Carissa Cruz-Evangelista, the dedicated artisan

Carissa Cruz- Evangelista has always loved fashion. From the time she joined CITEM 20 years ago as  a trade industry development specialist involved in assisting exporters in garments, fashion accessories and leather goods to the present day.

She has fused her attraction for fashion with a passion for  working with different artisans, indigenous communities and craftsmen in creating beautiful products.  Her Beatriz luxury label launched in October was a hit with seven matching 24- karat hammered gold  metal clutches and bracelets that found a following among fashionable ladies looking for beautiful artisanal accessories.

While still a college student, Carissa started out in fashion as a trader supplying garments to department stores and boutiques, and continued with her trading business when she left goverment service.  A lot of her garment experience was working hands-on with various factories in Metro Manila. She was also one of the owners of Regatta before it was sold to Golden ABC, the owners of Penshoppe.

With a degree in Business Management at Ateneo and an MBA at  the Boston University, she took up further studies at Radcliffe University with the Harvard Radcliffe Publishing Course, but still needs to finish her course in Apparel Manufacturing at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.

For the recent Manila Fame Show, I found out that Carissa had  beautiful pendants and cufflinks under her Beatriz brand that will soon be featured at Firma.  The Jerusalem Cross was developed during her travel to the Holy Land with her family.  It is accented with either a center pearl or an agate stone on a gold-dipped chain that can dress up anyone’s outfit. The Hand of Fatima or Hamsa is available in either a gold or silver setting with cultured pearls.  This multi-denominational piece is popular for both the Islamic and Catholic followers because of its design. Legend has it that this Hand of Fate keeps its wearer safe from harm.

For the male clientele, the Beatriz collection carries a line of high-quality .925 sterling silver cufflinks that will surely enhance any dress shirt.  Some designs are sculptural and other links use exotic skins with a  coating of a non-tarnishing agent so that it won’t be a chore keeping them perennially shiny. They are currently available at Firma and AC 632. A larger line of men’s accessories will be added to the collection by year end.

I found the necklace/chain belt to be a super versatile piece that will surely be an asset in any ladies’ wardrobe.  It fascinated me that this multi-wear jewelry contains chunks of colored raw agate, which are joined by hammered gold chains and links that can be worn in so many ways — on the waist or as a necklace or it can be worn as is or wound around the neck many times over. 

Hardworking and creative Carissa continues to make capsule collections for her resortwear label, Costa del Sol, which is available at Discovery Shores in Boracay. She will start making resort accessories.

Selected Beatriz accessories will soon also be available at Cura V in Rockwell, JMA Jewelry in Edsa Shangri-La and Vitostudio.com.

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For information on Beatriz Accessories, call Bella Trading at 654-3512, SMS 0917-8968905 or e-mail carissaevangelista@gmail.com

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