‘The Miracle of the Golden Pearl’

Jewelmer Joaillerie marked its 35th anniversary with a gala presentation dubbed “The Miracle of the Golden Pearl” at the Philippine International Convention Center. The show, directed by Saga Production’s Robby Carmona, followed the story of mankind’s despair over the deterioration and destruction of our planet, his realization that he could act upon it, and finally, his triumph in restoring balance to the environment.

The show featured a cast of over 100 Filipino artists. Top Filipino models, dressed in couture designed by Rhett Eala, graced the stage with Jewelmer Joaillerie’s Spring-Summer 2015 Collection. Performers included prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and actress Angel Aquino. The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra performed original arrangements to the delight of the guests.

Chairman Manuel Cojuangco said, “Jewelmer Joaillerie takes great pride in sharing this miracle of the golden pearl —   our Philippine national gem and symbol of national hope and transformation in these changing times.”

Deputy CEO Jacques Christophe Branellec said that the jewelry company’s emblematic cobalt blue and gold square pays tribute to the union of the pearl and water, which “symbolizes the essence of Jewelmer: the blue of the life-giving sea that gifts us with the golden South Sea pearl. It is square because it’s a balance between man and nature that makes this all possible.”

Jewelmer was founded in 1979 by Filipino entrepreneur Manuel Cojuangco and French pearl farmer Jacques Branellec in their pearl farm in Palawan — one of the few places in the world capable of sustaining the Pinctada maxima oyster that brings forth the golden South Sea pearl. Using a process that takes about five years and at least 323 individual steps to produce a single pearl, Jewelmer’s enterprise is unique in that it takes nothing from the environment, but adds to it.

Jewelmer Joaillerie opened its first showroom in the lobby of The Manila Peninsula in 1985, and has grown steadily to operate 13 showrooms around the country. Branellec added, “Jewelmer Joaillerie’s unique galas have been staged in Hong Kong, Moscow  and Paris in the past couple of decades but equally spectacular galas have become anticipated annual events for fellow Filipinos.”

Beautiful Filipinas including Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Angel Aquino, Annette Coronel, Izza Gonzales-Agana, Daphne Oseña-Paez, Isabel Roces, Apples Aberin and Jenny Rockett have been part of campaigns photographed by Neal Oshima, Xander Angeles, Jo Ann Bitagcol and Romain Riviere, to name a few.

The jewelry company has published three coffee table books to share the story of the South Sea pearl.  The Pearl Road tells the story of a sunken Chinese junk ship near the pearl farm — proof that the Philippines was part of an ancient trade route and that Philippine South Sea pearls have long been sought after. Some of the artifacts uncovered are on permanent display at the National Museum. Meanwhile, The Ultimate Orient: Philippine South Sea Pearls gives the reader a glimpse of the abundance of nature in the pearl farm as it shares the story behind the South Sea pearl. The Miracle of the Golden Pearl features the golden pearl used by international jewelry brands such as Chanel, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Mikimoto, Piaget, Tiffany & Co. and Boucheron in their own collections, showcasing how the golden South Sea pearl has become recognized as a fashion staple around the world.

(Visit www.jewelmer.com.)

Photos by Willy Saw, Daniel Tan and Vince Arcilla Feminine, fresh & free-spirited

Since its establishment in 1984, Camaïeu has grown to have at least 1,000 stores in more than 20 countries worldwide. The French fashion brand, exclusively retailed by Planet Sports Inc. in the Philippines, recently added Manila to this list through an intimate press launch held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, followed by a fashion show held at the East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City.

True to its name Camaïeu, which means “multiple tones,” the quaint, French-themed launch was a showcase of lively and bright colors. Nicole Andersson hosted both events and introduced the highlight of the show: three collections styled in the unique expressions of Camaïeu brand ambassadors Katarina Rodriguez, Bianca King and Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez.

Katarina’s on-the-go personality showed through her collection, which featured versatile separates that can take one from the school, to the mall, to a night out in the city. Romantic yet easy-going was the theme of Bianca’s collection, her chosen outfits hinting at sexiness with some show of skin, balanced by classic silhouettes flattering many body types. Meanwhile, Tweetie’s collection was a display of sleekness and sophistication, with many of the pieces in black and white or in graphic patterns rendered in monochromatic tones.

Camaïeu head of operations for Asia Rudy Liger said, “Camaïeu is vivacious, supportive, feminine, fresh and free-spirited. These are the brand philosophies that make Camaïeu relatable to all women, wherever you are in the globe.”

(Camaïeu is available at Shangri-La Plaza East Wing, SM Mega Fashion Hall, SM BF Parañaque, Ayala Fairview Terraces and soon at SM North EDSA. For more information, visit facebook.com/camaieu.philippines or follow @camaieu_ph on Twitter and Instagram.) (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)