Accessories inspired by the women of Rizal
Manila, Philippines - Yzabelle, a new sterling silver jewelry line that is the brainchild of Mia Faustmann and her first cousin Barbara Gonzalez, presents its major collection, “Women of Rizal,” which features four capsule collections The Leonor Valenzuela, Nellie Bousted, Saturnina and Teodora all named after the women linked to Jose Rizal.
Mia and Barbara are great-granddaughters of Maria Rizal, one of the elder sisters of our national hero.
There were two Leonors in Rizal’s life. Much is known about Leonor Rivera, but it was Leonor Valenzuela, the tall girl from Pangasinan, who Rizal would send love notes to written in invisible ink only to be read by heating it over a candle.
The Leonor Valenzuela Collection features a candle flame-inspired design in silver and mother-of-pearl that is unique and dainty. Available in drop earrings, bracelet, and necklace.
While in Europe, Rizal was a guest of the Boustead family at their residence in the resort city of Biarritz, in the southwestern area of France near the borders of Spain. Nellie Boustead, the daughter of his host, was infatuated with Rizal. Unfortunately, the relationship did not end in the altar because of religious differences.
The empty cross and prayer book for Protestants comprise the Nellie Boustead Collection. Rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, gold crosses with cubic zirconia in silver chains or silk cords, can be a gentle reminder of one’s faith and beliefs.
Saturnina Rizal, the eldest sister of Jose, was truly a caring ate. She diligently reported daily events and happenings in Calamba and told stories in vivid detail about the Rizal family, when Jose was overseas. During Rizal’s hardships abroad, Saturnina sent him a diamond ring to help him with his finances.
The Saturnina Collection honors the sisterly love of Saturnina to Jose, and how she kept family love in the heart of her brother. Gentle curves in shining silver and a cubic zirconia stone is available in earrings, necklace, ring, and brooch.
Rizal’s mother, Teodora Alonso, was educated, and knowledgeable in literature and mathematics. As the young Rizal’s first teacher, she had a profound influence on his development and was his inspiration in taking up medicine.
Fit for a queen, as Teodora was to her son, the Teodora Collection’s earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelet, has an old-world charm that is the essence of the muse for this collection.
Yzabelle is exclusively available at SM Kultura stores.
