DESIGNER SYNERGY

Working with seven other designers is both a privilege and a challenge for me. Each designer has his or her own design approach, taste, and aesthetics. To get them to work together or individually on a thematic collection requires a certain type of skill comparable to that of a politician about to run for the presidential post. The question “How do you get an entire nation to vote for you?” in design lingo might as well be said as “How do you get these designers to work for a Jurassic-inspired collection?” The parallelism is so uncanny. The arms twisting are replaced with the more subtle goading and haggling though….and yes, much like in politics, cash rewards do work.

The first time I took my post as Head for Design and Development, I remembered it to be quite a painful, emotional roller coaster for me. Though it helped that most of my designer-colleagues had worked with me with a previous employer, still, the idea that they now report to me for design approval is quite daunting.

As a designer myself, I really believe in my heart that each designer thinks that their design is the best there is. And because art is highly relative, I must agree to this. What looks good with one might not look good with another. One’s trash is another’s treasure.

It is in this realm of so much relativity that I tread with great care. As Head of Design of a commercial fashion jewelry company, I look at designs not just in terms of creative expression but in consideration of more practical parameters—cost, materials, color relevance for the season, time and the capability to be mass produced --- in short, marketability and viability of the product.

Much like giving birth, each new design creation shows the same promise and potential of a newborn child. Hence, it is quite devastating that a design, one labored for several weeks, land in the “not approve for development” section. The bearer of the news and verdict, I, becomes instantly unpopular. I am just glad that except for dagger-looks and a few episodes of cold war, those were just the extent that the embattled designer had gone through.

Now I understand why it is not surprising at all that a lot of politicians are not keen in pointing out the mistakes and failures of their constituents especially when election time is coming. As the famous Beatle’s song goes, “honesty is such a lonely word”. With my post, I deal with honestly more often that it is for my own good.

Seeing the dwindling number of friends at work due to rejections of designs, I came up with the idea of vetting designs. What we basically do is for the designers to lay out on the table the first piece they make in a collection. They must not name who made the collection. This first piece is then presented to every member of the design team where each one would make his or her comments and suggestions.

Prior to the vetting, certain rules are put into place. Comments must not be personal but must only pertain to the design or the piece presented. Comments must be constructive and must be aimed at improving the product. Price will also be determined at this stage and everyone must assess if the product can be sold based on its price. If the price is too high, we then replace some of the expensive materials or tweak the design a bit to bring down the cost. The mathematics involved in computing the price is simple but to analyze how a design positions itself in the market is not.

I used to dread having to reject or alter someone else’s design. My comments, no matter how well crafted, are always viewed as a personal rejection. With group vetting, however, everyone has the chance to say something including the designer himself or herself. Thus, it becomes a much healthier exercise for the group. It definitely fosters cooperation as there had been times when 2 or 3 designers collaborate on a design. This collaborative work has also determined and made use of what each designer is really good at.

One designer for instance is really good at combining colors. I have observed that even prior to the vetting, the other designers would defer to this designer to assess the palette of the newly developed piece. What used to be me, mine, and myself way of doing things has now become all and everyone’s masterpiece.

Indeed this strategy has worked so well that this is now our standard protocol.

A lot of people has approached and asked me what our secret is for our fashion jewelry line to thrive despite the economic crisis. Well, there’s really no single formula but product design definitely contributes much. I am just so blessed to be part of a team of designers who individually possesses innate outstanding creative talents that when put together produces meaningful, relevant, and world-class designs. To me, that’s the Designer synergy at its best!

Photo Credits: Cave Woman; Wired Ring; Hammered Cuff; Copper Disc Earrings

My Passions…

The past weeks had been a whirl of product presentations for our new line ARTIZANS Organics.

The more I talk about it and explain to people why we launched it, the more I am convinced that indeed we have made the right decision.

And as if we do not have our hands full already, we have taken the next step, to introduce our nutritional line. To me, this comes naturally as the next step.

While we take good care of the outside of our body through our personal care line--- Human Heart Nature, even more important is the need to take care of what is inside our body. After all, there is not much nice skin or hair to maintain if our body is rotting and going haywire from the inside.

