Can I Tell You...about Aya Abesamis.

Aya with her Aya frame clutch at Rockefeller Center.

Can I Tell You…about Aya Abesamis. We started following each other on Instagram last year but we recently finally met in person. I knew of Aya because her parents were fashion models and contemporaries of my sisters back in the Philippines in the 1980s. Her mother Desiree Verdadero was the 3rd runner up for Miss Universe back in 1984. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Aya joined the pageant scene and in 2019 was crowned the title of Binibing Pilipinas Grand International.

She’s been living in New York for almost two years and is represented by the legendary agency Ford Models. Aside from modeling, she also runs her own clothing brand AAYA, freelances for shoe designer Warren Edwards and paints in her free time.

The Aya Frame Clutch was inspired by Aya’s femininity, effervescence and self confidence. It features a covered frame closure with the clasps on the inside so the hardware is hidden from plain site and comes in an array of handworked sequins that will dazzle in the night.

Read our Q & A :

1. What is your idea of happiness?
Happiness is a feeling of enjoyment , positivity and a balance of well being.

2. What is your greatest extravagance?
My greatest extravagance would be fashion and the arts. I just love the creativity and inspiration that fashion and art can give you.

3. What is your current state of mind?
To always believe in myself, and have faith in my abilities. “You can achieve anything you put your mind and hard work to.”

4. Whose style do you most admire?
It’s a mix of role models; the Olsen Twins, Zendaya and Kendall Jenner.

Aya Abesamis wearing the Aya frame clutch during New York Fashion Week.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I feel like I have a lot more to achieve in my life. But so far, I feel like I’m living my dream; to be doing the things I love like modeling, fashion, arts, and a lot more in the city of dreams a.k.a New York City.

6. What is your most treasured possession?
Probably the most treasured possession is a special analog watch that my mother handed down to me which was a gift from my dad. It’s definitely a special keepsake.

7. Who is your favorite writer? Ryan Holiday, Yung Pueblo and Rupi Kaur

8. Which living person do you most admire? My parents.

9. Where is your dream destination?
My dream destinations would be Iceland, Morocco, Switzerland and the anywhere in the Mediterranean.

10. What is your motto?
“Love the humble art”. - Marcus Aurelius. It’s appreciating the little things. The goal in life is to love what you do and to love your craft.

Aya wearing the Aya frame clutch.

Can I Tell You...about Berna Romulo Puyat.

Berna Romulo Puyat with her Berna clutch and Biggie. Photo : Ernest Gatpandan

Although we’ve never met in person, Berna Romulo Puyat and I have come to know each other thanks to Instagram. We started direct messaging each other a few years ago when she posted a picture wearing one of my clutches given to her by a common friend. Berna has been a long time advocate for wearing Filipino design. In her role as the Philippines Secretary of Tourism she traveled everywhere in the country and through her I saw so many beautiful destinations I have since added to my bucket list. More recently, she has been appointed the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of the Philippines.

I wanted to name a clutch after her that best embodied her spirit, style and love for the Philippines. The Berna clutch is a classic half dome silhouette crafted and molded from natural raffia. It has a variety of hand-embroidered floral motifs and other components that are all hand made in the Philippines. Each clutch has a drop-in chain shoulder strap allowing you to wear it as a crossbody bag. It’s the perfect clutch to wear if you’re going somewhere fun and festive this summer.

Read our Q & A :

1.    What is your idea of happiness?

Spending quality time with my loved ones.

2.    What is your greatest extravagance?

Traveling.

3.    What is your current state of mind?

Peaceful and content.

4.    Whose style do you most admire?

Grace Kelly! Her style was simple and classic, but never exaggerated. Grace would exude elegance, even when wearing button down shirts, capri pants, full skirts, cardigan, and ballet shoes. I also love the way she accentuated her outfits through simple accessories, such as pearls or a nice bag.

I can still visualize myself wearing her clothes because her style and fashion sense are timeless.

5.    What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Raising my children as a single parent since my husband passed away in 2010.

6.    What is your most treasured possession?

My wedding and engagement ring because, without Dave, I wouldn’t have had my children.

7.    Who is your favorite writer?

Kevin Kwan! I only watch movies or read books that have a happy ending so no surprise there. 

I couldn’t stop laughing when I first read his book Crazy Rich Asians! I find his work so funny and relatable. It also didn’t come as a surprise to me when he included Filipino characters in his book, Rich People Problems.

I was fortunate enough to have met him last year and can confirm that he is as intriguing as the books he writes. 

8.    Which living person do you most admire?

If I narrowed it down to two choices, I would choose my mom and dad. I am fortunate enough that my parents are still with us. My mom, Lovely Tecson Romulo, is now 83 years old and my dad, Alberto Romulo, is turning 90 this August.

Mom always inspires me to be strong and to strike the balance between being a mother and a public servant. Dad always reminds me to uphold honor and integrity in public service to preserve the trust the public places in its public servants.   

9.    Where is your dream destination?

I am blessed to have visited the various UNESCO World Heritage Sites in our country such as the Rice terraces (Cordilleras), Vigan City (Ilocos Sur) Puerto Princesa Underground River (Palawan), Baroque Churches located in Intramuros, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Iloilo City and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (Palawan). So my dream is to visit other sites in other parts of the world.

