We recently connected with Nicky Loudd and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Nicky thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
So in 2017 Myself and my business partner, Jeff D’Amato, who passed away November 22 rest in peace. We vended the sneakercon in Cleveland. Mind you Jeff used to live in Fort Lauderdale. He used to sell the brand in Florida and I would sell it up here in Cleveland, Ohio. Also, by the way My brand is called Loudd It’s an acronym which stands for live out your dreams daily. Our
Motto is “live life full volume. “ So sneakercon 2017 Our first time vending Any big event. I hired a photographer named Chris Goody Didn’t meet him yet In person just online But he came through took amazing pictures Capture all the moments.. I remember At the end of the sneaker con event we made about $600. We were so stoked. We knew what we wanted to make next With that $600. When we left the event I remember I was driving back with Jeff and my homie Brandon Huff. I had a Chevy HhR that wasn’t in the shape. Mind you it was freezing outside. The battery ended up dying on us. We now are stuck on the highway. Brandon huff sparks a joint & as soon as he did we get pulled over. Brandon puts the joint out Him and Jeff go to his aunts bar that she owned at the time in. Euclid Ohio. They left me inside the car while I waited for the tow truck. Long story short I meet them at the bar we’re playing pool Discussing what we made at sneakercon And what we wanted to put into production next. We Conclusion to make a design that said Fort Lauderdale. Mind you Before this went into production, this was our first time using an overseas Manufacture. It was very challenging communicating because of the time difference We didn’t know if we were going to get scammed we kept thinking that. Jeff called me and he said let’s just pull the trigger on it and do it. We took that risk That changed our life. Those hats were sold in a store in downtown. Fort Lauderdale called the archives. They sold out so fast. Never be afraid to bet on yourself that’s how you win in this world Believing yourself, you be surprised of what you can accomplish.!!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
“Hello world.
My name is Nicholas Terrano , but I go by NickyLoudd in the fashion world. I’m a fashion designer based in Cleveland, Ohio,My journey in fashion blends skateboarding ,hip hop, & rock with the unique energy of the Midwest & west coast. I’m passionate about creating designs that are not only stylish but also tell a story and make a statement. I’m excited to share my journey, inspirations, and vision with you today.
How I got into the industry was I was shopping for hats at the mall back in 2011. I wasn’t really feeling anything that was there. I knew I could make some hats that could grab attention. During that time, Mitchell and Ness was popping. That’s when snapbacks started to come back on the trend. At the time I was shopping for chief wahoo hat, which back then was still the logo. Couldn’t find anything that was to my liking. When I got home that day it hit me I wanted to make the chief wahoo what you guys see in the pictures in this interview Smoking a joint. Who doesn’t like to spark their imagination and rep their city all in one. Something that started off just for fun turned into a huge, huge staple piece! Forever, grateful that idea came to me. Simplicity is key.
I believe what sets us apart from other brands is our weed themes mixed with sports teams & just designs that rep city’s. Where you come from is everything your roots are engraved within you. It’s where everything starts! What I am most proud of is to continue to keep going on this journey, even though I’ve lost my business partner who died in November 2022 like I mentioned in this interview. I could’ve quit many times said fuck it no need to do this anymore but Like Nipsey says The marathon continues.
What I would like potential fans, Clients followers to know about me and this brand is I might take break sometimes, but I will never quit. Expect quality product, Exclusivity, Loyalty and design made with heart. For All of you who are new To reading about who I am I want you to know if you guys do become a fan follower client Just remember to live out your dreams daily, live life, full volume, and turn your life up a notch.! Don’t listen to the naysayers That vision was given to you for a reason act on it. One of Albert Einstein’s quotes that I always love is “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Always always always remember that Much love!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, to inspire other generations to come. Also, my business partner that passed away that I mentioned earlier in the interview. To complete our mission of what we started. Also to bring uniqueness to the fashion world. What Also drives me on this journey is sharing knowledge And inspiration. One of my favorite quotes by Nipsey Hussle Is “The most important thing, number one, is you gotta get rid of doubt. If you got doubt in what you’re doing, it’s not gonna work.” All facts!
To all of you out there remember this quote above… & Remember why you started.. Live life full volume Turn it up a notch baby!! Loudd life Much love!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect is the process that leads up to the final results. For instance when making clothes and coming up with concepts & seeing people respect and want to purchase the merchandise is a very humbling thing. To get inspiration from an idea and bring it to life is just a beautiful thing!
Contact Info:
- Website: Coming soon
- Instagram: @nickyloudd
- Facebook: Nick Terrano
- Twitter: @nickloudd @loudd.la
- Other: Our website is under construction at the moment.
Image Credits
@jgaines92 Instagram