You can order a piece of the Bronx from anywhere in the world. Branded T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and bags with the words “From the Bronx” are sold on the brand’s website, as well as in a small local store and in New York City’s airports and train stations. Here’s the story of how this local brand was created and how it’s growing, on bronxanka.com.
The Idea Behind the Brand
Anthony Ramirez grew up with his brothers in a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx. He loved the place where he was born and raised. The family spent a lot of time together. The Ramirezes weren’t wealthy and couldn’t travel much, but their parents always took the kids on long walks through the Bronx’s parks, playgrounds, riverbanks, and waterfronts.
After graduating, Anthony got a job working with children in a school. That’s when he first realized that the borough he loved so much often brought up negative thoughts and emotions in many people.
“Whenever I asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up, they’d say, ‘I can’t wait to get out of here,’” Ramirez recalls.
He was genuinely surprised to hear this. The Bronx isn’t perfect; it has many problems and flaws. Until recently, it was considered the most crime-ridden and marginalized borough in New York City. But it’s also home to incredibly talented people, beautiful nature, interesting architecture, and a special vibe all its own. Anthony began to wonder what he could do to convince young people that the Bronx isn’t a place to flee, but a home to cherish and improve. One day, Ramirez was staying late at school and thought about how the classroom lacked decor that reflected local identity. Besides posters of the Bronx Zoo and the Yankees, there was nothing. But the Bronx is so much more than that.
In 2006, Ramirez decided to change the perception of his home borough and, along with his two younger brothers, founded a company to present the Bronx to its residents and visitors in an original way. While the company has expanded its collaborations with various artists and activists, it has consistently maintained its focus on promoting the Bronx and highlighting its uniqueness and authenticity.
“Bronx pride permeates everything we do,” says Ramirez. “It lives in me, and I see it in everyone I know from the Bronx. It’s a special connection—a pride in our culture, our history, and a desire to share it and inspire others.”
The brand name is simple and clear: From the Bronx. The main product line includes various clothing items, hats, mugs, posters, keychains, souvenirs, bags, and other goods. From time to time, they also release other branded products, such as board games, jewelry, and accessories. The company also has a division, Mainland Media, which helps small local businesses with social media promotion.
From a Small Shop to Government Partnerships
The Ramirez brothers knew that simply making products with photos of the Bronx or traditional phrases like “I love the Bronx” wasn’t enough. They needed to involve talented artists, organizations, and institutions to promote the borough’s unique character in different ways and reach a wider audience.
In 2013, the company partnered with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which led to their products being sold in museum stores in New York City, as well as in Korea and Japan.
Over nearly 20 years, there have been many interesting collaborations and joint projects, but perhaps the most significant was creating a T-shirt for the Tour de Bronx bike ride with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. The old design simply featured text and a bicycle handlebar. Anthony Ramirez proposed a new design that added dynamism and vibrant associations specific to the Bronx. The updated Tour de Bronx T-shirt features a woman on a bicycle with a boombox—a symbolic nod to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, which has its roots right here in the Bronx.
In general, hip-hop is an integral part of the From the Bronx brand’s identity—its elements are present in the logo and in many of the brand’s collections.
Original Brand Collections
But it’s not just about hip-hop. The main mission of the From the Bronx brand is to broaden the perception of the Bronx for its residents and visitors. The Ramirezes want people to have as many associations with their hometown as possible, so that when they think of the Bronx, they recall more than just images of Yankee Stadium, hip-hoppers, and Jennifer Lopez.
Among the popular collections from the From the Bronx brand are:
- Bodega Bloom.
This collection is by artist Kimalisa Medici, who grew up in the South Bronx. She creates vibrant handmade yarn rugs, blending art with modern creativity.
- “Born in The Bronx!” by Joe Conzo.
The main item in this collection is a book written by Johan Kugelberg. It’s more of a large photo album featuring shots by Joe Conzo, who documented the birth of hip-hop and life in the Bronx in the 1970s. His photos tell the story of a generation that didn’t break under the pressure of the city’s problems. The 240 pages of Bronx history will captivate anyone and introduce them to this charismatic New York borough. This collection also includes hoodies, T-shirts, patches, bags, and souvenirs by Joe Conzo.
- Reflection Collection.
This collection honors the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. It features original works that pay tribute to the culture’s roots and its global impact. It was originally conceived as a limited-edition release for the anniversary, but it was so well-loved that it became a permanent part of the online store.
- Bronx Beer Hall.
How could they not celebrate the famous Bronx breweries, which were once so numerous? This collection is dedicated to the well-known beer hall on Arthur Avenue. It celebrates its role in the community and its promotion of New York craft beer. The collection typically includes branded clothing and various accessories: beer glasses, shot glasses, coasters, stickers, and more.
- Evelina100.
This collection, launched in 2022, is dedicated to the 100th birthday of the prominent activist, advocate, and educator Evelina Antonetty, who was known as the “Hell Lady of the Bronx.” She dedicated her life to fighting for dignity and freedom and is considered one of the most influential figures in the 20th-century Puerto Rican diaspora. The collection features two T-shirts that pay tribute to Evelina’s legacy and her unwavering dedication to the Latinx communities in the Bronx, inspired by one of her most powerful quotes:
“We will never stop fighting here in the Bronx, even though they have destroyed it around us. We would pitch tents if we had to and not move out of here. We would fight back. There is nothing we wouldn’t do. They are never going to take us out of here. I feel part of this place, and I am never going to leave. And after me my children will be here to continue… I have very strong children… and very strong grandchildren,” — Evelina Antonetty.
- Bronx Defenders.
Bronx Defenders is a non-profit organization that works to fundamentally change how low-income people are represented in the Bronx court system. The collection was created for the organization’s staff, supporters, and partners as a way to show support and belonging to a common cause. There’s even clothing for babies with the inscription: “Future Bronx Defenders.”
- George Rafael Inc. Collection.
George Rafael, who grew up in the Bronx in a Latinx family, found inspiration in local culture—music, graffiti, and fashion—and turned it into his own business. His brand, George Rafael Inc., is the embodiment of the love for creativity he developed as a child. He thanks New York for his passion for fashion and the Bronx for his self-belief.
- South Bronx Family Album.
This monochromatic clothing collection draws inspiration from Ricky Flores’s photo book, which reveals the warm relationships and cultural depth of the South Bronx. The selection features images that capture family ties and community spirit, reflected in iconic shots from the 1980s.
- Ricky Flores Print Collection.
An incredible collection of black-and-white photographs by the renowned Puerto Rican photojournalist Ricky Flores, who has documented the lives of South Bronx residents for over three decades—from everyday moments to deeply personal stories.
Concerns About New Customs Policy
Bronx fashion brands found themselves in an uncertain position in the spring of 2025 due to new Trump tariffs that could significantly increase the cost of imported fabrics and finished clothing—a direct blow to small businesses. Those who import goods from Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China—countries that account for a significant portion of U.S. textile supply—will be particularly affected.
The Ramirez brothers are concerned that the price hikes will make their products unaffordable for local residents.
The entrepreneurs also admit that they can’t fully assess how much costs will rise, as they don’t always have access to all the information about their supply chains—from raw material sourcing to final product manufacturing. The brand owners say they are already in talks with factories in other countries, preparing to move production if the conditions change drastically. But this doesn’t guarantee a solution: domestic production is traditionally more expensive than foreign production. Still, the brothers aren’t giving up. They are confident they can adapt to the new conditions and find new ways to continue the business they love.