There is no question on the merit of the products we are promoting. We believe that we have GOD-sent products which first and foremost are blessings to us personally as users. This small bit of ambivalence though has nothing to do the with the product line, but largely because our fashion jewelry line---still our main business, which continues to flourish despite the odds.

Now in all of these, timing is the key.

You see, while we are doing all these ARTIZANS Organics presentations, I am also in negotiation with a possible distributor who will open several high-end retail outlets in Canada and Europe for our international brand IMPRESSIONE. This lady I am in contact with is quite amazing as she is currently the General Manager of one of the most recognizable American brands of apparel that has about 1,800 stores all over the US alone. While she is very nice and accommodating, I have to keep in mind that she really knows what she is talking about. She is indeed astute and business savvy with quite an energy that I need to match.

One of the tasks I am suppose to do is to come up with at least 45 collections by September for our launching during Eastern Canada’s premier jewelry fair, the JCK Toronto.

Whoa, this is definitely not a walk in the park considering that we are not only going to launch premium but also meaningful, designer-only collections, in other words, haute couture.

While this is definitely a good project to exercise creativity and a rare chance to partner with the industry’s best, in my heart, I feel the tug to get the message out there for ARTIZANS Organics.

At night, when I think about my mom who by the way celebrated her 2nd year of passing last May, or of family and friends who are desperate for something due to an ailing love one, I know that the more people I can share and tell, the more I would feel better. Not that we claim our nutritional line to bring forth miracles and cure terminal diseases (it would be good though if it does, as some documented instances did) but what pains me most is that there is just so much lack of information. There is so much ignorance and deception brought about by the high flying marketing campaigns of the various commercial products that we see nowadays. Deprived of the chance to be heard, healthier alternative products gets pushed back down, shelved and ignored. People do not make informed decisions on the choices they make, healthwise.

Does anyone even know the sugar content in a 8 oz bottle of soft drinks? Do we know that one of the main ingredients of canned goods is sodium nitrate (yes, go ahead look at the label of the can goods in your pantry), also the ingredients used in explosives?

You see, ARTIZANS Organics has become our passion, our own little contribution to the Filipino community and possibly to the world, as our nutritional line is not limited to Philippines alone. ARTIZANS Organics is also our way of telling our children that we love them so much, we want to be responsible and take care of our bodies.

Will there be a time that I would leave fashion jewelry for good and just work full time on ARTIZANS Organics? I don’t think so.

I sleep, eat and breathe with creativity and art, something I get to exercise with fashion jewelry. To do otherwise is to die a little inside.

My barometer in making important decisions though is based on GOD’s handbook itself---the Bible.

In Proverbs 10:22, it says, "the blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it."

Right now, I have no doubt GOD wants us to continue pursuing our fashion jewelry line.

After all, through this business, we continue to be a channel of blessing to more than a 100 full time employees.

I don’t think we would have all the rare opportunities we now have, if the Master’s intention is otherwise.

But as what is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."

Now if you are wondering what our nutritional line is, knowing that there is so much misconception and prejudices about food supplements and alternative products, we would rather give our product a chance to be fully listened to.

We want people to get the facts straight, and for people to have a chance to ask, argue and understand.

If anyone is interested, we are open to individual or group meetings to discuss this in detail.

What we do promise is that at the end of the presentation, anyone can walk away and say “No it’s not for me”. And that’s just fine with us.

We don’t need to launch ARTIZANS Organics. We can opt to just use the products and get the benefits just for ourselves.

We really don’t have to balance our time and resources and talk to people about it, which is not an easy thing to do.

But we choose the other way, in fact, the hard way. We just felt that as we have been blessed, we too should be able to bless others as well.

To do otherwise is to act selfishly and disobediently.

Let me direct you to another article written in the Freeman by a world renowned doctor of Oriental and Western alternative medicine based in San Carlos, California.(Click Here)

There are 3 parameters that ARTIZANS Organics abide when choosing the products that it promotes:

First and foremost is the health benefit of the product.

The product we endorse should be able to stand on its own health merit alone.

The integrity of the product and the company behind it must be intact.

If the product needs glitzy and costly marketing campaigns or it needs arm twisting and convincing, then it is not worth our time and effort.

