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.

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Can I tell you...about Joey Mead King.

Joey Mead King wearing the #JoeyToteandMaskSet

I met Joey Mead King at a photo shoot while I was visiting Manila in 2010. We have a lot of friends in common so the connection was immediate. I just loved her easygoing attitude, her integrity and passion for her causes and of course, her personal sense of style. She walks in and everyone notices. When I did my first collaboration for Bench in Manila I asked her to host the show for me which she agreed to do immediately.

For those of you who don’t know her, Joey is a Filipino-Iranian television personality, fashion lifestyle host, runway coach and was the model mentor/co-judge on popular reality show, Asia's Next Top Model in 2012 and 2015. She was also listed as one of BBC's 100 Women in 2018. She’s also a huge animal activist and has quite a number of rescued dogs and cats.

Since the pandemic hit the Philippines she has been spending a lot of time in the province and has taken up knitting.

Joey at home in the province with her #JoeyToteandMaskSet

I asked Joey some questions to find out what’s been on her mind lately and what keeps her grounded.

1. What is your idea of happiness? Solitude, meditative walks alone with my spouse.

2. What is your greatest extravagance? Sharing my energy.

3. What is your current state of mind? Practicing presence.

4. Whose style do you most admire? My own. I also like Talitha Getty, Nicole Ritchie and rockstars Debbie Harry and Steven Tyler.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being here now.

6. What is your most treasured possession? My collection of crystals.

7. Who is your favorite writer? JK Rowling

8. Which living person do you most admire? Angelina Jolie

9. Where is your dream destination? Marrakesh, Morocco.

10. What is your motto? Love every part of you.

Hand-embroidered with love by women in Baao, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

If you love the #JoeyToteandMaskSet or any other bag from the Spring collection, use code RAFELOVES at check out and receive a 20% reduction. Offer valid only for US residents and until March 15, 2021.

www.rafe.com

Can I tell you...about Nikki Huang.

Nikki Huang at home in Manila with her Nikki Vanity Case.

I met Nikki Huang a few years ago in Manila whilst having dinner with her parents, Anton and Nina, who are friends. At the time, she was taking a gap year before starting college and had joined her family’s retail empire to learn the ropes and get some real life work experience. I was impressed at how vibrant, curious and present she was all through-out our dinner. We subsequently followed each other on social media, as one does these days, and virtually stayed in touch. During that time she also started writing a column for Manila Bulletin, a national newspaper. Her topics ranged from life lessons, make up and fashion, women’s issues to profiling female role models. She eventually went to Boston University and is currently doing a double major in sociology and international relations / political science. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck worldwide Nikki flew back to the Philippines to be with her family.

The Nikki Vanity Case is inspired by her strength of character, individuality and innate style. The structured Hexagon silhouette takes its cues from the vanity cases women used to wear in in the 1950s. It has a built in mirror for those quick make up checks and is capacious enough to fit a modern woman’s essentials for a night on the town.

I asked Nikki a few questions that might reveal a little more about her than meets the eye.

What is your idea of happiness? 

It means understanding my purpose, my passions, and the intersection between those two things. It means having people, places, and ideas to live for, and values to live by. 

What is your greatest extravagance?

Perhaps expectedly, I spend the most on fashion. I also love jewelry, and my appreciation for jewelry both as fashion and investment pieces grows by the day. I’d say self care is right up there in terms of my extravagances too, as is travel. I love fine food, as well...just anything or any experience created with intent and attention to detail I am so fortunate that my parents are able and willing to support my journey with the best possible resources, and one of my biggest personal goals is to be able to one day be able to financially support the lifestyle I want to live. 

Nikki with her Nikki Vanity Case in New York. photo by Selwyn Tungol

Whose style do you most admire?

