Posts Tagged ‘rafe new york’

Rafe Loves…Elizabeth Kiester

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Raison d’Etre: To explore, to learn, to absorb, to grow, to understand and to practice empathy at all times.

Job: Owner and Creative Director, Wanderlust

Live: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Happiness: Traveling–I will go anywhere!;  Sunny cloudless days; sitting on a beach with a book; my nephew Charlie; the “Investigation Discovery” channel (which can only be indulged in when I come visit the US…); reading the New York times; laughing with my besties.

Brunch: In Cambodia, French pastries (omg! their chocolatines are insane!) at my favorite pattiserie called Boulangerie! In New York, anywhere i can get a cheese-filled omelette and bagel.

Drink: I recently had the lushest drink ever at Schiller’s Liquor Bar on the lower east side in NYC–lemon vodka, fresh squeezed lemonade and fresh strawberries. It was called “country time” and it was incredibly addictive, which clearly could be very, very dangerous. This drink could only be better if served on a beach somewhere in Southeast Asia.

Eat: Hands down…“Shake Shack” in Madison Square Park, NYC. I’m a simple girl and require simple foods. My Mom used to call me a “cheap date” (however, it isn’t so cheap to eat at ‘Shake Shack’ but you get my drift).

Escape: St. John, USVI; the islands in Thailand; Tokyo; India

Read: New Yorker, Vogue (particularly Brit edition), all the gossip rags world over (US weekly, Grazie, Heat…) as long as my posse are on hand to participate in shameful ridicule of the celebs featured in them…

Listen: Sigur Ros, Bon Iver, She & Him, The Sundays, Billie Holiday, Patty Griffin.
Most fave song ever: Brian Jonestown Massacre “Open Heart Surgery”

Watch: I am not a girl who likes “chick flicks”–I am into war movies. Yes, war movies…  ”The Killing Fields”, “The Deer Hunter”, the documentary “War Photographer”.

Indulge: Bagels with mounds of temptee ™ whipped cream cheese and butter (which sadly is not available in cambodia….); Diet Coke (never leave home–or be at home–without it); books in hardcover; beauty products I can’t figure out how to use.

Shop: ‘Journal Standard’ and all it’s subsidiaries in Tokyo. Absolutely amazing, awe inspiring and tear inducing.

Fashion: I love love love Comme des Garcons, Ann Demeulemeester, Yohji, Marni…I love designers who do their thing and don’t involve themselves in “trends”; designers who uphold, protect and maintain their vision.

Aspire: Easy one–Iris Apfel

Charity: All the NGOs that I work with and admire in Cambodia–Saray Osmose, The Green Gekko Orphanage, Angkor Children’s Hospital all in Siem reap, Cambodia.

Dream: To live a fulfilling life–a life of realness, sincerity, integrity and energy.

Accessory: Rafe, the individual is a human sunshine–warm, generous, happy, spirited–and his accessories reflect that–they bring joy and confidence and incredible vibes to the wearer while simultaneously being ridiculously and extraordinarily chic. 360 degrees of gorgeousness is what I say–they make you look good and feel phenomenal. Win!

Rafe Loves…Charlotte Hooij

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Raison d’Etre: Having fun and relaxing with my friends and family

Job: High school student

Live : Brussels, Belgium

Happiness: Hanging out and shopping with my friends from school, and playing sports like hockey, tennis and swimming

Brunch: A sandwich with cheese and fresh vegetables at Seduced in Tervuren, Brussels

Drink: Starbucks Coffee

Eat : Pasta, pizza (especially at Pizzeria di Fiore in Tervuren), sushi, salads , salmon

Escape: Going to the beach surfing or sailing on the Atlantic ocean on Mimizan beach in France

Read: Twilight saga , Dirk Bracke,

Magazines: Cosmo Girl , Elle Girl, fashion magazines

Listen: The Fray, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Train

Watch: Gossip Girl, Friends, The O.C, Twilight.

Indulge: A very long vacation with sun and beach with friends and family in St. John

Shop: Diesel, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, Franklin&Marshal, Zara

Splurge: A nice perfume and especially a beautiful Rafe handbag!

