These Filipinos are making waves through global streetwear brands
Streetwear was already present during the 1980s, which was rooted in graffiti, hip-hop, skate, and surf. Fast forward to the present time, the phenomenon has reached people from all over the world who incorporate it as their go-to style, and brands that embody it are now a dime a dozen.
Some names of those who have been in the game of this multi-billion-dollar industry have yet to be discovered, so it’s important to highlight a few Filipinos who made impressive moves in the streetwear world. In the Philippines, this ever-evolving type of fashion progressed over the years because of its large influence on local music, art, films, and people’s self-expression.
These are OGs who either grew up in the country or still embrace their heritage despite living in another place. They are designers, collectors, founders, or artists who had a brand collab. Some of them could already be familiar faces, while others may come as a surprise. But one thing’s for sure — streetwear plays a big role in their lives.
KEVIN REYES
In case his name doesn’t ring a bell, the designs of Kevin Reyes surely captured your attention at one point. Working as a footwear designer for Nike, he had a fair share of great sneaker projects. He was behind the low-cut Nike Mamba Focus in 2019, which was part of the Kobe Bryant Nike performance line. Included in the sea of his designs is the Giannis Immortality pair in honor of NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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ALEALI MAY
Aleali May is a triple threat in the best way possible – she’s a model, stylist, and sneaker designer. The 29-year-old already had five collaborations with the Jordan Brand. The most recent one was inspired by her Filipina and Black roots and her personal explanations on definitions of luxury. She worked on the WMNS Air Jordan 14 Low “Fortune” and apparel collection in her most recent partnership.
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QUICCS
Juanito Maiquez, a.k.a. Quiccs, is the first Filipino creator for Adidas for its locally designed products. He launched Quiccs Manila Tee in October 2020, which features three designs with his central character TEQ63. The designer also created limited-edition NanoTEQ toys that were released in the same year. Recently, the Quiccs Summer Pack rolled out with two tees inspired by basketball, Japanese robots, and hip-hop.
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SAWEETIE
Filipino-African American rapper Saweetie made a mark in the music scene with her 2018 debut single titled Icy Girl. The track led her to an RIAA-certified Platinum award that stands as a benchmark of success for any artist. But in Sole Collector’s video, the artist showed her creativity in another way.
The 28-year-old put her drawing skills to the test when got the chance to design her own Adidas Superstars. She went for an anime-themed design but still brings out her fierce persona, which resulted in a one-of-a-kind pair that she can flex forever.
BIGBOY CHENG
You’ll feel major sneaker envy vibes when you see Bigboy Cheng‘s collection. In fact, he’s labeled by Complex as the country’s biggest sneakerhead because of his $500,000 (approximately PHP 25,200,000) acquisition.
He also has a knack for art toys like pieces from Bearbricks, Banksy, Takashi Murakami, Ronald Ventura, and more. Not only that, but he also launched Secret Fresh, a former toy shop that turned into a gallery that is home to modern art pieces.
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NEEK LURK
You’ve probably seen the wavy typeface of their logo design, but did you know that Anti Social Social Club‘s brainchild was Filipino-American? Meet Andrew Buenaflor, a.k.a Neek Lurk. The 29-year-old gained popularity for his style when he was a member of the NikeTalk forums, where ultimate sneaker enthusiasts gathered.
He also worked for Stüssy before his own label came about. His brand started as a project presented in a mood board form until it soared in 2015. Celebrities like K-pop group BTS, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and Brooklyn Beckham were spotted wearing the brand’s clothing.
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MARK ARCENAL
The brand’s founder and creative director Mark Arcenal, used to be Nike’s digital design director in Oregon. But after his years of experience in the creative industry, he decided to put up his own brand instead – and that’s when Illest came into the picture. It lives by the motive that “none but ourselves can free our minds.”
The label started in 2019 until it launched in the Philippines four years after. Different branches can be seen in Alabang, Makati, Tagaytay, Cebu, and more.
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Source: we the pvblic
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