Q+A: ProudRace
Ever heard of ProudRace? Unique, innovative and creative is how I’d describe this Philippine-based brand. Despite having started only two years ago, they have already expanded into full clothing collections. I spoke to the people behind ProudRace for an inside scoop. :)
So tell us more about ProudRace.
ProudRace started about two years ago with a T-shirt line, which eventually expanded to a full clothing line with the release of a 25-piece spring/summer collection in 2008. We're a fashion label with genderless clothing.
Where did the name ProudRace came about?
The name started with wordplay but we decided to stick to it because we are proud to be Filipino.
What about the people behind this brand. Could you share a little bit about your background?
ProudRace is a partnership between 23-year-old industrial designer Patrick Bondoc and 25-year-old T-shirt designer Rik Rasos. We're from completely different backgrounds so we just try to combine everything together.
You seem to sell a pretty wide range of items, could you elaborate more on what you sell and do?
Right now we have an clothing line and an accessories line, majority of it is sewn and crafted by the both of us.
How do you come up with your designs and ideas? What's your inspiration?
We have a varied design process, we sometimes find the fabrics first and then we conceptualize from there, sometimes we do it the other way around. It depends on our mood and is flexible!
We try to focus on a theme in every collection but most of the time we incorporate sci-fi and era references in our clothes. Right now it's all about the 90s and genderless clothes.
What is the price range of your collections
Our clothes range from 10 to 150 USD and our accessories are around 30 to 40 USD.
How do we purchase your items?
Our lookbook is in our website and the clothes are available online. We recently posted our Fall 09 accessories. Clients can email us at proudrace@gmail.com if they want to place an order.
Besides that, we're also available at Backstage - a store in Manila that carries young local designers. Blackmarket Singapore also picked up our spring/summer 09 collection which will be available soon.
This goes to each of you: How would you describe your personal fashion style?
Rik: Right now I’m kind of coming into terms with my own style and I try to dress more functional. I love black and white, I love the 90s and the fashion statement that came with it.
Patrick: My style is very eclectic, I tend to follow what I feel when it comes to dressing up but when I’m too lazy to dress up, I have this uniform of plain tees, jeans and a pork pie hat. My wardrobe is mostly monochromatic. I appreciate good materials and ingenious patterns and usually shy away from embellishments. My aesthetics can be roughly described as subdued.
Any personal views on current fashion trends? What's your idea of a fashion must-have and don't.
What you wear must always be representative of who you are, an extension of your personality.
We think that there will be a major backlash with the shoulder pads trend, there will also be an anti-skinny jean movement pretty soon. Girls should start wearing menswear. We say wear everything – it doesn’t hurt to experiment.
Care to share any favorite shops and countries you love to shop in?
Thrift stores! Proudrace, Manila, Philippines! Ebay is good too.
Lastly, any plans for the near/far future?
We're planning on expanding around Asia, we're currently looking for more stores who can carry our clothing and soon we're going to start making home wares and furniture.
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Check out more about ProudRace on:
Website: www.proudrace.tk
Email at: proudrace@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/proudrace
