Rising Stars: Meet Collin McMannis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Collin McMannis.

Hi Collin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I founded llovesick in February of 2021. Most of my adult life, I was lost and looking for some type of fulfillment. Working safe career-driven jobs that I thought at the time would be the bridge to success and happiness. Late into my 20s, I started working in the med device sales industry making a bunch of money thinking that this was that bridge to a brighter future. I later met a girl in 2018 that when I saw her, I truly thought I would marry one day. Years of ups and downs in a relationship that for the most part left me with nothing but good singular moments with the combination of working a career that I wasn’t passionate about pushed me to the edge of future considerations.

I always knew I wanted to be back in the fashion industry at some capacity but it wasn’t until late 2019 when I really decided to take that big leap that most are afraid to take. At this point, I really had nothing to lose and put all of my past emotions, heartbreaks and energy I had to creating my own brand. After about a year and a half of planning and promoting a brand with nothing to show for I launched llovesick in 2021 with four products, two tees and two hats. A year and a half after the launch were on our way to becoming one of the hottest streetwear brands to emerge from Los Angeles.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
On the launch day of 2019, we had a huge outpouring of support from my closest friends and family. After a few days, the hype had bled out. It wasn’t until 2-3 months later, when I dropped the LLOVERS cap was when the traction started to pick up.

We haven’t had that big spike in growth like some brands have had but what we have had is consistent growth over the last year a half. Looking back to when I launched the brand I couldn’t quite imagine where the company would be but I have even surprised myself with what we have been able to accomplish thus far.

As of today, I am still a one-man team. One of my biggest struggles I have faced is finding the right team to build around me. I believe with time and all the right pieces in place, this brand will be world-renowned and will become one of the biggest brands in the world.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner, founder and everything else the brand requires to operate at the level it is. I have no prior official design experience but what I do have is an eye for what’s right and what’s wrong. Seems simple but knowing the slight differences in designs, silhouettes, etc., can take you a long way.

There is a story that I’m creating with llovesick that I believe resonates with others. The actual feeling of being (l)lovesick. The feeling of being heartbroken, the feeling of unfulfillment, the feeling that you are overlooked and underappreciated. I’ve felt all those feelings and still feel some of those to this day. I believe there are many others that feel that way and want to feel seen. LLovesicks objective is to relate to those people who’ve at some point felt the same way I have and by wearing the llovesick brand or even just being a fan from a distance you can understand those feelings, deal with them and become a better human being. Not at all of the pieces, I create will have a deep meaning some things just look really cool, but the one constant message these pieces do have is that we are all llovesick is some form. That means that there is something in this world we all need, whether that’s a passion, person or thing. Something is out there for all of us that makes us feel whole.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I have so many memories that I can look back at and reminisce but one of the memories that probably got me on the path of choosing fashion was the old Eastbay magazines. Once a month, we’d receive the newest Eastbay Magazine where I would go and circle all of the sneakers I hoped my mom would eventually buy me if I bugged her enough. Shoes is where my passion for fashion really started. I built all of my outfits from the shoes up and still do that to this day. I pick the shoes i’m going to wear and build around that. As a kid, I was obsessed with Airmax’s, Michael Vicks turf sneakers, huaraches and countless other random sneakers that fit my style. Now today, everyone can make a sneaker fit with any type of outfit but I truly believe I was on that trend as a young boy. I can physically remember the stack of magazines in my room with hundreds of shoes chosen, thinking one day I’d own them all.

Pricing:

• Hats $50-$70
• Tees $60-$80
• Shorts $75
• Sweatsuits Etc $100 and up

Contact Info:

• Website: www.llovesick.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llovesick/

Image Credits
Photographer – Dylan Wykle