It’s against the law to cut up the flag and turn it into designer togs. But why do that when you can wear the Philippine map instead? Well, in a manner of speaking.

Recently launched casuals created by Collezione C2 creative director Rhett Eala allow you to do just that. Called the “My Pilipinas Collection,” the new RTW line highlights the Philippine map silk-screened and embroidered on highly wearable pieces. In keeping with Collezione’s casual tradition, the line uses various cotton materials such as pique, jersey, and twill.

Joey Qua, Collezione C2 president, says they wanted to “go beyond the idea that nationalism is outdated or that only heroes can show what it’s like to be patriotic.” It would take design genius Eala to turn such a lofty vision into practical clothes.

“It was a challenge trying to craft clothes for the fashion-forward Filipino who’s a nationalist at heart,” Eala admits. “They’re people who look beyond branding or aesthetics. For them, even a simple action such as choosing clothes can become a statement of their pride as Filipinos.”

Back in 1972, Collezione got its inspiration from world-class brands that most Filipinos could only admire through the pages of a magazine. At the time, garment importations were severely limited. So Collezione began supplying Filipinos with high-quality, locally made t-shirts.

After 36 years in the Philippines, Collezione can still come up with innovative fashion that people actually WANT to wear. For instance, some My Pilipinas shirt designs draw their inspiration from Rorschach inkblots.

“At first glance, a Rorschach inkblot presents meaningless patterns of black ink,” Eala says. “But after a much closer look, a story eventually emerges.” He goes on to point out that he chose the Rorschach imagery of the Philippine map because he believed “being Filipino can be defined in a thousand different ways through a thousand different stories.”

Who would’ve thought nationalism could be hip—and the shirts inspired by it so intelligent!—MM