メキシコシティの原住民Gen-Zパンクに会う: Punketo

“I was the only ‘punk’ or ‘emo’ Brown boy in my school here in NYC,” says Maxwell Vice, “so to find out there was an area of CDMX where all Indigenous Gen-Z punks gathered sounded like a dream.” The area in question is a local market in Mexico City selling alternative fashion, art, music and more, and frequented by the capital’s coolest kids – just don’t ask exactly where it is. “I will not disclose where this market is, at the request of the vendors,” says Vice. “The kids will get mad!”

The New York photographer first discovered the secret location thanks to their friend and CDMX native Roy Martinez, so the duo decided to head out and document the scene. The new photo series – called PUNKETOS – takes its name from the Mexican slang that describes members of the local punk subculture. “Each of the kids I’ve interviewed has produced runway collections, albums or movies produced, and they all gather at this one market because they know their work is gold,” says Vice of the bustling locale. Martinez, whose Spanish was more advanced, ingratiated the pair with the young kids on the scene, teaching Vice different handshakes to use so they seemed like a local. Afterwards, these moments carried a renewed emotional weight: shortly after returning to the US, Martinez tragically passed away, and Vice has dedicated the photo series to him.

Below, we catch up with some of the kids from the series to talk about their fashion brands, favourite clothes and the songs they have on repeat.

What is your brand or art form?

I am in the process of creating a clothing brand called Sweet Kitties, which is inspired by Japanese Harajuku fashion, while also reinventing garments to avoid creating more waste. I also love art in all its forms, especially photography, painting, and sculpture.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

Capri pants!

What song do you currently have on repeat?

‘All I Need’ by Radiohead.

What is your brand or art form?

I do a bit of everything, really – music, clothing, visual art. I try to make everything I do coexist and feed into one another, like my music project ‘BomberClai’ and my photography and styling work, ‘FashionPsychopath’.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

All my clothes are great, especially when I play around with them. That’s a tough question – I couldn’t name one specific, favourite piece.

What song do you currently have on repeat?:

Bladee, ‘Deletee (intro)’.

What is your brand or art form?

My project is called Solo Mujeres (Only Women). It’s womenswear aimed at men. I love exploring that feminine side which compliments an outfit through its details.

What is your current favourite piece of clothing?

My ‘I AM THE SOLOIST’ sneakers by Takahiro Miyashita. I love the phrase and lately it really fits this moment in my life.

Favourite song right now?

My song would be ‘EN UN VIAJE’ by Fanta Rosario.

What is your brand or art form?

Al Grito de Guerra, where I create clothing and graphics that I give away for free.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

My favorite item right now is a pair of cowhide huaraches I bought.

Favourite song right now?

My song of the moment is ‘Stick to the Plan’ by Burning Spear.

What is your brand or art form?

My clothing brand is called Love Dinero. It’s inspired by my identity as a Mexican woman, as well as dancewear and lingerie. It involves upcycling trousers into skirts and customising them with screen printing and my own drawings – and I also create garments from scratch, such as bikinis. Alongside that, I have a music project with my best friend. I always wanted to play rock, but then I discovered rap, and now I’m also influenced by pop and reggaeton. 

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

It’s a baby tee from my brand. It’s pink and features a design that says ‘Sadic’, along with a collage of kittens and flowers that represents a mix of toughness and tenderness.

What song do you currently have on repeat?

‘Sabanas Blancas’ by La Santa Grifa. It speaks to the hopeless romantic in me.

What do you do?

Stylist, model/Hugo Douce.

Favourite piece of clothing currently?

Dr Martens boots.

Favorite song?

‘Dans mes bras’.

What is your brand or art form?

I’m an all-round designer at @Muchachassobreflores, my favorite project and the one I put the most effort into. I’m also a curator and stylist at @showdemediotiempo, where I handle styling and art direction for shoots at a showroom in Mexico City. I love clothing – it’s my favorite medium, and I try to do everything possible with and through it.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

Bomber jacket, 100 per cent.

What song do you currently have on repeat?

‘More Than Ever’ by Lucki.

What’s your favourite piece of clothing at the moment?

I don’t have a single favorite garment overall, but my favourite accessories are chokers and big earrings. I feel that accessories can be more personal and fun.

Favourite song right now?

The song I currently have on repeat is ‘Mi Bolero’ by Fitasha.

What is your brand or art form?

I have been working as a model since 2017 with the agency Guerxs, and I recently started acting. I also run an independent production company called Coatlicue Cozcatl where I pursue clothing design, custom jewelry and rosaries, photography, production, casting, styling and make-up.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

My Moth top by Cueva, and my Jordan skirt customised and designed by Kren Creation – both Mexican brands. Sorry, I couldn’t choose just one item.

What song do you currently have on repeat?

Rather than a single song, it would be albums: Se Siente Genial by Lee Eye and Lucky by Nava.

What is your brand or art form?

Muñeka Sucia is my fashion project. I usually curate specific pieces and then rework them using hand embroidery and forgotten objects. It’s a colorful grunge-punk aesthetic designed for people who like to have fun with what they wear and own unique pieces.

At first, I thought about merging this project with my music, but now I feel like my music should be released under my own name since it’s truly a solo project. I’m still thinking it over, but in the meantime, I keep composing and preparing to record my debut album. I am a Venezuelan-Brazilian migrant who has been living in Mexico for nine years now. In this city, I’ve connected with the punk and rock scene in a way I never experienced back home. I can say that, in my heart, I’m already a bit Mexican.

Favourite piece of clothing?

My favorite piece of clothing right now is a biker jacket I tore apart for a photoshoot. I want to rebuild it until it becomes a sort of Frankenstein’s monster.

Favourite song right now?

A song I can’t stop listening to lately is ‘Tetê Tentei’ by Itamar Assumpção.

