There’s a Filipino renaissance brewing in SF’s newest cultural district, SOMA PILIPINAS and throughout all Filipino diasporas across the world. From Millennials to Gen Z, there are multifaceted Filipinos reshaping the culture and what it means to be Filipino in this new decade. 

Long gone are the days of assimilation.  More Filipinos are embracing our heritage, rediscovering cultural roots, breaking the cycle of intergenerational traumas and honoring our ancestors (while simultaneously being able to look fly at the same time).

Thankfully, we have OG living legends in the game cultivating culture and redefining what it means to be Filipinx, especially in the United States where cultural identity can be easily lost through the Western gaze.  They’re passing down history through art, fashion, streetwear, music and oral traditions so we don’t forget the struggles & hardships that our people before us had to endure to get to where we are today.

Read more: “Untold Story of Filipino American and UFW Labor Leader Larry Itliong Makes Debut in New York and Washington DC”

Given the serious landscape of the current global pandemic, Filipinos are uniting through the means of video conference platforms and connecting via communication tools like Zoom, Google Hangouts, IG Live, Twitch, etc.  We now have access to support systems and resources that weren’t possible or visible before -- reaching all walks of Filipinos in ways we’ve never seen.  The limitations of distance are now invalid and we can instantly get connected by a single. click. of. a. button.

Thus, giving us the power to create cultural connections within our communities from the comfort of our own homes while reaching others thousands of miles away.  At the same time, sharing our voices and our privilege of education to reframe and retell our Filipinx history on a global scale.

Can you feel the shift?✨🌎

Learn more about: “Giving, Receiving, Rebuilding: Business Owners Give Back Despite Covid-19”

“STREETWEAR IS AN ART MOVEMENT.”

— Virgil Abloh, HYPEBEAST Magazine Issue 20: The X Issue

A Re-introduction to Streetwear:

A Re-introduction to Streetwear:

Streetwear is more than just clothing.  It’s a lifestyle.  It’s a mindset.  It’s a cultural definitive expression of the times we are living in.  In the words of Virgil Abloh, Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, Off-White Designer and Architect, “Streetwear is an Art Movement.”  Abloh explains that, “I’m just an assistant to the people that came before me trying to add to go forward for the next generation.” 

Streetwear is an amalgamation of Black culture, a societal response to American consumerism, the pulse of the People on a collective level expressed in a manner that is authentic, intimate and personal to it’s creator yet pushes the boundaries of fashion statement & societal taste.  

Streetwear is NOT pop culture yet we find it seeping into everyday living — camouflaged in our art, in street murals, in our furniture, how we move, where we go eat to the types of music we listen to.  More importantly, streetwear is in our clothes draped on our bodies like paint to a canvas expressing personal statements about us more than we can even speak in words or articulate in our native tongue.

Streetwear doesn’t play by the rules yet interweaves multiple cultures, honors the past and paves the way for the future. It is malleable and even redefining the landscape of Fashion today. And just as street culture shaped the Filipino American identity, we too have shaped the identity of Streetwear culture.

Read more: “How Street Culture Shaped Asian-American Identity”

This A to Z Playbook, introduces Filipinos in Streetwear who’ve made cultural impact within the last decade. 

Often behind the scenes or hidden in plain sight, Filipinos have added a sense of stylish sauce, great work ethic and quirkiness to the mix.

But it is more than just appreciating Black culture, or listening to Hip-Hop and/or playing basketball.  Filipinos understand the history of the struggle and stood side by side in the fight for equal rights and advocacy for social justice.

Tracing back to the battle of the International Hotel, in the 1970s.  At the heart of Manilatown in San Francisco.  The three-story red brick building was a famous residence for Filipinos.  The I-Hotel became a symbol of the Filipino American resilience, the struggle for identity and civil rights.  This struggle demonstrated the coming together of other Asian Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, student activists, religious groups and organizations, gays and lesbians, leftists and community activists.  Though the long fight towards equality is far from over.  It’s hard not to appreciate the multicultural and plural colored bonds built because of our unity in the fight for equality.  

Read more: “‘Filipinx for Black Lives’ poster designer walks his talk”

Streetwear is a reminder that we are all in this together -- bridging cultural differences with style & finesse.

Filipinos in Streetwear are the face of a generation making a stand through art, music, fashion and style.  From Anti Social Social Club to Dante Basco playing the voice of Zuko from Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Air Bender”, this playbook is a growing index to the wide span of multifaceted Filipinos reshaping the culture from a streetwear lens.

WORDS BY: JIMMIE FLORA
GRAPHICS BY: JIMMIE FLORA

This playbook is a conversation starter and not everyone who is Filipino and imperative to the history of Streetwear culture is included, as we seek to make this a living index to build upon with our community.

We understand that the street culture and streetwear knowledge is diverse and has multiple layers. And the history and experience looks different depending on diasporas and generations but that’s where the dialogue begins and this index expands. 🙏🏽

Do you know of other influential FIL-AM artist/creators/entreprenuers influencing the “streetwear” culture that should be included in this list?

Please email us here.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Anti Social Social Club Founder, Neek Lurk

Introduced in 2015, the now infamous Anti Social Social Club aka ASSC/AntiSocialSocialClub was ahead of the ecommerce curve when Filipino American creator, Neek Lurk released his limited collections entirely online without any physical store via social media platform, Instagram.

Lurk’s main influence for ASSC is drawn upon his struggles with mental health and channeled these negative emotions into designs for his work.  His feelings and openness to express his depression and fluctuating mental state lays the foundation for the brand -- connecting with others from a distance while remaining incognito from the public eye.

In current years, Lurk has received major heat and online complaints regarding late delivery and even undelivered shipments.  Lurk utilizes this fire to fuel his brand, releasing collections that emphasize these hateful and negative sentiments, justifyingly turning them into positive increases in sales.

While Neek Lurk may be in the shadow of his own making, his brand has gained popularity.  From icons like BTS, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian to Travis Scott, Anti Social Social Club sees no stop in being a major influence in streetwear.

His latest Fall 2020 collection is a collaboration with BAPE which emphasizes their staying power within the streetwear culture while celebrating the connection between Los Angeles and Tokyo. 