Second, that it should be affordable or within most people’s budget.

We believe that no matter how good the product is, if we are unable to buy it due to price, it is considered nothing.

Third, as much as possible it should have some type of financial benefit, a possible income generating aspect to it, something we could all use specially at this time.

My passions? Well, it is very obvious isn't it? GOD, Family, Health and Art... exactly in that order.

Right now, the 45 collections of IMPRESSIONE Premium/Haute Couture is looking good. My next articles hopefully detail how this line unfolds.

To know more about ARTIZANS Organics and our nutritional line, contact us at organics@artizans.bz or (032)4223657 or 0922-8021681.

For overseas, we can also schedule for SKYPE conference.

Artizans Organics

Promoting Health
Nurturing Environment
Building the Nation
One Person at a time!

FASHION RECESSION

These past weeks had been very busy for me. I met up with a lot of old friends. Most have come home to Cebu after years of living and working outside the country. Others just visited Cebu for vacation. There was a lot of getting together, catching up on each other’s lives, and trying to reconnect threads of yester years.

I may have overbooked myself that I am now afflicted with a terrible flu. Thank goodness though that it’s not the H1N1 type, just the more common type which one gets whenever we lack sleep and rest. This is quite a price to pay for a fledging social butterfly.

Anyway, after countless get together, I noticed that whenever I meet friends with whom I have not seen for quite a while, there are 3 questions that I can now expect to be asked.

First question-----How are you? Usually this includes my family too.

Second question----How’s business?

And third but not least---How’s the recession affecting fashion?

There are of course variations to these questions, but the theme is pretty much the same.

I also used to give varied answers depending on my state of mind that day, but as this had been asked of me countless times, quite automatically I’ve been noticing myself ready with repeated answers. Answers which are pretty much like the pre-programmed responses on answering machines which I just hope none of my friends have noticed.

So, to spill the beans, here are the million dollar answers to these questions…..

Question number 1: How are you?

My answer to question number one largely depends on the breakfast I ate that day and of which side of the bed I woke up with.

The answer varies from “Okay, I’m doing well” to “I’m doing great”. Because I believe in positive thinking and of self-prophecy (one tends to act out what he or she earlier predicted or declared), I seldom give a negative answer.

There are days though when I really do feel terrible and in such rare instance, I would most likely just say “Okay ra”.

I believe that no matter how we feel or what our state of mind is, we still have a lot of blessings to be thankful for. It is just but right to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

Question number 2: How’s business?

Well, quite emphatically, I would answer that “Business is fine and only because of God’s grace” and that’s the undeniable truth.

Most business people veer away from the discussion of GOD. I once had been interviewed by a famous local business magazine and the writer who later became a very good friend of mine, once told me that she cannot put too much emphasis on GOD’s miracles in our business. As she is writing for a business magazine, she needs to write about clear and tangible business practices which led to our success.

While I know she and the magazine she works for, meant well. I cannot quite discount the fact, that apart from GOD, we really cannot do anything. Our company started really small, a measly sum of P200,000. This amount is really nothing considering that we put up a manufacturing company targeting the mid to high end market. At that time, no bank would grant us a loan as we have nothing to use as collateral.

That was 7 years ago and while the company is not immune to financial strains, to reach this far is a simple miracle. A grace and favor from GOD.

Now on the third question….

Question no. 3: How is the recession affecting fashion?

Well, this is a bit harder to answer.

For one, unlike food, shelter, or clothing, fashion accessories are definitely not on everyone’s priority list. In fact, this is usually at the bottommost.

For a fashion accessory company like ours, to maintain operations and grow sales when most companies are closing, is really a daunting task.

However it is good to keep in mind that while global economy might be depressed, the fashion accessory industry still remains to be a multi-billion business. While some companies and buyers may want to shift businesses at this time, a lot are actually sticking it out. A lot are riding the tide.

Quite amazingly, in our case, a few of our buyers have actually expanded their fashion accessory businesses.

What’s the secret? Well, I believe that the secret is no secret at all. The company who has expanded their business has gotten a good pulse of the business landscape. For fashion jewelry, it’s literally going back to basics. Classic, timeless, elegant, fashion items that doesn’t go out of style and those that offers great value for money are topping the chart.

