Flora Magica!

Cebu-based jewelry designer Liane Aboitiz Peña has always maintained a love affair with accessories design.

Growing up in the south, she would make frequent visits to the island of Camiguin where she would spend hours digging for clams and bonding with her cousins. This exposure to nature may have very well played a key role in her choices of product materials.

“I wanted to create accessories that would reflect my love for the beach and island life yet still be comfortable to wear every day. Studying Graphic Design in college gave me an appreciation for art and design. Having that background made the process easier for me in terms of bringing to life the look I envision in my head and to be able to supply that information to my manufacturer,” Liane said.

On her love for naturally sourced materials, she shared, “Growing up in the Philippines, where culture is so vibrant and influenced by the natural world around us, inspired me to create pieces that reflect that ideology. I love using natural materials that can be found locally like Mother of Pearl and seashells. I take more traditional designs like hoop earrings but combine them with unexpected materials to create pieces that are unique yet easy to wear.”

She describes her clients as women who are not afraid to wear a pop of color and appreciate the beauty found in nature. Liane points out that her designs are versatile and can be worn by any age group.

When asked to share her accessorizing tips, Liane said, “I find that most of my pieces can be worn with a variety of outfits, whether you are at the beach or going out to dinner. The Bali hoops are one design that I see on many clients of all ages. They are hoops made of carved Mother of Pearl, which is classic yet special. I wear them with everything. I have worn them dressed down with T-shirt and jeans or to a more formal occasion! They look so great against that sun-kissed and tanned skin! It is so special to see clients wearing my designs!”

Since most of Liane’s pieces are gold plated, she suggests to store them in felt or suede-lined pouches. If one intends to wear the pieces at the beach or get them wet (although she does not recommend swimming with them), it is best to wipe them with a soft microfiber cloth to remove any residue.

“Gold- and silver-plated metals will eventually experience natural tarnishing over time. Perfume, sweat, oil and moisture can also speed up the tarnishing process, so taking care of them after every use is important.”

Elegance in simplicity is clearly the characteristics that define Flora Magica. Like Liane Aboitiz Peña, the brand exudes effortless refinement and a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. *

(For more information, visit www.shopfloramagica.com.)