How ‘Retro’ is using ‘Immortality’ to leave his mark

For Indiana native Cortez Coleman, design is more than a profession; it is a legacy vehicle. Operating under the creative moniker “Retro,” Coleman has transformed a lifelong passion for 1990s nostalgia into Immortality, an independent design and apparel brand that has steadily expanded its footprint from local beginnings to international markets. 

The foundation of Coleman’s creative journey was laid during his teenage years. A self-taught designer since the age of 16, he credits his parents, Valinda Jenkins and William Coleman, for purchasing his first computer — a pivotal investment that he says “changed the game” and opened the door to digital artistry.  

“I remember burning out so many computers from overloading Photoshop, my dad didn’t know what I was doing on there,” Coleman told the Indiana Minority Business Magazine.  

Around that same time, while working at a local Starbucks, Coleman had a chance encounter with Indianapolis radio personality and hometown hero, the late Jerry “The Loverman” Wade. Wade recognized the young artist’s potential and consistently championed him in pursuing his creative dreams. 

As he honed his craft, Coleman drew deep inspiration from pioneering Black designers who disrupted the mainstream commercial and athletic industries. He studied the modern blueprint of the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh and the groundbreaking work of Terry Smith, the Black artist who created the iconic San Jose Sharks sports logo. 

Equipped with these influences, Coleman eventually secured a role working with sports merchandising giant Fanatics. However, the corporate structure ultimately catalyzed his independent drive. Looking at the standard merchandise being produced, Coleman realized he possessed the vision to elevate the aesthetic, frequently thinking to himself, “I can design stuff better than this.” 

Recently, Coleman’s Immortality brand went viral on TikTok with his ‘Colts – Pacers color swap’ videos, generating thousands of engagements. 

That internal confidence birthed Immortality. The brand’s name directly reflects Coleman’s ultimate objective: to create art, apparel and conceptual designs that will live forever. Heavily inspired by the vibrant, bold aesthetics of the 1990s, his collections resonate with a beloved cultural nostalgia that transcends regional boundaries. 

Today, Immortality operates on a global scale. Coleman has successfully fulfilled custom orders and shipped his designs to clients as far away as Italy and South Korea, alongside a robust domestic customer base. Yet, despite the international reach of his brand and his growing profile as a designer, he remains deeply anchored to his Midwestern roots and the community that fostered his initial talent. 

“It’s bigger than Indy,” Coleman said, “but it will always be home.” 

Learn more about the Retro’s brand at immortality.storenvy.com. You can also follow Retro on TikTok and Instagram.

Contact multimedia & senior sports reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or noralp@indyrecorder.com if you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine.