THE MAN BEHIND THE BRAND:

In 1997 Rafe Totengco designed and launched his namesake handbag collection, Rafe New York®, at leading US boutiques. Since then the Rafe brand has increased distribution outlets internationally, and expanded into other accessory categories and women’s footwear. Skilled in balancing fashion and function creates products that loyal fans say never go out of style. Rafe is recognized in the industry to be one of the most acclaimed of a new generation of American-International fashion designers.

In 2010 Rafe Totengco was appointed by The Jones Group Inc. to the newly created position of Creative Director for Handbags, to work with others across the Company to create a compelling product vision for Jones' handbag brands. His responsibilities include creating products for the retail, wholesale and international divisions.

DESIGN STATEMENT:

Skilled in balancing style  and function, Rafe blends uptown sophistication with a downtown edge to create accessories that his loyal fans say never go out of style.  Rafe knows how to provide and meld quality, style, comfort and function. Every season the Rafe collection is fresh and exciting, always crafted using the finest materials and techniques under Rafe's high standards and fierce attention to detail.  A Rafe accessory always adds a finishing "exclamation point:"  to a fashionable ensemble.



Since 1998 Rafe Totengco has been a  member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

AWARDS AND HONORS

1996    The "Fresh Faces in Fashion" award from Gen Art

1997    Honored with the "Ten Best" award by ENK International
            judging panel

1999    Finalist, Perry Ellis Accessory Design Award, CFDA Gala

2000    The "Rising Star" award from Fashion Group Internatational (FGI)

2001    "Best Accessories Designer" (ACE award) from the
             Accessories Council

2002    "Ten Outstanding Young Men" (TOYM) trophy from the Philippine
             Jaycees, awarded personally by the President of the Philippines
            (the first time since inception in the 1950’s that this honor was
             granted to a Fashion Designer)

2005    " Achievement Award for Entrepreneurship" from
            Filipinas Magazine

2007    "Asian Entrepreneur of the Year" (AEY) award from
            Asian Enterprise Magazine

2008    Voted one of "50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business"
            by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABD)

2010     Received the "Panama ng Filipino" Presidential Award for Filipino
             Individuals Overseas for bringing his home country honor and
             recognition through excellence and distinction in his profession
             in international fashion design.