Streetwear has always reflected culture — bold, rebellious, and unapologetically real. As fashion evolves, so does streetwear, expanding to appeal to larger audiences — sometimes to different countries.

Streetwear, as a culture, goes beyond the confines of boundaries, and Southeast Asian brands DBTK, Pestle & Mortar Clothing, and Ageless Galaxy showcase this message through their latest collaboration titled, “S.E.A. No Bounds, S.E.A. No Borders.”

Unveiled at a dynamic and intimate launch held at the Saikou Bar & Café, the “S.E.A. No Bounds, S.E.A. No Borders” collection exhibits cultures representing the three countries these brands come from — the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia — and their united front of showing what Southeast Asia is all about.

For someone who does not typically wear streetwear, the collection (or streetwear in general) may appear intimidating to try, style, and wear. But you’d be surprised to know that streetwear is one of the trendier fashion styles Filipinos wear daily.

Elements of streetwear can be seamlessly mixed into any kind of wardrobe or aesthetic; you may not even realize that some of your go-to fashion items could even fall under the “streetwear” category.

So, with that in mind, here are a few ways we’d style the “S.E.A. No Bounds, S.E.A. No Borders” collection regardless if your style is streetwear-focused or not — all Philippine/Southeast Asian weather-friendly, of course.

Minimalist

Minimalist streetwear is already a sub-culture on its own, characterized by sleek lines, monochromatic color palettes, and a more subdued take on graphics. This style combines the aesthetics of streetwear with the simplicity of colors and an eye for versatile pieces.

All T-shirts from the “S.E.A. No Bounds, S.E.A. No Borders” collection all seem too loud to be considered for a minimalist take on streetwear but hear us out. The “National Fruits” tee designed by Ageless Galaxy is the one to go for if you’re looking for a piece that’s not all “in your face” with the design.

Featuring the national fruits from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, the shirt is vibrant and rings true to “what Southeast Asia is all about.” To keep with the minimalist aesthetic, pair this top with a polished, plain bottom (whatever you want), layered with a blazer of the same color (or in the same color palette), and a pair of sneakers.

The 90s Era - Grunge

The 90s were an era filled with a variety of fashion trends, from the carefree and feminine glamour and preppy styles to the rise of grunge fashion and flannel shirts being commonplace, the 90s were an era worth all the nostalgia.

With the fashion trends of the 90s being revived almost every year, streetwear elements can easily find their place with them. The “S.E.A. No Bounds, S.E.A. No Borders” tee in Black Sandwash designed by DBTK is your best bet if you’re trying to achieve a mix of grunge and streetwear. The shirt has a “Unity Bridges Culture” print on the left chest and a sun and stars graphic on the right at the front. More symbols for Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines can be seen at the back, all in neon colors.

To give this shirt a grunge twist, pair it with a pair of faded or distressed wide-legged jeans, layered with a plain long-sleeved top inside (of thin material), some fishnet if you feel it, and a pair of combat boots (doesn’t have to be Doc Martens, but us 90s kids will tell you to go for it).

Loungewear

Most people nowadays want to blend comfort and style in their fashion choices, and loungewear is just the solution. However, this trend isn’t just about putting on outerwear over home clothes, pairing it with trendy sneakers, and calling it a day — it’s about choosing comfy fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, and refined basics.

Incorporating streetwear into the mix can seem like a break into the homey vibe that loungewear gives, but it can elevate the look and give it a different mood.

The “Triple Threat” T-shirt designed by Pestle & Mortar Clothing is a good choice for the “loungewear but with some prints” kind of feel. Now, it may look a bit like our minimalist take on streetwear too, but the fabrics and silhouettes are what make these two styles different. The characters symbolizing the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are seen at the front, paying homage to these countries’ cultural unity and craftsmanship.

For a loungewear streetwear look, pair this shirt with a black, relaxed loungewear set and a pair of sneakers with a loud color, and you’re good to go. Being comfy doesn’t mean you have to be slouchy.

Cottagecore

Wait, what? What do you mean by Cottagecore and Streetwear looking good together?

At first glance, these two fashion styles don’t seem to complement each other; cottagecore is whimsical, nature-inspired, and vintage, whereas streetwear is urban and edgy. However, when you put these two together, they make an unlikely but surprisingly cool pairing. The contrast between the flowy fabrics of cottagecore and the structured element of streetwear creates a new take on “opposites attract” and allows creativity to find its way into fashion.

The “S.E.A. No Bounds, S.E.A. No Borders” Coach Jacket is the perfect example of this, with the graffiti-inspired graphics making a bold statement, while still leaving some room for a dynamic look. Perfect for the Southeast Asian weather, this Coach jacket can be dressed up or down, depending on the look you’re going for.

A style tip: Try to match a flowy dress and chunky boots with the Coach Jacket. Make sure to put the jacket as the point piece in your outfit by pairing it with earthy and neutral tones. Plus, accessorize appropriately with the boots and jewelry, of course!

Streetwear as a Personal Statement

Streetwear, like every other fashion aesthetic, is an expression of one’s personality. The logos and graphics on your chosen articles of clothing reflect who you are, what you stand for, and how you want others to perceive you.

Fashion is all about experimenting, collaborating, and breaking boundaries. DBTK, Pestle & Mortar, and Ageless Galaxy showed how streetwear transcends borders, providing a space for cultural appreciation while remaining true to their roots.

The “S.E.A. No Bounds, S.E.A. No Borders” collection is made for anyone, whether you’re a die-hard streetwear fan or prefer a different aesthetic. From clean lines and refined fabrics to bold graphics, fashion can be redefined to reflect how you wear your culture on your sleeve.

