Design Philippines goes to New York
• Design delegation to join premier platform for global design, ICFF
• Team headed by Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions
• Prizewinning furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue leads roster of 15-member team
NEW YORK, New York — A 15-member Design Philippines delegation will join the 26th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on May 17 to 20.
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, will head the delegation to North America’s premier platform for global design.
The ICFF is internationally recognized for its wide range of world-class products – from accessible items to luxury ones. It will host more than 500 exhibitors from over 30 countries to showcase top contemporary designs.
Nearly 30,000 interior designers, architects, retailers, designers, manufacturers, representatives, distributors and developers from all over the world are expected to take part.
Leading the 15-member Philippine group is multi-awarded furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, who clinched the first “Designer of the Year” award in MAISON&OBJET Asia, topping other highly rated Asian designers.
Aside from the KENNETHCOBONPUE brand, the other Design Philippine brands that will represent the country include Ann Pamintuan, atelier a, Catalina, Contemporaneo, Industria, ITO KISH, Lightworks, MASAECO, Mayumi, Nature’s Legacy, PRIZMIC & BRILL, Schema, TADECO Home and Vito Selma.
The Philippine Pavilion was conceived by international furniture and interior designer Budji Layug. It will showcase a wide range of select, upscale home designer pieces crafted by the participating Design Philippines companies.
“CITEM is committed to promoting the Design Philippines brand worldwide,” said Executive Director Rosvi Gaetos. “We want it to be more widely recognized here and abroad. The Philippines should be – and must be – the undisputed sourcing destination for finely crafted products in Asia.”
Gaetos added that CITEM strategically selects the international shows it participates in every year.
Design Philippines is a branding initiative that positions the Philippines as a sourcing destination for finely crafted products for the world market. It is a design movement that showcases the creativity and originality of a globally competitive and passionate community of Filipino designers and craftsmen.
“We are especially thrilled to welcome CITEM back to North America’s premier platform for global design after a 13-year hiatus,” said ICFF Sales Director Alexandra Cabat. “The presence and numbers of the Philippine contingent in the 26th annual ICFF signals that the international design world recognizes the ICFF as one of the world’s most powerful markets for international design.”
In 2006, the Philippines, through CITEM, had an 18-square-meter exhibition in ICFF dubbed as “Transformations: Nature & Beyond,” a culminating activity of a business development program with New York-based Material ConneXion.
A number of prototypes on new architectural design and industrial applications of indigenous materials from 14 participating companies were showcased, generating over a thousand business inquiries.
Design Philippines’ presence in the US this May will complete CITEM’s branding campaign cycle for the year, following a successful run in the recently concluded maiden edition of MAISON&OBJET Asia, an internationally renowned lifestyle exhibition and design creativity event held in Singapore.
Design Philippines was also in Milan, Italy for the 53rd edition of Salone Internazionale del Mobile (Milan Furniture Fair) on April 8 to 13. Salone Internazionale del Mobile is considered the world’s biggest and most important furniture fair.
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