My Story Behind LowKure

Losing Liam was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. Growing up without my baby brother is a pain that few can truly understand unless they’ve experienced it. Liam wasn’t just my brother—he was my absolute best friend, the reason I am the person I am today. How do you grow up without your other half? You simply don’t.

The day I lost Liam, I buried not only him but also a part of myself. I had to rebuild a new version of who I am to find the strength to carry on through the darkest pain and grief. At Liam’s funeral, I made a promise—a promise to carry his light and to never let his memory fade. At the time, I didn’t know what that promise would entail.

For Liam’s funeral, I created a video to showcase his true laugh, humor, voice, and personality—something people could watch to feel as though he was still with us. Each year since his passing, I’ve made tribute videos for his birthday to honor his legacy.

Shortly after Liam’s passing, his volleyball team designed tribute shirts to wear and gift to our family. These shirts meant the world to us, and they made me realize how a clothing item can carry such profound meaning and message. Many people asked how they could get a shirt, but it was a one-time design for the team. That moment planted a seed in my heart. I promised myself that before Liam’s 19th birthday, I would create a tribute clothing piece for him—something that carried meaning for everyone and was deeply symbolic for Liam and me.

Liam and I shared a love for fashion. One of our favorite pastimes was watching fashion shows, design makeovers, and styling programs—especially What Not to Wear on TLC. We also loved thrift shopping, photography, art, and designing dances together. This project felt like something we would have done together, and it was a way for me to honor our shared passions.

As Liam’s 19th birthday approached, I had just 12 days to design a clothing piece to launch in his memory. Fueled by determination, I created several designs and reached out to Liam’s friends to model and help share the collection. My goal was to raise funds for a memorial space in Calgary where Liam’s loved ones could gather and honor him.

One design, in particular, stood out: a logo featuring the Roman numeral date “XII.XVIII.MMXIX” alongside the semicolon—a symbol of affirmation and solidarity for those affected by suicide, depression, addiction, and mental health struggles.

When I shared the design with Liam’s friends, one of his best friends responded enthusiastically, sharing a revelation that left me speechless. In the final three weeks before his passing, she and Liam had worked on a clothing line together, complete with mock-up logo designs. It was a beautiful coincidence that this project had unknowingly aligned with Liam’s dream.

With her permission, I went through Liam’s phone and found messages detailing his vision for what would become LowKure. These designs and ideas had never been seen before, but with her insight into their meaning, I was able to bring them to life.

LowKure is Liam’s dream come true—a mental health clothing line that carries his light, creativity, and purpose. It’s a mission to spark conversations, break stigmas, and inspire resilience.

To keep Liam’s legacy alive, I also created the “Stories of Liam” page—a space where those who knew him can share memories, and those who didn’t can learn about the incredible person he was. Additionally, the “Video Tributes” page is dedicated to all past and future videos I’ve made for Liam, capturing his laughter, joy, and the light he brought to the world.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining the LowKure mission and community. Through every LowKure item, Liam’s light continues to shine. Together, we can carry his legacy forward and continue spreading his message of hope, resilience, and connection.

With love and gratitude,
Kaylee