The designers of Nike Sabrina 2 x Titan. Photos from @alessahpapa on Instagram, @aila_view on Instagram, and @lalalaraine on Instagram

MANILA, Philippines – Three esteemed Filipinas were given the rare opportunity to give WNBA champion Sabrina Ionescu's signature shoe Nike Sabrina 2 a retouch.

Named the Nike Sabrina 2 x Titan, the shoe accentuates a neutral look courtesy of its light bone tone, but has purple, emerald, and blush as a nod to Titan's Show Her Love community tournament, and the seafoam touch is a tribute to Ionescu's legacy with WNBA team New York Liberty.

This stunning iteration was made possible by Ionescu in her collaboration with Titan, a prominent basketball specialty concept store in the Philippines.

The Nike Sabrina 2 x Titan. Photo from Titan 22/Facebook

Titan's very own Alex Papa and designers Aila Torre and Lari Gazmen, who have vast experiences in the design industry, worked on this project.

Papa is the 28-year-old lead for Titan's own private label. As time passed by, her role evolved beyond apparel design and she began to contribute to Titan's efforts in helping the local women's basketball community grow.

She worked as a creative producer for Edukasyon.ph, a project officer for the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment Graphic, a designer for Pocofino, and a freelance graphic designer for FMCG and various travel & tours brands.

She also graduated Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, Major in Social Anthropology, Minor in Psychology at the University of the Philippines Baguio.

"My role was more about expanding and championing the women's product offerings at Titan through its private label. Kasi parang as we move along, Titan wants to continuously redefine the intersection between sports and fashion," Papa said.

Gazmen, who hails from the University of Santo Tomas' College of Fine Art and Design, has worked with Together We Design as a partner and creative director, and with local streetwear brand Nobody Clothing, also as a partner and designer.

"I've worked all my professional life as a designer," said the 35-year-old Gazmen, who is also a new mom of a six-month-old boy.

"Currently I'm the creative director of our studio called Together We Design and I'm also a partner at a local streetwear brand called Nobody Clothing," said Gazmen.

Torre, 33, has a double degree from Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines Diliman, finishing AB Communications and CFA Visual Communications in the Katipunan-based campuses, respectively. She was also a former graphic designer for the UAAP and an independent brand identity specialist and illustrator for JT’s Manukan Grille.

Torre is also a former player, having played with the Ateneo Lady Eagles which made her deeply embedded with the sports culture here in the country.

"I used to be a former athlete so heavily rooted ako sa whole sports culture and karamihan din sa work ko around sports," said Aila, who is also the daughter of actor Joel Torre.

IN PHOTOS: Joel Torre with his beautiful and talented daughters Aila and Marela

All three have previously worked on projects dedicated to women years ago. As Gazmen stated, their chemistry made it possible to get the job done in their most special project by far.

"I would say na it's not easy to collaborate, like for two people to collaborate. And it's like to say na three people are collaborating in one shoot, that's difficult. Pero, luckily we know each other more now as workmates, as colleagues, and as friends," said the UST CFAD graduate.

The Filipina visual artists of Nike Sabrina 2 x Titan: Alex Papa, Aila Torre, and Lari Gazmen. Photo from @aila_view on Instagram

ON THE PRIVILEGE OF DESIGNING NIKE SABRINA 2 X TITAN

For Papa, it's a "lifetime dream" to work for Titan as a designer, and she could not find herself doing otherwise.

"Designing and art was really like a big passion for me since I could remember, like high school, elementary, and then college. So parang working for Titan and becoming a designer was really a lifetime dream," Papa said.

"And parang hindi ko na-imagine 'yung sarili ko doing a different thing. So parang sabi ko sa sarili ko, I want to be someone or I want to be known in the creative field. And a step to that one is being the lead apparel for design and of course, having that opportunity to influence the landscape of sports and fashion," she added.

"And then to showcase not only my talent, but my cause as a designer, sharing Titan’s commitment to the game and the community. 'Yun 'yung naging motivation for me."

According to Gazmen, working with Titan is a massive privilege, and it gave her an opportunity to design a sneaker for a world-renowned athlete specifically in women's sports.

