Pretty Things for Little Girls: Celestina & Co.

by Martine De Luna

I don’t have a little girl (yet). I can imagine how I’d be, though, if I did! I’d always be on the lookout for anything dainty and girly, and I predict I’d be a delight to any department store clerk or online store. My sisters-in-law know this, as I dote on their daughters, and am often scouting shops for anything cute and useful.

So, when I stumbled upon Celestina & Co., a line of sweet, handmade accessories for little girls, I was immediately smitten. I first learned about the brand while browsing Daphne Osena-Paez’s blog. Ethel Cuerpo-Bernales, the owner and lead designer for the brand, had sent Daphne some gorgeous, never-before-seen hair accessories, and I was hooked. Everything was handcrafted, classy and chic, very unlike the generic, mass-produced accessories for little girls I’d seen in local shops and baby stores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Made with love, made by mom

Every piece from the Celestina & Co. collections are designed and hand-made by Ethel. The concept for the shop came after a personal realization: “It took me several months of searching in different boutiques and department stores looking for suitable accessories for my baby girl when I realized there wasn’t really anything that appeal to me.” She was not fond of the overly pink, ruffly, frou-frou designs that were rampant in baby stores. Ethel actually began buying women’s hair accessories and took them apart, re-sewing and re-assembling them into unique designs.

The result as a business venture that inevitably became a huge success. Since Celestina & Co.’s debut in the first quarter of 2011, the shop has enjoyed a cult following among the mompreneurs community, and is an online shopping haven for many a discriminating mummy! (Incidentally, the business is named after Ethel’s own little girl, who serves as an inspiration to her when coming up with new designs.)

 

Giddy and girly

Celestina & Co.’s designs are outspokenly girlish and feminine, but have a sophisticated flair. “My favorite and has always been our bestsellers are the signature grosgrain bows. I love the fact that a simple ribbon is handmade into something so adorable. It really completes any outfit!” Celestina & Co.’s full range of products includes bows, headbands, elasticized headbands, beanies, and pettiskirts.

 

The shop recently revamped its online store, making shopping even easier. Visit Celestina & Co.’s new online shop today: www.celestinaandco.com. “LIKE” them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Celestinaandco and follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/celestinaandco

 

 

Photos by Stanley Ong Photography and Paola Feliciano. Used with permission from Celestina & Co.