What is up, you guys? It's you're local menace, Empress AloeVera 💀

Sorry it's been so quiet here on this side of the internet.

It's no excuse, but I've just went through some extreme life changes in the past year; changes that crumbled me and stomped me into the earth, where I was left to die...but that's all in the past now! 🌻

Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned situation, I've let this business (and some others🙃) crumble, refunding all the orders I saw (if we still have a debt to settle, DM us on Instagram, NICELY PLEASE😭), but it leaves me now to rebuild the brand.

Unfortunate, but actually quite exciting!🤩

I've returned with a new vision for the brand, along with my own life. 🤪 I've started a few other side projects: a slow-burn romance novel (don't ask right now, I don't know why I started this either), pursuing the old craft of storyboarding, painting a mural (on pause because I was getting eaten up by mosquitos), vlogging (I realize that my friends and I do some cool sh*t, and I want to remember these events properly lol), and I was even trying to go back to school!

The last one is also on pause because UTD is trying to hustle me...as always. 🙄🙄🙄 Why did I think they would be nicer after 10 years?! Ugh, well they gave me such a huge headache, that my dad suggested I finish via an online university, and you know what? I think I'm going to look into it! 



But what you're really here for...

WHAT ABOUT THE BRAND?!👿

When will products be available online again?

I am hoping to relaunch by Oct 1st to kick off Filipino American History Month.

Due to vending, it may be a while until the website offers product again. Any leftover stock from festival season (FAHM) will be available on the site, we will find out by the end of November, which will be announced. 🥭

Are there new designs to come?

Yes! We have been working on a series of work that focuses a lot more on the artistic aspect of the brand. One spoiler I can give is a small line paying homage to my home town, Queens. I call it my "Welcome Home" project. Here's a preview:



Unfortunately that means more simple designs may be retired or produced more sparingly, such as our first version of the Lumpia Lifters series.

Not just that, but I am so excited to announce that we are finally adding socks and hats! We have been DYING to release a set, and we hear you too!

💜 We also have a secret limited-edition item already in the works for Ube Fest 2026 👀 💜

Stay on the look out! We're coming back strong!

Why is there like..no Pakistani products?

To put it simply, I have a hard time resonating with a desi audience at the moment.


The Filipino community in general is slightly more united when it comes to throwing festivals, while desi melas tend to be a very aunty-uncle event locally.
If there is somewhere in NYC that we would fit, let us know! As of right now, my brand only does well with desis when I have a viral video.

If you want more desi designs, tell you friends to support!❣️

What is the time frame for my order to arrive?

I tell people 2 weeks. Previously, all of our orders were "made-to-order", but moving forward, we will begin holding stock.
It is not ideal as a business, but it will make it easier to ship out to you guys. If all goes well this coming Fall, orders should all ship out within a week. Please keep in mind when ordering.🙌🏽✨

So DatuKutti has a blog now?😒

Well, yes and no. It's technically @Empress.AloeVera's blog, mine. But my life and art are so intertwined with my brand, that all of it is relevant.👿

Since this brand is essentially such a huge part of my art, here you will also find:

Mood boards and collections of images reflecting culture and identity, all photos taken and artistically directed by me unless stated otherwise.

Vlogs will showcase BTS of concepts and designs, along with life as a Filipina-Pakistani American creating diaspora art in Dallas, a niche explored in pockets of the East and West coasts, but not as much yet in the South West.

Complete gallery of each shoot. Some photos make it, and some don't, and I believe it's always fun to see which ones did and didn't make the cut. Even the photos we don't use end up being a part of our history.

WIPs, as mentioned earlier, in the vlogs you will get snippets of bts concepts and designs, but I'll probably be uploading WIPs on here as well, so you can follow along. I remember being addicted to speed-paints back in the day on deviantART. It's always interesting to see where a design started and where it ended.

On top of that, I'll also be explaining the thought behind certain pieces (horrible story behind a Rahul Kohli collage tee I made).

(God, help the girl!)

IN CONCLUSION:

Exciting new things are coming for DatuKutti. I feel a fresh air rolling in. Now that we have a somewhat established base and a little bit of credibility in the community, it's time to ditch the kitschy art. No more shallow call backs to a culture we barely understand. I want to make art that reflects something, reflects what it's like to drown in the diaspora.

BOOK MARK THIS BLOG!

That's right, old school, stay up to date on upcoming events, bts, and all that good stuff...but there are other ways to stay in the loop 😌:
Instagram
Youtube