READ: Nike collaborates with Titan for latest LeBron footwear

"I think that just to work with Titan itself is already a huge privilege for me," said Gazmen.

"Sino ba naman ako? And then to work with these women [referring to Aila and Alex] is such a privilege. Also parang sobrang nag-enjoy ako for the past few years just working on the Show Her Love campaign with them. And then to be asked to design a Nike sneaker, I think ask any designer, any young designer or any designer of any age and they will tell you that one of their dream projects is to design specifically they will say a Nike shoe," she said.

Redesigning the Sabrina 2 is a lifelong dream for Torre, and somehow it became a culmination of her life's work ever since she was a child. 

"It's literally a lifelong dream of mine," Torre said.

READ: Ahead of inaugural Hoops Fair, Nike and Titan unveil latest collaboration

"Ever since I can remember, I kind of have been infusing my creativity with sports. So nung grade school kami, high school ako 'yung nagde-design ng jerseys namin. Tapos for fun, nagdo-draw ako on sneakers with markers, mga stuff like that," she went on.

Torre said she accepted the project in a heartbeat as it involved Titan, Nike, and her colleagues Papa and Gazmen.

"So 'yun nga, sabi ni Lari, ask any young designer, any aspiring designer, sasabihin niya na 'dream niya 'to.' And I guess for me din, di ako nag-think twice kapag project 'yan involving Titan, let alone a collab with Nike. And then dagdag mo pa dyan nga, I was gonna work with Alex, Lari in a team. So ako kasi I like being a teammate and I like having teammates."

The Nike Sabrina 2 x Titan. Photo from Titan 22/Facebook

DESIGNING THE NIKE SHOE

Papa also shared the specifics, answering the question "who did what?"

The pride of UP Baguio bared that the tones of the Nike Sabrina 2 x Titan are a "collab between everyone," but there were technicalities set in stone from the get-go.

Some of the inspirations of the branding were Torre and Gazmen's projects in 2021 to 2022, the Titan's Show Her Love tournament or Her Love of the Game initiatives.

"Lari and Aila being like an illustrator and then me being like a graphics designer. So my contribution was actually dun sa the typography that was used in the footwear, 'yung 'Make Space' callout, and the tangram icon. And then those shapes were also seen in the lining of the footwear," Papa shared.

"And then the tones, actually it was really a collaboration between everyone. Kasi the jumping-off point for the footwear was really the Titan Show Her Love initiative ," Papa added.

"But there was really a specific tone or a specific identity to it, mainly being the use of the purple hues, pink hues, and all that. So that was really set na from the get-go," she stated.

And of course, as a nod to Ionescu's WNBA team, the New York Liberty, they added an element of teal.

"And then included na lang din 'yung representation for Sabrina, of course, using the color teal, diba, kasi her being in the New York Liberty. So it was kind of representational on both ends. And there are conversations about the technicalities and how the elements were going to be placed in the footwear."

Papa bared further that they wanted the shoe to be "genuine," meaning that the design was confidently made for its future users.

"I think the main goal for everyone is we wanted it to be genuine, from our point of view.  Genuine in a sense na we feel like we're going to be confident once the shoe is released," Papa said.

The Nike Sabrina 2 x Titan. Photo from Titan 22/Facebook

LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE COLLABS

In case they will be able to work on the shoes of another WNBA athlete, all three artists agree to pounce on that opportunity immediately.

Papa said she wants to "take things to a different level" if ever a door opens for that chance.

READ: All about basketball at Titan Hoops Fair

"I guess if I would be given that opportunity, I would really take things to a different level, like the next level. And honestly, I'm really up for the challenge kasi it's always fulfilling to be given that opportunity, to inspire other people," said the 28-year-old artist. 

"Parang, kailan ka lang naman magkakaroon ng opportunity to do that, diba? So, habang nandiyan pa, habang merong chance to do it, gawin mo na," Papa added. 

For Torre, it's an opportunity to bring fresh new looks as she craves more experiences.

