Find a store

Conversations

On the Move with the Jones Backpack

On the Move with
the Jones Backpack

@mike.pantv

Travel blogger and Lecturer

PEDRO x Mike PanTV

The things we collect while travelling often become lasting reminders of where we have been and who we have met along the way. The Jones Backpack continues through a series of collaborations with creatives from across the region, each interpreting the places, people, and experiences that have shaped their perspective into collectible patches designed to be carried forward. In collaboration with travel creator Mike Phan, this edition focuses on the culture and community experienced from one destination to the next.

“Sometimes it's a feeling that pulls me forward, sometimes it's a clear story already forming in my head before I even set off. But the common thread is always the same: I leave with a question, and come back with more than one answer.”

Through observations gathered on the road, Mike translates everyday scenes and local nuances into a series of graphic patches that read like entries from a travel journal. Together, they highlight the subtle details that define a place, and the connections that remain long after the journey ends.

As both a lecturer and a travel vlogger, how do your experiences on the road influence the way you see and share Vietnam's culture?

Teaching Korean language or consulting on marketing strategies, I've always realized one thing: culture doesn't live in textbooks — it lives in every journey. The years I spent studying and living in South Korea taught me how to observe a culture from the inside, not through the eyes of a tourist. When I came back to Vietnam, I carried that perspective with me — seeing my own culture through the eyes of someone who is both familiar and foreign at once. Because I understand both cultures deeply, I want to serve as a bridge in both directions: sharing with Korean audiences the fascinating and relatable sides of Vietnamese culture they've never encountered, while helping Vietnamese audiences truly understand Korean people — not just through films or K-pop, but through their real lives and everyday humanity.

What usually guides your choice of destinations: a story you want to capture, a feeling, or pure curiosity?

Honestly, all three — but it usually starts with a question I haven't found the answer to yet. I tend to go to places where I feel something hasn't been told quite right — a familiar street corner people walk past without stopping, or an interesting parallel between Vietnamese and Korean culture that I stumbled upon. Sometimes it's a feeling that pulls me forward, sometimes it's a clear story already forming in my head before I even set off. But the common thread is always the same: I leave with a question, and come back with more than one answer.

Inspiration images courtesy of @mike.pantv

[01] The Lotus Compass

[02] The Roaming Sun

[03] The Travel Seal

The Lotus Compass is about always returning to your roots no matter how far you've traveled. It represents Vietnam today—young, dynamic, open to the world yet still warm and community-rooted. Symbolises navigating life by returning to cultural roots.

Which Vietnamese tradition, location, or experience do you feel deserves more attention? What story would you like to tell others through your patch designs?

I keep coming back to the idea of intersection — the way young Vietnamese people today carry a deep cultural heritage within them while confidently stepping out into the world. Through the three patch designs in this collaboration with Pedro, I want to tell exactly that story: The Lotus Compass is about always returning to your roots no matter how far you've traveled; The Roaming Sun is about the energy and curiosity of young Vietnamese on every journey; and The Travel Seal is a subtle fusion of Vietnamese and Korean calligraphy — much like the path I've walked myself. These are the stories I want the world to see in Vietnam: dynamic, warm, and always in motion.

When you're exploring new places around the world, what kind of moments or details do you find yourself drawn to most?

I'm drawn to the ordinary moments that locals don't think of as special — the way an elderly woman in Hội An folds a dong leaf, or how Koreans queue silently outside a breakfast restaurant without exchanging a single word. Those small details say so much about the character of a people. I also pay close attention to language — not the words, but the gestures, the signage, the way people use space. Perhaps because of my linguistics background, I tend to "read" a place the way I'd read a passage of text.

When packing for a trip or shoot, what's the one item you never leave behind?

My cameras — and as many memory cards as I can carry. I usually bring several cameras with me at once, because to me, no moment is "not worth filming." A fleeting light, an unexpected expression, a street corner that's only beautiful for one single second — I want to capture all of it. I'd rather come home with hundreds of unused clips than regret missing a moment that will never come again.

