A Life Lived With Design

Jessica Kienle Maxwell prefers a clean and uncluttered aesthetic in the home, runs a proudly Filipino furnishing brand and enjoys spending time with her son, Luca.

- Sara Siguion-Reyna

In September 2013, Jessica Kienle was on the cover of . Shot at the Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi, the then 24-year-old talked about her plans for the future and the design training she had received. There has always been interest in both the Kienle sisters, and Jessica, the younger of the two had been receiving a fair amount of buzz after returning from a sojourn abroad.

Of that buzz, Jessica had said, “People may think that I am an aspiring model or actress, however, my dream or goal is to be recognized as a designer, and I hope I am well on my way to achieving that.”

Five years later, that goal has been realized. Philux has gone through a design makeover, helmed by Jessica and older sister Stephanie, and has opened more stores across the metropolis. Expanding its product line and offering contemporary pieces to appeal to urban lifestyles, the brand has also kept its focus on Filipino craftsmanship. “We are a proudly Filipino company, through and through, and we always say that the Philux brand is about the people behind the pieces,” says Jessica.

In her personal life, Jessica has since gotten married to Jesse Maxwell, and has given birth to a son, Luca, now nine months old. Five years ago, she talked about growing up in the local furniture and design industry with Stephanie. “We were there all along, watching how it grew. We saw how it evolved. It always meant a lot, and that’s why in my mind, I always knew I wanted to be involved. It was something I’ve always been interested in, the business side of it, as well as the design side.”

With Luca, she wants to do the same. “I think it’s important for him to see what I do, and to understand what Philux is about. There is so much history in this company, and so much to learn about a business that has been built from the ground up, and one that has greatly evolved in the past 38 years.”