"In a heartbeat, I'd say yes. I'm always open to new opportunities and I'd like to see how I can contribute and represent and bring new looks and fresh ways into what's asked of me," said Torre.

Also, it's an avenue to learn, just to learn from industry experts, to be able to immerse myself in ways na hindi ko pa nagagawa before. And always akong game to do that," she added.

Meanwhile, for Gazmen, giving Nike's Sabrina 2 a new look "was already everything," and in case another opportunity of designing a shoe rises, it would be an "extra bonus" for her.

"So if the opportunity arises, hindi ako hihindi. But then again, on the other hand, parang after this shoe, sobrang bonus na no'n. I mean, this is already everything," said Gazmen. "And then to be asked to design the next, my God. And I will gladly take on the challenge. I'm sure it's going to be another wonderful experience."

 ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE

As their profiles rise as artists, Papa, Gazmen, and Torre all commit to use their platforms for their causes and advocacies.

Photo from @alessahpapa on InstagramPapa said she hopes to break norms surrounding the designing of clothes and apparel, asserting that "there's a deeper sense to it."

"As an artist and I would say an evolving designer, I want to be able to challenge the norms and then inspire change na rin. And then at the same time, parang continue on telling untold stories through my work here at Titan. So I've been asked by my friends, my families, and then other people, 'How do I apply those visions or those challenges in my everyday life as an apparel designer?'" Papa shared.

"Kasi when you hear about apparel designer, people think of it na nagde-design ka lang ng t-shirt, 'yun na 'yon. Pero for me, it has a deeper sense to it. And I always tell them na 'it's about the intention na we make or I make.' So every decision that you make has to be intentional. 'Who it is for and what is it about?' And that is something that hindi ako mapapagod na gawin. Hindi ko siya alisin sa habit ko as a designer," she added.

Papa said she aims to inspire women in sports and fashion, asserting that they have space to take up.

"To be able to inspire women na we have a place to take up — we all have a space for our aspirations. And a place where we can reimagine sports fashion, where we can forward women-focused projects, and just a space where we can showcase her. So that's the kind of space that I want to carve out while doing, of course, my role as an apparel designer. And I think I want to be able to do that through the work that I do for the private label."

Photo from @aila_view on Instagram

As for Torre's part, she wants to be a role model for women who want to pursue the same career path as theirs.

"I believe in the saying that you can't be what you can't see. So it's important for others, the younger generation, other women to see someone who represents them. I think 'yung ginagawa namin tatlo ngayon is hindi siya masyadong karaniwan or nakasanayan na ginagawa ng mga babae. And I think mayroon kaming role din para sa mga taong katulad namin na gusto sa path na ito — na makita nila kami and pwede silang mapasok din sa larangan na ganito." Torre said.

"And I think ang gusto ko lang din is maging representation of someone that has dreamed big and inspired those to dream big," she added.

Torre hopes to show the way for women in a male-dominated industry and society.

"Especially in the landscape that we're working in, a very male-dominated industry and society in itself, I hope to show women that 'yung unique perspective namin and 'yung voices namin nagma-matter. And that kami mismo, we take it in our hands to actually make space for each other," Torre said.

"And I guess through my work, through my art and showing up as authentically as who I am, my goal is just to keep creating something that resonates and empowers women moving in the space like the game."

Photo from @lalalaraine on Instagram

Gazmen's objective is to amplify her voice to speak up for fellow women as she continues her career in design.

"I feel like I've been already so blessed by the circumstances of my life being given this opportunity and other opportunities to be in the spotlight and to share my talents," Gazmen stated. "And if it so happens that I'm in a certain place to speak up for other women because my voice is amplified, yeah, I'm not going to stop talking about how women need to be uplifted in all aspects of life."

Gazmen, who will see a son grow up under her supervision, asserted that "life goes on" even though she has entered a new chapter of her life.

"As a new mother, dati akala ko parang na if you become a mom, that's where dreams go to die. That's not true. I don't know why I thought of that before," the UST product said.

"And mothers, like any women, are capable of so much. Kailangan lang talaga natin ng support, ng accommodation to be able to explore who we are and what we can be," she added.

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