PARIS, FRANCE (2 September 2016) — The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris (PTIC-Paris) launched FASHION PHILIPPINES, a select collection of ten fashion accessories brands from top-notch Filipino designers at the Hall 7 of the Maison & Objet PARIS, the largest international gathering of interior and lifestyle products and services in France which runs on September 2-6 at the French capital.

“The Maison & Objet was selected as the venue to launch Fashion Philippines in France this year because it was just fitting to unveil the country’s best collection of fashion accessories lines to a truly global venue,” according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Industry Promotion Group, Nora K. Terrado, whose teams from CITEM and the Foreign Trade Service Corps / Philippine Trade and Investment Center, attended to and handled the launch. [quote for clearance]

Among those who graced the Paris launch of Fashion Philippines were Philippine Ambassador to France Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Consul General Aileen Mendiola-Rau, noted designer Mr. Budji Layug, Philippine design icon Mr. Kenneth Cobonpue who also had his own booth at the Maison & Objet, design luminaries from France and across the globe, agents and buyers, members of the media, and other guests.

Executive Director Rosvi Gaetos said that the designers featured in Fashion Philippines were chosen because of their exemplary creative pieces, their capacity to cater to an international clientele, and the overwhelming response they received from the biannual Manila FAME events organized by the CITEM.

The ten designers who showcased their products to the thousands of attendees at the Maison & Objet were Michelline Syjuco, Mele + Marie, Kit Silver, Beatriz, Mia Arcenas, Ann Ong, Larone, Zai Design Hive, Carmaela, Floreia.

PTIC-Paris Director and Commercial Attache Froilan Pamintuan noted the interest generated by the local materials used by the Filipino designers, including “the recycled technology employed by one of our designers which was even featured by the French media.”

CITEM’s Head for the Buyer Marketing and Services Team Katrina Pineda also observed the attention gained by the Filipino fashion accessories designers whose products help provide livelihood to local communities in the Philippines. Some French designers also mentioned that they could help in the training, development or even in providing a venue in Paris for these fashion accessories designers from the Philippines.

“The initial foray of Fashion Philippines at the Maison & Objet has been very encouraging. Our designers are looking forward to forging alliances initially gained from the launch, and are committed to sustain their presence and entrench their brands in Paris – the reputed fashion and design capital of Europe and the rest of the world.”
Fashion Philippines is the umbrella brand for the country’s design-driven fashion products targeted at the export market and promoted globally through various media and promotional efforts, including via international trade fairs like the Maison & Objet PARIS.

Philippine Ambassador to France Maria Theresa P. Lazaro (tenth from left) joins the ten companies who comprise the FASHION PHILIPPINES delegation to the Maison & Objet PARIS. Joining the Ambassador are Consul General Aileen Mendiola-Rau (seventh from right); Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Paris (PTIC-Paris) Commercial Attache Froilan Emil Pamintuan (sixth from left); Ms. Katrina Pineda, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Head for the Buyer Marketing and Sales Team; Mr. Eduardo Francisco of PTIC-Paris (fourth from right); and Ms. Dominique Rustia of CITEM (fifth from right). The launch of Fashion Philippines was timed during the 2-6 September 2016 Maison & Objet participation of the Philippines which was organized by the CITEM in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, through PTIC-Paris. The ten companies are Michelline Syjuco, Mele + Marie, Kit Silver, Beatriz, Mia Arcenas, Ann Ong, Larone, Zai Design Hive, Carmaela, Floreia.