Stepping into the halls of the Manila FAME show is always an exhilarating journey of discovery.
Every year, the fair has something new to offer, and three years postpandemic, we see the local design industry not just flourishing but rather exploding with new colors, forms, and textures. Here, local Filipino creativity and innovation truly come to life!
Pinyapel, when used as décor and upholstery, highlights the fine yet full-bodied texture of this material. Applied in a contemporary manner, this seemingly modest fabric is elevated and appeals to the international market
Tadeco’s pendant lamps, layered in soft round waters of abaca, hung as ceiling display The style of this lamp is contemporary yet time-less. (@tadeco_home)
Here are a few swatches of Pinyapel’s earthy and natural color palette Pinyapel is the Design Center of the Philippines’ specialty paper and fabric made from the discarded leaves of the pineapple plant
A clean and simple play on skin and volume. A light frame of painted metal wraps around a solid and textured ottoman
Pinyapel as lamp shades, interpreted in a more traditional perforated weave, and as a more geometric and contemporary paper box shade
As a regular attendee at this event, it is always a delight to see established manufacturers introduce new materials, techniques, and designs to enrich their usual repertoire of lighting, furniture, fabric, and accessories. And it is even more thrilling to see small scale businesses, craftsmen, and artisans come in from different parts of the country to exhibit their ware–many of them, first-timers.
An organic and tactile base by Triboa Bay with its textures lifted by the lamp’s lighting and shadows（atriboa bayliving)
The “Sulu” lamp–with traditional Southern Philippines “lukkis inukku” patterns carved out of resin. and draped with guinea fowl feathers–scream more bohemian than ethnic. This is one of Artifacts’ many unusual pieces (cartifeksph)
Another collaboration between the Nazareno/Lichauco (N/L) Design Council and South Sea Veneer are these playful tables interpreting the concept of crafting and expressing its symbols through cut-outs of workmen’s tools as random wood veneer patterns in contrasting wood specie and color
As an architect and designer myself, visits to the fair inspire new approaches to the usual design problems. Every year, there are more unique pieces to see, and this year’s theme of “Reimagination” has everyone thinking differently, most especially with regards to our abundant local materials and our even more abundant pool of talented craftsmen.
It’s wonderful to experience how the Manila FAME show is consistently driven by innovation, product performance, and design possibilities. This year, we’ve observed a continued play on color, and also took notice of the large variety of decorative lighting.
Fine bone China and porcelain home decor by CSM Philippines (@csmphilippines), molded in relief forms and textural surfaces, play largely with light and shadow to enhance its details
Clay body meets stone top in this patterned accent table by Johansen Furniture (www johansenworld com)
A decorative table lamp from a Skin of metal leafwork does more that just give off light. as it creates dramatic and textural shadows too! (C genteelhome.ph)Natural Carpet Industries colorful abaca placemats (naturalcarpetindustries@yahoo.com), coming just in time for the holiday season
Nature’s Legacy lights up its tables with a translucent and colorful “marmorcast” pedes. tal base. (www natureslegacy com
The fair runs until October 19 at the World Trade Center. Catch it!
The author is a practicing architect and designer, and is one of the two Principal Architects at Asuncion-Berenguer Inc., an architectural design and interior architectural design practice. Follow @isabelbasuncion
