ON MOTHER’S Day weekend, May 7 and 8, Radisson Blu Cebu brings together three of Cebu’s hottest accessories designers at Adorn, a first-of-its-kind pop-up store.
A brainchild of Radisson Blu’s new general manager, Laurent Boisdron, and new hotel manager, Fabien Martinez, Adorn will be held at the hotel’s sleek, high-ceiling lobby, the ideal backdrop for the covetable pieces of Mia Arcenas, Neil Felipp San Pedro and Doro Barandino.
If you’re Cebuano or find yourself in Cebu on those days, have a look and give mom a special gift in lieu of your annual flowers. Or simply use this as an excuse to go shopping.
There are Mia’s brass and floral bangles that are both feminine and kick-ass, Neil’s fantasy-inspired minaudieres, and Doro’s brass wire neckpieces that we can’t wait to wear with everything.
We chatted with the three designers about their design perspectives.
Mia Arcenas
Describe your aesthetic: Modern Filipino, minimal, chic.
Your design process?
I get inspiration from my travels, flea markets, vintage shops and even casual chats with friends from the creative industry. After the inspiration come the rough sketches, mood boards, color swatches and fabric swatches. Then the designs go through a research, development and sampling process.
Finally, I approve the final samples, colors and quality before each piece goes to the market.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
I love working with materials native to the Philippines, like mother-of-pearl, abalone and other beautiful shells. I also work with brass, freshwater snakeskin and resin.
Tell us about your most recent collection.
It’s inspired by a fusion of traditional and modern Filipino design. It is a fresh take on simple elements found in nature, like flower accents, leaves and branches, coming to life through 3D techniques.
The colors remain classic —whites, blacks and golds. The craftsmanship and the use of 100-percent Filipino materials are what make each piece special.
Who are your muses?
My mother is my muse. So are my tita, my grandmother and all of my clients. I am inspired by all these women’s stories and all of their aspirations in terms of beauty and fashion.
What’s the best thing about being a designer in Cebu?
There’s inspiration everywhere you look. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating various looks, experimenting with different techniques, and there’s a wide range of materials you can play with.
What are the limitations of being a designer in Cebu?
I don’t feel that there are any limitations.
What kind of woman do you design for?
Someone fashionable and on-the-go, one who needs pieces she can wear from day to night. She is also the kind of woman who appreciates unique fashion, made with an eye for quality.
How does your mom influence your style?
My mom styled and bought everything I was going to wear even months before I was born. She always had her ideas of how she wanted my hair to be done and how my outfits should be put together. I look up to her because she always looks the part no matter what time of day or where we are. Having that as an everyday example has greatly influenced my style.
Where are your pieces available?
Manila showroom: Vicente Madrigal Building, 6793 Ayala Ave. Makati; Cebu showroom: Ferimar Building, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City; Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa in Cebu; Amanpulo Resort in Palawan; online at www.miaarcenas.com
Neil Felipp San Pedro
Your aesthetic:
Ethereal, playful and timeless.
Tell us about your design process.
It begins with a story. The story is the soul of the collection, and as we go through the process, we create its physical form.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
A trademark material is the detailed brass work, which is a homage to the training I got from my family’s business.
Tell us about your most recent collection.
It’s called the Halcyon, a period of time which is idyllically happy. For me, this was my childhood when I would create these great cities with my imagination using toy blocks.
In this collection, I used a mixture of brass sheets and colored resins to create a sense of depth and playfulness.
Who is your muse?
My constant muse is Gretchen Choa-Uy. She is a businesswoman, entrepreneur and a mother, but I love how she enjoys fashion not for anyone but for herself, with a playful nature like that of a little girl playing dress-up.
What’s the best thing about being a designer in Cebu?
The access to globally competitive manufacturers and the beautiful mountains and beaches. Cebu is truly an island paradise where a designer can create and find inspiration.
What are the limitations of being a designer in Cebu?
In the retail aspect, the community is just starting to appreciate local brands, so this is quite challenging for any up-and-coming designer.
Who do you design for?
Men and women who are independent-minded, who know how to enjoy life but also know how to give back to their communities.
Is your mom a style inspiration?
Yes, not only because of how she raised me but also for her kindness that extends from her personal to her professional life.
This characteristic is what I try to emulate. I create to inspire, and I try to take care of my clients like they are family to me.
Where are your pieces available?
Manila: Cura V, Power Plant Mall, Makati City; Cebu: Holicow, Crossroads Arcade, Banilad, Cebu City; online at www.neilfelipp.com
Doro Barandino
Describe your aesthetic:
Subtle and sleek but makes a statement.
Tell us about your design process.
It’s a summation of the following: spur-of-the-moment ideas, a lot of which are triggered by emotions that move me, be it from an intense art piece, a discarded object, a beautiful environment or an amazing piece of structure.
I make a study (or sketch) of these ideas, then I determine the most appropriate scale (dimensions, measurements, etc.) and material assignment before it goes to sample making.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
I’m into metal and leather.
I’d like to start working with exotic skins, especially crocodile. I would also want to work
with materials infused with technology.
Tell us about your most recent collection.
The last collection I did, which I still carry, were clutch bags with four different materials on each piece. I combined leather, water sea snake skins/ bone/horn/nail, and metal. I would like to continue exploring this approach. It challenges me to combine different materials and make them cohesive.
I found inspiration in the texture of exotic skins, the amber color of a horn, the gloss of metal and the feel of leather. I’m working with a mostly neutral color palette, but I love colors. I’ll probably be working with more colors in my next collection. I love prints and patterns, too.
Who is your muse?
I don’t have a muse, but the people who wear my pieces are those with an eye for design. They understand and appreciate how my pieces came to be. Their personal style is subtle. They are unassuming but make a statement.
What’s the best thing about being a designer in Cebu?
The logistics of going from one place to another is easier. I can also design better as there are fewer distractions. It’s easy enough to find a quiet place to think and ponder.
What are the limitations of being a designer in Cebu?
Some materials are not readily available.
Where are your pieces available?
Our Cebu showroom, where we showcase our bags, jewelry, and a bit of furniture, is called D8. It’s at Regency Crest Condominium, ground level at Maria Luisa Road; or online at www.dorobarandino.com, e-mail [email protected].
