Rediscover the True Nature of Design at Manila FAME 2025

Rediscover the true nature of Filipino design at Manila FAME 2025

 

As the second-longest-running trade show in Asia, Manila FAME has built a legacy as the must-attend international sourcing event for Filipino artistry and craftsmanship. For its 73rd edition, happening on October 16-18 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, the country’s premier trade fair for all things home, fashion, and lifestyle is returning to the core and diving into the roots of Filipino design.

 

With the theme “Objects of Nature,” this year’s iteration is set to be a celebration of everything that makes Filipino artistry sought after all over the world. “The word ‘nature’ refers to our physical world, and it can also mean the qualities that are basic or inherent to a person or an object,” CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido-Ocampo explains. “Within these contexts, ‘Objects of Nature’ has Manila FAME going right into the heart of what we do best. In the process, we unveil the unique selling propositions of our products that have made the Philippines a must-visit sourcing destination for design.”

 

Reconnecting with community and the environment through design

The trade show’s theme takes into account the current international trends, all of which point to nature as a dominating key element for 2025 and 2026. From the use of recycled and upcycled materials to bolder, more playful aesthetics and nature-connected living spaces, the prevalent direction puts a strong focus on sustainability and biophilic design, with the latter a concept that nurtures the relationship between people and the environment.

 

The intrinsic qualities of Filipino design make it a natural fit for this prevailing movement. Thus, Manila FAME 2025 promises to showcase Philippine-made objects inspired by design’s original muse, nature.

 

Visitors can expect a fresh take on design that provides a counterpoint to the increasing influence and impact of technology and AI on daily life. Find meticulously handcrafted items made from natural and indigenous materials, creatively conceptualized and executed using community-based production processes. Discover their multiple iterations, inspired by our rich cultural diversity and heritage. Fall in love with products that are as adaptable as they are unique, thanks to the Filipino pasadya culture that results in bespoke beauty.

 

Highlighting not just products but also people and processes

Since communal effort and cultural influences are innate aspects of Filipino design, Manila FAME’s signature features rightly put the spotlight on the people and the heritage that shape it.

 

Merging artisanship with innovation and sustainability, Design Commune once again has a selection of local manufacturers and brands working under the expert guidance of a renowned designer—this time, with one of Manila FAME’s frequent collaborators, Tony Gonzales. See how the hard work of 21 exhibitors from the lamps and lighting, furniture, home decor, and holiday and seasonal decor categories pushes the boundaries of product development at a dedicated exhibit. Check out the new items that feature the creative use of raw materials, resulting in clever and functional designs.

To cultivate the export capabilities of Philippine artisan communities and enterprises, the capacity-building program Artisans Village provides marketing and technical assistance to regional MSMEs in the handicraft sector and, in the process, highlights products from featured provinces and regions, including their use of indigenous materials, local crafts, and innovative techniques. For 2025, participating MSMEs are fortunate to have Global Trends Ambassador Patti Carpenter making factory visits to help them conceptualize and develop pieces that match their branding while also sharing her vast knowledge of the design business. The design expert is working with local artisans from the following provinces to explore how they could maximize their signature materials and expand their product lineup: Bohol (natural fibers and materials), Ilocos Sur (inabel), Quirino (woodworks and fossilized flowers), and Tarlac (wood, stone, clay, and rattan).

 

Visitors will also get to learn from design and business experts and thought leaders at FAME Talks. Through forums that tackle timely topics, such as “Innovative, Versatile, and Sustainable Approaches to Designing Products for the Home, Fashion, and Lifestyle Sector” and “Global Design Trends for Fashion Accessories,” attendees can delve deeper into the dynamic world of design, gain creative and actionable insights, and develop innovative strategies for navigating an evolving landscape.

 

Elevating how trade shows are done

Guests can look forward, too, to exclusive features that will further enrich their ManilaFAME experience.

 

From a simple product category, Philippine Components, which made its maiden showcase last year, is now an exhibit that focuses on the fundamental building blocks of design: coverings, parts, and fittings. With Tony Gonzales also at its helm for 2025, guests can expect an immersive presentation of specially developed architectural fittings and components developed exclusively for Manila FAME by 15 companies, in the spirit of the pasadya culture.

 

CITEM also brings two of its innovative programs to Manila FAME to showcase a more integrative approach to exporting design. First is CREATELab, an on-site design clinic where professionals offer branding and marketing guidance to participating exhibitors. It is a joint project by CREATEPhilippines, a content and community platform for the Philippine creative industries, and the Communication Design Association of the Philippines (CDAP). Next, with “sustainability” a key concept this year, it’s only right that Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX), the country’s first platform promoting sustainable practices, resources, and technology to the world’s essential industries, makes its return to Manila FAME to showcase MSMEs that incorporate circularity into their business practices.

 

Attendees looking to see more of the intersection between traditional crafts and contemporary creativity can also drop by LIKHA, an artisanal exhibit spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady. Marking its fifth edition by participating in Manila FAME 2025, LIKHA will offer the public the opportunity to witness artisans at work, learn more about their creative process, and support locally made, heritage-rich products.

