Manila FAME, the much-awaited design and lifestyle event by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), will finally open its doors tomorrow (April 25) to showcase Filipino design and craftsmanship to international and local buyers.
With DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan at the helm, the 69th edition of Manila FAME will showcase more than 300 home and lifestyle brands, including iconic pieces from its 30-year collection.
Joining Pauline is her former colleague Vince Uy, whose trained eye and years of experience both in publishing and in advertising have landed him the exciting role of creative director for Manila FAME.
“It’s as exciting as how we used to work together in publishing,” notes Uy. “It feels really great to be working with a visionary like Pauline and the sense of familiarity makes it easier for me to share my ideas freely knowing she’ll support them.”
Here, Uy joins us for a quick chat on what to expect at tomorrow’s Manila FAME.
What was your overall vision for Manila FAME’s 69th edition?
For Manila FAME’s 69th edition, we wanted to infuse more color into the various settings and collaterals. We played with interesting color combinations such as bold tones mixed with pastel tones to convey the vibrancy of our culture.
Why did you particularly choose to play with color?
Color is something most people tend to shy away from. I want to inspire more people to have more fun and embrace color in their lives. We want to show different perspectives on color play — from colorful products alone to neutral pieces set against colorful backdrops.
How would you describe the theme “Heritage Reimagined”?
It’s getting the best ideas from our design heritage and translating them with a modern and forward-thinking point of view that’s fit for not just the local but also the global market. The Philippines’ design and material culture as well as its people’s crafting techniques, material manipulation and design-forward solutions have a long history and tradition, so as the design world constantly reinvents itself, so does the Filipino craftsman.
I want them to feel reinvigorated with Filipino Design, to feel proud, inspired and to have a renewed sense of interest for our local products.
Could you tell us more about the collaborative pieces you curated? Which pieces are you particularly excited about?
I’m excited with this year’s Design Commune space. I’m currently working with curators Andre Chang, Nix Alanon, and Stanley Ruiz to bring to life the story of Heritage Reimagined. I can’t share much as of now, but what I can say is that expect design commune to be extra vibrant this year!
What is it about Filipino design and craftsmanship that inspires you?
What really excites me is how talented the Filipino craftsman is, after all, our country has so much local resources. The reason why Design Commune’s theme is ‘Heritage Reimagined’ is because the archives of our local manufacturers are brimming with talents and ideas. It is truly a gold mine of inspiration formed under the influence of Manila FAME’s stewardship.
If you were to help guests navigate through the show space, how would you guide them through the different areas?
I would ask them to start with the Design Commune to know the story of the edition and then branch out from there. They can end by relaxing in the lounges and the bar area. I would also recommend downloading the Manila FAME app for the show guide.
What kind of experience do you want to give guests at Manila FAME?
I want them to feel reinvigorated with Filipino Design, to feel proud, inspired and to have a renewed sense of interest for our local products.
Manila FAME is on April 25-27, 2019 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City, Philippines
Watch the video below to know more about Manila FAME and its collaborators
Manila FAME Show Features:
Design Commune
A merchandise development program and curated exhibition space that aims to nurture a community of creative prime movers and their collaboration with manufacturers. It is designed to encourage and promote a constant output of well-designed products that meet the demand of the international market. The unifying theme of this upcoming edition is “Heritage Reimagined.”
Artisans Village
The venue for local MSMEs to introduce their crafts to the global market through the forging of partnerships between the agency, manufacturers, DTI Regional Offices and Local Government Units (LGUs). For this edition, exhibitors from Antique, Marawi and Zamboanga will be presented. This pavilion showcases products which highlight each province’s distinctive raw materials. Live demonstrations of how these materials are processed, crafted and fashioned into end products are also featured.
Fashion E-Tailers
Manila FAME brings the online fashion marketplace to the trade show floor in the E-Tailer’s Special Setting. Twenty-two (22) of the country’s rising fashion entrepreneurs and designer commercial brands will showcase the latest trends in both couture and ready-to-wear (RTW) fashion. Young and tech-savvy fashion enthusiasts will be enamored by a collection of this season’s trendiest styles.
CREATE Lab
The CREATE Lab is an exciting new feature designed to inspire and motivate creatives. From creating a personal logo, using stop-motion techniques, to creative business processes, there is a lot of valuable things to learn from the CREATE Lab. It aims to provide participants with a sneak peek into the rich creative experience and networking opportunities that the next edition of CREATE Philippines offer.
For more information, visit www.manilafame.com
