‘Leather or not’

When it recently launched its leather furniture collection, Furnitalia further intensified its place in the furniture industry. The country’s leading purveyor of fine Italian furniture is headed by owner and managing director Florence Ko.

The event, dubbed as “Pelle Leather Ball,” was held at the majestic Furnitalia building and showroom at the  Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.   It featured elegant pieces from Italy’s well-known names in home design including Molteni & C, Giorgetti, Poltrona Frau, Cassina, Flexform and Mobilidea. Also showcased were designer lighting and accessories from Penta, Fontana Arte, Venini, Fiam and Anna Torfs.

Luminaries from the diplomatic, business and society circles were graciously welcomed by Florence and her husband, Space 2000’s William Ko. Seen at the event were Italian Ambassador  Massimo Roscigno and wife Agnes, Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. president Alessandro Abbate and Giorgetti’s Cristina Ferrario.

Completing the evening’s activities was the much-anticipated fashion show that featured the stunning and original creations of three of the country’s top designers — Randy Ortiz, Rajo Laurel and Rhett Eala. Their designs took inspiration from Furnitalia’s exquisite selection of Italian leather furniture.

Bravo to Florence and the hardworking Furnitalia team for this successful affair!

Everyone is Grounded

Artists and art enthusiasts had a grand time at the opening of Grounded at the Lopez Museum. Gracing the event were National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, ABS-CBN Corp. chairman Gabby Lopez, Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. founder, president and executive director Rina Lopez-Bautista and STAR columnist Boo Chanco. 

The ongoing exhibit, curated by Claro Ramirez, features the works of guest artists like Toym Imao, Josephine Turalba and Eric Zamuco. 

The show is one of the museum’s last few exhibits at the Benpres building in Pasig. According to Lopez Museum and Library director Mercedes “Cedie” Lopez-Vargas, the museum gradually gears up for its big transfer to the Carlos Ott-designed Proscenium at  Rockwell Center in Makati City in 2017.

(Grounded is ongoing until Aug. 3.)