The Art of the Craftsman at Manila FAME

The 58^th edition of Manila FAME, The Design and Lifestyle Event, puts the spotlight on Filipino artisans and their top-notch artistry and craftsmanship in its showcase of “The Art of the Craftsman” on 17-20 October, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Metro Manila, Philippines.

The Millennial Home living room as displayed during the March 2013       Manila FAME. Bamboo half-moon sofa by Budji Layug, pillows by Vito     Selma and Iñigo Elizalde for Catalina Embroideries, chair by Budji Layug for Pacific Traders, and tabletop accessory made from abaca   and copper wire by TADECO.

“Philippine craftsmanship has always sparked global interest because of the innate talents and ingenuity of our Filipino craftsmen. We intend to sustain this fascination for unparalleled design style made by Filipino hands through Manila FAME,” said Executive Director Rosvi C. Gaetos of the Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions (CITEM).

Bed and chandelier from Betis Crafts, ottoman stool
and pillows from TADECO, and chair by Pacific Traders.

Executive Director Gaetos added that buyers and guests can expect more extraordinary and unique product offerings and exciting show features in the October. One of the show’s crowd favorites is the Craft Spots, where visitors can see local artisans at work, doing live demonstrations of age-old traditions and disciplines of craftsmanship, and have the opportunity try it out. In The Marketplace, distinct products and crafts made from various indigenous materials by the country’s craftsmen will be showcased. Presented in cooperation with Philippine local communities and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), The Marketplace emphasizes sustainability and through its Green Crafts, highlights local communities’ initiatives that transform urban ecologies into self-sustaining and pro-environment society.  Manila FAME, the country’s premier trade show is now on its third decade of offering high-quality export products in furniture and furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, and fashion, all designed, developed and manufactured in the Philippines.

  

As a special setting, Manila FAME will present Design PH, an installation that transcends the boundaries of product innovation, Philippine style. Here, established manufacturers collaborate with seasoned and young designers to produce works of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. This is along another edition of Manila Wear, a branding initiative for apparel and fashion accessories that aims to create a design sensibility that is purely Filipino and synonymous with tropical/resort wear and headlined by a select group of Filipino fashion designers creating extraordinary pieces for the global market. Within Manila Wear is a vibrant display of modern Philippine textiles, crafted from sustainable indigenous fibers – DESIGN TXTILE. Targeted to be the “Contemporary Philippine Textiles,” it is ethnic-inspired yet versatile, artisanal yet progressive and most importantly, distinctly Filipino.

             White hanging lamps made of coco shells by Marjol Manato
                  for Catalina Embroideries, chairs by Budji Layug for Pacific
            Traders, tabletop accessory made from abaca and copper
                 wire by TADECO, nesting table by Luisa Robinson, and floor
 accessories by Vito Selma.Add caption

Aside from these show-stoppers, Manila FAME will mount the Christmas Village, a holiday-themed setting of vibrant creations that showcase the latest products and freshest ideas in gifts and holiday decor.

Over the years, Manila FAME has become a reputed and established international sourcing hub for outstanding craftsmanship and unique designs and products patronized by leading lifestyle stores and retailers such as Bloomingdale’s, Armani Casa, Harrods, El Corte Ingles, Neiman Marcus, Pottery Barn, Tangs, and Etoile Design, as well as notable personalities like Queen Rania of Jordan and Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Organized by the CITEM, Manila FAME is the only trade show in the Philippines recognized by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. For more information about Manila FAME, visit www.manilafame.com or e-mail manilafame@citem.com.ph.

Words: MarCom, CITEM

Luisa Robinson’s Arum and Calla Hanging Lamps Inspired by Lilies for Bon-Ace

Hanging lamp made from raffia by Ito Kish

Hanging lamps by Kenneth Cobonpue

Home Fashion Philippine Exporters in Maison et Objet, Paris, France

Elon Musk's HYPERLOOP is a breakthrough for Science, Physics, and Design rolled into one. The machine will take a commuter from Los Angeles to New York in just 35 minutes.  It boasts of a modern futuristic, fashionable and functional design making you travel faster with comfort than any transportation available in the whole world.  Hyperloop fashion is rendered with impressive commuter benefits as designed by Elon Musk.  Fashion is applied everywhere, be it consumer or industrial.  Unbelievable but true, no one can ever appreciate something without its fashion attributes.  Fashion Trend setters inspire us in trying out the latest products and services available in the market, the ones that will best suit one's need and satisfy the want all together.

Philippines on the other side of the globe, the South East Asia, is haven for renowned Artisans' innovation and ingenuity when it comes to Home and Apparel fashion.  After some years of absence in the much acclaimed design trend setter event for Home Fashion, Maison et Objet, the Philippine exporters and designers finally united themselves to form a delegation and showed their designer home crafts made from raw materials endemic to the Philippines.  Artistic and eccentric, traditionally ethnic yet modern inspired, with function and aesthetic combined - home fashion products from the Philippines were sensationally striking and was the talk of the industry in the recently concluded Maison et Object in Paris, France. Held in Paris Nordic Villepinte last 6-10 September 2013, organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the Foreign Trade Service Corps France and the Philippine Embassy.

The relaunch in Maison et Objet featured twelve upcoming Philippine young designers and export manufacturers, under the Design.ph brand, paraded their most acclaimed home collections: Betis Crafts' Gustavian chair; Celso Advincula Jr and Kenneth Cobonpue's Nature inspired lamps; Industria's Jude Tiotuico and Eric Paras' Living Room Bee Web accent pieces; Ito Kish' Gregoria Lounge Chair and Basilica Side Table; Luisa Robinson's decorative vases made of shell; Wataru Sakuma's wall paper art made of salago and paper mulberry fiber; CSM Philippines' Mayumi Fine Bone China dinnerware collection; Rene Alcala's Domicillo wall metal votive holders; Kalikasan Krafts' Schema Octa trays, jars, and lamps; Tadeco's T'nalak pillows and Mangrove bowls and trays; Triboa Bay's wood chairs and lamps; and Vito Selma's Geo furniture pieces.  

Working with Interior Designers, Industrial Designers, Architects, and Engineers during my past jobs in private corporations gave me an eye for reviewing home and hospitality products based on aesthetic and performance.  Product Features and advantages likewise play major roles in selecting raw materials to come up with a finished good for selling. I have witnessed actual production of home products in other Asian countries and I could say that the Philippine designers and manufacturers have more passion for unique designs with western Influence on product specifications.  With this sensibility, Philippine design evolved in hybrid types of home pieces without sacrificing the performance.  Our Artisans would always come up with amazing product innovations, even with minimal source of raw materials available at hand.  Each piece of their collection tells a story of whom, how, and why they were made.    

All twelve exporters delicately handcrafted their masterpieces and collections with expertise that awed most buyers, guests, industry influencers, and media who visited the Philippine pavilion in Maison et Objet.  These products will be remounted in the upcoming 58th edition of Manila FAME in SMX Convention Center, Philippines on 17-20 October 2013.  Manila FAME is the only design and lifestyle event all over Asia.  Organized as well by CITEM, DTI.  More information about Design.ph on www.manilafame.com.