Rachel Donaire, wife of the pound-for-pound No. 4 boxer in the world Nonito, has launched Vera Coulture, a world-class line of couture luxury bags that promotes Filipiniana through many of the items’ designs.

“We need to pioneer our own things – to be proud of who we are and what we can do. If we as people love floral, then floral it is. If we like using wood material in our craft, then so be it. The point is, we should be the first to be confident of our identity in order for the rest of the world to pay attention,” she told Bulletin Entertainment at the formal opening of Vera Coulture’s very first store in Manila last June 10.

The opening was graced by Senator Dick Gordon, Sen. Pia Cayetano (who said she’ll buy a Vera Coulture bag to match her gown for her inauguration later this month), GMA Network executive Ida Henares, Victor Aliwalas, Niccolo Cosme, among other personalities from politics and show business.  

Vera Coulture was founded by trendsetter Rona Vera Cruz. She designs every bag under this label with inputs from Rachel, who has a degree in Business Management. Each design is produced only once or twice, thus guaranteeing exclusivity for its owners. The handcrafted and hand-painted bags are engineered to be all-weathered and scratch resistant, too.

Rachel said she and Rona met on Facebook. It was also through the social networking site that they first tested the waters on their product’s marketability. The response, Rachel said, was nothing less than phenomenal.

“A lot of people wanted to buy the bags even before these were available! They don’t mind waiting for months as long as they could secure the product.

“Apparently, if foreigners appreciate Filipino beauty as exotic, they see our Filipino-made bags as one of a kind, a shoo-in to being collector’s items,” said Rachel, who is primarily tasked to manage and handle the marketing and sales of Vera Coulture.

To date, the brand has ventured on foreign markets like the UK, Asia, and the Middle East, specifically Dubai, Qatar, and Bahrain. Vera Coulture also has stores in Florida and California, USA.

The boxer’s wife thinks the continuous endorsement of world-renowned brands like LV, Gucci, and Hermes by Filipinos, most especially the influential, keeps their locally produced products on the side.

“We should buy Filipino so that the money is pumped into our economy,” she quipped, giving legs to the adage “Charity begins at home.”

In that light, the press release said that while the Vera Coulture line boasts of woods, raw materials, and craftsmanship from the Philippines, Vera Coulture has found a way to give back to Mother Nature. It has partnered with the Meralco Foundation Inc. and has purchased 50 fruit-bearing trees that will be planted in the Philippines on June 26. The commitment is grounded on this principle – each purchase of a Vera Coulture bag will have a new tree planted in Jala-Jala, Rizal.

More, part of the sales of the bags will go to the financing of the schooling of aspiring entrepreneurs.

Asked if Nonito has ever bought her a designer bag, Rachel candidly admits that he has – except that she doesn’t use it much.

“Nonito gave it to me because he’s seen other boxers’ wives with one. He thought it’s what a boxer’s wife does – carry designer bags around (smiles). I like the bag and that’s why I try to preserve it, as I value my husband’s thoughtfulness,” Rachel said.

Rachel and Rona are teeming with designs for Vera Coulture. Already out is a set inspired by the horoscope. Another bag is designed in tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, whose dance moves, Rachel revealed, Nonito could approximate especially the hip movements. Yet another bag incorporates the image of the Philippine islands in the design. There’s also an “Aquino line” of yellow ribbons and black-rimmed glasses.

The two entrepreneurs are thinking of designing a bag that’s made to look like a boxing glove held upside down. No genius needed to whom that tips a hat.  

Although Vera Coulture bags cater to the perfumed lot, Rachel said she and Rona are looking into coming up with a spin-off that will cater to the masses. It should be a hit – according to Rachel, a mall chain in the US is already interested.

How many bags should a woman own? And what is inside her bag all the time?

“If possible, a woman should have a bag for every outfit she has! If you would ‘raid’ my bag, you’ll find at any given time a lipstick, a ChapStick, a hair tie, and my wallet.”

The first Vera Coulture store in Manila is at W Tower, 39th St. North Road Triangle Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Global City.