Source: Anti Social Social Club x BAPE Proves Camo Isn’t Just for Blending In

Photography by Hypebae, Deconstrct, Andrew Pulig/Hypebeast

Creative Director / Co Owner of ROKIT

There’s a saying that “passion rebuilds the world for the youth.'' This sentiment rings true for Bam Barcena, a Filipino American fashion designer, visual artist, entrepreneur and musician who is known for his ability to bring art, subcultures and its communities together.

His borderline obsession with form, content and functionality has caught the attention of brands far and wide, and the result has been an illustrious career executing design work, visual arts and collaborations for Converse, HBO, SHABBAAAA Sound System, Mizuno, Under Armour, Burton, Vans, Stussy, Alphanumeric and Reebok, to name a few. The Nike Kyrie Irving 5 x ROKIT shoe collaboration is heralded as one of his most successful collaborations to date, after being featured during 2019 All Star Fashion Week in Charlotte, NC and cementing his position as a driving force in the sportswear community.

Bam cut his teeth building creative projects at Cleanercorp in San Diego with the brand Self Discovery Project, and was a Senior Designer at Ecko Unlimited Menswear and PRPS Denim. In 2005, he created the streetwear brand Hellz Bellz alongside his wife and partner, Lanie Alabanza-Barcena. Since then, he has launched the contemporary streetwear brand, GPPR, was appointed as Art Director of Crooks N Castles, where he curated projects for world renowned artist and legend, Futura.

In fact, his subsequent project, ROKIT, was founded on this very principle. ROKIT grew to become an established, community-driven platform that fuses the two underlying subcultures of his lifelong passions: skateboarding and street basketball.

Today, Barcena continues to put his experience, interests and talent to further use, pouring his soul into a singular, common thread of his career: to be inspired by, to learn from and to contribute to street fashion culture. With an unwavering work ethic and an eye-for-detail unlike no other, Bam creates work with a hyper-focused vision to provide new points of views on functionality and storytelling. For him, design is defined by both physical and conceptual relationships, and it is through this delicate marriage that he is able to produce life-changing work that serves its place in this world.

Source: bam-barcena.com

Photography by Nick Joseph // Art Direction: Rion "Rionism" Barcena

B IS FOR BLACK SCALE

Lifestyle and Streetwear clothing brand founded by

Michael 'MEGA' Yabut and Alfred De Tagle, in 2007

Black Scale (known as, BLVCK SCVLE) is a lifestyle and streetwear clothing brand that was founded by Michael ‘MEGA’ Yabut and Alfred De Tagle, in 2007. The brand offers edgy and avant-garde designs that embrace a monochromatic colour palette of black, grey and other dark colors. Black Scale has previously teamed up with brands such as A Bathing Ape, adidas Originals, adidas Consortium, A$AP Rocky, HUF, Stussy and Timberland.

With it's mysterious aesthetic combined with dark romanticism Black Scale tells a story on how to decipher the world objectively through fashion.

At Black Scale the products are rooted from the past, present and the future. Deciphering the true meaning of what life means in the form of street fashion. 

For every positive there is a negative. For every day there is a night. It is the continual balance of energy in the universe that we materialize in the form of Black Scale.

BLVCK is Forever.

Source: black-scale.com

Crooks & Castles Founders, Dennis Calvero & Rob Panlilio

Filipino American Founders, Dennis Calvero & Rob Panlilio started Crooks & Castles in 2002 on the principles of family and loyalty.

They believe behind every Castle stands a Crook. Meaning behind every empire, someone did something that can be perceived as crooked to achieve their goal. Castles represent their goal. Their brand is for every hustler, entrepreneur, or mogul trying to win. C&C is deeply rooted in street culture with a luxury aesthetic, illustrated perfectly by their iconic Medusa logo. After 15 years of building their brand they think it’s time to open up their vault to their loyal customer family.

Source: crooksncastles.com

Lady Maximo, Head Fashion Stylist of DRJAYS

First name, Lady… Last name, Maximo.

Lady is a fashion stylist in Southern California.

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, she worked in an advertising agency in Manila for a year and then moved to Shenzhen, China in 2006 to manage a family business. She then moved to Los Angeles in 2009 and enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. A year later, she graduated Magna Cum Laude and landed a job as a Visual Specialist for Banana Republic while doing freelance styling and collaborative projects. In early 2013 she was hired as lead stylist at www.drjays.com where she still works currently while simultaneously growing her freelance business. Among her freelance clients are NYLON China, K-Swiss, Stubhub, D’ussé Cognac, www.us.romwe.com , BlueShield California, Marvel’s fashion instagram @styledbymarvel, UrbnLeaf, and The Fresh Yard, . She has styled music videos for artists like Rich Brian / Rich Chigga, August08, Weadon Boys, and Niki Zefanya. She does personal shopping, style-makeovers, commercial, and runway-styling as well.

With her international background and diverse styling experience, Lady offers her clientele a unique perspective that stems from an authentic passion for true self-expression that is never without a touch of edge.

***

DrJays.com was created in 1999 to share their passion for the urban lifestyle with millions of customers in the US and abroad.

Dr. Jay's has built its success over the last 25 years by offering the latest styles from the leading brands, while continually discovering new brands to bring to our shoppers. Dr. Jay's was there as urban fashion was born in the inner-city, and continues to expand today both online and offline, as urban fashion breaks free of all geographic and cultural boundaries.

Source: 
http://www.ladymaximo.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/drjays.com

DJ/Producer, part of SOULECTION —, a genre, community & artist collective

Filipino American Dj/Producer ESTA, born Francis Esteban grew up in Temecula and San Diego, CA.  He joined the LA-based Soulection collective around 2013.  Sonically, he’s been remixing ‘90s R&B records and has an organic experimental sound which captures the essence of both OG and new wave of music lovers.

According to a recent HYPEBEAST article, ESTA speaks about growing up asian and his creative process and relationship with sound:

“Growing up, I was probably one of less than five Asian kids in my elementary school. I grew up feeling irregular, feeling like the odd one out. I was always questioning like, ‘Why was I not making friends as easily as some people?’ or ‘Why don’t I like the same things as some other people? Why am I always in fear?’ you know?”

“Flaws are kind of what makes things perfect. Sometimes I could have a fully mixed song and I’ll try and thrash it on purpose to make it feel like you were a part of it almost, or you were there with me. More than half the time it’s through the chords that I love. I don’t know how to play, but I know how I feel.”

