rafe new york

Founded in 1997 by Filipino-born designer Rafe Totengco, Rafe New York is an accessories brand built on the creative tension between Manila’s natural textures and Manhattan’s architectural forms. Totengco, who moved to New York to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology, translates his bicultural experience into collectible handbags, particularly his signature minaudières. These artful clutches are handcrafted in the Philippines and India, often requiring more than 70 hours of labor to create. The designs merge traditional techniques like abaca weaving, shell inlay, and hand-embroidery with modern, geometric silhouettes inspired by Art Deco and urban life.

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