One of many pockets actually. Groundwork Apparel is that swiss army knife of utilitywear that’ll get you by whether you’re outdoors or indoors while looking sharp af. We’re debuting our Store Stopover series (fka Store Invasion) where we tell stories beyond the four walls of spaces we’d reco you should check out not just and be part of its community.
Our first stop, Groundwork Apparel and their newer, bigger store that had opened up just this year in Yakal, Makati.
It was built from the ground up in 2019 by Raph and Clarence Betilez. The irony however is that the primarily outdoor-suited brand began picking up steam during the pandemic out of all periods as the cycling-loving couple decided to create certain pieces that would cater to their cycling needs, and they’re friends apparently ate them up so much that they started inquiring if they’re for sale.
Their solution? Lots of zippers and even more compartments.
“Nagsimula yung pagiging utility nung mga damit namin, naglagay kami ng mga pockets zippers. Kasi parang may time pa noon na nagkakaroon ng nakawan doon. Kaya naglagay kami ng zippered pockets para hindi mabilis madukutan.”
The tried and tested passion for fashion was the driving force behind how Groundwork Apparel was able to touch their friends and beyond, resonating with personal design choices mixed in with breathable materials to turn field work into easy work, using multiple compartments for essentials to breathable all-weather fabric like nylon, ribstop, and other water-resistant materials that can lowkey turn stains into an aesthetic addition to each piece.
This sort of bleeds in from the couple’s experience in the hospitality industry, where an eye for their customers’ needs are at the forefront of their mind. Raph’s personal utilitarian design philosophy meshes well with Clarence’s eye for the unconventional, creating garments like polos, vests, caps, and more that piques the interest of specific people in oddly specific industries.
One that comes to mind would be from the culinary industry, as Raph notes that friends in the food world would often use Groundwork’s polos as a means to place ingredients or tools for easier use. Another would be the creative field where the multiple pockets allow photographers and videographers to store lenses for a quick swap in gear to match what their moodboard calls for.
“Mapa-chef ka man, nasa production industry, camping or nasa labas ka, mahalaga kasi yung meron kang mga compartments. Malalagyan mo ng mga gamit na kailangan mo, syempre hindi naman all the time sa labas may lamesa or may patungan ka.”
Initially housed in Poblacion, their store eventually relocated to a bigger location to the other side of Makati in Yakal, where a bigger breathing room would be possible to hold community events such as the previously held weekend function with Sarsa Kitchen during their opening last July.
Raph even teamed up with his sister Betina to be able to serve some refreshments in their new store, offering coffee and cool drinks via WhereHouse Coffee. This extension makes people want to stay more, look at the items, and likely immerse themselves in the rich community that Groundwork Apparel has built up.
Groundwork Apparel is located at 174 Yakal Street, Makati, and is open from 8 AM to 8 PM everyday.
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