October 15-18 at SMX Convention Center
Manila FAME, the country’s most anticipated bi-annual design and lifestyle event, sets in motion another edition of bringing creative and design-forward home and fashion products to the global market.
The second longest-running trade show in the Asia-Pacific, Manila FAME expands its role in presenting the portraiture of Philippine ingenuity through two new event highlights: The Artisan Village and the ARTBLOCK.
Featuring the arts and crafts of Albay, Cagayan Valley, Laguna, Davao Region, and the natural fibers of the Philippines, The Artisan Village upholds the genius loci of each community, town, or city — the moving spirit behind the country’s skilled artisans and master craftsmen whose hands work with exceptional ease and expertise in weaving, wood carving, metal forging, marquetry, and in so many other forms of traditional crafts.
The Artisan Village essays the quest for craft promotion and revivalism to inspire local government units to embrace the concept and thereby establish centers of craft excellence in their communities.
ARTBLOCK brings together leading Philippine galleries for a special showcase of contemporary art, highlighting the exceptional talent of Filipino artists, carefully selected from the roster of each participating gallery.
ARTBLOCK in the Manila FAME aims to develop cultural exchanges with other art markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Basel, and set the stage for Philippine Art in the global lifestyle circuit.
Aspirational
Under the creative supervision of German product specialist Detlef Klatt, The Manila Gusto Gallery: In Pursuit of Pleasure is more than just a neo-baroque-inspired special setting — it is an ornate, lavish, and exuberant collection that promises to awaken the senses with its fanciful mix of the modern and classic styles. The florid ornamentation and luxurious attention to detail is an enticement, a visual and tactile invitation to be bold, to seize life’s precious moments, and to create significant connections. Frolicking with black and white, and infused with layers of gold, the Manila Gusto Gallery celebrates a life in pursuit of pleasure, an ode to the life well lived. The 21 local companies sharing their collection for the Manila Gusto Gallery are: Asia Ceramics, Basket and Weaves, Bon-Ace, Chanalli, Chrysara, CSM, Dekokraft, Fae Decorcrafts, Gyrma Import Export, J.E.R. Shellcraft, Joami International Trading, Manila Precious Moments, MCCA, Marykel, Navidad Crafts Export Corporation, Obra Nicolas, P&B Valises, Peter and Paul, and Philippines Treasures, Prado, and Sarilinlikha Novelties.
On its 8th edition, Manila Wear features a Bridal Setting that will exhibit bridal apparels and wearables. Manila Wear also unveils a fresh take on contemporary trends by seasoned designers and the new generation of fashion talents in order to woo foreign buyers to their brands.
The country’s leading designers Rhett Eala, Randy Ortiz, Rajo Laurel, and JC Buendia will showcase timeless and romantic bridal gowns, along with millennial and breakthrough designers who will present a distinct collection of wedding dresses.
HYBRID, an art and design group composed of Jinggoy Buensuceso, Wataru Sakuma, and Stanley Ruiz collaborate on an installation that fuses light and time to form an enchanting 3D imprint mid-air that mimics the colors of the Aurora Borealis. This installation is made in celebration of United Nations’ proclamation of 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies to bring to life Filipino creativity and imagination through a unique interpretation of light.
Social Enterprise
CITEM strengthens its commitment to developing and nurturing globally competitive Philippine micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers as Manila FAME serves as an MSME incubator.
The One Town, One Product (OTOP) program features select small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that make use of the country’s indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents. Upholding the global competitiveness of Philippine products, the OTOP program of the Bureau of Domestic Trade (BDT) of the DTI is a priority project of the government to promote entrepreneurship and job creation in the country’s various regions.
NeoTextiles Philippines continues with a vibrant showcase of textiles that marries the age-old weaving tradition of ethnic communities with modern and innovative 21st century techniques.
Talent Development
Red Box is a designer development program which aims to nurture the next generation of Philippine designers. Red Box works with emerging talents by matching them with local manufacturers to create fresh concepts that reflect their unique design sensibilities.
