Creatives Alithea Castillo and Kim Tin Tell The Story Behind Of Becoming Us

Creatives Alithea Castillo and Kim Tin Tell The Story Behind Of Becoming Us

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All eyes are on the emerging director-photographer duo Alithea Castillo and Kim Tin as they bring the beauty of heritage, queerness, and creative vision to the global scene

In Manila, the season of al fresco is in full circuit: the day dawns crisp and clear, tucked in an unmatched warmth that flows to the core. But ever so often, it creates the perfect backdrop for reconnecting with creatives who are on the other end of the map. New York, of course, tells a contrasting story: the sun prepares to set, with its reflection slowly vacating Alithea Castillo and Kim Tin’s apartment — the same creative space that fostered their company, Of Becoming Us. 

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Hailing from Myanmar to New York City, Kim Tin has always been determined to pursue a full-time career in photography
Hailing from Myanmar to New York City, Kim Tin has always been determined to pursue a full-time career in photography

“It was actually serendipitous, how we found this place,” Castillo tells MEGA, reminiscing on what prompted them to finally bite the bullet, move in together and find their own place. “I was fervently trying to find a place through all the apartment finder websites but luck was seemingly on Kim’s side as she found an apartment just a few hours after. Next thing we know, we’ve been here for three years, and it’s definitely home to us.”

Embracing a new environment is never easy. Castillo, for one, described it as a tumultuous journey. “Nothing was handed to me nor did I have connections when I got here. I moved here with two suitcases, no job prospects, and practically nothing to my name,” she recalls, referring to her first quarter in the city. “We only had a bunk bed and a sofa but it was one of my most memorable moments. I literally had nothing but I am grateful for them because they took care of me at my lowest.” 

Circumstances are not static and as time passes, she has found her center: to be in a constant flux of learning and growing. “It’s been important to me to be able to do things that I want to excel in and be proud of while doing it,” she says. 

Despite the differences, Castillo and Tin learned that their creativity complemented each other well
Despite the differences, Castillo and Tin learned that their creativity complemented each other well

Soon enough, Castillo’s determination rewarded her with opportunities to work in social strategy for WME- IMG, Conde Nast, KCD. “I felt a sense of fulfillment knowing I knew how to grow an account from zero to millions,” she credits. “Having that knowledge of how social media works propelled me to apply what I knew to other facets of my life like influencer jobs and more importantly, our company.” 

New York has also taught her a thing or two about beauty. “I really used to think I wasn’t pretty compared to whatever was the standard back home,” she confesses. “I didn’t have perfect teeth, perfect skin, nor did I have the perfect body. Now, being around many people of color, gives you an appreciation of embracing who you are and knowing that beauty is pretty subjective and is mostly about having an innate appreciation of one’s self.” 

Tin, on the other hand, learned the importance of having a creative community. “I moved to NYC from Myanmar at the age of fourteen — going back here after college definitely felt more of a homecoming,” they express. “I really wanted to pursue photography as a full- time career. But back then, it was hard to figure out how, especially when I didn’t know many creatives who could give me advice.”

However, their life experienced a shift when they met Dathias, a creative who gave them an opportunity in the fashion week scene. “Dathias is an Asian immigrant who is thriving in the fashion industry and he showed me that I can maybe do it too,” Tin details. “The best lessons I learned were to never be afraid to shoot your shot and find like-minded individuals that you can grow with.” 

Castillo expresses that New York has also helped her embrace a new perspective in beauty
Castillo expresses that New York has also helped her embrace a new perspective in beauty

Castillo and Tin might have come from different creative backgrounds, but it’s the soul tie that led them to each other. “We met in early 2017 basically through Instagram, the creative couple looks back. “I went to Sarah, my hairdresser, and she told me about this photographer who shoots influencers. It was really funny because she muddied things a bit! One thing led to another, we started dating, and now, here we are almost seven blissful years later.” 

In the same timeline, the couple learned that their creativity complemented each other well — which eventually led them to working together. Tin names Castillo’s unmatched eye for creative direction as her best strength, praising how her deep understanding of how the brand works helps with their projects. On the other hand, Castillo praises Tin’s technical ability and execution as their ace. “It kind of fits with us being a duo because I take on the creative direction and they make everything happen,” she says.


Read more about how Of Becoming Us are taking over the global scene in MEGA’s June 2024 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.

Photographed by MEGAN COLLANTE. Creative Direction BRIE VENTURA. Makeup ALEX JUSTIMBASTE. Styling: ALITHEA CASTILLO 

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