Can I Tell You...about Gen Sohr.

Gen Sohr wearing her Gen Wicker clutch photo : Jessica Amerson

I discovered Gen Sohr on Instagram a while back. I was so captivated by her joie de vivre and her discerning eye for fashion, interiors and other lifestyle products that she curates for her site Pencil, Paper and Co. I have been following her ever since.

While I was conceptualizing my Spring / Summer 2023 collection, I was inspired by Gen’s love for wicker and I thought she might love having a bag designed to compliment her style.

Gen Wicker clutch photo : Jessica Amerson

The Gen Wicker Clutch is a dual purpose bag. You can use it as a clutch or as shoulder bag by popping out the leather should strap that's tucked inside. It’s surprisingly capacious so you can wear during the day all the way to dinner. It’s fully lined and has an easy magnetic snap closure under a leather tab. The wicker is a fine gauge wicker that adds a refined elegance to the clutch.

I’m so thrilled Gen loves it.

Read our Q & A below :

1.    What is your idea of happiness?

Travel adventures with dear friends and family. Harbour Island is my happy place!

2.    What is your greatest extravagance?

Traveling to someplace that I’ve never been before.

3.    What is your current state of mind? 

Find your joy and allow yourself the gift of rest.

4.    Whose style do you most admire?

I’m forever inspired by classic style icons of the past. Babe Paley at her home in Round Hill is a favorite!

5.    What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being a mom, wife, friend and business owner.

6.    What is your most treasured possession?

My grandmother’s vintage gold charm bracelet with charms from all of the places that she traveled in her life and a beautiful pair of vintage abstract black and white paintings my husband and I thrifted when we were first married. Oh…and the sweet little drawings that my husband sketches for me whenever we are traveling.

7.    Who is your favorite writer? 

I’m drawn much more to beautiful imagery…Slim Aarons always transports you to a magical moment.

8.    Which living person do you most admire?  

Tory Burch

9.    Where is your dream destination?

I always love to visit the Amalfi Coast. We’re hoping to get to the legendary Hotel Il Pellicano this summer and India is at the tippy top of my list! 

10. What is your motto?

Create the life you want!

Gen wicker clutch photo: Jessica Amerson

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...who can resist a Happy Bag?

Merging craft, color and culture is something I have always been passionate about and try to incorporate in my collections. While I was conceptualizing my Spring / Summer collection I was serendipitously introduced to Reese Fernandez, the founder of Rags2Riches.

They’re a Philippine based brand that has made a name for themselves for their use of upcycled and overstock fabric and turning them into beautiful accessories while lifting Filipino artisans out of poverty.

Michelle macrame bucket totes Photo : Angeline Angeles

There was an immediate synergy between our brands and our shared ethos of giving back to the community and working with locally sourced materials.

Over the course of a few months of Zoom calls, countless emails and WhatsApp messages, I am proud to present a capsule collection that celebrates Filipino culture, creativity, and compassion.

Each Michelle bucket tote is handwoven by artisans using overstock textiles that would have otherwise been discarded. The body is constructed from handwoven abaca and a macrame cage from upcycled fabrics. The stripe drawstring closure keeps all your belongings from falling out and an inside zipper pocket for items you want to safely tucked away.

Photo : Angeline Angeles

R2R provides 200 urban artisans from Metro Manila with sustainable, regular, and dignified livelihood. As a result of the consistent livelihood of artisans, R2R is able to sustain the education of their children, provide better food on their tables, and help them plan for a brighter future.

The Michelle Macrame Bucket Tote in Yellow / Peach. Photo : Angeline Angeles

Can I tell you…these totes are going to put a smile on your face. Say hallelujah, come on get happy.

In a world where fashion and design are often seen as excessive, this Rafe X Rags2Riches tote is proof that style and sustainability can happily and beautifully co-exist.

Can I tell you...about Lila Dupont.

Ok so full disclosure, I have yet to meet Lila Dupont in person. However, her mother Lauren and I go way back to when she was the Accessories Director at Vogue. Last year while we were catching up over lunch, she mentioned that her daughter Lila had just released a single. I was intrigued and immediately looked her up, followed her Instagram, TikTok and Spotify. I found her music to be emotive, dreamy and soulful. I especially love listening to her songs when I’m traveling and staring at the view from the window.

While I was working on my collection last season I was inspired to design a bag that Lila might like. Something timeless, with a vintage vibe and a nonchalant attitude to it. The Lila Top Handle bag is constructed in a blue jean fabric trimmed in cognac color leather and features a sporty stripe webbing strap.

