We recently caught up with Nick Bower, the head designer at Stussy for 17 years, who departed the company a few months ago.
Nick is very influential in design circles, and well known in the industry. Complex Magazine named Nick as one of the 25 most powerful people in streetwear.
Before joining the industry to work at Gotcha, Nick worked at Valentino and Versace.
Stussy is known for its design. What was your philosophy on leading design for the brand?
Nick Bower: There wasn’t a need to lead design specifically because Stussy has such a strong brand language that everyone who works for the company, both at the Irvine HQ and other offices, instinctively knows what is and is not a Stussy piece.
However, over the years I developed a good track record of instinctively knowing where the market was headed so it fell to me at the beginning of each season to inspire a direction outside of Classic Stussy, which is always a big part of any Stussy collection.
What are you most proud of during your time there?
Nick: Staying at one place for 17 years! Ha ha. I guess I am probably most proud of just being part of the team that held the course of the brand after Shawn Stussy left through quite a few major cultural shifts and came out the other side intact.
Shifts like 10 years of Japanese brand streetwear dominance, the arrival of the online blogs and how to play in social media, the collaboration phenomenon, etc. If you don’t get all of that right, you can kill a brand or relegate it to irrelevance.
Starting Stussy Deluxe (a higher end line), and what came from that, is something else I’m proud of.
Why did you leave, and what are you interesting in doing next?
Nick: With Frank Sinatra semi-retired, his son David taking over and making his changes, it was time to move on. I had a great run and it was really a really fantastic place to work. But now I’m looking forward to new experiences.
Editor’s note: Stussy declined to comment on Nick’s departure, but did share his resignation letter, which is on Page 2
Nick Bower resignation letter
Hi Friends,
I would like to announce my resignation from Stussy Inc, as Head Designer effective September 1st 2014.
I have been at Stussy 17 years, over half my career and it has been an amazing ride. To be involved with what many consider to be the original streetwear brand for all that time and consequently being able to have front row seats to streetwear as it came of age has been the best fashion and cultural education I could have possibly hoped for.
True to the attitude set in place by Shawn Stussy from the brand’s inception, Stussy has always prided itself on being a design driven brand. This still holds true and with the need to evolve it’s identity to be more in line with the current times, Stussy is putting more emphasis and direction on itself as a merchandising brand.
In conference with the owners of the company, I have decided now would be the time for me to move on. This undoubtedly has not been an easy decision to make but I am now looking forward to the future and the exciting times ahead.
There are a few people I would like to thank for their help and guidance during my time at Stussy. Paul Mittleman, who was a partner in design for so many of those great years, Eddie Cruz and Michael Kopelman for invaluable conversations on staying “true” to the brand. Emmy Coats for her enthusiasm, energy and constant help and last but certainly not least Shannon Leaverton, who I have worked with for 20 + years and who has been a truly dedicated friend and supporter during my time at Stussy.
Also, a big shout of appreciation to all the others I had the pleasure of meeting in the USA, UK and Japan.
Lastly, I would like to thank Frank Sinatra for his belief and support that he has shown me over the years.
Thanks again,
Nick
