Amina Aranaz – Alunan grew up in a creative and business environment. Her mother Becky Aranaz was in the export business and manufactured bags for international labels . So it was but a natural progression for her to try her hand in the same field.  “The time came when we wanted to create our  own designs and have  our  own brand, “ she recalls.  “My Mom had the technical know-how and I had the passion for designing.  Our earliest  products were sold exclusively in bazaars in the nineties.   Women of all ages would come to our table and hoard everything because it was a seasonal event.  Then we started selling from our house – but clients would come at all hours!” she adds animatedly.    “So finally, we decided to open our very first store along Julia Vargas in 2004.”
After college, Amina attended Instituto Marangoni in Milan  where she earned her Masters in Fashion Accessories.   Armed with her degree , she returned to Manila with a firm resolve to make Aranaz a  serious contender in the fashion industry.  Fast forward to today, the brand is now 15 years old —flourishing, in-demand both locally and globally and evolving continually.

COLLECTIONS

BOQUERIA Resort 2015 –   Inspired by her many travels, Amina decided to make the lively market places as her starting point for her latest collection.    From  the  market stalls of Manila, the souks of  Turkey  to Moroccan bazaars,  she took the colorful, the interesting and the unique.  The result —a line that exudes an artisanal spirit  with  handmade bags that are beautifully made using intricate weaving and masterful handcarving techniques.

Chic Meets Down-To- Earth. LAWAT DOS -Macrame market bag with leather handles

 

OFF TO THE MARKET.  AZURE – wicker tote with braided row inserts and woven plastic handles and frame.

 

ART IN HER HANDS – DELILAH (L) -rattan wrapped box purse with leather handles and abaca lining. DOLORES/ROCIO (R) – wood , bead and shell clutches.

 

PIÑA – handcarved wood purse with brass accent and chain

 

FESTIVE AND INSPIRED- BOQUERIA (market place) – bamboo tote with multi-colored raffia fringe and braided handles

 

“I gave Sarah  Jessica Parker a CARRIE bag when she visited Manila. Her character Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City was my inspiration for this abaca woven tote with braided leather handles”  Amina enthused.  I TOTALLY LOVE THESE BAGS!

SENORITAS. CONSUELO, CONCHA and CIERRA  (L-R) – handcarved bamboo minaudiere

 

COCO LURIA – two-toned coconut purse with brass frame and chain.

CLUB TROPICANA  – The previous season’s collection  is no less stunning  as the resort line.  Bursting with vibrant colors  and designs, the totes, handbags and clutches are refreshingly original and arresting.

HOW LOVELY ARE THESE! – Handcarved wood cutches in lacquer finish

THE QUEEN’S CHOICE

The King and Queen of Belgium. Her royal highness  Queen Mathilde is carrying the GINTO minaudiere from ARANAZ.

Truly,  ARANAZ has made its mark in the global market.  The women behind the brand are relentless in their pursuit for excellence.  “My Mom kows what will sell and what will not . My younger sister Rosanna edits and refines my sketches.  We love our work and it shows in our products, ” Amina  remarks finally.
The brand is now being sold online by Harper’s Bazaar, Moda Operandi and Shop Latitude.  Locally, it’s shops are located at Greenbelt 5 (2/f) and at Rockwell Mall (2/f).
Can’t wait to get the Carrie, Rocio and the Palma in blue lacquer!

Local goes global. Photos taken at the ARANAZ Greenbelt 5 store.

 

AMINA ARANAZ-ALUNAN – Putting local craftsmanship in the global stage.

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22 comments

  1. Aranaz will give major fashion bag&purse designers a run for their money. Proud to be Pinoy! Love the bags.

  2. Always love a good tote and Carrie is a chic stunner!! The materials they use are so interesting no wonder it’s such a hit internationally.

  3. The bags are really amazing. When I read the post and saw the pictures I just could simply say Wow! I love it. Filipino made are the best. Very unique and creative.
    So fashionable and elegant.
    I like the Carrie Bag, MAJA and Tropicana. I love big bags because I’ve lot of things to carry 🙂

  4. Hands down to Amina. I’m an avid fan and oh boy i am proud to wear all of them and even just for keepsake. An Aranaz clutch will always be a woman’s best friend — apart from diamonds 🙂 Proud to be pinoy!

  5. I’m in love with the Pina and Coco Luria bags [sigh]. I wouldn’t mind settling for the handcarved wood clutches in lacquer finish…in all colors please 😉

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