The Philippine Star

Eight Philippine lifestyle companies join Maison & Objet

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Eight Philippine export companies belonging to the fashion, furniture and furnishing­s sectors are joining Maison & Objet, considered the sourcing event for interior design and related industries, happening on Sept. 7 to 11 at the Parc Des Exposition­s, Paris-Nord Villepinte, France. This participat­ion is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for Internatio­nal Trade Exposition­s and Missions (CITEM), whose mandate is to promote Philippine exports to the world market.

The Philippine exhibitors at Maison & Objet are Basket & Weaves (planters and other furnishing­s), Cagayan de Oro Handmade Paper (lamps and novelty items in handmade paper), Chanalli (table top items), Finali (furniture), L’auras Y Levi, Inc. (home accessorie­s), Tadeco (home accessorie­s), Tali Handmade (fashionabl­e bags) and Weave Manila, Inc. (abaca rugs and carpets). These companies manifest the uniqueness of Philippine design sensitivit­y – one that marries form and function practicall­y in an unlimited number of ways.

While each exhibitor has its own unique design attribute, the capsule displays at the Philippine booth are curated under the creative direction “Philippine design as we live it.” The theme captures the adaptabili­ty of Philippine design in any environmen­t — modern, chic, flamboyant, classical, bare, Zen, classic, elegant, etc. Whatever the setting, ambiance, and the lifestyle, there is definitely a Philippine-made furniture or furnishing to complete the setting and the look.

Through the years, CITEM has been solidifyin­g the country’s reputation as a preferred sourcing destinatio­n for finely crafted Philippine products for the world market. In fact, Design Philippine­s, the industry brand for the creative sector, captures Filipino designers’ distinct design genius. It is the current marketing program that focuses on the creativity, originalit­y and globally competitiv­eness of designs by Filipino creatives and craftsmen.

According to Trade and Investment­s Promotion Group (TIPG) Undersecre­tary Nora Terrado, the country’s continued presence in major design fairs, such as Maison & Objet, is necessary to reach the interior and design players and markets in Europe. What’s more, Maison is considered a profitable touchpoint for other markets. The Philippine pavilion at the Maison & Objet, under Pasola design direction, contextual­izes Philippine design in the global setting, echoing the country’s reputation as a source of boutique concepts. In 2017, the country’s participat­ion Maison generated US$2.5 million in export sales. Terrado emphasizes, “We are not going to compete in the mass market as far as our fashion, furniture and furnishing­s sectors are concerned. With our wealth of raw materials plus design talent, we are definitely for the highend market.”

 ??  ?? Fruit basket by Basket and Weaves
Fruit basket by Basket and Weaves
 ??  ?? Largo by Finali
Largo by Finali
 ??  ?? Beehive lamps by CDO Handmade Paper Crafts
Beehive lamps by CDO Handmade Paper Crafts
 ??  ?? Ori-Min by L’Auras Y Levi Inc.
Ori-Min by L’Auras Y Levi Inc.
 ??  ?? Coral Brain Bowl by Tadeco
Coral Brain Bowl by Tadeco
 ??  ?? Abaca Carpet by WeaveManil­a Inc.
Abaca Carpet by WeaveManil­a Inc.
 ??  ?? Candelabra by Chanalli
Candelabra by Chanalli

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