Can I Tell You...it's 2.22.22!

Can I Tell You…it’s 2.22.22 or Twosday! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime date full of auspicious signifcance. One thing is clear, it’s the perfect time to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. The easiest way to do that is with your wardrobe and more specifically your accessories.

My Fernanda frame clutch in white should fit the bill. Each bag is intricately handwoven by artisans in India and takes days to completel. It’s lined with an inside zipper pocket and comes a a detachable shoulder strap so you can wear this chic number as a crossbody bag!

This year is going to be amazing so you might as well look your best. Ready, set, go!

www.rafe.com

Can I Tell You…what's new for you this September.

Ella cut out handle tote

Back to life, back to reality, back to the here and now, yeah!

September is the perfect time to update your wardrobe with some major pieces. The Rafe New York Fall / Winter 2021 collection is packed with all new styles that are sure to be head-turners on the streets or at any fun events you’re planning to be seen at.

I’ve picked a few to introduce to you.

The Ella cut out handle tote is a compact little number that evokes structured handbags from the 1960s, an era that I’m always inspired by. I love it in leopard and in silver metallic. It has a detachable chain strap so you can wear it as a cross body bag.

Small Brooke cross body

The Small Brooke pleated clutch is an update from the bigger Brooke style. A little shrunken but still retaining all the charming details like the detachable resin chain link handle and the skinny cross body strap. This is the perfect day to evening bag.

Angie structured hobo

Sometimes, you have to look back to go forward. While working on this collection I delved into my archives and found some styles that felt relevant again today. The Angie structured hobo is a throwback to one of my original designs but updated with new logo hardware, additional function and materials.

In the coming weeks I’ll be introducing more new styles. I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed designing them.

Can I tell you...about Tracy Reese.

There are some people that you instantly connect with the moment you meet each other. That’s how it was when I met Tracy. Through the years as members of the CFDA we’ve been each other’s date for so many fun events. At one point we collaborated on a capsule collection of bags for her runway show. I have always admired her feminine style; the way she uses color and print. Women look chic and carefree in her clothes.

When I began designing my Spring - Summer collection I envisioned a kind of bag that would complement Tracy’s style. I think the #tracywickertote trimmed in white leather fits the bill. It’s so neutral that it goes with everything and is surprisingly capacious.

A few years ago, Tracy bought a house in Detroit and has been shuttling back and forth from New York while she embarked on new projects. The most recent is a responsibly designed clothing brand Hope for Flowers. In the meantime Tracy has been building her network of supporters and collaborators to support the core of the brand’s mission, which is to produce a portion of the styles in Detroit and offer free arts education for Detroit public school children.

Read our Q&A below:

What is your idea of happiness? A beautiful day!

What is your greatest extravagance? Taking time each morning to meditate and exercise.

What is your current state of mind? Pensive

Whose style do you most admire? My Mother and Grandmother.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Having a fruitful career doing work that I love.

What is your most treasured possession? My home (s).

Who is your favorite writer? Toni Morrison

Which living person do you most admire? Michelle Obama

Where is your dream destination? The south of France.

What is your motto? Be authentic.

If you love the #TracyWickerTote or any other style from the Spring-Summer collection, use the code RAFELOVES at checkout and receive 20% off.

Offer only valid for US residents and good until June 30, 2021.

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.

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.

Can I Tell You...it's a case of Natural selection.

My affinity for objects made from natural fibers began at an early age. I have memories of lazy afternoons lounging on rattan chairs while having ‘merienda’ and taking siestas under the mango tree on ‘banig’ mats. These visual snippets of my Philippine childhood evoke such happy times. Fortunately, the country of my birth has an abundance of sustainable raw materials and weaving traditions passed down through generations. All over the archipelago certain provinces are known for the varieties of woven materials they produce. Over the years, whenever I design a Spring-Summer collection I inevitably add natural elements into my collection.

This season, consider adding the Tracy wicker tote, the Eliz tote, the Vianca bucket tote or the Katrina bucket tote to your wardrobe as well as these other handwoven objects for your home.

If you love the bags I selected or any other style from our Spring-Summer collection we are offering a 20% reduction for our loyal subscribers. Use code: RAFELOVES at checkout! ( Good for the month of May and valid for US residents only ). Shop the Rafe site or click the button below.

Can I Tell You...Seashells have always inspired me.

“Seashells are love letters in the sand” - Anonymous

I have been obsessed with seashells ever since I can remember. Growing up in the tropics my family would go on weekend excursions by the seaside where we would eat grilled fish and play in the water all day, picking up shells and taking them home. To this day, if I’m on a beach I cannot resist picking up a few seashells.

Naturally, this obsession has found its way into my own collection from the shell embellishments on the Vianca bucket totes to the silhouettes of the Katie clutches and Venus minaudieres. Here are are some my designs and a few other objects inspired by treasures from the sea.

If you love the bags I selected or any other style from our Spring-Summer collection we are offering a 20% reduction for our loyal subscribers. Use code: RAFELOVES at checkout! ( Good for the month of May and valid for US residents only ). Shop the Rafe site or click the button below.

Can I Tell You...Florals for Spring, absolutely!

“I must have flowers, always and always.” - Claude Monet.

That is probably one of my favorite quotes I like to use whenever I want to post a picture on Instagram. Whether you’re receiving a bouquet, holding a bag or admiring a painting, flowers just make people happy. They have the power to lift one’s spirits especially with spring in full swing.

Here are some of my gift ideas for all the flower lovers out there.

If you love the bags I selected or any other style from our Spring-Summer collection we are offering a 20% reduction for our loyal subscribers. Use code: RAFELOVES at checkout! ( Good for the month of May and valid for US residents only ). Shop the Rafe site or click the button below.