Cebu’s gem

MANILA, Philippines – There must be something in the water in Cebu.

The island has produced global sensations like fashion designer Monique Lhuillier who’s dressed Hollywood A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow and Scandal’s Kerry Washington, to name a few. Then there’s internationally-acclaimed furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue whose pieces are reportedly happily nestled in the homes of Angelina Jolie and Brat Pitt, Lucy Liu and Queen Sophia of Spain. 

Enter, Neil Felipp San Pedro: a bright, young thing who is in  Cebu’s current roster of promising product designers.

Having interned at Conbonpue’s design house and sent on a scholarship to the United Kingdom by the British Council of the Philippines, there’s much to be excited about Neil Felipp’s latest collection of exquisite minaudière made of brass, shell and resin, which display the brand’s trademark aesthetic: classic silhouettes with an added intricate twist in the details.

With all the holiday parties coming up, these handbags are not only the perfect conversation pieces but also the ideal gift for someone distinctly special.

(For more information, visit Neil Felipp on Facebook and @NeilFelipp on Instagram and Twitter.)