MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Manila FAME will celebrate its 72nd edition at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City from October 17 to 19. Since 1983, the premier sourcing show has brought together MSMEs from the home, fashion, and lifestyle sectors to usher Filipino products into the international arena.
This year, Manila FAME will center on “Reimagination,” celebrating Filipino design’s power amidst the ever-evolving global trends and innovation landscape. It will highlight how the country adapts to international trends and standards by translating raw materials using a combination of traditional and modern processes into functional lifestyle products.
Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the three-day event will champion Philippine artisanal products that feature design and craftsmanship skills. Playful colors, traditional patterns, and rich textures will be accentuated at the trade fair, spotlighting the country’s strengths in artistry paired with impeccable style.
Manila FAME’s post-pandemic comeback in 2023 generated $6.6 million in export sales. Over 250 home, furniture, fashion, and lifestyle exhibitors attracted more than 4,000 local and international visitors.
This year, the highly-curated show will offer various familiar and new settings, ensuring engaging and fresh perspectives for new and returning buyers and visitors.
Exclusive product launch at the Design Commune Settings
One of the most anticipated show features of Manila FAME, the Design Commune presents the newly designed pieces born out of a collaboration between select local manufacturers and renowned designers under CITEM’s product development program.
This year, Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco are the driving forces behind the Design Commune Home pavilion, a display of pieces with global trends and best practices in mind. With the theme “Beyond Reality,” the new collection reimagines common objects, ubiquitous materials, and even extinct animals and plants into creative and functional pieces. A total of 150 prototypes by 25 Philippine companies will be launched at the show.
Meanwhile, designer Maco Custodio collaborates with 15 local fashion companies to create stunning accessories, apparel, and footwear. The 90-piece collection for Design Commune Fashion takes inspiration from Parametrics, where design is based on forms, textures, and patterns found in nature.
Nostalgia: The Manila FAME Design Retrospective
To retrace its humble beginnings and pay homage to the ’80s and ’90s, a defining period for Manila FAME, the show will introduce Nostalgia, a special vignette of iconic products from notable companies and designers whose shot to prominence marked that era of the trade show. The Nostalgia showcase will feature 22 pioneer companies behind signature Filipino products and designs such as the peacock chair, hand woven furniture, shell clutches, and sinamay hats.
Nostalgia will put a spotlight on the trailblazer MSMEs of Manila FAME and their invaluable contributions to the local industry’s growth and their impact on the global design landscape.
Philippine Components: Coverings, Parts, and Fittings
In an effort to penetrate the fast-growing market for parts and components for furnishings, Manila FAME introduces Philippine Components this year. For its maiden edition, this special setting will mainly feature architectural panels. Visitors can expect a selection of wall coverings made of paper, woven textiles, stone, shell, and other natural materials. The setting will also introduce other parts and furnishings such as cabinet and door handles, cabrioles, and banisters. Philippine Components emphasizes the utility and design of the parts and components to be shown across architectural, interior, and industrial applications–giving buyers the power to mix-and-match fundamental building blocks and redefine customization.
The showcase will be curated by Manila FAME Creative Director Tony Gonzales.
Sustainability Thrust: Pinyapel for Manila FAME
Pinyapel, a term coined combining pinya (Filipino for “pineapple”) and papel (paper),is a sustainably-sourced paper material made of discarded pineapple leaves. Developed by the Design Center of the Philippines, the sustainable material will be shown through various innovative applications by select local manufacturers including OMO furniture, Triboa Bay, South Sea Veneer, Calfurn, Industria, MCCA, Masaeco, Oro Handmade, Tadeco Home, and One of T.
The Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX), CITEM’s program that encourages MSMEs toward sustainable production, will also have a setting showcasing eco-friendly design pieces from Oro Handmade, Creative Definitions, That One Piece, Crystal Seas, Farah Abu, JunkNot!, and Nature’s Legacy.
Community empowerment through the Artisans Village
Hailed as a melting pot of diverse cultures and rich heritage, the Philippines boasts various product selections from across its regions. The Artisans Village is a vibrant showcase celebrating the unique arts, skills, and materials from the different provinces and regions of the country. The theme for this year’s Artisans Village is Uri, which translates to type or category in Filipino. It explores the traditional patterns and local weaves of the participating provinces and regions and how they translate them into home, fashion, and lifestyle pieces.
Designer PJ Arañador spearheads the product development for Bohol, Tarlac, and Bicol; and two provinces from the Western Visayas region: Aklan and Antique.
On the other hand, the Design Center of the Philippines is working with designer Tony Gonzales to curate the pavilions for Quirino, and two Western Visayas provinces: Bacolod and Iloilo.
The immersive experience of the Artisans Village allows visitors to explore the diverse and intricate traditions that define Filipino artistry and source products directly from the partner regions and provinces.
Recognizing Filipino design excellence through the KATHA Awards
Manila FAME has championed product innovations of local MSMEs through the KATHA Awards for 39 years. It recognizes the ingenuity and creativity of local brands in several categories — namely furniture, home decor and houseware, lamps and lighting, fashion, holiday and gifts, and best booth presentation, inspiring them to push the boundaries of design.
CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo commented, “Manila FAME 2024 is going to be both familiar and original. Returning buyers and visitors can anticipate the same warmth of the Filipino hospitality and expect upgraded and new features from the show.”
“I’m proud to say that the team behind Manila FAME is pushing it forward to look for new avenues for growth, cater to more industries, and to help sustain our local brands and manufacturers. This upcoming edition will truly be a worthwhile experience everyone shouldn’t miss,” she added.
Register now at fameplus.com.
