INTRODUCING QUINTESSENTIAL’S THIRD CAPSULE COLLECTION:

UPHORIA

Exploring where I fit in, in “the culture”.

I’ve been able to kind of hop in and out of cultures, streets, traditions. Those days I visited my Lola and Papa where she fed us Filipino dishes and spoke Tagalog with my Tita, I felt closer to my Filipino identity.

Going to the city as a little girl to take West African dance and Ballet class at Alvin Ailey… I was able to experience Black Opulence.

Driving through Newark with Dad. He’s worked there just about my entire life, so that city had carved out a little space in my mind and my heart.

But that is NOT my culture. Filipino culture isn’t really mine either, high class black folk DEFINITELY never resonated with me either…

I grew up in a diverse suburb where the community spirit had damn near became everyone’s identity there. But I’ve had so many interactions, experiences, and intimate relationships and memories with all of these different cultures. So where do I come from? Who do I identify with? Who identifies with me? What’s my story?

I’m not this. I’m not that…

So when I’m asked where I come from… what’s my story… let alone my brand’s story? What is there to say?

Collection III is a visual representation of my identity explorations.. 

I hope you enjoy.