Earlier this year, when we asked advice from people with branding and creative experience on how to start a streetwear brand, there was a common thread. While the answers varied, words like “authenticity” and “passion” were commonly used. In a time where brands are popping up left and right, what do you know but yourself, right?
Read also: 16 pieces of advice on how to start your own streetwear brand
While brands that exude an air of coolness and “street cred” are always in vogue, Thank You, an upcoming independent brand from Bulacan, put its heart on its sleeves by preaching thankfulness. The designs are tasteful and the colorways are current, and while positive messages on graphic tees aren’t new, building your brand on thankfulness is. So what is there to be thankful for?
According to the husband-wife duo behind Thank You, there is a lot. Their community in Malolos, Bulacan, grows while Thank You secures collaborations with both local and international brands. And while the customers who they take pictures of with their merchandise to share on their page (a showcase of gratitude from the owners) have their own reasons, we find out what there really is to be thankful for from Thank You.
Who are behind Thank You PH?
We started the brand with four members including myself, and after a month, my partners became busy with their work. Now it’s me and my wife who are running the brand. Ako ‘yung nag-ha-handle sa pag-market ng brand at pagbenta and my wife, siya naman ‘yung nag-screenprint ng mga shirts ng Thank You. Siya rin nagtatahi ng mga tote bag na binibigay namin for free sa mga bumibili.
Why use “Thank You” as the name of your brand?
Six months ago, noong nag-iisip ako kung anong ipapangalan ko sa brand, I asked my wife, ano ‘yung mga lagi kong sinasabi? Kasi ‘yun yung goal ko, eh. Makaisip ng pangalan ng brand na madali kong matatandaan. She started mentioning some words that I usually say pero sobrang ‘di bagay, then I asked her wala ba akong sinasabing positive man lang? Haha. Tapos sabi niya, “Mahilig ka magpasalamat sa mga taong nakakausap mo. Mahilig kang mag-thank you.”
‘Di namin hinahayaan na mabakante kami ng one week ng walang ginagawa para sa Thank You. Sobrang positive din kasi ng message ng Thank You.
Ayun! Ang daming pumasok na ideas sa isip ko about “Thank You.” And it took four months bago kami nag-release ng damit kasi plinano namin talaga siya nang mabuti kung anong gagawin namin after every release and gumawa na din ako ng timeline hanggang 2019 sa mga gusto naming marating ng Thank You.
It was September 2, ‘yung unang release namin. Every week naglalabas kami ng mga bagong designs or colorways. ‘Di namin hinahayaan na mabakante kami ng one week na walang ginagawa para sa Thank You. Sobrang positive din kasi ng message ng Thank You.
Thank You also has a gift shop of the same name. Why was it conceived?
Small store, big community. True story: tinamad kasi ako sa trabaho ko dati at naisip ko na gusto ko na lang mag-business para hawak ko oras ko sa pamilya at sa banda tapos humingi ako ng tulong sa family ko. Gumawa ako ng business plan. I presented it to my ate and nag-agree siya na tulungan ako. ‘Yung support din ng mga kaibigan namin sa Malolos, especially ‘yung mga local brands dito, kami-kami ‘yung mga magkakasamang bumuo ng shop. After a year and a half, pinalitan na namin ‘yung name ng 65 Concept Store to Thank You Gift Shop kasi gusto namin ng wife ko ng fresh start.
If you can notice, all of our designs deliver a positive message about being grateful even to the smallest of things and being nice to everyone. You are what you wear.
What’s the Bulacan “scene” like? We know that post-hardcore band TNG, which you front, is from Bulacan.
Masaya, mainit, at punong-puno ng kapatiran. ‘Yung eksena namin dito, sobrang simple lang. Madalas kami mag-organize ng show na free entrance kasi nagkasundo kaming mga nagbabanda rito na mas okay na mag-ambagan kami para sa gamit at sa pambayad sa bar kaysa magpa-entrance kasi ang goal namin ma-share sa lahat ‘yung music namin at ‘yung experience sa mga shows namin.
At sino ba ang tatanggi sa libre, ‘di ba? Win-win situation siya kung pagaaralang mabuti. Sobrang proud ako sa mga banda na taga-Malolos kasi alam nila na hindi lahat nakukuha agad-agad kaya makikita mo sila na nagsisikap. ‘Yun yung mga banda na gustong-gusto kong tinutulungan. Sana makapasyal kayo rito minsan para ma-experience niyo rin ‘yung saya na meron dito sa Malolos.
Do you see Thank You as a streetwear brand?
I want to call it a lifewear brand. Wherein you can wear our shirt in every walks of life. Going to Sunday mass, reunion, gig, party, sa bahay ng nililigawan mo, or kahit sa pang araw-araw mo. If you can notice, all of our designs deliver a positive message about being grateful even to the smallest of things and being nice to everyone. You are what you wear.
Do you want to say thank you to anyone?
I just want to take this opportunity na rin to thank some people who inspired us in making this brand. Ajok of Enimal, Kuya Fin and Zei ng Nobody, Iggy of Modern Dark, Ron of Dgrave, Jay Ar and Yuyu of Primal Clothing, Alog, Drei, and Biboy. Sila yung mga kasama ko ‘nung nagsimula ‘yung Thank You. Without their help wala ring Thank You. Thank you Scout Magazine for reaching out. See you all soon!
Express your gratitude to friends and send some Thank You merchandise their way. Check out Thank You on Instagram.