Skurbanization

By Ed Biado

Having to attend product and store launches on a daily basis, a lifestyle writer can almost always tell what to expect in his next assignment. After a hundred of these events, one begins to see a pattern that basically is the skeleton for most of these affairs. There isn?t an idea that?s too avant-garde that hasn?t been done before.

So when adventure lifestyle boutique Republ1c sent out invites to its launch, this writer was guessing it would be the usual runway show. But come event day, it was far from anything usual or even remotely familiar.

True to its skurban identity (we?ll get to the meaning of ?skurban? later), the Republ1c event literally brought CamSur to the NBC Tent with a wakeboarding demo. There isn?t any body of water at the Fort, you may say. Well, they built one right beside the tent. Not quite a lake, but a pool that?s sizable enough to accommodate the pros making the splashes.

Inside the tent, the runway show was spectacularly augmented by well-choreographed street dancers and skateboarders. The runway itself was in the form of intersecting ramps that was perfect for skating. The front screen projected graffiti-like graphics that spoke of the thriving street cultures of the city.

It was a show that encompassed the entire skurban lifestyle?a lifestyle that?s hugely influenced by street fashion with a whole lot of skater-boy attitude (think of Avril?s Sk8erboi, if you must). It wasn?t all just street clothes. There was swimwear, eyewear, headphones, helmets and bags. Director Robby Carmona was really onto something with this one. It was completely high-energy, youthful and it really captured the marriage of fashion, urban and water sports and street culture.

Of course, what new-generation event would be complete without music? Right after the show, a DJ?s booth ascended from under the stage with NYC ?underground? DJ Lexey?one of the more internationally popular female spin masters. Her hyper mix of house, old school and hip-hop/soul jams was just what the event needed to keep the skurbanites adrenaline-pumped. All this time, the younger guests were taking the stage?dancing, MCing and basically freestyling just how they would on the streets.

Spotted at the event were all sorts of hip culture vultures, boardsport enthusiasts and Young Manila cool crowd that included Borgy Manotoc and Brent Javier. JackTV?s Dylan hosted the event.

Republ1c carries such brands as Circa, KR3W, Supra, Skullcandy, Dragon, Pull-in, Ronix, Liquid Force, Helium, Hyperlite, The Hundreds, New Breed Girl, RVCA, Bern, RYGY, B Swim, L Space, Lisa Lozano, Hurley, Dragon, WESC, Company, Plan B, Mystery Skateboards, Chocolate Skateboards, Girl Skateboards, Etnies, Altamont, Emerica, ES and Burton. Their flagship store is located at Unit 5&6 La Fuerza Plaza on Chino Roces Avenue in Makati. They also have branches at TriNoma, Westgate Alabang, Eastwood Citywalk and Eastwood Mall.