Through your vlogs, what message or feeling do you hope to share with your audience?

I want to be a genuine bridge between two cultures. For my Korean audience, I want them to see Vietnam as more than just a travel destination — as a country with real depth, with surprising parallels to their own culture. For my Vietnamese audience, I want to offer a fuller picture of South Korea — its people, its way of life, and everything that lies beneath what we see on screen. And beyond all of that, I hope viewers come away feeling that travel isn't about leaving — it's another way of understanding more deeply the place you truly belong.

From their world to yours.
Markers of a journey waiting to unfold.

Published on 15 June 2026

SHOP MEN'S NEW ARRIVALS >
SHOP JONES COLLECTION >

Continue Shopping

Shop Women Shop Men

Read Further

EDITORIAL

A Woman's Story

Presented through portraits captured around the city of Shanghai, PEDRO returns elegance and sophistication to the everyday with a message of resilience and optimism, channeling the innate grit and strength in every woman. Discover the traits of a newly imagined muse: one who is sophisticated, self-assured, and successful on her own merit.

EDITORIAL

Hybrix

Emerging as a statement for the unbound and untamed, the latest remix of the HYBRIX sets the tone for the future with unbridled boldness and vigor. The ethos is simple: to reflect the multiple facets of a progressive aesthetic and the distinct characteristics of those who wear it.

EDITORIAL

Icons illuminate

Building upon the ethos of embracing the differences that make us unique while empowering individuality, PEDRO Icon provokes fresh conversations on what it means to be distinctive. Introducing a two-part event to commemorate its third year, no expenses were spared as celebrations rang high and imaginations ignited.

EDITORIAL

Eclipsing Time

In a world ever in flux, the essence of time unfolds in multifaceted dimensions as enigmatic actress Shin Yubin joins the PEDRO Icon line as the face of Cambodia, encapsulating the unique allure and spirit of the collection. The latest Cambodia-exclusive collection embarks on a captivating journey, featuring Yubin traversing from sunrise to sunset through a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of moments that define our days.

EDITORIAL

Hypnotic Icon

A new chapter begins with an enchanting display – as PEDRO Icon undergoes a bejewelled transformation for an awe-inspiring touch to essential pieces. Ephemeral and alluring, radiate and illuminate the night, much like the audacious yet enigmatic PEDRO protagonist, forever shimmering with glamour.

EDITORIAL

The Soirée

The time for celebrations has arrived, and there’s a tangible buzz anticipating the onset of the festive season. Set against the backdrop of a historical grandness within the walls of the Saigon Opera House, a story of inspiration and sophistication unfolds with the PEDRO Winter 2023 Party Collection, elevating the party aesthetic to new heights by adding a sense of savoir-faire to it.

EDITORIAL

A Cozy Chic World

As boundaries between home and work become increasingly fluid, finding solace in the familiar and cozy becomes paramount. Dialing into the mood of the moment and reflecting the spirit of dressing for comfort, multi-faceted creative Jessica Wu sheds her summer skin and gravitates towards relaxed chic pieces in the PEDRO Winter 2023 collection.

EDITORIAL

re:surface

To represent a new era, a revitalised Stitch symbol takes center stage, tying together the elemental pillars of Air, Earth, and Sea, and creating a captivating lore that weaves a cohesive narrartive.

EDITORIAL

Icons Up Close

Inspired by daily living, the PEDRO ICON Winter 2023 collection offers a confident and intimate range of effortless essentials, getting up close and personal with icons in everyday environments. Proving that transformative elements elevate mundane situations and turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences, redefining how we perceive style in our day-to-day lives.

EDITORIAL

A Resilient Connection

In a heartfelt homage to the unbreakable bond of familial kinship, PEDRO delves into the enchanting world of twins. With an emphasis on the unparalleled connection shared by these duos, we explore the profound ties formed through a lifetime of shared experiences.

EDITORIAL

The Geometric Code

Channelling the power of design language, where bold shapes and modern construction converge to define a new era of style, PEDRO taps into visual play through constructed views. A play with proportions, wardrobe staples take on graphic dimensions for a visually captivating response to the needs of contemporary life.

