Woman of Style: Janina Dizon Hoschka hunts for Manila's best finds

MANILA, Philippines - Janina Dizon Hoschka is a woman of strong opinions. On the YSL Tribute shoe: “It’s time to move on.” On Manila as a shopping destination: “It’s a      well-kept secret!” On purchasing jewelry: “Learn to detach so you can choose wisely!”

This third-generation jewelry designer — her mother is celebrated jeweler Jul Dizon — grew up surrounded by tastemakers (her siblings are also active in the trade) and has traveled the world with her German spouse so she has plenty to say about style in general. Janina is so clued in on the fashion scene that she penned the tome 50 Must-Buys in Manila with stylist Michael Salientes to share her secrets for spotting all the great finds in the bustling metropolis.

Raised in Manila and LA, Janina trained as a jewelry designer, apprenticing under a leading Israeli diamond distributor and graduating with a degree from the Gemological Institute of America. A three-time finalist in the De Beers Diamond International Awards, Janina joined the family business in 1991 and opened her own shop in Peninsula Hotel Manila a few years later, 2007 to be exact, under her own name: Janina for Jul Dizon.

Raising two kids while managing a flourishing business (“You’d be surprised how many wealthy people have no qualms about purchasing a lot of jewelry,” she says when I bring up the recession) often means that fashion gets left by the wayside, but this career woman has managed to keep her sense of style while running a busy household. Her closet alone, packed to the brim with plenty of local designer dresses (Puey Quinones and Ivar Aseron are staples), trench coats (she’s a collector) and pretty purses.

“I love architectural clothes,” Janina says. “I also like reworking my closet — meaning buying a dress from a retail shop and adding elements to it to make it more personal, more ‘me.’” A Gap trench coat in classic khaki gets the paint-splatter treatment courtesy of Puey Quinones.

“My style is modern classic with a touch of the avant-garde,” she says. One glimpse of her ample closet and that quickly becomes apparent.

You grew up with your mom, who designed jewelry. When did you decide you wanted to join the family business?

Our family has been in the business for over 50 years starting with my grandmother, so I believe that joining the business was a natural decision. Mom exposed us to the rudiments of the business at a very early age, made us sit next to her after school so we see how she designs on the spot and interacts with her clients. At around six years of age, she would often ask us to “design” pieces for her collection. Now she is doing it to her grandchildren, which I think is fantastic.

I remember a signature collection of yours involving cuffs with interchangeable designs that had a DIY feel to it. Is the DIY movement still a big part of your design?

That’s the Transformer series, a collection dear to my heart. This concept was borne out of my travels. I wanted jewelry that I could use in multitude of ways. Sliders in bracelets that can be used as pendants or belt buckles, earrings that transform from day to night by adding or subtracting components. This line, as well as the Double Happiness, are the most popular series in my collection.

How would you define the style of your label?

I like to cross boundaries, both aesthetic and geographic, mixing traditions from East and West. I build on this line of thinking but interpret them in a modern context, using non-traditional materials.

You co-wrote a book with stylist Michael Salientes called 50 Must-Buys in Manila. How’d the book project come about? What drove you to create this guide?

This was actually a brainchild of my husband. We were having dinner with friends from abroad who asked what is special to buy here in Manila. We had so many suggestions that we had to write them down and the idea for the book was born. We were surprised how many great items are available in Manila, with a lot of them only available to insiders and those in the know. 

What does a product or a label need in order to be dubbed a must-buy?

Originality, excellent craftsmanship and unique designs.

How would you define the shopping scene in Manila? A lot of people think it still can’t compete with, say, Hong Kong or Singapore. Would you agree?

No! Manila is a well-kept shopping secret. Manila is a treasure trove of bespoke items that would cost an arm and a leg to have done elsewhere.

We have great designers in all aspects of every field, from custom-made chocolates to luggage. You just need to know where to find them.

What’s the one thing a woman needs before she can consider her wardrobe complete?

Jewelry for me completes the look. It adds the extra oomph to any fashion statement. This might be strange, but I actually build my wardrobe with what jewelry I would like to wear that day.

You have a collection of trench coats. Do you always feel cold when you travel? What’s the story? And have you ever tried the Snuggie? (If you don’t know what that is, Google it! You’re missing half your life.)

Maybe I’ve watched too many spy movies? (laughs) Trench coats are my Achilles heel. I love the easy, put-together look as soon as you wear it. FYI: Snuggies on the plane — heaven!

What was your biggest fashion moment?

Being chosen as best-dressed in fashion magazines is very flattering but really I dress for myself first and foremost.

First thing you spent your first paycheck on?

I get a paycheck?!

What five pieces define your everyday style?

Jewelry, sunglasses (I am never without), a modern dress (I’m almost always in a dress), statement shoes and le handbag.

Is there an item in your closet you cherish the most?

A Sari-Sari trench coat that is made of paper but looks like black leather. I think I bought it around 1989. It has weathered and has tears but I think that adds more character to it.

Do you have any fundamental rules of dressing?

Dress only for yourself!

What was your style as a kid?

I was a New Waver! Black lipstick, holes in my skirt! I still have that mod influence every now and then. Siouxsie and the Banshees forever!

What latest purchase are you in love with?

My YSL cage shoes — they hurt but oh, they’re so pretty!

What was your first designer purchase?

A pair of black and gold Dior stiletto heels when I was 17 in Rustan’s. It was on sale, my first pair of stilettos. They were beautiful but hurt like hell, so sadly I never got to wear it. It would still be beautiful till now so I wish I hadn’t given it away!

What do you never leave home without?

Credit card and lipstick.

Whose closet would you most like to raid?

Victoria Beckham’s and Daphne Guiness’.

What’s your most treasured accessory?

All of my husband’s jewelry gifts represent milestones in our life together: birthdays, travels, marriage, births of our kids. They are the only gifts that I remember every occasion it was given.

One thing you wear every day?

Jewelry. I am never without! It makes me feel naked.

What would you never be caught dead in? 

A Juicy Couture tracksuit.