Manila F.A.M.E. exhibition shows off best of Philippine design

The Philippines' home furnishings industry is most proud of two things — its innovative use of natural, indigenous materials, and its design sensibility.

Both of these were on display during last month's Manila F.A.M.E., a showcase of about 400 exporters of home decor, furniture, holiday and fashion accessories looking to expand their reach into more international markets.

This edition of the show, put on by the governmental Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), brought about 4,000 buyers from around the world, including about 100 Americans.

The next edition, in April, is expected to be larger because the show is moving to a new venue nearly four times the size of the current space, show officials told Home Accents Today. At that time, F.A.M.E. plans to add more companies and product categories, including personal care, health and beauty.

The Philippines is working to establish itself as a major force in home furnishings, especially as China and other neighbors are building prosperous export businesses. The government is working with other Asian nations, including Indonesia and Vietnam, to develop “multi-country” sourcing programs and create regional collections showcasing each country's creative strengths.

“In the Philippines, the designs are original. We can offer good customer service and build relationships,” said Rhea Matute, deputy executive director of consumer goods for CITEM. “It's a little more personal. We are trying to put out the message that we're here to build relationships — not just to provide products.”

The show opened with a product exhibition by four of the country's top designers — part of the design group Movement 8. The designers worked with a number of exporters on product development, and each created a striking, contemporary vignette by combining the various pieces.

In contrast was a live exhibit of traditional Filipino weaving and beadwork, with weavers crafting textiles on all sorts of looms and by hand, emphasizing the detailed handwork more traditionally associated with the area.

On the show floor, natural materials took center stage — with rattan, abaca and banana fibers melding seamlessly with capiz, shell and coconut for a fresh take on mixed media presentations.

The emphasis on organic — both in shapes and materials — was very evident, but the emphasis on design, especially contemporary design, kept the pieces from feeling too rustic.

Shells like capiz, mother-of-pearl and black lip were dominant and used most effectively when cut out and put on contemporary forms to create a very warm, livable sort of modern.

Filipinos are also known for their use of metal, usually in heavily crafted lighting fixtures. While there were many striking fixtures on display, the heavily ornamented chandeliers so popular in the U.S. market were nowhere to be found. Instead, the metals were used to reinterpret classic Moroccan lanterns or bent into unusual and three-dimensional wall decor and mirrors.

This pair of oversize vases, made of resin and coated in crushed shell with stainless steel accents, was a top seller at Bon-Ace. 


Wall decor reaches a new dimension with the 3-D design from the Infinity Collection by The Gilded Expressions.


Drama dominated this vignette from First Binhi Crafts, with the vastly oversized seating and funky floor lanterns using rattan in fine fashion.


Indigenous hardwood gets a contemporary edge with the addition of stone inlay in the Traversa Collection from Woodline Phils.


Cebu Homecraft reinterprets reclaimed root balls by converting them into light fixtures.


Standing more than 5 feet tall, this dramatic lamp from Azcor Lighting Systems caught eyes with its organic shape and modern shade. 


Classic Moroccan forms get new life in these contemporary, bent-wire lantern designs from Papelan.


Pottery designs were at the forefront during the show, highlighted by this elegant set of peacock vases from Riviera.


This living room vignette from Simon Crafts International incorporates abaca fiber woven atop a wrought-iron frame and accented with bits of black lip shell.


This chair design from Asian Vine combines traditional abaca fibers and an ultra-contemporary, oversize shape.