About Rafe

In 1989, Rafe left a successful business that he started in Manila to pursue his dream of a career in fashion design. He moved to New York, enrolled in FIT, and supported himself as a design assistant. In 1994, he produced his first collection of accessories: belts and watchbands ¬for a SoHo boutique, they sold out instantly. When the shop asked him if he had bags to go with the items, he enthusiastically said 'yes'...even if he didn't have a single bag to show for it. One year later, the first collection of Rafe New York handbags debuted at uptown department store Bergdorf Goodman. Since then, Rafe has become one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of New York designers. He has been recognized in his field with numerous honors including:

• FRESH FACES IN FASHION
  Gen Art Foundation, 1996
  
  
• THE “TEN BEST” AWARD
  ENK International, Fall 1997
  
  
• FINALIST, PERRY ELLIS ACCESSORY DESIGN AWARD
  CFDA, 1999
  
  
• RISING STAR AWARD
  Fashion Group International, 2000
  
  
• BEST ACCESSORIES DESIGNER
  Accessories Council, 2001
  
  
• TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men)
  Philippine Jaycees, 2002, awarded by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
  
  
• ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
  Filipinas Magazine, 2005
  
  
• ASIAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
  Asian Enterprise Magazine, 2007

In 2006, Rafe was tapped as the first accessories designer to collaborate with retail giant, Target, to create a limited edition capsule collection. The Rafe brand has grown over the years to include women’s handbags, shoes and small leather goods. For designer Rafe Totengco, accessories are the exclamation points to your fashion statement.

The Rafe New York collection is available in upscale department stores and specialty stores throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Russia, the Caribbean, South America and the Middle East, as well as select online shopping sites.