Manila FAME International highlights Filipino creativity this October

The world’s trendsetters and style hunters are set to visit the Philippines once more when Manila F.A.M.E. International, the country’s second longest running tradeshow for furnishings, houseware, holiday décor, and fashion accessories take place on 17 to 20 October. And this time, they are bound to discover new design ideas and captivating products from four top Filipino designers Carlo Tanseco, Joel and Olive Enriquez, and Yvonne-Quisumbing Romulo through the Merchandise Development Consultancy Program (MDCP).

When the show was launched in 1983, buyers from all over the world were introduced to a new design philosophy that blended traditional Asian elements with the Filipinos’ own brand of modernism and creativity, resulting in revolutionary products for the global market. Two decades later, the show continues to amaze international buyers with its stylish and sophisticated collection, and the April edition proved just that, which generated a total of U$ 51 Million a positive sign that Philippine manufacturers continue to deliver value and that the country is still among the leading destinations in the region for design-driven products.

Introduced in 1997, the MDCP paved the way for local and foreign designers to work closely with the country’s local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop globally competitive products. Using a wide cross-section of natural indigenous materials endemic to the Philippines, and combining these with modern production techniques and processes, the designer, manufacturer, and the artisans find ingenious ways to interpret their innovative ideas into compelling artistic expressions. The resulting products are displayed to advantage in unique special settings, which are considered among the most anticipated highlights of the Manila F.A.M.E. International.

One of the highlights of the October fair is a half-day forum by the Nelly Rodi™ agency, a Paris-based company with a worldwide network of professionals and represented in more than 17 countries. The forum, which will take place on 16 October, will tackle the latest factors that influence lifestyle, consumer behavior, and consumption patterns, which create an impact on product design and development. CITEM organized the event in time with Manila F.A.M.E. so that exhibitors could maximize their trips by taking advantage of this unique opportunity to learn and interact with leading experts in branding.

The forum will also address the need of the home furnishings industry, and give them access to market intelligence information and developments in international home furnishings markets and how it impacts on Philippine exporters/manufacturers. It also aims to educate Philippine manufacturers and exporters on the concept of integrating product development, marketing and market research and sociological influences and how it can be a basis of improving the long-term competitiveness of Philippine home furnishings industry. All in all, the forum hopes to upgrade the skills and talents of Philippine designers through this method of product design and development, and enhance the image and reputation of the Philippines as a source of design-driven merchandise.

Nelly Rodi™ agency has a wealth of in-house experts: fashion artists, designers, sketchers, scenographers, and model makers. Its clients include Moët Hennessy, Louis Vuitton (LVMH) Group, Givenchy, Agnés B., Benelux Orient, Foire de Paris, Department of Export Promotion (Thailand) and L’Oreal Professional.

Aside from exhibitors, CITEM expects practicing designers, architects, interior designers and other creative professionals, as well as representatives from the government and the academe to participate in this event.

For information, please contact CITEM’s Softgoods and Hardgoods Division at (+632) 833-1258 or (+632) 831-1265 or email softgoods@citem.com.ph or hardgoods@citem.com.ph. You may also visit www.manilafame.com.