Into the New ORBIS

by Hilda Nathalia Raina
23rd June 2022
Multi-label streetwear shop ORBIS stamps its refreshed identity through a sleek new home in Panglima Polim, extending its curation to include a wider range of local and international brands, from familiar favourites to emerging names.

When ORBIS, a multi-label streetwear shop that was established in 2008, shut the doors to its brick-and-mortar in Panglima Polim a year and a half ago, its loyal pool of customers was quick to pivot to the brand’s online store to keep up with the latest drops. The team, whose brand lineup was initially influenced by the graffiti and skateboard scene in the U.S., instead took advantage of this short hiatus to refresh its identity, from store design to an extended curation, which is now fleshed out into its new home. 

From a distance, the store is easy to spot with loud blue neon signage that spells its name—as if motioning passersby to climb up the flight of metal stairs and push past the black doors to step in. Tapping into a clean and stripped-back design, the interior, with its accents of metal and wood, emphasises the strong visuals and graphics of the items on display even further. 

Against the room’s white walls and high ceilings, a collection of familiar international and local brands, from Playcf, Paradise Youth Club, Pot Meets Pop and recently-launched Friday League to the brand’s own line. Personal items—ranging from tees, hoodies and tote bags—are hung to one side in a long rack that spans the room’s length, or dotted on tables and shelves. 

The store also takes advantage of the bigger space, encouraging customers to leisurely scavenge through new collections that just hit the racks, from Devá-States Spring/Summer 22, a series of typeface tees from Elhaus, to the brand’s very own collaboration with Failure, which sees projected black-and-white comic strips on matching sets to screen-printed skate decks. Walking around, eyes are quick to dart towards the typefaces or illustrations boldly printed on tees, bomber jackets, and trousers. 

Though the brand has been operating solely on online sales for the past year, it appears it doesn’t take much convincing for customers of Orbis to move away from online back to the physical store. The team behind Orbis chimed in, “it’s the best feeling to finally be able to meet our customers in person. The people that come to our store are from different scenes and communities, like skating, music, art and fashion. They are the ones who inspire us to keep going.”