From her grandmother’s heirlooms to meaningful travels, Janine Gutierrez shares how true luxury is about finding value in what lasts
Fast living often outpaces deliberate choices, but Janine Gutierrez knows when to welcome a pause to when it comes to luxury. For our December-January cover star, mindful living uncovers the things that actually enrich our lives—a lesson she credits to moments of stillness and introspection.
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“You know what? I guess I really learned about this during the pandemic,” Gutierrez reflects. “We were forced to sit with ourselves, and there was nowhere else to go. My mind was really stressed—all these plans that wouldn’t push through anymore. But I learned to meditate, do gratitude journals, and find joy in little things like reading books, drawing, or gardening.”
Luxury begins with inner peace for her: “The biggest luxury is to have time for yourself and your loved ones, to enjoy being alone with your thoughts.” It’s not the grandiose, but the grounding that characterizes her philosophy, a value that turns each day into gilded memories.
Her concept of luxury has likewise grown into something intimate. “You make your own definition,” she explains. “For me, it’s time and travel. Sometimes, instead of buying something, I’d rather spend it on a trip. Those memories last a lifetime. Travel is super intentional; you save up, plan, and make the most of each day. It’s priceless.”
This intentionality extends to her material choices. Gutierrez’s first luxury pieces came from her grandmother’s—Pilita Corrales—closet, an extensive wealth of heirlooms. She recalls an old brown suede Bally shoulder bag: “Oh, it would be trendy now,” she muses with a laugh. “Super vintage.”
Living with hand-me-downs instilled in her a reverence for longevity. “Luxury is about longevity,” she says. “I’ll only buy something if I can’t stop thinking about it, if I know I’ll use it for a really long time. It’s also about asking, ‘Is this something I can eventually pass on?’ Even my grandmother’s old concert outfits taught me that.”
Her advice for embracing luxury responsibly is thoroughly straightforward: “Luxury isn’t about trends or what everyone else is into. The key is getting to know yourself and what sparks joy for you. Is it a handbag? Shoes? Dinner with your family? You can find luxury in anything. It’s not about the price but the value you place on it.”
Mindful living through luxury intertwines intention with heartfelt meaning. It’s the discipline of finding beauty in what lasts, whether it’s a beloved memory, a treasured antique, or a peaceful day with a book. It is the skill of connecting moments and objects together to create an ensemble of meaning—and Janine Gutierrez emphasizes that genuine luxury feeds on authenticity rather than abundance.
All pieces by GUCCI. Photographed by SHAIRA LUNA. Creative direction by PATRICK TY and BRIE VENTURA. Styled by RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Makeup by THAZZIA FALEK. Hair by JAY AQUINO. Art Direction JONES PALTENG and TROY NONATO. Beauty Direction AGOO AZCUNA- BENGZON assisted by MARA GO. Production JONES PALTENG. Fashion Assistant ERICA TEROL. Editorial Assistant THESSMAR LECTURA. Styling Assistants NICHOLE ANNE PURA, PATRICIA NAOMI CRUZ, and MAXINE DELA CRUZ. Nails MYLENE SATONA of POSH NAILS. Photography Assistant EMELITO LANSANGAN. Hairstylist’s Assistant EJ FLORES. Special thanks to ANDEE QUE and AMANDA CORVERA of GUCCI, ANDREA LARA, LAU JUANILLO, and JINKY MARTIJA of HENRY HOTEL MIRANILA, NOEL NAVARRO. Shot at HENRY HOTEL MIRA NILA.
