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...Think Warm Thoughts.

Berna clutch embroidered with Spring blooms.

Thinking about Spring and Summer always fills me with excitement. The prospect of going to a warm and sunny destination makes me visualize day and evening looks and what to pack.

Conchita Shell Minaudiere

When planning which accessories to bring, my advice would be to take a bag that you can wear with most of your clothes and one that also makes the most visual impact I.e. Instagram worthy.

Katie clutch in sea foam.

Here are a few of my favorites from the Spring / Summer collection. These are statement pieces that will be sure to set you apart from the crowd and guaranteed to get the most envious side glances. And let’s face it…who doesn’t enjoy a little bit of that kind of attention?

Gen Wicker Clutch

Each Rafe bag incorporates handwoven elements, locally sourced materials and handcrafted techniques that not only provide artisans a livelihood but also preserves the various skilled labor required for each piece.

If you love any of these clutches or other styles from the collection, use code LOVEU at check out and receive 20% less.

So, what are you waiting for?

Sofia Clutch in Lavender and Cerulean Ombre.

Can I Tell You...about Brooke Jaffe.

I first met Brooke when she was a fashion editor at InStyle magazine. Our market appointments were always filled with laughter and juicy stories. It was no surprise when she moved from publishing to retail to become Bloomingdale’s Fashion Director, a position she held for a decade. She brought her editorial eye and passion for product to the luxury department store chain. But Brooke was always ready for the next challenge. A few years ago she packed up her bags and moved to Los Angeles. She quickly established herself as a fashion expert on TV commenting on fashion trends and red carpet looks. Most recently, she was appointed to be the Head of Public Affairs and Communications at Penske Media. All throughout her career we have kept in touch and she has always been so supportive of me and my brand.

While I was designing my Spring / Summer collection I kept thinking of sunny California and a kind of bag that Brooke might be able to wear different ways. Casual enough to wear while taking Ted for a walk and smart enough to wear to dinner. The #BrookePleatedClutch is crafted from soft supple yellow leather styled into a pleated, slouchy shape with a covered frame. The resin chain link handle and the skinny leather strap are both removable which allows this versatile clutch to be carried as a crossbody, on the crook of the elbow or tucked under your arm. Looking at Brooke’s smile, I think it’s safe to assume she loves the bag.

Read our Q&A and get to know Brooke:

What is your idea of happiness?

Being with my family , beach days, long walks with my dog Ted in the morning and afternoon, cooking and eating delicious food, waking up after 8 hours of sleep, sweaty workouts, singing and listening to music and laughing with friends.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Getting regular massages when it’s not Covid - they are medicinal for me.

Investing in quality groceries all the time.

What is your current state of mind?

I feel very grateful for my life. It’s been a hard year and I feel lucky to have been in Los Angeles surrounded by family. I also feel excited to see friends again. I miss the energy of connection in person. I am optimistic about the future and in some ways this last year allowed me to reset. I’m excited to wear fun clothing again. I am gravitating towards the brightest shades in the rainbow these days. Also YOLO- you only live once.

Whose style do you most admire?

My mothers - she isn’t trend focused and knows what works on her. She never tries to look like anyone but herself. I think that’s a gift to look timeless and stylish.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I’m proud of being brave enough to move across the country alone and during a time when I didn’t know what was going to come next. I took a chance and I’m so happy I did.

What is your most treasure possession?

Ted my angel baby (I don’t see him as a dog) he’s a spirit and the most wonderful creature in the world. He fills me with joy.

Who is your favorite writer?

My cousin Rosie Schaap, Brene Brown, Peter Schjeldahl and Shakespeare

Which living person do you most admire?

My parents- they march to the beat to their own drummer and they are fun, cool and keep it real

I actually can’t name the person I admire most because she is private but I admire her because she helps others every day. She is a pillar of strength and leads by example. She taught me some incredible lessons. I refer back to her wise words often and I admire how she has made helping others her life’s work.

Where is your dream destination?

I want to go back to Capri and explore more of the Amalfi coast - also always wanted to go to Puglia.

I will go to France anytime and explore more of the countryside - I love being in France and Italy :-)

I’d love to go to Thailand and Japan. And I’m always happy in Nantucket.

What is your motto?
I have several: Be solution oriented - a riff on my high school motto “find a way or make one”.

Be your most authentic self and stay present.

If you love the Brooke clutch or any other style from the Spring - Summer collection. use the code RAFELOVES at checkout and receive a 20% reduction.

Offer only valid for US residents and good until June 14, 2021.