Celestina’s image is pegged on the romance of Philippine natural resources and traditional craftsmanship.

Celestina Cracked Mirror Clutch

Ocampo uses indigenous materials like shell, mother of pearl, wood, and animal skin for her bags, accented with metals, crystals and jewelry. They’re crafted mostly in the Philippines. They’re named after trailblazing Filipino women: Nora Aunor, for instance, is a yellow mother of pearl piece with malachite clasps, while Nena Saguil is a beige Paua shell bag with moonblue shagreen trim.

Celestina Red Abalone Shell Clutch

The metals and metal framework are done in Baguio. Bags of burlwood, mahogany and ebony are made in Pampanga and Cebu. The shells and shagreen are culled from the South. The crystals, amethyst, tiger’s eye and exotic stones that adorn the purses are sourced in Laos. The fine jewelry is produced in Bulacan. The crocodile leather bags are assembled in Singapore, where the leather is sourced. Weavers from Laos and Cambodia also produce silk for Celestina’s capelets. Plans are afoot to work with an Italian manufacturer to produce shagreen window shades.

The latest Financial Times fashion special is also plugging Celestina bags—“beautiful mother-of-pearl box clutches are exquisitely designed and will hold their appeal for years to come,” it gushes. Vogue declared the Celestina bags are the next “It Bag” in its summer issue. In that issue, designer Tina Maristela-Ocampo’s Celestina minaudières (pronounced mee-nod-yers, literally “coquettish airs,” applied to small cosmetics cases) are featured in The Last Look page—considered the final say on “the next big thing.”

Celestina Sterling Silver Croc Minaudiere

Celestina Woven Brass Clutch

Celestina Handwoven Brass Minaudiere

Source: Inquirer 1, Inquirer 2, Pics