Ito Kish launches new collection at Fame

MANILA, Philippines - Proprietor of the home store Kish and award-winning furniture designer Ito Kish is launching his second furniture collection at the ongoing Manila Fame.

The Basilisa collection showcases the solihiya — a weaving technique used to support and to craft a vivid silhouette of shadows once casted by the light. It is this chiaroscuro that makes the Basilisa collection a Filipino beauty to behold. 

“When I was trying to look for inspirations for this second collection, I did not look any further,” Kish says. “During my first collection, a lot of people noticed how beautiful the sunburst solihiya technique was applied to the Gregoria lounge chair and a closer look to it proved the beauty and intricacy of the weave.”

Weaving is something very close to Filipinos, from baskets to hats to traditional fabrics. Every region in the country has their own style of weaving.

“It was important for me to make sure that my design will again reflect who I am as a Filipino. The solihiya is an old Filipino tradition. I remember how my grandmother Basilisa would fix our dining chairs once the Solihiya has been soiled and broken. I remember watching her when I was young and very amazed how she can manage to remember which end goes where.”

With all these considerations in mind, the result is a 12-piece collection of chairs, tables, stools, lamps, bar cabinet, armoire and a bed that highlights the beauty of the solihiya and genuine Filipino craftsmanship.