Unbound Petals of Inspired Design
By Carla Zaide
The Philippines is a nation perpetually in bloom. Flowers are not merely pretty faces; they are the ubiquitous, essential shorthand of our cultural vocabulary, representing beauty, growth, and enduring life. Their influence isn't just felt in gardens—it's practically institutionalized! What other inspiration is versatile enough to grace a baby’s name, christen a street, and dictate the intricate curves of luxury furniture?
For Filipino designers, flora is a generous and never-ending muse. The delicate fragility, vibrant colors, and geometric precision of a petal offer a complex visual language that perfectly mirrors the artistry and resilience inherent in Filipino creativity.
This deep-seated reverence for our rich biodiversity flowered once more at the 73rd edition of Manila FAME, demonstrating that the stories of our landscapes are perpetually retold through groundbreaking, beautifully crafted design.
Rosas Chair by Arksmith
First unveiled at the DESIGNPhilippines Pavilion during INDEX Dubai, the crowd-favorite and KATHA Awards finalist Rosas Chair by Arksmith returns to the spotlight, this time on a grander stage as part of the Ysla Collection for Manila FAME 2025.
Inspired by the delicate form of a rose, from which it takes its name, the Rosas Chair captures the elegance of unfolding petals through its sculptural, organic design. Cloaked in a bold magenta hue, it embodies youth, creativity, and imagination—symbolizing transformation, individuality, and the beauty of standing out.
BLOOM Hanging Lamp by Coast Pacific
A seamless blend of accent and decorative lighting, the BLOOM Hanging Lamp by Coast Pacific captivates with its organic form and natural charm. Handcrafted from rattan, its sculptural shape mimics the delicate ridges and petal-like curves of a flower in bloom, casting a warm, radiant glow that seems to blossom from within.
12-Circle Dress by Idyllic Summers
A poetic embodiment of Earthbound, the collaborative exhibit by Geraldine Javier, Marionne Contreras, and Idyllic Summers founder Steffi Cua, this 12-Circle Dress transforms natural imprints into wearable art. Composed of cascading circular panels of ecoprinted piña (a traditional Philippine fiber made from the leaves of the pineapple plant) each layer evokes the gentle unfolding of petals, as if the dress itself were a flower in perpetual bloom.
Its painterly hues of burnt coral, moss green, and earthy umber mirror the colors of dried leaves and fading blossoms, reflecting nature’s cycles of life, decay, and renewal.
Solana Chair by Maze Furniture
The one-seater Solana Chair by Maze Furniture captures the elegance of a flower in full bloom. Its sculptural frame, composed of sweeping petal-like metal ribs, opens outward in a graceful, organic form that invites both comfort and admiration.
Finished in matte gold, the piece radiates understated luxury while maintaining a sense of lightness and fluidity, ideal for premium residential and high-design commercial interiors.
Lotus Hanging Lamp by Tadeco
Inspired by the graceful lotus flowers that bloom across the tranquil lakes of Mindanao, the Lotus Hanging Lamp by Tadeco Home transforms natural abaca fibers into a radiant expression of light and symbolism. Like the lotus that rises unstained from the mud, this piece symbolizes purity and the human spirit’s strength to overcome challenges. It is ideal for serene interiors (ie. living rooms, lounges, or hospitality spaces) as it brings a touch of organic elegance and quiet reflection to any setting.
Special Project Shirt by Ched Studio
Designed under the FASHIONPhilippines Milan Mentorship Program 2025, this Special Project Shirt by Ched Dalogaog of CHED Studio is a refined short-sleeve shirt that perfectly balances boldness and subtlety. At first glance, its rich mustard-gold hue appears solid, but up close, a delicate micro-floral jacquard weave reveals itself, adding depth, texture, and a subtle play of light.
From the hip, a striking red embroidered motif unfurls like a burst of floral energy, serving as a contemporary accent and focal point against the muted base.
Finebone Porcelain Jewelry by AUREA
These fine bone porcelain jewelry pieces by AUREA capture the serene elegance of orchids, a type of flower long associated with grace, refinement, faith, and rare beauty.
Each pendant features softly curved porcelain forms edged with hand-painted gold, echoing the fluid lines of the flower’s petals in full bloom. The contrast between the porcelain’s milky translucence and the radiant gold detailing highlights AUREA’s mastery of balancing delicacy with opulence.
Lotus One-Seater Chair by Contemporaneo
The Lotus One-Seater Chair by Contemporaneo captures the essence of the lotus not through imitation, but through transformation. Made from upcycled Philippine mahogany chips and end cuts, it embodies a quiet cycle of rebirth, where discarded fragments are given new life through craftsmanship and intention.
Ideal for living spaces or reflective corners, the piece is both sculptural and soulful, a reflection on how beauty can emerge from what was once forgotten.
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Following the notable success and creative momentum established by the 2025 edition, we are delighted to introduce the next captivating chapter of creative expression—Manila FAME 2026: Bloom.
Mark your calendars! The next edition will grace the design calendar from October 15 to 17, 2026.
This theme, Bloom, is a celebration of thriving ideas, flourishing talent, and the ever-evolving spirit of Filipino design on the global stage. We invite you to join us as we nurture the seeds planted this year and watch Philippine creativity reach its most spectacular height once more.