 

Manila FAME 2025 will be a reminder why the Philippines was regarded as the ‘Milan of Asia’ during the ‘80s and the ‘90s,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Al Valenciano says. “We are optimistic that it will generate international sales for our exhibitors, boosting the Philippine design industry to become an even bigger contributor to the country’s economic growth and a bigger player in the global export market.“

 

With all of the programs and features this year’s trade show has in store, buyers and visitors alike can expect to see the best of the best of Filipino artistry and craftsmanship across a wide range of products: fashion; personal care, beauty, and wellness; furniture; home decor and houseware; lamps and lighting; holiday and seasonal decor; gifts, souvenirs, and corporate giveaways; and components.

 

Marvel at these “Objects of Nature” and more up close at Manila FAME 2025 by registering at the trade show’s official website, fameplus.com.

LIXIL Showcases its Four Power Brands at the 26th Kitchen & Bath China 2021, Shanghai

LIXIL, maker of pioneering water and housing products, with its four major brands; American Standard, GROHE, INAX, and LIXIL Kitchens, showcased a comprehensive display of the latest technology and innovative products at Kitchen & Bath China 2021. Presenting the latest concepts and designs, the four brands unanimously conveyed LIXIL’s commitment to making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere.

The first day of the exhibition witnessed the unveiling of the four booths of the brands followed by a press conference where leaders from LIXIL International (LI) include leader Bijoy Mohan; leader for fixtures Shinji Ito, leader for fittings Thomas Fuhr, and leader for global design Paul Flowers, along with LIXIL leaders from Asia including leader for LIXIL global design team- LIXIL Asia, Antoine Besseyre des Horts, connected virtually with the media and partners. Leader of LIXIL Water Technology- Greater China Adele Tao, along with her team spearheaded the conference revisiting LIXIL’s success in the past decade.

2021 is an important milestone for LIXIL as it marks its 10-year anniversary. Formed in 2011, LIXIL was created through a merger of five of Japan's most successful building materials and housing companies – TOSTEM, INAX, Shin Nikkei, Sunwave, and TOEX. These global brands are now a part of LIXIL’s brand offerings alongside American Standard and GROHE. Sharing a similar heritage and providing an enriched product mix, these brands enable LIXIL to cater to different consumers' lifestyles and aesthetic pursuits.

Bijoy Mohan, Leader, LIXIL International said: "While each of our brands has its own unique personality and strengths, together they provide us with an unmatched offering and ability to meet the full scope of consumer preferences and needs. We are proud to bring more innovations to our consumers while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the founding of the LIXIL Group, during KBC 2021, one of Asia's leading kitchen & bathroom trade shows."

Over the years, LIXIL has adopted a multi-brand and multi-category strategy in Asia equipping it to cater to the needs of different products for different consumer groups. It is through this reliability provided by a complete portfolio of leading products and quality services, that LIXIL’s combined strengths are widely recognized by our customers and end users.


“We have learnt a lot from dealing with this unprecedented pandemic and it’s great to see that markets are now slowly getting back on track. The ongoing pandemic has led to a growing demand for better hygiene products and solutions, and with consumers spending more time at home, the demand for home spa experiences have also gradually increased. As a purpose-driven company, we will lead the way in introducing innovative and novel products to meet consumer demand. With China hosting the KBC this year, reaffirms our belief that the industry globally is making steady progress on its way to recovery.” said Satoshi Konagai, Leader, LIXIL Water Technology- Asia Pacific.

Innovation and consumer centricity are at the core of every offering at LIXIL. The organization continuously observes and gathers consumer insights to understand the deep-seated and even unarticulated needs of consumers. With the new normal, consumers are now paying even more attention to hygiene and well being which has increased the overall demand for products and technologies like touchless faucets and IoT enabled solutions.

“Our strength lies in being ahead of the curve in innovation. Being a global organization also gives us an edge over others, as we can utilize the best of talent and technology in R&D, design and marketing from across the world. LIXIL has responded to this major macro trend of health, well being, and multi-purpose living spaces by focusing on retail and accelerating development for touchless faucets and flushing, antibacterial finishes, water filtration, bidets, and shower toilets.” highlighted Satoshi.

Recently, LIXIL opened a new state-of-the-art design facility in Singapore (relocated from Thailand). This is one of the 6 LIXIL design centers across the world and the only one in Asia outside of Japan. LIXIL continues to invest in the Asia Pacific region to enable the overall development of the industry through innovation.

Key highlights from LIXIL’s brands at KBC include:

American Standard will showcase “Purposeful Designs for a Comfortable Living”, with shower toilet solutions such as E-Lite Shower Toilet and Smart-Air E-Bidet, which feature purposeful functions for a comfortable and hygienic bathroom experience. This year, GROHE will communicate the message on how the brand is “Shaping the Future of Water” in the industry. GROHE SPA will be launched as an independent luxury brand, showing its first two collections that deliver “Health Through Water” to luxury homes and hotels.

INAX will present “Light and Shadow, Caring for You Day and Night”, featuring the S600 LINE inspired by Japanese architectural practices to create spaces of unparalleled beauty through the masterful use of light and shadows. LIXIL Kitchen this year, with the concept of Human Fit Technology and Living Fit Design, will create the most suitable for Oriental elegant kitchen, bringing Japanese aesthetics into the Chinese kitchen life. With a full set of high-end series of products LIXIL Kitchens is ready to create a unique culinary art space within your homes.