From performing at Coachella, playing shows all over the world to releasing his EP, Imagine: Energy, a 6 track pack of industrial/organic instrumentals to inspire us through 2020’s quarantine, ESTA is continuing to evolve sonically and holistically in redefining Filipino Americans in the streetwear culture.

Source: https://esta.bandcamp.com/

Chris Julian & Samantha Alonso, Founders of FRUITION

Fruition is a Las Vegas boutique whose clientele includes everyone from Kim Jones to Kanye West. But according to co-founder Chris Julian, their real constituency is the next generation of entrepreneurs.
-- Highsnobiety Magazine Issue 19

Excerpts from article & interview by Jian Deleon:

Founded by Julian and Samantha Alonso in 2005, Fruition has quietly built a reputation as one of Las Vegas’ best shopping destinations. And yet, it doesn’t specialize in carrying the latest designer gear, nor does it look to curate obscure vintage rarities like allover print Mosquitohead shirts from the ‘90s or rare rap tees. Instead, its wares vary from bootleg-inspired T-shirts featuring graphics inspired by JAY-Z’s Unplugged album and Louis Vuitton motifs to hand-dyed Carhartt chore jackets in an array of bright colors, made to order at a cost of $2,295.

In addition to Fruition, Julian has worked with West on projects for the YEEZY label and his defunct Pastelle line. Julian also appears in the infamous 2009 Tommy Ton street style photo of Kanye West and company outside the Fall/Winter 2010 COMME des GARÇONS show in Paris. He’s the Filipino guy standing between Taz Arnold and Kanye West, clad in a bright yellow button-down, red trench coat, and slightly tinted sunglasses — a look recreated by South Park when they parodied the entourage later that year.

...It was eye-opening to see someone who looked [filipino] among West’s confidants. Like many Filipinos, Julian went to Catholic school. His alma mater is Bishop Gorman, a private school located in Summerlin, Nevada. There, he says he was an orator for most of his adolescence, which explains his characteristic eloquence. We talk about growing up in a world where we had to search for our role models, and if he sees the significance in how other Pinoy kids see someone like him doing what he does and feel validated in pursuing a creative field.

“I am just being me,” he replies succinctly. There’s a devout humility to his answer. He praises and thanks God throughout our conversation, but in a way that makes it clear his faith keeps him grounded. For him, Christianity is a reminder that he’s one part of something much bigger than himself, and part of his duty is being a conduit to empower other people’s success. In Julian-speak, maintaining a humble, service-oriented mindset translates to “optimizing the opportunity to be someone else's miracle, and to use my influence to help and advance all people with no expectation.”

He’s also a partner in UNKNWN, a Miami boutique co-owned by LeBron James, and lets slip that one of his latest projects is designing his first mall — one that bridges California and Nevada. But Fruition is the truest manifestation of Julian’s vision, and for 14 years, he and his team have been bringing a unique energy to Las Vegas. Similar to The Matrix, one can’t simply tell a person what Fruition is — you have to see it for yourself.

In 2018 he produced a fashion film with Jerry Lorenzo for Fear of God that starred Jared Leto

Read the full interview with Jian Deleon at: Fruition - Las Vegas

Samantha Jo Alonso was born in Las Vegas, U.S.A. She is the Founder of MissionI’mPOSSIBLE and Co-founder of Fruition with Chris Julian.

Alonso advocates the active female lifestyle and encourages a healthy fitness regime. Her experiences have garnered her an extensive portfolio that spans across a variety of industries, including fashion, fitness and philanthropy. Alonso also has close ties with Nike.

Alonso proactively engages in sport and fitness through the platform she founded, MissionI’mPOSSIBLE, where she encourages healthy lifestyle events, for example, Alonso ran five marathons in one year. Her participation in various marathons has been coupled with a fundraising campaign for charities like The Kanye West Foundation and Team For Kids.

Her creative entrepreneurial ventures consist of launching a stationary, home goods company, xo,sammyjo and her latest venture, Sock Sammy Jo was birthed out of “hope, not hype.” About seven years ago, Sammy launched an outreach program for the homeless, or as she affectionately calls them “the homies,” in her city of Las Vegas, where once a month she would galvanize the community to donate their time, resources and love. From young children to adults, people contributed items like non-perishable goods, personal hygiene products, and everyday essentials, like socks. One day, she received a pair of tie-dyed Nike socks for donation, and she was hit with a profound feeling. “I remember feeling unusually connected to these socks. And though they were unwearable, I felt as if they had a soul. It made me FEEL.”

Read the full article at: “How To Tie-Dye Your Socks With Sammy Jo Alonso”

Source: HypeDB - Samantha Jo Alonso

Hip-Hop Artist, Akeem Douglas Hayes aka GUAPDAD4000

Akeem Douglas Hayes (born July 26, 1992), professionally known as Guapdad 4000, is a Black and Filipino American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with JID, Smino and Buddy. He released his first mixtape Scamboy Color on December 6, 2017. His debut studio album Dior Deposits was released on October 25, 2019.

The Ferragamo Falcon, who is of Filipino and Black descent, will never shy away from a chance to showcase his roots. On “Prada Process” featuring 6LACK, which he later shares is one of his favorite cuts off Dior Deposits, he raps: “On my Mama, I been tryin' my f--kin' best not to be out here trippin/ Come from immigrants, I'm livin' different.” 

“It was wild for me because when you’re young, you don’t realize that being [from a family of immigrants] is that abnormal until you interact with other people and you see they aren’t living the same way as you,” he says. “Kids used to make fun of me but it never really bothered me because I was smarter than them anyway.” 

Read the Full BILLBOARD Article: "Guapdad 4000 Thanks Cartoons & His Filipino Roots For His Promising Rap Career: 'Watching Anime Keeps Me Creative'“

Source: Meet GUAPDAD4000: “The Filipino-American Rapper Featured On Rich Brian’s Latest Single “Bali””

Photography by Gino Suvino-Vinatieri

R&B Artist / Grammy Award Winner, Gabriella Wilson aka H.E.R.

