Some indie brands start out small and safe; others come out with a roar. LUVD, a new brand founded by Cory O’keefe, has its place firmly in the latter category. I was absolutely blown away when I opened up the site; its presence and style are up there with the big corporate companies, perhaps even more so. I wasted no time in getting in contact with Cory, who was kind enough to not only offer Tee Junction readers a 10% off coupon, but an exclusive interview! He has a lot of inspiring, uplifting things to say, so I especially recommend reading it if you’re feeling a little down. Check it out below.
Q: Thanks for doing an interview with us! Let’s start with the introductions. How about telling us a little about you and your company?
My name is Cory O’keefe and I’m just some kid who loves people, self expression, and has a passion for things that are honest. I have been doing a lot of traveling and playing in bands for the past few years. I have learned a ton through it, and feel like I am now at the place where I’m doing what I was made to do. It was a journey to get here, and I want to inspire others to take that journey. But honestly this isn’t about me, I don’t want it to be about me. Overall I’m just some dude from CA who has a passion for people, and them doing what they love, using their talents and being stoked on their life! LUVD is a lifestyle currently expressed through clothing, online community, and non-profit services. It is meant to uplift and inspire people to use their gifts and live a life of true purpose and complete joy.
Q: What inspired you to start LUVD?
When touring with my previous band I woke up in the middle of the night with the simple words burnt into my head. “You Are Loved” I kept thinking about it over and over so I posted a bulletin from our Myspace with that three word phrase. I got a lot of positive feedback and felt like people just need to straight up hear that everyday. I need to hear that everyday. I thought about just making it a personal blog, and from there it just started to build. From then on the vision took shape and slowly became the start of what it is today. I have always had a passion for art, music, clothing and the online world, so it just felt right. The launch date will be nearly a year after I was given the initial idea.
Q: I looked at your Vision page and it’s clear that you’ve put a lot of thought into the concept behind LUVD. What would you say your brand is all about?
LUVD is any way to inspire, to create, to encourage and to give people the means to bring their hearts desire to life. It is at the very beginning stages and I am so stoked to start making it a reality. Living the LUVD lifestyle is living in the joy and freedom we were meant to live in. This comes by using your talents, living a life of simplicity, and living for others rather then solely seeking to benefit ourselves. Maybe that sounds cheesy, I don’t know. I say it because I have experienced it first hand and can contest to the difference it has made in my life.
Q: What, in your opinion, makes LUVD unique among all the other indie brands out there?
There are so many awesome brands out there! I think they are all doing what they do and I support that! LUVD has a bigger picture which I think is unique. That it is a clothing brand, but it is also will be so much more. The clothing will eventually be just a sector of the company, so I guess that makes it a bit different. But honestly I support all those indie brands. I think there are so many talented designers out there. Its not a matter of competition in my mind you know? I am not basing success on how many shirts I sell or who likes the brand. If it inspires five people to do what they love. it’s worth it! I want to support all those other brands as much as possible. This is all a big family!
Q: I’m really intrigued by the community aspect of your brand — most companies don’t go beyond the standard blog, Twitter, and Facebook. What kind of plans do you have for the LUVD community?
The LUVD community will not be a community that competes with Facebook, or Twitter but goes hand in hand with the top social networking sites. Allowing users the ability to create customizable websites, and accounts, Bands to have players and offer their music downloadable for free. Gives artists, writers, musicians the ability to promote and sell their work. A place to read encouraging testimonies of people, find inspiring videos and content from all over the internet. Tons of different links and reviews to awesome resources for all types of self expression. A place to comment and interact with users, follow them, and fully communicate. The ability to “LUV” each submission which will be displayed on your personal profile. The top ranked items will be featured in the online magazine, on the blog, on the sampler, used for the next clothing range etc.. I get so excited talking about it as you can tell ha! I even have a dream to open LUVD stores nation wide. Which will be a full lounge, coffee shop, retail store, supporter of all local art, and be an all in one awesome inspirational environment… ” The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams.”
Q: It’s clear that music is a big part of your life. Does that figure into LUVD in any way?
Big time! I plan to eventually put together a LUVD sampler with tons of great artists apart of the community. Maybe even make that a bi-yearly thing. I want give artists the ability to offer their music downloadable for free from their profiles. I want to eventually sponsor and put together LUVD tours, which I will attend and sell LUVD clothing as well as have other outlets to inspire the visitors to use their talents and pursue the desires of their heart. I have so many ideas that I tend to get way ahead of myself ha, just gotta take it a day at a time.
Q: Where are you hoping to take your brand in the future? Are you thinking of branching out beyond tees and tank tops?
Oh yeah! Even in the fall line we will be adding new products. I started LUVD on a touring dudes budget and with the help of my amazingly talented friends. So it is definitely just the beginning. We plan to do all sorts of clothing items. For the fall line we will be introducing some new products as well as adding to the current line up. We will be partnering up with different artists and charities and doing lots of limited edition products and artists series. Each LUVD design has a strong meaning behind it. We give hints at those ideas through the titles, but leave it up to each person to interpret it for themselves. The clothing sector will be growing season by season and I’m really stoked about it. I have always had a passion for clothing, so I highly enjoy it.
Q: Any final words?
Do you what you love and don’t look back. No one said it would be easy, they said it would be worth it.
Thanks dude!! Have a wonderful day.
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Thank you, Cory! I have to say, I really admire the obvious passion he has for both his label and the ideas behind it. It’s just a great attitude worth supporting. I can’t wait to see LUVD grow and put all these awesome plans into motion.
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