ZUS Coffee and Pestle & Mortar partner to celebrate Malaysian creativity

Malaysian coffee chain ZUS Coffee has collaborated with local clothing brand Pestle & Mortar Clothing (PMC) to release a limited-edition collection. 

The clothing collection includes bowling shirts, socks and customisable oversized t-shirts. The bowling shirts and socks feature the brand's 'ZUS Buddy' such as Bean Boss, Blue Buddy, Choco Chipster, Frappe Fren, Pinky Boo and Porta Pal. The brand names can also be found on the socks and bowling shirts. 

The bowling shirts and socks are available online and at 15 Zus outlets throughout the nation, including Solaris Mont Kiara, Pavilion Damansara Heights, Semua House, DPulze Shopping Centre, Cyberjaya, MKH Boulevard, Kajang, Seksyen 7, Shah Alam, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Cheras Trader Square, Setia Taipan 2, Setia Alam and Sri Petaling. 

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The collection is also available at Persiaran Anggerik Vanila, Kota Kemuning, The Glenz @ Glenmarie, Fortune Centra, Kepong, IOI Rio City, Puchong and Hartamas Shopping Centre. Aside from the bowling shirts and socks, the collection also includes customisable oversized t-shirts. The customisable t-shirts are only available exclusively at PMC's retail. 

The collaboration comes under the "Made in Malaysia: Lokal kasi vokal" campaign. When A+M reached out, ZUS Coffee said the collaboration debuted during a pivotal moment for the coffee brand - the climax of the Made In Malaysia campaign and our 5th anniversary celebration. "The collaboration with PMC isn't just about fashion; it's a commemoration of our journey and growth as a Malaysian brand," said ZUS Coffee.

The collaboration aims to celebrate Malaysian pride and creativity by showcasing the spirit of local talent through a fusion of streetwear and community building, as well as to inspire connection, growth, and unity across all community. 

According to ZUS Coffee, PMC was chosen for their strong association with Malaysian streetwear culture and their ability to connect with diverse audiences. The brand’s ethos of celebrating local artistry and individuality aligns seamlessly with ZUS Coffee’s mission of uplifting Malaysian talent and fostering community, it explained. 

Furthermore, the designs are a result of a creative collaboration between ZUS Coffee and PMC. ZUS Buddies, which are ZUS Coffee’s intellectual property, were reimagined with PMC’s signature creative flair, bringing a fresh, streetwear-inspired aesthetic to the collection. Both teams worked closely to ensure the designs reflect the shared values of celebrating Malaysian creativity, unity, and limitless possibilities, explained ZUS Coffee.

Through this partnership, ZUS Coffee aims to create a unique intersection of coffee culture and streetwear, offering customers an innovative way to express their love for both. In addition, the collaboration highlights the limitless possibilities that arise when two distinct industries come together, fostering deeper connections with younger audiences and celebrating the vibrant spirit of Malaysia. "It’s about showcasing how coffee has become a lifestyle and using streetwear as a canvas to tell that story," said ZUS Coffee in a statement to A+M. 

The collection, according to ZUS Coffee, is just the beginning. The brand says its "keeping options open" and to stay tuned for potential surprises. 

"This collaboration with PMC embodies the spirit of our 'Made in Malaysia' campaign. It's been thrilling to see our teams blend ZUS Coffee's community ethos with PMC's streetwear expertise, creating a collection that's uniquely Malaysian. Each piece isn't just fashionable - it's a wearable celebration of local creativity and craftsmanship. The quality of PMC's work shines through, making this apparel feel as good as it looks. It's thrilling to mark this milestone (our 5th anniversary) by showcasing the vibrant, collaborative spirit that defines our local scene." said Shafiqah Othman, creative director of ZUS Coffee. 

"The ZUS Coffee x Pestle & Mortar Clothing collaboration is a proud celebration of our community and culture. PMC is thrilled to blend the shared passion for creativity and connection that both our brands represent. This collaboration is a testament to the power of local talent and the magic that happens when we uplift and celebrate our own community. It’s an honour to see our work reflect the unity and pride of Malaysians everywhere. We hope our communities will wear this collection with pride—to represent us as much as we were looking to represent them," said Hugh Koh, co-founder of Pestle & Mortar Clothing. 

"Made in Malaysia" was first reported in September this year when the brand unveiled a "Made in Malaysia" logo. The logo incorporated elements reflecting Malaysia's identity and is inspired by the iconic Malaysian immigration stamp. The logo featured the country's international dialing code "+60" and included a humorous description of Malaysia's geographical location that reads "Below Thailand, Above Singapore, Not Indonesia". 

ZUS Coffee also released a five-minute brand film produced by Fishermen Integrated and Imagineers Film that celebrates the greatness in Malaysia-made brands featuring fellow local brands such as Inside Scoop, Spritzer, Munchy’s, BananaBro, Pestle & Mortar Clothing, HYGR, and Pos Malaysia.

Meanwhile, in July this year, PMC launched a new collaboration with Olympics Council Malaysia (OCM), unveiling a special collection in conjunction with the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The lifestyle range aims to embody the Olympic spirit by encapsulating the powerful message of "faster, higher, stronger – together."

The “Malaysian Pride” collection features eight exclusive items, comprising four t-shirts, one jersey, one polo tee, one coaches jacket and one cap. Each piece showcases dynamic graphics and designs inspired by the Olympic Games. 

The collection is also a tribute to Malaysian Olympians, celebrating their dedication and achievements while capturing the vibrant Malaysian spirit.

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