Low" and "Kure," reflecting a profound journey of transformation.
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LOW
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"Low" represents the struggles we face, particularly low self-esteem, insecurity, & moments of vulnerability.
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It acknowledges the challenges of feeling stuck in difficult times, honoring the emotional weight many carry.
L | Liam
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KURE
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"Kure" signifies the pursuit of hope, healing, & growth.
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It represents the tools, support, & determination to overcome life’s obstacles, fostering a brighter & more empowered future.
K | Kaylee
"LowKure stands for more than just a brand—it is a movement dedicated to raising awareness about youth mental health & creating a safe space for open dialogue. It serves as a reminder that even in moments of self-doubt and insecurity, there is always a path forward toward healing, confidence, & self-acceptance."
— Kaylee Nishizawa, Liam's Sister, Co-Founder
Liam Nishizawa's Legacy
April 6, 2004 - December 18, 2019
Every LowKure piece carries a story of hope and resilience. Our brand was born from Liam's creative spirit - a vibrant 15-year-old who found joy in fashion and helping others feel confident in their own skin. His original designs, handwriting, and signature are woven into each item we create.
More than just clothing, LowKure represents a movement for youth mental health awareness. We believe in creating a world where young people feel heard, supported, and never alone in their struggles.
Our message is simple but powerful:
it's okay to not be okay, and there's always someone who cares.
When you choose LowKure, you're not just wearing a piece of clothing - you're joining a community that believes in breaking down stigmas around mental health. You're helping create positive change and keeping Liam's legacy of compassion and creativity alive.
Your support means everything. Together, we can build a future where mental health conversations are open, support is accessible, and hope shines bright. We the Nishizawa family thank you for being part of our journey.
The Story Behind LowKure
3 years after tragically losing a young 15 year old boy named Liam to Suicide, his older sister Kaylee learned of his dream of designing and launching his own personal clothing line. Liam loved fashion and promoting self expression through your sense of style. During his younger childhood years, he loved spending his afternoons watching the TV Series "What NOT To Wear," with Kaylee, probably a main reason he was always known for his own personal style and love for giving his fashion advice to others.
During the last three weeks leading up to Liam's passing, he partnered with one of his best friends, Clarice, to dream up a clothing line together. They envisioned a brand that reflected their creativity and passion, brainstorming a name and sketching out ideas by hand. Though they had the vision and desire to make it happen, they weren’t sure where to start.
Three years later, Kaylee, Liam's older sister, began designing a fashion memorial piece for Liam—a personal tribute to his life and creativity. In a beautiful coincidence, her work aligned perfectly with the dreams Liam and Clarice had shared. Combining Liam's original hand-drafted sketches, Clarice's creative partnership, and Kaylee’s skills and determination, LowKure was born as a real clothing line with a deeper purpose.
Today, the original mock-up sketches Liam created have been digitalized into embroidery designs, including the LowKure font and his signature—both his original work. For Liam's 19th birthday, Kaylee brought his vision to life, launching his business as a tribute to his legacy.
LowKure now stands as more than just a brand; it embodies the dream of a young boy, the power of collaboration, and the importance of youth mental health. It represents how love, creativity, and determination can transform loss into purpose and ensure Liam's light continues to shine.
Our goal is to use Liam's story to bring to light the importance of youth mental health and the difficulties youth face today.
It's okay to not be okay. There are people who love you and want to be there to support and help you.
LowKure Part 3: LowKure's Non-Profit Purpose
Message from Kaylee:
At LowKure, our mission extends far beyond clothing. Today, all proceeds are dedicated to establishing a memorial space in Calgary to honor Liam—a serene place where his loved ones can connect with his memory anytime.
Looking to the future, LowKure’s purpose will evolve to focus on mental health. All proceeds will be directed toward making mental health resources accessible to everyone. Our goal is to create a supportive platform that educates, empowers, and connects individuals with the tools they need for mental wellness.
The "Mental Health Resources" page is the cornerstone of this mission. With the guidance of healthcare providers, Kaylee has already begun building a safe and reliable space for individuals seeking education, resources, contacts, and support. These resources are live and will continue to grow as more tools and partnerships are developed.
By supporting LowKure, you’re contributing to a cause that celebrates Liam’s life while fostering hope, awareness, and healing for others. Together, we’re making a difference—one step, one resource, and one story at a time.
