To ‘leather’ the storm
In a world of mundane expectations, one would not think that a married couple, the husband, an ophthalmologist, and the wife, an interior designer, would end up championing the cause of quality Filipino leather goods. And yet, what started as a hobby and passion for Rommel and Rose Ann Bautista close to 23 years ago, has blossomed into FINO Leatherware — a leading manufacturer, exporter and retailer of luxury, handcrafted, leather luggage and personal accessories. Aiming back then to fill the niche between inferior locally produced, cheap leather goods on one hand, and the stiffly priced, foreign-branded luxury bags on the other hand, these budding entrepreneurs set up FINO; and countless consumers and regular clients over the years can be thankful that the couple never wavered in realizing their dream business.
For its 2015 collections, one of FINO’s highlights is the Artisanal Braids capsule collection. Inspired by Filipino weaponry — how in centuries past knives and spears would have been wrapped, the Artisanal Braids collection showcases Filipino craftsmanship in various subtle ways. As accents for the bags and accessories, the handles and sides of the leather goods are either braided, wrapped or stitched in a unique manner to give the leather additional texture and a novel design component. When combined with the embossed leather or the crinkled leather, these artisanal touches create a new dimension to the look and feel of the bags. Collaborating on the design of some of their collections this year is none other than friend, and my fellow Allure columnist, Luis Espiritu. Here then is still another facet of the design and styling talent of Luis. By March 2015, the new lines will be available at the 10 FINO mall stores that dot the Manila landscape. Stores that have earned the trust and respect of their clientele — with an impressive after-sales service that offer to repair and retouch purchases — are proof positive of the kind of commitment the couple have made to keep the name of FINO above the fray.
With ASEAN integration looming later in the year, it really is time to take stock of how particular Filipino enterprises champion Filipino craftsmanship and design. Thailand is already considered a significant global player in the leather industry, thanks to its own brand of craftsmanship and the ready availability of raw material — from crocodile and snakeskin, to stingray and buffalo. While manufacturers such as FINO may not be operating in as ideal an environment, both Rommel and Rose Ann are extremely proud of their workers and the kind of skill pool they have created. They may have to weather the storm of integration, as goods from countries such as Thailand may find it easier to get here; but they also deserve our support as they try and maintain a foothold in the arena of homegrown quality leather items.
