Ilonggas Kathy Gregorio-Añover and Kathy Sarabia-Babst have been childhood friends as far back as they can remember, but it was only a year ago that they became not only business partners but also the creative forces behind a jewelry line, aptly named Kathy and Kathy.
After graduating from college (Assumption and UP), they both worked in various fields, married their loved ones, and started a family. But they wanted to start a small business that they would feel passionate about.
Jewelry has always been part of Kathy Babst’s youth, the fascination being deeply rooted because of her family’s Sarabia Jewelry Store that was founded by her paternal grandmother in 1945. She spent most of her childhood summer vacations working and helping out in the store as a salesperson, a cashier, and eventually appraising gold and precious stones.
With quality over quantity as Kathy and Kathy’s mantra, they decided to specialize in handcrafted keepsakes and heritage jewelry pieces that that would be cherished, shared and passed down for generations. Supporting them was their jeweler-gemologist aunt Gina Sarabia-Espinosa who encouraged them to move forward by putting ideas into action.
Visiting their booth during the recent Maarte Fair, I noticed these young ladies patiently explaining to prospective clients the background of their lockets and medallions that were inspired by Iloilo’s top cultural and religious sites: the palatial Nelly Garden Mansion, Calle Real’s heritage street, and the century-old Miagao Church.
All facets of production are done by a handful of local craftsmen in their small workshop and are made to order upon the client’s request. Nothing is mass produced. Using only sterling silver that may be gold filled or gold plated to the more expensive 14-18-karat gold, the medallions may be embellished by precious and semi-precious stones of one’s choice. In place of lockets or religious medals, one may choose artfully carved Italian cameos and religious ceramic medals that are meticulously handpainted in enamel by a European artist.
“Whenever we start to brainstorm on creating pieces for a collection, we always start with these dicta: keepsake and craftsmanship. These are the lifelines of our creations. Pieces that can create a story, to be considered a keepsake or an heirloom,” explained Kathy Babst. Only a limited number of designs are made and they are meant to be enjoyed and eventually handed down to the next generation.
I was pleased that there was a line of sterling silver cufflinks, hefty in weight, but so reasonably priced at P5,800 — the perfect gifts for the hard-to-please men in the family this holiday season.
“Our designs have to be classic and relevant. Like a canvas, they should be able to engrave names, install photos of memories, pick their birthstones or simply be able to wear it in lengths or sizes that they are comfortable with. Since all our designs are handmade, craftsmanship is our top priority. The best design ideas will not materialize if it cannot be done cohesively by hand,” enthused Kathy Añover.
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For more information, call or SMS 0917-7199224, email inquire@kathy or visit its website at kathyandkathybespoke.com or like Kathy and Kathy on Instagram @kathyandkathybespoke and Facebook at Kathy and Kathy Bespoke.