Amina Aranaz-Alunan

Acclaimed bag designer, DIY champion, and lifestyle personality, Amina Aranas-Alunan is a picture perfect symbol of patriotism. With a Masters in Fashion Accessories Design, she directs Aranaz, the Filipino lifestyle brand that has penetrated international markets. She was inspired by her mother’s business; instead of putting other labels on the bags her mother’s business created, she hungered to leave her own stamp. Thus, the mother-daughter trio: Becky, Amina and Rosanna Aranaz started the label “with a heart for Filipino craftsmanship ” in early 2000. The brand soon gained a reputation for being socially conscious due to her employment of women weavers and patronage of indigenous materials like coconut shells and weaved abaca. By perfecting a signature blend of polished and artisanal, they have been patronized by European royals including the Queen of Belgium. Additionally, she co-founded the popular School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) Design Institute in 2007 as a platform to develop creatives and designers.She hopes to continue moving the nation’s design and creative industries forward.