Support Our Mission
If you or your business would like to support LowKure’s nonprofit mission through donations, sponsorships, services, or by partnering on an event, we’d love to connect with you.
We’re actively seeking **community partners—both individuals and organizations—** to help bring our vision to life and expand access to free, life-changing resources.
Please reach out to Kaylee to get involved!
Together, we can turn pain into purpose—and build something powerful.
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Forever in Our Hearts, Always in Our Minds
More Than a Best Friend Sweatshirt
Unisex Vintage Dye Crewneck Sweatshirt
ALPINE GREEN | River of Tears Logo
A dog is so much more than just an animal—they’re our best friends, our confidants, and our unwavering source of unconditional love. Their affection and companionship have the power to heal, inspire, and push us through our hardest days. They’re the ones who stay by our side during life’s toughest moments, loving us even when it’s hard to love ourselves.
This sweatshirt is a tribute to the unique and unbreakable bond between Liam and his beloved dog, Garbo. It represents the powerful connection we share with our pets—the ones who are more than friends, but everything to us.
Wear this sweatshirt as a symbol of the love and support our pets provide. Let it remind you of your own story and the special bond you share with your furry companion. Celebrate that love and carry it with you wherever you go.
Own your story. Wear your bond.
A Message from Kaylee, Liam’s Older Sister
Behind The Scenes of The Embroidery Process
When transforming Liam's hand-drawn mock-ups into the final LowKure logos, I saw his incredible attention to detail & relentless pursuit of perfection come to life. Though these were never meant to be the final draft, today his original mock-up sketches now are the glue that hold & honour LowKure's beginning & future legacy together.
Mixing Liam's Vision with Kaylee's Mission—LowKure has been born.
What originally ignited by my personal project of designing a mental health clothing brand, was my way of honouring Liam, his memory & a way to get a Liam hug when needed.
it was absolutely shocking moment when in a beautful meant o be moment, 2 worlds collided, Liam's light with Kaylee's fire. A spark build from love, ignited a unstobable fire. It was that moment & the 2 years following that I could put all my ideas, all my thoughts into creating something bigger than me, something bigger than Liam & my family—to honour the fight we akll experience within. Be a symbol of resilience, be the voice for those who can't speak up, empower minds, one piece at a time. To build a brand that surrounded Liam, his light, his creativity, his hand drawn art & his impact.
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I designed clothing pieces Liam would have shopped & bought for himself. I heard the echos of his voice in my head as if he was beside me telling me his exact thoughts & feeling an incredible fire that was burning in my heart, telling me I was doing exactly what I needed to be doing—though the process was both a mental battle & feeling of a clock ticking telling me to speed it up. I was fighting to ignore my own grief & pain so that the project could be completed for his 19th birthday tribute.
I needed LowKure to represent Liam while alos representing something universal & items made for comfort while sparking conversations & honouring each individual's unique style.
Using our shared love for fashion, giving each other advice & our love for creative ideas as my inspiration, each piece was created with purpose. Every stitch was designed to tell a story. Liam's story. Your story. every individual story or resilience & strength.
To honour his artistic vision, I chose the embroidery route—a beautiful form of artistry that connects Liam’s hands to your clothes.
Embroidery is something that doesn’t wash away or fade, much like Liam’s memory, which remains as vivid & lasting as ever.
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Taking Liam's sketches, digitizing them myself & finalizing the individual stiches, I found a way to mix my vision of luxury meeting impact. A unforgettable 12 days of peer grind, hard work, focus & purpose. These pillars became the gasoline to keep the fire of building this mission alive through all stages of LowKure's development & evolution.
I take great care to ensure every piece meets Liam’s high standards while also fulfilling each order personally. Each package is a heartfelt gesture—from Liam, LowKure, and our family—to yours.
LowKure is more than just a brand. It is a testament to the deep, unbreakable love between a big sister and her baby brother. Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping to keep Liam’s light shining brightly.
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Though Liam didn’t make it past the initial design stages with Clarice, I’ve carefully selected every item & garment in the store to reflect his personality, aesthetic, & impeccable taste in fashion. These are pieces I know he’d wear, we’d pick out together, & most importantly, he’d be proud of.
