October 2023

Filipino design authorities share what to expect in Manila FAME's Design Commune this year

The sourcing event introduces its inspirations for the show feature’s fresh offerings this October

By Aly Dela Peña

One of Manila FAME's main show features, the Design Commune serves as a showcase of

brand new home, fashion, and lifestyle pieces that have been created under the product

development program of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions' (CITEM).

Manila FAME's Design Commune merges artisanship, innovation, and sustainability as a means to push the boundaries of excellent product design.

For this year's edition, local exhibitors collaborated with three renowned Filipino designers to serve as product specialists: Mr. Tony Gonzales, a creative director, consultant, and curator of various projects, such as the Pinyapel of the Design Center of the Philippines; and design duo Rita Nazareno and Gabriel Lichauco of Nazareno/Lichauco, internationally-awarded curators and mentors known to highlight contemporaneity and innovation in traditional craft and materials.

Collectively, they will share their design processes and inspirations that helped breathe life into the upcoming collections in collaboration with local brands and manufacturers. There are a total of 40 companies included in the roster of the product development program with more than 300 newly developed products.

Get to know the thought and creative process behind this year's Design Commune: Utilitarianism: accents of practicality for the contemporary consumer

Mr. Mike and Ms. Banj Claparols of Creative Definitions during their consultation meeting with product development consultation

Mr. Tony Gonzales, on the other hand, focuses on two distinct colorways to highlight the skillfully crafted and environmentally sustainable products from the country. With “Blues on Blue” and “Naturals and White” prevalent in the mainstream, both modern-classic colorways were the foundation of his upcoming collection.

Highlighted in his designs are the natural, handicraft flair of Filipino products, which were

reimagined and paired with clean lines, minimalism, and modern silhouettes and textures.

According to the designer, “What always inspires me are the craftsmen that I work with. The

material manipulation and masterful skill of our artisans is really what our country is known for.”

"Both colorways are chosen because of their commercial viability, or in other words, because

they already have a demand in the mainstream market." Gonzales added.

What makes this edition of the Design Commune exciting for Gonzales is discovering new

design outlooks from local exhibitors, including the executions of his designs. He said that their pieces take part in the fresh outlook of the global market brought about by the changing landscape after the pandemic.

Mr. Tony Gonzales at exhibitor 33 Point 3 Exports Inc. showroom

The 71st edition of the trade show will be held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City on October 19-21, 2023.

Manila FAME’s 2023 edition is organized in partnership with RLC Residences and the Philippine Airlines as official carrier.

To register as a buyer, visit https://fameplus.com/registration/buyer-registration.

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

For 40 years, CITEM has established the country’s image as a premier destination for quality

export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, and sustainability sectors.

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.

About FAME

FAME is a community of brands, designers, and manufacturers that showcase quality artisanal products in signature trade show Manila FAME, on digital platform FAME+, and in trade fairs and B2B initiatives around the world. The FAME community likewise includes global buyers and other stakeholders.

About FAME+

FAME+ is the ultimate digital sourcing and storytelling platform for Philippine quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products. It enables Philippine brands and manufacturers to generate leads and reach global buyers through content creation, learning opportunities, and B2B capabilities. It intends to ensure and improve the discoverability of exhibitors online, creating a community of exhibitors, buyers, and stakeholders in one digital space.

Ref. Elmer Harold Grande

Email: ehgrande@citem.com.ph

Twitter: @CITEMPh

Facebook: @DTI.CITEM

Exhibitions to watch out for in Manila FAME 2023

Learn about the three-day sourcing show’s components promoting artisanal craftsmanship from across the Philippines.

By: Aly Dela Peña

This year's edition of Manila FAME will showcase artisanal craftsmanship through its various show components. The Artisans Village and The Coconut Pavilion are two must-see features of the three-day sourcing event. The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) collaborated with the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), and various local government units to highlight the works of local artisan communities.

Manila FAME, the second longest running trade show for the home, fashion, and lifestyle sectors in the Asia Pacific, is set to celebrate its 71st edition on October 19-21, 2023 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.

Here’s what you can discover from the two exciting components of the sourcing event.

Manila FAME's Artisans Village–an extensive showcase of homegrown artisanal crafts representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Artisans Village

This holistic program for regional MSMEs in the handicraft sector provides marketing and technical assistance such as product showcases, product development assistance in partnership with the DCP, digital promotions, and capacity-building activities.

For the 2023 edition of Manila FAME, the Artisans Village will feature the provinces of La Union and Antique, and Northern Mindanao region.

In La Union, Governor Raphaelle Ortega-David spearheaded #LaUnionPROBINSYAnihan, a banner movement which provides developmental support for Research and Development (R&D) to MSMEs. It leverages the natural materials and techniques the artisan communities have mastered.

On the other hand, the Creations of Northern Mindanao pavilion will feature masterpieces from award-winning designers, as well as artisans featured in prestigious international fairs. It will display abaca-based wearables and homestyle products, bamboo crafts, and various local weaves.

For Antique, the exhibition will carry the creations born out of the collaboration of its MSMEs and artisanal communities with DCP and DTI-Antique. The pavilion will follow the theme "Hantique", which highlights the hands that craft artfully woven pieces in the province of Antique. The products from the province ranging from textiles, looms, and home decors are set to make their debut at Manila FAME 2023 before going to international trade fair Ambiente 2024 in Germany.

Lighting fixtures made of coconut husks featured at the Manila FAME exhibition in 2017.

The Coconut Pavilion

Considered to be one of the Philippines' most-produced crops, coconut has been commonly used for food and household products. Manila FAME, in collaboration with EMB and DCP, saw this as an opportunity to create lifestyle products using the abundant raw material. The Coconut Pavilion houses the products from the program dedicated to develop and showcase nonfood coconut commodities in the home and fashion sectors.

A total of 15 brands have been developing new pieces for the showcase. These new products, along with the coconut-based products from 10 additional brands, will be showcased in Manila FAME’s Coconut Pavilion. This special setting aims to promote sustainability and spotlight Filipino craftsmanship and design innovation. The participating provinces and regions joining the pavilion are NCR, Region III, Region IV-A, Region V, Region VII, Region VIII, and Region XI.

A Manila FAME “staple”

The show will also have Design Commune, a showcase of brand new home, fashion, and lifestyle pieces that have been created under CITEM's product development program. Renowned Filipino designers Tony Gonzales, Rita Nazareno, and Gabriel Lichauco collaborated with 40 local companies to create more than 300 products in time for the sourcing event.

Manila FAME’s 2023 edition is organized in partnership with The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), RLC Residences, Jewelmer, and the Philippine Airlines as the official carrier. Register at https://bit.ly/MF2023-Reg or go to https://fameplus.com/manila_fame for more details.