Can I Tell You ... about my collaboration with Mestiza New York.

We all know that feeling you have when you meet someone and you just know you’re going to get along. That’s exactly how I felt when I met Alessandra years ago. We have a shared heritage and it’s something we are very proud of. We just get each other.

"I am so thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with Rafe Totenco, whom I’ve long admired since my early days in New York, when I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. I first got to meet him back in 2016 at a Christmas party thrown by a mutual friend, and he doesn’t know this but I felt like I was meeting a huge celebrity! Ever since starting Mestiza I always knew I wanted to partner with him in some way, especially since we are both so closely tied to our Filipino heritage and always reference it in our collections. This collaboration has truly been a full circle moment for me, because getting the opportunity to partner with a fellow Filipino designer who paved the way is such an honor." - Alessandra Perez-Rubio

I admire how their clothing continuously reference Alessandra’s Filipino heritage akin to what I do when I design my handbags. Alessandra had approached me last year about doing a collaboration and it was an immediate yes for me. From start to finish, collaborating with them was so harmonious and stress-free. I’m thrilled that the clutches compliment their clothes perfectly.

“This was a match made in heaven, a tropical heaven.” - Rafe Totengco

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...add some Pops of Color This Season!

Rocio Flap Clutch in fuchsia.

Can I tell you…do you want an instant mood booster this season? Add a colorful bag to your wardrobe this spring. It’s a fun and stylish way to express your personality and add some excitement to your looks. Spring is a season associated with renewal and rejuvenation, and incorporating bright, cheerful colors into your wardrobe can help you embrace that energy and positivity.

Joanna clutch in emerald green.

Wearing colors that you feel confident in, and love, can boost your self-confidence, lift your mood and have a positive effect on those around you.

Lila Top Handle bag in lilac.

It’s always best to choose versatile accessories that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Whether you're heading to a wedding or a casual brunch with friends, a colorful Rafe bag can add a touch of chicness and sophistication to your outfit. And who doesn’t want a little bit of both?