Design Philippines Broadens Its Creative Horizon

Design Philippines will once again excite and ignite the interest of the creative industry as it expands its reach by showcasing the companies with strong potential to become the next wave of design-driven companies during the 60th Manila FAME slated October 16-19 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

The Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM) teamed up with two notable senior designers: Eric Paras and Stanley Ruiz, for the new Furniture and Home Accents collections of Design Philippines. With Luxe, Gen C and Soulcraft as its cohesive storyline, these merchandise stories give direction and consistency and provides the companies the rare opportunity to position themselves in the market.

“Brand stories will be the future especially for an industry that is having a slump and is unceasingly affected by commercialism. I strongly believe that the Filipino export companies, specifically in the furniture and furnishing industry, have the competitive edge in the global market. We are well known with our ingenuity and adaptability to global culture and designs,” said Paras.

“These local companies are distinct interms of capabilities, and we should capitalize on that,” Ruiz added.

Both designers worked relentlessly with 21 companies to highlight its respective strength and expertise in the production scenario and doubly ensure that it is properly translated into visual merchandising. These companies are A. Garcia Crafts, Asia Ceramics Corporation, Bon Ace Fashion Tools, Inc., Catalina Embroideries, Inc., Celestial Arts, Inc., Chanalli, Inc., Craft Mill Inc., DOMICILLO by Peter and Paul, Inc., Enpekei International, Inc., Industria Home Vico Manufacturing Corp., JB Woodcraft, Inc., Lampara Trends, Inc., Lightworks Resources, Inc., Masa Ecological Development, Inc. (MASAECO), Nature’s Legacy Eximport, Inc., Padi Outdoor, P&B Valises et Compagnie, Inc., S.C. Vizcarra Inc., South Sea Veneer, That One Piece Enterprise, and Venzon Lighting Manufacturing, with the special participation of existing Design Philippines brands KISH, MCCA Industrial Corp., and Schema by Kalikasan Crafts.

“Design Philippines is a brand- and market driven goal; and has a long-term impact on the export competitiveness of both the industry and the participating companies. The program aims to position Design Philippines as the highest expression of CITEM’s mission as the purveyor of design, craftsmanship, value and hope,” said Rosvi Gaetos, CITEM executive director.

Design Philippines is a branding initiative that positions the Philippines as a sourcing destination for finely crafted products for the world market. It is a design movement that nurtures and celebrates the creativity and originality of a globally competitive and passionate community of Filipino designers and craftsmen.

Image Credit: warsawpe.dfa.gov.ph