Bea: Family Affair

Friday was one of the worst hours of this month. Given the holiday season was bringing more traffic than expected, I came across a family friend, Bea, who early on told me she was into streetwear. Being amazed by the immerse wardrobe (and sneaker collection) I had when she would normally see through my Instagram and Facebook feeds, she agreed to sit down with me to talk more about streetwear amongst her classmates, as well as what she sees in today's modern day youth culture.

Name: Bea Patricia Casas

Nickname: Bea/Patty

Location: Betterliving, Parañaque.

Currently an: 4th Year Education Student, Major in English, Fashion Enthusiast & Aspiring Model

Brands Currently Into: Supreme, Palace, Stussy, Vetements, Balenciaga.

Shirt by: A Bathing Ape (BAPE)

Bucket Cap: Supreme

Hoodie: Palace

Sneakers: Converse Originals

Backpack: Adidas Originals

Mon: So, can you tell me the brands that you are currently into?

Bea: I'm currently into, Supreme, OFF WHITE, Anti Social Social Club, Stussy, Champion, Adidas, Gucci, Puma, Balenciaga, Raf Simmons, Palace among the few.

M: So what is your definition of streetwear fashion for Young Filipina women?

B: So in my opinion, I guess streetwear fashion for young FIlipina women, is when they're able to wear what they want and when they're able to wear something that they're comfortable with. Because, putting in the context of Filipinos, women are viewed as supposed to be "flirty"(in style) but then during this era or during the years, nowadays, it's like women always try to stray away from those standards and they deviate from what is expected from them by dressing up the way they want to and I guess, one way of showing that is through showcasing their (streetwear) fashion.

M: What streetwear fashion? What kind of streetwear fashion for women?

B: I guess streetwear fashion by going back to the classics, wearing what men usually wear such as comfortable clothes like big shirts or palazzo pants. Something like that. (She further explains to me what palazzo pants are). They put it in the style that definitely suits them.

M: Since you've talked to me about the growth of streetwear here in the Philippines, can you elaborate to me more about the growth of streetwear through your own thoughts and experiences?

B: The growth of streetwear fashion here in the Philippines right now is that there a lot of people now who wear streetwear fashion and dive into that than before because in the age right now, we just don't focus on what is expected by society's standards for both men and women. So, women (are) always not afraid to express themselves through the clothes that they wear. And I guess they don't care about what other people think about it anymore nowadays if something that they wear is something they truly like and something that is comfortable for them to do.

M: So can you say it is more of individuality?

B: Yes. It's more of individuality. It's emphasizing the individuality of women now.

M: So can you explain to be further what struck a chord with you when you got into streetwear in the first place? What made you like the simplicity and the style?

B: I guess it's more than just the style and the classiness of it. It's basically because it makes me comfortable in what I wear, it makes me feel like I'm not supposed to be follow the standards of society like I can (totally) deviate from it. I can be comfortable with it, whenever I go, whatever I want and I guess it allows me to style what I want and incorporate the things that I want through streetwear fashion and it's like showing other people that I'm different than what they expect from me.

M: How has social media influenced you in such a way that helped you stylize yourself to the way that you are right now in terms of style?

B: Because I've always liked fashion and I've always look into certain brands and when it comes to my style, yes, I look at the trends and I see to it that I make it look like my own statement (she talks about her own style). I personalize it because it helps me be unique and it's....me! Social media helped me get ideas, to get inspiration on how I should style myself and through it, I'm able to see different personalities who dive in to streetwear fashion who can inspire me and gain new knowledge as well through what they wear.

M: Just to veer away from the questions I lang (for a second), in terms of gender perfomativity as a lady, has your style in streetwear have an effect to the way you wear? What I'm saying is does it affect the way you perform your gender as a woman?

B: I guess sometimes because streetwear fashion, you know, it depends on the perspective of the person looking at what you wear. But then, what's important is how you feel, I guess? Because it's you who is wearing it. So, why would you care? And I guess to other people it would seem like odd because I'm a woman and then streetwear fashion I wear is more masculine then feminine but these days right now, we're trying to break down those walls when it comes to masculinity and femininity because we're fighting for equality for all genders. So I guess, I think that it's more important you focus more what you truly feel when you (get into) wear streetwear fashion.

M: Did any particular prominent Filipino personalities influence you to wear streetwear?

B: LA Aguinaldo, Donny Pangilinan, Jess Connelly, James Reid ,Nadine Lustre, Sabreena Diamond.

M: Discrimination? Do you get it a lot in school? Do men question the way you wear your clothes? Are they more glorified by what you wear?

B: Maybe at first it would seem odd because they typically see me as the girl who has a girly style, but then when I try different styles, I get looks but at the end of the day, they would look at it and see that, yeah, it looks somehow beautiful, so, yes.

M: Last question, how do you see streetwear fashion for young Filipinas 5 years from now? Do you think this trend with fall off or would it stay?

B: I see more acceptance and following of the streetwear in the years to come. I think streetwear would stat since fashion trends only tend to come and go and I believe streetwear would continuously evolve since it's getting a lot of attention. Especially (given) social media. People tend to look more on social media to get new and fresh ideas and gain new interests.