Pride & luxury

Jewelry, through time, has become part of Philippine tradition, art and culture.

During the pre-colonial period, our ancestors were bedecked in pearls and gold.

Today, the industry boasts of countless brands and labels each with its own mark of distinction. As seasons pass, new brands rise to the occasion and create a cult following or niche in the market and are proclaimed as the new guards. Today, the current name to drop in the world of Philippine jewelry is Joanique.

Four years ago, Malou Araneta-Romero (who once appeared in a Close-Up commercial with Derek Ramsay), the genius behind the brand, realized she could create beautiful things close to her heart — jewelry.

Joanique (the name comes from her kids Joaquin and Monique) is a spectacular spectrum of colors with a wide range of semi-precious stones set in silver and gold vermeil (gold combined with silver). Far from the simple and ordinary, Joanique’s design takes inspiration from architecture, geometry, science, history and art. Unbound  by seasonal trends, the soon-to-be-cult-status brand has a visionary approach in creating bold statements and defining a niche of its own.

Intricate and masterfully crafted, its creations are made by Filipino artisans. Its distinctive and alluring display of artistry defines the brand’s style that echoes competent global standards. The brilliance and craftsmanship put into each unique masterpiece are testament to the world-class Filipino talent.

Soaring to greater heights in the global scene is Joanique’s captivating piece-de-resistance called the Akira necklace (named after the grand master of Japanese origami Akira Yoshigama) from the  “Origami” Summer 2013 collection. This particular collection was recently featured in French Vogue’s online edition. The brand is currently making a strong presence in renowned international exhibitions such as Premiere Classe, Who’s Next and Bijorhca Éclat de Mode in Paris, which are considered top of the list by fashion industry insiders, suppliers and traders from all over the world.

In London, Joanique’s pieces are displayed in the prestigious Wolf & Badger (an award-winning concept store showcasing the best design talent across all disciplines popularly known as the British version of Colette in Paris) on Dover Street. In the near future, the brand is set to brave the competitive landscape of international fashion.

In a cutthroat world where a multitude of designer and iconic labels thrive, this emerging name is ready to face the realities. Unfazed by the blinding lights, Joanique is optimistic in making a mark globally. The brand, armed with determination, passion and love, is dedicated to putting soul behind its outstanding objects of art that are truly proud to be made in the Philippines.

Fashion photography by Mau Aguasin • Styling by Luis Espiritu, Jr. • Makeup by Ria Aquino • Model: Petra of Mercator • Joanique showroom: 458 Adalla St., Palm Village, Makati City (tel.: 952-2485, e-mail at info@joanique.com, www.joanique.com)