Excerpts from“Getting to Know H.E.R., the Fil-Am R&B Singer With 5 Grammy Nods”

Born in 1997 to Filipina-American Agnes Wilson and African-American Kenny Wilson in Vallejo, California, H.E.R. — whose real name is Gabriella “Gabi” Wilson — said she was raised with a “good balance” of the Filipino and black American cultures in her home.

Her maternal grandparents were first-generation Filipino immigrants who made sure that Filipino traditions were not lost in their familial diaspora. They spoke Tagalog, and although she “doesn’t speak [it] as much as she used to,” she understands the language.

“I’m really grateful for my mom who encouraged me to be a hard worker, you know, that’s one thing about Filipinos, they’re really hardworking people,” H.E.R. warmly remarks.

And, of course, H.E.R. says that her household was no stranger to the ubiquitous karaoke machine(s) that exist in so many Filipino homes.

“She wanted me to sing Alicia Keys songs, Mariah Carey and all those love ballads, and I also sang some Tagalog songs, like I learned Sharon Cuneta songs, too. She’d bring her friends over to the house and ask me to sing for them,” H.E.R. remembers with a laugh.

But it wasn’t just karaoke that gave her exposure to the performance life. Kenny Wilson used to perform in a blues cover band which used to rehearse in their living room.

“It was a lot of James Brown and a lot of soul music and a lot of R&B,” H.E.R. shares. “And that influenced my own music heavily. I’ve always been drawn to that soulful and emotional music with real lyrics and those lyrics that make you feel something.”

Growing up biracial opens the door to a myriad of identity crises, but for H.E.R., it was a source of empowerment and an opportunity to connect with a diverse array of people.

“[Being biracial] helped me more than it did hinder me because I always tried to conquer any doubt I had in myself,” she remarks. “What I learned to do was assimilate, but not in a way where I had to conform or be something else that I wasn’t.”

She adds that she embraced a diverse upbringing and that music provided an interpersonal gateway for her to connect with people of different backgrounds in the cultural hub that is the Bay Area.

Read the full article here.

Source: Grammy-nominated H.E.R. admits: 'I'm half Filipino and Filipinos love karaoke'

Mark Arcenal, Founder / Designer of ILLEST

Born in 1999, Filipino American creative entreprenuer, Mark Arcenal began Fatlace as a blog about the elements of hip-hop. Fatlace has then grown interest catering to motor enthusiasts, thus eventually defining today’s motor culture.

Fast forward, Fatlace has become home base for all things music, fashion, art, motor, and sport. Mark Arcenal, eventually created Illest Brand allowing the lifestyle interests of Fatlace to reflect into a brand recognized around the world.

Illest Brand lives by the motive that none but ourselves can free our minds. Our clothing and accessories highlight the boldness of simplicity and allowing one to feel self-empowered.

Each design is inspired by the lifestyle interests of Fatlace and made into a collection each season. Illest is not merely a clothing brand, but a tool to empower one to becoming the freshest, realest, ILLEST.

***

ILLEST SINCE 1999

ILLEST has been inspiring people since 1999. ILLEST aims to continue empowering individualism by showing support to the Freshest, Realest, Illest in the world.

Partnering with creative individuals will not only help to inspire our global following, it will also bring free-minded individuals by sharing that the true empowerment comes from within ourselves.

Source: illest.asia

Raibyn Cabiling, Founder of ILLA MANILA

Raibyn Cabiling is a Filipino American creative entrepreneur who founded Cabiling Creative, a San Diego-based, independent visual communication studio with a passion for cool shit.

Their mission is to help brands build an organic connection with today’s youth culture.

Cabiling is powering the next generation of Filipino Youth in America but also back in the motherland.

Excerpts from the article:” ILLA MANILA PROMOTES PINOY PRIDE IN APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES”

SAN FRANCISCO — For 15-year-old Fil-Am, Diego Fuentebella, flipping Philippine butterfly knives, or balisong, is a hobby he picked up over a year ago, a skill he’s becoming good at.

The owners of Pinoy clothing store ILLA MANILA are making sure traditional Philippine weapons and other unique Philippine products are highlighted in their apparel and accessories, for the younger generation of Fil-Ams to learn from and appreciate.

“We have roots from the Philippines. But a lot of us are born out here in the United States. And we kind of want to just bring the culture of the Philippines back to the people in the United States,” says Christian Montoya.

Based out of San Diego, California, ILLA MANILA prides itself in selling to customers all over the world.

“It started in the early 90s just traveling back and forth in the Philippines. And we just felt that it was needed for our culture,” said Ryan Cabiling.

Some of ILLA MANILA’s apparel can be described as Filipino satire.

“We also want to educate people on what our upbringing is. So we have a weapons t-shirt. That’d be just like the kamay, the walis, which is like the broom, the belt also. So we have different types. And it’s just to remind you from what you grew up with.”

ILLA MANILA is also going beyond selling products – they want to support up and coming Pinoy talents.

So far, they’ve sponsored a skateboarding team in the Philippines.

Their latest drop coincides the same day as the first Ruby Ibarra & The Balikbayans: LIVE at Home full-length virtual event honoring Power x Union

Source: cabilingcreative.com, illamanila.com

Jian Deleon, Men’s Fashion Editor and Editorial Director for NORDSTROMS / Former Editor for HIGHSNOBIETY

Jian DeLeon is a Filipino American writer, podcast host, and author with over 10 years of experience. As the editorial director for Highsnobiety, he reports on the intersection of streetwear, sneakers, and luxury fashion, and oversees digital, print, video, and brand marketing. He co-hosts ‘The Dropcast,’ Highsnobiety’s weekly news podcast. Additionally, he authored two books published by Gestalten, The Incomplete Highsnobiety Guide to Street Fashion and Culture in 2018 and The New Luxury in 2019. He was also recently named one of Adweek’s 2019 Young Influentials. 

He's held posts as the Senior Menswear Editor at trend forecasting agency WGSN, the Deputy Style Editor at Complex Media, Style Writer at GQ.com, Shopping Editor at men's style site Valet, and was one of the first contributors to the tongue-in-cheek men's lifestyle site Four Pins. He has contributed to publications like Style.com, Man of the World, Business of Fashion and New York Magazine. He has written campaigns and copy for clients like 23Stories, Ledbury, John Elliott, and Nike.

