58TH EDITION OF MANILA FAME – CRAFTED IN THE PHILIPPINES, FOR THE WORLD

Manila FAME, one of the longest running trade shows for furniture and furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, and fashion lifestyle products in the Asia Pacific opens today, 17 October 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Manila FAME, through CITEM’s Design for Exports Program, seeks to strengthen the Philippines’ positioning as Asia’s design destination with high-quality and design-forward products at par with international standards.

The Design for Exports Program is a multi-tiered and multi-faceted assistance program of CITEM which provides Philippine exporters, manufacturers, and designers with a full range of design and product development services. These services cover most areas of product design, merchandising, export coaching in business planning, sales and marketing, and brand-building. The program brings together both local and international designers and business experts, as well as both young and seasoned industry players to create the next exciting level for Philippine export products.

“The Design for Exports program reinforces the country brand Design Philippines as it aspires to showcase the Philippines’ edge in developing innovative designs as well as support our efforts to position the country as a top-of-mind sourcing destination synonymous with quality, value, and reliability,” said CITEM Executive Director, Rosvi C. Gaetos.

CITEM works hand in hand with homegrown leading creative entrepreneurs under the creative direction of Budji Layug, to provide assistance to the country’s SMEs – creating a unique collaboration that further strengthens the Philippines’ claim as the region’s design trendsetter.

Now on its 58th edition, Manila FAME showcases various event highlights such as Manila Wear, a special setting that highlights artisanal fashion through the use of the country’s abundant natural materials:   DesignPhilippines - Crafted in the Philippines, for the world;

NeoTextiles Philippines - a vibrant display of contemporary Philippine textiles crafted from sustainable fibers by local weaving communities; the Craft Spots - a visual narration of Filipino artisans transforming the sustainable and versatile abaca fiber through live demonstrations of age-old craft techniques; the Top Brands in Motion - a show feature that puts the spotlight on the country’s homegrown retail brands ready for the overseas markets; and the maiden participation of DeXign Global Philippines - a melting pot of international exhibitors for home and fashion highlighting the ASEAN countries and their individual brand of design and artisanship.

Manila FAME runs from 17-20 October 2013 and will be held simultaneously with Design Week Philippines.

For more information, visit www.manilafame.com.

words:  Andro Yuson

released by: CITEM PR & Media Services

Katha Award Winners at Manila FAME 58th edition

Katha Awards honored product design and innovation excellence during the Manila FAME Networking Night on 17 October 2013 at HallONE: Design for Exports, ITC Complex, Roxas Boulevard corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Ann Ong's Buko Twigs Clutch by  Imperial Nova

Best Product Design which distinguishes innovative, purposeful, and artistically rendered interpretation of design, each from furniture, home décor, holiday décor and gifts, and fashion were awarded to: “Theo Cocktail Table” by Stonesets International Inc., designed by Vito Selma (furniture); “Lambat Curtain” by TADECO, designed by Maricris Brias (home décor); “Newspaper Pompoms” by Paper Capers, designed by Arlene Gaddi-Maceda (holiday décor and gifts); and “Buko Twigs Clutch Bag” by Imperial Nova, designed by Ann Ong Borromeo (fashion).

Vito Selma's Theo cocktail table by Stonesets Intl.

Industria won for Best Booth Display while the “Paper Wall Decor” by Far East Manufacturing Corporation won the Eco-Design Award, a special distinction conferred to a product developed with respect for a healthier and more sustainable environment.

The Katha Awards is considered as the most prestigious award in the Philippine design scene and is a significant platform where product design innovation and excellence is recognized. Its goal is to give distinction to ingenious designs and encourage exporters to raise their design standards for Philippine export products as well as to pursue a skillful exploration of earth-friendly materials and processes.

Newspaper pompoms by Paper Capers

Maricris Brias' Lambat curtain by TADECO

Industria's booth in Manila FAME 

Paper Wall Decor by Far East Manufacturing

“The Katha Awards is an emblem and a statement of the highest standards of design and quality that seeks to inspire and challenge exporters and designers to constantly create and develop original designs for furniture, houseware and furnishings, holiday décor and gifts, and fashion complements,” said Rosvi C. Gaetos, Executive Director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and organizer of Manila FAME.

The winners were announced by Patricia Fernandez, host, model, and beauty queen and were handed by Executive Director Gaetos, DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotions Group Ponciano C. Manalo Jr. and DTI Undersecretary for Management Services Group Nora Terado.

The selection and evaluation of all the Katha Awardees is a collaborative effort of the Manila FAME Secretariat and the National Council of Industrial Designers of the Philippines (NCIDP). The winners were chosen by an esteemed board of judges from the fields of architecture, design, fashion, and the visual arts and communications fields led by NCIDP’s Rino Datuin, including Amina Aranaz, Isabelle Berenguer – Asuncion, Jean Dee, Gwyn Guanzon, Nikki Laurel, Loejai Lopez, Rachelle Medina, Eric Pineda, and Mitch Shivers.

For more information about the Katha Awards visit www.manilafame.com.

words: honeyleen novilla

released by:  CITEM PR/Media Services