Today we’d like to introduce you to Pete Lucio.
Hi Pete, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well I started as a graffiti writer from the age of 14. I had an obsession with letters transforming them into works of art at least I thought .What I thought was art was just plain vandalism to others especially my family. While exploring this underground culture I came across a clothing brand in a tattoo shop one day while buying paint makers it had graffiti on it that read “Tribal”. I started learning more about similar brands that came from graffiti roots like Ecko unltd and OBEY. I was never really big on fashion I just always had a rebel mind set and like doing things my own creative way. I always knew I wanted to start something I just hadn’t came across the right name. One day the name came in the form of my then 12 year old step son “EJ” he had got in trouble for always drawing in class. After that he began to write “Sorry For Drawing”(SFD) and instead of writing just EJ I helped him with a new nick name “JET” so while doing a drawing for him I drew the picture of a Jet fighter flying through the sky with a acronym for SFD Stay Fly District. Right there it began to stick out to me the plane and the name. Unfortunately because of my old ways I had trouble with the law and was now looking at some time. The part that motivated me hard was right before I went away my father had passed I was arrested days before his funeral. The thing that kept me sane when I was on lock down was drawing, while in there I met another talented artist one day we were having a conversation and I brought up Stay Fly District and right away we began brainstorming illustrations and ideas. Everyday from then on all I could think of was starting this company just laying there in my bunk night after night. I found more motivation in a thrasher magazine they had an article on the founding of the brand FAMOUS “stars & straps” so it kept me going. When I got to TDCJ I kept moving I started going to school in there reading everything I could on entrepreneurial mindset and goals plus they got tablets now so you can learn a lot in there. I started learning computer coding and different languages to prepare myself for international business.Once I was free I went straight to work I had stay at a halfway house in Austin for 2 months when I saw the graffiti everywhere I remembered why I was doing this and why I loved it. Every chance I got I would go to the library and set up my website and prepare my illustrations. When the two months were done I was officially here in the city I love San Antonio. I started ordering my samples immediately and found the perfect manufacturer. My cousin Mat saw my work and called me up the night I was going public with my launch and told me how much he loved my stuff we’ve always been close so it was so easy of a decision to make him my CFO hes always been great with finance so he fit the bill quick. We hit the ground running with our marketing campaign both digital and Guerilla. Our meaning behind Stay Fly District is staying cool no matter where you are weather its in the darkest of places or the brightest. I grew up in the lackland AFB area so while doing graffiti I would always love the sounds of the city one in that particular district was the jets and planes flying over all day so that’s also inspiration behind our logo. Since were a street wear brand we go with our roots graffiti,car meets,music just the all around underground scene of the city we love. This is my flight that is just beginning to take off and were continuing to grow I only launched back in September and the fact that I’m doing this interview right now lets me know I’m on the right path to going global, I got people ordering from me all over the country. You can catch us out at car meets like Military Sunday night cruise or just on our social media accounts on Facebook,Instagram or TikTok. This my story behind Stay Fly District streetwear and we look forward to gaining more altitude creating a buzz to become a brand people know and love cause for us its not just a brand its a lifestyle “Fly Forever Forever Fly”. – Stay Fly District
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The passing of my father being picked up days before the funeral and not being able to bury him really hurt being incarcerated put a huge pause in my plans to start this business. Another big obstacle was coming back home and literally starting from the ground up No job no car just hopes and dreams. I’m very thankful I got a family who loves me. No matter how bad things were I couldn’t afford to break down and quit my mind was set on this (Stay Fly District). Legal and financial issues weren’t gonna stop me slow me down yes but I’ma keep pushing transitioning from prison to this right here was my focus . I figure if I could take that I could do anything I took it all as a life lesson cause pain only leaves when its done teaching you.
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’ve worked construction most of my life but my true passion was graffiti and graphic art. I love to combine all my influences in my art and clothing. Im proud of how I was able to get life back on the right track and become a better example for my kids letting them know its ok to express yourself. What’s sets me apart is my adversity and daring to be bold in my individuality. I currently attend school for communication design even though I began using software to make my art come to life on my clothing before I started to attend.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I think people would be surprised to find out I fight crime at night with batman lol. Nah seriously I think a lot of people get caught off guard with my intelligence and vision. I know its because of my appearance and past they think I’m like the next guy. They’re always impressed by my vast knowledge of random facts I’m like a human form of Google.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stayflydistrict.store
- Instagram: @stayflydistrict
- Facebook: StayFlyDistrict