Books:

• 2014: Contemporary Menswear: A Global Guide to Independent Men's Fashion, published by Thames & Hudson. (Contributor)

• 2018: The Incomplete Highsnobiety Guide to Street Fashion and Culture, published by Gestalten. (Editor)

• 2019: The New Luxury: Defining the Aspirational in the Age of Hype, published by Gestalten. (Editor)

Source: jiandeleon.com

Kollective Hustle, Empowering Filipino American Entrepreneurs & Creatives while building a culture of collaboration.

Kollective Hustle aims to unite the emerging generation of Filipinos in transforming their ideas into action, passion into profession, creativity into careers, and to inspire a global culture of collaboration.

Learn more here: tfcutalks.com/kollective-hustle

Lawn Alabanza-Barcena, Creative Director, Designer, Consultant of HELLZ BELLZ

Lanie Alabanza-Barcena AKA Miss Lawn is Filipino American graphic/fashion designer and Co-Founder/Creative Director of the female Streetwear brand, HELLZBELLZ aka HLZBLZ considered a pioneer of the women streetwear movement.

At age 22, she moved from California to New York City to start her career in fashion design. In 2004, after a year at the street clothing line, Triple 5 Soul, she left to take on the position of graphic designer turned Art Director for Hip Hop legend Jay-Z’s label, Rocawear Juniors, designing collections within the label for the likes of Patricia Field & Rihanna.

Known for her progressive designs, Lanie also known as Miss Lawn decided to pursue the launch of her own label together with husband Bam Barcena.

Hellz Bellz started 2005 in New York City. Catering to the burgeoning women’s “street wear” culture, the label, which predominantly began with explicit, edgy & thought provoking graphic T-shirts, presented the first of its kind. In Fall 2006, HLZBLZ also known as HELLZ BELLZ presented a complete women's ready-to-wear collection, pushing the label to the forefront of women's “street wear” creating a movement of independent, fashion forward, strong women.

Hellz Bellz is also considered one of the 50 greatest streetwear brands of all time.

Source: Linkedin

Bobby Hundreds 50 Best Streetwear Brands of All Time

Meet the Boss Behind HLZBLZ | MISSBISH Lanie aka Miss Lawn

L IS FOR LIFTED RESEARCH GROUP (LRG)

California based clothing brand created by Jonas Bevacqua and Robert Wright

Lifted Research Group is a company designed to overthrow the masses by our influence. Our slogan is simple, "underground inventive, overground effective". At LRG we want to focus on the ones that are trying to pay their rent with their passions. Think of us as a support group for the independent and underground culture. We’re trying to put the spotlight where we think it really belongs because it is much more than clothing and concepts, it is a way of living. LRG, innovative essence for the above average person.

LRG started in Orange County, California based clothing brand headed by Jonas Bevacqua and Robert Wright. LRG produces clothing and accessories, and also has been known to develop a broad range of products consisting of electronic accessories, extreme vehicles, and outdoor equipment including sporting goods and more. The company is also involved in the promotion of underground recording artists and sponsors a skateboarding team. Entrepreneur magazine ranked the company at #5 on its 2007 Hot 500 list of fastest-growing companies.

Lifted Research Group was founded in 1999 by Jonas Bevacqua and Robert Wright. Wright brought extensive experience in the streetwear industry to LRG, having worked with such companies as Quiksilver, O'Neill, and Katin during an eight-year span. He also contributed the resources to create the company's initial samples and patterns. Bevacqua also raised the initial start-up capital from friends of his adopted father, who worked in the fashion industry. This capital was used to finance an initial product run that sold out during their first day at the Action Sports Retailer Expo in San Diego, California. The company became profitable by 2002, and made its first $1 million in 2000.

On May 31, 2011, Jonas Bevacqua was found dead of natural causes, aged 33. Rest in Peace.

Source: l-r-g.com

Wikipedia / Lifted Research Group

Manila Grey, Filipino-Canadian R&B Duo, Soliven & Neeko

MANILA GREY is a Filipino Candian hip-hop/R&B duo originating from Vancouver, Canada formed by childhood friends Soliven and Neeko. The duo started releasing music in 2016 in collaboration with South Asian music producer “azel north”. The duo has received acclaim for bridging modern Asian aesthetics with atmospheric R&B sonics. — Last.FM

“It’s always been about creating the best music we can for everyone, but growing up barely having any Asian-American or Asian-Canadian influences to look up and relate to is also a big driving force on why we do this,” Neeko explains. “Y’all should see all the hard-working people behind the scenes, too,” Soliven adds. “We didn’t even realize how many Asian artists, graphic designers, art directors, stylists, managers, video directors, curators, etc. who are so essential in driving the business and creative process of the music industry. That makes us so happy.”

Read the full interview: “Filipino-Canadian Duo MANILA GREY Is on a Mission to Expand Their Culture”

Photography by JP Talapian

Chad Hugo, American Record Producer, Multi-instrumentalist, Singer & Songerwriter, member of NEPTUNES & N.E.R.D.

Born to Filipino parents, Chad Hugo was born in Batangas and is an internationally acclaimed Filipino American musician and record producer. He was once in a band called N.E.R.D. with buddy Pharrell Williams.  -- coconuts.co

Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo are officially reuniting as The Neptunes in 2020.

The production duo originally came together in 1994, with production credits on dozens of Billboard Hot 100 hits, and were named on tracks such as Mystikal's 'Shake Ya Ass', Diddy's self-titled 'D.I.D.D.Y', and 'I'm A Slave 4 U', the 2001 hit from Britney Spears.

The Neptunes is an American production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 1990. Williams often provides additional vocals on records and appears in music videos, unlike Hugo, who tends to stay behind the scenes.

The Neptunes are considered one of the most acclaimed and commercially successful producers in music history. Throughout their career, they have produced hit songs for a multitude of artists, including Britney Spears, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Beyoncé, Nelly, Gwen Stefani, and Snoop Dogg.In 2009, Billboard ranked the Neptunes number one on their list of the top 10 producers of the decade. The Neptunes were announced to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as a part of the 2020 class.

Source: Sound Explorer: Chad Hugo Interviewed

Photography by Jonathan Mannion

Orcino Tan, Owner & Head of Marketing and Sales, MONDAYSUCKS

Orcino Tan is a Filipino American fashion designer from Temecula, California.  Best known for his work with the streetwear clothing brand Mondaysuck.

