Khaki Hoodie

This design celebrates the unyielding power of Black Joy Rising. Inspired and co-designed by my children — whose heritage weaves together lineages from Africa and Asia — it serves as a vibrant anthem of resilience and identity. The Oak Tree on the back stands as a heartfelt homage to Oakland, the home of the Black Joy Parade since 2018. Its deep roots represent a firm, unshakable foundation, reminding us that our history provides the ground from which we rise, grow, and reach toward boundless brilliance. Visually, the vertical stack of the typography in the front creates the silhouette of a torch or a flashlight beaming and cutting through the sky — a beacon signifying that Black Joy is a light that cannot be extinguished.

Collection Philosophy: Black Joy is not fleeting—it is rooted, cultivated, and continually rising.

This collection honors the depth and resilience of Black identity as something that is both inherited and evolving. Inspired by interwoven African and Asian lineages, it reflects a lived experience shaped by movement, memory, and connection across cultures and generations. At its core is the understanding that joy is not simply an emotion, but a practice—one that is sustained through history, community, and self-expression.

深根 (Deep Roots) grounds this story. Like the oak tree, whose roots stretch far beneath the surface, our histories—spoken and unspoken—form an unshakable foundation. These roots carry ancestral knowledge, survival, creativity, and love. They remind us that even in unseen spaces, growth is always taking place.

From this foundation, Black Joy Rising emerges. It rises in laughter, in music, in movement, in resistance, and in everyday acts of being. It is both quiet and expansive—held within families and shared across communities. It is shaped by those who came before and reimagined by those who come after.

This journey moves from Deep Roots to Boundless Brilliance — a reflection of how we grow beyond what we were given without ever leaving it behind. Like the oak, we expand outward and upward, reaching toward possibility while remaining firmly grounded in who we are.

Together, this collection is a tribute to continuity and becoming—to the ways we endure, adapt, and create. It is a celebration of Black Joy as something powerful, intentional, and ever-present.

Rooted deeply. Rising fully. Flourishing without limit.

Collaborators: Co-designed with Gloria Ng’s children, whose vital layout and typography input, strengthened the cohesiveness of the collection, honoring the lineage and future of Black Joy.

Front: Black Joy Rising [positioned above] 深根 (Shēn Gēn — Deep Roots). The layout intentionally forms the shape of an upward-facing torch or flashlight whose beam is facing the sky.

Back: Deep Roots [to] Boundless Brilliance. Featuring the intricate root system and expansive canopy of an oak tree.

Typography: Front English features a bold, impactful serif "Army" script—chosen for its representation of strength while playfully evoking the global community of BTS K-pop fans ("Army") to weave a layer of joy, music, and Asianness into the design. This is paired with the Chinese characters 深根 (Deep Roots) rendered in "Ma Shan Zheng", a modern semi-cursive calligraphic style defined by fluid, expressive strokes. Its sense of movement and rhythm reflects roots as living, evolving systems—mirroring the flow, resilience, and cultural expression at the heart of Black Joy. Together the English and Chinese texts symbolize the bridge between modern identity and ancient roots. The back English text features the bold, all-caps sans-serif "Bebas" designed by Ryoichi Tsunekawa of Dharma Type, further acknowledging the diversity of Asian influence via the connection to Japanese design heritage.

Palette: Printed in vibrant white against dark fabric colors or rich, deep black against light fabric colors to symbolize the unyielding resilience and brilliance of joy.

Fabric Colors: We chose black, because black is beautiful and is the color of creation when we gestate in our mothers' wombs and when acorns are sprouting amidst the earth's soil. We chose khaki, because it is a cross between yellow, brown and white to signify the multiple cultures the African diaspora have reached. We chose white, because some people of Black heritage do look light-skinned. We chose gray, because it is a mix of black and white, and there are so many shades of gray in how we have mixed. We chose pink to honor the Black feminine energies and blue to honor the Black masculine energies.

joie theory :) 喜理 is a curated line of ethical, heavyweight 100% cotton streetwear and intentional apparel utilizing sustainable water-based printing and recycled packaging. Primarily designed by Gloria Ng, the collection draws creative inspiration from her spiritual practice and cross-cultural heritage — collaborating with her children and her mother to bring a multi-generational perspective to every piece.

After recovering operational costs, net proceeds are dedicated to causes close to her heart: Black Joy proceeds contribute toward her children’s college funds, Lunar New Year Greetings proceeds support her mother’s elder care, and Buddhist Inspirations proceeds support annual Buddhist conference funds to deepen embodiment of the practice, with any surplus reinvested into the community.

Each hoodie features our signature square label with stitched smile logo on the inner neckline tag, representing the philosophy of finding joy and resilience in every moment.

• Premium 100% Cotton, high-density heavyweight fabric
• 300 GSM offering a substantial, high-quality feel with year-round breathability
• Modern oversized fit with long sleeves and drop shoulder styling
• Premium streetwear silhouette featuring a front pocket and Round neck / O-Neck design
• Versatile staple for home, outdoor, and daily casual wear
• Ideal for autumn, winter, or cool seasonal transitions
• Printed with eco-friendly, soft-hand water-based inks for vibrant, long-lasting designs
• Unisex fit
• Made to order

• Machine wash at 30°C / 86°F (gentle cycle)
• Do not bleach
• Air dry, if desired
• Tumble dry low
• Iron at low temperature (avoid ironing directly on print)
• Do not dry clean

We are committed to sustainability across our entire production process. Inks are water-based, non-toxic, biodegradable, and free from harmful chemicals, making them a safer and more environmentally responsible alternative to traditional inks.

These inks work by bonding directly with the 100% cotton fabric fibers, allowing the print to become part of the fabric itself, which helps maintain its softness while also improving durability over time.

Print Size: Up to 40 x 52 cm for high-impact visual depth.

Wash Resistance: Water-based inks are designed to cure into the fabric during the printing process. Once properly set, they can withstand repeated washing without significant fading or cracking per standard garment care. So you can enjoy both the comfort and longevity of your selected hoodie(s) without compromising on environmental values.

Our commitment to climate action is woven into every aspect of our production. We utilize ethical, heavyweight 100% cotton, ensuring durability and a reduced environmental footprint compared to synthetic alternatives.

Our printing process exclusively uses non-toxic, water-based inks, which are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. This significantly reduces water pollution and chemical waste.

Furthermore, all our packaging materials are eco-friendly and made from recycled content, minimizing our contribution to landfill waste. We believe in a circular economy and strive to reduce our impact at every stage, from sourcing to delivery.

By choosing **joie theory :) 喜理**, you're supporting a brand dedicated to sustainable practices and a lighter environmental footprint.

Batch variations are normal due to factors like temperature and materials, and we strive to minimize these differences as much as possible. We appreciate your understanding.

Each piece is made especially for you.

Beyond printing, we also use eco-friendly and recycled materials in our packaging. Our goal is to build an apparel supply chain that reduces waste and supports a lighter environmental footprint.

Orders typically arrive within 10–17 business days from the time your order is placed. Delivery times may vary slightly depending on location and seasonal demand.

You’ll receive tracking as soon as your order is on its way. Please note that applicable sales tax is calculated at checkout. For California residents, a sales tax of 10.75% will be applied to your order.

International Orders: Any customs duties, import taxes, or VAT fees required by your destination country are the responsibility of the recipient and are typically collected by your local postal service at the time of delivery.