Leon Araneta—what drives his passion | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

ATALYER team: Emmanuel Ramos, David Gutierrez, Eneri Abillar, Leon Araneta, Abegail Castillo, Paolo Chavez

Leon, the chief integrating officer of Atalyer and proud father to two daughters, has a keen eye for style. His studio has a team of interior and industrial designers who create with the customer’s brand in mind.

And if his list of happy clients is not proof enough, a peek at his own home shows the eclectic mix of ethnic and modern elements that drives his passion.

We asked Leon to give us a short list of the things that inspire him.

My style inspiration comes from…

LEON Araneta

Lots of online sources. Uncrate, Park & Bond, the special supplements of International Herald Tribune and Financial Times on lifestyle, real estate and design whenever they pop up, foreign magazines of any sort, when I chance upon them.

My favorite magazine for men’s fashion is…

Aptly called Leon, from Japan. It weighs a ton.

I’d go to great lengths for…

My PeachTree audio system. I’m so happy it’s in the Philippines already. The last tech-related pleasure I will give up is the ability to play the music I like, reproduced faithfully and crystal-clear.

My most cherished designer pieces are…

GUAYABERA

A painting by Cesar Caballero; the products designed by Atalyer designers; the chandelier that hung over my grandparents’ dining table for 60 years; the lamp in my dad’s bedroom when he was a teenager; Our Adee Mendoza plates; A Briccio Santos watercolor; and a rare “Intramuros” by Manansala I am reframing, in acrylic.

I have a collection of…

Authentic working-man guayaberas, straight from the source. They are fantastic for formal occasions, but equally practical on the beach compared to swimming gear. Easy to wash and durable, they age so well. I’ve had them for 10 years.

My most cherished garment is…

HONEST-TOGOODNESS industrial design by Atalyer

A ’70s poly-blend shirt I bought in a second-hand store in San Francisco. It cost $2. I love it so much I want to be cremated in it. Brand is Tall Man. It’s complete ’70s funk—tight fit, huge collar. In total vibe with Shaft and Streets of San Francisco. I really wish I could grow an afro and have sideburns that touched my lips. If I could, I would, believe me, even in this maddening heat.

I cannot live without…

Two long espressos off my Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf pod coffee machine. I let myself have all the coffee I desire up to and including lunchtime. I would give up red meat before giving up coffee. When we go on road trips, we bring the machine! I also enjoy knowing that a bottle of Chateau Siran is near me.

I’d rather be…

DYPTIQUE

Skiing in Portillo, Chile. I’m a recent convert to the joy of skiing, and there’s nothing better than to explore far-flung corners of South America at the same time.

I enjoy the scent of…

Diptyque, a recent gift on my 40th birthday. John Varvatos for men also does it for me, but nothing beats the smell of freshly cut coriander, or of recently cut wet grass. If someone could bottle that, I’d use it.

Top tip: Get a whiff of Leon’s perfume by dropping by Rustan’s. When selecting a perfume, make sure to spray lightly on your skin to better gauge its scent. Smelling it through the paper tester may not deliver the same effect, as your skin’s heat and acidity changes its composition.

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