Can I tell you...about Vianca Soleil.
Rafe Totengco
On one cold day this past winter I was scrolling through Instagram and virtually escaping the reality of winter in East Coast when I happened to see a photo that immediately transported me to where I wanted to be. Vianca Soleil’s feed is full of dreamy images of her life on the beach. We started following each other and immediately formed a connection with our love for nature, the sea and seashells.
She has been working on finishing Unna, a eco-resort her family owns whilst designing furniture and doing some photography work. Construction work on the property has been very slow due to pandemic restrictions. They hope to be open as soon as it’s safer but that may not be until 2022. In the meantime, I will keep wanderlusting after her images.
Whilst designing my Spring Summer 2021 collection, I kept referencing images from Vianca’s Instagram. I was so inspired by her vision and her life. She fueled my desire to escape. The Vianca bucket tote is constructed from hand-woven abaca embellished with real fan shells, straw embroidery and trimmed with leather handles and a detachable long strap.
I asked Vianca a few questions about what’s on her mind these days and what inspires her.
1. What is your idea of happiness? Living by the sea.
2. What is your greatest extravagance? Travel is probably my greatest extravagance. I crave to keep exploring places and don’t mind spending a little extra on unusual experiences.
3. What is your current state of mind? Finding balance.
4. Whose style do you most admire? Christophe Lemaire and Sarah Linh Tran are creating the most inspiring collections at Lemaire.
5. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Designing and building Unna. I consider it to be my life’s work. I see it as my greatest achievement because my father would’ve wanted me to achieve my wildest dream and I’d like to think I’m beginning to reach it.
6. What is your most treasured possession? My mom’s mother of pearl clutch from the 80s.
7. Who is your favorite writer? Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
8. Which living person do you most admire? I’m fascinated by Buddhist culture and have always admired the Dalai Lama.
9. Where is your dream destination? Dreaming of a trip to Egypt, Israel and Jordan!
10. What is your motto? My dad would always say, the best is yet to come.
If you like the #ViancaBucketTote or another bag from the new collection, use the code RAFELOVES at checkout and receive a 20% reduction.
Offer only valid for US residents and good until April 18, 2021.