Meet Nickie and her quirky story—

Why is the “I Love You” (ILY) hand sign in American Sign Language (ASL) such a big deal? And why did I choose this ILY hand sign theme as the spotlight for the clothing prints? There’s a story behind it. But first, let me share a bit about my background.

I was born Deaf, and it was hardly a tragedy. The only disabilities in life are a bad attitude and dealing with jerks. Life has taught me that being Deaf is not a curse. Life loves to throw us curveballs, and having a disability just makes the game a little trickier. It’s up to us to push for improvements, and that’s why I’m here.

The ILY hand sign has become an iconic symbol that shows love and spreads good vibes in our Deaf community. It’s one of the most recognized symbols identifying you as part of the Deaf culture. This hand sign is everywhere—on all the cool deaf-owned merch. Some Deaf people think it’s a bit cheesy, while others totally love it. And guess what? I used to be one of those who thought it was rather cheesy, too.

Sooner or later, I wanted an outfit that represented my identity and wasn’t cringeworthy. I couldn’t find anything that matched my style or personality. That’s when I had a spark of inspiration and a wild idea to start my own clothing line. It would be the first of its kind, breaking the mold by going for that ‘lovecore’ vibe and redefining the ILY hand sign into something fresh with a modern twist. So, with the help of my graphic design skills, I started creating designs with a collection of ILY hand motifs in ASL that are simple and unapologetically fun. And just like that, Lovecore Apparel was born.

I’ve always believed that wearing cool and meaningful prints can undeniably boost your attitude and help you conquer whatever comes your way. Fashion can be a powerful tool to make you feel good and shake off that impostor syndrome. It’s all about being true to yourself and staying confident.

I’ve also learned that the biggest challenge for many Deaf people isn’t their deafness itself. It’s the way others see them. People often think that Deaf people are less likely to be successful, which can make it hard for them to achieve their goals. It’s a real shame because this negative perception can really hold us back in life.

We’re always hustling hard to get the recognition we deserve for our amazing talents and abilities beyond just not being able to hear. I know advocating for deaf equality isn’t about being against those who can hear. It’s more like having a conversation with society on how to better support our Deaf community.

My personal mission is to lend a hand in any way I can. It’s important to remind everyone that challenges are bound to happen in life. Let’s not think of them as roadblocks, but rather as chances for growth and self-improvement. They can actually be pretty cool opportunities if you think about it!

No matter what challenges we face, let’s wear our identity proudly. Join me in spreading love and positivity with Lovecore Apparel. Together, we can change perceptions and inspire confidence.

And no matter what anyone says, I love you.