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 Rymn Massand.

Rymn in Soho with her #rymnhobo bag in black.

There are some people that you meet and everything just clicks. I met Rymn Massand through a common friend who we both love dearly so the affinity was easily established. Her vibrant energy and fascinating stories captivates everyone around her.

Rymn is a designer, creative director, writer, consultant and occasional travel editor.

She is the  founder and director of +RYMN, a creative consultancy working with luxury brands, magazines, publishing houses, hotels and entertainment. Her collaborations span a range of clients from India to Paris to NYC and everywhere in between. She’s currently working on a book project for the Taj Hotels in India and series of articles for AD india.

While I was designing my collection, I thought of a bag that would suit a world traveler like Rymn. It needed to be the kind of bag she could take everywhere and go everywhere with.

The #RYMNHOBO is constructed from handwoven leather and features a knotted strap so you can adjust the length and wear it on your shoulder or across you body.

Read our Q & A :

What is your idea of happiness?

A book, a view, a glass half full.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Weekly book buying, monthly theater, opera and ballet tickets, annual school fees!

What is your current state of mind?

Restless, but oddly content.

Whose style do you most admire?

My friends- Luise Stauss (minimal playful perfection), Deepshika Khanna (sexy Indian flow), Elizabeth Morrison ( elegant, formidable, just the right fit), my Mother (her chic 70s looks and elegant sari drapes), Elizabeth Taylor (not a friend, though I wish she had been) in her oh so voluptuous OTT jewel and Kaftan phase.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Aside from a wonderful son, my deep and loving friendships.

What is your most treasured possession?

My mothers engagement ring.

Who is your favorite writer?

Tough Q. Impossible to narrow it down, but if I had to it would be John Le Carré. 

Which living person do you most admire?

My parents.

Where is your dream destination?

Always India, always Paris.

What is your motto?

The more you know, the more you know.

Rymn Massand galavanting in Soho, New York with her #rymnhobo.

If you like the Rymn hobo bag but want a different color, it also comes in camel. Cleary the bag is a hit with Rymn and it is so her.

Can I tell you...about Meagan Morrison.

Can I tell you, my passion for fashion came through my first love which is illustration. I have been obsessed with Renee Gruau, David Downton, Mats Gustafson, Kenneth Paul Block and Antonio Lopez just to hame a few. I’m always on the lookout for new artists. I first saw Meagan Morrison’s vibrant and exuberant work on Instagram and it was love at first sight.

Her images are drenched in color and always celebrate women, travel and life. On her site Travel Write Draw you can buy her illustrations, read her travel guides and hotel reviews or find out when her next illustration class is.

While I was designing my Spring Summer 2021 collection I kept referencing her Instagram which is full of optimism and joie de vivre.

The Meagan Minaudiere is inspired by all the different facets of her life, her love for color and happiness. It comes in 2 color combinations. Neon yellow reversing to neon pink or white reversing to black.

Get to know Meagan a little bit more here on my Q & A.

1. What have you been up to lately?

I wanted to start 2021 by upleveling, both internally and externally, before the world, or at least NYC, opened up again in the Spring/Summer. That said, I overhauled my art studio & office, cleared out my wardrobe, started taking tennis lessons, wrapped a 35 piece commission for Lancôme, and signed a few new product licensing deals for my brand Travel Write Draw! When it's safe to start traveling again, I'll be ready haha!

2. What is your idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is waking up every single day, grateful to be alive. If I've learned anything about myself through this challenging past year, it's that the more gratitude I have for the opportunity to be here in this lifetime, the happier I feel.

3. What is your greatest extravagance?

I have too many haha! I love indulging in designer handbags, shoes, and jewelry. Accessories can elevate any and every outfit! I love going all out on a decadent meal and when I travel, I spare no expense to see and do the very best that destination has to offer.

4. What is your current state of mind?

Super positive and optimistic! It can only get better from here, right?

5. Whose style do you most admire?

Carolyn Bessettte! Her style was and is absolutely timeless.

6. What do you consider you greatest achievement?

Turning my absolute pipe-dream of traveling the world and illustrating the journey into my full-time profession and brand, Travel Write Draw!

7. What is your most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession isn't anything I own. I would say it's the relationships I have with my immediate family and my closest friends who are like my soul family.

8. Who is your favorite writer?

I adore Elizabeth Gilbert. I especially love her book "Big Magic". I just think she is one of the bravest, most courageous, honest, and admirable human beings on planet earth.

9. Which living person do you most admire?

My big sister! She has been such a guiding light in my life, an incredible force of nature, and my greatest teacher.

10. Where is your dream destination?

This might sound a bit silly but I have a small obsession with the Maldives. Every time I meditate I envision being in one of those over water bungalows looking out at that tranquil blue water from my bedroom.

11. What is your motto?

Dream big but start small! Rome wasn't built in a day. Anything worthwhile takes time!

If you like the #MeaganMinaudiere 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.

www.rafe.com

Can I tell you...about Vianca Soleil.

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.

www.rafe.com