Rafe Company History.

RAFE TOTENGCO
In 1989, Rafe left a successful business he started in Manila to pursue his dream of a career in fashion design. He moved to New York, enrolled in FIT, and supported himself as a design assistant.

In 1994, he produced his first accessories ­ belts and watchbands ­ for a SoHo boutique: they sold out instantly. When the shop asked him if he had bags to go with the items, he enthusiastically said 'yes'...even if he didn't have a single bag to show for it. One year later, the first collection of Rafe New York handbags debuted at Bergdorf Goodman.

Since then, Rafe has become one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of New York designers. He's been recognized in his field with numerous honors, including

• Finalist, CFDA
  Perry Ellis Accessory Designer Award, 1999
• Rising Star Award,
  Fashion Group International, 2000
• Best Accessories Designer
  Accessories Council, 2001

His company now includes a freestanding store in New York, three in-store shops in Japan, and distribution at department stores and boutiques throughout the U.S.

About his unusual name: Rafe is short for Ramon Felix.

NEW YORK, NY, May 2005 ­ Throwaway chic. That’s what designer Rafe Totengco calls his Fall 2005 luxury handbag collection which makes its official launch at select high-end retailers nationwide this August, after a successful introduction exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman in New York this past spring. The first full line of ten eye-catching styles is fashioned with exotic reptile skins, plush furs and fine leathers, each hand-crafted in a workshop on the outskirts of Florence.

Inspired by free spirits such as Sienna Miller and Amber Valetta, the collection is luxurious yet relaxed and effortless. Each bag boasts unexpected combinations such as lacquered python fashioned into a nonchalant slouchy hobo or wild Tejus lizard worked into a structured minaudiere. Other rich creations include hand-painted diamond python, metallic-foil finish python, cheetah-print kid fur and super-soft vacchetta Italian leathers.

“The Rafe Totengco woman has a taste for luxury but is discreet,” says Tesa Totengco, sales director of Rafe Studio Ltd. “The bags don’t have obvious logos yet they are distinctive.”

“You’re not going to see these on everyone,” asserts Rafe Totengco. “These bags separate you from the ladies who lunch with their Birkin and Cambon bags. There is luxurious skin and detailing, yet unlike other labels, they have a sort of insouciance and anonymity about them. You can just throw one on and not worry about it. That’s chic.”

In 1995 designer Rafe Totengco introduced his first line of handbags using top grade leathers, original fabrics and bright prints along with unique styling and fierce attention to detail in order to go beyond the basic black bag. Described as “classic with an edge,” the Rafe New York collection includes women’s handbags, shoes and men’s accessories.