PH delegation joins major French trade fair for design
By: Aly Dela Peña
The home, fashion, and lifestyle industry of the Philippines is off to a great start as the country returns to Maison et Objet (M&O) in Paris, France on January 16-20, 2025. Continuing the narrative of its 2024 participation, Artipelago II is poised to be bigger and more diverse to reaffirm the country’s reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and artistic innovation.
Artipelago II will feature the largest Philippine delegation in the bi-annual M&O with 32 participants: 16 home and furniture manufacturers and 16 visual artists.
The delegation reflects the growing global recognition and demand for Filipino crafts. With Creative Director Anton R. Mendoza’s vision, select enterprises and artists will underscore the country’s capability in producing home and lifestyle products and the country’s booming art scene to the global arena.
Promoted under the DESIGNPhilippines banner, the Philippine pavilion will feature conversation pieces that marry art and design such as Cebu Homecraft’s towering driftwood sculptures; JB Woodcraft’s detailed wood carvings; Finali Furniture’s intricate furnishings; and TADECO Home’s statement lamps–a 2024 bestseller.
Visual arts will also be a central focus in Artipelago II. Curated by Galerie D’Antoine and DF Art Agency, the pavilion will present a cohesive and captivating story of Filipino creativity and cultural heritage. It is set to feature works from Dino Gabito, Demi Padua, Chino Yulo, Ezekiel Fajardo, and 12 other Filipino artists.
Related: Breaking New Ground: Meet the Visual Artists Taking Over ARTIPELAGO at Maison&Objet 2024
Artipelago II will embrace the grandeur of maximalism, which allows Filipino manufacturers to showcase their pieces on a monumental scale through intricate details, striking curves, rich textures, and vibrant colors. The theme will redefine the Philippine aesthetic as a celebration of complexity, individuality, and the thrilling beauty of the unexpected, rather than as mere excess. The theme, as interpreted by the design and art pieces to be exhibited, aims to generate greater interest among buyers in the European market.
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, citing a study by the International Trade Centre, shares that the Philippines’ untapped export potential in the European region has reached the EU's $8.3 billion.
As a major foreign direct investor in ASEAN, Europe holds substantial investment potential for the Philippines. The Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) estimates that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to boost bilateral relations and secure preferential market access for the Philippines, could generate between 120,000 and 250,000 new jobs within the first few years of its implementation.
The DESIGNPhilippines participation in M&O 2025 is supported by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting the country’s creative industries. This initiative aligns with national efforts to boost exports in the home and furniture sectors while supporting the visual arts as a vital component of the Philippine design scene.
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) takes the helm of the 32-strong delegation. The attached agency functions as the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). CITEM is the organizer of Manila FAME–the Philippines’ premier trade show for quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products. Its next edition will be on October 16-18, 2025 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City.
Visit the Philippine pavilion at M&O at Hall 6, Forever, Paris Nord Villepinte Parc Expositions, 93420 Villepinte Paris, France.
After the sourcing show, DESIGNPhilippines will hold an Outbound Business Mission (OBM) for Filipino companies to meet with potential buyers at Europe’s biggest B2B wholesale center, Trademart Brussels on January 23-24, 2025.
