PHILIPPINE DESIGNERS DUBBED ‘MILAN OF THE EAST’ AT SALONE
international shows that he says he will not be able to do on his own. He hopes that the Philippines will be able to carry the momentum of global promotions for the next five years at least with the same standard and quality.
One-of-a-kind best describes the furnishings of Prizmic&Brill. Period pieces, vintage trunks, unique lines that are handcrafted and reflect a sense of nostalgia characterize P&B products. Carol Nicdao Brill cites the mezzanine at The Peninsula Hong Kong, the villa rooms of the Six Senses SonEva Kiri in Thailand, the boutique Blakes Hotel in London and the Le Bar of Sofitel in Manila where P&B furniture are carried. They made all the lockers in PGA golf courses and were asked to produce freestanding single lockers for gifts to the top five finalists of the Bauer International.
The FieraMilano is a gruelling show where there is no moment to pause from meeting buyers, networking with the movers and shakers of the furniture field except to catch one’s breath as you move from exhibit to exhibit, and pick up your jaw from the floor at the awesome displays that surround and astound.
The one dinner for the Philippine delegation hosted by new Philippine Consul General Marichu Mauro, her first official duty four days from assuming the Milan post, was a working evening. After thanking the gracious host, Rosvi Gaetos chaired a debriefing where participants shared their assessment, experiences and learnings in future promotions and participation.
The Salone buyers as compared to the previous year’s Euroluce were found to generate more sales with an initial report of US$4.4 million in orders and pending negotiations. Regular buyers included Armani Home, Marina Home, Crate & Barrel, Lambert, Abhika/Ago and Moroso. Serious leads were obtained from La Calla of Dubai, Furniture Solutions from Australia, Prestige Products of Tunisia, Stanley of India and Linea P of Quebec.
Design, fresh styles, hand-forging techniques and unique materials were cited by exhibitors as the strength of the Philippine products. The Philippine team was pleased that buyers compared them to Italy and Spain in quality. At the same time, they are keeping a close eye on Thailand, Vietnam, China and Indonesia because of competitive pricing and the availability of similar raw materials as the Philippines.
All told, the Philippines was a welcome presence in the single most important furniture show. Trade professionals saw an alternative option to the usual European companies they source from. The challenge for the Philippines is to sustain its presence in the international markets to strengthen its image as a country brand for high-value and design-driven products that can compete with the best worldwide, nurture the next generation of brands to develop to the next level and qualify for international exposure and as importantly, to attract increased attendance to the twice yearly Manila FAME shows where more Philippine companies showcase the wealth of products and designs available.
Gaetos’s hectic appointments during the show were primed towards ensuring the preparation for the succeeding international shows and that of Manila FAME. A meeting with Paola Magro of Cosmit spa, organizer of Salone, negotiated the space for the 2015 Salone. Several talks centered on finding the locations for the One Philippines installation in a public area for bigger visibility in conjunction with the Milan Expo 2015. The legend of U L magazine, the elusive editor-in-chief Gilda Bojardi, made a surprising appearance to meet Gaetos and discussed a Philippine project with Bojardi’s trusted associates Cristina Bonini and Michelangelo Giombini. During a visit to the temporary atelier and boutique of celebrated Italian designer Paola Navone, Gaetos clinched the artist’s visit in the coming October Manila Fame. Navone was among the first female to break into the male-dominated Italian design elite in the ‘80s. She is known for avant-garde designs, the Mondo brand and the Otto furniture series. Navone’s presence will be a highlight in the exciting program that is shaping up for the next Manila Fame of CITEM.
The Department of Trade and Industry under Secretary Gregory Domingo and through CITEM is committed to champion the manufacturers and exporters and continuously improve promotions. Rosvi Gaetos declares, “Our mission is to nurture the creativity and hone the talents of Filipino designers and artisans and the challenge is to be consistent and maintain the international presence. It’s no secret that the competition look to the Philippines for ideas and designs. Instead of sweating about that, the key is to be on top of the game and continuously pursue innovation.”
There will be no rest for the exhibitors and organizers. The fair in New ork is this May and Maison et Objet Paris will be in September. Next year is doubly challenging as the 2015 World Expo will also be in Milan starting in May, following closely on the heels of the Salone in April. There’s so much to do and look forward to in this truly exciting, promising and interesting times for the country’s furniture and home interiors industry.