EDITORIAL

A Traveller's Essentials

A wardrobe fit for an adventure - with travel at the heart of the collection. Seamlessly weaving together the essence of transit dressing interspersed with commuter-friendly essentials, PEDRO engineers an adaptive wardrobe catering to the practical and aesthetic needs of those who gravitate towards the uncharted.

EDITORIAL

The Living Art

Further exploring an individualistic spirit that drives its aesthetic output, PEDRO presents the Living Art; a metaphorical reflection on individuality, personality and character lensed once again by Clark Franklyn. Highlight pieces of the collection are incorporated into unique styles, reinforcing the notion that sometimes, contradictions can create cohesion.

PEDRO NEWS

PEDRO x Lovage: Hybrix Crossover

In the heart of Singapore, creativity and imagination took center stage at the PEDRO x Lovage: Hybrix Crossover event. Gathered for an intimate one-of-a-kind workshop, influencers and tastemakers indulged in the art of personalizing the coveted Hybrix sneakers, contributing artworks as graphics in their characteristic style.

EDITORIAL

A Mono Print

Reflecting new horizons and showcasing different perspectives, PEDRO features the Mono iconography on a collage of prints, where an innovative reinterpretation of a distinct aesthetic is revealed. The very signature of going against the grain, celebrate the splendour of simplicity through a collection of sneakers in a magazine layout that serves as a canvas for creation.

EDITORIAL

A Neutral Fluidity

Venturing beyond prevailing conventional codes, the static of contemporary life composes a range of characteristic non-binary looks that form PEDRO’s Fall 2023 unisex collection. Highlighting elevated essentials for all, the brand continues to uplift and inspire its community through an exploration of ideals through an alternative gaze.

EDITORIAL

An Imprint of the Future

Embodying the ethos of adapting to changing times, HYBRIX leaves an imprint of the future. Animated in three-dimension to emphasize technology and progress, modernistic elements showcased throughout serve as a reflection of a utopian future where imagination knows no bounds.

PEDRO NEWS

Exciting New Editions

Showcasing a series of creative communions where extraordinary vibes flourish in diverse environments, PEDRO’s international endeavours propel the brand’s regional markets into the spotlight. Seamlessly incorporating elements of the brand into each unique concept, relive each event through the intersection of art and performance, captivating audiences and creating unforgettable moments.

EDITORIAL

HoundStooth With A Twist

Experimenting with classics, PEDRO Studio devises the Fall 2023 collection as an unfamiliar take on familiar elements. Breathing new life into established aesthetics with this season’s highlight - the houndstooth motif, sculptural forms speak to the past and future, a central point of reference for the collection’s recontextualization of traditional design codes.

EDITORIAL

Into The Waves

Inspired by the sea and the vibrant culture that surrounds it, PEDRO blends crystalline ocean waves with contemporary aesthetics for a comprehensive range of summer staples to elevate your warm-weather style. The collection flows in a dialogue of colour and textural layers interspersed with oases of simplicity and contemporary elegance.

EDITORIAL

The Blueprint of an Icon

In its 3rd year, the latest iteration of PEDRO Icon continues its stylistic evolution, expanding its creative horizons while staying true to the distinctive aesthetics of the collection.

TÊTE-À-TÊTE

Intimate and Uninhibited

Talent can be found in every corner of the world, as PEDRO shifts the gaze from art to the artists by catching up with creatives Lily Taieb and Alfie Nickerson, whose work reflects a time when individuality is more important than ever. We speak with them about their projects, sources of inspiration and motivation, and how they establish a characteristic aesthetic that is faithful to their personal style and vision of life.

EDITORIAL

Reflecting An Experience

Combining understated glamour with high-shine impact, PEDRO expresses complexity through subtle colours contrasted with metallic accents to give a surreal twist to classic shapes.

