Miami clothing brand turns manhole covers into wearable history

Zoom in: Miami's manhole covers still feature the city's longtime government seal emblazoned with a vintage-looking royal palm tree.

• But in recent years, the city has rebranded to a more modern palm tree logo that Delacerda calls "digitized" and "unappealing."

By painting old manhole covers and pressing plain T-shirts onto them, the clothing captures a physical imprint of the city that immortalizes Miami's history even as redevelopment and gentrification change local communities.

What they're saying: Delacerda, who created the brand Manhole Press with writer Jess Swanson in 2025, says she has seen the old Miami logo disappear from her childhood neighborhood.

• Around Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 87th Street, a classic city sign that said "Welcome to the City of Miami" was replaced with a sign bearing the new modern logo, she says.
• "I guess it's just another reminder of change in this neighborhood and change in Miami and just time passing," she said.

• "I think we just have to accept a certain amount of change in Miami even though we want to fight it and not accept it."

How to get a shirt: Go to the Manhole Press website, and follow Delacerda and the brand on Instagram for updates.

• Supply is low, but she says she's working to increase her inventory soon.
• If you have a decorative manhole cover in your South Florida city, Delacerda accepts commissions.