The voice of design

2016 is a great year for Philippine fashion. The country is filled with brimming talents and diamonds in the rough. It is no surprise that either one, a handful or many will be called to find their place under the sun. As the pendulum of change moves forward, the country is on the rise in having another glimpse of the international spotlight.

The 2016 edition of Maison & Objet Paris, a pinnacle in global lifestyle trade exhibition, marks a milestone as this will be the first time the Philippines presents a distinct showcase of all fashion accessories. In cooperation with CITEM (Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions), 10 established Filipino brands coming from different regions around the country unite from Sept. 2 to 6 at Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte to unfold a spectacular and contemporary take on design. Each designer or brand — Mia Arcenas, Beatriz by Carissa Cruz-Evangelista, Butch Carungay of Avatar, Michelline Syjuco, Crystal Seas’ Carmela Alcantara, Larone Crafts’ Jennifer Lo, Kit Silver’s Mila Imson, Floreia’s Katrina Delantar, Megabijoux’s Melecio Donato Oamil Jr. and PeopleAsia’s Women of Style & Substance 2016 awardee Ann Ong — boasts of uniqueness and style identities that reflect a modern nation. 

The Philippine Pavilion will proudly unfold an exhibition of design diversity that will unify the country’s three major islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in one voice. In pursuit of progressive development and moving fashion forward, these brands are flag carriers that highlight the creativity of Filipino talents, their direction and vision to elevate and promote local design in one language.

The global stage is set for the national flag to take the spotlight with new designs, perspectives, styles in a glittering expression called Philippine fashion. As we hope, aspire and envision the world as our oyster, the Filipino fashion dream is alive at Maison & Objet Paris.

Mabuhay!

Avatar

Cebu’s globally renowned accessories brand Avatar will enter the global stage with a new name — Zai Design Hive. It will have a capsule series of costume jewelry, lifting from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The brand will present its signature intricate weaves and exquisite craft.

Ann Ong

Ann Ong highlights Bulacan’s craft skills with a stellar maximalist collection of intricate gold-plated metalwork and voluptuous embellishments as seen in her jewelry and award-winning evening clutch bags.

Beatriz

Carissa Cruz-Evangelista’s modern objects of art reflect both function and form in graphic patterns and bright colors. This Manila Fame Katha Award winner is making the bold point of view in reinterpreting design in local fashion.

Floreia

From fantasy to reality, Cebu’s Floreia unfolds a line of costume jewelry made from the brand’s patented and award-winning materials: Naturescast, which is made from agri-forest detritus; and Nucast, which is derived from recycled paper.

Crystal Seas

Crystal Seas, a brand from Davao, debuts under a new name, Carmela, with bags and jewelry from Mindanao’s varied crafts. T’nalak fabric — an heirloom cloth identified with the region’s indigenous T’boli people — is used for bags and ikat patterns in jewelry.

Kit Silver

Bulacan’s heritage and famous filigree style is the soul of Kit Silver’s outstanding  evening jewelry. Local pearls and stones from the nation’s provinces — such as Zambales jade,  Mindoro quartz and Nueva Ecija river stones — are highlighted with the brand’s designer Mila Imson setting the rough-cut objects against delicate brass and silver metalwork. 

Larone

Larone Crafts’ Jennifer Lo honors the family company’s founder, her grandfather, Alex Lo Kiong, with a line of rattan bags distinctively woven with overlays of washed-out finishes and metal embellishments.

Michelline Syjuco

Manila’s well-respected artist Michelline Syjuco  showcases breathtaking Goth-inspired objects that come to life as bags and jewelry. Strange is remarkably beautiful with her Yorick Skull bag, two clutches named Tyanak (a Filipino mythical creature) and Kamandag (the Tagalog word for venom) and other equally astounding one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Mia Arcenas

Cebu’s young mover and shaker Mia Arcenas showcases her distinctive luxe resort wear accessories through a selection of jewelry and clutch bags from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The line echoes day-to-night glamour as seen through a palette of modern neutrals such as ivory, gold and black set in gold and mother-of-pearl.

Megabijoux

Cebu-based Megabijoux statement is defined by architecture-inspired concept with rigorous silhouettes. These silhouettes are softened with the tonal warmth and textures of local wood, metal and shells that are reflective of Cebu’s artisanal heritage realized in a highly technical concept.