For the first release of PURVEYR Insight Paper — a biannual digital paper about the Filipino Creative Industry — we focused on the T-Shirt. We worked with cultural writer, Sai Villafuerte of Cultural Learnings to write a 46-page paper that investigates the role and value of t-shirts in the context of the Filipino creative industries.
You can purchase and download the digital copy here or by joining the PURVEYR Partner Platform.
"When I was in high school during the early 2000s, one of the things I was excited to save up for, besides music albums and computer games, were t-shirts.
These were formative years for me — a period of being more intentional with how I presented myself. Some of my favorites included this black t-shirt with a geisha illustration at the back, which received several compliments in public. I also had a bootleg t-shirt of Panic! At The Disco, marking my alternative music phase — a popular genre at the time.
A material of self-expression. A memento. A product of creation. The t-shirt is arguably the most impactful piece of clothing. Millions are sold in the Philippines every year, being a versatile garment under the country’s frequently oppressive heat. Yet, its true effect, relevance and meaning to the lives of Filipinos still appear ambiguous. Now, with the meteoric rise of streetwear and merch culture where t-shirts are a focal product, its signi cance has become even more important.
In 2011, we started PURVEYR under the premise that more media brands need- ed to spotlight homegrown creativity, many of which go unnoticed. Since then, I have seen the different ways t-shirts uplift the lives of brands, artists and groups in the Filipino creative community — as a tradable product, a work of art or a medium for a message.
The t-shirt’s relentless evolution in the Philippines inspired a desire to investi- gate it further for our inaugural PURVEYR Insight Paper. Together with cultural reporter Sai Villafuerte, we explore the impact and meaning of the t-shirt within the context of the Filipino creative industries.
Whether you are in the local t-shirt business or simply curious about this unsuspecting yet powerful garment, we hope this report gives you valuable insight on how consumers, producers and designers are navigating this exciting sub-sector where a raw commodity meets with unfiltered creativity.
Marvin Conanan, Editor-in-Chief, PURVEYR"