CITEM backs 13 PH designers in SG sourcing show
By: Aly Dela Peña
With the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) at the helm, 13 Filipino designers are making their way to the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore to participate at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Expo and Summit (APTEXPO) on November 13-15, 2024.
The 13 designers from the Philippine Fashion Coalition, all celebrated in the Philippines and some already enjoying international success, will be featured under the FASHIONPhilippines banner at the expo.
Their collections, unified under the theme Luxe Resort, feature tropical elegance and celebrate slow fashion by combining Philippine culture, artistry, and sustainability into high-end resort wear. The collections pay homage to luxury and relaxation, inspired by the lush landscapes and rich textures of the tropics. Each piece in the collection elevates resort wear to an art form by using handwoven, limited-edition Philippine fabrics.
Out of the 13 participating designers, eight are from the Davao Fashion and Design Council (DFDC). They will showcase designs produced from their b.Loom Project, which emphasizes the use of innovative tropical fabrics developed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) such as cotton, abaca, banana, pineapple, and bamboo blended with polyester. This initiative focuses on preserving and promoting traditional weaving techniques while integrating modern design and technology using Philippine Tropical Fibers (PTF) to produce market-driven and scalable products that appeal to the middle and high-end market. Ultimately, the initiative will help establish the niche of Philippine fashion in the luxury resort wear market. Completing the country’s delegation are five designers of accessory brands to complement the apparel.
“The country’s APTEXPO presence is opening new doors not only for our homegrown brands, but also for the agency–as it expands its services to new markets to boost our export growth. As CITEM seeks to establish the Philippines as a premier destination for fashion design and services, this exhibition is a strategic step toward expanding the country's influence in global markets, demonstrating that Filipino fashion combines unique artistry with global appeal.” CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said.
The FASHIONPhilippines participation at APTEXPO 2024 is spearheaded by CITEM, the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG)’s Malikhaing Pinoy Program, in partnership with the Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC) and the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP).
CITEM is also the agency that organizes Manila FAME, the Philippines’ premier trade show for quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products, which is set to hold its 73rd edition on October 16-18, 2025.
