Inspired Living
MANILA, Philippines - “I think that fashion and furniture go hand in hand. Style is not just worn, it can be shown in your home,” beams the young, vivacious mother of one, Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez. She is the vice president of sales and business development of Philux, the proudly homegrown luxury furniture maker and retailer.
A woman who exudes confidence from tip to toe, Stephanie believes that expressing yourself is not limited to the choices of your wardrobe. While clothes may be the more common persuasion, everything you touch, create and have can be a mode of self-expression. “Your house is not a home without ‘you’ in it. Your personal touch is what transforms an entire space,” she shares.
Like clothes, furniture can be fashionable, functional and a whole lot of fun. And thanks to companies like Philux, you can tailor-fit them to suit your exacting tastes.
“Our products are semi-customized, so the same piece can look very different depending on your preference. Mix and match textures and fabrics and styles to create a custom piece that blends into the look of your home. Our pieces are very contemporary and versatile,” adds Stephanie.
Along with her sister Jessica, Stephanie is proudly and happily taking over the reins of the family business, which has become a purveyor of style for home and interior. Her father, Swiss engineer Max Kienle, and mother, Zelda Aragon, had lovingly built the company in 1980, and had managed the brand for over 30 years. As second-generation entrepreneurs, the sisters hope to build an even stronger and bigger Philux, ushering it into a new decade of success.
“In the ‘90s, we were catering to a more mature market. Luxury then was synonymous to being expensive. Today, luxury has been redefined; it’s now more approachable and accessible. Over the years, we’ve really tried to develop products that are very competitively priced that match quality as well,” she reveals. Apart from growing the company to become more competitive, the sisters are injecting a much needed dose of playfulness and youthful spirit into the brand.
Tapping into the younger market, Philux unveils yearly collections that exhibit a more modern aesthetic. Jessica spearheads these collections as the head designer. This year, Philux launches its “Scandiniana” collection, an homage to their Filipino roots, that marries modern lines and curves with traditional materials such as abaca.
With an eye for style and detail, Stephanie believes that while authenticity is important in choosing pieces, you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously when it comes to expressing who you are — whether it’s in what you wear or what you choose to put in your home.
“I’m a firm believer of evolving, that’s why even the look of my home changes,” shares Stephanie. Instead of looking at your home as a stiff canvas that needs to be painted, curate your spaces to become a beautiful vignette of your life. “I like choosing pieces that have a story and soul behind them. When I travel with my family, it’s very important for me to pick out new pieces that are able to share and reflect my adventures.”
When it comes to choosing the pieces for your home, Stephanie offers another practical piece of advice. “Remember, you don’t necessarily have to play by the rules or follow trends. Just like in fashion, you can break them. Have fun and be yourself. At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable wherever you are, in whatever you do,” she adds.
For new homeowners who are seeking new inspiration, Stephanie invites them to Philux, which will have five branches by the end of the year. To reach more consumers, Philux will also be launching its e-commerce site in the last quarter of 2015. “We decided to go digital because we want to be able to service the homes of people in the provinces, not just within the metropolis. I think that we’re ready to tackle that next challenge,” she says.
When she’s not busy running around between stores and managing the family business, Stephanie finds herself happily enjoying time with her husband and young daughter, hanging out in their favorite mall, Power Plant, which is also home to one of the Philux’s branches. “Rockwell has played a very important role in my life; I feel like I really grew up in Rockwell. Even though you’re immersed in the busy city life, you still get that homey, neighborhood feel. It’s a place you’d be proud to build your home in and to raise your family.”
The key to success lies in hard work, while the fullness of life is unlocked with gratitude. Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez makes sure to never lack in either, which is why she’s been blessed with the complete furnishings of a beautiful life.
Photography by RITA MARIE • Creative direction and overall styling by Luis Espiritu Jr. • Makeup by PIA REYES • Hairstyling by DAVE LOPEZ
• Associate styling by TARA SUBALDO • Shot on location at PHILUX, POWER PLANT MALL
