fter achieving great national and international success, Tribal Streetwear finally opened a store in downtown San Diego. Owners Bobby Ruiz and Carl Arellano greeted friends, family and Tribal enthusiasts at the Tribal Gear grand opening on October 17th.

Graffiti Artist OG Abel, P.O.D’s Drummer Noah “Wuv” Bernardo, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Owner of Osiris Brian Reid and, Senior Artist of Famous Stars and Straps Mark were among those in attendance. Excitement buzzed throughout the store as guests greeted one another and enjoyed food, Tecate and the eclectic music of DJ RatStar.

The chic white walls of the new store were lined with the brand’s customary collection of artwork and photos of models wearing the brand’s clothing. The images blended well with the apparel, accessories, DVD’s and shoes artfully placed on display.

After twenty years of effectively developing the brand, Ruiz and Arellano felt that there was no better time than the present to open the store in the city where it all began. For years Tribal Streetwear grew through word of mouth advertising and fans began to seek out the clothing. In this way, Tribal achieved success where competitors with greater resources did not.

Ruiz and his brother Joey created Tribal after being inspired by a Mayan/Aztec art and graffiti benefit show in 1989. Arellano soon joined the team as a silkscreen sponsor. Working along side Hip Hop inspired graffiti artists, the brand soon expanded into a full t-shirt and accessories line.

Tribal Streetwear is widely known for their creative use of Southern California culture in their designs. Inspired by their San Diego location, the brand has significantly contributed to spreading the elements of skating, surfing, cars, and graffiti to international markets such as Japan, Europe, and Mexico.

Years of hard work and determination have culminated in the opening of the Tribal Gear store. The new venue serves as a landmark of the brand’s past accomplishments and continued success.

Stay up to date with the latest styles and news from Tribal by visiting their website and myspace page.

By Dyani Vanderhorst