 Spend an afternoon with me this Saturday!!!
Find out all about my passion for fashion and creativity!!! Dabble in a new skill through a short BAG DESIGN workshop that I will be giving! This Saturday AUG 16, 4pm FullyBooked High Street
Our most recent wedding is of Anna Palabyab & Raymond Rufino. Anna was also a fellow Povedan and fellow ballet dancer. So sorry I missed the wedding :(
Here are some photos of the entourage bags and bridal bag that we made for them! Gowns were by Rajo Laurel!    
 This limited edition ARANAZ Eco-shopper is our effort to contribute to the worldwide campaign towards the elimination of plastic wastage.
This canvas shopping bag has genuine leather handles and an I'm a Natural Shopper wooden plaque. Sold at P750.00
P200 for every bag sold will be given to GREENPEACE Southeast Asia.
Available at ARANAZ, Power Plant Mall and Hush, Mall of Asia.
 Yes, were opening with a bang!!!
We're offering an array of special workshops by industry professionals!!!
Other workshops are:
Fashion Illustration
Basic Patternmaking
Fashion Merchandising
Brand Imaging
For further inquiries and applications contact sofamanila@gmail.com
In the same issue of inquirer, readers got a little tip on the new project that I've been working on the last couple of months. read on...... From Milan to Manila By Alex Vergara Inquirer SHE’S A STYLISH BAG Designer who’s striking enough to model her own creations, but Amina Aranaz-Alunan will be the first to tell people, especially potential designers, that running a business isn’t as glamorous as it seems. “I’m all dressed up today because I’m meeting several people,” she says. “But you should see me while I rummage through materials at the factory. There’s nothing glamorous about it. On the contrary, the place where I work is quite hot and dusty.” Whenever she goes to the factory, which is almost everyday, Aranaz-Alunan has to go back home, take a shower and change before she heads to another engagement. It was worse when she was pregnant with her first child. “My sales suffered then,” she says. “But working directly with people who have been with the family for quite a number of years has sustained me. Their passion for work can be quite admirable and inspiring.” Love for one’s work and the passion to sustain it (including the often-neglected aspect of running a business) will be among the many tenets Aranaz-Alunan and fellow Istituto Marangoni graduate Loralee Baron aim to impart to students as they open the School of Fashion and Art (for inquiries e-mail sofamanila@gmail.com) in the heart of Makati’s Central Business District next month. The two women have been dreaming of putting up a fashion school with a “European approach applicable to the Asian market” ever since they got back from Italy four years ago. “I’ve met people who want to study abroad,” says Aranaz-Alunan. “But most of them can’t afford it, while others don’t have the time to spend a year abroad. We really need a fashion school that offers affordable education based on international standards.” Inspired by the curricula of the best fashion schools in the world, including, of course, the two women’s alma mater in Milan, the school will be offering several certificate courses alongside associate degree programs in fashion design & marketing. They’re working in partnership with Lex Ledesma of the One School, and are now busy finalizing negotiations with teachers who are also industry practitioners. “No doubt traveling enriches the mind, but studying abroad isn’t the only path to success,” says Aranaz-Alunan. “Our school makes fashion education accessible for would-be designers and merchandisers. In my time, there were no fashion schools to turn to, thus the need to go abroad. Now foreign fashion education is no longer a necessity but a bonus.” Click this link for the article FASHION BY DESIGN by Alex Vergara. Which included interviews with Rhett Eala, Jojie Lloren and myself on our experiences on fashion education abroad. http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=83038
Yesterday, ARANAZ was featured in Phil Inquirer alongside the works of other Filipino talents such as Modi, Cary Santiago (whose work i loooovvvveeeee..droolll) , Silk Cocoon, & Arnel Papa...
PINOY STYLE
APPLES’ PICKINGS
By Apples Aberin Sadhwani
Inquirer
Photos by Jun de Leon
Styled by Millet Arzaga
TODAY, WE CHOOSE TO celebrate Filipino talent, craftsmanship and ingenuity. No special occasion, really. We’ve always had the strongest urge to share with you information on designers and brands that are uniquely Pinoy, and as such, never fail to make us proud.
We hope they spark that flame of Pinoy pride in you, too.
Tote for the day
“I always say I like to ‘de-ethnicize the ethnic,’” says bag designer Amina Aranaz-Alunan, whom we absolutely adore. “I like manipulating our indigenous materials to create surprisingly chic and modern fashion pieces.”
