Multi-Way Accessories

One way to save some money on looking fabulous is choosing multi-way accessories instead of "traditional" pieces. We've been tinkering around with this idea, to give our clients better value for their money. Here are some of the pieces we've made recently.


1. CATALINA: Originally this was a layered necklace using semi-precious stones. We decided to provide additional options for the wearer. Using a special lock, she change the design and length of the necklace. The best of all this multi-way's features is, the design gives the wearer a choice to wear the necklace on casual and special occasions.

2. NICOLA BY NOVI: This necklace was designed by one of our most experienced beaders. A two-necklace design and bracelet in one piece.  

3. IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN: This necklace comes with a matching bracelet. The great thing about this set is that the wearer has different options on what way to wear her necklace. She can change the position of the  embellished accent,  or she can detach the piece all together, and still wear the layered chains separately.

4. AMATULLAH: Our bead embroidery pieces are designed to be statement necklaces, and are usually reserved to be worn on very special occasions. However with this customized signature piece, the last three patterns are detachable, which each individual pattern being able to be worn as its own unique bracelet. So if you're feeling bold, or if you just want to be laid back yet still make a statement, wear the piece in its simplest form.  

All That Sparkles Gives Gold by Krizia Eleni Patrocinio

We met Kim during a two-day bazaar at the Asian Institute of Management, December of last year.  The very first items she bought from us were gifts for her cousins. Afterwards, she began purchasing our embellished necklaces, which she stylishly pair with her outfits! 

When you have no more time (or money) to shop, on a budget, with a wardrobe consisting of mostly blacks, greys and browns, and you suddenly find yourself receiving an invitation to attend a very special occasion with only 3 weeks to prepare, what do you do? You rely on your creativity, originality and pizzazz of course! 

" Everyone noticed my necklace and told me they liked it. No one even noticed that I repeated my outfit! It was a great and unforgettable fashion moment.  "

This happened to me in December, while in the thick of preparations for an office Christmas party, a family reunion, a block dinner, etc. I received a message from my high school friend informing everyone that she was getting married in three weeks! Because I already spent most of my money on gifts and I had no energy, or time, to go to the mall (or online) to look for the perfect wedding guest outfit, I resolved to recycle one of my dresses and wear it for her big day. Heck, if Kate (otherwise known as the Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge) can be photographed wearing the same dress twice, I can too!

Since wearing black was my personal faux pas when attending weddings, I decided to wear my beige dress. I was worried that it looked too plain, but I was running out of options. I figured that I can look for accessories at home that I can pair it with so I that I would look more interesting. Serendipitously, PJ of PalamutiStorytelling Jewels was at an AIM bazaar that week, selling her one-of-a-kind accessories! It was the perfect solution to my predicament! I immediately fell in love with her embellished necklaces, but I bought the clip-on earrings and the cocktail rings because I needed to give my cousins Christmas gifts. 

With 2 more weeks to go, I was getting more anxious. I didn’t want to spend more than PhP2,000 for a dress I will rarely wear, but I did not want to look plain at the wedding. As if fate was calling out to me, I saw a photo of Precious Lara Quigaman wearing an Amatullah necklace with her nude dress, on my Facebook news feed. It was Palamuti Storytelling Jewels posting her photo! It was exactly the look I was aiming for: classic yet sophisticated, subdued yet trendy, stand-out but conforming. The perfect look for a wedding guest. I took it as a sign and called PJ to ask for the availability of the embellished necklace. Thankfully, she can have one made in time for the wedding!

The rest, as they say, is history. I made my Amatullah embellished necklace the focal point of my entire ensemble. Everyone noticed my necklace and told me they liked it. No one even noticed that I repeated my outfit! It was a great and unforgettable fashion moment.

In the time of Facebook and Instagram, when photos are everywhere, and discerning people can tell if you repeated outfits or not, it is more practical to invest in accessories that redefine and recreate totally different looks. More than adding a bit more sparkle in a regular outfit, an embellished necklace provides added glamour and a lasting impression on the taste and style of its wearer.

Women in the Real World

We have been writing about embellished necklaces and giving tips on ways for you to wear them. To show you how convenient it is to keep one or two pieces, here are some photos of women strutting their own style in the real world. 

Leah wearing our Clarissa embellished necklace with a casual romper ready to invade the streets of Hong Kong. We love how she was able to pull off a casual laid back look but with elegance and style.

*photo courtesy of wearer

Another day at the office? We think not. Tita Mel surely knows how to work our Awit ng Ibong Adarna! The cyclical week long trip to the office can be tiresome and draining but looking and feeling good can just be the right nudge to keep you back on track.

 *photo courtesy of  Consuelo Lacson Añonuevo

As hosts of the Asian Institute of Management's event, Jen and her colleagues had to wear black. What better way to spruce her get up? Jen tweaks her all-black outfit with a neck piece that speaks to her style.

*photo courtesy of wearer 

 Looking good and classy, US based Filipina, Celsa wears our best seller collection,  Calliope with a basic red dress. 
 

 *photo courtesy of wearer

How will you wear a simple dress to a special occasion, such as a wedding? Ask Kim whose seen wearing our Amatullah.  
 

 *photo courtesy of wearer

 

 You can express your presence, personality, and soul by the clothes and accessories you choose to wear but the real secret to pulling off these looks is you.

Her Name Was Amatullah

 Trapped in a barren land.

  One once an Empress.

  Now forsaken.

  Lifeless.

In my mind, Amatullah is my empress, a woman refusing to be stereotyped by the norm of what an empress must and should be; defying tradition and in doing so, exiled. However, this does not stop her from continuing to empower women. For when others thought her lifeless, she breathes life to others who are willing to go beyond form and succeeds to live. 

My fascination with patterns led me to create Amatullah, a collection inspired by Islamic geometric patterns. To date it’s my most loved collection. Making the collection served as my initiation to bead embellishment and its possibilities. 

The challenge in creating this collection was translating the patterns into costume jewelry, using mainly seed beads and making it come alive with the play of colors; and how the design would embody the woman I envisioned being Amatullah. - PJV

Conceptualizing Amatullah

The original pieces were hand sewn by yours truly. 

 The pieces below were sewn by our highly skilled crafts women.

 Last design for the  Amatullah Collection