By Jonathan Alexandratos

When at Toy Fair, Homies are a must-see. I love the brand, the toys, and the story. Created by Chicano designer David Gonzalez, Homies hit the market in 1998, largely in grocery store vending machines. Today, they are nostalgic for many, but the brand works to keep their products new. Striking a key balance between new variety and recognizable style, Homies are fresh toys and charming memory anchors at the same time. Check out their display:

Homies products range from legacy figurines to cars and more.

These toys are a Chicano success story. Gonzalez knows triumph in the toy industry because he climbed to cult fame, as he says, “from nothing.” For that reason, Homies are to be celebrated.