She’s been known to design breathtaking pieces such as oversized plastic totes combined with wooden and straw accents, and little coco disco bags that had Manila’s fashionistas lining up.
Says Amina, “I like being able to surprise my customers with the numerous usages of local materials, thus giving them a renewed appreciation for Filipino craftsmanship and handiwork.”
It’s no accident that this cum laude graduate of Master Accessories Design at the Istituto Marangoni is into the art of designing and crafting bags. “My mom, Becky, continues to be an exporter of women’s bags. So I grew up in the business. The bag factory became my playground and the venue that allowed me to explore my creative side.”
Currently, Amina is busy working on her holiday collections (inspired by Paul Poiret and geometrics), which will be available in Aranaz, her stand-alone boutique in Powerplant. And to share her knowledge and know-how, she will also be opening a school called School of Fashion & Arts (SOFA) in the last quarter of this year.
“Fashion education is something that I had always dreamt of doing. There is a rising yearning for fashion education out there, so I think now is the right time to open a school,” she says.  
We were recently featured in Channel News Asia (Skycable Channel 79) in the tv show Privileged Lifestyle.
For those with nothing to do today, catch the replay this afternoon,
July 29 at 230pm and 6pm!!! :)   
I just encountered another one of our brides, March Babaran. I never actually met her myself, but once I saw her wedding bag I remembered it! My friend, Nicole Hernandez, actually ordered this bag as a wedding gift to March. (It's a smaller and more intricate version of the bag I wore to the Piedra party.) She says it was the perfect accessory to her wedding dress! :)
  
One of me recent brides is quite unusual, Mrs. Cecile Isaac was finally going to tie the knot before God years after her civil wedding.
After seeing my own wedding bag in Metro Weddings at the last minute. She wanted a replica made for herself. She ordered her bridal bag all the way from the province. Of course, even if time was limited I happily obliged! She set a budget for it so I couldn't make the exact same piece (mine was encrusted with over 50 Swarovski crystals-for a peek of my bag check out my pic below w/ my dad). She also wanted her's slightly larger. So instead, I used silver rhinestones, glass beads and pearls. It came out beautiful just the same! She even requested me to autograph the inside lining of the purse hehe. In 2 weeks the bag was shipped to her. (lead time is usually 1 month) Check out her photo she looked absolutely elegant in her white terno! :)
I loved planning my own wedding from decor, food, and of course the outfits of my entourage and myself! I know how special that day is for every bride. So naturally, I'm delighted each time a bride comes to me for a bag to help make her as stylish as she can be for the big day! (Even if it means having to reproduce an original creation meant only for myself)  
 Troop to ARANAZ and score the best bag bargains yet!!!!! Yes, we're joining the madness!!! THE ARANAZ END OF SEASON SALE!!!! Starts this Thurs, June 28-July 1!!!!
Only at Power Plant Mall!!! :)
 Bring out your ARANAZ bags, ladies!!!! Join us for a night of partying at Piedra!!!! Present your ARANAZ bag at the door and get a little token from us!
Style code enforced!!! BEST DRESSED gets a gift!!!! ;D
MABUHAY!
Loud and clear
By Jenni Epperson
Inquirer
Last updated 06:08am (Mla time) 06/01/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- The last days of summer are upon us and, as if on cue by a divine weatherman, the SFX of lightning and thunder are ushering in the rains.
Time to hang those bikinis and iron those plaid skirts, girls. Those not-so-favorite three words are just around the bend: Back. To. School.
So it may be hard to get excited about resetting the alarm clock from noon to 6 a.m., or hitting school books than pocketbooks, or even diving back into the caste system of high school to relive the “Mean Girls” for a whole new year.
But if “The Plastics” strike a bad nerve, think again. There is another kind of plastic to get happy about. The plastic bag. Yes, it’s bag to school!
And why not turn plastic? Take the cue from the higher schools of style with masters like Chanel, Fendi and Michael Kors. They are going clear this year; call it plastic chic.
Exquisite brand
Closer to home, we have the exquisite brand Aranaz, which gets our thumbs-up for elevating bag design to an art form. This season, rain or shine, fantastic plastic is the way to showcase your essentials. No room for shyness here, ladies!
Oversized bags are still a must-have. They are accessorized and glammed up with special trims such as glitzy metallic leather, hand-carved wood, sparkling crystals, and the trademark iridescent mother-of-pearl.
