Interview with Jeon Lipa, Head Designer
13,000 PIECES SOLD NYC FASHION WEEK SEATTLE-BASED FILIPINO-BORN
JEON LIPA
THE BEGINNING
Jeon: I was born in the Philippines, and then I grew up in Canada. And then I moved over here not too long ago. 2016-ish. And then it kinda started when I was in middle school. I’ve always been a hustler, in my opinion because back in middle school, I would flip drinks.
So I would sell Cokes and Sprite for, like, a dollar and stuff like that to get my money. And then, of course when you’re young, you want all the cool stuff. I wanted a Bape shirt, Supreme, all that kind of stuff, which was hot back then. But at the time, you know, I couldn’t afford any of that stuff. So, I made my own, like, Supreme t-shirt.
And then I wore it to school and people liked it. So I was like, oh, I kinda like doing it. So it kind of became a snowball effect. And then rolling into high school, I started making the brand with a couple of friends, and then we were on and off with it. The brand used to be a different name.
And then not too long ago, actually, I think last year. Last year in March, that’s when I started to take things really seriously with the brand and every investment. And then ever since then, you know, that’s the brand where it’s been now.
I have a love and hate relationship course, that’s what I’m known other things, not just the NY hoodie” “
THE PROCESS
Kayla: When you saw that people were starting to like your stuff, do you feel that made you change how you operated or designed things? You’ve made a career out of this, so I imagine that probably changed your design style/goals in some way?
Jeon: Being a designer is, like, you always wanna be the designer, the creative but there’s another aspect, which is the business side of things. I feel like that’s what you’re asking about.
It really did make me change how I designed because and how I make decisions. Because there’s stuff that I put out that the audience will like, but I won’t necessarily like it. Like, the LA hoodies. I’m not a big LA fan. At all. But a great business decision was dropping the LA hoodies.
And, of course, the NY stuff, I only wanted to drop it once. But then people always asked me to drop them again. I have a love and hate relationship with that design because, of course, that’s what I’m known for, but I want to be known for other stuff, not just that.
MLP IN NYC THE FUTURE
Kayla: This next part is about MLP being in New York Fashion Week and the pop up that you did in NYC. How did you feel to see your work showcased on such a prominent platform? And what about that was the most exciting part?
Jeon: It was a major personal achievement because I’ve always wanted to do my own runway show. It had to be one of my goals to do New York Fashion Week. And then to be able to do that was, I’d say, a surreal feeling. I was also the youngest designer there and I felt that people liked my stuff the most, which is dope.
Kayla: I see. What was your approach for preparing Memory Lane Park for fashion week? Did you get any feedback from the audience, whether that was online or in person that really stood out or made you feel that surreal feeling?
Jeon: I wanted to showcase that I can do more to just the hoodies, and I wanted to work with luxury fabrics, leather, knits, and stuff like that. After I did the fashion weekend and showcased it. You know, people online loved and supported it.
And then, another person, after I did the show, came up to me and said “I really love your work. You were the only one that showcased POC on the runway.” Hearing that was crazy. You know?
relationship with that design because, of known for, but I want to be known for hoodie”
Kayla: After the success of all this, you probably got a lot more exposure as well. So, what do you feel is next for the brand, and are there any directions or themes that you’re excited about?
Jeon: Yeah. So I’m not sure if you’re aware, but a lot of the stuff that I’ve been showcasing is called the Fond Farewell. Because I’m going to do a rebrand.
So, it’s not gonna be named Memory Lane Park anymore. I’m gonna be making similar pieces, but in a new direction.
Have my own blank line, which is everyday wear, more affordable pieces that are always available. That anybody can get.
And then that will help me with bigger projects and collections. I want to get into semi luxury. A bridge between streetwear and luxury wear. And I’m not the biggest fan of big logos anymore.
But I always want to carry my taste on, my style, as I evolve, which has always been the goal. But yeah, I’m getting older. I want less logos. I wanna focus more on texture and silhouettes. So how the pieces will sit on your body and the texture of the fabrics.
So, cracked denim or aged denim, which is more distressed. Yeah, a lot of new stuff that I’m working on. Still want statement pieces but there’ll be a lot less logos now.
Kayla: So, a high end, known for quality brand.
Jeon: Yeah, because I like the stuff that I’m putting out, but it’s kinda getting old on me. The jerseys are cool, the hoodies are cool, but I wanna make more pieces that people can wear on any day. Because there’s a bigger market for that. I traveled this year, like, Europe, Spain, and Russia, and I noticed there’s a bigger audience in terms of people that wear no logos than those who wear all the big logos with big graphics and stuff like that. Now that’s what I’m leaning towards. It’s something that I can wear on a daily basis because I’m not always gonna rock the NY hoodie.
THE FOND FAREWELL
The latest NY hoodie drop was the final goodbye to MEMORYLANEPARK. In 2025, Lipa will be starting fresh with a new brand name and a sleek semi-luxury edge.
Interview by Kayla Pok Salisbury, UW VCD 2026
Photos by Emily Un, MLP Head Photographer