Manila Fame: The design and lifestyle event of the year

MANILA, Philippines - Christened as the “New Tiger” in the economically vibrant Southeast Asia, reports say that the Philippines is expected to resume a period of strong growth. Leading business news site Market Watch reports that for the past six months, exports grew 7.7 percent, or higher than the 4.13 percent experienced from the early six months of 2012.

Manila Fame highlight its positioning as “Asia’s Design and Lifestyle Event.”  It is the country’s premier trade show for top quality export products and unique Philippine craftsmanship in furniture and furnishings, holiday, gifts and décor, and fashion.

“Now that economists are tagging the Philippines as the brightest economic star in Asia, we also want the Philippines, through Manila Fame, to be the creative epicenter in the region as we gather emerging and established talents from various creative fields and put further focus on our branding of Design Philippines by putting various features in the event,” said Rosvi C. Gaetos, executive director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Now on its third decade, Manila Fame has been a platform for the latest innovation and design trends in furniture and home furnishings, holiday décor, gifts, arts and crafts, and fashion complements (costume jewelry, fine jewelry, footwear, and leathergoods). It is the only trade show in the Philippines recognized by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

Ongoing until March 17 at the SMX Convention Center, Manila Fame will once again feature top-notch artistry and craftsmanship, offering buyers and visitors more show features and a wide array of exceptionally designed products.

“For the March edition, we are putting the spotlight on ‘The Millennial Home,’” adds Gaetos.  “Internationally renowned furniture designer Budji Layug is the creative director for this special feature and he is working with a mix of seasoned designers, young and emerging talents to provide a special presentation of products that are developed to appeal to this new emerging generation of consumers.”

Designers working with Budji Layug are Jinggoy Buensuceso, Wataru Sakuma, Olivia D’Aboville, Leeroy New, Iñigo Elizalde, Eric Paras, and Ito Kish. The designers are collaborating with top Philippine manufacturers to develop their collection.

Manila Fame will also feature the “Creative Hotspots.” These are key areas in the Metro that showcases the pulse of the Philippine creative players that meld art and design, powered by the Pinoy Millennials, a group of young artists/creative entrepreneurs such as The Collective, Maginahawa Street/Van Gogh is Bipolar, 10a Alabama, and RONAC Art Center.

For information, visit www.manilafame.com or email info@manilafame.com.ph.