A diamond in every bag

Diamonds are a purse’s best friend.

At least according to jewelry designer Janina Dizon-Hoschka who recently debuted her line of clutches in exotic skins embellished with a discreet diamond.

“As a jeweler,” Janina explains, “I wanted to incorporate a girl’s best friends — diamonds and handbags — into one.” The results: color-blocked stingray clutches designed to fit a girl’s essentials for a night out — camera, mobile phone, lipstick and cash.

Christened Tatjana, the line was named after her daughter. “She continually inspires me with her bubbly personality,” she says.

The colorful collection of clutches come equipped with a discreet diamond, which Janina tucks into the flap, so the women wearing their purses will know they’re carrying something precious.

“The first collection will be limited to only 30 pieces of varying bright, playful, happy colors like grass green, lemon yellow, ruby red and sapphire blues,” she adds. “Clients will also have the option to order and choose their own combination of colors and diamond placement. Bespoke orders will take three months to produce.”

YStyle sat down with the jewelry-turned-bag designer to talk diamonds and outrageous bags.

YStyle: Is bagmaker a natural progression from jeweler?

JANINA DIZON-HOSCHKA: I would say it’s a natural progression for me since I love jewelry and bags. Before I had my store, about eight years ago, I created bags that were sold at Firma. They were very heavily embellished with precious beads and actually sold very well. This time around I wanted very clean lines.  

Putting diamonds on expensive bags is something for the obscenely rich, I think. I remember Hermes had a diamond-studded Birkin up for sale when the store launched. What’s your price range?

(Laughs) I am nowhere near the price range of a diamond-studded Birkin! The diamond is the size of a three-pointer so while it is luxurious, it is still very discreet. You even have the option of placing it inside the flap, which I prefer. I guess I want to make sure that people know that there is a jeweler behind the design of the bag.

Do you think there’s a market for this?

There will always be a market for all things unique and precious.

What’s the  carat of the diamond?

It is a three-pointer brilliant cut diamond; in carat weight it is 0.03 carats set in sterling silver.

How did this project come to fruition? 

I constantly think of ways for my collection to evolve and to set new trends in the market.  Last January, I thought to myself, what is the next step for my shagreen line?  The thought of making bespoke handbags popped in my head. Four months later, it is here. 

Most people remember you for your shagreen cuffs from your Transformer collection. Would you consider this material your signature? It’s very au courant right now.

I am very happy to have been one of the first to have started the trend for I see it out and about in the market now.  I love shagreen for its ability to absorb saturated colors, the sheen of the skin that gives it a sparkling effect.  I also love its durability.

The line is named after your daughter, Tatjana. Did she have any input on the colors or the pieces?

Inspiration is never far behind when I hang around my kids.  My precocious daughter constantly asks me what my favorite colors are and to guess hers. This must have sunk into my psyche for all the colors I chose for the first edition are the colors she likes most. 

Take us through your design process. Do you approach it the same way you do your jewelry?

First three questions that pop in my head are: 

1.  Have I seen anything similar in the market? 

2. How do I make it different, more me?  

3. Would I want to buy it for myself?

That’s pretty much the driving force behind all I create. 

You call it a bespoke line. Does this mean no two clutches are ever the same? 

There is a myriad of ways in combining the colors down to the lining of the bag. The leathers can range from shagreen to alligator, python, sea snake or lamb skin. No clutch has to be the same.

 Your clientele is pretty upscale. What are the most out-of-this-world (or crazy) requests you’ve received from clients? Do you expect clients to start ordering four-carat diamond purses?

As a matter of fact, I just received a request to add bigger or more diamonds in the clutch.  I turned it down. I find that proportion and editing is key.

Is there another purse out there you’re dying to purchase?

I would love to have the ultimate Holy Grail of Bags, the Himalayan Crocodile Birkin. I hope the Universe hears my wish.

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Visit www.janinadizon.com or email janina@janinadizon.com for more info. Janina for Jul Dizon is located at the Mezzanine of the Peninsula Manila Hotel (tel. 845-0140).