This is the very same niche that our international brand IMPRESSIONE and local brand ARTIZANS have comfortably settled in for many years now.

I’ve been accused of shamelessly tooting our own horn when promoting our fashion jewelry line and yes, I agree that I do. We do however, walk our talk.

I am just thankful that we made a decision many years back to work on various themes as part of our design philosophy, one which includes the Classics as the biggest and most important among our design themes.

Not only do we develop designs that doesn’t go out of style, but we also make sure that we incorporate materials whose value by itself will certainly increase with the passage of time.

You will find a lot of IMPRESSIONE and ARTIZANS pieces infused with semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls, swarovski crystals and lots more.

ARTIZANS fashion accessory pieces may be had for a reasonable price. An earring for instance, would cost as little as P280 and already using these materials. I think that’s truly value for money!

So, how is the current global economic crisis affecting the fashion industry business?

I really cannot speak for the entire industry, but for the company I work for, it is good.

When most people are struggling to keep ends meet, it’s certainly unwise to invest in disposable fashion items. Classic jewelry pieces made of value added materials is the way to go.

If you are to shop for fashion jewelry as a fashion statement piece, a gift or simply to reward one self, I hope you can consider my 2-cents worth. Shop wisely everyone!

Lead-free, Nickel-free what’s the BIG deal?

There are various selections of fashion jewelry that floods the market today. While this offers us excellent choices that fit all sorts of tastes and budget, there is a hidden danger lurking behind those unassuming treasures that we ought to know about.

With the exception of a handful of knowledgeable and discerning consumers, very few people know the implication of the word nickel-free and lead-free.

What then does nickel-free and lead-free means, and why should the public be concerned about it?

Nickel has been known to be the most common source of skin allergies. The reaction to it could range from a simple appearance of itchy, or blotchy red rashes to a more severe reaction characterized by wheals, pus formation and at some cases causing deformities.
When detected early, this can be easily remedied by removing the nickel-containing article and a dose of an anti-histamine medication but in severe cases, this requires a more intensive medical intervention. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nickel-allergy/DS00826/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs)

Due to this damaging effect, U.S., several other western countries and the whole of Europe has totally banded the presence of nickel in their jewelry.
Unfortunately in Asia and in third world countries, such regulation does not exist or even if it does, this is not seriously monitored and implemented.

While the wearer may not be allergic, there is such case as secondary nickel allergic reaction. This happens when a non-nickel sensitive person gets in contact with a nickel-sensitive person. A simple hand shake could illicit similar response as when the person gets in contact with a nickel-containing item first hand. Unfortunately for the affected person, he or she would most likely not have known where the allergy came from.

In the U.S., ingestion of lead containing jewelry has been one of the leading causes of lead poisoning among children. So much so that the U.S. government has passed on a strict regulation with regards to lead content not just in the fashion jewelry but also among toys, paints and several other household products as well.

Exposure to lead even in slow incremental doses through skin contact could overtime still lead to poisoning.

I have known a wonderful lady who had been in the fashion jewelry business for more more than 15 years now. She is a hands-on designer who strings and assembles the prototypes of her jewelry herself. While doing so, she got into the habit of putting beads into her lip ready to be strung.

Just last year, she has been in and out of the hospital for various medical diagnosis and treatments. She complains of unexplained fatigue, nervousness, tremors, prolonged diarrhea and others, the diagnosis---lead and mercury poisoning.
She has undergone chelation and several other treatments with the hope of flushing the toxins out. But her condition was rather far too advanced when she found out about it.

How are we to know that the jewelry we are buying is lead-free and nickel-free?

1.) Buy from reputable source

In general, branded jewelry from US and Europe has a standing government regulation to ensure that they only sell lead and nickel-free jewelry. The sanctions are quite severe so most companies comply.

From my experience in exporting fashion jewelry to various brands abroad, all the samples and a random selection from the volume produced items, undergoes testing once it reaches the country of destination.

Likewise, most of the big brands, only work with manufacturing companies that has been audited by a reputable, independent auditing body to ensure not only that the jewelry is safe but that it is produced responsibly.

This is probably the reason why authentic brands also cost higher and why we should all be wary of imitations.