Aspire: I don’t have one, yet. ;-)

Charity: Donating money for Haïti

Dream: I want to succeed in high school and college, travel a lot and see the world!

Accessory: I love my Rafe bags because they are unique and beautifully made. I love wearing them every day and everywhere. People stop me all the time and ask me about them.

Rafe Loves…Mary Anne Arculli

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Raison d’Etre: To live life passionately, productively and always with a sense of wonder and humor.

Job: Interior designer and property developer, Maria Luisa Homes

Live: Cebu

Happiness: My Family

Brunch: Sitting in my boat, moored in front of a beautiful island, eating an all out Filipino breakfast!

Drink: Fresh coconut juice, a really cold beer on a hot day, sharing a glass of excellent wine with my Dad.

Eat: Peoples Palace – Manila, Hong Kong Country Club for Chinese food, and Lechon, especially Cebuano Lechon.

Escape: Amanpulo – I never tire of that island.

Read: Design books published by Beta-plus, Cookbooks-always in the hope that I will be a good cook one day, Meditations – Marcus Aurelius, Elle Décor, Architectural digest

Listen: Lounge, Bossa nova, House

Watch: I love all the James Bond movies (always wanted to be a Bond Girl), hate reality shows, and never pass up a Miss Universe contest or a Manny Pacquiao fight.

Indulge: Day dreaming, dark chocolate, and shoes, shoes, shoes!

Shop: Lane Crawford, Hong Kong, Barneys and Saks, Los Angeles. Billion dollar babes

Fashion: Monique Lhuillier, Rose Anne de Pampelonne, Herve Leger.

Aspire: To be loved and revered, like both my grandmothers.

Charity: Cebu Hope Center for girls and Don Bosco Boys home. Cebu Design Education Foundation.

Dream: To design a dream house that is beautiful and eco friendly and an inspiration for others to do the same.

Accessory: I love every single Rafe bag that I own. From my hippie fringe cross body, to my python metallic clutch and most recently the mother of pearl minaudiere ( I’m holding it in the photo) which he named after me! They all update my wardrobe and give my outfits that extra Wow factor.

P.S. The Maryanne minaudiere is sold out online but can be bought at these specialty stores.
Garmany in Red Bank, New Jersey, telephone (732) 576-8500
Menina in Westfield, New Jersey, telephone (908) 654 0358

Rafe Loves…Katy Atlas

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Raison d’Etre: Living sweetly.

Job: Fashion and food blogger at sugarlaws.com

Live: Manhattan

Happiness: Waking up with my dogs in the morning

Brunch: Any outdoor cafe, lots of coffee. I love really good bagels with cream cheese.

Drink: Champagne or white wine, Blue Ribbon Bar in the West Village (tiny and cozy)

Eat: Mas (farmhouse), Jean Georges, Spago in Maui, Tomoe Sushi, street crepes in Paris.

Escape: I got engaged in Paris, so that’s my top spot! Also, Hawaii — it feels like you’re somewhere completely exotic, but your cell phone still works!

Read: Harper’s Bazaar, Bon Appetit, New York Magazine

Listen: Counting Crows, Bob Dylan, the Shins

Watch: Adventureland, Almost Famous, Mad Men, Gossip Girl

Indulge: Cupcake frosting, bubble baths.

Shop: Saks, Intermix, Gilt.com

Fashion: Burberry trenchcoats, girly dresses from Jill Stuart, DVF and Alice & Olivia, Jimmy Choo heels. I’m saving for the classic Chanel quilted bag

Aspire: Rachel Bilson, Kate Moss

Charity: ASPCA

Dream: To have my novel published, visit Africa, and sit in the front row at a fashion show.

Accessory: I love Rafe accessories because they’re trendy and timeless at the same time! I know I’ll always look current, and I never have to worry they’ll go out of style. Also, Rafe shoes and bags have an amazing attention to detail — every inch of them is perfectly designed!

Rafe Loves…Denise Kreft

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Raison d’Etre: Knowing this means growing up – I’m not totally ready for that yet.