Mondaysuck is local clothing brand based out of San Diego, California. Mondaysuck is heavily influenced by streetwear culture and the West Coast Vibe. We as a brand strive on the idea of delivering original and simplistic pieces that belong in your closet. 

In an interview with DBTK, Tan explain more about his filipino experience living in the United States,“Personally, to me being Filipino living in the States was a fun experience. I didn’t really face any hardships like other Filipino’s only because I was grateful that my dad was in the Navy so that helped a lot. Also, living in San Diego where a lot of Filipino’s lived played a huge part in my understanding of the Filipino Culture. Since we would have Filipino inspired food restaurants, stores and sometimes movie theaters that would play Filipino movies, so it kind of felt like you were in the Philippines if you get what I mean haha.”

Read the full interview here.

Source: mondaysuck.com

P-Lo, Hip-Hop Artist / Part of the HBK Gang Music Group

Paulo Rodriguez , better known by his stage name P-Lo, is a Filipino American record producer and rapper from Pinole, California. His early success and initial step into the music industry originated from his role in The HBK Gang, a collective of artists from the San Francisco Bay Area. P-Lo has produced a number of tracks from notable rappers such as his self-included song titled "Boy" featuring E-40 and B-Legit, and "Everything Big" by Nef the Pharaoh. He has worked with several other major artists including Wiz Khalifa, YG, and Young Thug to name a few. His most recent work came on July 20th, 2018 when he released his album entitled "PRIME". P-Lo is known for his signature Bay Area sound that draws similarities to mobb music and the hyphy movement which were prevalent during his upbringing. His success has inspired many other Asian Americans to pursue careers in hip-hop which has lacked such influence in years previous.

P-Lo was born and raised in Pinole, California, a small suburb in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. He began making beats at Youth Radio in Oakland, California where he would gain the necessary tools to create his sound. Rodriguez attended Pinole Valley High School where himself, Iamsu!, and Chief would initially form The HBK Gang.

P-Lo emerged on the music scene when he co-founded The HBK Gang in 2008, who would quickly become one of the hottest groups in the nation. They dropped a countless number of hit records which resided in the top charts for months at a time. HBK is responsible for creating the new wave of Bay Area music, which brought the function back to hip hop and breathed new life into the Bay, and P-Lo played a large part in this process.

After his initial success with HBK, he began to gain notoriety in the business and linked up with Yo Gotti to create "Act Right" in 2013, still remaining one of his biggest hits to this day. His production can be seen throughout a wide range of hip hop music and P-Lo is highly regarded because of this.

Read more about P-Lo: Everybodywiki / P-Lo

Following 2019 release of PRIME, Bay Area rapper P-Lo returns with a new album, SHINE, that dropped earlier today. From reflective soul-samplers to bright sonics with heavy bass, P-Lo’s new album covers a variety of styles.

SHINE, an acronym for “SomeHow It Never Ends,” includes 16 tracks with appearances from Kehlani, Dom Kennedy, Mike Sherm, Jay Anthony and Bosko. The Filipino-American artist continues offering personal insights through his introspective and inspirational lyrics, while still maintaining energetic beats.

Source: P-Lo Drops New Introspective Album 'SHINE'

Photography by _marcoalexander

SF Bay Area Hip-Hop DJ & Pioneering Turntablist, DJ QBERT aka Richard Quitevis

Richard Quitevis known by his stage name DJ Qbert or Qbert, is a Filipino American turntablist and composer.

DJ QBert is widely regarded as the most highly skilled skratching dj that has walked this planet. His long-standing career of innovating the DJ culture has set off a worldwide generation of DJs who are now regarded as musicians and not just DJs that play records, from A-Trak to Craze to C2C to Z-Trip; they would testify to DJ QBert’s influence in their sound and successful careers.

DMC World Championship appearances since 1991-1994 gave global exposure to DJ QBert’s unbelievable skills and performances. Since then no other has matched his command of the DJ scene on and off the turntables. Hailed as the ambassador of skratching for today and to the future, he has been recognized by his peers as innovating more styles and systems of skratching. He comes from the era of experimental battle DJs who in the mid-90’s gave shape to the infinite sounds of 2 turntables and skratching vinyl. Honorably knighted “Grandmixer” by legendary pioneer GrandMixer DXT. An honor dignified by hip-hop’s most hallowed Knighting tradition; securing his place as one of hip-hop’s living legends. 

As a founding member of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, he has been the focus of two major documentary films Scratch and Hang The DJ, both of which were selected at Cannes and Sundance Film Festival. DJ QBert’s acclaimed first album, Wave Twisters was reverse engineered from sound into visuals also becoming his first feature film, which was also selected into the Sundance Film Festival.

Through his partner Yogafrog and company Thud Rumble, QBert has been able to expand his influence in the culture; designing and releasing innovative DJ products, collaborating with the most successful DJ companies in the industry seeking his stamp of approval, teaching on his online DJ school QBert Skratch University, appearances in various video games including DJ Hero 2 and doing post -production for the animated feature Turbo. 

His latest albums, which started as a Kickstarter project, is the most successful hip-hop project to date and Top 20 all-time music project on the popular crowdfunding platform. Partnering with iTunes, Morning Breath Inc. and Novalia UK, DJ QBert will be  changing the way music albums are presented. The possibilities are endless as the culture continues to grow far and wide with DJ QBert leading the way.

DJ QBert was officially awarded the title America’s Best DJ in 2010. With a well-documented and successful DJ career, he is considered as one, if not  “The Greatest DJ Of All Time”.

Source: djqbert.com

Read more about: “Q-Bert & Shortkut: Pioneers of Turntablism Keeping DJ Culture Alive”

Rhuigi Villaseñor, Creative Director of RHUDE

R H U D E, founded by Filipino American Creative Director, Rhuigi Villaseñor, in 2015, is a design venture born out of Los Angeles, balancing luxury techniques with streetwear elements, showcased as ready-to-wear collections.

Designed from a narrative standpoint R H U D E is both a reflection of modern socioeconomics and personal stories as Villaseñor came to Los Angeles. Now a reoccurring theme season-to-season, R H U D E combines American iconography with nostalgic references, a visual commentary on Los Angeles style and culture itself. Rhuigi studied art history shortly after graduating HS and was an understudy/intern to Shaun Samson.

