CITEM offers glimpses of reimagination at Manila FAME 2024 Media Preview

By: Elie Satuito

Members of the media were given a sneak peek into the upcoming 72nd edition of Manila FAME, as organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) during the Manila FAME Media Preview held at the Makati Diamond Residences on October 10, 2024.

With only a few days before Manila FAME 2024–the country’s premier trade show for home, fashion, and lifestyle (HFL) is set to open its doors to the public, CITEM presented a visual display of select products and designs encapsulating this year’s trade event  theme of “Reimagination.” 

According to CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido-Ocampo, “Reimagination is our take on sustainability and circularity. In all of the settings we will be showing at Manila FAME, these will be reflected. With different interpretations, it’s going to be really exciting to see the end products. CITEM remains steadfast in its mission to elevate and champion Filipino products to the global stage.” 

The executive director knows firsthand the storied past that has fostered the creative community impacting the various export industries of the nation. Being an agency luminary and having vast experience in the field, she acknowledged the integral part creatives play    in the show’s long running success as they continue to discover materials, innovate designs, and guide Filipino artisans and manufacturers to enhance their creativity and skills. 

This is evidenced in the different settings of Manila FAME 2024, such as the Artisans Village, Design Commune – Home and Fashion, and two new collectives, namely: Nostalgia and Philippine Components. Helming the concepts for Manila FAME 2024 are Design Commune Creative Director Tony Gonzales, together with Product Development Specialists Rita Nazareno and Gabriel Lichauco of Nazareno/Lichauco, and Maco Custodio. 

Taking stock of the significance of this year’s edition, the CITEM leader believes that given the economy’s on-track recovery, “We will have a more palpable vibrancy and more interest from all over the world. It’s really going to be a show of force for the entire export industry.”  

Executive Director Ocampo also shared the stage with design consultants Nazareno and Custodio for the panel discussion about this year’s Manila FAME presentation, from detailing the various settings to the lineup of exhibitors and products, including close to a thousand new creations debuting at the trade show. Adding insight on bringing new life to old and existing pieces with the Nostalgia design retrospective, she believes honoring the past is part of the process toward a more learned future for the industry. “We want people to really see the iconic products that brought fame to the country, to our people. This is to help inspire people, the young designers and creators, so that their generation can come up with more contemporary designs in their reimagination.”

For Nazareno, who co-curated the Home section, injecting whimsy to reimagine raw materials beyond existing realities helped fuel creative output, reflecting the intricacies of artisan craftsmanship. And she is proud that the Design Commune can offer spaces where the community can come together to bring discourse to the visual experience. This was echoed by Custodio, as he curated for the Fashion section. He took a dialogous approach not just with the design and product expectations, but also with how the environment, people’s backgrounds, and geography impact new perspectives and representation for the makers.

As for the Components feature of Manila FAME, CITEM aims to expand the portfolio of local exhibitors by treating the various elements of a finished product as items for exports on their own or as ready options for bespoke furniture or home and fashion pieces. In tune with the show’s theme, Executive Director Ocampo hopes that the value of repurposing items normally set for furniture crosses over to becoming other materials for other industries, such as for architectural design elements.

Related: Visual storytelling exhibitions to anticipate at Manila FAME 2024 

An edition of other firsts

Aside from offering early access to the exhibition highlights, this year marks an edition of other firsts for Manila FAME. The show’s recognition program KATHA Awards will include     a cash prize of P500,000.00 for each major category winner in furniture, holiday decor,   home decor, lighting, fashion, and eco design. There will also be P250,000.00 each for best booth display and best sustainable booth. This development is made possible through the auspices of the Office of the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. with Honorable First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos presiding the conferment on Day 1 of Manila FAME. 

CITEM also unveiled the latest addition to the Manila FAME sensory experience – a signature scent exclusively developed for the brand by event partner Lumi Candles. Visitors can get to know more about its fragrance notes firsthand throughout the three-day event.

With close to 350 Philippine enterprises participating, the Manila FAME 2024 showcase is larger by 30% compared to last year. It is expected to draw 7,000 local and international buyers and visitors from over 60 countries, including notable brands in HFL and related industries like real property investments, hotel services, construction, and architectural design among others.

TPB Love the Philippines and PHILEXPORT are partners of Manila FAME 2024.

Take a multisensory journey of Philippine craftsmanship and innovation at Manila FAME 2024 happening from October 17-19, 2024 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, Philippines. Visit fameplus.com for more information on Manila FAME and other industry news.