DBTK (Don’t Blame The Kids)

Check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram

Location: DBTK, 40 Shorthorn St., Proj 8, Quezon City (Headquarters) | Ronac Art Center, San Juan (Satellite)

Pestle & Mortar Clothing (PMC)

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and visit their website

Location: Pestle & Mortar Clothing, 3A-10, Block C Phileo Damansara 1, Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Ageless Galaxy (AGLXY)

Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and their official website

Location: Ageless Galaxy Headquarters, Jl. Bangka Raya No. 10, Unit C, Pela Mampang, Mampang Prapatan, Jakarta Selatan 12720, Indonesia

Kapuso Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza is booked and busy. With projects left, right, and center, Barbie is one of today’s most sought-after actresses.

With her back-to-back schedules and showbiz appearances, it’s a wonder how Barbie keeps up with her skincare regimen and youthful glow every day. Barbie says it's all because of her commitment to taking time for herself and 9 Young-Basic's newest collagen drink.

In the official launch of 9 Young-Basic's collagen drink, the Gen Z icon shared how she takes care of her skin and how she keeps her vibrant, youthful glow despite her busy schedule.

During the event, Barbie shared details about the skincare routine she follows religiously. This includes an “everything shower” and skincare products that she’s grown to trust over the years.

“Lagi akong nagte-take ng 'Everything Shower.' I really take my time when I take a shower, kasi parang feeling ko, 'Me Time' 'yun e. Time with myself. Tapos syempre, maarte ako. Ang dami kong nilalagay na kung anu-ano [like] 'yung skincare ko (I always take an 'Everything Shower.' I really take my time when I take a shower because I feel like that’s my 'Me Time.' Time with myself. And of course, I’m nitpicky; I put on a lot of things for my skincare)."

Her daily intake of collagen blends seamlessly with her current skincare routine, which adds on to her youthful glow.

The Beat Manila was able to ask Barbie what advice she could give to people struggling to find a skincare routine that works for them. The short answer? Knowing what your skin needs, staying hydrated, drinking collagen, and wearing sun protection.

She recounted how she also experienced breakouts due to products that weren’t suitable for her skin type, and like everyone else, she tried almost everything that she saw online before finally landing on products and formulating a routine that works specifically for her skin’s needs.

“I guess the best first step before making your skincare routine is to know what your skin needs. That’s where everything comes together. You have to know what your skin type is — if you’re on the drier side or the sensitive side. From there, you can opt for lighter textures of skincare products,” Barbie told The Beat Manila.

Barbie also emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, using moisturizing products, and doing your research before trying anything. “Pero para sa akin kasi, ang pinaka nag-work talaga is staying hydrated. I think 'yun 'yung number one talaga. Kahit anong skin type mo, 'yun 'yung kailangan mong i-practice talaga (But for me, staying hydrated was the one that worked the most. I think that’s really number one. No matter what your skin type is, that’s the most important thing to practice). Drink lots of water.”

She added, “And actually it’s encouraging now because we’re normalizing the collagen drink. Because before, if I’m not mistaken, it’s quite intimidating when we hear about collagen drinks. But it’s really safe, it’s healthy, and it really improves your skin health.”

“Actually, I read something; of course, I did my research. Collagen improves our skin elasticity. It even helps reduce cellulites and improves our skin’s texture. Because as we age, we see the signs of aging because our collagen production lessens. So, the fine lines and wrinkles appear, and our skin gets dry faster."

Beyond her meticulous ways of maintaining her beauty, Barbie also stresses the importance of taking care of oneself from within. According to the actress, doing things that make her happy is what helps her in doing so.

"For me, it's living life to the fullest. Trying different things, [like] travel. Basta 'yung talagang mapasaya mo 'yung sarili mo (Anything that would make you happy), [like unwinding] after a busy schedule,” Barbie told the press.

While the 27-year-old star is seeing success in her acting career, she also confesses that working her way through it is not a walk in the park. Thankfully, her optimistic attitude helps her overcome such challenges, "I admit that sometimes, it's challenging because of the demands and challenges that my job entails. I see to it that I enjoy my job. I always try to see the good in everything, and it really helps when you're friends with your co-workers; the environment on the set is great, so even if I'm tired, I go home happy and fulfilled as an actor."

She also reminds people to prioritize themselves above all things, "Ang trabaho ay trabaho lang (A job is just a job). At the end of the day, sarili mo pa rin ang pinaka importante (you're the most important). You have to really take care and love yourself. If that means taking a break from work to go somewhere, to go on a trip, be with your friends, para lang mawala 'yung stress mo (just to relieve your stress). And again, don't forget to take good care of yourself from within."

If she has one piece of advice on how to be confident, it’s to be aware of your own needs and wants.

"Bago mo masimulang mahalin 'yung sarili mo (Before you start to love yourself), you have to be self-aware. You have to be aware of your needs, your wants, and your desires. But you have to start with yourself. From there, masisimulan mo nang maging (you'll start being) confident, [from] how you address people, how you go on about your day. It all starts with yourself."

Barbie Forteza made her television debut at the age of 12 when she portrayed a young Jodi Reyes for the 2003 GMA remake of the South Korean drama “Stairway to Heaven” and has since gained prominence locally and internationally for her acting prowess.

In 2016, she won the Best Actress Award at the 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal for the indie film, “Laut." Most recently, she starred in the historical fantasy portal drama “Maria Clara at Ibarra” as Klay Infantes and currently stars in the historical war drama “Pulang Araw” as Adelina dela Cruz, a vaudeville actress-turned-spy.

Want to live young like Barbie Forteza? Check out 9 Young-Basic's newest collagen drink via TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Shopee.