At first glance, HA.MU is intimidating. The local designer brand is known for its larger-than-life silhouettes, bold color schemes, and quirky patterns. Even their most “approachable” piece, a ready-to-wear white t-shirt that has ruffles by its hems, might still feel a little out-of-the-box for the everyday minimalist.
But maximalism is the blood that pumps through HA.MU’s heart. And the brain—or brains, rather—are Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki, two sprightly young designers who joined forces during their college days. If you still can’t tell, the brand is a portmanteau of their nicknames.
Both graduates of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising program, Ham and Mamu initially had some noticeable similarities with their work. While they differ in color choices, their maximalist sketches and playful spirits were what bound them together. Years after graduating, HA.MU is now one of the brands that best represent this generation’s sartorial sensibilities, minimalism be damned. In my humble opinion, they’re also one of the best.
When I began my career as a “fashion girl,” one of my goals was to add a designer piece to my wardrobe. I know, I know—typical Gen Z consumerist behavior. But I wasn’t going to shell out wads of cash willy-nilly.
At the very least, I was adamant about purchasing it from a Filipino brand. When I’m old and aching (but still as stylish as ever, of course), I’d be thrilled to say my collection of designer goods began with a proudly Pinoy creation. And if I was going to spend that much on a piece of clothing, it had to be something I can regard sentimentally from time to time.
I eventually found “The One” when I scrolled upon a travel OOTD of Camille Co’s. It was love at first sight. The Ring of Trees jeans from HA.MU had to be mine.
The pair of pants ticked off all of the boxes of what I was looking for. First of all, at face value, they were just another pair of blue jeans I could wear every single day. But they weren’t just any other blue jeans, either. A deep blue-washed denim piece with wavy designs and stitching by the bottom hems, they had that sprinkle of quirkiness to them that set them apart from every other pair I already had in my closet.
And this is the Leo in me talking, but these jeans were definitely a conversation-starter. I played the scenario in my head multiple times. “Oh wow, I love your jeans! Where are they from?” a friend would curiously ask. “Oh thanks! They’re from HA.MU!” I would proudly respond. That namedropping would boost the return of investment, in my book.
So I shot them a message on Instagram. I measured myself at home and sent them the numbers once we got things going. You can imagine how incredibly giddy I was about having a bespoke designer item made just for me. Two or so weeks later, the jeans of my dreams were in my possession.
I’m not going to reveal how much they were (You can totally just message them yourself to find out. Ham’s the nicest!), but they were worth every single penny. Like I said, they were like any other pair of denim, so I could team them with virtually any top I had in mind. Plus, the designer duo got my measurements down to a tee. It cinched my waist without constricting me at all, and they were perfectly wide-legged for a retro touch. I was so excited to wear them out that I rocked them to the office literally the next day.
That proved to only be the first of many collaborations I would have with Ham and Mamu. I wore their Candy Man shirt to my graduation ceremony, and while it was hidden under my toga, I still felt my best knowing my outfit was on point. Come our Preview Ball this year, I really wanted to make it a fashionable moment to mark my second year in the industry. There was no other option for me than to wear HA.MU to the occasion, especially since they were being awarded in our inaugural list of the Best Filipino Fashion Designers.
On the night itself, I was garbed in what was one of, if not the best outfit I’ve ever worn in my life. Rendered in a crisp shade of white, it consisted of a boxy blazer with an open back, laced together with a cumbersome bow. Teamed with it were an ethereally flowy pair of pleated pants, with its extra-wide silhouette making it appear as though I was in a full maxi skirt.
Present throughout the ensemble were the brand’s signature ruffles, lining spots such as my shoulders. I felt like I had wings on, and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t floating on air that night (and it’s not just because I was in five-inch platform heels).
I got a bit teary-eyed when Ham and Mamu walked up to the stage to receive their trophy. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Yana Kalaw, one of their associates and a designer herself, documenting the moment with heaps of pride. Several people in that ballroom, most wearing HA.MU as well, would agree with me when I say that those two deserved the recognition and more.
What I saw being honored were two people who upheld a no-holds-barred individuality with their craft. There were no limits to their combined imagination. They tackle their designs with no size, gender, or age policing how one can dress himself. Not to mention, they were also “big boys” like me, who just wanted to have fun with fashion at the end of the day. They say representation matters, and I think that it also applies to the makers of the clothes we put on our backs. I couldn’t have been prouder to wear such meaningful work by two people who create with no restrictions.
A key element with HA.MU’s designs is a palpable youthful quality. Flowers that look like they were doodled by a child are stitched onto a pair of shorts or a button-down. Bright, vivid hues that could comprise a crayon box are evident throughout their past and present collections. The abundant use of ruffles and bows could take anyone back to their schooling days and how they learned to tie their shoelaces for the first time.
These tributes to one’s salad days are representative of the brand’s style ethos. When you’re a kid, you don’t think if something will suit your body type, or if it'll complement your skin tone. Heck, it doesn’t cross your mind if it’ll be “acceptable” to wear out in public. You just wear it because you want to. Ham and Mamu prove that things could really be that simple when it comes to fashion. No rules, no restrictions. Just pure, unadulterated fun.
You dream of being many things when you’re young and the great big world is still uncharted territory. When I was a teenager complying to my all-boys school’s blue polo and khaki pants uniform, all I wanted to become was a fashion girl. But there were several instances when I’d feel like I wasn’t meant to be one, whether it’s because some things didn’t fit my size or because I wasn’t “allowed” as a male-presenting person. Fashion became something I would just admire from afar, never meant to be donned or experienced firsthand.
While this proverbial fashion girl is still just that—a lofty image I can only wish to emanate—I feel like I’ve finally come to a point where I’ve become my own version of her. And a big part as to why is because people like Ham, Mamu, Yana, and all the other delightful individuals who #WearHaMu have proven to me that I am one. My personal style doesn’t have to conform to any standards. I can just wear what I want, and that itself christens me as a fashion girl.
At first glance, HA.MU is loud. Anyone you spot wearing it on the street will surely turn heads. People will stare, some with a bit of confusion, and others with admiration. Quite evidently, at this point, I find myself as part of the latter. HA.MU is like a second skin, a piece of armor that equips you with the attitude to tackle the world with an aura of confidence. Their brand of maximalism may not be for everyone, but it’s definitely for anyone who chooses to rock it. Anyone who, at their simplest state, just wants to wear what they want.
I, for one, am grateful to at least call the minds behind the craziness my friends.
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