For the camera-whore in you

Statement and graphic shirts have been trendy for the last decade, and there are no signs yet of its popularity abating. With so many brand offerings, there’s one retail store selling statement tees that stood out for me—Analog Soul.

Like most young brands, Analog Soul started with three friends (Mika Bautista, Paolo Lim, and Miguel Naguiat) who wanted to make extra cash to pay for their holiday expenses. Taking their cue from the successful reviews they got from their friends and families, they joined bazaars the next year, then opened two stores recently. 

There are two reasons why I’m attached to this brand. First, they have a big pool of artists, it’s open to everyone) who submits designs for review. Miguel Naguiat shares that they were pleasantly surprised with the number of e-mails they get from these artists. “Through our partnership with Filipino artists, Analog Soul is able to carry creative, evocative, and eclectic designs. These designs are what capture our market’s interest. Their artistry is able to capture the emotions and expressions of the market. The brand now becomes a venue for our customers to shout out their emotions or express themselves.”

Contributing Analog Soul artist Tata Balerite proudly adds, “We, Filipinos, are gifted with creativity.  We may be a third world country but we are never short on creative talent. Our attention to detail and unique, intricate designs are something we should be proud of. That’s why I try to incorporate all that design elements through my work.  The more complicated the design, the harder for other people to copy.”

Another thing I like about the brand is that they only make a few pieces per design. If ever there is a demand to do a reproduction, it will come in a different shirt color.  So, in a way, they’re all limited-edition tees, which makes every shirt all the more special.