Can I Tell You...about Ayesha Vera Yu.

Ayesha with her Ayesha tote in white leather.

I first met Ayesha back in 2016 when ARK honored me at their fundraiser gala in New York. Since then we have become friends and I have helped her with some creative input with last years event. She is a force of nature; bubbling with energy, overflowing with ideas and optimism that is inspiring to be around.

An investment banker turned social impact innovator, Ayesha Vera-Yu is the CEO and Co-Founder of ARK, the award-winning social impact venture that creates a path with rural communities in the developing world to co-invest towards self-sustainable food security. Since the pandemic, ARK has grown 25x in scale, and grown the equivalent of close to 4 million meals for 138,000 individuals.

ARK's Feed Back program, a vegetable exchange for the entire community, is a groundbreaking behavior change catalyst. It inspires families to create organic vegetable gardens in their backyards, and to produce excess that is shared with neighbors during exchanges or sold to nearby villages and towns. At the end of this 4-month program, families source their food needs from home, are healthy, have savings and new income. 

Naturally, I was inspired to design a bag for her. The Ayesha tote comes in 3 different versions; in white leather with handwoven panels, and in hand-crocheted raffia with leather trim. They’re the perfect day-to-night bag. Structured enough to wear with a suit and playful enough to wear with a dress.

Read our Q & A :

1. What is my idea of happiness?

Being with my family, embraced by nature, being present and still, and at peace with my work.

2. What is my greatest extravagance?

My greatest extravagance is what I enjoy a lot - food, travel, great coffee and acupuncture : ). I think these are luxuries that I am fortunate to have.

3. What is your current state of mind?

In the middle of reset. I am steering ARK to its next level of growth - and support, in the next 3 years, up to 400 communities who want to be food secure on their own in just 16 weeks with ARK Feed Back. To do this, I am needing a reset of my personal life and get it back to a healthy balance. I am also needing to restructure the organization so that all of our amazing talent I am honored to work with are supported and growing, and we are ready for the hyperdrive. : )

4. Whose style do I most admire?

So many! In the ARK family, I just adore Tunting Cruz’s style. Everything she wears is so chic, whimsical and effortless.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Personal growth! : ) - overcoming my fears, confronting my short comings, breathing through discomfort and pain like childbirth, and making amends especially with people I love. It’s a journey.

The AYESHA in hand-crocheted raffia with leather trim.

6. What is your most treasured possession?

2 necklaces. One necklace that my mom gave me when I graduated from college and started working and traveling everywhere. It is my reminder of who I am, where I come from and the love from my mom that serves as my amulet and protection. The second is the one my dad was safe keeping for me before he passed away.

7. Who is my favorite author?

So many! Mia Alvar has this surgical way of transporting us to a different world and a beautiful way of holding us transfixed even through some painful moments in the Old Country. Daphne Palasi Andreades has a rhythm that is witty and Albert Samaha makes it a joy to connect to the past, and explore our weaved stories with others in Concepción. 3 other books that I would devour again are The Frost on His Shoulders, the Wanderer, the

8. Which living person do I most admire?

My mom. She loves fiercely, finds the courage to walk paths that may be hard, and does not give up.

9. Where is my dream destination?

Right now my family’s farm in Capiz because I have this strong yearning for connection and for weaving back to our ancestors so that I may give a sense of belonging and direction for myself and my son.

10. What is my motto?

One of them is I only buy things that make me feel good and want to dance like Rafe’s modern, cool and gorgeous bags!

If you love the Ayesha tote, or any other bag from the collection, from now until May 12, Mother’s Day, we are gifting you and the ARK family 20% off retail (code: ARKSolves).

And on top of that, I am contributing 30% of each bag sale to ARK!

Now that’s a win-win-win. Right? So what are you waiting for?

Ayesha in hand-crochet multi color raffia with leather trim.

Can I Tell You...Gold is a neutral.

Fernanda handwoven frame clutch in gold.

Can I tell you…gold bags are a great choice for summer as they complement a wide range of colors. Whether your’e wearing bright, white or neutrals, a gold bag adds a touch of elegance and sophistication without being overpowering. The Fernanda frame clutch can elevate a simple outfit and give it that extra oomph. The bag is handwoven in strips of platinum, rose gold and gold leather then finished with a structured covered frame. It also comes with a braided leather shoulder strap so you can wear it as a crossbody bag.

Fernanda woven frame clutch in gold.

Gold is a neutral but neutral doesn't have to mean boring. Consider the Annick crossbody in handwoven gold leather. You can easily wear this bag from day to night and it allows you to be hands free.

Annick crossbody bucket bag.

Whether you're attending a wedding, a formal event, a date night, or just going out with friends, the Annick is versatile for a range of occasions.

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...Wear White Now!

Small Fernanda woven clutch.

Can I tell you….it’s time to think about wearing white now. As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we naturally gravitate to lighter and brighter colors. White, in particular, is a popular choice because it represents freshness and new beginnings. White bags can be a great way to add a pop of brightness to your outfit and give you a fresh start for the season.

Kaya woven tote.

The Kaya woven tote and the Small Fernanda clutch are a some of the white bags in the collection that are handwoven by skilled artisans. By choosing one of these handwoven styles, you're not only supporting the craftsmanship of talented individuals, but you're also getting a beautiful accessory that you’ll keep wearing season after season.

Small Fernanda clutch.

White is a versatile and timeless color that complements a wide range of other colors and styles. Unlike bold or bright colors, white is understated and can be paired with almost any outfit without clashing or overpowering the other elements.

Small Fernada clutch.

In addition to the color, these Rafe bags are designed to hold all of your essentials; such as your phone, wallet, sunglasses, and keys, but they’re also compact enough to carry around comfortably. Whether you're running errands or heading out for a night on the town.

KAYA woven tote with crossbody strap.

Ultimately, these white Rafe bags are the perfect bags for the season because they’re stylish, versatile, and beautifully crafted. Whether you're dressing up or keeping it casual, these bags are sure to be a go-to accessory for any occasion.