Wearing Your Pride

Fandom — six-letter portmanteau on the words fan and kingdom — means a strong and massive fan base.  When a certain artist or work of art, like a book or film for instance, is called to have a fandom, it connotes that it has a cult following and that its popularity and influence could never be underestimated.

Members of a fandom are known to be fangirls and fanboys.  Although they are both fangirls and fanboys are just like any ordinary fan who drools at the sight of their idol, they differ from the conventional fans because they have a strong loyalty, almost to the point of tipping into obsession, towards their idols despite their young age.  For celebrity fandoms, what is more astonishing is that these fanboys and fangirls could be so devoted to their idols, they defend them from online bashers who are known as antis, in such a feisty, almost aggressive manner, like they have known them since time immemorial, when in fact, reality check says that they had rare to non-existent encounters with these stars.

The existence of these fandoms and their hundred- to million-strong fan base became the inspiration for one self-proclaimed fangirl to come up with a shop that highlights the what could be likened to as a national pride for certain fandoms.

Fandomia, a name that sounds like some mythical fandom from a parallel dimension, is an online shop selling printed shirts that highlights your devotion (or obsession) to a certain book series and movie.   It is the brainchild of Danna Mae Catan, a certified fangirl at heart, although going into business was more likely of a serendipitous opportunity rather than a planned undertaking.

Who ever is in love with the Mortal Instruments would
want one of this shirt.
Sample design from Fandomia.

It all began during on day worldwide premiere of the second installment of the Percy Jackson movie, Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters.  As a follower of the movie, Danna would have wanted to wear a Camp Half-Blood shirt on that day, but cannot do so due to being short in finances.  So she asked her mom’s friend to make her a replica of the shirt and when one fangirl friend saw the shirt, she just wanted one as well.  And so as they say, the rest was history.

Fandomia became an enterprise where Danna can apply her skills as a painter.  Meanwhile, since she operates solo, her friends have been there to chip in their skills in editing designs and painting the shirts.

IT ALL BEGINS WITH A SPARK

“I’m a big fangirl of [The Hunger Games} and it has a good fanbase [where} I could sell my shirts,” says Danna after being asked as to why she embarked in selling Hunger Games shirts.  And since the fanbase is just immense, it helped her business be recognized in more fan circles.

And the best thing that was said to her by a customer?

“All I need is a bow.”

This is how a career tribute would taunt his "weaker" opponents.
Sample design from Fandomia.

CATCHING THE FIRE

“I’m team Peeta but I’ve always wondered what happened to Gale” says Danna. “Actually I cried when I noticed that Gale [had] no happy ending. I mean, after loving Katniss and all his sacrifices and hardwork, he deserves somebody to take care of him…like ME.”

If you are both brave and hot, then you should sport this one.
Sample design from Fandomia.

But Fandomia is not limited to Hunger Games and Percy Jackson.  As of these writing,  Fandomia is done making faction shirts which are based on the hit series, Divergent and is currently making designs based on another hit novel, The Fault In Our Stars.  However, the store promises making more Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Beautiful Creatures, and The Mortal Instruments Shirts.

As Hunger Games fans and all its so-called subsidiaries will flock the cinemas this November 21, it won’t be a surprise that one of you might bump into somebody wearing a Fandomia shirt that encapsulates all their love for the series in one shirt design.  And that is the winning formula of Fandomia — being able to understand the young dote hearts of fangirls and fanboys and all their fragile yet extraordinary adoration towards the series they adore. 

It is in being relatable that makes Fandomia worthy of the subtle yet inspiring attention they are getting.

Now that’s fabulous!

For more shopping details, visit Fandomia’s fanpage at www.facebook.com/fandomia

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A Self-Expression Company

Statement and graphic shirts have its way of reflecting a certain character in us. It brings out a certain spunk, a certain quirkiness, and a certain spice that people may know or may not about us. For this reason, a “self-expression company” was born in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Print Proxy is a T-shirt company that offers t-shirts that with designs based on popular culture.

“We love t shirts, design and pop culture. We’re intrigued by how many different kinds of people there are and want to reach them all,” Jonathan Burgess, the owner of Print Proxy said.

