Cross-stitching Nationalism

August 12, 2012, 3:55pm

Most of the youth today are pre-occupied with superficial things like gadgets that modern technology offers each year. Some are distracted with the latest trends that can tempt those who want to fit in with status symbols. But what about national sentiment? Can it be a trend? A good kind of trend showing off the pride of one’s country, and not showing off one’s superficiality?

French company DMC, a brand of embroidery threads, aims to reach out to the youth market and to interest them in expressing themselves and to acquire national sentiment.  Providing a wide array of patterns for cross-stitch enthusiasts throughout the years, DMC recently collaborated with Team Manila Graphic Design Studio, a Filipino design studio known for its nationalistic campaigns.

For 11 years now, Team Manila has been exploring different ways to promote nationalism, especially to the youth. What started out as a design studio, branched out and launched its own clothing store that celebrates Filipino pride. Team Manila founders, Joey Alviar and Mon Punzalan, takes their design creativity onto another stage as they bring their newest nationalistic designs to DMC’s patterns for cross-stitch. The initiative of Team Manila is to promote the Philippines, even online. “I have been seeing the US and Japan, and they have these great images on their websites. I wanted to make the Philippines look better as well, so everyone would know how beautiful our country is,” Joey said. Team Manila has been making tourism posters and images and they now have over 30 designs of digital posters online. Their iconic “I Rizal” design was actually inspired by the well-known “I heart New York” design.

When DMC wanted to reach the youth, they decided to collaborate with Team Manila earlier this year in January. When Joey and Mon were approached by DMC, they were pretty excited to try something new for them; they found it interesting to see the possible output of the idea. Among the 30-plus designs online, DMC chose 12 for their cross-stitch patterns. Among the 12 designs, there are six tourist attraction designs, two statement designs, and four iconic designs. “DMC Philippines always finds ways to make its products always at par with the needs and desires of today’s generation of cross-stitch enthusiasts,” Joanne Mercado, DMC Brand Manager, said.

The DMC-Team Manila designs collection was launched last July 18, 2012 at the Atrium of SM Megamall. The 12 designs are: Pampanga’s Hot air balloon fiesta, Sulu’s Close to the sea, Puerto Galera Philippines, Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, Taal Volcano, Mount Mayon- The perfect volcano, Love Manila, The Philippine Sun symbol, MNL design, I Rizal PH, (and two bags) Made in the Republic of the Philippines, and Tayo Ang Simula. Aside from these new additions, DMC still offers their regular designs like paintings, cartoon characters, etc.

The DMC-Team Manila designs are available at DMC stores nationwide.