“Dogma was founded on the basis of individuality. Created in 2018 after attending a hardcore punk show in Baltimore, we saw straightedge attendees having difficulty with showing who they really are at shows––because everyone knows a simple “X” on the hand with sharpie doesn’t feel very personal. There simply wasn’t a way for people within the straightedge community to express themselves in a unique way. Because the community is such a large part of the hardcore punk scene, Dogma needed to help the community out... as punk is nothing if not expressive. We aim to serve the straightedge community by providing them with fashionable, customizable emblems that have just as much spirit as they do. Our products are 100% handmade for each individual and Dogma promises to provide in a way that follows the community’s tenants. All of our products are 100% cruelty free and vegan, to follow the way you live and be just as distinct as you are.”
Dogma is an exercise in creating a brand and corresponding guidelines for a particular chosen subculture, mine being the East Coast hardcore punk scene. After a close friend returned from a hardcore set complaining about the extra-large sharpied “X” on her hand that she couldn’t wash off for days, I knew what had to be done. I was also really into embroidery at the time and saw it as a good chance to make some patches... but we don’t need to focus on that part.