Philippine pavilion wows at Maison&Objet 2024, takes home USD 1.6M in sales
By: Arry Asiddao
The Philippines showcased its booming arts and design scene in a successful physical comeback at the French trade fair Maison&Objet, which was held from January 18 to 22, 2024. This year’s country pavilion, ARTIPELAGO, delighted hundreds of international buyers and visitors, resulting in increased sales, orders, and new opportunities for participating Filipino brands.
The total sales generated from the participation amounted to USD 1.6 million, exceeding its target by 157%. With a total of 152 products exhibited in ARTIPELAGO, including 105 new launches, the Philippine participation garnered more than 731 trade inquiries, which is 244% above the target. The participation also exceeded all its other targets, including the number of companies assisted and introduced and the number of trade buyers met.
Some of the bestsellers during the event are products made of natural and indigenous materials such as raffia and rattan. Buyers were also interested in products that exhibited qualities such as flexibility, durability, and sustainability.
“We wanted to showcase the artistry and craftsmanship that define Filipino products through our participation in Maison&Objet. Our success with ARTIPELAGO is a testament to the growing interest in our export-quality furniture that embodies the country's rich culture and history. We are excited to continue this momentum by intensifying our promotional efforts and participation in overseas trade fairs,” said CITEM Executive Director Edward L. Fereira, Ph.D.
Held in Paris, Maison&Objet is among the most prestigious European trade shows in the design, home decor, art, and lifestyle sectors. The five-day event attracted more than 70,000 visitors from 147 countries, a 5% increase from its September 2023 edition. Ninety percent of the visitors were from Europe, making it an ideal gateway to the European market. Visitors and buyers at the show included professional buyers, concept and lifestyle stores, fashion retailers, department stores, high-end stores, museums and art galleries, and specifiers in search of exclusivity and creativity. Meanwhile, 1,042 French exhibitors and 1,474 international brands presented their products.
Housing furniture and lighting products, as well as visual art pieces, ARTIPELAGO by DESIGNPhilippines was the first of its kind in the history of the Philippines’ participation in Maison&Objet. The exhibit showcased interior and design products alongside the works of emerging Filipino visual artists, seamlessly blending function and art. Through bold experimentation and material manipulation, Filipino designers and artisans were able to elevate functional objects, such as furniture and lamps into extraordinary art forms. With this unique presentation, the Philippines aims to highlight its finest design products and increase its market share by attracting more clients, particularly those in the global contract market for hotels, restaurants, and cafes (HoReCa), as well as among specifiers, such as interior designers and architects.
This year’s participation marked the country’s return to Maison&Objet after its last physical participation in 2019. Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Philippine pavilion was designed to represent the cultural diversity of our archipelago through the marriage of furniture and visual art pieces by designers and artists hailing from different parts of the country.
The delegation consisted of 14 companies, a mix of seasoned exporters and up-and-coming designers. Under the curatorship of Anton R. Mendoza of Galerie D’Antoine and DF Agency, the pavilion also featured a collection of paintings and artworks by 14 renowned Filipino artists.
Among the participating companies were JB Woodcraft, Finali Furniture, South Sea Veneer, A. Garcia, Weavemanila, Jireh Forge, Venzon Lighting & Objects, Indigenous, Zarate Manila, Mejore, Aerostone, Nature’s Legacy, Tadeco, and Vito Selma. The exhibit also featured works by visual artists Dino Gabito, Marrie Saplad, Pong Bayog, Demi Padua, Jigger Cruz, Manny Garibay, Cedrick Dela Paz, Arnold Lalongisip, Ciron Seneres, Chino Yulo, Mark Copino, Arce, Bryan Teves, and Jana Benitez.
The Philippine pavilion at Maison&Objet 2024 was well-received by both the exhibitors and the visiting buyers. Exhibitors saw the experience as an opportunity to benchmark and improve their preparation for the next participation. Meanwhile, the buyers were captivated by the diverse range of materials and techniques showcased in the pavilion.
“This year, for us, in terms of buyers, it's better than last time. and I am happy that I have items that are sold. So quality buyers talaga, that’s what I observed,” said IDr. Nicole Cabanlet, product design director of Indigenous.
This sentiment was shared by Pete Delantar, co-founder and president of Nature’s Legacy, “We are actually not expecting sales, but we are happy, the buyers are happy. There are buyers who come and ask us to make a quotation of this or that. These are serious buyers and not retail buyers on the spot. The results are really promising."
The Philippine participation at Maison&Objet 2024 was in partnership with the Office of the First Lady in line with its mission to promote Philippine art and design. The gallery was curated by Anton R. Mendoza of Galerie D’Antoine and DF Art Agency.
ARTIPELAGO was also supported by the DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group, Foreign Trade Services Corps, and Philippine embassies and consulates in Europe.
The participation is part of the country's efforts to boost exports in the home, fashion, and lifestyle (HFL) sectors and assist small and medium-sized enterprises in increasing their visibility and establishing themselves as significant players in the global market.
Discover more Philippine furniture and lifestyle products and join Manila FAME at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay, Philippines, from October 17 to 19, 2024. To learn more, visit FAME+.