Job: Beauty PR and Rafe’s number one fan

Live: Brooklyn, NY

Happiness: is VERY hard to find in the mornings

Brunch: Danal, Golden Unicorn, Main Street Bistro in the Catskills

Drink: VENTI SOY LATTE – can’t function without it… Any drink at the The Eldridge or Hotel Griffou

Eat:  Bacolod Chicken House, Abe & Amp; Arthurs, Bar Pitti, The Locus Tree in the Catskills, Ceci Cela, Blue Ribbon Sushi

Escape: Turning off the crackberry!

Read: If there’s a beauty section – you better believe I read it.

Listen: According to my “top 25 most played” playlist on my Ipod, I’m currently rocking out to Muse, MGMT, Citizen Cope, Lady Gaga, Massive Attack, Portishead and Santogold

Watch: (movies) The Usual Suspects, Pride & Predjudice (BBC edition), The Joy Luck Club, Memento, Twin Peaks, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Indulge: Fragrance – can’t get enough of it and the one beauty product that I buy

Shop: Zara, Topshop, Aedes de Venustas, Bess, Dolce Vita

Splurge: Shoes, I’m Filipina and can never have enough

Aspire: Kate Moss, The Olsen Twins, Chloe Sevigny

Charity: Tapulanga Foundation

Dream: “as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today” – James Dean

Accessories: Rafe bags & shoes because I can rock them with any outfit

For Art’s Sake

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Can I tell you…about Miami Art Basel. Ever since it’s launch in 2002, this four day convergence has gained quite a reputation for being the most important art fair in the country and one that throws the best parties! This past December, I took the plunge and joined hundreds of New Yorkers on their pilgrimage to South Beach. This year MAB’s organizers pulled out all the stops with art on the beach, over the top parties, lavish dinners and live performances by emerging artists. There was so much to see and do that it was overwhelming, but that’s part of the fun. At the airport taxi line, I bumped into my girlfriend Teresa Herrera who, like me, also came to take it all in for the first time. We were Basel Virgins!

I stayed with my BFF Peter Som who was conveniently booked at the Shoreclub, a hop and skip away from the Convention Center. Location is everything especially for a huge fair like this.
Walking through the Convention Center was daunting with over 250 prestigious galleries from 33 countries and over 2,000 artists showing everything from paintings, fine art photography, sculpture, drawings, installations and videos. Even Sylvester Stallone exhibited his work. Who knew he was an ‘artist’?!
I enjoyed the other satellite fairs like Pulse, Art Asia and Scope over at the Wynwood district, where you could find new artists and perhaps some affordable pieces.
We did our share of shin-digging too. There was the Francois Nars’ party at the Standard where we bumped into Lorenzo Martone showing off his tattoos to his friends. As we were leaving, Francois and Naomi Campbell were just arriving fashionably very late for their own event. We rushed over to Nadia Swarovski’s rooftop cocktail at the W then downstairs for another party by the pool where I bumped into Teresa Herrera with Filipino Art Collector Marcel Krespo and the boys from Cool Hunting Josh Rubin and Evan Orenstein. We caught a live performance by Santigold at the Raleigh right after David Zwirner Gallery’s intimate dinner.
We tagged along with LACMA curator and our girlfriend Christine Y. Kim and her associates to see some of the leading private collections in Miami – among them the Margulies Collection, the Rubell Family Collection, the de la Cruz Collection, the Mora Collection, the Scholl Collection, and the Dacra Collection. During the fair, they open their homes and warehouses to guests of the show. I especially love seeing art in homes, especially art of this caliber. There’s an aspirational aspect to it that I’m sure you can relate to.
After four days we had art coming out of our ears and had had enough of the big extravaganzas. We were aching for something low key. Fortunately, our dear friend and super talented Interior Designer D.B. Kim was celebrating his birthday party in South Beach.
The party was held in stylist Ron Laxamana’s quaint apartment compound that faintly evokes the set of 90′s TV hit Melrose Place. It was a fun intimate affair  and a perfect way to end a rather hectic and art-filled week. I’ll be back…same time next year!

Rafe Spring 2010 Photo Shoot Scene 1

Saturday, January 30th, 2010
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Rafe Designs a Special Shoe for Baileys

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010


BAILEYS TAPPED DESIGNER RAFE TOTENGCO TO DESIGN A SHOE INSPIRED BY THEIR DELICIOUS LIQUEUR
The special edition shoe was sold to benefit Clothes Off Our Back.

