HOW to promote your city?
There could be a lot of ways to do it. It can be through writing stories and blogs or taking photos of the city’s famous destinations and post it online or maybe through word of mouth or participating in advocacy campaigns or whatsoever can be effective.
But to this group of local graphic designers, the best way of showcasing the city is by wearing it, literally.
“This is to promote every place in Davao City to tourists and even to Dabawenyos themselves,” Karla Degrano, one of the creators of RN DVO said.
RN DVO is local shirt brand created by five brilliant people launched in
October 2017. The shirts’ designs feature places in Davao City like Bankerohan and Roxas Night Market.
“Last year we launched just two designs and it is limited edition, this year, maybe around summer we will release four new designs, of course, it will be still tatak-Dabaw,” she said.
Designs that are up for release are Mintal, Toril, Sasa and Bonguyan.
The shirts which are available in black and white colors are 100 percent cotton and are sold at P350 each.
Degrano shared that she has been thinking of this business since 2013 and it is only last year that it came to realization.
“Naisip nako ni sa una way back 2013, nag sugod siya sa 'Lungsod ng Dabaw' typography design shirt, but when I met Kenneth, Iso, and Jael we brainstormed and came up with these kind of designs, we also sought the help of our friend Edwin who has skills in printing,” she said.
Last October, RN DVO participated in a weekend bazaar in Abreeza Ayala Mall which turned out to be unexpectedly successful.
“We just printed limited shirts because we weren’t expecting that it will generate a positive response from the customers, also we really meant it to be limited para special talaga siya,” she said.
Degrano added that with the increasing demand for the shirts, they have big plans for the business.
“But of course we want to take it slowly, we are just happy that we are making business and at the same time promoting our city by wearing it with pride,” she said.