When I was beginning in fashion, I admired a lot of the bloggers I saw online. Now, as I discover more about who I am and who I want to be in the fashion world and beyond it, I admire Kate Middleton, Amal Clooney, Princess Diana, Grace Kelly. I value their timeless elegance. The same goes for my fashion idols from the East - both Gemma Chan in real life and her onscreen character, Astrid, are major fashion - and life- inspiration. I admire what these women embody, not just how they dress. My search for fashion inspiration has definitely grown over time. Instead of looking for people whose outfits I admire, I look for those whose life, values, and attitude I believe in. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

I feel like I’ve been fortunate enough to have experiences that have resulted in a pretty colourful resume-and life story- for someone my age. Of and for that, I’m proud and grateful. At the same time, I don’t think any of the things I’ve done that look good on paper are what I’d consider my greatest achievement. I think, to date, my greatest achievement is how I balanced receiving top marks in a sociology seminar at Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences with attending NYFW on the weekends. I remember it was a time where I ran on very little sleep! I would do my readings in the car between Boston and New York, and in between shoots and shows. I managed to score highly in class and have a pretty successful first NYFW...of this, I am very proud because it was a time where I was able to juggle all my responsibilities even when it seemed impossible. From that experience, I learned just how important it is to me to be able to do it all-or try! Something else that comes to mind is that I am extremely proud of how I have been able to develop and connect with my inner truth over time. Because I continually make it a priority to listen to myself, follow to my gut, but also consider and prioritize the opinions of my loved ones, I am happy to say that I am on a life path that feels exactly right. I feel like I live with so much purpose and direction; it is something I am equal parts proud of and grateful for every day.

What is your favorite writer?

I’d like to cite James Joyce, Michel Foucault, and Kevin Kwan as the first ones that come to mind, all for various reasons.  

Which living person do you most admire?

I don’t idolize anyone. I never have, and I don’t think I ever will. I think I am too focused on who I am and who I want to be to idolize someone else’s life, and it’s something that has served me well. I always remind my sister, too, that she can look up to people but that she should never strive to “be” like anyone. Instead, I think it is more productive and more fulfilling to focus on being the best version of yourself, such that you are growing every day. 

Where is your dream destination?

I definitely want to go back to Italy or Greece. I love the undeniable chicness and style in Milan, the hospitality of Greece, the appreciation for art, food, and life well lived in both places. 

What is your motto? 

“I don’t feel that it is necessary to know exactly who I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning” - Michel Foucault. 

Nikki Huang in New York. photo by Selwyn Tungol

Can I tell you...about Ann Caruso.

Ann Caruso with her #AnnRattanTote in Manhattan.

I first met Ann Caruso when she was working at Ralph Lauren back in the mid 90’s. Our paths crossed again when she was at Vogue and featured one of my designs in the magazine. She has continued to style shoots for Vanity Fair, Town & Country, Oprah Magazine, and Harper’s Bazaar as well as dress celebrities like Elizabeth Hurley, Oprah Winfrey and Katherine Heigl.

As a two-time breast cancer survivor and activist, Ann is a survivor and an inspiration. She has remained positive, compassionate and resilient. This season I named a bag after her; inspired by her effortlessly chic and feminine style.

Ann with her #Annrattantote strolling in her neighborhood.

I asked Ann a few questions about what keeps her going.

1. What is your idea of happiness? Happiness is a state of mind.

2. What is your greatest extravagance? My greatest extravagance is not having to do anything all day and just relax. 

3. What is your current state of mind? Having immense gratitude for my health and for friends and family who stay connected during this time. 

4. Whose style do you most admire? My friends Amanda Ross, Lauren Santo Domingo, Aerin Lauder and Filipa de Abreu.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Conquering Cancer 

6. Who is your favorite writer? Louise Hay who taught me that you can heal your body. 

7. Which living person do you most admire? My mother.

8. Where is your dream destination? Anywhere in the Mediterranean like Italy and Greece.

9. What is your motto? Gratitude makes you beautiful and take it day by day.

Ann wearing the #AnnRattanTote with blue and white wrapped handles.

Ann in the Hamptons looking fresh and toting her #AnnRattanTote with blue and white wrapped handles.

If you love the #AnnRattanTote we are offering a special reduction if you use Ann’s code: ANN30. Enter this at checkout to receive 30% off from my site.

www.rafe.com