Chynna: The Advocate

Business was pretty much on track for me and my team. As we're wrapping up, my partner was asking me if I was ready to shoot his girlfriend, Chynna, for an educator's point of view with regards to streetwear fashion. Chy, being a dancer during her collegiate years, as well as being part of the group immersed through urban subculture, I can't help but to get her thoughts on her experience with streetwear and the local scene, as well as advocating us the importance of buying legitimate over counterfeit goods.

Name: Chynna Felix

Nickname: Chy

Location: Fairview, Quezon City

Currently an: Pre-school Teacher

Brands Currently Into: Supreme, Don't Blame the Kids (DBTK), SuperDry

Sweatshirt by: A Bathing Ape (BAPE)

Shirt by: Supreme

Mon: What is it you like and don't like about streetwear?

Chynna: I like streetwear since it's a part of my personal taste. I don't like, those...imatations! (She talks to me about how she hates counterfeit goods).

M: Having said that, what can you talk about the fake goods being produced here in the Philippines?

C: I don't think it's something that people should support since it ruins the companies, brands and...work. And art.

M: Can you name local and foreign brands that you're into?

C: Well for some, I know like, Don't Blame the Kids, Team Manila, Supreme or SuperDry.

M: Can you talk to me about your definition of streetwear fashion for young Filipina women?

C: For me, it's something that has become a culture and like, there are a lot of underground artists like dancers, skaters who are (like) trying to be more accepted in this society. I think it's something that we Filipinos should embrace more.

M: So, talk to me about disadvantage and advantages. Yung pagsusuot mo ng streetwear (You wearing streetwear), is it more of an advantage or disadvantage?

C: Well, I think it's an advantage for some Filipino women since wearing streetwear is something that Filipinas should not be embarrassed or ashamed of. Because if they feel comfortable with it, than why not?

M: What can you tell us about the growth of the streetwear scene here in the Philippines?

C: Uhm, I think streetwear has ben around here in the Philippines, its just that it has become more popular and prominent and more Filipino women have been embraced it, Coz of uhm, let say the dancing or like their hobbies like skating or...whatever! (giggles)

Chynna is part of the Advocates. A group of friends turned into family that celebrates responsibly for the benefit of the less fortunate.

M: In terms of gender performativity, will you say wearing streetwear gives you a very boyish image? Or does it, as like what you've said earlier that it is a advantage for women to be wearing streetwear? Mas babae pa yung itsura mo (does it make you more girly) or do others see you as masculine?

C: Of course wearing something would give you an image to people and you know, it depends on the person looking at you. But for me, wearing...I don't really mind wearing streetwear and I don't mind what people think about me. However, yeah, some Filipinos are really judgmental. So, they have that mental image that whenever Filipinas would wear something loose or baggy, or doesn't like...make their bodies more revealing or feminine, yeah, they would think you're more on the masculine side.

M: So how did social media play a part in your defintion of style in streetwear and street culture?

C: Of course social media has influenced a lot of people and it has shown me different brands, different styles, how to mix and match different clothes.

M: Can you tell me about yung (that) different personalities, local and foreign, that inspired you know, to be wearing the style of clothes you are wearing right now?

C: Well, for me, I don't really have a particular Filipino personality that influenced me. I think (international) personalities that influenced me I guess, it's on how they wear there clothes, but it is something I would wear and like and feel comfortable (with) and I think it's a big help also for some people.

M: How would you describe yourself nalang (already) in a way that social media has been used for your reference to I would say how you would style yourself. How can you explain parang (how) it helped you style yourself to who you are right now?

C: Well for someone (describes herself) as someone who does not wear dresses and skirts, for me, since being a dancer din (also). It's what helped me be interested in streetwear and like siguro (surely) something I'll like, online or like when I see some people wearing streetwear that I find appealing to eyes, then sometimes I do like, copy it but tend to copy nalang (already) naman sometimes or like have an idea on what (I) should wear, or how to wear those kinds of clothes.

M: Do you think there's a certain discrimination that young Filipinas who are wearing streetwear right now? Does not have to be your peers alone. It could be family or close relatives, or...anybody! (laughs)

C: Well, yeah. Going back to what I've said earlier, I think Filipinos are really judgmental. So I think it would lead to a certain discrimination on Filipinas wearing streetwear. They would put labels on them without knowing exactly know who they are, what they do like yun nga (like that) for example, a Filipina who has short hair (describes herself) or something, they would tend to label them already. It goes the same with clothes or streetwear (in general).

M: How do you see young Filipinas getting into streetwear 5 years from now?

C: I think Filipinas would be more into streetwear by then. It's a growing culture and more importantly, Filipinos, especially the youth, they try to stay out of the norms. So, yeah. I think it would definitely make women be more into streetwear.

M: Do you think the market would be saturated? Or it would be more unique? (Laughs)

C: (Laughs) Well, I think it's going to be more saturated. To be honest.

M: Why? (Laughs)

C: Because, I think even as of now, we see a lot of imitations and it's hard for some people since here (in the Philippines), we appreciate foreign brands, I guess? But then in terms of the capabilities of people buying it, they would rather tend (entertain) imitations and sell them at a resell price. Well, I still think there is hope naman (that) it's going to be more unique but then we just really need more Filipino minds to work on it.