Rita Nazareno, our very own bag lady

Rita Nazareno is no ordinary bag lady. Earning two master’s degrees, one for film and video from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and another in design management from London College of Fashion, she pursued both careers with passion and devotion. She first started a career in television in 1999 and became the creative services director of the NBC-affiliate in Houston and senior producer at Fox 11 in Los Angeles where she received the prestigious Emmy Award in 2005 and six PROMax Awards in 2003-’04.   

 Rita then went on to finish design management in London and proceeded to be the creative director of S.C.Vizcarra, which her grandmother, Segundina Cornejo Vizcarra, started in 1925.  I remember this store  in the 1970s-’80s when we had visiting family guests and business associates who wanted to buy the best of Philippine handicrafts.  They certainly did not disappoint with their selection.

 Rita designs her own line of contemporary woven bags under Zacarias by S.C.Vizcarra. I was amazed at the quality  and design of the woven leather bags that reminded me of Bottega Veneta bags without paying expensive euro currency. These intricately woven, ultra-special handbags are made from natural leather and are either woven from a base of a single piece of leather or have seamless weaving. It takes up to eight days to produce a bag with meticulous workmanship and the bags made in-house using traditional weaving techniques.

 Most of the craftspeople live in the same compound with their families, rent-free, as the company believes in the importance of community and family. You can imagine how peaceful the workplace is with this idyllic living arrangement.

 I suggest you go and look at these finely made Philippine products as there is a sale ongoing until Dec. 22 at their premises: 737 Roxas Blvd. in Baclaran. They will make you proud of what the Filipino can do and will make perfect gifts for those with discriminating tastes.

 For more information on S.C. Vizcarra,  e-mail  info@vizcarra1925.com and http:vizcarra1925.com or call  854-6751.

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For comments and ideas, please e-mail:  jacinto.fa@gmail.com.