New fashion brand created by student from Eagle County
Ever since Heath Nager was a kid growing up in Eagle County, he knew he was destined for something greater, to push boundaries and change everyday life. At the time, he thought he was going to be a professional soccer player, but even though playing in the World Cup on the world’s biggest stage didn’t come about, he’s taking that passion and drive and putting it toward fashion and plans to influence the world that way.
“I had the idea and the mindset of being a star soccer player, so I think that mindset and drive carried over to fashion once I found out that’s what I want to do with my career,” Nager said. “I have always used the quote from soccer great Lionel Messi where he says, ‘You can overcome anything, if and only if you love something enough.’ I think this is a great phrase to follow.”
Nager is a junior at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco studying Fashion Design Product Development and is getting ready to launch SCR!PTS, which he says will be much more than just another clothing brand.
“The goal is to build SCR!PTS into a worldwide community, building an identity that people feel the need to be a part of. We want to create a lifestyle, an identity, and a deeper connection,” Nager said. “SCR!PTS merges cultural references with narrative storytelling. The brand exists at the intersection of fashion, identity and process, reflecting the ever-changing nature of style.”
Nager said his early influences while in Vail included brands like Supreme, Off-White and Hyperbeast. These brands may have started out with streetwear and sneakers but are now global platforms for contemporary culture and lifestyle. Nager dreams that SCR!PTS can do the same.
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Heath Nager graduated from Eagle Valley High School in 2023 and is a junior at Academy of Art University in San Francisco majoring in Fashion Design Product Development. He’s launching a new fashion and lifestyle brand, SCR!PTS and product line, Emotions in early June. Heath Nager/Courtesy photo
“I believe the way to scale SCR!PTS into a worldwide brand is through social media and connections. Building a social media presence is the ideal way to build a community, as I have seen many brands do. I also think connections are one of the most important things; meeting the amazing people I have at the Academy of Art has boosted my drive and passion, as well as the opportunities that come from these friendships.
One of those friendships Nager has is with Teo Benedick. The two met while playing Division II soccer at the Academy of Art University. Benedick is leading the marketing rollout and contributing to the creative direction of SCR!PTS.
“I would like to emphasize the importance of building a brand rooted in process rather than perfection,” Benedict said.
The duo plans to ramp up social media presence in May and reveal SCR!PTS new Emotion line on June 10. The Emotion collection features four graphic t-shirts, each representing a core emotional state experienced during early adulthood: Love, Anger, Confusion and Anxiety.
“If you can wear your heart on your sleeve, why not wear your emotions on your shirt?” Nager said. “I designed the first piece for the collection, Anxiety, without really any idea of where I wanted it to go. I talked with Teo and brainstormed different ideas that could go with the shirt, which led to the designs for Love, Rage, and Confusion,” Nager said. “I chose to go with those four emotions because I feel they represented what it feels like growing up and trying to figure everything out from late teenage years to early twenties.”
“This collection is about showing the in-between stages: the growth, the uncertainty, and the trial and error. The visuals, the campaigns, everything reflects that idea,” Benedict said.
Each design draws on manpu, a visual language in Japanese anime that expresses emotion. The brand has already begun producing original photo campaigns, products, and creative visuals to accompany the release.
“During high school, I was introduced to anime, which has impacted me, my ideas and my way of life in a very positive way. The stories and lessons that you learn from anime can translate into everyday life, and that’s what ended up happening when I designed this collection,” Nager said. “The collection is very cyber-like and futuristic, using different styles of animation to create the characters, so I felt it seemed fit to add the manpu to really show how each character is feeling.”
Nager and Benedict said that this collection is just the beginning of introducing SCR!PTS’ broader visual identity. As the brand grows, they are looking to host a pop-up event in New York City during Fashion Week this upcoming September. Showcasing the Emotions collection, while also offering sneak peeks at the next drop for the upcoming Fall/Winter season.
Heath Nager was influenced by animae growing up and used manpu, a visual language in Japanese anime that expresses emotion to design the Emotions line for SCR!PTS. Follow on the brand’s social platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Heath Nager/Courtesy photo
With graduation season upon us, Nager, who graduated from Eagle Valley High School in 2023, offered some advice for the seniors of Eagle County.
The biggest advice I would give to graduating seniors is to keep pushing no matter what. If you have a goal, do everything in your power to achieve it,” Nager said. “There will always be something in the way, or people who don’t think it’s possible, but the only opinion that counts is yours. Stay true to yourself, your ideals and your beliefs, and you can accomplish more than you dreamed of.”
