Curated by Rafe Totengco

United States

Rafe Totengco, Designer, Rafe New York
& Creative Director for Handbags, the Jones Group

In 1997 Rafe Totengco designed and launched his namesake handbag collection, Rafe New York®. With a captivating balance of style and function, the Rafe New York brand blends uptown sophistication with a downtown edge to create handbags that loyal fans say never go out of style. It is this timeless quality that has resulted in Rafe New York becoming one of the most preeminent designer brands of our time.

Rafe’s design philosophy is rooted in his personal experience, designing accessories in the sprit of New York City; a melting pot of European, American and Asian cultures. Rafe New York stands for timeless silhouettes with handcrafted influences, beautiful materials and an uncompromising attention to functionality while remaining accessible for every woman. A Rafe accessory has a great way of adding an exclamation point to complete any fashion statement.

In 2010 Rafe Totengco was appointed by The Jones Group Inc. to the newly created position of Creative Director for Handbags, to work with others across the company to create a compelling product vision for Jones' handbag brands. His responsibilities include creating products for the retail, wholesale and international divisions.

Since 1998 Rafe Totengco has been a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). AWARDS AND HONORS 1996 The "Fresh Faces in Fashion" award from Gen Art 1997 Honored with the "Ten Best" award by ENK International judging panel 1999 Finalist, Perry Ellis Accessory Design Award, CFDA Gala 2000 The "Rising Star" award from Fashion Group International (FGI) 2001 "Best Accessories Designer" (ACE award) from the Accessories Council 2002 "Ten Outstanding Young Men" (TOYM) trophy from the Philippine Jaycees, awarded personally by the President of the Philippines (the first time since inception in the 1950’s that this honor was granted to a Fashion Designer) 2005 " Achievement Award for Entrepreneurship" from Filipinas Magazine 2007 "Asian Entrepreneur of the Year" (AEY) award from Asian Enterprise Magazine 2008 Voted one of "50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business" by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABD) 2010 Received the "Panama ng Filipino" Individuals Overseas for bringing his home country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in his profession in international fashion design.

http://www.rafe.com