In this powerful episode of the Future Ancestors Podcast, hosts Kat Serrano and Jason Encite sit down with Jay Ross, the Filipino American designer behind PocketKings, the rising handmade fashion brand known for its iconic kimonos and culturally rooted streetwear.

Jay opens up about growing up disconnected from his Filipino identity, discovering his voice through creativity, and finding purpose through grief, fatherhood, and rediscovering his roots. He shares how sewing by hand turned into a brand, how his wife pushed him toward entrepreneurship, and how his designs became sought after by major artists, including Michael K. Williams, Taboo, and Henry Golding.

From competing in Filipino basketball leagues to hustling through poker, navigating loss, honoring his parents, and building a fashion house that refuses to compromise its purpose — Jay's journey is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and ancestral guidance.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up Filipino in NYC and searching for belonging

• How grief shaped Jay's creativity and emotional depth

• The spiritual + ancestral connection behind his kimono designs

• Why PocketKings resonated with celebrities — without paid placements

• His unreal basketball story in the Philippines

• How he designs with intention, not hype

• The role his wife played in launching the brand

• Why he believes his work is "an answered prayer"

If you love conversations about culture, identity, creativity, fashion, and healing — this is one of the most heartfelt episodes yet.

Follow Jay Ross / PocketKings:
Instagram: @PocketKingsbk

Watch the full episode on YouTube: FutureAncestors.tv
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