Read out Q & A :

1.    What is your idea of happiness?

Every summer my family and I go up to our house up in Maine, and the feeling of returning home after a long day on the water. My idea of happiness is playing a perfectly tuned guitar after a long day of picnicking in Maine with my friends. 

2.    What is your greatest extravagance?

Travel and good coffee.

3.    What is your current state of mind?

My current state of mind is content. I just returned home from a long semester at University in Scotland. For months I was on the go, and now I am finally back home and am finding extreme joy in the moments of simplicity. 

4.    Whose style do you most admire?

For years I have admired Harling Ross Anton’s style. Her style is playful but also extremely mature. I love her ability to incorporate pieces that carry a youthful and creative essence while maintaining a level of professionalism.

5.    What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I would consider recording my first EP to be my greatest achievement. My dear friend and producer Scott Jacoby and I worked for almost two years on the songs, and I am extremely proud of them and the outcome of their releases thus far. 

6.    What is your most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession is my gunmetal- blue Gretsch guitar. It was my first electric guitar and I have written some of my favorite songs on it.

7.    Who is your favorite writer?

My favorite writer is Jane Austen. I love the timelessness of her novels and the different personalities of the female protagonists. 

8.    Which living person do you most admire?

Although there are countless people I deeply admire, I would say right now I most admire Greta Thunberg. Her resilience and persistence at such a young age is powerful. She has been attempting to warn people about the severity of climate change since she was only a child, and still has faced immense adversity. 

9.    Where is your dream destination?

My dream destination would have to be Madagascar.

10. What is your motto?

“The important thing is not to stop questioning” 

If you love the Lila Top Handle Bag as much as Lila does, don’t wait too long. Only a few are left in stock.

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 Bellee Huang.

Bellee with her #belleeknotpouch bag.

I met Bellee ( Isabelle ) four years ago while I was on vacation in the Philippines. I’ve known her parents for years but I had only met her on that trip. She has a radiance that emanates as soon as you meet her. Of course, I immediately followed her on social media and was impressed at her talent as a dancer; ballet, jazz and modern.

In the past two years, she has been a part of Steps Dance Studio’s Elite Training Bubble, training rigorously every day with other professional and pre-professional dancers from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Washington DC and New York. As a senior in International School she’s focused on keeping her grade levels up, but also teaching herself how to play the piano and guitar. Whenever possible, she joins her family on trips to El Nido, Palawan where she scuba dives and explores the beauty of the rich marine life in the islands.

While I was working on my Spring / Summer 2022 collection I designed a bag inspired by her effortless grace and cheerful personality. The #BelleeKnotPouch is created from a soft leather with handwoven panels and no visible hardware. It features a self knotted shoulder strap so you can adjust the length and comes with a detachable shoulder strap so you can wear the bag across your body.

Read our Q & A below :

1.    What is your idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is spending my a morning 30 meters underwater, in the pristine El Nido coral reefs. Time seems to stop when I dive, and Itruly feel alive.

2.    What is your greatest extravagance?

My greatest extravagance is a peaceful, 5 am coffee. A great start to my day consists of alone time, a rich cup of hot black coffee, and my favorite alternative-rock music. I’ve discovered the peace I find as the sunrises with a cup of coffee in my hand allows for me to clear my head and heart.

3.    What is your current state of mind?

I must admit that with so much going on in my life right now—dancing, school, family time, creating art, and more—my mind feels like the song “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. My mind is in a constant state of flurry, yet I find such peace in that movement. Keeping busy it what keeps me going!

4.    Whose style do you most admire?

I admire Iris van Herpen’s haute couture pieces inexplicably. Each piece is carefully designed with such intricacy, and being passionate in art, what more is there to love other than beautiful textures, movement, and biomimicry?

5.    What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I competed in the Asian Grand Prix international ballet competition in 2019. It was only my second ballet competition, and I was able to achieve first place in Manila regionals and was a finalist in the Hong Kong semifinals and finals. The entire experience taught me about the importance of perseverance, self-compassion, and a support system. I learned how to stay focused and block out negative energy—important life skills that I still practice today!

6.    What is your most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession has to be my first ever pair of Pointe shoes. Using them for the first time is an extremely important milestone in any dancer’s life. It signifies a step up in your career, as well as a new chapter of hard work, momentary pain, beauty and passion all at once. 

