Roxanne Montealegre and Brian Poe Llamanzares’s new antibacterial fashion line – Someday, Maybe – aspires for a relaxed, pre-covid world while promoting a sense of safety that is always in style.
Wear-y of the Past
The clean lines and classic styles of Someday, Maybe’s debut line-up hearken back to more carefree, pre-covid days – a feel captured in its branding.“When we were pitching names I just felt a sense of nostalgia and thought about all the things I hope we can go back to doing without worrying.” Says Brian Poe-Llamanzares, son of incumbent Senator, Grace Poe-Llamanzares. His business partner, Roxanne Montealegre, echoes the statement. “It sounds like the title for a movie – which is like the surreal situation we’re in.”
For the pair, Someday, Maybe – people can revisit the places they used to go to, or work the jobs they used to occupy – but for now, a sense of welfare overcomes their priorities. Aiding to provide jobs to displaced tailors, Roxy reiterates, “we remain hopeful, and at the same time our company aims to do something to help those we can.”
While many designers have previously broken ground in designing personal protective equipment (PPEs) meant for frontliners and the high-fashion crowd, Brian and Roxy aspire for a different market with a novel approach.
“We’re targeting a younger audience with the designs that we came up with,” says Brian, his pulse on the millennial crowd, “it’s really a race now to create the most stylish and functional PPEs which consumers will actually like.” To compliment his more personable, direct-to-consumer approach, Brian relies on Roxy’s track record in business-to-business (b2b) transactions. Roxy, who’s been running a business supplying uniforms for over a decade, says that the special coating they apply to Someday, Maybe products is a breakthrough chemical originally used for heavy-duty sports. “But this time, I get to apply my creativity in making designs (for the end-wearer), instead of executing from the client’s end.” She cheerfully says.
The pair currently have a limited line, but assure Alike Media that they have antibacterial solutions that can be coated on any kind of fabric, to make anything from shirts to polos, jackets to joggers, making for comfortably safe, everyday-casual wear. “People will invest in safety, they’ll invest even more for safety and style,” reasons Mr. Poe.
Safety and Style – selling points suited to each other now, much like how Roxy and Brian were matched to each other, then.
A Matching Pair
The contest theme was “superheroes.”
“Funny story—Brian and I teamed up in college and won Mr. and Ms. JGSOM (John Gokongwei School of Management, in the Ateneo),” recalls Roxy, “he was ‘Captain Awesome’ and I was ‘Ms. Mind Blowing.’”
Brian, who states that the two have been friends for close to a decade, felt like their combined experience in running businesses would be a worthy risk. “(We) figured to combine our assets and make a company and see how that goes.” He says.
Thus the start of a company out to make (at least a bit of the world) – a great deal safer.
“(But) Brian’s not just a friend, over the years he’s like family.” Confesses Roxy. She shares that Brian to her was someone whose work ethic and dedication was something she could always count on, even during uncertain times.
“Our values are aligned.” She says matter-of-factly. And indeed the pair’s aspirations for the business seem noble, patriotic, if not a tad pragmatic.
“A lot of businesses are struggling now, either cutting costs or closing so personally, I don’t have high expectations,” says Roxy, “—our goal for now is to survive.” Says Brian, more optimistic. “We just started, (but) as time goes by we’ll be able to learn more from each other’s strengths and weakness and grow.” He also notes that while the international market is an option, it is best to establish a local reputation, first.
Fit to Launch
To facilitate sales, Someday, Maybe is opting for a soft digital launch in late June, with the initial line available for order on their IG and Facebook accounts.
“Given the limitations we’ll only be selling online through social media. Some styles will be readily available on the 19th! Other styles will come out soon. We’re focusing on quality.” Says Brian. Roxy agrees: “As a startup we don’t have budget for marketing so we will just make sure our products will speak for themselves.”
The pair want to eventually use word of mouth, social media and traditional media to advertise, but are working on developing their brand, to make sure that they “don’t make a mistake that will take even longer to fix.”
From aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s sound advice. To which Roxy adds: “Instead of looking at your passion first, or what you’re good at, try to see how you can address (societal) pain points,” her alluring tonality revealing her showbiz background, “Try to ask ‘how can I help?’” Brian’s advice is more macro-economic: “Look for the opportunities in the market – opportunities to provide jobs and address certain needs,” he declares with a statesman’s suave,” If you can do that, then you’ll make a profit, give jobs, and help the people. There’s nothing more noble in the business world, in my opinion.”
Coming from two driven individuals – Someday, Maybe the world can restart itself, but for now they can make clothing that at least makes it feel safer.
Someday, Maybe is available for order in limited quantities through their Facebook and Instagram account.
—alike.com.ph
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