60th Manila FAME features German home specialist

MANILA, Philippines – International product development specialist Detlef Klatt from Germany is set to transform Manila FAME into a special setting of handcrafted tabletops under the Design for Exports program of the country’s premier design and lifestyle event Manila FAME for its 60th edition.

Manila FAME will feature a collection of tabletops -- dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and other table accessories -- produced by 18 different home design companies using different materials and techniques. The special setting, with the supervision of Klatt, is developed under the Design for Exports program which aims to translate trend-forward designs into products that have strong commercial value.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, organizes the bi-annual Manila FAME, which continuously nurtures and promotes Philippine design in the global market. Design for Exports is CITEM’s multi-tiered and multi-faceted assistance program that provides Philippine exporters, manufacturers, and designers with a full range of design and product development services.

The Design for Exports program seeks to provide Manila FAME buyers a wider range of merchandise. With the help of this program, Manila FAME will promote and market the Philippines as Asia’s design trendsetter and as the leading source destination for creative export products and services in Asia.

“CITEM will once again excite buyers and guests to the show with the newly-revived category of tabletops. It is equally important to increase the number of exhibitors carrying ceramics and pottery and to boost the product development for natural fibers,” said CITEM Executive Director Rosvi Gaetos.

Klatt will provide product and material development assistance to local manufacturers to create a diverse yet cohesive range of merchandise, particularly ceramics, pottery, and other table top categories. Klatt worked with leading home design companies including ASIA Ceramics, Asia Embroidery, Baskets and Weaves, Bon Ace, Celestial, Chanali, CSM, Filtra, Globeasia, Marian Vine Craft, MCCA, Oricon, Prado, Robles Heritage, Shellarts, Shelmed, TADECO Home, and That One Piece, and assisted them in maximizing business opportunities through product development, market intelligence, and buyer matching.

As part of Klatt’s assistance on material and product development, he has embarked on visits to participating companies located in Albay, Cebu, Davao, Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Tarlac where he did an evaluation on the materials and techniques utilized by each company. Along with the assessment of each company was his introduction of the program and his concept for the special setting.

“I know the potential of this country as a source of finely crafted products. In the Philippines are materials which you will not find anywhere else. On one side, the materials and techniques show creativity. On the other side, each has a character and tells a story,” said Klatt when asked about his collaboration with the Philippine companies, adding that the companies were very open and enthusiastic to the idea of working with him to develop new products.

Manila FAME is a global platform for the country’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which features certified, export-quality products such as furniture and furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, garments, and fashion accessories designed and crafted in the Philippines for the global market.  It is the second longest-running trade show in the Asia-Pacific, and is the only trade event in the country that is approved by Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

The 60th Manila FAME is slated at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay on October 16-19.

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