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Community Bulletin Board

Bolder Philippine Design at Manila FAME International


Could something Philippine-made be modern and contemporary as well? While the Philippines is known as a wellspring of creativity and artistic genius, Philippine products are often associated with the ethnic and native. However, the advent of talents like Kenneth Cobonpue and Movement 8 in the international scene created overwhelming excitement that spurred interest in the country’s collective ability to produce spectacular creations. The likes of these international scene stealers started breaking the stereotype by marrying the traditional with avant-garde in Asia’s foremost design show, Manila FAME International, which is set to unfold on 16 to 19 October 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. Opening its 54th edition, Manila FAME International carries Weaving Dreams as its theme and brings together for the first time, three of the country's major design shows—Manila Now, CEBUNEXT, and Bijoux Cebu—showcasing a myriad of richly- textured and trendsetting collections from the Philippines' most innovative designers, artists, and creative manufacturers of furniture and furnishings, holiday and gifts, and fashion wearables in one venue. "Manila FAME International is a story of connections and dreams, bringing together the country's three major sourcing shows into one community of design genius," shares Rosvi C. Gaetos, Executive Director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), organizer of Manila FAME International. "It is not a single dream that drives Filipinos to excel in design and craftsmanship but a twining of several thousands, each wrought from the diverse cultures that give character and texture to our products." Aside from the unification of four shows in one major event, the October edition promises a different take on designs as it received creative inputs from international merchandising and branding experts Michael Cleghorn of the USA and Linda Simpson of Australia. CITEM tapped the two industry experts to train select Filipino exporters in creating new collections that adhere to global design trends. Cleghorn, who has worked with leading retailers such as Freedom (Australia), Crate and Barrel (USA), House of Fraser (UK), and Printemps (France) shares his optimism in creating more design-forward products for export. He says, “The potential of great Philippine-made products is exciting, and the focus should be on what buyers want and great attention should be paid on the current demand of the market. I'm looking forward to helping the country increase its exports and see it prosper." The collections in the show will highlight the trends Naturalist, Mood Indigo, and Graffiti and will be exhibited in a more streamlined presentation using cross- merchandise concepts that are apt for different tastes. Other interesting show highlights include the Dreamweavers of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, who will create amazing T’nalak designs on site and Creation Stations with Filipino artisans working on masterpieces from indigenous Philippine raw materials. For added youthful jolt, EPOCH, a group of young Filipino designers and artists who are based overseas, and graphic design purveyor Team Manila will join the October show for a special setting called the Red Box. So if your concept of Philippine-made is limited to anything native, visit Manila FAME International and prepare for an awe-inspiring experience that will totally change your notion of Philippine design. For more information on Manila FAME, visit www.manilafame.com. Press release from CITEM

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