Saturday, February 28, 2015

Project of Dreams



“People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.” ― Neil Gaiman, Sandman
Nature's beauty is unparalleled even with the many advancements made in science and technology. Aside from being unparalleled, it's everywhere! However the sad thing is, we've slowly forgotten to appreciate it. Kaanyag aims to remind everyone that art is always being showcased by Nature.- Cherry Cular 
An uncle was relating his experience when he ventured into business many decades ago, when he was still a young man. He invested his money on a trusted, good friend's venture in an agricultural business. He was a newly-graduated student,  driven and excited, from the University of the Philippines. Sadly, the business venture turned sour, and most of his earnings went down the drain, not because the business did not flourish, but because his partner and friend did not honour their agreement in terms of profit sharing. Thus, he never regained the investment he made and ended a friendship.  His point being, when you enter into business, you need to commit yourself to it, becoming as "hands-on" as possible. Money and capital are definitely needed, but investing cash alone is not the key to growing your business and keeping it on track. Another lesson he was pointing out was, before you get yourself into the business, whether big or small, make sure that everything is crystal clear, establish rules and areas of responsibilities, and always practice due diligence. Having a friend as a business partner does not mean you are immune to being cheated. 

Kaanyag takes most of its inspiration from the beauty of the islands in Visayas, especially Samar and Leyte. - Cherry Cular
 It's easy to say "go out and find people to collaborate with" but it takes a lot of effort and time, coupled with your instincts, worst fears and inevitable heartaches.  I've been failed many times in choosing the right people to work with, and are willing to help us move forward in realizing our vision.  Building trust, gaining trust, and knowing who to trust is where the rub truly lies. 
Going through the designs of Cherry for the Kaanyag Line. 
Cherry Cular, the designer, born and raised in Tacloban City, Leyte, combines geometry and the meticulous art of bead embroidery to concretize her own view of Nature's beauty that is seen in Samar and Leyte.
As part of expanding our product line for Palamuti, I've been tinkering with the idea of incorporating other accessories into our product line. These are bags and shoes--- two different articles of fashion that I enjoy(apart from handmade jewellery). I knew that I couldn't enter this venture alone, so I was in a hunt for the right person to work with for this new line.  Happily this person came along unsuspectingly.  Cherry was a classmate of mine when I was taking my Masters in the University of the Philippines. I kept in touch with Cher through social media and most importantly, she was a believer of what we do at Palamuti. I can't really remember how the partnership started but it was when, I asked her to help us for a campaign we are running together with Michelle, our partner from the US. Suddenly, we talked about business, passive income, social advocacy while practicing creativity. After having a conversation on expectations, costing, and laying out both the production and marketing palns, the Kaanyag line was born. This summer, we will be launching Cherry's first collection for Kaanyag on our website. We can't wait to share the finished artisan bags to you! Soon!
Sketches come to life using bead embroidery techniques. 

The first collection of Cherry for Kaanyag will be released this March at PALAMUTISHOP.COM 
Along the way, I've met and worked with people, some I would say as close friends, whom I really trusted. Most of them were generous, to which I am forever grateful, but other friendships had run their course; the chemistry of doing business together never worked out. I built partnerships based on trust and goodwill. It may seem as naive all over again on my part, but now I look for partners who believe that working together can open opportunities for others and ourselves. I believe in the dreams of others as much as I believe in my own dreams, and that we all owe it to ourselves to at least make a grasp at it. Kaanyag is more than a line of artisan bags, it's a collaboration of individuals working towards a common goal--- living dreams. 

