Once a week, Manny Cabrera and Abraham Cortez come together to brainstorm ideas in their Logan Square workspace in for their clothing line, Gente Fina. The studio walls are lined with artwork of local Chicago artists and a motorcycle they’ve worked on leans against it. In the center is a table they built themselves out of old furniture from the city.
The brand filled a void Manny and Abraham saw in Chicago’s fashion scene. Gente Fina, meaning “fine people,” is a streetwear clothing line with the driving force of adding representation and telling the immigrant story, one relatable to many Latinos.
The industrial vibe of the studio is synonymous with the tone of the brand while reflecting the story of Manny, 32, one of its creators
Growing up in a big family, the son of Mexican immigrants, Manny learned from a young age the importance of hard work. He recalls his parents never letting the fear of deportation stop them from chasing the American dream.
“I’m first generation, so I was there during the struggle,” said Manny, whose Mexican heritage has played a major role throughout his life, especially in the formation of Gente Fina.
“I carry that everywhere, with everything that I do,” he said.
The brand’s designs draw inspiration from architecture with cool, muted tones. The simplistic yet structured designs paired with durable material pays homage to blue-collar workforce, an industry that employees many immigrant families.
The workshop is their escape, where ideas flow casually from conversations about current issues that lead them to their designs. Along with current cultural references, they include symbolism from the Latino and Chicago community, like the red six-point stars embroidered onto the lapel of one of their bomber jackets.
“We didn’t just want people to buy our stuff because we’re Latino,” Manny said. “We want people to buy our stuff because it’s dope.”
Manny said one element that sets Gente Fina apart from other brands is the quality of the clothing. Outside of Gente Fina, Manny runs another business, Midwest Cargo Equipment, which sells equipment for truck drivers. This familiarized him with sewing machines and textiles, allowing him to choose enduring materials for the clothing.
Throughout the past year, the pandemic led to the cancellation of in-person events like pop-up shops. But it opened the opportunity to reflect on how they could help the community. In demonstrating their solidarity to racial injustice, Gente Fina donated money to the Black Lives Matter movement.
“What we wanted to do from the beginning was give back,” Manny said.
At a point when masks were sold out everywhere, Manny was able to have thousands of masks made through contacts with his manufacturers that he handed out to front-line workers such as nurses and medical personnel at local clinics.
In an effort to continue their commitment to the community, the clothing brand has plans of using recycled materials for new designs in order to be more environmentally conscious.
For Manny, Gente Fina has been more than a creative outlet, it has been a medium through which he connects and positively impacts the community. His advice for others looking to start a business is: “Figure out how you can help while you create.”
Photo courtesy: @gentefina.chi
Jaylinn Reports 