Above all, Neil Felipp is a believer. Raised by a fashionable mother and grandma, the Cebuano developed an interest in style and the craftsmanship that goes behind it at an early age. For him, we've only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the country's artisanal scene.
His contribution to the growing industry comes in the form of sophisticated minaudieres that have been clutched by the industry's most stylish. Significantly, one of his designs was toted by Gemma Chan in the 2018 mega-hit Crazy Rich Asians. Another one of his clients that you might recognize? Doja Cat at New York Fashion Week.
Neil best describes his work as narratives one can hold in their hands. As fantastical as his references are, his beliefs are rooted in the real and raw talent present on our shores. Ahead, Preview sits down with the designer to learn more about him and the ethos behind his brand.
Who Is Neil Felipp?
Did you always know that you wanted to be a fashion designer? When did your interest in fashion start?
"At a very young age, I always knew that I wanted to be in fashion because of my mom and grandmother. They would bring me to their fittings with designers and shopping [days at] Rustan’s Cebu."
What drew you to designing accessories, minaudieres in particular?
"It was by accident that I designed minaudieres. In 2013, my mom was going to attend a formal event. She was going to wear a midnight blue gown and blue sapphire jewelry, but she didn’t have an evening bag to match. Thus, I opted to make one for her and the Siren minaudiere in Blue Capiz Shell was born. A lot of guests were complimenting it [that night] and the rest was history."
How would you personally describe your designs? What sets your pieces apart?
"There's a certain [dreaminess] when it comes to my designs. Personal stories that are reimagined for you to hold in your hands. I like to believe that’s what separates my designs from others. There is always a story, which I believe is the soul of [each] piece."
What are the main inspirations you pull from when creating your pieces?
"Literature and [my personal] experiences are the main inspirations of my pieces. One good example is the Medusa & Midas minaudiere. The story [behind] this minaudiere is the surreal idea of Medusa and Midas [meeting and falling] in love, both cursed beings as they were. They decided on a deadly embrace. As Medusa turns to gold while Midas turns to stone, their lips are forever [locked in] a kiss."
"More than just the form and material of the piece, the most critical [element] for me is the narrative. It is what guides me and helps me to create a connection between my artisans and clients."
How long does it take to create a minaudiere? What materials do you use to construct one?
"It would take about three months to get finished. For the materials we use, as much as possible, [we source it locally] since that is one of our brand's initiatives. We use mother-of-pearl parchment, which is a type of goat skin leather that is hand-dried and hand-dyed."
Is there one rule or value you always stick to when making your creations? What pushes you to keep pursuing your craft?
"The rule is that it should be made in the Philippines. Ever since I started, I wanted to give emphasis to the craft of the Philippines for I like to believe [the country has great contributions to the world of luxury]. The level of detail that our artisans give to our craft is truly world class."
"[The Filipino people] pushes me to keep pursuing the craft. I would like the Neil Felipp brand to be a global Filipino brand that we can take pride in, [one that] reminds us of what we are capable of."
What Is a Minaudiere?
At this point, you might be wondering what differentiates a minaudiere from a regular clutch or handbag. The word itself means "bejeweled evening bag" in French. Neil deepens this definition, adding that "a minaudiere is not [just distinguished by] the size but by the level of craftsmanship that is [used to make it]. At most times, minaudieres are considered as forms of jewelry."
How Much Are Neil Felipp Minaudieres?
Given that the minaudieres are constructed out of meticulously-sourced materials, price tags can go anywhere from P40,000 to P50,000. Neil also cccasionally accepts custom orders, pricing the pieces accordingly.
Oceania Minaudiere in White, P49,895, NEIL FELIPP, neilfelipp.com
Siren Minaudiere in Blue Capiz, P39,895, NEIL FELIPP, neilfelipp.com
Suzy Wong Minaudiere in Black, P39,895, NEIL FELIPP, neilfelipp.com
Sakura Minaudere in Pink, P43,895, NEIL FELIPP, neilfelipp.com
Phoenix Minaudere in Gold Parchment, P49,895, NEIL FELIPP, neilfelipp.com
Medusa & Midas Minaudiere in Gray, P49,895, NEIL FELIPP, neilfelipp.com
Local Celebrities Wearing Neil Felipp Minaudieres
The Cebuano's work has made its way around the globe, but one can argue that no one wears them better than Filipinos themselves. Ahead, see how our local celebrities styled their minaudieres.
1. Belle Mariano
Quite literally the belle of the ball, Gen Z star Belle Mariano clutched a Suzy Wong minaudiere with her show-stopping Michael Leyva gown at the 2023 ABS-CBN Ball.
2. KC Concepcion
Halfway across the world, KC Concepcion wore the same bag with a Cheetah Rivera terno at the Soho International Film Festival premiere of her movie Asian Persuasion.
3. Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Also repping Filipino craftsmanship, Jasmine Curtis-Smith held a black version of the dragon-motif piece with her Francis Libiran frock at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
4. Dolly De Leon
Internationally-acclaimed actress Dolly De Leon was dressed to kill at the 2023 Academy Awards in a black suit with a blood-red Suzy Wong minaudiere.
5. Alodia Gosiengfiao
At this year's Preview Ball, Alodia Gosiengfiao was an ethereal sight in white, offsetting her ensemble with a Medusa & Midas clutch.
6. Barbie Forteza
To match her Tiffany blue Ehrran Montoya gown at the 2023 GMA Gala, Barbie Forteza donned a dainty Sakura minaudiere.
7. Liza Soberano
Imparting a whimsical touch to Liza Soberano's all-black Filipiniana at the 1st ever Gold Gala was an ivory-hued Oceania minaudiere.
Shop Neil Felipp through their official website here. Visit their boutique at Unit 08, ZR&DC Bldg., Rosal St., Brgy. Camputhaw in Cebu City
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