The Luxe Collective
Moda Interni celebrates Filipino artistry and emerging trends in luxury.
Words Jewel Chuansu
Photos courtesy of Moda Interni
January 3, 2025
Chocolatier Christian Valdes, Fashion designer Yumi Christina, and Visual artist Rachel Ngan Duenas.
Seeking to elevate spaces and redefine Filipino living, Moda Interni brings modern luxury to the Philippines by offering fine furniture, kitchen design, and modular cabinetry from their curated selection of Italian brands including Pedini, Turri, Opera Contemporary, and more.
Embracing a lifestyle centered on meaningful experiences and personalized opulence, Moda Interni celebrates Filipino artistry in an all its forms through The Luxe Collective series. The first event of the series introduces visual artist Rachel Ngan Duenas, fashion designer Yumi Christina, and chocolatier Christian Valdes to a wider audience. It also brings to the fore the power of design, showing how our surroundings and interior spaces affect our mood, creativity, and lifestyle.
“Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that tell who we are,” said Goldwin Sison, President and CEO of Moda Interni. “We selected these incredible Filipino artists because their crafts reflect a unique blend of artistry, culture, and personal storytelling. By showcasing their work with brands like Turri, Opera Contemporary, and Pedini, we aim to inspire Filipinos to see their homes as more than just spaces—they’re sanctuaries of personal expression.”
Meet the artists chosen for The Luxe Collective: Celebrating Art, Design, and Community.
Visual artist Rachel Ngan Duenas
Rachel Ngan Duenas
Rachel Ngan Duenas was recently featured in a prestigious exhibit at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. A piece from this show, titled “Come Into Life,” is now on display at the Moda Interni showroom. The painting showcases the vibrancy that Rachel is able to achieve with watercolor. It also tells the story of a chick hatching from an egg and fighting for its first breath.
“The breath you take is precious,” says Rachel. “You fought for it, and you cherish it.” The message resonates with Rachel personally as two members of her family are breast cancer survivors. Proceeds of the sale of this painting are pledged to the Philippine Cancer Society.
Come Into Life by Rachel Ngan Duenas.
“All my paintings have a prayer, an intent, and I guess as an artist, I just want my prayers to find a home,” says Rachel. Turri’s refined and versatile designs that blend classic elegance with modern sensibilities align with Rachel’s vision of “creating space for art.” “Authenticity is key. When you know yourself and your story, you will naturally curate a space that reflects that,” she adds.
You may contact Rachel Ngan Duenas via email at [email protected] or on Instagram @rachelnduenas.
Japanese-Filipino designer Yumi Christina
Yumi Christina
Japanese-Filipino designer Yumi Christina, founder of EDYA1929, brings Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship to the Moda Interni showroom. Having previously worked for a major fashion brand in Tokyo before her move to the Philippines, Yumi was inspired to transform vintage kimonos into contemporary fashion pieces. She advocates for sustainable fashion as she finds a new use and purpose for kimonos that are discarded in Japan.
When asked about how the kimono can be adapted to the Philippine tropical weather, Yumi explains that she removes the lining, leaving behind pure Japanese silk—a lightweight, breathable fabric that still provides warmth.
Though they have a ready-to-wear line, Yumi recommends availing of their made-to-order service. They also produce bags and shoes that Yumi created in collaboration with artisans and sewers in Marikina.
“Kimono fabrics are more than just materials. They’re a tapestry of stories, blending tradition and craftsmanship to symbolize virtues or seasons,” Yumi says. “By transforming them into modern fashion, I give these stories new life while respecting their heritage.”
Similarly, Opera Contemporary combines timeless craftsmanship with designs that reflect the individuality and personality of those who choose them, creating personal expressions of luxury.
Yumi Christina can be reached on Instagram at @edya1929, through her website edya1929.com, by email at [email protected], or by phone at +63 9985592708.
Chocolatier Christian Valdes of CMV Txokolat
Christian Valdes
Chocolatier Christian Valdes of CMV Txokolat infuses his chocolate creations with Filipino ingredients such as Barako coffee, gin pomelo, calamansi, santol, pinipig, mango, cashew, and more. Christian emphasizes the importance of heritage in his work, using flavors, ingredients and stories that reflect Philippine culture.
“Each truffle or bar carries the soul of our traditions, turning local ingredients into a global experience. Filipino cuisine is gaining international recognition, and it’s our responsibility to champion its richness and make it sustainable by supporting local producers and establishments,” he explains.
“Chocolate is more than just an ingredient—it’s a piece of history and culture,” he adds. “The Philippines was the first in Asia to cultivate cacao, introduced via the Acapulco galleon trade in the 1600s. From a humble ingredient, it has become a platform to highlight the richness of Filipino heritage.”
A well-designed kitchen plays an important role in this endeavor. Pedini crafts kitchens with sustainable and functional designs that can be personalized with different colors and finishes. In a Pedini kitchen, every detail is designed to inspire creativity and support culinary artistry.
Visit www.cmvtxokolat.com, follow Christian Valdes on Instagram at @CMVTxokolatOfficial, or connect through Facebook at CMV Txokolat.
The Moda Interni showroom is located at the 5 th floor, Bonavida Center, Diliman, Quezon City. Contact +639177256456 or [email protected] for appointments. Visit their website: https://www.modainterni.ph.
