Why go Bridal?

Doing a Bridal Collection for Palamuti was a concept pitched by my friend Shiela Dugan- Pascua, the first bride, who ordered a neckpiece from me. According to Shiela, when she and now husband, James, were looking for suppliers by attending several wedding expos, she only saw one exhibitor showing off costume jewelry for brides. I said to myself, “Hmmmmm, why not?”. Plus, doing wedding pieces would be so much more fun! Oh yes, like every other girl, I have my own fairytale wedding… and yes, I’d like to be part of making others’ fairytale come true.

Shiela wearing Palamuti Necklace made of mother of pearls and german crystals.

True enough, most wedding accessories are limited to hair pieces, bags and shoes. Rare do you find suppliers offering costume jewelry to complete the whole ensemble; and jewelries are confined to wedding bands. As Katrina Martin mentioned in a previous blog, In the Neck of It, wedding trends are changing, gearing away from the traditional. More and more brides have the freedom to make their dream wedding into reality! If in the past, black or red gowns were out of the question, behold today. And if you choose a white gown, you can add more glamour without spending much on fine jewelry!
My bridal collection for 2011 is called Songs to Satine inspired by the fictional character Satine of Moulin Rouge which I will displaying at the 18th Wedding Expo Philippines by Themes and Motifs on March 12 and 13, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. We are giving a special discount to brides who will book on the mentioned dates. Freebies wait soon to weds so do visit our booth in Hall 4, J28.

Valerie Tan, TV Correspondent for GMA 7 models for Palamuti. Make-up by sister, Donna Valenciano. Valerie is also using Glambox Airbrush Cosmetics' Mink Lash

To all brides to be, I encourage you to think out of the box!

P.S. I will be sharing the booth with my sister Donna Valenciano, a make- up artist who will be offering traditional and airbrush make up for brides so do check her work as well. Palamuti and Tala Bridal Packages are now available, email pjvalenciano@palamutishop.com or talabydonna@gmail.com.

Hair Accessory by PJ Valenciano, Make up using Airbrush by Donna Valenciano

Heritage

My sense of fashion has always been rooted to simplicity accenting my get up with a piece of jewelry. I have always been fascinated as how a single piece of fashion jewelry can turn a simple outfit into a statement. This perhaps urged and inspired me to focus on designing fashion accessories, and eventually, in the future, fine jewelry.

My vision is to use homegrown materials in my pieces leading to my interest in Philippine Jewelry History. I have been dying to get hold of books and copies of paper about jewelry in the Philippines especially during the pre-colonial period, my search is unending.

What I have learned so far…

Accounts say that prior to colonial period, early Filipinos already ornamented themselves with jewelry out of gold, silver, copper and iron, much of the colonizers surprise. “Jewels, gold ingots, chains, calombigas and earrings were handed down from antiquity and inherited from their ancestors, ” according to De Morga.

Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian scholar and traveler who joined Ferdinand Magellan to the voyages of the Indies, remarked that “the people of Mindoro possessed great skill in mixing gold with other metals and gave it a natural and perfect appearance that could deceive even the best of silversmiths.” House of kings were said to be adorned with gold plates and other settings extending outside of the houses.

Among other treasures found in the island used by early Filipinos are carnelian, agate and pearl which they turned into “Palamuti” such as necklaces, belts, armlets and rings.

Book on Philippine Jewelry by Ramon N. Villegas

Natives of pre-colonial period were of no doubt true artisans who used homegrown treasures inherent to the island. Filipinos need not to look elsewhere.