MELE + MARIE: A Legacy of Love, Artistry, and Family

For Marie Oamil everything begins and ends with family. “Family drives everything we do,” said the founder, CEO and matriarch of MELE + MARIE. “My husband and daughter Rome design, my daughter Hannah and I manage and dream. We are a family business, and that connection gives meaning to every piece we create.”

What started as a personal mission born of love and survival has grown into a global luxury brand celebrated for its fine artistry, powerful storytelling, and unwavering spirit. From their home in the Philippines, Marie and her husband, Melecio Oamil, built the brand with heart and purpose. Each of their minaudières and handbags reflects a chapter of their family’s story — one of faith, resilience, and hope. The company name, MELE + MARIE, symbolizes the union of husband and wife, while their daughters represent the future and the legacy the couple is determined to pass on.

Marie’s journey began in the 1990s when she and Melecio established a costume jewelry factory in Cebu to supply global brands. But her entrepreneurial drive — and a mother’s determination — would soon take her further. When their eldest daughter Hannah was born with a serious heart condition, Marie’s priorities shifted overnight. “We had nothing, but we needed to find a way to provide for her surgery,” she recalled. “That’s when I realized I had to build something of my own.”

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