Who still throws 12-hour parties in the midst of the hustling and bustling metro? More importantly, who attends these events from start ‘til end? To be fair, it’s not an impossible thing to do when there’s a floating common denominator. You definitely have to make time for things that keep you alive, and there are just certain moments that you can do it all-out.
Shoephoric has been doing the same thing for a couple of years. As for their seventh anniversary, they weren’t wrong when they thought of pulling off All Soles Day on 63rd St. last Oct. 27 in Chino Roces, Makati – a much bigger combination of everything else they managed to create in the past.
From 11 in the morning to 11 in the evening, ASD on 63rd St. was able to make social circles involved in fashion, sneaker culture, and hip-hop nudge elbows—some of which stayed only inside their heads before. It was a night of community; like-minded people speeding in one circle. It was for those who loved what they saw in their closets. So they took them out for new friends. Friends who seemed to know them right from the start.
Enter as a sneakerhead, leave as a sneakerhead—with trade secrets. An ASD ticket did not deprive this opportunity. Of course, shoe and clothing brands in their freshest crates were thickly spread across the venue. Things didn’t end only in shopping, though. In valuing style comes valuing comfort, too—good thing there’s Clyde Premium Shoe Cleaner that reminded its attendees with a “Build Your Own Shoe Cleaning Business workshop.” Dubbed “your friendly sneaker restorer in town”, RGSkills also demonstrated the beginner basics of sneaker restoration. To finish the package, add in IED (Innovated Elemental Designs) Customs, together with StyleYourKicks and Kaserola Custom for some customization lessons.
To equalize the night, acts came onstage every now and then. Pogiboi, Nial Jager, Just Washington, Al James, and DB were a few of those who dominated the stage with their hottest, honest beats that rang right in the audience’s ears. Igniting the inner party animals, dance group TPM didn’t find it difficult to catch some attention.
Moments after, just when the crowd thought the event was already at its peak, they found themselves gathering for the fashion show. Starring the best designers in local streetwear Chris Jasler, Jhaira Gonzales, Nino Angeles, Kaye Morales, and Kirby Cruz, plus the SoFA (School of Fashion and the Arts) alumni of 2012, street garments started stealing the spotlight.
Filled to the brim inches more, ASD on 63rd St. also had a lounge, bar, and photo exhibit. Prizes weren’t absent in the scene, as the merchants held raffle draws. Prizes aside, there were bigger bragging rights for some; particularly those who won in the #WeAreShoephoric photo contest, awarded by founder Ann Jacobe.
The event ended with acts Bawal Clan and DJ Hannah Ichiko bidding their closing tunes. Whether one left CW Home Depot with cleaner sneaks, a new tip, something to flaunt, or just some good, good time, everything that was celebrated was celebrated for a community—not just for a 12-hour party. We hope to see more of these group-binding events wherein shoe and streetwear culture discover more of itself along with us.
Photographs from Earl Roxas