Designer Rafe Totengco joined the makers of Baileys® Original Irish Cream to celebrate the two things women find most irresistible about a holiday get-together –amazing party shoes and a delicious drink. The Baileys Holiday Shoe Collection of one-of-a-kind Baileys-inspired designs was sold via online auction to benefit Clothes Off Our Back®. The national non-profit organization auctions clothing, jewelry and other items donated by top celebrities to help support many causes around the world, including the fight against hunger.

To support the cause while indulging in a love of fashion, shoe aficionados and their friends ages 21 and older can visit www.clothesoffourback.org to view and bid on one-of-a-kind Baileys-inspired women’s shoes. Rafe joins some of the best designers in the business: Alejandro Ingelmo, Farylrobin, Shree Moni and Vanessa Noel. The auction ran from November 11th to December 2nd, and bidding started at $75, with all money raised going to charity.
Each designer created one pair of shoes inspired by Baileys Original Irish Cream — which means rich, irresistible shoes. “I was inspired by the Baileys Irish Creme Caramel. My strappy high heel platform is crafted in creme patent leather, which emulates the movement of the liquid flowing over ice”, said Rafe Totengco.

“We’re really excited to combine two irresistible temptations — Baileys and shoes — in a way that benefits a great cause during the holidays,” said Dana Yerid, brand director for Baileys. “Whether you’re enjoying it with friends at a holiday party or a small gathering at home, Baileys adds ‘yum’ and delight to the season’s festivities. Slip on a fabulous pair of designer shoes with your favorite party dress, pour a glass of Baileys and you have everything you need for perfectly delicious holiday get-togethers.”

Rafe Loves….Aimee Tran

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Raison d’Etre:  ”..in various degrees of longing, wistfulness, passion & agonizing confusion- the best of mankind’s youth start out in life. It is not even a view for most..but a foggy, groping, undefined sense of raw pain & incommunicable happiness. It is the sense of enormous expectation, the sense that one’s life is important, that great achievements are within one’s capacity, and that great things lie ahead..” -ayn rand

Job: professional hedonist.

Live: “move in waters shore to shore…” (bon iver)
Happiness: “Oh Yeeeeaahhh!” -Kool-Aid guy while bursting thru a wall

Brunch: Dim Sum in HK or Shanghai! Charcuterie set ups with local mongers…. glorious!

Drink: Ciroc vodka -on ice. –freshly squeezed grapefruit juice + Belvedere. tart & bitter Seville oranges.. fresh pressed apple juice… beers brewed by trappist monks in Belgium..

Eat: anywhere there’s love in the food…. pho on the streets of hanoi… hue food spreads in a buddhist temple… raw vegetables from the garden; straight into your mouth… white truffles… fat crispy/ chewy/ greasy NY pizzas.. NY bagels…tennessee BBQ.. canadian maple… perfectly tempered swiss chocolate…. glorious stinky cheeses… oaxacan tamales… tinola & crispy pata in the ‘ppines! singapore chili crabs! MANGOSTEEN!! Cebu mangos.. late summer georgia peaches that juice down your face… California avocados!! -proper artisan bread,- with the delicate crispy crust, shiny/ moist insides with a beautiful irregular crumb.. In-n-Out animal style burgers!

Escape: COUCH TIME! with T.V! & clean blankets & magazines & cocktails!

Read: Fountainhead. Brothers Karamazov. Lonely Planets. Wind up Bird Chronicles. Zen and The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance. Calvin and Hobbes. On Food and Cooking. Smut.! hehehe. MAGS: W. Vogue. New Yorker. Surfer’s Journal. Food Arts.

Listen: Rachmaninoff…Bon Iver…Mason Jennings.. Alkaline Trio… the sound of the cello… any sound that aches my heart..

Movies: Thicker Than Water. September Sessions. delicatessen. 2046. In the Mood for Love. Bleu. Cinema Paradiso. Sin City. Labyrinth. Amelie. Lynch. Battle Royale. Old Boy. Lady Vengeance. Bring It On. Old Disney’s. Babel. The Incredibles. Ninja Scroll. Army of Darkness. Ratatouille. The Sound of Music. Old Kung-Fu movies w/ my dad.

