Syracuse Clothing Co.
Online clothing company built to show city pride and give back.
Entrepreneurship | Design | Web | Social | Video | PR
In 2019, my wife and I set out to build something bigger than just an apparel brand—we wanted to create a movement that celebrated Syracuse while giving back to the community. With a passion for design and a love for our city, we launched an e-commerce brand that featured original, Syracuse-themed apparel, each piece infused with local pride. More than just clothing, our mission was to make an impact: a portion of every sale supported over 15 Central New York nonprofits.
Over five years, we fulfilled more than 2,100 orders across 39 states—including Hawaii, D.C., and even Canada—connecting with people who shared our love for Syracuse, whether they still lived here or had moved away. The brand thrived through strong social engagement, influencer collaborations, and media attention, proving that our vision resonated. From designing and developing the website and apparel to running PR efforts and partnerships, every detail was intentional. Inspired by similar concepts in other cities, we saw an opportunity to create something that represented all of Syracuse—not just its university.
Though we made the tough decision to close the business in 2024 as our family and careers grew, the impact remains. This brand wasn’t just about apparel—it was about fostering pride in Syracuse and giving back to the place we call home.
Visual Identity
I designed the Syracuse Clothing Co. logo to be versatile, timeless, and seamlessly adaptable to any apparel. Keeping it black and white ensured neutrality while allowing it to complement any design. The logo features six iconic Syracuse buildings, all hand-illustrated, with 'SYR' prominently displayed for a bold yet minimalist nod to the city’s identity.
Website
I designed and developed the Syracuse Clothing Co. website to perfectly reflect the brand’s identity while ensuring a seamless user experience. Its unique style, intuitive navigation, and bold aesthetic resonated with customers, earning frequent compliments from both shoppers and the community. This strong digital presence was critical to our success, making it easy for customers to explore, engage, and purchase—driving both sales and brand loyalty.
Brand Launch Sizzle Video
To launch the brand, I produced a high-energy sizzle video that captured the essence of the city and our brand. Featuring dynamic shots of Syracuse landmarks, diverse people wearing our designs, and an impactful, upbeat soundtrack, the video was visually engaging and fast-paced. When posted on social media, it quickly gained high viewership and instant sales, generating excitement and momentum for the brand from day one.
Social Media
We took pride in building a loyal and engaged social media community, growing to over 5,000 followers on Meta (IG + FB) who consistently interacted with our content. A key part of our strategy was user-generated content, turning customers into brand ambassadors. We also teased new designs and shared stunning city photography, creating a feed that not only showcased our apparel but also celebrated Syracuse—keeping our audience excited and connected.
Apparel Design
We offered a diverse range of premium apparel collections, all featuring original artwork I personally designed. With hundreds of unique designs, our products included t-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, stickers, and more, ensuring something for every Syracuse fan. Our collections celebrated Syracuse sports, city pride, neighborhoods, holidays, seasons, and nonprofit partnerships—each crafted with high-quality materials for a premium look and feel. Every design was a tribute to the community, giving customers a unique way to represent Syracuse with pride. Below you'll see just a few of the designs.
NCAA NIL Partnership (Symir Torrence - Syracuse University)
When NIL partnerships emerged, we saw an opportunity to align Syracuse Clothing Co. with a meaningful local story. We partnered with Symir Torrence, a Syracuse native and SU point guard, who returned home after playing at Marquette. Given our mission to instill pride in Syracuse, this collaboration was a perfect fit. We designed a unique ‘Syracuse Made’ hoodie, featuring subtle city-inspired linework, which Symir proudly introduced to the community—blending hometown pride with bold design.
Brand Influencers + User Generated Content
We built strong relationships with local influencers and those who lived elsewhere but had strong roots to CNY who proudly wore and promoted Syracuse Clothing Co., amplifying our brand’s reach and credibility. Through strategic engagement and branded incentives, we also encouraged user-generated content, inspiring customers to share photos of themselves wearing our apparel—turning them into authentic brand ambassadors across social media.
Public Relations
We strategically leveraged creative ideas and buzz-worthy initiatives to earn extensive media coverage and build brand awareness for Syracuse Clothing Co. Through live TV appearances, press interviews, and collaborations, we positioned the brand at the center of community conversations. Our efforts also led to partnerships with notable companies, further amplifying our reach and establishing Syracuse Clothing Co. as a recognized local brand.
• Live broadcast interview on NBC (local channel 3) and CBS (local channel 5) to tell our company story when the brand was officially launched
• Live broadcast interview with Spectrum News to talk about a ‘Stronger than Graffiti’ line we launched when there was a relevant issue at the time on the Syracuse University campus. This apparel line was also mentioned on local radio (93Q – Ted & Amy in the morning).
• Created long-sleeve tees and t-shirts for a celebrity bar-tending fundraiser event where Patrick Corbin (MLB pitcher) wore our clothing.
• Featured in the Central New York Good Life Magazine in their 'Caught Doing Good' section where an article was written about our company for philanthropic efforts of giving back.
• Adam Weitsman (influencer, philanthropist and CEO of the largest scrap metal processing company on the East Coast) and Latavius Murray (NFL running back) have proudly worn our clothing and shared on social media.
• Met with the Mayor Syracuse, Ben Walsh, to discuss our mission and vision for the company and earned their support.
• Live broadcast interview on ‘Bridge Street’ which is a show in Central New York on ABC where we discussed our winter-themed collection.
• Product mentions on 'Spatchcock Funk' streaming video episodes
In Store Partnerships & Collaborations
Although primarily an online brand, we collaborated with local businesses to feature Syracuse Clothing Co. products in select retail stores across Central New York. We experimented with in-store partnerships, including a dedicated clothing display at one location, which we routinely restocked with new designs—expanding our reach and strengthening our connection to the local community.
Giving Back to the Community
Giving back was at the heart of Syracuse Clothing Co.—with a portion of every order donated to a featured Central New York nonprofit. Through more than a dozen-plus partnerships, we created exclusive apparel designs and built meaningful three-month collaborations, ultimately donating thousands of dollars to organizations making a real impact. We’re incredibly proud that philanthropy was a core part of our mission, recognizing the vital role these nonprofits play in strengthening our community. Below are some of the non-profits and partnerships we formed.
• Developed a t-shirt for a young marine who got Leukemia where we donated all profits back to his family. There was an article on syracuse.com speaking about this effort.
• Designed and sold winter hats for an 11-year old girl from Syracuse who lost her life from a drive by shooting where we donated all profits back to her family. There was significant buzz about this this fundraising effort.
Results
We built Syracuse Clothing Co. from the ground up, generating over 2,100 orders across 39 states and attracting more than 70,000 website visitors. Our brand gained significant traction in the community, cultivating a strong social media following and earning widespread media attention through strategic PR efforts. Along the way, we connected with influential figures in Central New York and strengthened local ties. Most importantly, we fulfilled our mission—giving people a way to represent Syracuse with unique designs while giving back to the community.