From Coastal Cultures to Ocean Conservation

A New Chapter: Turning Passion Into a Brand

For those of you who’ve been following my blog, you probably know I’m still pretty new at this. Looking back on my life, so much has happened that I never thought to document—whether through a blog or video. I’ve worked in so many different industries, always searching for what truly resonates with me. But nothing ever felt realistic enough to pursue, so I kept holding back.

Well, this is my fresh start.

You may have also noticed a page called “D’riftr,” which links to another website of mine. It’s the start of a new Print-On-Demand clothing brand I’m building. The idea came from my love for diving, my fascination with ocean life, and my appreciation for stunning ocean-inspired tattoos. And, I’ll admit—there’s still a part of me that adores Disney movies like Moana.

In this blog, I want to take you through my thought process behind creating D’riftr, as well as my goals and vision for the brand.

Inspiration From the Ocean and Polynesian Tattoos

If you’ve seen Moana, you might remember the scenes with inscriptions on the walls or when Gramma Tala passes away and returns as a manta ray. Those moments really stuck with me. They sparked a memory of a whale shark tank top I once saw during a return trip from my dive at Moalboal.

That tank top stood out to me—not just because of the design, but because it felt connected to the ocean in such a meaningful way. Unfortunately, they were out of my size, and I never got to buy it. That moment lingered in my mind, and it got me thinking: what if I created my own clothing brand, focusing on similar designs inspired by the sea and its stories?

Exploring Coastal Cultures: Bridging Tradition and Minimalism

With that idea in mind, I started looking deeper into Gramma Tala’s manta ray, the inscriptions, and that whale shark design. I kept asking myself—what was it about these elements that really drew me in? For me, it was the dots, lines, and minimalistic patterns that stood out.

The more I explored, the more I realized that these designs were inspired by Polynesian tattoo art. It made even more sense when I discovered that Polynesian culture also incorporates wayfinding—a traditional navigation method using stars, bird movements, ocean swells, and wind patterns to traverse the seas. This connection to the ocean and its rhythms felt incredibly meaningful and aligned perfectly with my vision.

But if you take a closer look at Polynesian tattoo art, you’ll notice how rich it is with intricate linework and geometric patterns. What caught my eye, though, was the minimalistic side of it. That’s when the idea hit me—what if I could blend the traditional cultural aspects with modern, minimalistic elements to create designs that I’d personally love to wear?

Imagine heading out on a dive trip, wearing a tank top with a sleek, culture-rich manta ray or a minimalist Polynesian-inspired design. Just thinking about it gets me excited for my next dive!

While that idea sparked the concept, it didn’t stop there. I had to ask myself—how could I really turn this into a brand? Something meaningful and cohesive. After all, I’m not Polynesian, so why would I focus exclusively on Polynesian-inspired designs?

That’s when I started researching other coastal cultures with rich traditions, unique linework, and tattoo styles. The more I explored, the more it made sense. I’m just someone deeply passionate about diving, the sea, coastal cultures, and ocean conservation. So why not build a brand rooted in those concepts?

At the time, I began dreaming big—like one day seeing people wearing rash guards and wetsuits I’d designed. Simple, sleek, and eye-catching. I even thought about turning one of my designs into my next tattoo.

While diving into research, I realized just how many cultures have rich coastal traditions I’d never known about. As an Asian, I naturally knew about Japanese and Taiwanese coastal heritage and the broader Asia Pacific area. But I was surprised to learn that even the Mediterranean and British Isles have deep roots in their coastal history. Each culture offers something unique—whether it’s their style of artwork, linework, symbols, geometric patterns, or even folklore tied to the sea.

This incredible diversity began shaping a clear vision for my brand. I imagined creating designs that celebrate these global coastal cultures by blending their traditional art styles with minimalist modern elements—something I’d personally love to wear.

To make this concept manageable, I decided to focus on six coastal cultures to start: Polynesian, Scandinavian, British Isles, Mediterranean, Japanese, and Taiwanese. These six are just the beginning, as they each bring something distinct to the table. To showcase their individuality, I also decided to align each culture with a specific season. This approach allows me to emphasize their unique strengths in a way that feels relatable and visually cohesive.

Core Collections vs. Creative Collections: Building a Vision

I started experimenting and putting these designs together, and let me tell you—it wasn’t easy to strike the right balance between traditional and minimalistic. For me, minimalism is key because I’m just not a fan of crowdedness, even in life. I love the use of white space and keeping things simple. As long as a design communicates the message I want to convey, I try my best to strip away unnecessary details.

That said, it took me countless tries to create a design I felt was strong enough to represent my brand. Since I’m new to this, I realized that what resonates with me might not necessarily connect with the audience. To address that, I decided to separate my designs into two categories: the Core Collection and the Creative Collections.

The Core Collection features designs I feel confident about—ones that represent my brand, the culture they draw from, and the message I want to share. Meanwhile, the Creative Collections include designs I was less sure about. But instead of discarding them, I wanted to let you guys have a look and share your thoughts. Who knows? Some of these might end up making their way into the Core Collection if they truly capture the spirit of what my brand stands for.

Sustainability Goals: Aiming for Eco-Friendly Apparel

As a beginner, I truly believe it’s important to stay open to feedback. If you have any comments or thoughts about my designs, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know—I’d love to hear from you!

And if you feel that a design from the Creative Collection carries a strong message that aligns with the brand, let me know! If enough people share the same sentiment, I’ll gladly move it into the Core Collection. After all, this brand is not just about my vision but also about connecting with you all and creating something meaningful together.

Future Plans: Promoting Ocean Conservation Through Fashion

As for my vision moving forward, starting from scratch means there’s a lot of room to grow. My ultimate goal is to someday have complete control over the materials used for my brand’s products, ensuring they’re all eco-friendly and aligned with ocean conservation efforts. I want D’riftr to evolve into a brand that offers a wide range of apparel while championing sustainability and raising awareness about protecting our oceans.

Once the business is running smoothly, I hope to take things a step further by creating an ocean awareness initiative. This could involve organizing clean-up events, partnering with non-profit organizations, and contributing to meaningful conservation efforts. It’s a big dream, but one I’m determined to work toward.

Join the Journey: How You Can Help Spread the Message

For those of you who share the same ideology and passion for our oceans, I invite you to help spread this message. Every voice matters, and together we can inspire positive change. My dream is to grow D’riftr into a brand that not only resonates with people who love the ocean but also makes a tangible impact in preserving this beautiful blue world we all call home.

If this vision speaks to you, join me on this journey! Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest to stay updated on our latest designs, ocean conservation efforts, and inspiration from coastal cultures around the world. Let’s create waves of change, one small ripple at a time.

Thank you for being a part of this journey—every step forward is one we take together.