The top on my list are Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Machu Picchu (Peru), Old Havana (Cuba), Works of Antoni Gaudi (Spain), Chitchen Itza (Mexico), and Serengeti National Park (Tanzania).

I also want to revisit Cappadococia, Turkey to ride the hot air balloons! Nine years ago, my daughter and I woke up as early as 4 am on two separate days to ride the hot air balloon. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to because of the weather. 

10. What is your motto?

“Happiness is a choice.  Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. You can choose to focus on the good or the bad. I choose to be happy.”

Berna wearing the Berna clutch in pink and coral. Photo : Ernest Gatpandan

If you love the Berna clutch and want to see the range of colors and motifs it comes in. Tap on the box below.

Can I Tell You...about Clair Concepcion-Barberis.

Clair wearing her namesake bag, the #ClairSlingCrossbody. Photo : Iñigo Arce (@iac.arce)

Can I Tell You…I have known Clair Concepcion-Barberis since the late 80s when I started my fashion brand in Manila. She and her best friends were rebellious teenagers who dared to defy the rules of their strict Catholic school to model for me. We had so much fun going against the status quo in those days. We kept in touch after I moved to New York and whenever I was in Manila, I would always make time to see her and the gang for a proper catch-up.

About twenty years ago, Clair and her husband purchased an island in Palawan as a private family retreat. Slowly over time they built a few more cottages to accommodate more people and eventually due to popular demand opened it up as a boutique resort called Bamboo Private Islands, available to rent for the entire family or a group of friends. The next time I’m back in the Philippines, it’s definitely going to be on top of the list of places to go for a long weekend.

But Clair isn’t one to sit still. She had been dabbling in creative projects over the years and finally decided to launch a design workshop called Artifeks. The goal is to partner creative individuals with artisans who can realize their designs using local materials. Case in point, if you want a chic umbrella similar to the one Clair is holding in the photo, they can make it for you.

On a recent trip to New York, Clair had expressed her desire for a bag that she could wear with everything and wear anywhere, a bag that could dress up even her most casual looks. The #ClairSlingCrossbody I designed with her in mind is crafted from handwoven leather in a super neutral color I call stucco. It’s a grab and go kind of bag that compliments Clair’s easy breezy style.

And judging from these photos, it looks like she loves the bag. It’s so her!

Photo : Iñigo Arce (@iac.arce)

Read our Q & A below :

1.    What is your idea of happiness? That moment or time of deep, real connection.

2.    What is your greatest extravagance? Travel is priceless.

3.    What is your current state of mind? Thunderous!

4.    Whose style do you most admire? Carmen Dell'Orefice and Isabella Rossellini.

5.    What do you consider your greatest achievement? I wouldn't go so far as calling it my greatest achievement (yet!) but certainly an achievement. Starting Artifeks, a design and manufacturing business at an age when one typically slows down. 

6.    What is your most treasured possession? Printed photographs of family and friends.

7.    Who is your favorite writer? Too many!

8.    Which living person do you most admire? I admire a few people, many of them are friends. Each one possesses a particular quality I am inspired by which I try to consciously apply in my life. 

9.    Where is your dream destination? Bhutan and Machu Picchu.

10. What is your motto? Amor Fati.

Clair working on a new project at Artifeks. Photo : Iñigo Arce (@iac.arce)

Can I Tell You...about Gen Sohr.

Gen Sohr wearing her Gen Wicker clutch photo : Jessica Amerson

I discovered Gen Sohr on Instagram a while back. I was so captivated by her joie de vivre and her discerning eye for fashion, interiors and other lifestyle products that she curates for her site Pencil, Paper and Co. I have been following her ever since.

While I was conceptualizing my Spring / Summer 2023 collection, I was inspired by Gen’s love for wicker and I thought she might love having a bag designed to compliment her style.

Gen Wicker clutch photo : Jessica Amerson

The Gen Wicker Clutch is a dual purpose bag. You can use it as a clutch or as shoulder bag by popping out the leather should strap that's tucked inside. It’s surprisingly capacious so you can wear during the day all the way to dinner. It’s fully lined and has an easy magnetic snap closure under a leather tab. The wicker is a fine gauge wicker that adds a refined elegance to the clutch.

I’m so thrilled Gen loves it.

Read our Q & A below :

1.    What is your idea of happiness?

Travel adventures with dear friends and family. Harbour Island is my happy place!

2.    What is your greatest extravagance?

Traveling to someplace that I’ve never been before.

3.    What is your current state of mind? 

Find your joy and allow yourself the gift of rest.

4.    Whose style do you most admire?

I’m forever inspired by classic style icons of the past. Babe Paley at her home in Round Hill is a favorite!

5.    What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being a mom, wife, friend and business owner.

6.    What is your most treasured possession?

My grandmother’s vintage gold charm bracelet with charms from all of the places that she traveled in her life and a beautiful pair of vintage abstract black and white paintings my husband and I thrifted when we were first married. Oh…and the sweet little drawings that my husband sketches for me whenever we are traveling.

7.    Who is your favorite writer? 

I’m drawn much more to beautiful imagery…Slim Aarons always transports you to a magical moment.

8.    Which living person do you most admire?  

Tory Burch

9.    Where is your dream destination?

I always love to visit the Amalfi Coast. We’re hoping to get to the legendary Hotel Il Pellicano this summer and India is at the tippy top of my list! 

10. What is your motto?

Create the life you want!

Gen wicker clutch photo: Jessica Amerson