One fine jewel

DESIGNER WATCH: Melissa Clemente

MANILA, Philippines - Everyone has a creative side. It can be expressed in a form of song or dance. For Filipino-Canadian Melissa Clemente, she expresses her creativity through designing jewelry.

In an e-mail interview, Clemente shares her inspiration as an artist, her stint in Canadian fashion and her dream to accessorize Bjork.

A creative family

Clemente was born and raised in Ontario, Canada to Filipino parents who are involved in the performing arts. She described the community she grew up with as “a very tight Filipino community.” 

“Ever since I could remember, we were members of a cultural artistic performance group. We danced and traveled to various cities, watching other Filipino folk dance troupes. It was really important for us to see how different groups interpreted traditional dancing. Even today, my family is heavily involved with the Fiesta Filipina Dance troupe of Canada as dancers and musicians,” she says.

Clemente says that her foray into jewelry designing started as a hobby. “I had always had an interest in fashion and aesthetics, art, music and people. Accessories became a focus for me because I found that accessorizing changed the way clothes could be worn. After some time, I was able to build a large client base and realized that I could make this into business.”

Going full blast

Clemente knows that there are challenges one must go through when one is starting up — from the finances to competition, manufacturing and even distribution. But what makes Clemente’s designs different is that the accessories are inspired by Filipino culture.

“(The) materials we are working with are being imported from outside the country and most importantly, the design aesthetic of the company is largely influenced by Filipino folk dance costume. This is something that we never have to compete with.”

“In the beginning, we weren’t looking for mass production of simple and marketable dainty jewelry. We were creating art pieces that made statement and also told stories,” Clemente adds.

She says that her materials are diverse — from semiprecious stones, pearls and corals and even wood. Her latest line called “Anihan” makes use of materials such as natural wood and pearls.

“We tried to keep the materials very specific to what the line is trying to say. We had a lot of amazing feedback about this line mainly because of the materials used,” she says.

Her work has been showcased in several fashion blogs and was featured in one of Canada’s well-known fashion magazines, Flare. She also participated in the Ottawa and Toronto Fashion Week last year.

“The Canadian fashion scene is tricky. Although I feel that tastes are becoming more bold, it is still a conservative scene. This also affects the price points of our products. I do think that it’s getting better but at the same time, I feel that a lot of clients are safe and simple. People say they love what we are doing and that no one else does it. At the same time, they don’t feel they can pull off some of the pieces,” she says.

 Aside from her artistic community, Clemente credits the Toronto Fashion Incubator in coming up with her designs. She cites Dior, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier as her favorite designers saying she would love to work with any of them.

She also mentions that Canadian singer and songwriter Esthero wore one of her designs. When asked who she would love to accessorize, she cites Bjork saying she would “love to make a really crazy piece” for the Icelandic singer.

Future plans

Clemente says it has been a while since she has visited the Philippines. She, however, hopes to move into a mass production line and manufacture it in the country. She would also love if her creations would be made available here and coordinate an outreach program where her company can work with a small community.

“I am looking to sell in the Philippines in small boutiques or shops. I would love to do a photo shoot sometime or work with the people,” she adds.

She also hopes to team up with a Filipino fashion house and do a line together. “That would be a better way to expand. In these economic times, sticking together and forming collectives is the way to go. Diversifying our products and being able to cater to a broader market is the direction I plan to take the company.”

And for aspiring Filipino jewelry designers, here’s Clemente’s advice: “Take your time and plan it out. There are lots of business grants and arts council grants available for exhibition, travel study and other artists in the community willing to help. It’s not an easy road and there are learning curves, but you really have to be dedicated. You really have to want it.”

From being inspired by Filipino folk dances and mountain tribes to showcasing her jewelry line, Melissa Clemente has displayed Filipino creativity at its finest. She is not just a Filipino accessory designer proud of her roots; she is also one fine jewel.