Pearls: Fashion, passion & patriotism

It was the worst of times. When jewellers from all over the world gathered at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last September, the mood was sombre. Very sombre. Just a week earlier, the World Trade Center collapsed, and with it, prospects of better trade between countries. Preparations for the Hong Kong Jewellery Fair 2001 had, of course, began months ahead, and there was no way Bin Laden’s forces could stop the world’s best jewellers from showing their wares at this glittering yearly event in Hong Kong. Understandably, the booths reserved by American jewellers were empty.

Yet it was the best of times. To forge friendships, and to show faith that despite all the gloom, there was a definite glow of hope. That, in effect, was the spirit behind the Philippine cultural event and jewelry parade entitled "The Ultimate Orient: Philippine South Sea Pearls" presented by Jewelmer in Hong Kong.

Jewelmer, the Philippines’ most renowned producer and exporter of South Sea pearls, decided that instead of just showcasing the country’s best gems in its booths, it would also present a cultural pageant within its usual fashion show.

Jewelmer assigned three bright young couturiers – Katrina Goulbourn, Arcy Gayatin and Rajo Laurel – to create clothes that would complement modern pearl jewelry pieces. It would be a very youngish show directed by Robby Carmona but it would also reflect the country’s rich heritage. So along with its pearl gems, Jewelmer also brought to Hong Kong the Bayanihan Dance Company, one of the country’s other treasures.

Representing Luzon, Goulbourn’s simply elegant collection was inspired by colonial influences during the Spanish era, with touches of beading, embroidery, "callado" and mother-of-pearl tiles.

Capturing the breezy shores of Visayas, Gayatin’s clothes suggested romanticism with an edge, using light fabrics such as cobweb lace.

Reflecting the rich pageantry of Mindanao, Laurel’s creations used piña and jusi woven into silk.

In between the couture-and-jewelry show by Philippine fashion models onstage, Bayanihan dancers showed the international audience glimpses of Philippine culture.

"This show is dedicated to friendship," explained Jewelmer president Manuel Cojuangco at the start of the show. "And to hopes for unity amid diversity."

The history of Jewelmer, in fact, is about Filipino-French friendship at its best. The company was established 12 years ago by Filipino businessman Manuel Cojuangco in partnership with Jacques Branellec, a French national who pioneered in black pearl cultivation in Tahiti back in 1979.

Now ranked among the three largest producers of South Sea pearls in the world, Jewelmer manages four pearl farms, two research facilities, a pearl museum, jewelry workshops and 10 retail shops.

Everytime it participates in international jewelry fairs, whether in Japan, Switzerland, USA or Hong Kong, Jewelmer sells not only Philippine South Sea pearls. It also proudly promotes a country and its culture.

This is the best of times to be patriotic.