You know it, you watch it, you read it; now, you can wear it!
FIRST LOOK: National Geographic Apparel opens first lifestyle store in PH
BrandedUp in partnership with National Geographic Apparel
Nature lovers and travel enthusiasts alike may be familiar with National Geographic. Often represented by its iconic yellow Icon, National Geographic is well-known for its rich storytelling that illuminates the wonder of our world.
Now, National Geographic’s 135+ years of heritage has inspired a range of fashionable apparel and accessories—perfect for all adventurers-at-heart!
The Philippines’ first National Geographic Apparel store, which opened Oct. 4 at the North Wing Entertainment Mall of the Mall of Asia, offers footwear, apparel, accessories, luggage, and more that are fit for life’s everyday adventures.
“There’s something for everyone, no matter what ‘adventure’ means to you,” says Josh Mikhail Dela Cruz, Goldwing's business development manager. “Whether you’re an urban explorer or out in the great outdoors, National Geographic Apparel enables you to explore at your own pace.”
National Geographic Apparel opened its first store in South Korea in 2016, and has since become a fan-favorite brand among leisure travelers and curious global wanderers alike. The brand has since expanded across other markets, including Australia, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Malaysia, and Taiwan, with more to come soon.
Dela Cruz explains the brand’s appeal and what they hope to accomplish with the store’s opening in the Philippines: “Many people in the Philippines grew up watching National Geographic and reading their magazines, and are continue to be fascinated by stories of our planet and human journey. This is what inspired the Goldwing team to bring the concept to the Philippines. Now, through apparel and accessories inspired by National Geographic’s thoughtful, fact-based storytelling, we hope to inspire others to explore, create their own stories, and treat every day as an adventure,” says Dela Cruz.
Products designed with intention and purpose
National Geographic Apparel’s range in the Philippines includes a collection called ‘archive’, which celebrates the artwork of National Geographic’s staff artists. For example, the t-shirts feature a watercolor scene of a sailing ship at sea, which had originally been the design used for the National Geographic Society’s Christmas card in 1924.
Since 1888, National Geographic has used the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to further our understanding of our world. Along with the other parts of the wider National Geographic ecosystem, National Geographic Apparel is committed to inspiring the explorer in everyone.
At National Geographic Apparel, your purchase has purpose—every purchase helps support the global non-profit National Geographic Society in its work to protect and illuminate our world through exploration, research, and education. (To learn more, visit natgeo.com/info.)
Local highlights
The store has a localized feel to promote local adventures and Filipino pride. One of the more notable design elements in the store can be found right at the entrance, with a raised platform of four tall cairns surrounded by rocks framing National Geographic’s signature logo. This platform is then outlined by a metal ring embossed with the coordinates of the Philippines. The rock materials are made from Mt. Pinatubo’s lahar.
“This is meant to highlight the unique terrain of our country and show the spirit of National Geographic Apparel as a brand ready for any adventure. Visitors might also notice the contour lines found outside the fitting rooms. These are contour lines of Mt. Apo. We really wanted to bring the spirit of exploration to our store and highlight the aspects that make us uniquely Filipino,” Dela Cruz explains.
Dela Cruz adds, “To have the opportunity to inspire others to treat every experience as an adventure and to care for the world—and look good while doing it—makes me proud to be a part of this brand.”
Two more National Geographic Apparel stores are set to open this year in addition to the flagship store in SM MOA. The next branch will open in SM Aura by the end of October, and the third store will be in SM Megamall, which will open by the end of 2024.
The National Geographic Apparel store is located at Level 2 of North Wing Entertainment Mall, Mall of Asia.
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Editor's note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like National Geographic Apparel.