Gov’t organizing Pinoy trade fair in Italy

MANILA, Philippines - The government is organizing a trade exhibit to feature works of top Filipino fashion designers using local fiber in Italy next month, as part of efforts to promote the country’s products and boost investments in the production of piña and abaca.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) organizing a four-day trade event called Fibre Filippine to showcase the country’s design and products made of local fiber.

Part of the trade event is a fashion show which would feature the works of top Filipino designers Renee Salud, Patis Tesoro, Ditas Sandico Ong and Anthony Legarda, using local fabrics made of piña, abaca, and banana fibers.

The fashion show is slated for Oct. 17, at the Circolo Ufficiale della Marina – Lungotevere Flaminio in Rome.

A trade exhibit from Oct. 18 to 20 at the Aranciera di San Sisto Roma, Via di Valle delle Camene would also be held to feature exhibitors engaged in the production and design of local fabrics and handicrafts.

The exhibitors include Cacharel Apparel, ELM’s Accesoria de Casa, Gida’s Tnalak International, Herb’s International Best, Janlen International Export Inc., Kath’s Handicraft, Klowil Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Twinkle Ferraren, A&S Handcrafted Arts Inc., Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Iloilo, Ai-She Footwear of Liliw Laguna, and Narda’s Handwoven Arts and Crafts.

“The purpose of organizing (the) trade exhibit is primarily to introduce to the Italian society the abilities and talents of the Filipinos in the use of their natural fabric and to showcase creativity of Philippine artists using piña, abaca and banana in haute couture fashion, ready-to-wear, fashion accessories, table linens, handkerchiefs, doilies, bags, table napkins, (and) other industrial uses,” Marie Luarca Reyes, Fibre Filippine organizer and wife of Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio Reyes said.

This, as the country’s fibers have many uses but are not internationally known and recognized.

Reyes is hopeful the event would open investment opportunities in growing the production of piña and abaca to allow Filipino farmers to increase their production.

Aside from boosting trade and investment, she added that Fibre Filippine also aims to challenge second generation Fil-Italian fashion and industrial designers to apply piña and abaca in western modalities.

Such, she said, would involve giving a new look to the use of the fiber not seen before, and encouraging Italian textile and fashion establishments to use Filipino natural fibers.

Fibre Filippine, which would be hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Rome, is co-sponsored by the Fiber Industry Development Authority and Philippine Postal Corp., with assistance from Gruppo Aggiunto of Roma Capitale.