With no formal training specific to fashion design, Villaseñor credits his understanding of garments and construction to growing up with a mother who was a tailor, providing a foundation and understanding of how to build each piece and the subsequent stories told with each collection.

RHUDE’s journey parallels Villaseñor, chronicling the evolution of a man from adolescence to maturity, a narrative reflected each collections both the Creative Director and brand continues to grow-up with its ever-expanding fanbase, culminating in the most recent debut presentation during Paris Men’s Fashion Week for the Spring/Summer 2020 Collection.

Source: rh-ude.com

Hip-Hop Artist, So Icy Girl, SAWEETIE aka Diamanté Quiava Valentin Harper

Diamanté Quiava Valentin Harper known professionally as Saweetie is a Filipino American rapper and Hip-Hop artist. After the release of her debut single, "Icy Grl", she was signed to Warner Records and her manager Max Gousse's record label Artistry Worldwide. She released her debut extended play, High Maintenance, on March 16, 2018. Her second EP Icy was released in March 2019, and spawned the hit single "My Type." Her debut album, Pretty Bitch Music is expected to be released in 2020 and was preceded by the single "Tap In".

Saweetie was born on July 2, 1993, in Santa Clara, California, to a Filipino-Chinese mother and an African-American father. She grew up in the Bay Area, attending Merrill F. West High School in Tracy and graduating from Monterey Trail High School in Elk Grove.She began writing music at age 13. After high school, she went on to attend San Diego State University before transferring to the University of Southern California where she studied communications and business. After graduating, she began to focus on her rap career. — wikipedia

Read more about Fil-Am Saweetie and how she shares her favorite things about the Philippines

Source: store.saweetieofficial.com

Photography by blaircaldwell

TEAMMANILA, Graphic Design Studio in Manila, Philippines

TeamManila is a graphic design studio from the Philippines, the brainchild of Jowee Alviar and Raymund Punzalan. Founded in 2001, TM has expanded to a team of 50 that continuously builds an impressive portfolio of award-winning works in graphic design and branding. Driven to push the design envelope further, TM is always on the look-out for collaborations with various creative entities on diverse design projects.

Aside from organizing the annual Manila Design Week and regular participation on design talks, TM’s notable accomplishments range from the David Bowie International Outside Art competition in Paris to various publication features inside and outside the country.

TeamManila aims to educate and cultivate public appreciation through its work while making a lasting mark on visual culture and reinforcing the current lifestyle of graphic design here and abroad.

source: teammanila.com

“US” by Ruby Ibarra ft. Rocky Rivera, Klassy & Faith Santilla

This cinematic song is a powerful tribute and soundtrack to Pinay Womxn all over the world — uniting the beautifully gifted and hard working artists, Rocky Rivera, Klassy & Faith Santilla. If there was a song that defines a generation and trail blazes the path for our Filipino people, “US” exemplifies that and more.

An excerpt from “PINAYS RISING: RUBY IBARRA, EVELYN OBAMOS AND DALE KEANO ON “US” VIDEO”:

In 2018, on International Women’s Day, Ibarra released the music video for “US,” a defiant anthem that empowers and recognizes the strength of Filipino women featuring Pinay rappers Ibarra, Rocky Rivera, Klassy, and Faith Santilla. The video is an unapologetic tribute, featuring Filipino women in traditional garb paralleled by quick cuts of their modern-day appearances, weaved together by expertly alternating verses in Tagalog and English.

In collaboration with co-director Evelyn Obamos, Ibarra premiered her directorial debut Nothing on Us: Pinays Rising to a packed house at CAAMFest36, a documentary that goes behind the scenes of the “US” music video. The film tells the story of how she crowd sourced an all-Pinay cast of 200 to bring her ambitious vision to life — the hardships, the successes, and the adversity involved when tasked with rising above perception to reveal the true backbone of Filipino culture: its women.

In this interview for Center for Asian American Media, Ruby Ibarra speaks about who she intends to reach with this song and key take aways:

“My intended audience for the Nothing On Us documentary is everyone — from Filipinas, to people who watched the “US” music video, from hip-hop fans, to people who just love videos. I think this documentary has something that will inspire and resonate with everyone. The fundamental intent was to capture the process behind making a music video. Often times, music videos get admired and celebrated, but the audience never sees all the hands and help that went into creating that project. I wanted this documentary to focus on the community: everyone from the amazing videographer Dale, to the gaffers, to the dancers and volunteers. I want people to see that nothing is built alone and that everyone is stronger with a team behind them.”

Read the full article here.

Photography by JENNELLE FONG

Val Kristopher Galbo, UK Founder / Creative Director of VAL KRISTOPHER

In a sitdown with END Clothing, a leading retailer of globally sourced menswear — showcasing the best in contemporary menswear, Val Kristopher Galbo is a Filipino streetwear designer built for a new age of industry, combining an experimental approach with a distinctive cut-and-paste sensibility. He is often referred to as ‘the denim guy.’

Excerpts from , “The Denim in the Details with Val Kristopher”:

My path to becoming a designer was a weird one. As a child I actually wanted to be a basketball player, having watched Kobe on TV and surrounding myself with American culture. I swore I would make it to the big leagues. It got to the point where I found basketball training becoming more of a chore, so I left. Art took over from there, as it was the only thing I was good at. I never knew I’d start my own brand. I had a little mini collection made as a side project and showcased it online, people were really hyped for it and then the rest is history. I think doing menswear came naturally because I was mainly designing clothes that I would wear myself. Womenswear is interesting to me and definitely something I want to experiment with in the future.

I’m from Manchester, England and we have to wear a uniform going to school. To begin with, your blazers and trousers would always be about 2 sizes bigger than you actually needed because you would end up “growing into them." I would do modifications to my blazer and trousers to make them more fitted - that's where it all began. It started spiraling into other clothing such as tapering denim or even swapping the brim on a baseball cap - deconstructing garments became making new clothes for myself. The raw, deconstructed look that came to be the Val Kristopher signature came from my art background; I was never really 'good' at art in a school context. Everything I did - whether on canvas or fabric - never looked perfect, but it always looked cool.

Read the full interview here.

