Fifteen years ago, Austolia Jewelry Arts, a company based in Cebu, began making and exporting metal components in silver jewelry for various suppliers. But in 2007, the company lost many of its clients because of the poor economic global conditions.
But they say that when a door closes, a window opens, as Rene Simbajon, the company’s general manager, and his team refused to be defeated by the setback. They thought of other ways of making use of Austolia’s plating machines and began using various materials to complement metals.
“We used chopped leftover shops from furniture shops and shells,” says Simbajon.
The outcome was a whole range of unique fashion accessories exemplified by a fusion of Eastern and Western ethnic designs.
“The concept is to combine natural materials and metals with handcrafted quality,” says Simbajon.
He adds: “At first we had no luck since we were just new. Then, we started exploring the market.”
This paved the way for Austolia to get the attention that it was seeking from the international community. The company now exports to France, United Kingdom, Morrocco, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Japan, China and Thailand.
The combination is known for its ingenious combination of metals, gemstones and wood plated to make unique earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and bangles.
The company started attending fairs and exhibits and during the April 2009 show of Manila F.A.M.E. International, Austolia Jewelry Arts was recognized for design excellence in fashion accessories. The company was also a recipient of Katha Awards, which recognizes product design and innovation that combines the ideals of form and function. The winning product was fashionable eye wear that was both classic and funky in design. The eye wear is made of graywood, kamagong, mother-of-pearl, jackfruit wood and robles wood with bayong inlay. The design was the favorite of Katha Award juror and designer Rajo Laurel.
“Manila F.A.M.E. gave us an opportunity to showcase our products,” says Simbajon.
F.A.M.E. or Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturer’s Exchange International is a bi-annual trade platform for exporters from the home and fashion lifestyle sectors. It is led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the exports promotions agency of the Trade Department. Dinna Chan Vasquez
