Drake Dustin reveals his favourite creations
Cover Drake Dustin Ibay reveals his favourite creations

Drake Dustin Ibay, the founder of LVNA By Drake Dustin, gives Tatler a glimpse of his creative process, work strategy, and favourite looks

Drake Dustin Ibay, the artist behind LVNA By Drake Dustin, has always been fascinated with gemstones. When he was younger, he admits collecting rubies, sapphires, and citrines which he turns into different kinds of accessories for his loved ones to enjoy.

"I started collecting gemstones. I first tried creating intricate jewellery using the gemstones that I’ve accumulated for years and gave them as gifts to friends and family. I wanted to share it with others as well because I saw how they value it," he shares in an interview with Tatler. "So I asked myself, 'How can I broaden my skills and my passion for gemstones to something that people will have a high opinion of?' That is when my fascination for diamonds and all sorts of jewellery came in. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but also, each jewellery has its own properties that people tend to cherish endlessly. I wanted to give a classic craft a new perspective."

Read more: LVNA By Drake Dustin Global App: Safe And Easy Way To Purchase Jewellery

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Lvna signature piece
Above Lvna By Drake Dustin signature piece

According to Ibay, his inspiration is mostly drawn from the people he imagines wearing his signature pieces. "When I design a piece of jewellery, I get inspiration from the people who will wear it or who I think will wear my craft," he explains. 

"I study them, their style, the way they look, and their respective personalities. I also try to create pieces using my personal preferences but I mostly consider how people are going to connect with my piece through their specific tastes or styles," he adds.

Client Presentation

For his clients, Ibay assures that he and his team of professionals are able to garner enough information before presenting their works. "There are a lot of factors to consider when presenting a jewellery or a piece to certain clients," he discloses.

"We don't just offer a specific piece to a client right away; we exchange ideas and try to get as much information on their personal choices. This way, we can suggest and blend our own aesthetics and personal recommendations," he says firmly. "Every jewellery will stand out if you are knowledgeable about the client's specific features. The challenge is to elaborate the important features of the jewellery to them. Our pieces are designed delicately and uniquely for us to be able to connect with our clients and to cater to their specific wants and needs."

See also: Meet 6 Of The Philippines' Top Jewellers: Nicole Whisenhunt, Paul Syjuco, And More

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Drake Dustin is the brain behind the sought-after LVNA jewellery
Above Drake Dustin Ibay is the brain behind the sought-after LVNA By Drake Dustin jewellery

Miss Universe Journey

One of Ibay's career highlights happened in 2021 when he bedazzled Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo with pieces from his brand. "My recent collaboration with Miss Universe was really unexpected. I was not really a pageant fan but I became one because of this experience. It all happened so fast."

Ibay shares that his excitement for the project was met with lots of challenges amid the pageant. "When I received the opportunity to create a piece for the preliminaries and main competition for our Miss Universe candidate, I just had to say yes!" he eagerly shares. "But then I realised that my team and I only had two weeks to finish all the pieces since Rabiya already had to leave due to the COVID-19 lockdowns⁠—if you're into jewellery making, you know very well that it takes more than just that to finish a single piece, especially one that is of national interest..so if you ask me, the pressure was really there."

Despite this challenge, Ibay and his team did not cave in fear. "I wanted it. I wanted to create a piece exclusively for Rabiya since this is very special to me. So I did my research and checked if I could personally fly to Florida to deliver the jewellery pieces myself a week before the competition. The Universe was in our favour because I got the clearance to fly thus, giving us more time to finish the pieces."

Tatler Asia
HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - MAY 14: Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo appears onstage at the Miss Universe 2021 Preliminary Competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 14, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images)
Above HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - MAY 14: Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo appears onstage at the Miss Universe 2021 Preliminary Competition at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 14, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images)

Ibay recalls asking all of his goldsmiths and artisans to prioritise the project. "I reached the point where LVNA's overall operations were put to halt just so we could finish the project on time." He adds that the numerous "back and forth" decisions from the Beauty Queen's styling team also challenged him. "Adding to the pressure is the design process, we had a lot of back and forth from Rabiya's team."

In the end, Ibay and his team managed to finish the pieces on time. "It was an exhilarating, exhausting, tiring experience but very rewarding and fulfilling. When I was already in Florida to deliver the pieces, all I could think of was 'I couldn’t believe we were able to make all of this happen.' It was an unforgettable experience as a jewellery designer. Seeing Rabiya try on the pieces made me cry. We did it."

More from Tatler: LVNA By Drake Dustin: The Brand Behind Miss Universe PH Rabiya Mateo's Dazzling Accessories At The Pageant

Favourite Looks

The interview will not be over without Ibay's top jewellery picks. The images below are the designer's favourite artists wearing his favourite pieces:

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 3 Miss Universe Rabiya Mateo wears a classic necklace from LVNA
Photo 2 of 3 Renowned fashion stylist Liz Uy wears a classic ring from LVNA
Photo 3 of 3 Social media personality Ivana Alawi wears a classic LVNA piece

For additional information about LVNA By Drake Dustin's products, visit their official website at lunabydrakedustin.com, or their physical stores in 2/F #255 LVNA - Hotel Lobby Hall, The Peninsula Manila, 2/F Filipino Village (inside 7107 Islands) ASEANA, Paranaque City, Philippines, 2/F East Wing, Estancia Mall Shaw Blvd. corner, Meralco Ave. Ortigas Center, Shangri-la Plaza, EDSA, Ayala Vertis, North, UPTOWN Mall  BGC, and Molito, Alabang. 

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