“We came up with the idea by thinking through what we could offer as a form of self expression. We don’t think of ourselves as a t shirt company. We’re a self expression company.” And true enough, the wide selection of shirts from Print Proxy caters to all sort of people who wish to express themselves through fashion. The products allow one to show the world his personality one shirt at a time while still being in since most of the designs are based on what’s in. For instance, come Thanksgiving Day, Print Proxy released shirt designs related to the event.

Twerking and Thanksgiving.  A thanksgiving shirt
which plays on the work twerk and turkey. 

Print Proxy is a small collective of young creatives, consisting of three designers who constantly collaborate and have fun at the same time. The creative usually begins with a meeting where they talk about what is trending.

“Some of us have been in the industry awhile and some of us are new to it,” Jon says about them. Asked as to how they learned the art of t-shirt designing and printing, he said “I wouldn’t say it’s what we learned. It’s what we’re currently learning. I’d say we’re mostly learning about people and how they interact.”

For the cute and lazy.  The varying T-shirt designs that
Print Proxy offers give people from all walks of life
a chance to express a piece of themselves through
what they are wearing.

The best thing about Print Proxy, aside from the fact that the people behind the business are happy doing what they do, is that they offer fresh and great concepts everyday and sell new designs in a regular basis. In a crowded industry, producing great content that would somehow become a classic, instead of creating something that would be an overnight success to rake in money easily, is what differentiates them from others. Plus, they have a certain style that could be appreciated by men, women, and people in between.

No Longer Closeted.  In commemoration of a so-called
National Coming Out Day, Print Proxy came up
with a t-shirt design of a rainbow coming out of the closet.

Aside from style, Jon and his team consider comfort, too. Hence, they make sure that the shirts do not just scream “This is Me!” but also comfortable to wear as well. The fact that the company is a small one gives them an upper hand in the industry since it allows themselves to be available to their customers.

“We [also] assure customers are getting the best by being transparent and authentic,” Jon says.

IT ALL BEGINS WITH A SPARK

Given that Print Proxy sells “pop culture merchandises” that are based on “feeling, pun or parody to brand ourselves”, it is not a shocker as to why Print Proxy caught the fire. Among the shirts that they offer is one that says “I Workout Just In Case I Get Reaped into the Hunger Games” and another that says “I Survived the Reaping.”

Feeling Like A Career.  Never let the Capitol see you wearing
this cool shirt.  Remember.  Training for the games is not allowed...
so they say.

Going back into the Hunger Games universe, Katniss did say that it is illegal to train for the games, something which is done by Career tributes who volunteer for the Games in case they are not reaped. This is the case in Districts 1, 2, and 4 which produces many Career tributes for the games. This is a whole lot of contrast in the situation in the other districts where the games are dreaded. In this case, possible tributes — young men and women aged 12 to 18 — do not pray to be reaped for the games.

Survivor.  If your odds are like Gale Hawthorne's who, despite
multiple entries for the games in exchange for tesserae, survived
the reaping each and every time, you can proudly wear this one.

The two Hunger Games-based shirts, hence, gives supporters of Career tributes like Enaboria, Marvel, Glimmer, Cato, and even Finnick (Yeah! He came from District 4) a chance to show their love by wearing the “I Workout Just In Case I Get Reaped into the Hunger Games” shirt. On the other hand, solid fans of Katniss, Peeta, Primrose, and the lovable Rue may opt for the other design.

I wonder when they will make an “If I Don’t Get Reaped, Then I’ll Volunteer As Tribute” shirt…FOR ME. Paging Jon! Kidding!

CATCHING THE FIRE

I am a big fan of the Hunger Games trilogy and I, along with thousands or even millions of people all await for the screening of the second installment of the series, Catching Fire. While for us, it is a moment of ogling over Finnick Odair or screaming over Katniss’s mockingjay gown, for Jon, November 22 will probably be a romantic break for him.

As a shirt designer, Jonathan sure could give the sometimes fabulous, oftentimes flamboyant Hunger Games character Effie Trinket a fashion advice or two. Asked what outfit would he suggest Effie to wear, “I’d like to see her in Lady Gaga’s meat dress.”