7.    Who is your favorite writer?

Kurt Vonnegut, author of novels such as “Galapagis” and “Slaughterhouse Five” is my favorite author at the moment. His Post Modernist novels opened up my eyes to the ambivalent nature of literature. Themes of skepticism, and the role of ideology in asserting political and economic power are extremely intriguing in his works. 

8.    Which living person do you most admire?

My sister Nikki, is the first person to come to mind when I am asked this question. She is my best friend, and I look up to her in so many different ways. Her work ethic, drive, and unconditional love for those closest to her heart are some of the many qualities that inspire me everyday. She is always there for me, and she is my rock.

9.    Where is your dream destination?

My dream destination has to be the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. I’ve visited the archipelago where Charles Darwin completed his study on the Theory of Evolution back in 2010. With such beautiful wildlife and biodiversity, I’s really love to visit again, now that I am older and am beginning to understand much more about the world around us!

10. What is your motto?

I have an acronym that I use and have inspired a lot of my friends to use whenever we are dealing with difficult situations: RIB. Responsibility, Internal power, and Balance. These three concepts keep me balanced and hold me accountable for so many different obstacles that I have encountered and will encounter in my life ahead of me.

Bellee wearing the #belleeknotpouch as a crossbody.

I love seeing how the #BelleeKnotPouch compliments Bellee’s easy, breezy style. She’s wearing it exactly as I imagined she would.

SHOP THE SPRING / SUMMER COLLECTION!

Can I Tell You...about Joy Moyler.

Joy Moyler with her #JoyWickerTote

I met Joy Moyler a few summers ago while she and her husband were visiting mutual friends in Greenport for the weekend. We converged at our favorite spot for oysters and rose’. I was immediately drawn to Joy’s affable personality and vibrant conversation. Joy is a celebrated figure in the Interior Design industry. She’s been on the Elle Decor’s A-List since 2019, AD 100 Designer and Hollywood Reporter’s Top 20 Interior Designers and a Contributing Design Editor for Veranda Magazine. She’s worked for some of New York’s most prestigious firms like Thierry Despont, John Saladino, Ralph Lauren and was the Head of Giorgio Armani Interior Design Studio. And if that isn’t enough, her residential projects include an A-List celebrity clientele like Pia Getty, Leo DiCaprio, Adrien Brody and John Mayer to name a few.

When I began designing my Spring-Summer Collection I was inspired to design a bag that Joy could wear from Spring through Summer. I know she likes wearing color so the bag had to be versatile enough to wear with almost everything and distinctive enough to stand out.

The #JoyWickerTote

Read our Q & A below :

1. What is your idea of happiness?

SLEEP and being stress free (though neither happen much). But I find happiness in the quest.

2. What is your greatest extravagance?

Travel, without a doubt.

3. What is your current state of mind?

Varies moment, by moment.

4. Whose style do you most admire?

Lena Horne, she was a family friend and her style remains etched in my memory.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

These days... a good nights sleep!

6. What is your most treasured possession?

My late Dad’s watch, and memories of those who I've lost.

7. Who is your favorite writer?

Robert Ludlum, I devour a good mystery thriller. Especially, with a political edge. Much like life I guess.

8. Which living person do you most admire?

No one specifically, just anyone who has the courage to get up and try it all over again and giving their best shot!

9. Where is your dream destination?

Jaipur - I cannot wait to bring back all the textiles I can carry!

10. What is your motto?

"Best of Life, Best of Love"...

Joy Moyler in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Judging from Joy’s radiant smile, I think the #joywickertote complements her effortlessly chic personal style.

If you’d like to shop her latest project, Joy launched a capsule tabletop collection Joy Moyler Atelier in 2020, inspired by architectural landmarks (Majestic, Dakota, Beresford) along Central Park West here in New York City.

SHOP THE SPRING COLLECTION!

Can I Tell You...Say Hello to Summer.

Nothing says summer like blue and white. It’s such a classic combination that always looks fresh on everyone. I love it in everything from small ditsy prints, stripes, ombre’d to patch-worked denim. Now would be a good time to start switching out your wardrobe; store those chunky knits and cozy sweats and replace them with lightweight and easy pieces. Here’s a few items s that I’ve chosen from my collection and from other designers.

If you like any of the Rafe bags from this edit or any other style from the Spring-Summer collection, use the code : LONGWEEKEND and get 25% off.

Offer only valid for US residents and good until June 15, 2021.