Have you heard of the collaborative brand, Team Manila?
HOW IT STARTED
Team Manila was a game plan. It was a dream that brought to life. Team Manila founders Jowee Alviar and Raymund Punzalan said that their mission was to promote graphic design in the Philippines and represent this country in the street fashion world.
The two met in college where they both graduated with a degree in Advertising—for they both have a knack in graphic designs. Alviar left the country to pursue a Master’s study in the US while Punzalan stayed here in the Philippines. Alviar’s knowledge about graphic design broadened and Punzalan took the initiative and started the idea and that was when Team Manila was born.
AT PRESENT
Team Manila’s designs continue to flourish as they collaborate with different design studios, brands, famous bands, and with the merch of different cities in the country—even Valorant, a famous video game, also had a collaboration with the team.
Aside from that, they also designed minimalist logos for several in brands: Bratpack, Condura, Esquire, Duty Free, Serenitea, Fresh Options, and many more.
Team Manila is now known a streetwear fashion statement. It’s like wearing a piece of your country wherever you go or a particular city perhaps.
Team Manila aims to educate and cultivate public appreciation through its work while making a lasting mark on visual culture and reinforcing the current lifestyle of graphic design here and abroad.
INSPIRATION
When asked about their inspiration to pursue Team Manila on a different level, Jowee and Raymund’s default answer would be the Jeepney. Jeepney tells the story of a Filipino and Jeepney signages contain all types of typography, and typography is art. The Jeepney was the first ever design of their first ever shirt.
They got the name Team Manila from the streets of Manila. It represents where they came from, and it proves a sense of nationalism.
Team Manila is a very successful retail and collaborative brand that continues to create and sell pieces that are close to the county but in very fashionable street sense. It is a brand that is made out of inspiration and continues to be one.
