Home JOURNAL Behind the Label | Aranaz

Behind the Label | Aranaz

Designer Amina Aranaz's eponymous jewelry and handbag collection is a testimony to the soul and craftsmanship of her fellow Filipino?s. Each piece is meticulously handmade by skilled artisans -- nothing in this polished collection is mass produced. Amina?s sophisticated eye has turned centuries old traditions into modern masterpieces that have a cool and contemporary vibe. Mix and match Aranaz embellished clutches and totes for maximum impact day or night. We recently caught up with Amina and asked her to share the story behind her Aranaz label.

How does travel inspire your collection?

Being in a tropical country such as the Philippines, we are surrounded with a wide variety of natural resources that become the backbone of our collections. Each piece from our collection captures the mood of a leisurely jet set lifestyle. Our intricately handmade pieces not only speak of our culture but they meet the Aranaz woman?s longing for an escape or getaway. Being able to wear our pieces evokes a state of mind of a tropical getaway even if you may be in the midst of cosmopolitan living. Our pieces themselves can provide that sense of escape.

Which country, city, or village around the world do you most identify your collection with and why?

Our collections most definitely identify with Manila. It is the place where Aranaz inspirations are conceived and brought to life. Manila is the Philippine's hub that brings people together from various provinces. We source materials from local craftsmen from different regions of our country and bring them into Manila to be transformed into little accoutrements and items of glamour and style for the modern woman.

Describe Aranaz in 3 words.

- Escape: Because our pieces give off that ?vacation? mood, they are perfect for those seaside getaways but they also work in the city and will lend a ?Jetset? feel whenever you?re in need of an escape.

- Testimony: Our bags are testimonies of the Filipino soul and craftsmanship. Each piece is meticulously handmade by skilled artisans and nothing is mass produced. Each piece is a dialogue between designer and artisan.

- Little luxuries: Our pieces are never simple. There is always something ultimately unique and special about them. They become instant conversation pieces.

Your collection of products keeps growing, what creative endeavors are on the horizon?

The Aranaz brand has been known for bags and accessories. At the moment, we?re exploring the idea of venturing into a small capsule home collection. Our brand philosophy and image of dressing a woman with little luxuries can also be translated beautifully into home accessories. Visually, these would also reflect the brand?s heritage and philosophy of an escape in city living. Nothing has been carved in stone and ideas are still in the works but this is one of many ventures we envision as the brand grows.

Who is your Muse? Describe the Aranaz woman.

The Aranaz woman loves being surrounded by beautiful things and has an eye for little details. She is elegant yet fun and a bit experimental. As she puts herself together, her choices are borne out of her appreciation for the way things are made (veering away from the mass produced) and the story behind the pieces that she chooses. The Aranaz injects these pretty little luxuries into her own way of dressing to make everyday special.

Tell us about your favorite piece (or one of them) and where you were inspired to create it.

Our coconut bag (which now comes in various colors and detailing) is truly a signature Aranaz piece. The coconut is something iconic of a tropical country such as ours. Being a rich resource of the Philippines, it?s a humble material that we use for a variety of things that seem so basic for us locals at first glance. Being able to glamorize this ?icon of tropical living? also best describes the Aranaz philosophy of a ?de-ethnicizing the ethnic?. Using something so much a part of our culture but surprising our audience by making it something absolutely luxurious and unique. It?s the piece that best captures the idea of bringing a piece of the tropical into the city.

Globetrotter Stats

Souk or Department Store?

Souk

DIY or Concierge Service?

DIY

Buy Everything or Buy Nothing?

Buy everything!

Camping or 5-Star Hotel?

5-star hotel

Drive or be Driven?

Be driven

Room service or Street Food?