MAISON ET OBJET: Filipino craftsmanship: Designing for the world

When I started living in Paris some 10 years ago, the reaction I received from people when I said I was from the Philippines was often a mix of awe, slight confusion and curiosity. “So you speak Spanish there right? But, wait, isn’t it in Asia?” “Oh yes! I know of Imelda Marcos and her many shoes…”

The French, mind you, are splendid in geography and yet while most could pinpoint where exactly we are located, there remained a mystery to our culture. I regularly brought back the ubiquitous “pasalubong” to my French friends — salad servers made of horn and kamagong wood, mother of pearl boxes, woven clutches... all instant hits and all met with the same question, “Why don’t we see more of these around?”

What exactly does it mean to be Filipino in the creative and aesthetic sense?

A few weeks ago, I found myself back in the City of Lights standing in a moment of epiphany and revelation in front of the Design PH stand at the Maison et Objet fair. “I get it. And it’s beautiful.” Organized by the DTI’s Secretary Gregory Domingo and Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo,  CITEM executive director Rosvi Gaetos and deputy executive director for home and fashion Rhea Matute, and curated by Kenneth Cobonpue, Budji Layug and Royal Pineda, the effect was stunning.

 Twelve designers come together to create a world of lightness and movement, a suspended energy, a play of shadows, materials and artisanal techniques. There is sculptural edge, nostalgic softness, modern functionality and an ever so slight nod to our local archetypes and motifs. There is an obvious realization that our heritage has so much to do with our overbearing climate. The heat and humidity affect traditional design and craftsmanship. Woven rattan to allow the circulation of air. The idea of letting light but not heat pass through, reminiscent of the old capiz shelled windows.

Paired with ingenious new materials and avant-garde design resulting in a beautiful and sensuous effect of indulgent tropical languidness.

 â€œThe is a mysterious effect of materials. The element of surprise and departure from tradition,” says Elsa Sarfati, of Duende Studio, the Parisian public relations company working locally with the Design PH project when asked about the reactions from international press. Schema’s wire woven products were a perfect example. There is false fluidity, as if the items were made from thin rope or string. Once felt, its rigidity is a welcome novelty, a guarantee of durability and pragmatism. One of the most popular items were their lamps that resembled industrial metal light fixtures that captivated including Maison et Objet managing director Philippe Brocart. “It is an iconic industrial design with a fresh twist. It has movement and motion, heritage and modernity. It is versatile and can be seen in both a resort and an urban setting.”

Filipno design: looking beyond manufacture

As I walked through the fair, I looked at other nation or culture driven booths: Scandinavian, Korean, Thai design, each with their own appeal.

So what exactly is ours? “When you take tradition and design and create something that suits my everyday needs — that’s Filipino design,” states architect Royal Pineda. “It’s almost a violation to take something from abroad and try to make it work in my local situation. We need to look at our ancestors, what they did to address their environment and marry that with a more modern and fresh aesthetic.”

 â€œI don’t think it’s about only being Filipino otherwise you can fall into the cliché. Being Filipino is more of an advantage, the craftsmanship and the materials that are unique to the Philippines,” explains Kenneth Cobonpue. The internationally successful designer was one of the members of the original group that showcased at Maison et Objet eight years ago called Movement 8 along with Budji Layug.

He has managed to take his brand into a global scale proudly Filipino made without falling into the tricky “handicrafts” category. “Born Filipino, we know the materials. We can understand it and it is a reflection of what we are. The Filipino aspect is intrinsic in that sense,” shares Layug.

“When we started Movement 8, it was about personalities, today it is about the companies and brands.” Cobonpue explains that now is also the time to move away from just being a country of pure manufacturers but to branding “Philippine Design.”

A long time Filipino-phile, Frederic Bougeard, International Sales and Business Development Director of SAFI and Maison et Objet, is extremely enthusiastic and the Philippine presence at this year’s salon. “The salon has been a platform for Filipino creative expression and products through importers and distributors. I wanted to learn more and to go to the Philippines to meet the actual manufacturers. And I quickly realized that behind the manufacturers there also existed some amazing designers.” His longtime personal dream of showcasing Filipino products by Filipino designers at the salon finally came to fruition this year with the efforts of the spectacular team behind CITEM.  Matute’s passion is unmistakable and charms many international collaborators acting as a solid bridge for the local designers. Gaetos, equally as passionate, is the epitome of what Filipino government representatives should be, with grace and intelligence she is proud but not prideful of our country’s talents.

Recognition and renaissance

There is no doubt that 2013 has been a good year for the Philippines especially in France. All in the same year, there has been a gorgeous exhibition of stunningly curated bulols and primitive art at the Musee de Quai Branly. Locally produced Don Papa Rum winning awards for both product and design at the Paris Cocktail Spirits Show. Filipino Chef Aaron Isip gets nods by local foodies. And of course the Design PH pavilion at Maison et Objets was a smash hit. I can’t help but feel that the vivacious Philippine Ambassador to France, Ambassador Cristina Ortega had something to do with it. “Of course I had to learn some French. Do you think all those men in suits at the Assemblee Nationale will pay attention to a little Filipina like me if I didn’t?” she says laughingly over dinner held at her residence.

Interestingly enough it is a French man that seems to have a true grasp of what is the essence of Filipino design. “There is a Philippine design. There is above all a Filipino culture and a clear message for me. Behind the products there is an emotion. Today, we cannot talk about décor and lifestyle without speaking of emotion,” explains Bougeard. “Consumers no longer buy a sofa just to sit. They buy because of the materials, the tactile feeling, the color… What I’ve always appreciated about Filipino products is that there is always a story behind it this constant desire to propose a message and not just a product.”