Pharmacy Boardshop in Long Beach hosts a exclusive fashion show, “Nobody Cares”, for designer DSTRYR
by Enrique Alejandrino
When I had started this editor gig at NothingMag, I never expected to be invited to an exclusive fashion show. Yet, there I sat at the end of the runway in a skate shop, awaiting to see the work of DSTRYR. The private event “Nobody Cares” hosted about 35 people total, comprised of other designers, musicians and skaters.
This was Manuel Munoz’s first full collection of designer clothes, and it marks his transition from streetwear to high end fashion. He created a lot of these outfits from scratch; the sweaters, the shirts, the tactical pants.
I waited in my seat with my friend until I was invited into the backroom where I got to speak with Munoz. We sat in a back corner away from the yelling and commotion. He sat on a random shop stool, and I took a knee; (remember it took place in a stock room of a skate shop, so there weren’t many seats). This environment gave it a surreal feeling.
Munoz got his start in fashion about two years ago, working with cut and sew designs; recreating fabrics and turning them into new works. Someone’s first impression about his artist name would be he got it from the reconstructive design style. Funnily enough, he tells me it’s from his childhood.
“My grandma used to call me destroyer as a kid. She used to say everything I touched I destroyed.” He laughed. “I had a habit of wanting to break things and trying to fix them; then never being able to fix them.”
He had that hundred yard stare of nostalgia. Latina grandma’s have the best nicknames, one part teasing and the other part loving as hell.
I glance around at the models, they look nervous as most of them are already dressed, waiting for 9 p.m. to hit, where they can finally walk out into the crowd of people and show off the clothing line. Until then, they chatted and took swigs from their cups.
“This whole collection is honestly inspired by the Matrix. There’s many tactical things, there’s things you can take off and it turns into a bag.”
It was dedicated to Munoz’s friend, Ramiro: “It used to be his favorite, this movie is super sick to me. Like let’s get this whole collection inspired by this.”
During the main event, I sat front row at the end of the runway with a drink in my hand watching models strut their way toward me. A hip-hop beat played over the PA, as the models would appear like silhouette from the door frame at the back. Their outfits would come into focus, as they walked to the front of the store. The models struck a few poses and turned around. They came out one by one, just like you would imagine from internet or pop-culture references. The skateboards that lined the wall made the environment feel more gritty; more LA. It’s hard to believe one person designed all the clothes, especially since Munoz is 24. When all the models came out one last time, the room clapped and hollered.
This whole collection was designed within a two month period. Munoz worked up to the deadline, finishing up some of the accessories the same day as the show.
Artists, they all have this similar trait of procrastinating till the end and it cracks me up. But he loved the pressure he said. Not knowing if he could complete the collection, all that doubt built up. It gave him fuel to put it all together and pull it off.
Munoz shakes his head, grinning with achievement. I think artists consider each detail for as long as they can, though those less familiar with creatives misinterpret it for laziness. I’ve been around enough artists to realize they don’t leave any idea unexplored.
One of Munoz’s favorite works in the entire collection was the skirt. Munoz had never worked on skirts previously, and it happened to be one of my favorites too. An elegant touch to the tactical gear. It took Munoz about four hours to complete his final attempt at the skirt. “I wanted this in my collection. I’m going to make it.”
After the show ended and the hype settled I got to speak with Munoz’s manager, Will Forgey.
“The next step is to start pushing out the collection that you saw tonight, and then we’re already in talks with working with a few different brands.”
A documentary by Josef Akira is currently in the works.
Notable names already wearing DSTRYR's fashion line:
Kalan.FrFr (R&B musician)
AzSwaye (R&B musician)
Tyrrell “DirtySho” Washington (Professional Boxer)
