Alyssa “Chi” Loyzaga Gibbs is a designer, painter, printmaker, and musician. She has her own clothing brand, musical duo, and art studio, but her magnum opus (so far) materialized less than a week ago, when she released the design of her very own Air Jordan 2. Tapped by Manila-based retailer TITAN for the opportunity, Chi’s tropical take on the AJ2 is a love letter to her Filipina heritage — as well as to her grandfather, Carloy Loyzaga, a basketball legend and four-time Asian Games gold medalist in the 1950s. The tropical colorway and mixed-material construction reflects a true sneakerhead’s attention to detail, as well as Chi’s own vibrant personal style. Luckily, Chi had a few minutes to tell us what she’s been up to.
Name: Chi Gibbs
Zodiac Sign: Aries (!!!)
Where are you from, and where are you right now?
I’m from the Philippines, but currently based in Singapore.
What’s your first memory with streetwear?
My first memory of streetwear would have to be watching MTV as a kid! Music videos and magazines definitely. My mom also had a Vogue subscription growing up, and I remember tearing pages out and putting them up on my wall.
If you had to compress your personal style into one outfit, what would it be?
It would definitely be a fun, printed, loose button down, a cargo midi skirt, and sneakers.
You can only wear three shoes for the rest of your life — what are they?
Gotta think of every occasion here! Number one has to be my Titan AJ2s of course, #2 would be leather platform slides, and #3 would be black Versace Aevitas platform pumps.
Streetwear style icon: Aleali May
Your last (or favorite) Instagram follow: Marina Summers! She was a finalist in Drag Race Philippines and she is just iconic.
What’s your biggest creative or career milestone so far? What’s your biggest creative or career goal right now?
To be able to work with Jordan brand and Titan on AJ2s is definitely my biggest creative milestone so far. A dream come true. My goal is to take my own brand to greater heights, and hopefully work on more collaborations internationally.
What’s your dream collaboration?
Aside from Jordan and Nike, a dream would be working with other brands I adore, like Jacquemus or Ambush! Crossing over into beauty would be really dope too, like working with Rihanna at Fenty.
What are you currently working on?
We just launched our Titan x Jordan apparel and AJ2s on snkrs.com. Other than that I’m currently working on a new collection for my brand Neon Island.
When do you feel the most empowered?
When I’m working on a project creatively. There’s no greater feeling than when you see your vision come to life. It’s both empowering and exhilarating.
What needs to change about the current streetwear landscape, to make it more inclusive?
I wish that a lot more brands step up and allow women of color to tell their story. The opportunity I got, to be able work with Jordan, came along because Titan was (and is) committed to championing women. I wish more large companies would give women these chances.
What woman in streetwear/sneaker history would you like to see get her flowers?
I have to say my fellow Filipina Aleali May. She really paved the way for a lot of us, and brought her Asian culture to the forefront.