Of course this doesn’t mean that we should only buy expensive branded products.
I believe there are a lot of Filipino companies and manufacturers who have taken the moral obligation to have their products tested.

Take for instance the flip flop brand—Havaianas. While this is a non-filipino brand, yet the Filipino distributor took the initiative of voluntarily recalling the Havaianas flip flops for kids as a precautionary measure for possible lead content. I don’t know Ms. Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Terry S.A. the Havaianas Philippines Distributor personally, but I think that it was quite admirable for their company to do what they just did. Putting the safety of the consumer even at the possible loss of profit, is one that other businessmen could learn from.

2.) Read the label

Companies who have undergone and passed nickel and lead testing are confident to put the word—“hypoallergenic” or nickel-free and lead-free into their label.
In the brand “IMPRESSIONE “ and “ARTIZANS” which I personally endorse, we are guaranteed of the items being lead-free and nickel-free.

For the rest of the brands out there, if there are no labels, then ask the sales lady or the company.

In this time and age, communications are relayed in variety of means, choose one that suits you. It might also be worthwhile if one could just make a quick internet research about the company or brand.

3.) If its too good to be true, it probably is

I have a personal confession to make; I am a sucker for cheap bargains. I’d feel good getting the things I want for a fraction of its cost. I’m one of those buyers who’d befriend a salesgirl so that somehow she can call or text me in case my coveted product goes on sale.

Overtime, I have gotten wiser though. Some cheap items actually come with a hidden hefty price tag… your very own health included.

Having known the materials and labor cost involved in producing decent and safe fashion jewelry, getting a pair of earring at P30 for me is rather questionable.

My suggestion is, if the price is too cheap; get a quick inventory of what makes the item cheap.

For instance, if the materials are made of shells or wood or other locally produced components, and there aren’t too many big pieces of metals on it, then perhaps getting the item for a little less than P100 is okay. If a metallic chain necklace cost less than a hundred, I serious doubt if its nickel or lead-free.

4.) Do a personal testing

Your local ACE or TRUE-Value hardware store might carry a local nickel-testing kit that allows one to do their own nickel-testing. Just ask for Nickel-testing kit and the salesperson should be able to locate this for you if they have it on stock.

Of course I am only talking about fashion jewelry here. There are still many other products we use everyday that we should take the time to check. Reading the labels and ingredients for instance, should be a habit, we all should develop.

(photo credit: http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk)

Silver Linings

When America sneezes the rest of the world catches the cold. We have heard this said often enough. But the recent global economic crisis left a lot of proof of this old adage lying around. A lot of Filipinos are definitely experiencing the full blown flu with companies closing left and right leaving several thousands even millions of people jobless. There is a palpable feeling of gloom and doom among the working sector. 

Yet to every dark cloud, there is always a silver lining waiting to be discovered. Filipinos as we are, we are known for our tenacity and resilience. We are the Juans or Juanas who chooses to sell ice candies and halo halo during the El Ninos and Kape at Tsokolates during the El Nina’s. We know how to laugh even during our hardest fall. Our history books have a lot to tell about this, from the World War II, to the Asian economic Crises, to the 20 year regime of a dictator. For those who lived through these decades, they are not only survivors but winners in their own rights. 

Indeed, we do not allow momentary difficulties to hinder us from achieving our goals. We have the innate indomitable fighting spirits in all of us. We have proofs of Filipinos excelling in their chosen field given the right opportunities, such as the likes of Filipino achievers –Lea Salonga conquering the broadway scene, Fashion byword—Monique Lhuillier, Furniture-maker Kenneth Cobonpue or the GenSan hero Manny Pacquaio. 

For some of us who may have the fair share of difficulties brought about by this recent economic crisis, we need not look very far though. We can look deep into ourselves and ask, ‘what can I do today that would change my situation?”

The answer could be as simple as changing one’s lifestyle, simple budgeting or getting an alternative or added source of income. Whatever it is, the important thing is that we do not succumb to fear and allow uncertainties take a hold on us to decide our future.

There will always be a silver lining waiting to be discovered. And as the Source of all wisdom says: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)

This fundamental truth will certainly never go out of style.