The Magic of Charriol

Through a white-lit tunnel, the chosen invitees–Charriol international agents and media folk from all over Asia and business and society’s hottest-shots–entered a world of magic that evening half a full moon ago, dahlings, when the luxury empire held the Asian launch of its debut line of handbags. The Shangri-la’s Rizal ballroom lobby wore white, and the interior draped in white satin.

The night was a collaboration of the socially savvy instincts of the powerful mother and son tandem of Store Specialists, Philippine licensee of Charriol, Nedy Tantoco and Anton Huang, plus the joie de vivre of the impossibly suave Monsieur Philippe Charriol and his designer-daughter Coralie, with chic wife/mom Annick to support.

It was a magical welcome for the premiere handbag collection of the Charriol heiress, a FIRST! for the legendary house, famous for its watches and jewelry. While still at a tres young age, Coralie was already sketching bags. Her father saw them and offered to manufacture. "I guess I was very lucky because I was the only girl in our design class who got her sketches manufactured and now sold in stores," she said.

At the venerable age of 81, Amb. Bienvenido Tantoco still has that twinkle in his eye and shows no signs of letting up on his fast-paced life, just jetting in from Morocco and soon off again to LA and then to Finland. Another pleasant surprise was the guests of honor, First Brother Arthur Macapagal and his charming wife Mariter, a rare social sighting of this low-key couple. The rest of the guest list was as classy and sturdy as the new Charriol bags, dahlings.

Check out the gorgeous collection, palanggas; they’re great for you women of style.

Remember, palanggas, "Give your all to the Lord, as He gave His all for you." Smile. See