Team Manila's iconic Rizal image now comes in the form of a cross stitch pattern courtesy of DMC Philippines. Photo by Francine Marquez, InterAksyon.com.
From folksy craft and with memories of Home Economics classes rushing back to one’s mind, cross stitching seems to be running on a different, more youthful thread these days as household name DMC reaches out to its younger market.
And we’re not just talking about the famous French brand of embroidery threads as a standard requirement in basic sewing classes in school. DMC has collaborated with Team Manila Graphic Design Studio, known for its hip nationalist designs (case in point, National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal depicted in cool shades), in a project called the Team Manila Designs Collection.
DMC store in Megamall. Photo by Francine Marquez, InterAksyon.com.
DMC’s Team Manila Designs Collection was launched last week at the SM Megamall Atrium where cross-stitch enthusiasts and Team Manila’s fans alike got to view the exhibited designs.
The collection, now available in craft shops nationwide and in its sole DMC-run store at the basement of Megamall consists of cross-stitch kits, patterns, and statement bags based on Team Manila’s past campaigns.
Now on sale at the DMC store in Megamall, the Team Manila collection. Photo by Francine Marquez, InterAksyon.com.
This isn’t the first time that DMC Philippines has collaborated with artists especially since DMC has always gone by its sewing mantra, “Nothing beats art done by you.” Joanne Mercado, DMC Brand Manager, mentions that in the past, DMC Philippines has collaborated with the heirs of the country’s First National Artist Fernando C. Amorsolo to come up with patterns based on the late painter’s creations. It has also collaborated with painter Manuel Baldemor and Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez (who created floral designs inspired from her own favorite samplers).
Meanwhile, Team Manila’s Founder and Creative Director Jowee Alviar said in an interview with InterAksyon, “Anything that promotes nationalism in whatever form, we totally support it, which is why it didn’t take much convincing for us to collaborate with DMC. We’ve also always believed in encouraging the youth to work with their hands, rediscover crafts, and creating handmade things.”
Team Manila's founders and creative force Mon Punzalan (left) and Jowee Alviar (right) team up with DMC Philippines to promote nationalist-themed patterns for cross stitching. Photo by Francine Marquez, InterAksyon.com.
The collection showcases 12 designs divided into three respective design segment patterns: Iconic Team Manila, Help DOT, and Statement. The Help DOT designs feature local tourist attractions and destinations such as Pampanga’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, Batangas’ Taal Volcano, Sulu’s Vintas, Bicol’s Mayon Volcano and Oriental Mindoro’s Puerto Galera, especially designed for frameable patterns.
Destinations like Mt. Mayon in Bicol and Pampanga are available in DMC Team Manila Design Collection's Help DOT series.
“We wondered if they could provide all the shades we requested in our designs,” notes Team Manila’s Alviar, “But we were surprised—they had everything. We also liked the long-lasting quality of the threads and its colors.”
Team Manila's other famous graphic designs include Manila and the Philippine Sun designs.
DMC’s Joanne, in an interview, said, “DMC has benefitted from the school curriculum so one way of giving back is by way of coming up with campaigns that will encourage the youth to celebrate and be proud in being a Filipino. Every year, we try to come up with new projects for the youth who are always in search of different platforms to express themselves.
Statement cross stitch patterns from the DMC Team Manila Design Collection.
“We also want to bring the youth to appreciate the basics as a way to share something that you put your heart into. There’s joy when you share yourself knowing that you’ve also poured hard work in it as well.”
Judging from the enthusiasm of stitchers who came to the launch and the craft bloggers who’ve been raving about the collaboration and range of designs (from simple samplers to 100+ colors required), crossstitching is so alive and exciting all over again.
Happy stitchers at the DMC store in Megamall can't wait to start working on Team Manila's designs. Photo by Francine Marquez, InterAksyon.com.
