THE MAN BEHIND THE BRAND:


Designer Rafe Totengco launched his namesake handbag collection in 1995. Since then the Rafe brand has grown to include women’s handbags, shoes and small leather goods. Known for its balance of fashion and function, Rafe blends uptown sophistication with downtown edge while remaining classic enough to be worn for many seasons to come. Over the years, Rafe has become one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of American designers. He has been recognized in his field with numerous honors. In 2005 Rafe received the honor of being tapped by Target as the first accessories designer to create a capsule collection for the mass retailer, setting a precedent for all those to follow. Rafe is currently available at upscale department stores and specialty boutiques worldwide as well as select online shopping sites.

DESIGN STATEMENT:
Rafe cares passionately about quality, style and comfort and strives to bring joy and satisfaction to each customer. Rafe accessories are known for their balance of fashion and function with each item crafted using top grade leathers, original fabrics and a fierce attention to detail. A Rafe accessory is the exclamation point to any fashion statement..

HISTORY:
In 1989, Rafe left a successful clothing business he started in Manila to pursue his dream of a career in fashion design in the Big Apple. 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 which sold out instantly. When the shop asked him if he had handbags to go with the items, he enthusiastically said "yes" even though he didn't have a single bag made yet. One year later, the first collection of Rafe New York handbags debuted Bergdorf Goodman's uptown. In 1995 Rafe worked out of his apartment with one assistant making bags and belts in a few of the last holdout factories in Manhattan’s garment district. In order to grow business, to sell Rafe personally made cold calls and brought his collection to stores. By 1999 with a small infusion of cash and help from family and friends to he was able to expand to over 60 department and specialty stores worldwide. Since then, Rafe has become one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of New York fashion designers and President and Creative Director of his Corporation Rafe New York., now nearing it's 10^th anniversary.



Rafe Totengco is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)

He has been recognized in his field wih 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