Keeping it real. - PJV 

Thursday, February 26, 2015

A “Berry” Happy Birthday


A "Berry" Themed Birthday Party hosted by Tina at Silk Road Thai Restaurant and Wine Bistro at Bonifacio Global City for her friends. She wore the clustered flowers which we customized for her last year.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz 
Tales of Tina’s themed birthday celebrations were regarded in tales as being fun, elaborate shindigs. Last year for example, to celebrate her birthday, she had an all-hat event where all of Tina’s friends wore (and took home) hat fascinators as souvenirs. For this year, Tina surprised her friends yet again by holding a “Berry-inspired" celebration. Guests were asked to wear tops and dresses based on the berry color range, which are: pinks, reds and purples. We at Palamuti had the chance to be a part of this celebration. As souvenirs, she gave her guests a short necklace with stone pendants by partner brand Amaya, and long necklaces with berry pendants from Palamuti
Artisan Cake by Sweet Bakes by Rosey! Check out the intricate detail. Decorating a cake is its own unique art. 
Tina has been our client since 2013 through the referral of a friend and business partner, but I wasn't able to meet her personally until the end of 2014.  In our previous article about Tina, I mentioned how every designer would love to have her as a client because her jewelry concepts are challenging projects for any artisan and designer. For myself, I needed to allot a lot of time and effort in designing and executing her fashion-art ideas. More than that, her choice of artistic handmade accessories show not only her love for fashion, but her appreciation for the high level of artistry put into wearable art pieces. We  decided to name a collection after her, as I was honored and thrilled to design for her. To be invited to her birthday celebration was an added bonus, something that I really never expected, since technically I've only met her once. 
Berry Themed Short Necklaces from Amaya were given as souvenirs for the guests. 
The exciting part of her party was showcasing and sharing her Palamuti Collection, which she acquired over the years, to her friends as part of her themed celebration. I was stunned when I realized that she had collected drawers upon drawers of necklaces and scarves, which she let her guests wear during the gathering. Personally, I was touched with the fact that she kept them all these years, with some items lovingly preserved in their original packaging. 
Tina's friends from Ateneo wearing her Palamuti Tina Zitro Collection.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz 
Ladies with roses!
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz 
Memories of all my previous designs came flooding back into my head. In every piece I design and create, I pour my soul into it. It's my form of meditation, prayer and giving thanks to the universe. I firmly believe that through my work, I share my story as an artist through others who appreciate my kind of art. I was in awe, and my heart was singing with respect for this woman who saw our handmade necklaces and scarves not just a commodity, but treasured items worthy of collecting. 
Tina with her colleagues from Globe Telecom.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz
GPS women have a grand time. Look at those smiles. I don't think you can fake those.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz
As her guests came, I got to see this high-functioning, goal-driven woman in action. She greeted everyone with the same energy, from the first guest that arrived up until the last one. She was all smiles--- going around and connecting with all her guests. It was heartening to witness her close friends, work colleagues and subordinates, with Tina valuing each and everyone's presence, regardless of being a boss or employee, until the crowd trickled down and it was time to call it a day. Surely, everyone had a great time, like I did, leaving a more inspired person. Tina is an empowered woman of taste and style, a storyteller, traveller, and compassionate person who people look up to. For myself, she is more than just a client, but a muse that sheds inspiration to other women like myself. 

"BERRY MOMENTS" 
Paparazzi moment! Tina poses with her fellow executive.
Apart from Palamuti, Tina adores her artisan bag by Rated Paola
I truly love this stolen shot! Sherrie's son admires the peacock inspired necklace
she was wearing during the lunch party. 
We love how she paired the bead embroidery statement necklace with a long one.
If her pretty face looks familiar, it's because she's Globe Telecom's in house model as well. 
Another stolen shot with this beauty! I couldn't help myself admiring how
Tina's clustered flowers complemented her berry red top. 
As much as I tried to take a stolen shot, she knows when it's coming! 
Finally, I got to meet you Liezel.
And someone's in love with Rated Paola's artisan bags
Kim discuses our Kiss by the Berry Queen Collection with a colleague.
Irah has been coaxing Tina to give the necklace she was wearing at the party
as gift for her. 
Tina's friend from St. Scholastica's College wore her Berry Necklace.
Our mini "gallery" of Tina Zitro Collection. 
I so remember that necklace from last year's Spring Collection
Kim adds a scarf necklace to her ensemble. 
Early birds! 
Sharon is not into statement costume jewelry  but Tina's clustered
butterfly necklace fitted her whole ensemble that day. 
The original Mayumi necklace worn by Stephanie, Tina's friend from
St. Scholastica's College. The necklace was given as a gift by Kim years back. 
Bring out your smart phones and click away! 
Spotted! That's our Spring Lady Necklace
Stylist for the day? I really had fun with Kim looking for
necklaces that will fit the guest's wardrobe.


P.S. As our way of saying thanks, I have designed a new collection inspired by her birthday celebration theme. As a way of showing our appreciation for her continued support, we have created the "Kiss by the Berry Queen Collection" as part of the Tina Zitro Collection wherein percentage of the sales will go to her chosen charity; the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). We believe in supporting our client's advocacy and passion as much as they have shown for ours. 
Kiss by the Berry Queen Collection 
Our mini display of Tina Zitro Collection 
Indeed it was a "berry" happy birthday. :) 
Keeping it real. -PJV 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Rated Paola X Nikki Ocean

