When Pinoy design icons meet

International fashion icon Josie Natori praised the recent 53rd Manila F.A.M.E. International, one of the longest running trade shows for home and fashion lifestyle in the Asia Pacific, saying it showed “the renewed interest” of government in promoting design and lifestyle exports from the Philippines.

“This is our time,” says Josie, who was in Manila recently for a visit, “and I can see the genuine interest of government in trade shows.”

Natori firmly believes the Philippines’ competitive edge is “the strength of its creativity.”

“This is a very exciting time for Philippine exports,” Natori believes.

In fact, Natori has arranged for CITEM executive director Rosvi Gaetos to present before Bloomingdales in New York this Thursday a preview of the Manila F.A.M.E. exhibit in October. It was Bloomingdales that first gave Natori her big break, when its buyers suggested that she transform embroidered blouses from the Philippines into dainty night dresses and lingerie.

According to Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, “Philippine exports have recovered steadily from the global recession over the past years, hitting the $51 billion mark back to the pre-crisis level of 2007.”

A table decor made of shell and metal cast by Arden Classics.

A report from the United Nations Development Program also cited the Philippines as one of the Top 10 exporters in terms of creative industry among developing countries, International Trade Group Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal disclosed.

Around 300 Philippine exhibitors showcased their latest designs and products to 2,000 buyers from the world over at the 53rd Manila F.A.M.E. show at the SMX Theater. Among the stores that have sourced their products through the years from Manila F.A.M.E. are such big names as Neiman Marcus, Papaya, Hermon & Hermon, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, and Lane Crawford.

“The Manila F.A.M.E. International provides the best Philippine sourcing experience for buyers worldwide and continues to be a must-visit trade show in the Asia Pacific for global brands searching for fresh ideas and designs,” Gaetos proudly says. It is CITEM that mounts Manila F.A.M.E.

“Every edition produces exciting and interesting conversation pieces that generate and inspire design trends. Through Manila F.A.M.E., we aim to showcase the originality and creativity of our Filipino artisans and industry as a whole, establishing our country as one of the world’s design and lifestyle resource hubs,” she adds, impressing Natori with her vision and energy. Gaetos is getting valuable inputs from such Filipino style gurus as Floral Architect Rachy Cuna and designer Budji Layug.

Woven bags made of fiber, leather and metal by S.C. Vizcarra.

Manila F.A.M.E., which officially began in 1983, showcases the latest innovation and design trends in home, holiday and gifts, fashion and health and wellness. It is the only trade show in the Philippines recognized by the Union des Foires Internationales, an international association of trade fair organizers.

“The anticipated success of Manila F.A.M.E. will provide another avenue for our manufacturers to sustain our country’s export gains and grow our global market share,” Domingo stressed.

Domingo also added that the initiative is timely in enhancing the partnership of the private and public sectors in developing and export industries in the long term.

For the April 2011 edition, Maja Olivares-Co designed TM*/New Directions, a setting that focuses on the country’s traditional raw materials — fiber, shell and wood — that are widely used in the Philippine handicraft industry. The setting featured these raw materials tapped to form designer products displayed in stylized settings. Iconic Philippine products were likewise featured in this setting.

Handcrafted furniture made of local fibers and metal by Maze.

Also, New York-based Filipino designer Brian Tenorio shared his design aesthetic in the show’s Banig Art Setting, focusing on the banig and its variety of uses and modern applications. The special setting is in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Also sharing the spotlight was the Kagikan Project, which was in collaboration with five designers from EPOCH, an organization of designers who promote the care and concern for the environment through ecologically sustainable designs. The special area highlighted the combined craftsmanship and artistic identity of the designers and select Cebu manufacturers.

The five artists featured in the Kagikan Project were Daniel Latorre-Cruz (furniture and product designer based in London, England), Martha Cech (industrial designer based in Vienna, Austria), Wataru Sakuma (paper artist based in Manila, Philippines), Jinggoy Buensuceso (sculptor based in Singapore) and Stanley Ruiz (industrial furniture and product designer based in New York, USA).

“What really impressed me with the exporters is the craftsmanship behind the different products that I have seen. What also really struck me was how Filipinos work with the raw materials in the country and turn these into something beautiful and useful,” a buyer from the US said.

A vase made of shells by Bon Ace.

“The best thing about Manila F.A.M.E. is how it continues to create better designs with good quality… The products are very unique and exciting,” a buyer from Middle East gushed.

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