“Kris Aquino is back!” fans exclaimed after the “Queen of All Media’s” new Netflix “C.H.I.K.A.” video went viral, seeing it as a sign of the start of her showbiz comeback after a long hiatus.

But for Cebuano handcraft accessories label Mele + Marie, it was as if Kris never left at all.

Ever since Kris held in her hands a Mele + Marie minaudiere on the red carpet of Hollywood blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians in 2018, fate began to smile bigger for the brand, which traces its roots in Nueva Ecija and has since expanded in Cebu.

After all, like Kris who was born on Valentine’s Day, the brand loves hearts. It is because of a heart that started the brand, and also it is because of a heart — and “love” accents on Kris’ bag — that the label continues to survive and thrive amid challenges like the global pandemic and inflation.

Creative director Rome Oamil recalled in an exclusive DAILY TRIBUNE interview during the brand’s recent launch in Rustan’s Makati that her parents, from whose names the brand takes its name from, put up the brand in 1994 after discovering that at two days old, her sister had a whole in her heart and needed emergency operation.

“It was very much out of a drama movie, it was like zero to 100 — either she lives or she dies. Thankfully, she was alive. But the doctors informed my parents that she needed a second surgery when she is slightly older and she could already handle it,” Rome shared.

“My parents knew from the beginning that living from paycheck to paycheck or working for someone would simply not cover the cost of that. So that’s what eventually motivated them into going into business.”

From just her parents, their company is now supporting around 25 artisans and employees. In just over a decade, the brand has earned international acclaim for its exceptional artisanal handbags and fashion accessories. Among its award-winning creations are the Joana Bag, recipient of a Design Excellence Award in New York, and the Emman Clutch, which received the prestigious 2023 Katha Award for Best Product Design (Fashion).

The brand has become a familiar presence during Première Classe Paris held alongside Paris Fashion Week and has showcased its collections at prestigious exhibitions in Versailles and New York.

After Kris brought the brand’s “Love” bag with her on the Crazy Rich Asians red carpet, the brand has widened its international presence. Designed by Rome’s dad, Melecio, the bag was not really made for Kris, Rome said.

“It came to us as a surprise,” she noted. “It was gifted to her… it was something that she chose deliberately to bring to the premiere.”

Today, the brand’s creations continue to be featured by the world’s most respected fashion publications, including British Vogue, Vogue Italia, Vogue Greece, Harper’s Bazaar France and Numéro France, and more media titles around the globe affirming the brand’s place in the international luxury fashion landscape.

Rome, however, admitted that in spite these accolades, the luxury fashion market is now heavily challenged by inflation.

“There are some products that don’t get necessarily sold like the others. And we take that loss hard and quite literally, we take a look at our finances and we say, okay, let’s do better next time in our next collection. But it’s really hard coming back from that,” she elaborated.

Truly, by taking heart — a strong heart — Rome believes they can rise above any challenge — just like Aquino, who continues to fight her autoimmune diseases.

As Rome stressed: “Our creations are guided by three values — they tell stories from our hearts, are born from our unwavering faith, and celebrate beauty in every aspect of life.”