Pestle and Mortar Co-Founder Hugh Koh Celebrates Culture Through Clothing
Despite its very cool – and therefore, somewhat intimidating – aesthetic, the streetwear community is in fact, incredibly welcoming. Hugh Koh, the co-founder of Malaysian streetwear brand Pestle and Mortar, can attest to this; he’s been embraced with open arms into diverse and talented streetwear communities both in and out of Malaysia.
“Each of the different brands out there are all doing their own things and everyone inspires each other,” Hugh said.
People know Pestle and Mortar as a clothing brand that prides itself on cultural storytelling; they embrace elements familiar to their Southeast Asian clientele. Their recent collaboration with Philippine brand Don’t Blame The Kids (DBTK) and Indonesian brand Ageless Galaxy further strengthens such commitment.
Entitled “SEA No Bounds, SEA No Borders,” this collaborative release features unique designs created by each brand. For their part, Pestle and Mortar created a shirt that showcases three animals, each representing one culture.
“We included a tiger for Malaysia, a garuda [for Indonesia], and a bull [for the Philippines],” Hugh explained. “The whole idea is that these animals come together and carry artifacts from each country. From a distance, it looks graphic but when you come closer you see the details and realize that it tells a story.”
On the other hand, DBTK released an acid-wash shirt, while Ageless Galaxy designed a white top that showcases the durian, papaya, and mango fruit. The collection was lauded across three cities – Jakarta, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur – in a celebratory tour that highlighted togetherness and collaboration.
For Hugh, highlighting local and regional talent has always been an important aspect of his clothing brand. In fact, that’s how he came across the DBTK and Ageless Galaxy brands in the first place. His multi-label brand, Major Drop, carried DBTK and Ageless Galaxy, forming a bridge for these international creatives to come together.
“Southeast Asia has so much going for it; so many cool things are coming out, but a lot of people always look to the West and want to have Western brands. We wanted to create a space to shine a light on different regional creators,” Hugh explained.
Now 15 years old, Pestle and Mortar continues to shine a light on various creators, setting patriotic trends that inspire local citizens. The public is particularly receptive to such values, especially as Hugh noted that young people are becoming more conscious about what they wear.
“People now want a stronger message. What does a brand represent? People no longer want to buy for the sake of buying,” Hugh pointed out. “Our customers know how to curate their wardrobe and even for us, when we create our product, we are conscious about how we manufacture.”
Of course, this kind of fashion philosophy reflects Hugh’s style as well. As the visionary nears his 40th birthday, he noted that his style has evolved to include cleaner, more timeless pieces. “Right now, I’m all about being comfortable,” he shared. “These days, I gravitate more towards relaxed, clean looks [that also represent my values].”
Visit Pestle & Mortar through their online channels
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