They say that love inspires purpose, and for Emil and Vince Javier, their passion for streetwear has become an incredible success story that resonates in the vibrant streets of the Philippines and beyond. Their brains, Don’t Blame The Kids Apparel Co. or dbtk, has become a prominent name in Philippine fashion, leaving its mark on the global apparel stage while proudly displaying Filipino craftsmanship and pride in every stitch and design.
Their journey began humbly in their college years when the Javier brothers immersed themselves in the world of streetwear, a glamorous subculture. They started by reselling famous brands, which quickly developed into a profitable business, allowing them to make connections and expand their network within the niche. However, they wanted something more—to create, disrupt, and contribute to the very culture that attracted them.
In 2012, armed with courage and a dream, they took a leap of faith and founded DBTK. Leaving the stability of a successful sales business may feel like a gamble, but they used the income from their previous business and started the journey of design and fashion. Launching DBTK without a safety net or fallback plan, they put their trust in their talent and intuition. It was a bold move that finally paid off.
Today, DBTK proudly stands as a Filipino fashion label that collaborates with global giants such as H&M, Sanrio, Bratpack, Sesame Street, and Pokemon. Leading the charges are Emil, serving as CEO, Vince as Creative Director of the brand, and Ryan Jopillo, who manages the logistics of the brand.
The success of DBTK is a testament to the indomitable spirit and creative vision of the Javier brothers. With each unique design and collaboration, they continue to shape the streetwear scene, leaving an indelible mark on the fashion industry both locally and internationally. Their journey is an inspiration, showing the power of love, dedication, and relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.
Within the DBTK team, Emil, Vince, and Ryan each bring a different set of talents and skills, forming an unbeatable trio that drives the brand’s success. Their collaboration has been the driving force behind DBTK’s rise in the industry, demonstrating a blend of business acumen, creative vision, and logistical excellence.
As CEO, Emil’s strong business acumen and strategic thinking have been instrumental in guiding DBTK’s growth. With his deep understanding of market trends and consumer preferences, he navigates the industry landscape with finesse, ensuring the brand stays ahead of the curve. Emil’s leadership and visionary approach has driven DBTK’s expansion and strengthened its market position.
Vince, who serves as the brand’s Creative Director, has an unparalleled creative vision that sets DBTK apart. With an innate ability to transform ideas into visually compelling designs, he fuels the brand’s artistic flair and attention to detail. Vince’s keen eye for fashion trends and his dedication to innovation ensure that DBTK remains at the forefront of style, constantly pushing boundaries and captivating audiences.
Ryan Jopillo plays a key role in DBTK’s operations, managing the brand’s logistics with precision and expertise. His meticulous planning and organizational skills kept the entire operation running smoothly. By optimizing supply chains, managing inventory management, and streamlining distribution processes, Ryan’s contributions are critical to scaling the business and meeting customer needs. which is effective.
Together, this dynamic trio forms a powerful partnership, supporting and complementing each other’s strengths as they build the DBTK brand. Their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in pushing DBTK to new heights and cementing its reputation as a streetwear icon. With Emil’s business acumen, Vince’s creativity, and Ryan’s logistical prowess, DBTK continues to thrive, captivating audiences with a unique blend of style, innovation, and pride in Filipino.
The success story of Emil, Vince, and Ryan also stands as a testament to a key business alliance that drove their growth—their partnership with LBC, a Filipino brand that shares their vision and values. This collaboration adds another angel to the mix, further strengthening DBTK’s operations and pushing them to new heights.
From the beginning, LBC, a trusted logistics company in the Philippines, has played a key role in DBTK’s journey. In the early days, the Javier brothers personally carried boxes of their merchandise to an LBC branch, relying on the company’s shipping services to reach their customers. However, as DBTK became popular, this process became increasingly impractical.
Enter their new “angel”—LBC seamlessly combines their creative prowess with LBC’s logistics and supply chain management expertise. With LBC’s extensive network and efficient delivery services, DBTK has been able to streamline the distribution of their products, reaching customers all over the Philippines and beyond with ease.
As DBTK expanded, LBC rose to the challenge. The logistics company has become a valuable lifeline, managing the shipping and handling aspects of DBTK’s operations. This partnership allows the Javier brothers to focus on what truly matters – creating new, fresh, and sought-after streetwear that appeals to the modern Filipino youth.
The synergy between DBTK and LBC shows the power of collaboration and shows how two similar brands can elevate each other to greater success. With LBC as their trusted logistics partner, DBTK continues to grow, meeting the demands of their growing customer base while staying true to their vision. Together, they moved forward, changing the landscape of Filipino streetwear and leaving an indelible mark on the fashion industry.
The Javier brothers acknowledged the great role of LBC in their journey. “There are cheaper options available now, but the trust and infrastructure – LBC has it all,” they said.
Their trust in LBC goes beyond business understanding—it’s rooted in shared values. DBTK and LBC are Filipino-owned brands that embody national pride and commitment to success.
The alliance between DBTK and LBC celebrates the creativity, tenacity, and entrepreneurship of Filipinos. This is a story of two local brands carving their niche in the global market. While DBTK continues to make waves in the world of fashion, LBC remains a strong partner, managing logistics and enabling the fashion brand to reach every corner of the Philippines.
“LBC’s infrastructure and reliability make them our preferred logistics partner. In a world full of options, we chose a brand to entrust our operations to. LBC is the brand.”
Throughout their journey, the brothers learned the value of handing over operations to like-minded colleagues who share their principles. “Our responsibility goes beyond our customers—it covers the entire team. From creatives to operations to logistics, we must instill our faith in the business. It starts with us,” they emphasized.
This aligns well with LBC’s corporate philosophy and commitment to excellence. The synergy between the two brands fosters growth and expansion for DBTK, empowering the continued march in the global street fashion arena.
“Waves Don’t Stop,” one of DBTK’s popular catchphrases, embodies the mission of the partnership between DBTK and LBC. The journey they started years ago continues today, driven by their shared belief in persistence despite challenges.
“The ‘Waves Don’t Stop’ catchphrase represents our journey. Life has its ups and downs, like the waves of the sea. But we have learned that no matter how big the waves are, we have to keep moving forward. LBC is there, helping us navigate these waves,” they said.
DBTK’s journey is more than the rise of a fashion brand—it represents a cultural movement. Its prominence and collaboration with international brands has brought Filipino fashion sensibilities to the global stage.
The partnership between LBC and DBTK means more than a business alliance—it symbolizes shared Filipino values and national pride. Together, they have shown that with a clear vision, dedication, and the right partnership, Filipino brands can thrive in the global market.
The gambling of the Javier brothers paid off in their love. Today, DBTK’s designs are not only worn by Filipino youth but have become a symbol of Filipino pride and creativity. They embody the vision of two brothers who dare to dream big and work tirelessly to transform that dream into reality.
DBTK, with its bold designs and original concepts, shines as a beacon of innovation in Filipino fashion. Its alliance with LBC, a reliable and efficient logistics partner, has been instrumental in its success. Together, they epitomize the spirit of Filipino entrepreneurship—creative, resilient, and undeniably successful.
As we witness the continued rise of DBTK, one thing is certain: for those who dare to dream and persevere, the waves truly do not stop. And with partners like LBC supporting their journey, Filipino brands like DBTK can ride waves of global recognition.
For more information on how LBC can support you and your business, please visit www.lbcexpress.com/business-solutions.