Indulge: everything…

Shop:  RAFE!!!!! ~Craftsmen..Swiss watches.. Italian leather & cashmere.. Thai silk.. Vietnam pearls…(-I dress like a gypsy.) for make -up: Chanel: MAC: NARS.

Fashion or Splurge: Tom Ford. Louboutin. Marc Jacobs. Paul Smith for men.. Austin Scarlett/ Uli Herzner & Christian Siriano from Project Runway! So many more talented people…

Aspire: YOU!

Charity: Worldwide Orphans Foundations & Surfrider Foundation

Dream: I like: when I dream that I’m flying. I DISLIKE: dreams w/ my teeth falling out.

Accessory: Rafe is hotHAUTEhot! -**thanks Mare for bringing Rafe into my restaurants & introducing me to the AMAZING creator of my coveted purses!!!! ***

Rafe Loves…Karmele Sagastasoloa

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Raison d’Etre: To learn and to evolve…

Job: I work in a Shipping Agency

Live: Bilbao, Spain

Happiness: Travelling the world with Santi(my husband), family & friends !

Brunch: La Viña, for the best pan tomate or anywhere I can have jamon iberico….

Drink: Vinos in Bilbao with friends and esp. Apikale near my place is a favorite !!

Eat: My mom’s kitchen and all kinds of pintxos (tapas) in Bilbao & San Sebastian !!!

Escape: L.A. where I always have a great time with the De La Cruz sisters & friends !! Biarritz for my weekend trips with Santi in his motorbike !!

Read: Books; Biographies.

Magazines: I love them all…..especially home decor issues!

Listen: Bossa Nova

Watch: Always enjoy watching romantic comedies….

Indulge: Rakel’s excellent chocolate truffles and palmeras de chocolate of Pasteleria Arrese in Bilbao—the best !!!

Shop: Rafe’s website, Zara, Massimo Dutti, Inarkadia & flea markets everywhere…..

Splurge: Recently had the best Spa experience in the Canary Islands….

Aspire: for her sense of style….Carolina Herrera (the daughter)

Charity: Tapulanga Foundation

Dream: live well, retire young and travel the world !!

Accessory: I love everything Rafe creates !! I seldom wear any other bag. But I have to thank my friend Janice who takes care of my orders…..The totes are my favorite, big and fits everything ! Rafe’s shoes are very comfortable and eye catching too !!!

Amex Loves Rafe

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
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Rafe Loves…Audrey Chiu

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Raison d’Etre: My five sons…

Job: Full time Mom & Rafe’s Hong Kong BFF

Live: Travelling anywhere in the world with my husband!

Happiness: Right here, right now

Brunch: I’m not a brunch person. I’m more a afternoon high tea person and that would be at The Lobby at the Peninsula in Hong Kong.

Drink: Bubbly champagne and most recently, Grey Goose Apple in Halo(because I don’t get bloated and I feel lighter in the morning)

Eat: 59 in Rome. Just off the Piazza del Popolo. Chesa at the Peninsula, Hong Kong

Escape: Firenze, Italy

Read: Lucky, Vogue(America, French & British), Philippine and Hong Kong Tatler

Listen: Lady Gaga, Adele, Karen O

Watch: Cinema Paradiso

Indulge: A really nice vintage Rolex

Shop: Bergdorfs in New York

Fashion: Vintage Valentino, Roy Gonzalez(old world glamour)

Aspire: Stylish eccentrics like Little Edie from Grey Gardens and my paternal grandmother(she would go to church in the 1950s with dyed red hair, red lips and a white dress purposely late..she’s a recluse now and never leaves her room.)

Charity: I support all my mother-in-law’s charities! Amblyopia Children in China, Child Friendly Centre in China, Schools for the Poor, Operation Smile

Dream: I am living it right now.

Accessory: I love Rafe’s designs because I can choose anything from the collection and I can’t possibly ever go wrong. I am always beguiled! You beguile me, Rafe! Yes, I am biased, so sue me! ;-)
I had a serendipitous moment last night…when the bag fell on my head. Then I knew I made the right choice…