Effie's next wardrobe staple.  A more fabulous version of
Lady Gaga's very famous meat dress as worn in the
Monster Ball Tour in Manchester, UK.
(c) wikipedia.com

Jonathan and the rest of the guys behind Print Proxy sure have made self-expression through statement and graphic shirts a fun and easy way to do. After all, he says that their philosophy is nothing but simple. “Be genuine and creative.”

Now that’s fabulous!

To purchase Print Proxy shirts, visit their website.

Do not forget to also like them on Facebook.

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Not Just An Action Word: Part 2 (The P500 Shopping Challenge)

If you haven't read the first part of my feature on Verb, then click here.

I visited Verb with my friend Dianne (the same day that I took these photos) and fulfilled a self-imposed challenge of buying a full set of wardrobe (which means top, bottom, and those bling-bling) within a Php500 budget.

Will I get dressed in P500.00?  Let's find out.

First, I searched the racks for shorts (on the second floor) to find a plain-colored shirt, a wardrobe staple which I, unfortunately,  do not own.  They are available, however, those on display are not of my size so I have to ask one of the attendants if they have one my size.  Good thing they did!

Scrutinizing the shorts I found.  I know I'm bad at candid shots.
It looks fake. LOL

Dianne looking at the different dresses displayed

Next, I scoured the men's shirt section for a shirt.  I would have wanted to buy a graphic shirt since I don't own one.  I own more plain-colored shirts.  The printed ones do not have screaming colors so I wish to give my wardrobe a breath of fresh air.  However, that day, instead of buying a graphic shirt, I suddenly, and almost instantaneously, had a penchant over Verb's statement shirts. 

I was drawn to two statement shirts. As I took hold of the shirts and fitted it in the fitting room (to assure that the shirts won't look odd on me), I became more obsessed with the thought of owning them since the statements are attention grabbing and the fabric spells comfort.

The pouty lips says it all. I love these shirts.

And since the shirts are priced buy-one, take-one, so I was able to grab them both.

Bottoms, down.  Tops, down.  Up next, the accessories.

I'm more of the accessory lover. I love those that are charming and can be worn on a daily basis.  I really admire the ones that could come with the words classic and sophisticated.  I also adore the that gives a kick of attitude, especially the rock vibe (coz we are rockstars!).

Dianne looking at the accessories

The accessory shopping was the hard part since I was torn between dog tags, a black tough dude bracelet, and a brown leather bracelet in a classic vintage prototype.  I have been dying to buy dog tags for so long now but the bracelets won.  The question is which among the two did I choose?

After an hour or more of shopping and picture taking, I brought my stuffs to the counter to pay my purchases. And the verdict with on the challenge?  I WON! I was able to buy a gray-colored shorts, two statement shirts, and the black bracelet within the P500 budget.  Much more, I still received change.

The items I bought.

I already worn the items I bought many times already and the comfort remains the same.

Definitely, I'll be shopping at Verb again.

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Not Just an Action Word: Part 1

Verb.  To define it in its simplest essence, it is an action word.  However, in Bohol, the word Verb got a different definition, or better yet, a stronger representation of the meaning Webster has given it.

Verb is the newest fashion hub in Bohol.  Located at the Upper Ground Level of Bohol Quality Mall, right in front of the Dunkin' Donuts stall and beside HBC and BQ Pharmacy, Verb is home to many stylish and very fashion-forward eye-candies.  And the greatest deal Verb offers, items come in very budget-friendly prices.

A view of Verb's entrance

Verb came out as the fruit of a planned expansion of Cebu retail stores Voonga and Hansam, which, just like Verb, offer fashionable yet affordable finds.  The venture found its way to the shores of Bohol when the owners found it to be livelier compared to other prospect locales.

As a fashion store, Verb aims to keep their target market  --- students --- abreast with latest fashion trends.  The selected target market is also the reason behind Verb's affordability.  In order to gain patronage from students whose purchasing power depend on their allowance, they have to have their clothes come in budget-friendly prices.

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