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RAFE ON CLOUD NINE

On receiving the Presidential Award and his appointment as Creative Director for Handbags for Nine West.

Rafe Totengco has yet another feather to add to his well-plumed cap, this time bestowed by none other than President Aquino himself. At 5:00 PM today, the internationally acclaimed accessory designer will be receiving the Presidential Award in the "Pamana ng Filipino" category, which is accorded to Filipinos working overseas who "have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession." Criteria of the award include consistent exceptional or outstanding performance in a particular profession, innovation, social consciousness, dedication, and commitment.

This glorious honor comes at the heels of yet another of Totengco's recent feats—he was appointed as Creative Director for Handbags by the Jones Group, Inc., which handles Nine West, Anne Klein, Rachel by Rachel Roy, and Stuart Weitzman. Totengco will be in charge of overseeing design projects for all the handbag lines under the Jones umbrella, an endeavor that has already been successful.

In an intimate sit-down interview, he spoke of an anecdote revealing the support his new corporate family has for him and his work: In a meeting where he had to be acquainted with the Nine West brand, he asked a room of 50 people who wears the shoe line. "Everybody raised their hands," Totengco shares. "Who wears the bags?" he asked. Three people raised their hands.

He continues: "We showed them the new collection. 'Okay, so, would you wear the bags now?' Everybody raised their hands. And when I finished the presentation, I sat down and this girl next to me—she's like an accountant—said, 'Thank you for designing a bag that I would actually wear.'"

Style Bible, Preview, and Nine West (distributed exclusively by Store Specialists, Inc.) held an intimate congratulatory party for him last night at Members Only where he was surrounded by his family and closest friends, who are only too proud of him and his outstanding accomplishments.

We sat down with him for a one-on-one interview, where he talks about how happy he is with the award conferment, his plans of lechon celebration, his exciting work for Nine West, what's in store for Rafē New York, and what else he has his incredible sights on.

Read on for the interview, and click on the photo gallery to see the stylish guests at the Rafe Totengco Congratulatory Party.

Click here to watch the video of Rafe Totengco's Congratulatory Party.