Senpai + Kohai is a Philadelphia-based clothing brand with global influences. Process and technique are at the heart of their work, with each piece making use of at least one production method that comes from handcrafting traditions. Their namesake highlights the brand's strong respect for craft, invoking a Japanese expression of balance between those who teach and those who learn.

Melissa Choi + Pia Panaligan, designers:

Senpai + Kohai is inspired by the hand craftsmanship that goes into creating garments, integrating traditional hand-craft techniques to create modern designs.

Today, many garments are manufactured by machines and in large quantities, which takes away from their quality. We produce our own garments and work closely with local manufacturers and seamstresses open to producing in small quantities. Our inspiration starts with the fabric and from there we take the influence of art and design from our travels, past and present, to create one-of-a-kind pieces.

We believe in the importance of environmentally-aware designs produced through fair trade. We not only want to show the importance of producing locally, developing relationships with artisans and crafters in our city, but that we plan on extending globally by bringing awareness to empower the community worldwide. 

Their perspective from: 

IIIINSPIRED: Great visuals, with a mix of art, photography and fashion

Business of Fashion: The perfect site to get news within the fashion world from a business point-of-view

MILK: A great read for current insight on fashion, beauty, music and art

Each week we feature creative entrepreneurs bringing artistry or beauty into the world through strong inner perspective. Full / more interviews here

Composure is a practice in artistry through scarves; our scarves and stories at www.alwayscomposure.com/shop


Still learning,
—K