Pinoy bag designer in New York brings products to country

What do Eva Longoria, Jessica Alba and Sandra Oh of Grey’s Anatomy have in common? The answer: all of them are regular celebrity clients of Rafe Totengco, a famous Filipino bag designer in New York City. But the good news is, Totengco’s handbag designs can now be enjoyed by his fellow Filipinos. Totengco opened his first branch in the country, the Rafe store in Greenbelt, Makati.

Totengco, who hailed from Bacolod, launched his handbag brand in New York City in the mid-’90s. In 1999 he was a finalist in the Accessories Designer of the Year category of the CFDA Awards. He received the TOYM award from the Philippine Jaycees in 2002.

His shop in New York City features unique designs with even the smallest details given special attention. No wonder why his products are the talk of the town.

Totengco’s bags are also available in classy boutiques and department stores in the US and in several Asian countries.