Since 2018, American Nomad Apparel has been like gold discovered in the backyard, familiar especially to East Valley handmade market fans. Founder Jordan Gallup gave us something truly unique with his brand that is reminiscent of popular surf labels but reflects its creator’s love of all things southwest. Jordan’s brilliant graphic design skills combined with a desert motif resulted in a shirt and hat line loved by cowboys, skaters, and everyone in between; pairing as well with RSQs as with Wranglers. Sharp designs featuring iconic cowboy skeleton characters, eagles, cacti, and retro state park signs made it feel ultra cool to be an adventurer, a Zonie and an American.
Jordan treated every visitor to his booth like a close friend, often with his children by his side. Ringing up a sale, his daughter once beamed, “Our dad makes all of this!” as she gestured to the walls of crisp shirts and hat towers. It’s no wonder this family-run business quickly captured hearts--and why Jordan’s passing on July 31st left such a profound void.
The story of Jordan’s adventure with his brainchild began when he teamed up with friend Ty Bowman. The two became close when on a church camping trip Jordan spontaneously designed a logo for Ty in just 15 minutes. “We were sitting by the fire and Jordan whipped out a sketch book,” Ty laughs as he remembers. “Afterwards I said, ‘Did we just become best friends?’”
Working out of Ty’s Lifetime Leather shop, Jordan personally did the work from concept to finished product, collaborating with Ty on leather hat patches. The two spent many late nights particularly on one significant challenge: developing a new method for gluing leather onto hats. It required two years of meticulous experimentation, consulting chemists, and learning to work quickly with a glue that had a shelf life of mere minutes. Eventually, they cracked the code for a product that met Jordan’s high standard.
“He was unstoppable,” Ty says. “He was so positive and patient.”
It was early this year that Jordan tragically began experiencing severe stomach pain. Within months, it escalated into a host of devastating issues--diverticulitis, anemia, sepsis, kidney failure, a tumor behind the left eye and around the brain, partial facial paralysis, multiple intensive surgeries, and ultimately a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. Unbelievably, despite these overwhelming challenges and significant pain, Jordan continued to exude his trademark cool and upbeat attitude.
“He was always a giver,” Ty says. “Even in the hospital, he’d still ask what he could do for me.” Ever the family man, Jordan also found ways to stay connected to his six children, watching their volleyball games remotely and continuing to offer coaching and encouragement whenever he could. “Bud, I’m proud of you,” Jordan says to one of his kids from his hospital bed on Instagram, “I know you worked really hard for that. Good job, man!”
Jordan's inability to work also created considerable strain. His loving wife, Amber, became a pillar of strength, balancing the demands of motherhood while caregiving for her husband and attending to life’s practical matters as best as she could. Their supportive family, friends, church, and community at large also pitched in, contributing in various ways including donating to a Go Fund Me campaign, purchasing specially made Nomads for Jordan gear, and ultimately, donating goods and services for Jordan’s epic celebration of life.
Ty, who is committed to American Nomad, envisions a future of honoring Jordan’s style while collaborating with new designers who align with the brand. He often reflects on their time together, saying, “What we had went beyond friendship. We were brothers.” His commitment to “Jordan Zen Patience” serves as a guiding principle as he navigates the business landscape without his best friend. Today, Amber has stepped into a partnership with Ty, starting with hat making. Each American Nomad Apparel purchase not only supports this worthy label but also provides vital income for the family Jordan cherished so dearly.
2024 has been a year of community support serving as a lifeline for the Gallup family, reinforcing the bonds that Jordan built through his genuine care for others. Through purchases, the community can continue to honor Jordan’s legacy, ensuring that his story and the values he embodied live on. Please visit AmericanNomadApparel.com and follow on Instagram @AmericanNomadApparel.
Each American Nomad Apparel purchase not only supports this worthy label but also provides vital income for the family Jordan cherished