TRENDS come and go, but the street culture in the country never dies.
The appreciation for urban clothing is deeply rooted in Philippine society, and there's no way for this relatable industry to go but up.
Fueled by passion projects, these five independent brands now cater to the growing demand for local streetwear.
GOONS
The brand aims to represent the bullied, rejected, and ridiculed. One of Goons' founders experienced being an outcast, which served as his inspiration to prove societal standards wrong through fashion.
By putting emotion in works of art, Jed Oblenida was able to build a community centered on self-redemption. They hope to unite people from all walks of life and be the voice of the voiceless. He said, "We were 'goons' at one point in our lives, forced to make rash decisions that would define us. In our case, it made us what we are now."
THY ORIGINS
Thy Origins gives the streetwear scene a breath of fresh air, as the owners incorporate their fascination with Greek mythology into designs.
Guided by its mission to tell the world that "nothing is impossible, every quest is achievable, and everyone is immortal," the company aspires to go international and join style counterparts in their pursuit of growth.
NICK AUTOMATIC
Founder Nicolo Nimor has always loved the arts and is an avid fan of cartoons. His creative style was heavily influenced by vibrant animations, which resulted in an aesthetic that is first of its- kind in the local scene.
Composed of bold illustrations and graphics, Nick Automatic designs scream without making a sound—a unique style of self-expression. Nimor said, "We're continuously striving for the brand's sustainability for more years to come, improving quality of goods and making new ideas from the foundations that we built. I want that to continue for generations."
BROKE KIDS
Anchored by the love for street culture, it has been a continuous trial-and-error phase for Broke Kids.
The brand name stemmed from the owners' initial experience of losing capital while trying to establish their identity. This instance reminded Aldrin Samson and Ken Capti to keep pushing and strive harder, hence their mantra: "We may be broke, but we never stopped crafting out future."
They said, "Our goal for the brand is not only for us to grow and earn more, but also share the blessings to the broke kids out there with the help of our customers. We know that we can make a huge impact, one step at a time."
ABOVE ALL
Driven by his t-shirt obsession, founder Grant Miras decided to turn his personal wishful thinking into a full-fledged business. He said, "Above All is different in such a way that we do not focus on just one concept. We want to send a message through our shirt designs and make a connection with the customers."
Through its out-of-this-world sensibilities, Above All lives up to its motto ("go beyond limits"), sparks social movement, and inspires the inhabitants of an entire galaxy to go out of their comfort zone.
BADAPPLE$
As an artist, Gio Gorostiza wanted a new way to showcase his artworks and practice artistic freedom. Stumbling upon the burgeoning local fashion trends, he thought, "Why not use what's already in, but make it better by breaking the norm?"
Gorostiza said, "It is about being free, doing what you want, expressing what you feel, and not caring about what others think."
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