Namì, gid

MANILA, Philippines - Timeless, chic and sophisticated everyday jewelry that you can wear without breaking the bank— this is what the newest bijou brand Namì is all about. Founded by Bacolod-raised gals Ina Tirthdas and Cath Sobrevega, Namì is a thoughtful collaboration of aesthetics, a mix of statement and minimal that exercises restraint — elegant yet lived-in. Handmade from sterling silver, the jewelry is proudly locally made. It includes earrings, rings, cuffs, bangles, necklaces and toe rings: all tarnish-resistant, nickel-free and hypoallergenic — Nami prides itself on creating pieces that are meant to last a lifetime. YStyle talks shop with the girls of Namì on their debut collection.

YSTLE: How long have you two known each other?

We’ve known each other since second grade, but became good friends starting the fifth grade. We literally grew up together, went to the same school and would always be the last ones to get fetched. Right after high school we moved to Manila for college and became roommates. We’re like sisters, always honest — we are very different but we get each other.

When — and how — did the idea of creating a jewelry line come about?

The process of building Namì was very organic. The idea of wanting to build a jewelry line started early this year, it came when we ourselves were searching for our own jewelry as well — and noticed there was nothing in the market that a) we could afford, and b) was wearable every day with character/attitude. And then one day we decided to finally do something about it! The hardest part was finding the perfect jewelry makers for the brand, but once we found one, everything rolled out pretty easily.

Why the name Namì?

Ah, the name! We had a list but nothing seemed to fit. We just knew we wanted it to be personal. Namì is “nice” in Ilonggo. We usually speak to each other in our native language and we use the word a lot but never really notice it. It is to fill in sentences, break awkward silences or refer to something that makes us feel good. The moment we thought of it, we knew it was perfect.

Who are the jewelry designers that you look up to?

We love Elsa Perreti. We love how she introduced new shapes via Tiffany’s in the ‘70s. We can relate to her designs: organic, sensual and wearable. She’s also so chic; we adore her style! Then there’s also David Yurman, Robert Lee Morris, and Dior, of course. Today, we also like Charlotte Chesnais and Gaia Repossi for their young, cool vibe.

What’s the division of work between the two of you?

It’s a collaboration between us two. We take each piece into careful consideration, test them ourselves and see how it is worn, how it feels, how it fits into different aesthetics. It is easy working with your best friend because you like the same things. We pick materials together, which paper to use for packaging, etc. Except for branding — design and website development is mostly Ina. While Cath is good with merchandising, she studies our quantities, pricing, etc.

Both of you came from Bacolod. Are there any inspirations from your hometown that helped you in creating Namì? 

Yes, a lot of it, actually. It’s a big factor in the first collection — who we are and where we came from. Bacolod is this charming town in Negros, laid-back but full of life — we used to be in flip-flops and shorts all the time and would often go to the nearby beaches. But we also love dressing up and that’s what Namì is all about — making the jewelry your own and somehow make it live with you. Designs are wearable every day, made with great quality so they don’t tarnish even when you do not remove them.

What are the influences for your first collection?

Our love for jewelry began earlier, memories of admiring our mother’s and grandmother’s jewelry. We have always loved how pieces could tell stories without words. The brand draws inspiration from the familiar, some by our personal jewelry — pieces that mark certain memories. It’s the same with most of the women in our lives, their jewelry tells a story. We want to make that accessible. 

Tell us about the first collection?

It’s wearable jewelry for everyday use. Each piece was very much thought out. It’s personal so we would ask ourselves: is this something we would wear? We exercised a lot of restraint for this one, so it’s really a push and pull of statement and minimal. It is subtle, elegant yet lived-in.

Who do you see wearing Namì?

Some who enjoys life and knows exactly what she wants. She is independent and confident but does not have to be the center of attention. She appreciates tradition yet is not afraid to try new things. She likes things classic but also does not mind making a statement once in a while.

What’s in store for Namì in the next few months?

Probably a men’s line (although some of our pieces are gender-neutral). We’re just going with the flow but definitely not exclusively jewelry. We’d really love to do a home line in the future!

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Namì is available at www.nami.ph and @nami.online on Instagram.