“I was the only ‘punk’ or ‘emo’ Brown boy in my school here in NYC,” says Maxwell Vice, “so to find out there was an area of CDMX where all Indigenous Gen-Z punks gathered sounded like a dream.” The area in question is a local market in Mexico City selling alternative fashion, art, music and more, and frequented by the capital’s coolest kids – just don’t ask exactly where it is. “I will not disclose where this market is, at the request of the vendors,” says Vice. “The kids will get mad!”

The New York photographer first discovered the secret location thanks to their friend and CDMX native Roy Martinez, so the duo decided to head out and document the scene. The new photo series – called PUNKETOS – takes its name from the Mexican slang that describes members of the local punk subculture. “Each of the kids I’ve interviewed has produced runway collections, albums or movies produced, and they all gather at this one market because they know their work is gold,” says Vice of the bustling locale. Martinez, whose Spanish was more advanced, ingratiated the pair with the young kids on the scene, teaching Vice different handshakes to use so they seemed like a local. Afterwards, these moments carried a renewed emotional weight: shortly after returning to the US, Martinez tragically passed away, and Vice has dedicated the photo series to him.

Below, we catch up with some of the kids from the series to talk about their fashion brands, favourite clothes and the songs they have on repeat.

What is your brand or art form?

I am in the process of creating a clothing brand called Sweet Kitties, which is inspired by Japanese Harajuku fashion, while also reinventing garments to avoid creating more waste. I also love art in all its forms, especially photography, painting, and sculpture.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

Capri pants!

What song do you currently have on repeat?

‘All I Need’ by Radiohead.

What is your brand or art form?

I do a bit of everything, really – music, clothing, visual art. I try to make everything I do coexist and feed into one another, like my music project ‘BomberClai’ and my photography and styling work, ‘FashionPsychopath’.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

All my clothes are great, especially when I play around with them. That’s a tough question – I couldn’t name one specific, favourite piece.

What song do you currently have on repeat?:

Bladee, ‘Deletee (intro)’.

What is your brand or art form?

My project is called Solo Mujeres (Only Women). It’s womenswear aimed at men. I love exploring that feminine side which compliments an outfit through its details.

What is your current favourite piece of clothing?

My ‘I AM THE SOLOIST’ sneakers by Takahiro Miyashita. I love the phrase and lately it really fits this moment in my life.

Favourite song right now?

My song would be ‘EN UN VIAJE’ by Fanta Rosario.

What is your brand or art form?

Al Grito de Guerra, where I create clothing and graphics that I give away for free.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

My favorite item right now is a pair of cowhide huaraches I bought.

Favourite song right now?

My song of the moment is ‘Stick to the Plan’ by Burning Spear.

What is your brand or art form?

My clothing brand is called Love Dinero. It’s inspired by my identity as a Mexican woman, as well as dancewear and lingerie. It involves upcycling trousers into skirts and customising them with screen printing and my own drawings – and I also create garments from scratch, such as bikinis. Alongside that, I have a music project with my best friend. I always wanted to play rock, but then I discovered rap, and now I’m also influenced by pop and reggaeton. 

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

It’s a baby tee from my brand. It’s pink and features a design that says ‘Sadic’, along with a collage of kittens and flowers that represents a mix of toughness and tenderness.

What song do you currently have on repeat?

‘Sabanas Blancas’ by La Santa Grifa. It speaks to the hopeless romantic in me.

What do you do?

Stylist, model/Hugo Douce.

Favourite piece of clothing currently?

Dr Martens boots.

Favorite song?

‘Dans mes bras’.

What is your brand or art form?

I’m an all-round designer at @Muchachassobreflores, my favorite project and the one I put the most effort into. I’m also a curator and stylist at @showdemediotiempo, where I handle styling and art direction for shoots at a showroom in Mexico City. I love clothing – it’s my favorite medium, and I try to do everything possible with and through it.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

Bomber jacket, 100 per cent.

What song do you currently have on repeat?

‘More Than Ever’ by Lucki.

What’s your favourite piece of clothing at the moment?

I don’t have a single favorite garment overall, but my favourite accessories are chokers and big earrings. I feel that accessories can be more personal and fun.

Favourite song right now?

The song I currently have on repeat is ‘Mi Bolero’ by Fitasha.

What is your brand or art form?

I have been working as a model since 2017 with the agency Guerxs, and I recently started acting. I also run an independent production company called Coatlicue Cozcatl where I pursue clothing design, custom jewelry and rosaries, photography, production, casting, styling and make-up.

Favourite piece of clothing right now?

My Moth top by Cueva, and my Jordan skirt customised and designed by Kren Creation – both Mexican brands. Sorry, I couldn’t choose just one item.

What song do you currently have on repeat?

Rather than a single song, it would be albums: Se Siente Genial by Lee Eye and Lucky by Nava.

What is your brand or art form?

Muñeka Sucia is my fashion project. I usually curate specific pieces and then rework them using hand embroidery and forgotten objects. It’s a colorful grunge-punk aesthetic designed for people who like to have fun with what they wear and own unique pieces.

At first, I thought about merging this project with my music, but now I feel like my music should be released under my own name since it’s truly a solo project. I’m still thinking it over, but in the meantime, I keep composing and preparing to record my debut album. I am a Venezuelan-Brazilian migrant who has been living in Mexico for nine years now. In this city, I’ve connected with the punk and rock scene in a way I never experienced back home. I can say that, in my heart, I’m already a bit Mexican.

Favourite piece of clothing?

My favorite piece of clothing right now is a biker jacket I tore apart for a photoshoot. I want to rebuild it until it becomes a sort of Frankenstein’s monster.

Favourite song right now?

A song I can’t stop listening to lately is ‘Tetê Tentei’ by Itamar Assumpção.