Strength for Today
Through past participations in Maison&Objet Paris (M&O), the Philippines continuously fascinates and excites the international lifestyle and design market. Year after year, Philippine products are garnering more and more interest from international buyers who go to M&O for its quality finds.
To maintain the momentum, it is essential to find new and fresh ways to present the Filipino design flare. Therefore, lead organizer Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing and promotion arm of the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), tapped Filipino designers who already have numerous ventures in trade shows abroad to develop new products to showcase in one of the best lifestyle platforms in Europe.
Following the theme, “Kindred: A Design Collective,” the Philippine stand in M&O will be a showcase of collaboration and exquisite craftsmanship.
“We will focus on contemporary design and objects for this edition. As Filipinos are specialists in various design disciplines, we aim to harness this strength to catch the attention of M&O visitors this year,” shares Rita Nazareno, lead curator for the Philippine participation in M&O and Creative Director of S.C. Vizcarra and Zacarias 1925.
M&O Paris 2019 will be Nazareno’s first foray as lead curator and product developer for the Philippine participation. She is one of the esteemed exhibitors of Manila FAME, and will be channeling her over a decade of experience and success in overseas tradeshows with her homegrown brand. “I have been a part of many international events for my brand; so, this time, I look forward to curating the products of a fabulous group of exhibitors with similar sensibilities,” she says.
“I am thrilled that Gabby Lichauco and I are partnering in putting together Kindred: A Design Collective for the Philippine participation in M&O. We have worked closely with the manufacturers to bring a compelling collection and mark our edge once again in the field of arts and design,” Nazareno adds.