The three-day trade show offers a look-back at iconic pieces; a fresh voice for bespoke design; an appreciation for circular production; and its major, can’t-miss settings.
By: Aly Dela Peña
Manila FAME will celebrate its 72nd edition at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City on October 17-19, 2024. Since 1983, the premier sourcing show has brought together MSMEs from the home, fashion, and lifestyle sectors to usher Filipino products into the international arena.
This 2024, Manila FAME will center on the theme Reimagination, celebrating the power of Filipino design amidst the ever-revolving landscape of global trends and innovation. It will highlight how the country adapts to international trends and standards by translating raw materials using a combination of traditional and modern processes into functional lifestyle products.
Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the three-day event will champion Philippine artisanal products that feature skills in design and craftsmanship. Playful colors, traditional patterns, and rich textures will be accentuated at the trade fair, spotlighting the country’s strengths in artistry paired with impeccable style.
Manila FAME’s post-pandemic comeback in 2023 generated a total of $6.6 million export sales. Over 250 exhibitors under the home, furniture, fashion, and lifestyle industries attracted more than 4,000 local and international visitors.
Related: The Future of Filipino Design is in Manila FAME 2023
This year, the highly-curated show will offer various settings–both familiar and new–ensuring engaging and fresh perspectives for new and returning buyers and visitors.
Manila FAME visitors checking out fashion items from the curated exhibit.
Exclusive product launch at the Design Commune Settings
One of the most anticipated show features of Manila FAME, the Design Commune presents the newly designed pieces born out of a collaboration between select local manufacturers and renowned designers under CITEM’s product development program.
This year, Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco are the driving forces behind the Design Commune Home pavilion, a display of pieces with global trends and best practices in mind. With the theme Beyond Reality, the new collection reimagines common objects, ubiquitous materials, and even extinct animals and plants into creative and functional pieces. A total of 150 prototypes by 25 Philippine companies will be launched at the show.
Related: PH designers, MSMEs collaborate for global trade show Manila FAME 2024
Meanwhile, designer Maco Custodio collaborates with 15 local fashion companies to create stunning accessories, apparel, and footwear. The 90-piece collection for Design Commune Fashion takes inspiration from Parametrics, where design is based on forms, textures,and patterns found in nature.
The Sunflower Chair from Maze Furniture.
Nostalgia: The Manila FAME Design Retrospective
To retrace its humble beginnings and pay homage to the 1980s and 1990s, a defining period for Manila FAME, the show will introduce Nostalgia, a special vignette of iconic products from notable companies and designers whose shot to prominence marked that era of the trade show. The Nostalgia showcase will feature 22 pioneer companies behind signature Filipino products and designs such as the peacock chair, hand woven furniture, shell clutches, and sinamay hats.
Nostalgia will put a spotlight on the trailblazer MSMEs of Manila FAME and their invaluable contributions to the local industry’s growth and their impact on the global design landscape.
Philippine Components, Manila FAME’s new show feature launching in October.
Philippine Components: Coverings, Parts, and Fittings
In an effort to penetrate the fast-growing market for parts and components for furnishings, Manila FAME introduces Philippine Components this year. For its maiden edition, this special setting will mainly feature architectural panels. Visitors can expect a selection of wall coverings made of paper, woven textiles, stone, shell, and other natural materials. The setting will also introduce other parts and furnishings such as cabinet and door handles, cabrioles, and banisters. Philippine Components emphasizes the utility and design of the parts and components to be shown across architectural, interior, and industrial applications–giving buyers the power to mix-and-match fundamental building blocks and redefine customization.
The showcase will be curated by Manila FAME Creative Director Tony Gonzales.
DCP’s showcase of their sustainable materials’ creative applications.
Sustainability Thrust: Pinyapel for Manila FAME
Pinyapel, a term coined combining pinya (Filipino for “pineapple”) and papel (paper), is a sustainably-sourced paper material made of discarded pineapple leaves. Developed by the Design Center of the Philippines, the sustainable material will be shown through various innovative applications by select local manufacturers including OMO furniture, Triboa Bay, South Sea Veneer, Calfurn, Industria, MCCA, Masaeco, Oro Handmade, Tadeco Home, and One of T.
The Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX), CITEM’s program that encourages MSMEs toward sustainable production, will also have a setting showcasing eco-friendly design pieces from Oro Handmade, Creative Definitions, That One Piece, Crystal Seas, Farah Abu, JunkNot!, and Nature’s Legacy.
International buyers taking a look at local handicrafts from the regions.
Community empowerment through the Artisans Village
Hailed as a melting pot of diverse cultures and rich heritage, the Philippines boasts various product selections from across its regions. The Artisans Village is a vibrant showcase celebrating the unique arts, skills, and materials from the different provinces and regions of the country. The theme for this year’s Artisans Village is Uri, which translates to type or category in Filipino. It explores the traditional patterns and local weaves of the participating provinces and regions and how they translate them into home, fashion, and lifestyle pieces.
Designer PJ Arañador spearheads the product development for Bohol, Tarlac, and Bicol; and two provinces from the Western Visayas region: Aklan and Antique.
On the other hand, the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) is working with designer Tony Gonzales to curate the pavilions for Quirino, and two Western Visayas provinces: Bacolod and Iloilo.
The immersive experience of the Artisans Village allows visitors to explore the diverse and intricate traditions that define Filipino artistry and source products directly from the partner regions and provinces.
The KATHA Award winners for Manila FAME 2023.
Recognizing Filipino design excellence through the KATHA Awards
Manila FAME has championed product innovations of local MSMEs through the KATHA Awards for 39 years. It recognizes the ingenuity and creativity of local brands in several categories–namely furniture, home decor and houseware, lamps and lighting, fashion, holiday and gifts, and best booth presentation, inspiring them to push the boundaries of design.
Looking forward to the excitement this year’s edition brings, CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo shares, “Manila FAME 2024 is going to be both familiar and original. Returning buyers and visitors can anticipate the same warmth of the Filipino hospitality and expect upgraded and new features from the show.”
“I’m proud to say that the team behind Manila FAME is pushing it forward to look for new avenues for growth, cater to more industries, and to help sustain our local brands and manufacturers. This upcoming edition will truly be a worthwhile experience everyone shouldn’t miss,” she added.
Register now at fameplus.com.
About CITEM
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
For 40 years, CITEM has established the country’s image as a premier destination for quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, and sustainability sectors.
CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.
About FAME
FAME is a community of brands, designers, and manufacturers that showcase quality artisanal products in signature trade show Manila FAME, on digital platform FAME+, and in trade fairs and B2B initiatives around the world. The FAME community likewise includes global buyers and other stakeholders.
About FAME+
FAME+ is the ultimate digital sourcing and storytelling platform for Philippine quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products. It enables Philippine brands and manufacturers to generate leads and reach global buyers through content creation, learning opportunities, and B2B capabilities. It intends to ensure and improve the discoverability of exhibitors online, creating a community of exhibitors, buyers, and stakeholders in one digital space.
Ref. Elmer Harold Grande
Email: ehgrande@citem.com.ph
Twitter: @CITEMPh
Facebook: @DTI.CITEM
