The Jeepney is a mobile assemblage of signs and decorative motifs found along the streets of Metro Manila. After World War II, surplus American G.I. Jeeps were converted into public utility vehicles and decorated with lavish art and color with each owner's individual, distinct look.
Today, Jeepney clothing has carried this same concept of expression into the apparel world. Our brand represents a unique style that is universal in appeal and crosses over into a diverse mix of genres in the global street culture market.
This is Artistic Expression.
This is Jeepney.
THE ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL RELEVANCE BEHIND JEEPNEY
In today’s street culture movement, it’s difficult to know which brands are relevant when it comes to the concept and meaning behind each one of them.
Jeepney, a Seattle based clothing company, is well known for its bold graphics and edgy concepts in the streetwear market. However, most people don’t realize that the concept behind the brand has deep rooted artistic (Jeepney Trucks) and cultural (Filipino) relevance which inspires its designs and overall brand strategy.
At first glance, it’s not easy to make the connection between a Jeepney and fashion. That’s why Karlo Reyes, Creative Director and Co-founder, wants people to know why he chose the name and why it’s relevant to everyone from the artist that design for the company to the consumers that wear the product.
When Karlo Reyes chose a name for the company back in 2003, it was important that the name was not only unique, but relevant to his artistic and lifestyle culture. “To me, a Jeepney embraces the artistic element of street culture simply because as artists we all want to showcase our talents in a unique way for the world to see,” says Reyes. The most unique feature of the Jeepney is that each vehicle is different in design and concept. What were once plain American GI Jeeps leftover in the Philippines after World War II have since been transformed into urban art forms that showcase each owner’s individual style.
As for the cultural relevance, Reyes mentions “At the end of the day, if all of our customers are able to look fly and learn a little about the Filipino culture through the Jeepney brand, then we feel like we accomplished some sort of educational purpose…..even if it takes edgy graphics in our designs to get it done.”
