Workwear that’s built for the great outdoors
Pockets. There are a lot of pockets found in pieces by Groundwork Apparel PH, a small brand started by a husband-and-wife team who enjoys the great outdoors. Made of quick-drying material in muted neutrals like beige, khaki, gray, black, and white, Groundwork’s apparel consists of abbreviated tops, cargo shorts, and pants with zippered pockets and elastic ties for easy adjustment of hems, waistlines, and cuffs.
“I’m not a fan of bags. I find them inconvenient especially when doing quick errands, so we came up with designs that incorporated as many pockets as possible. That way, you can always be on the go without having to worry about not having a bag to tote essentials like phones, wallets, tools, sunglasses, and the like,” Raphael Betilez told Lifestyle in an email interview.
Zippered jackets have three pockets sewn at an angle while a black Henley-style, short-sleeved top features topstitching and two pockets on the left part of the chest, one on top of the other. Cargo shorts and pants are cut baggy—the better to fill the pockets with odds and ends.
Betilez and his wife Clarence are self-avowed nature trippers who enjoy the scenery when they travel outside Manila. “We just love how beautiful and peaceful it is,” he said.
Before they set up Groundwork six years ago, however, the couple sold graphic tees under the label Thy Origins, inspired by Greek mythology with modern touches. The t-shirt business has taken a back seat while they focus on Groundwork.
Betilez said they have a small team so they only open their Makati store on weekends. The rest of the week is spent filling and sending out orders. “During weekdays, customers can message us for orders so we can make same-day deliveries. We also have a website (groundworkapparel.store.com) where they can place their orders online.”
Gaining traction
For the past couple of years, they’ve also been joining pop-ups to get more traction and to reach their market of like-minded individuals.
“Our target customers are those who are always outdoors and who are looking for utilitarian clothes that can help make their everyday work and play comfortable and efficient. Most of our customers are chefs, photographers, campers, hikers—really outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who do field work,” said Betilez.
More than workwear, the pieces from Groundwork are, as Betilez put it, “all-rounders” that can be used for different activities and in varied environments. “One example is our utility vest that some people use for carpentry or for outdoor cooking, while others use it on photo walks because they can stash their gear in the pockets. As much as possible, we try to make apparel that can be used in different professions or purposes.”
Betilez recounted that when they first opened, the merchandise were designed mainly for cyclists since cycling became trendy during the pandemic. They have since expanded the mix to reach a wider market. Groundwork also sells accessories like caps, pouches, and sling bags, and recently a roomy tote. They came up with the bags in particular “to contain larger items that cannot fit into the clothes’ built-in pockets, and for organizing smaller things like coins and cards so they don’t scatter inside the pockets.”
Betilez said that while there are plans to open a second branch to make their products more available to more people, they aren’t in a hurry to do that.
“We just want to keep things slow and steady, cherish small wins, and strengthen our foundation. The brand’s goal is to provide gear and apparel that can help people do their everyday work and play easier, more comfortable, and more efficient.”
Groundwork Apparel is at 5510 D.M. Rivera St.,Poblacion, Makati. They’re open Fridays to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
