CITEM showcases Filipino Design with a focus on Materials on Maison et Objet and More

By Ivan Jethro Balagtas
September 15, 2021

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Maison et Objet is a highly-anticipated interior design trade fair held bi-annually in the French capital. In line with the return of Paris Design Week, another major event, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) launches Spring/Summer 2022 collection of homeware and furniture on Maison & Objet and More (MOM). 

This endeavor showcases not only Filipino talents but also materials native to the Philippines.  “We harness the abundance of nature and transform natural materials such as rattan, abaca, and wood into export-quality crafts that uplift not only our pride as Filipinos but also the lives of the artisans and their communities. Through our products, we champion our materials, culture, and heritage,”  Pauline Suaco-Juan CITEM’s Executive Director said.

The exhibition features 25 Filipino designer labels including Hacienda Crafts, Obra Cebuana, and Vito Selma. Some of the standout pieces are Hacienda Crafts’ Lala uno Hanging Lamp, a celebration of everyday Negrense life through bamboo and buri (palm) and Vito Selma’s Constella Cocktail table, divider, lamp collection. In tune with Suaco-Juan’s sentiments, these items show how well Filipino designers they are most familiar with. Not only that these materials take over the furniture’s character but also its context, which perfectly align with the local context to which these materials exist. 

This collection also reflects CITEM’s efforts in digitization efforts, which goes hand-in-hand with the agency’s anticipation for a more connected international market. You can read more about the upcoming exhibition at FAME+.

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