The Evolution of Rustan's
When Rustan's Department Store was established in 1952, little did founders Gliceria Rustia Tantoco and Bienvenido Tantoco, Sr. know that it would change the retail industry in the Philippines forever. The Tantoco matriarch took her passion and appreciation of exceptional items and luxurious labels, and shared it with the rest of the country by offering the finest brands, products, and services. And, 70 years later, Rustan's continues to uphold her style and vision.
"70 years ago, my mother Glecy had a vision to bring the most luxurious and exciting brands to the Philippines—something that had never been done before," says Zenaida R. Tantoco, charmain and chief executive officer of Rustan's. "Today her legacy is still alive, and the boundaries that she broke ensure that we still offer only the top brands, only the finest products, and only the best service. We are who we are because of her, alongside our ever-loyal customers who are such an entwined part of our Rustan’s story. Our promise is to constantly pursue how we can continue to make the everyday special for them, and the seemingly ordinary, extraordinary."
Through the years, Rustan's has had several milestones and historic moments. A few that come to mind are Gliceria Rustia Tantoco being the first person to license Christian Dior in the Philippines, bring an exclusive distribution of Lacoste to the country, and open the first Charriol boutique in Manila.
As part of the celebrations, the retailer is asking Filipinos what their Rustan's moments are. Of course, there are also in-store events, promotions, and more to look forward to including new brands and collections. Before that, however, we're looking back at Rustan's history in honor of the retail giant's 70th anniversary.
Bernard Lacoste and Gliceria Rustia Tantoco in Paris
Gliceria Rustia Tantoco and Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. with Karl Lagerfeld in the '80s
Gliceria Rustia-Tantoco with an Yves Saint Laurent executive in 1971
The Philippe Charriol boutique opening at Greenbelt in November 1996
Gliceria Rustia Tantoco and Bernard Lanvin in Paris in the '70s
Oleg Cassini, Gliceria Rustia Tantoco, and Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. in New York in July 1993
Christian Dior designer Marc Bohan, Gliceria Rustia Tantoco, and Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. in 1982
Styling sessions with Tadashi Shoji in 2017
Customers during the Criselda Lontok Spring/Summer 2017 Presentation
A Bernardaud event with Kate Anzani in 2017
Maxene Magalona at the Longchamp Le Pliage Personalized Leather event in 2018
The Swarovski Shangri-La opening in 2018
Tessa Prieto-Valdes at the Rustan's Your Summer Escape Travel Fair in 2018
Criselda Lontok during Criselda Lontok Tea Party in 2019