EDITORIAL

In Perpetual Motion

The embodiment of exciting times ahead. Commemorating an iconic silhouette, PEDRO ushers the Swift sneakers back in the fold, this time in an exciting range of vibrant hues to take any laid back look to the next level.

EDITORIAL

Postcards From The City

A powerful medium to evoke emotions, postcards offer a unique representation of the location, capturing its essence through visual imagery and conveying a sense of nostalgia and longing for the place. PEDRO provides a glimpse into the sights and sounds of Hong Kong, inspiring one to fall in love with the magic of a city.

EDITORIAL

The Pink Edit

Infusing the colour pink with a mesmerizing vibrancy that awakens the senses, PEDRO brings a kaleidoscopic collection pulsing with infinitely striking looks.

EDITORIAL

An Ode to Earth

An ode to nature, the campaign serves as an apt reminder of Mother Earth’s natural beauty and the bounty it provides from which inspiring pieces are manifested. This Summer’s rePEDRO campaign aims to highlight the purpose of the collection, one that fuses us between the product and the environment.

EDITORIAL

Colour Pop

Burst forth with vivid colours and bold designs. Be emboldened to unleash the full power of your unique personality through the irresistible charm of the Megan line, and highlights like chain detailing that imbuses the bag with a modern edge.

EDITORIAL

A Desert Hope

In a time of reflection, self-discovery and reconnection, PEDRO presents an exclusive collection that embodies a spiritual awakening. At the heart of this collection is an introspective adventure that materializes in the form of a captivating experience that culminates at sunset in the desert.

TÊTE-À-TÊTE

Art Through Her Eyes

For years, art has undoubtedly influenced our culture and society – in the way we think, feel and connect. This International Women’s Day, PEDRO celebrates women by spotlighting 3 aspiring female artists from South Korea - Kim Kijeong, Huh Suyon, and Jeon Hyunsu, who specialize in classic, contemporary and 3D art respectively, and have played a part in the evolution of art.

EDITORIAL

Hybrix

Introduce abstractions of an unpredictable future and get lost in luminous streets with the Hybrix, a contemporary collection based around the idea of movement around ever-changing terrains.

CAMPAIGN

Natural Touch

Slide into a state of relaxed refinement with an indulgence in tactile sensation and a decidedly muted palette, shaped by fluid silhouettes for a contemporary aesthetic.

EDITORIAL

San Valentin

Representing the beautifully warm things in life, infuse some romance into your ensembles this Valentine’s Day with a selection of contemporary accessories that embrace love in all forms. Enjoy the excitement of possibilities with creations shaped by love, designed to win your affection and make your heart take flight.

EDITORIAL

Tangible Pixels

Enter a surreal and pixelated world where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems with the PIXEL, PEDRO Studio’s key textural element for the future. Form and function are translated into pieces of timeless construction with enough contemporaneity to fit into the wardrobe of today's world, creating the perfect balance of modern and sophisticated appeal.

EDITORIAL

Phygital Transference

PEDRO enters an environment where both physical and digital worlds meet with the Spring 2023 Collection, creating pieces that capture the uncertainty of the virtual universe we live in: the magic of endless possibilities.

EDITORIAL

Painting Festive Landscapes

PEDRO explores the themes and symbolism behind colours this Lunar New Year, documenting how they can feel so intimate and familiar yet transcendent. Harnessing the power of colour, a controlled palette combines and contrasts with visuals created to bring out the social meanings attached to each colour, preserving intangible moments and expressing the essence of fond memories.

EDITORIAL

Lunar New Year Reframed

Digital and physical mediums come together in pieces that evoke PEDRO’s most characteristic codes this Lunar New Year. Reinterpreting classic designs with modern icons, let the charming aesthetics and cosy tones provide the perfect finishing touch to your festive attire.

EDITORIAL

Christmas Story

Be free from formal constraints and reveal your inner personalities this holiday season. We all have our personal stories to tell.

EDITORIAL

Tough As Nails

Make an assertive entrance to the scene and personify your inner tempest through rugged, military-like silhouettes and innovative designs mixed with urban elements.