THE STORY

The Puerto Rican Day Parade has been an iconic day in NYC since 1958. 

My family and I have been going to the parade since I was a little girl. Every single year I would look forward to that the second Sunday in June. When I was finally old enough to dress myself I created a tradition with my mom. Days before the parade, I would have her take me to Sunset Park, Brooklyn to get a shirt made from an airbrush artist. 

When I was going through old photos at my parents house I came across those pictures of me in all my airbrushed tees. I became inspired and realized I want to design tees for the parade. 

I truly couldn’t think of anyone better to collaborate on this tee with, Charlie Doves. 

Charlie Doves is a Puerto Rican artist from the lower east side of NYC. He is famed for illustrating different urban styles. His work is characterized by various aspects of 80’s & 90’s pop culture such as cinema, poster and cover art, creatures, cartoons, blended with his own perspective and signature style.

While coming up with the design for this years tee I for sure knew I wanted to continue to include the map of the NYC boroughs like I did for last years tee, being that the parade takes place in NY. On the front of the tee centered is the date of the parade this year and our beautiful flag shown. On the back of the tee you will see a viejo with his piragua cart and behind him you will see the map of the NYC boroughs/NYC skyline and bori props surrounding him.

For this years campaign instead of highlighting each borough like I did last year, I wanted to focus on one borough and highlight a Puerto Rican neighborhood. And for each year I drop the tee I will highlight the next borough, so on and so forth. This years campaign I highlighted Sunset Park Brooklyn, where my family and extended family was born and bred.

I am so proud to be raised by my Puerto Rican family and so lucky to have grown up in a place like NYC that is so full of culture. I hope every person who purchases our tee feels the same pride and passion for PR as I do!