"Whenever you meet someone new, information flows in both directions. You become acquainted with someone who has a talent or a skill you can use sometime in the future. But that individual also becomes acquianted with you and your skills. Somewhere down the line, without your knowledge and without having to do anything at all, that person will say, "I know someone who..." and you'll be that someone! By being "out there" minute-by-minute you are positioning yourself to take advantage of the opportunities that come along. Do the right thing for those in your network whenever you can and good things will come back."- Bryan Thayer, The One Minute Networker 
Apart from being a visual artist, Nikki Ocean is a budding make- up artist. Her love for painting makes it natural for her to use faces as her canvass. 
Rated Paola artisan bags have found a home at PALAMUTISHOP.COM 
I am an introvert by nature, but I do love meeting new people and hearing their stories. I remember people who have crossed over my invisible introvert wall and have shared their stories, which I keep in my "library" of treasured individuals. I've known these two girls when they were still just students at University of the Philippines, Fine Arts. I met Nikki through one of our surf trips. Paola was Nikki's batch mate and I was introduced to her during an art exhibit in SM Megamall, Philippines. Both are promising artists, with both of them starting to establish a name for themselves in their respective niche of the art world.
She's a mermaid! Nikki Ocean is the ultimate boho woman, who looks towards inspiring others through art and fashion. 
Nikki and I hang out a lot despite our age difference. I love the fact that she has the maturity to connect with older people. I have fun during photo shoots with her. She's my first choice as makeup artist for our models. As mentioned, we've been on surf trips together, and during those times, we have formed a bond despite of years of not even physically seeing her. There are just some people who never really "forget" each other. At some point, we nearly started an enterprise showcasing clothes, bikinis, bags and jewelry made by other independent Filipino brands. Though this concept never fully materialized, in retrospect, I've always kept a mental "file" that she's a keeper and that in the future, she's a person that I would love to work with.
Rated Paola poses with her Art Cans under Tin-Aw Gallery at the recent Art Fair Philippines 2015
As for Paola, I never got a chance to intimately talk to her when we fist met. However, even then, she exudes an aura that speaks "fashion and art", which intrigued me. When she was introduced to me (by Nikki), I was told that she sews her own clothes, and that she had an affinity for collecting bags. This trait stemmed from her grandma, who passed it down to her mom, and then to her. She was the "quiet type", but she smiles a lot and was engaging, despite being an introvert.
Nikki Ocean was also part of the Art Fair Philippines 2015 under Finale Gallery. She paints with her talent and her heart. 
As they found paths and dreams to follow, I never forgot about these two talented girls. Thanks to technology and social networking sites, I'm still updated with what they were up to. When I was able to put up my website, I immediately sought out Nikki and Paola. I wanted these two artists to be part of our website's vision through a series of collaborations. We are currently in the process of creating a market for their brand of art and fashion. This goes to show that business and relationships is not just a matter of "what's in it for us", but how you can address the needs and goals of others too. Based on experience, I've found that it's more advantageous for both parties to collaborate, especially if you have a common goal. Doing business is not just about profitability, but sharing with others. With all our efforts and strengths put together, we are covering ground towards creating our own market for fashion and art.
Fash-On Art Cans! Rated Paola shows off her love for fashion in her art. 
Paola offers us her talent in designing art bags, which I know nothing about, but something that I've always wanted to have on our website. Nikki inspires us with her work ethic and sincerity in supporting other independent artists. These are two girls with different styles, motivated to make a name for themselves, while keeping grounded and connecting with others through their craft. 
Our Style Advocate, Nikki Ocean will be conducting an arts and crafts workshop at Flotsam and Jetsam Artist Hotel in La Union, Philippines this February 28 & March 1. Cap off the Art's Month with a sand-and-sunset vacation bonus!
I was watching Behind The Brand interview with Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer) hosted by Brian Elliot. His story is very inspiring: working his way up, starting from nothing. Here are the things I've learned from his story: 

1. Find the drive and motivation 
2. Network with people who can help you achieve your goals 
3. Practice the art of giving with sincerity 
4. Work with people who are aligned with your goals 
5. Lead a purpose driven enterprise 
6. Continue to learn despite success 

Visual Artist Paolizabeth Germanium, the artist designer behind Rated Paola Germar Bags, will be having a Solo Exhibit entitled "Pay Per Doll" at  Kaida Contemporary from March 8 to March 22. Let us celebrate Fashion x Art, the Rated PG way. 

Opportunities are always in abundance. But doubt, fear and pride, limits us to immediate gratification and success, which fosters a deadly illusion of what we have and should have. People are ready to help you achieve your goals, as long as you show them how much you are willing to work for it, even if it means starting from a hole in the ground. When you remove the mindset of being privileged, or the prideful attitude of "I know about this already", that's when the doors truly start to open. Today, Nikki Ocean is a Palamuti Style Advocate and Rated Paola is a Palamuti Featured Artist. They are my partners, not just in business, but partners in a community of people driven by goals and purpose. Who would have thought? :) 
Fashion Inspiration: Style Icons 

Two Different Worlds



Keeping it real.- PJV