Talk about reinventing the plastic bag! But if you’re worried about revealing way too much (I mean, a lady’s gotta keep her mystery, right?), then the stylish solution would be matching bamboo clutches. They allow you to store your valuables in style. And with the relentless rains, having a big plastic tote is a smart, smart move.
So class, the first lesson is clear: Aranaz gets an A-plus in style!
E-mail the author at jfashion@inquirer.com.ph
 Wish me luck!!! I'll be part of this adventure this weekend!! It's sort of like a spin on amazing race but without the athletic part! thank god! I get to be driven around town in a Benz for all my challenges hahaha plus we get to bunk at Makati Shang during the contest! and we all go home with a brand new N95 phone!! My partner is Pam Pastor of PDI.... and of course Grand prize is a trip to Amanpulo!!!
Other contestants are: Manu Sandejas & Michelle Aguas, Jay Server & Jennifer Juco, Tim Tayag & Kathy Moran, Jaime Daez & Jane Chua, Rovilson Fernandez & Carlos Suerte Felipe, Patty Laurel & Stephen Ang, Cat Juan & Ed Capulong, Pam Quinones & Glenn Warren Flores, Rorie Carlos & Paolo Manzano
 BAG LADY
Designer Amina Aranaz opens her bag of creative tricks
by Angelo Comsti
Twenty-seven-year-old Amina Aranaz-Alunan has long created a name for herself. At age one, she modeled for Johnson's baby diapers and since then has appeared in TV and print ads for brands like Globe, Sunsilk, Facial Care Center, Smart, San Miguel, The Black Shop and Fish, as well as graced society pages and most lifestyle magazines.
Presently though, she is more known for her line of bags, which carry her maiden name. "Our first store opened in 2004 but we have been selling bags to the local market since 1998," she says. "It all started when my brother, Miguel, wanted to earn extra money and decided to sell our mom's export overruns in school. It did so well that we joined that we joined Christmas bazaar at Manila Pen. Again, we were surprised at how well we sold that on teh following holiday, my mom and I created a range of bags exclusively for the local market."
The demand has consistently been so high that the family had to open their home to clients so they could purchase their bags even during the off-season. And since love for fashion and a strong entrepreneurial spirit run in the family, Aranaz packed her bags and left for Italy in 2003 to take a Master's course in Accessories Design in the esteemed university, Istituto Marangoni. It was a natural career to take since fate had prepared her for it. "I had always spent my summer days as a child in the bag factory so I was exposed to the business early on," she explains. "I believe that working as a fashion assistant in Chalk magazine for a year also helped me become more in touch with the core of fashion. It taught me how to foresee trends and how to create an image through styling and photography. It allowed me to work with key people in the industry as well. And of course my year long exposure in Milan further elevated my fashion persona."
Upon her return, Aranaz knew she was prepared for bigger things in life, including marriage and motherhood. From the very first boutique in City Golf Plaza, which opened in 2004, ARANAZ has now grown into a multi-million venture, with continuous exports in Japan and the US, as well as lucrative branches at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell and later this year, in Greenbelt 5. As Creative Director and Designer, she is hands-on with her business. "I do a little bit of everything: design, product development, production and marketing. Usually I spend my afternoons in the factory doing product development. On some days, I visit our outlets or source out materials in Divisoria." ARANAZ comes out with four collections a year, with a few additional projects specifically designed for various campaigns, such as the recent Metro Wear summer fashion show. Due to this, Aranaz always makes sure to be aware of the trends, on top of all managerial and production duties that she has to attend to. "Because our bags are very limited, I have to create new styles to keep up with the store demands," she says. Her current bestsellers are evening bags with mother of pearl details and bags made with woven wooden beads." The export markets go for the basic straw bags meant for the beach and summer weather. Locally, we have a wider, more fashion forward and intricate range."
Aranaz has certainly gone a long way-- from renting booths in bazaars to managing her own shops. And even after a sweet taste of success, she is still as driven as the day when she first entered the fashion business. Aranaz is presently working on a leather collection, her own line of shoes and perhaps a sister for her five-month-old son Lucas.
 No, ARANAZ will not be part of the rockwell bazaar. But please check out our latest collection at our new store inside the mall :)
Yet, I still won't be absent from the bazaar, I will be selling to-die-for JUMBO Pastillas from Nueva Ecija!!!! hehe I'm not really a big pastillas fan and I even hate milk but I have become addicted to these!!!!! First discovered it while I was pregnant!! We've even pegged these as "Pastillas de Lucas" (my son's name) coz it may have been the culprit for his fatty and siksik physique!
