Introducing
Spring-Summer 24 Collection
For Spring-Summer of 2024, 70 beautifulbags by Gustoko have arrived in Europe, handmade with love from the tropical islands of the Philippines. They feature a stunning array of shapes, textures, and patterns, and promise to be the brand’s best lineup yet.
“It’s a collection that’s two years in the making,” shares founder Paula Figueras. “We are just so proud that it’s finally here, to continue to tell the story of a love affair between my two homes, the Philippines and Portugal.
The bags come in fresh and chic designs, many inspired by the most breathtaking places in Europe but especially Portugal, such as Sintra, Comporta, and Cascais. Women of style can choose from anywhere between classic and minimalist to edgy and bold, but always
sophisticated and one-of-a-kind.
By popular demand, several bestsellers from past seasons are back after going through some sprucing up, as in the case of
the charming and elegant Porto and Lisbon from last year, the hip and fun Micks, and the unique and artsy Feanne x Gustoko collab piece.
“At Gustoko, we never stop experimenting with new forms, weaves, closures, straps and other details, to arrive at the most eye-catching but timeless designs,”
adds Paula. A great example would be the lovely Lauren bucket bag and the Caparica clutch, both likely to become this season’s fan favorites.
Truly, these latest bags from Gustoko bring a different kind of spring-summer magic. At the same time, each piece still bears the brand’s trademark of slow, thoughtful craftsmanship, the use of
finest quality natural materials and a finishing touch of glam. Each Gustoko piece still tells a story of patience, persistence, and most of all, love.
Introducing
TICOG COLLECTION
The 2024 Gustoko Spring-Summer collection’s star is ticog, asoft, wild grass that grows in marshlands and lends itself well to handweaving and dyeing, although it looks just as beautiful raw and plain. On bags, Gustoko founder Paula explains, ticog is quite versatile: it comes with a laidback appeal for a daytime outfit, but can also bring an earthy, elegant feel for events in the evening.
Gustoko sources its woven ticog from a small village in Samar, an island in Central Philippines, where a community of women artisans draws from a tradition passed across generations.
Over the years – Gustoko has been working with them for a decade – they have been discovering more and more ways to achieve world-class designs that stand the test of time. “We learned to harvest ticog when they are still green, for example, so that they stay durable as they are woven together.”
Paula has visited and stayed in the community herself, fondly remembering the kind-hearted and hard working women who stayed in a cave while weaving – for the shade and damp, which were good for ticog. Seeing them in person had been transformative for both Gustoko and this tribe of weavers, she says.
“On our part, we were able to more easily communicate the look and quality we were going for. We saw the impact of what we’re doing, and so we became more determined to showcase their beautiful work around the world.”
For their part, the women artisans expressed feeling empowered, as they found themselves being challenged to improve their woven products.
“Yung akala naming maganda na, may igagandapa pala!” (What we thought was already good, we learned, could be made even better!)”
Along with the trusty buntal and abaca tinalak fibers, the ticog isexpected to shine this season, and the village women behind them, even more so.
Introducing
NINA BAG
Coming in a bold egg shape and a chic short and long leather strap, the Gustoko Nina is a real head-turner of a bag. It features a body covered in buntal fiber and trim in snake or sheepskin leather, and is available in white, camel, dark sage, and black and white. A pair of resin balls makes for a chic closure.
Both eye-catching and classy, the Nina is a true conversation piece! Bring it to a laid-back brunch, a romantic dinner, or a lavish garden party!