Eterno

For over 16 years, Raul Francisco has been one of the exciting Manila-based style mavens with tasteful and head-turning fashion pieces.

Raul and his wife Joanna Preysler have been the team behind popular stores such as Carbon, Tint and (the eponymous) Joanna Preysler. This year, Raul has opened Eterno, a store that is sure to attract men who value quality luxury items. The Eterno line of men’s bags and fashion accessories are made using exotic animal skins that reflect Raul’s fashion philosophy as well as his vision of where he believes men’s style is headed towards.

Raul recounts, “We always planned to open a men’s version of the Joanna Preysler boutique.  It was always part of our roll-out plan, and was just a matter of time before Eterno would come into fruition. We gained confidence as we noticed an increasing number of men coming in to the JP Boutique — young men,  boyfriends and husbands accompanying their girlfriends and wives, and fashion-forward gentlemen — all kinds of men that had these in common: an appreciation for style, quality, understated and discreet luxury, and a love for exquisite craftsmanship. We wanted to create an environment for this man, and provide a range of products that would cater to his many needs: from iPhone and iPad cases to utility pouches, from portfolios and vertical messenger bags and totes to large duffels, from rock crystal desktop accessories to picture frames — and so much more. We realized that men deserve their own environment, their own extensive collection to select from.”

Raul’s wife Joanna adds, “As of now, Eterno is the only boutique that offers an extensive range of products in exotic skins and premium leathers for men. We create products that we believe in, that we ourselves would use and love — we actively interact with all our customers and listen to what they have to say. Our customer-centric approach and our presence are what differentiate us — the product range is what sets us apart.”

Eterno’s wide selection of products has the distinction of being both classic and trendy. Yes the chocolate brown crocodile messenger bag evokes an almost  traditional feel, but the dimensions are welcomingly larger than most, allowing for more storage. The calfskin satchel has a classic shape but the friendly, laid-back tangerine brown shade allows the user the option of taking it on more casual events without diminishing its style factor.

“The Eterno client has been the modern man, as well as the man or woman that shops for him. We have attracted a large foreign customer base, people that come in and are pleasantly surprised by what we have to offer vis-à-vis what these products would cost in their own country. We have also attracted architects, designers, artists and fashion-forward individuals who appreciate our aesthetic and materials, who shy away from overly branded or flashy things. The men who come in have gone through their “label” phase in their younger years, and are now looking for the more bespoke feel that Eterno provides,” Raul says.

Raul adds that men are more confident and adventurous nowadays. Gone are the stodgy portfolios and briefcases of the past. He notes that men are more willing  to try new things, and that dictates where the fashion is headed.

“Most fashion houses are targeting a younger, more upscale profile, which directly influences design for clothing and accessories. As a result of this trend, we are exploring different shapes and finishes, a wide range of materials, to address the needs of the modern man. As seen in mature markets like Tokyo, Paris, New York, or any other major city, you will see men carrying more fashionable totes.  Men like to carry their gadgets: computers, phones, books and what have you — why not carry these in style? Fashion does not end with the clothes you wear, it also extends to the bag or portfolio you carry to complement or enhance your look,” Raul says.

 When he travels to Japan and Europe, Raul says he is well aware of men’s fashion accessory merchandise (their quality and costs). “This is the reason why I am proud of Eterno. We offer excellently crafted, quality products at an extremely competitive price.”

When asked about his take on the buying habits of Filipino consumer with regards to luxury brands, Raul sees that the Pinoy buyer is slowly exploring more variations to classic styles. He knows that his customers expect value for money and are very aware of the changes in men’s fashion. Raul has read the map long ago and he is charting out the rest of  Eterno’s journey with confidence.

(Eterno is located at the G/F, Greenbelt 3, Makati City.

Tel. Nos. 955-7103 or +63-917-8147151.)

Photography by JOANNE ZAPANTA-ANDRADA