Furniture and fashion merge in Furnitalia’s Pelle Leather Ball

MANILA, Philippines - Steeped in centuries of artisan tradition and craftsmanship, pelle (Italian for skin or leather) furniture from Italy is revered throughout the world as a stylish symbol of wealth and fine taste. This March, Furnitalia, a leading purveyor of designer Italian furniture, will showcase the luxury and glamour of leather at its first Pelle Leather Ball, a grand party that brings together its signature leather furniture with the leather creations of the country’s foremost fashion designers.

 â€œThere are many similarities between high fashion and leather furniture,” reveals Florence Ko, owner and managing director of Furnitalia. “Like designer clothes, Italian leather furniture will stand out in any room. It represents the pinnacle of its craft, where design, construction, and quality of materials are never compromised. And as a luxury item, it’s a representation of your tastes as well as an investment in yourself and your home.”

To be held today at 7 p.m. at the Furnitalia building and showroom at Bonifacio Global City — recently renovated by multi-awarded architect and interior designer Chi Wing Lo — the Pelle Leather Ball will be hosted by Raymond Gutierrez and Issa

Litton, and promises to be a sexy and stylish affair that combines the refined aesthetics of fashion and furniture.  

Furnitalia’s furniture showcase will feature select leather pieces like armchairs, sofas, desks, and beds from Italy’s most exalted names in home design, including Molteni & C, Giorgetti, Poltrona Frau, Cassina, Flexform, and Mobilidea. Complementing the furniture will be designer lighting and accessories from Penta, Fontana Arte, Venini, Fiam, and Anna Torfs.

The night’s fashion exhibition will feature three of the most acclaimed designers in the industry, namely Rhett Eala, Rajo Laurel, and Randy Ortiz, who created all-original fashion ensem-bles inspired by Furnitalia’s leather furniture. These creations are then modeled by their beautiful muses — Apples Aberin for Rhett, Mandy dela Rama-Santos for Rajo, and Tweetie de Leon for Randy.

Fashion royalty: Randy Ortiz, Rhett Eala and Rajo Laurel, the designers that will be showcasing high-fashion creations at the Pelle Leather Ball, with Florence Ko.

True to high-fashion form, the exhibition was conceptualized by celebrity stylist Henri Calayag, with glamour photography by renowned lensman Wig Tysmans, assisted by Tonette Reyes. Ace event photographer Alex Van Hagen captured candid moments and behind the scenes.

And to complete the fashion event experience, guests of the ball will be encouraged to come in their most stylish leather ensembles, with the best-dressed man and woman winning special prizes courtesy of Furnitalia.  

“The Pelle Leather Ball is just one of the many events Furnitalia has planned for the future,” shares Florence. “Ever since we celebrated our 10th anniversary in 2012, we want to create unique concepts like this to showcase the beauty, the design, and the prestige of Italian furniture, to make it a must-have item in the most stylish homes.”