Source: valkristopher.com

WALIS TINGTING, common Filipino word for broom, all the baddies know what’s up

From being a household Filipino cleaning item to a disciplinary item used by Filipino parents alike, the Walis is a nostalgic piece of cultural heritage.

The Walis is created compiling a bundle of sticks, often times the bristles are fanned out depending on where you get it from. Some say it is more efficient than the conventional American broom.

Often feared by ‘naughty’ disobedient children and even leaving lasting impressions on Filipino adults, the Walis tingting is as street as you can get.

No wonder it’s included in our sticker pack and will be an exclusive emote for our Twitch Livestreams.

UNDISCOVERED X, Virtual Event, Culture Connected | Oct. 17 - Oct. 18

Popular Filipino Night Market Expands To Global Audience With ‘UNDISCOVERED X’

KULTIVATE LABS HOSTS A 2-DAY VIRTUAL EVENT TO CONNECT AND AMPLIFY FILIPINX STORIES, EXPERIENCES, AND CULTURE FROM MANILA, NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, san francisco.

Filipinx-American non-profit Kultivate Labs will host “UNDISCOVERED X,” a 2-day virtual gathering of Filipina/x/o entrepreneurs, creatives and thought leaders, from October 17-18, 2020. With four virtual stages, four streaming hub cities, over 60 key guests and 50+ sponsor & vendor expo booths, “UNDISCOVERED X,” will showcase a range of Filipina/x/o stories, art, music, panel discussions and more. The virtual event ultimately offers critical dialogue around the culture and complex identities of the diaspora and a much-needed space for connection and collaboration in the community, amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

Each of UNDISCOVERED X’s four stages will be dedicated to Filipina/x/o entrepreneurs, arts & culture, and youth empowerment. Including our RETAIL PANEL: Filipinos in Streetwear, including Fireside chat with Filipinx streetwear influencers Lady Maximo, Jowee Alviar, & more to be announced. Hosted by clothing brand building legend: Jon Phenom. and the Rising Stars of Our Generation: bridging the gap with Filipino Hip-Hop and R&B stars together for a discussion on Filipino culture and it's impact on their music featuring Ruby Ibarra (USA), Jeff Bernat (USA), and Kiana V (Philippines.) 

Also celebrating 3 THE HARD WAY: 20 YEARS OF TRIPLE THREAT DJ’S as we sit down with Bay Area's own Apollo, Shortkut, Vinroc, and Fran Boogie who have been moving the masses from a local and international level for 20 years! Triple Threat DJ's will host the official afterparty of UNDSCVRD X.

Guiding UNDISCOVERED X programming this year is the theme “Culture Connected.” Considering the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on BIPOC communities and businesses, as well as the global civil rights movement for black liberation, the team has considered critical questions around diasporic identity, community building, storytelling, cultural and economic support and allyship. 

***

UNDISCOVERED SF is part of a multi-prong strategy to build a thriving, sustainable community of economic and cultural activity in the SOMA Pilipinas cultural district. Since launching in 2017, the night market has demonstrated measurable success:

• Generated ~$303,000 economic activity in 2019, a 10% increase from previous year

• In 2019, UNDISCOVERED SF was awarded the Community Revitalization Award by AIA SF.

• Kultivate Labs received $123,000 in corporate investments for economic development in 2019, 6.8x up from the  previous year

• UNDSCVRD typically draws ~35,000 people to the cultural district

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.undiscoveredsf.com/undscvrd-x

The YOUTH shapes the Culture

Let’s face it. The current way of living life isn’t what it used to be. Pre COVID-19 days seemed like years ago and we are living in the era of masks, shelter in place, zoom school and an obsession with 6 ft. distances and safety measures. One thing hasn’t changed, teen angst and the discovery of self during teen & adolescent years.

This is a reminder that the future is in the hands of the Youth. Shaping culture into how we see fit, keeping traditions alive and embarking unto new territory for the next generation of Filipinos.

Whether you are expressing through words, style, music, dance, art, clothing, and the list goes on. Remember your Filipino heritage, honor your family roots, share it in the best way that represents you in the most authentic manner and live your life unapologetically.

Pave the way.

Your ancestors are rooting for U.

Danté Basco, Voice Actor of Prince Zuko from Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Air Bender

Danté Roman Titus Basco is a Filipino American actor, voice actor, and dancer. He is best known for playing Rufio in the 1991 live-action Peter Pan film Hook, in addition to his voice acting roles which include Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jake Long from the Disney series American Dragon: Jake Long, and General Iroh of the United Forces in The Legend of Korra.

Born in Pittsburg, California, and raised in Cerritos and Paramount, California. He has four siblings, including actor Dion Basco. In Danté's early years, he was part of the Streat Freaks breakdancing crew. He attended in the Music and Theatre Conservatory and graduated in 1993.

Basco is the representation for a generation that didn’t have Instagram…or Myspace… or AOL messenger.. He had guest roles on television shows The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and had a recurring role on Moesha. After portraying characters of various Asian ethnicity except his own, he portrayed a Filipino American alongside his three brothers and sister in the independent film The Debut, the first known Filipino American feature drama produced in the U.S. by Gene Cajayon.

THE DEBUT tells the story of teenager Ben Mercado (Danté Basco) who rejects his Filipino heritage. His contentious relationship with his immigrant father Roland comes to a head at his sister Rose’s 18th birthday party. In the span of one night, he comes to terms with his identity, heritage and what being a Filipino-American is all about.

**

From Rufio to Zuko is a memoir detailing the life and work of Danté Basco. Basco takes us behind the scenes of his earliest projects, sharing personal examinations of his life on the set of Hook, through his second rise as a cultural icon as Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Throughout his career as a ‘working class’ actor of Filipino heritage, Basco outlines how his family and culture play a crucial role in the foundation of his work and his focus for the future.

Source: Wikipedia / Dante Basco

Design by Cassidy Trier.

This playbook is a conversation starter and not everyone who is Filipino and imperative to the history of Streetwear culture is included, as we seek to make this a living index to build upon with our community.

We understand that the street culture and streetwear knowledge is diverse and has multiple layers. And the history and experience looks different depending on diasporas and generations but that’s where the dialogue begins and this index expands. 🙏🏽

Do you know of other influential FIL-AM artist/creators/entreprenuers influencing the “streetwear” culture that should be included in this list?

Please email us here.