Red Box Design Talents is a platform to discover and nurture young designers. 14 finalists handpicked from over 140 aspirants by a high-caliber jury of design professionals under the mentorship of celebrated design icons Budji Layug and Lulu Tan-Gan were thoroughly immersed in a unique design and development process and close collaboration with manufacturers. The result is a renewed understanding and intimate knowledge of the process of design, material and craft techniques.
From left to right: Joseph Rastrullo, Rachelle Dagñalan, Lilianna Manahan
Designers Lilianna Manahan, Joseph Rastrullo, and Rachelle Dagñalan, who have been part of the Red Box Program since 2013 and are continuing their design journey as the country’s next generation of designers.
For the October 2015 edition, the three designers are given the freedom to create and curate individual spaces reflective of their design aesthetic. The showcase provides a glimpse into their growth as designers, individually and collectively.
International Exhibitors Pavilions
The International Hall houses companies from India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan carrying fashion items, furniture and furnishings, home décor, gifts, and premiums. Taiwan will introduce 60 brands under its Taiwan Excellence brand. These participating countries recognize the huge potential of the Philippine consumer market and are ready to tap the vast opportunities offered by the country’s growing affluence.
Parallel Event: Design Week Philippines
Design Week Philippines is a multi-faceted platform that brings together creative visionaries from diverse backgrounds and disciplines in a series of programs and events that celebrate design and artistry. It has its roots from Proclamation No. 277 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on October 20, 2011, where he declares the third week of March and October of each year as Design Week Philippines. It has thus become a national agenda that nurtures the creativity and design capability of the Philippines to spur innovations directed towards ushering in of trade opportunities, and positioning the Philippines as Asia’s design destination.
Design Week Philippines has three components—Design Talks, Design Tours, and Creative Environment—that will be held inside and outside of the SMX Convention Center in the duration of the event.
Design Talks, the key thought platform on design and creativity, masters and industry movers from various creative industries will flesh out the key values of the maker culture in a three-module forum to provide insight towards the co-creation of a better future.
Design Tours journeys north of Manila to highlight Pampanga as more than just the culinary capital of the country. It will take Manila FAME VIBs (very important buyers) and special guests to Pampanga to witness age old living traditions.
Starting this edition, Design Week Philippines will be rolled-out to key cities in the Metro through Creative Environment to reach an even broader audience and bring together a diverse group of design enthusiasts that encourages dynamic meet-ups and exciting encounters with members of the creative class.
For the Creative Environment component, The Design Week Philippines partners with Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) and SMX Aura for the celebration of Filipino Talent in the field of animation as they hold Animahenasyon 2015: 9th Philippine Animation Festival on 15-16 October 2015.
2680 F.B. Harrison Compound tenants The Henry Hotel, Atelier of Mr. Jojie Lloren, Artelano 11 and Avellana Art Gallery likewise opens their space exclusively for select Manila FAME guests and buyers on 16 October 2015 for “Conversations at 2680 F.B. Harrison Compound,” a curated event where design, art, architecture and fashion intersect.
The Asia Cosplay Meet Philippines, organized by the Norman Goss Training Services in cooperation with Asia Cosplay Meet main organizer Singapore Cosplay Club and in partnership with Intramuros Administration, is set to select a three-person cosplay team that will represent the country in the upcoming Asia Cosplay Meet 2015.
Hallmark of Philippine Design Excellence
Since its inception in the early 80s, Katha Awards has been distinguished as an important hallmark of Philippine product design excellence and innovation. It is an emblem and statement that seeks to inspire and challenge exporters and designers to constantly create and develop original designs for furniture, home décor and furnishings, holiday décor and gifts, and fashion complements relevant in the global market.
The major categories of Katha Awards are Best Product Design (Furniture, Houseware/Furnishings, Holiday Décor and Gifts, and Fashion), Best Booth Display, and an Eco-Design Award as a special citation. The four major product categories are Furniture, Houseware/Furnishings, Holiday Décor and Gifts, and Fashion.
Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Manila FAME, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, features finely selected furniture and home furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, visual arts, health and wellness products, and fashion accessories designed and crafted in the Philippines for the global market.
For more information on Manila FAME and Design Week Philippines, interested parties can visit www.manilafame.com, http://www.designweekphilippines.com.ph, or email manilafame@citem.com.ph.