Yesterday we took a closer look at Martin Albornoz’s designs for the World Champions Collection, and today we continue that South American flavour by looking at the country who have been successful than any other in world football: Brazil. Here’s a quick glimpse of Susana Werner modelling the Brazilian shirt from the World Champions Collection:

The crest on that shirt was designed by Fernando Chamarelli, an illustrator, artist and tattoo designer from Brazil, who uses cartoon-like imagery, portraits and cultural icons to create his vibrant, colourful images. We spoke to him recently about his creation for the World Champions Collection and where he finds his inspiration…

How would you describe your work?

‘WOW! You start with the hardest question! It’s difficult to describe my work. I begin by drawing cartoons, caricatures and realistic portraits, passing by tattoos, graffiti and graphic design, to arrive at the painting. I like everything involving art, and my work is a mix of styles and influences. It’s like a mosaic – multicultural, organic, merging elements of different cultures into the same work. I value colours, the balance, the forms and diversity.’

Who or what inspired you to become an artist?

‘Well, I was born and raised in a very small town, I had no contact with art or with any artist. I was a teeneger when I saw a comic for the first time, and from that moment I started drawing and I never stopped. Nowadays I wake up thinking in drawings and I sleep thinking in paintings.’

Has Brazil inspired your work in the past?

‘Yes, Brazil is a heterogeneous country, a country that received immigrants from around the world, so it has a rich culture. The music, the dance, folklore, legends and popular myths are amazing. That diversity influence me a lot in my work.’

What made you want to get involved in this collaboration with Umbro?

‘Firstly because I like sports. I love football. To draw a new crest for a Brazilian team has been an honour and a challenge. And I like the products from Umbro too!’

What do you think of the existing crest used by your national team?

‘I like it, it is beautiful, I like its colours and symmetry. The crest has tradition, and it is respected by the other teams.’

Was it difficult to approach the idea of redesigning the Brazilian crest?

‘Redesigning the Brazilian crest has been fantastic. It’s a different job and it is a real challenge, because one crest represents many important things for a team.’

How did you decide what elements to include?

‘The initial idea was to make the crest in the form of canary, because ‘the little canary’ is the nickname of the Brazilian team. So I did a yellow canary with wings open, and I decided to include some elements of Brazilian culture such as berimbau (a musical instrument), a carnival, mask, waves, the Cristo redentor… plus the addition of a player in the middle of the crest, vibrant colours and organic forms.’

The results look fun, was it an enjoyable experience?

‘Yes, it was a pleasant experience, it’s fun doing this kind of work. I hope to do more works like this in the future.’

If you had to name your crest, what would you call it?

‘Fly Canary!’

Were you a football fan before you decided to do this?

‘Yes, football culture is very strong in Brazil. I love cheering for my team, CORINTHIANS! I watch programs about football every day and I often play football too.’

What role do you think the crest has for players and fans?

‘The crests are very important, for many fans the crest is a symbol – sacred, respected. It is kissed when a player wears the shirt of a club for the first time, or when the player scores a goal. I have the crest of my team in my mobile phone, TV remote controI, motorcycle, mug, camera. I know several people who have the crest of their favourite team tattoed on his own body. It is strange to see a football shirt without a crest. A club or a football shirt without a crest is like a country without a flag or a brand without a logo.’

How do you think Brazil will fare in this summer’s World Cup?

‘I think the Brazil will be good. The coach is doing a great job, despite some players not being in good form. I believe that Brazil will be the champions, in spite of there being other strong teams that I think can lift the trophy too, such as Argentina, Spain and England.’

Many thanks to Fernando for answering our questions, and for sending through his early sketches which you can see here. Tomorrow, we’ll visit the last of our South American champions, Argentina.