These are authentic jumbo pastillas that are really rich and full! Not like others that attempt to pass for jumbo, only to reveal a small sized piece beneath the large white wrapper.
My booth will be outside the tent right by the driveway! Look for A&A (yes for, Aranaz & Alunan, hehe) Kitchen Jumbo Pastillas!!!
A year of 'Living La Vida Moda"...I coined that term for that period back in 2003 when I packed my bags for a master's program in Accessories design at ISTITUTO MARANGONI in Milan Italy (Europe's leading fashion school---as their tagline goes) I was set on absorbing myself in nothing less but pure Italian fashion!
For the first time in my life, I was independent and completely on my own!!!!! So I embraced every experience that came my way! I gave my 100% in every project and lesson given to us in school. Finally, knee high boots were part of my everyday attire!! "Un cappucino e un brioche" was my breakfast staple (which eventually led to my 20 lb weight gain while living there yikes!!! took me a year to lose all that weight haha!!!) I dared to chop my long hair and got full bangs! (I got mixed reviews on the new look though).
Time just flew and next thing I knew, I was back in Manila. Invigorated, excited and bursting with new knowledge that I wanted to share! Indeed, fashion school was one of the best experiences I've had. It validated that I was on the right track. It paved the way to where I am today. That it was just the beginning, that my love affair with fashion would be a looonnnggggg and winding road ahead.
  
 1) What is your inspiration for this collection?
The ARANAZ summer 2007 collection is inspired by the idea of Queen Amidala going to sunbathe on the moon. Its mixing the artificial with the natural. A space age vibe mixed with pure and natural elements but still glamorous like a queen should always be.
2) What are the key pieces and materials used in this collection?
SIZE & SHAPE: I have gone to opposite ends of the size spectrum for this collection. On one hand, I am doing very small purses to be worn around the body like a piece of jewelry. (A spin-off of my holiday collection of amulet & medallion bags) These tiny purses are meant to be worn in the beach with nothing more than a tinsy winsy bikini to hold necessary cash & lip gloss. On the other hand, I have created larger than life super sized satchels and totes. Large enough to carry around your beach essentials and more!
MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION: I am using a mix of clear plastic, natural straw, & gleaming silver. What's new to me is that I have decided to expose the skeleton of the bags by the use of clear plastic. This time it's all about showing off what's inside a woman's bag! And to help her keep her stuff organized, I will make complementary pouches that are equally as gorgeous that she'd be more than happy to expose!
4) Do you have a muse? If so who will he/she be?
No, I don't. But in this case it would be a hot hot Queen Amidala dressed in Versace!
ARANAZ Deluxe is what we call our Limited Edition Collections. They are highly intricate and utilize only the highest quality materials and techniques. Let's just say I consider these the queens of all ARANAZ bags! hehe These one of a kind capsule collections are composed of about 5-10 pieces only. Being as such, these are sold at a premium. For Holiday 2006, we came out with glamorous faberge eggs that although were too small to carry around nothing else but lipstick, they were stunning and red carpet worthy!
For the ARANAZ Deluxe Spring/Summer 2007 Collection, I'm inspired by all things in bloom! Wedding bouquets. Flower farms. A Midsummer's Night Dream. Topiary. The exact title for the collection has yet to come to me. All I know is that I want these delicate purses to come alive with its 3 dimensional nature.
Here's a sneak peek of a work in progress!  
This has no connection to ARANAZ, except for the fact that I also own it! hehe
My husband, my siblings Miguel & Rosanna and I have a little food stall in Tiendesitas called Sooperstar. We serve really good comfort food like Crispy Liempo Lugaw, Adobo rice with egg, Boneless Chicken BBQ, Spaghetti, Turon with mango & coco dip and more! These are all home recipes that our family and friends would look forward to every time they would come to our beach house in Batangas.
For a minimum of P200, we deliver and also have some party packs!! Check out our menu attached! ;)  
 Watch out as ARANAZ unveils its new store at the 2/L Power Plant Mall this March!!!
We'll be launching our spring collection as well as a very very limited collector's edition collection!!! Only 10 super special one of a kind handmade pieces will be on sale at the store.
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