A trip to the global boquería
MANILA, Philippines - From Turkish souks to African bazaars, the ubiquitous European supermarché to the distinctively Filipino palengke, the market scene serves as a melting pot of flavors and culture — lending itself an undeniable mystique — for any particular destination. Picture the mise-en-scène: a bustling marketplace bursting with color, a vibrant array of hand-woven fabrics and embroidery, a mélange of aromas from exotic spices to tropical fruits, the cacophony of haggling and the jostle of human life. Bag and accessory designer Amina Aranaz-Alunan channeled her wanderlust into creating a collection inspired by market scenes all over the globe.
For Resort 2015, the collection titled “Aranaz Boquería” offers a wide range of both classic and novel Aranaz treatments ranging from woven rattan, dyed Ikat, carved wood, baked resin to laminated bamboo. “Reminiscent of leisurely travels to exotic lands,” the designer quips, “the collection recalls design details from Morocco, Mexico and the Philippines.” The handmade craftsmanship and artisanal aesthetic is showcased in the play of native materials tempered with leather and plastic for a contemporary finish. The collection features a wide selection of market baskets, beach totes, woven carry-alls and hard clutches.
The direction of a global perspective is not solely fortuitous, as the homegrown brand Aranaz has recently achieved wider international presence and stronger demand. Among a wide array of stockists, ranging from London to Hong Kong to Kuwait, the brand has started to crack the vast US market with retail features on Vogue-approved Moda Operandi and the online arm of Hearst’s Harper’s Bazaar magazine. A few choice selections from their S/S 2014 collection titled “Aranaz Club Tropicana” were featured in a straight-from-the-runway trunk show on MO and a curated must-have list in Harper’s. Among others, Aranaz is also available in London via Wolf & Badger boutique, online retailers Ahalife and Latitude based in New York and A Bag With A Story boutique in Belgium. As big proponents of knowing and embracing your local, we’re thrilled for the brand’s global trajectory.
Spying the pieces from the Resort 2015 collection once again, YStyle recommends a daytime take to punch up the rainy months ahead. Be it a straw-woven carry-all paired with your office uniform, a no-nonsense market bag for your daily errands or a chic hard clutch for an important meeting, the pieces work for themselves and make a brighter statement, day or night. Before the international release of Aranaz Boquería in January 2015, the pieces will be made available in all local Aranaz branches in the coming months (2F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City and 2F Greenbelt 5, Makati City).
