Acclaimed designer Tony Gonzales returns to Germany with 24 strong exhibitors from the home lifestyle category.
The biggest in its four straight years of participation since 2016, the Philippines is once again set to conquer the international stage as it seeks to generate export sales in Ambiente, a leading international fair held in Germany.
Twenty four Philippine exhibitors from various sectors such as furniture and lighting, home décor and houseware, and gifts and seasonal decors will exhibit alongside the world’s top manufacturers in Messe, Frankfurt in Germany on Feb. 8 to 12, 2019.
“The trend now is gearing towards natural with soft but colorful hues and we are proud to say that we have already started that direction in the Manila FAME October 2018 edition,” said Tony Gonzales, designer and over-all curator of the Philippine participation in Ambiente.
After a 15-year hiatus from curating the Philippine delegation in the largest B2B trade show in the world, Gonzales returned last year and is intent on leading the Philippines once again with a successful participation. The 2018 Philippine participation in Ambiente exceeded targets as it generated $2.3 millon export sales.
“We are already ahead of the game as we have been developing products since last year for Manila FAME. We used this time to really refine the products that we will bring in Germany. The Filipinos are already known for their design sensibilities, but we want to bring products that are not just design-centric but also saleable,” Gonzales said, as he delved deeper on the business of design.
“At the end of the day we are doing business and we are looking forward to generate sales because the Frankfurt fair is where you verify your niche since people really go there to buy,” Gonzales said.
With a theme “Sustainability Through Design” LifestylePhilippines will champion ecological sustainability by harnessing the different natural resources abundant in the Philippines such as mother of pearl, abaca (Manila hemp), raffia, rattan, buri and other plant fibers. These renewable resources are transformed into unique, functional products that reflect the exquisite Filipino design sustainability.
Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan, is confident that LifestylePhilippines will conclude another successful Ambiente participation this year.
