Having been exposed to export and international trade fairs, Tessa Nepomuceno knew what she wanted for Calli Bags which was launched in 2013. Named after her son, actor Khalil Ramos, both his name and the label share the same meaning, directly translating to “beautiful.”
This is how she sees her bags, all beautiful in showcasing the rich culture of Philippine ancestral craftsmanship. “Since the beginning, we were very much focused on the quality of our wooden clutches. They are made like works of art. By the time we started exploring beaded embroidery and solihiya weaving, the same mindset guided us,” shares Tessa.
Their business started by supplying for international brands. “We were mostly exporting for other stories or labels. For me, what mattered most was that we were helping to provide livelihood for our partner artisans,” remembers Tessa. “So this year, I decided it was time to finally focus on Calli the brand.”
These clutches and bags carry with them the spirit and soul of multi-generations of wood carvers from Paete, while the intricate embroidery seen on the bags are by the beaders from the Merville community.
At the intimate media launch, we spotted clutches that are perfect for your wedding day, even for the entourage. These are part of the holiday collection and will officially be available at the ArteFino Festival at Power Plant Mall from August 24 to 27, 2023.
For more styles, visit their site and follow them on Instagram.
