Tina Maristela-Ocampo: Philippine Fashion Ambassador
If you have recently watched episodes of the famous TV show Lipstick Jungle, you may have spotted actress Victory Ford holding a handwoven minaudiere clutch and co-star Wendy Healy sporting an Ikat clutch both by the now internationally famous brand Celestina. The creator of Celestina, as all of us already know, is none other than Tina Maristela-Ocampo. Lately, Tina has more than business in her mind. Conversations with this model-turned-fashion accessory creator has lately been about getting the Philippines noticed on the world’s fashion map.
Tina shares, “Part of Celestina’s promotional concept is to be able to present a clear idea of how an international luxury brand is created with the use of indigenous materials from the Philippines. We believe that local artisans should be part of the design process so that the brand can speak of its culture, traditions and beliefs. Celestina so far has incorporated the handwoven fabrics from the north in its capelets and the linings of our crocodile handbags. We’ve also engaged local artisans to weave sterling silver for my minaudieres. We collaborate with Bulacan jewelry makers to produce the designs we come up every season for its fine jewelry capsule collections. We deal with a lot of exporters from Cebu to lay various shells and other indigenous materials into our moulds.”
As much as possible, Tina and her team source their materials from all around the Philippines and let local manufacturers produce all their line categories. This way, they are able to create products that bear the soul of our land and its people. “With this as well,” Tina continues, “I am able to fulfill my mission of helping our people be more productive, earn money, learn new skills and more importantly revive a dying art. I work with old men and women (in their sixties and some in their seventies) — very creative people who are masters of their art but their hands are tired. Their eyes are slowly failing them. Their wish is that they could pass on their craft to their children and their grandchildren. Their wish has become my driving force.”
Tina brings out a brochure containing photographs of her latest collection. The pages are filled with powerful images of women wearing the Filipino-Spanish tambourine, young ladies adorned with necklaces of corals and shells. There are clutches molded from silver and sashes of blended wood and tassles.
“Our country has so much to offer the world,” Tina continues. “I firmly believe that artistically, we stand head and shoulders among the best. As far as natural resources are concerned, we are at a clear advantage. All we need is to be focused enough to marry resources, skill and creativity with marketing and simple business sense. Every Celestina item has a tag that proclaims its origins as being from the Philippines. I am proud of our country and proud of being a Filipina. Celestina is my way of making the world pay attention to our brilliance as a people. And I do believe the world is listening!”
