“LowKure began as Liam’s dream.
Through grief, it became my survival.
Through healing, it became my purpose.
And now, it is a movement dedicated to helping others turn their pain into purpose too.”
— Kaylee Nishizawa, Co-Founder
A SISTER'S PROMISE
The Story Behind LowKure
LowKure's Mission
LowKure exists to turn pain into purpose.
Through fashion, storytelling, art, and advocacy, our mission is to create a movement that inspires healing, resilience, self-expression, and meaningful conversations surrounding mental health.
Founded in honour of Liam Nishizawa, LowKure is dedicated to helping individuals feel seen, connected, and supported while building accessible resources and community initiatives that remind people they are never alone in what they carry.
THE STORY BEHIND LOWKURE
TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE
LowKure is more than a clothing brand—it is a movement rooted in hope, healing, resilience, and the belief that even life’s deepest pain can be transformed into purpose.
Founded in honour of Liam Nishizawa, who tragically passed away to suicide at just 15 years old, LowKure began as a dream shared between Liam and his close friend Clarice. In the final weeks before his passing, they imagined creating a clothing brand centered around creativity, self-expression, and mental health. They sketched logos, brainstormed ideas, and dreamed about what the brand could become, but never had the chance to bring it to life.
Three years later, Liam’s older sister, Kaylee, unknowingly rediscovered that dream while creating a memorial apparel piece to honour his life and legacy for his 19th birthday. In a beautiful coincidence, two worlds collided and LowKure was brought to life.
Combining Liam’s hand-drawn sketches, Clarice’s creative partnership, and Kaylee’s determination to carry Liam’s light forward, LowKure officially launched on April 6, 2023. What began as a tribute, three years later became a growing movement focused on storytelling, connection, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
Many of Liam’s original designs have since been digitally preserved and transformed into embroidery artwork, including the original LowKure font and his signature. What was once a sketchbook dream became a living legacy.
In 2025, LowKure evolved once again. While facing significant health challenges and spinal rehabilitation, Kaylee found herself leaning on the message behind the brand during her own recovery journey. Through those experiences, LowKure expanded beyond apparel into a larger mission focused on providing accessible mental health resources, education, support, and community programs.
Today, LowKure stands as a symbol of love, creativity, perseverance, and resilience. It is a reminder that our struggles do not define us—they can shape us, strengthen us, and inspire us.
Every design carries a story.
Every conversation creates connection.
Every challenge holds the potential for growth.
Through Liam’s story, we hope to inspire others to seek help when they need it, support those around them, and remember that they are never alone.
Turning Pain Into Purpose is more than our message—it is our mission.
It’s okay to not be okay. There are people who care, people who will listen, and people who want to help. Hope exists, even when it’s hardest to see.
Forever in Our Hearts, Always in Our Minds
Remembering Liam Nishizawa
About The "More Than a Best Friend Sweatshirt"
LowKure's Signature Unisex Vintage Dye Crewneck Sweatshirt
ALPINE GREEN
River of Tears Logo | RESILIENCE
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.
A tribute to Liam & Garbo
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.
Blog posts
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BTS 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...
BTS 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...
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.
