Cover This year’s edition of Manila FAME emphasises on artistry laboured by human hands (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
This year’s edition of Manila FAME emphasises on artistry laboured by human hands (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
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Scheduled for October 15 to 17 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Manila FAME returns for its 74th edition to connect roughly 400 Philippine brands with an international market seeking authentic, human-made design
As automation and digital technology reshape global creative industries, a distinct counter-movement is taking shape across the international lifestyle market. Consumers worldwide are increasingly seeking objects shaped by human hands, turning away from mass-produced uniformity in favour of pieces that celebrate artisanal heritage and bring a sense of calm into the home.
This demand for intentional craftsmanship provides the setting for the 74th staging of Manila FAME, the Philippines’ flagship export trade show for home, fashion and lifestyle. The upcoming trade fair follows positive buyer engagement during earlier European showcases, including Maison & Objet in Paris and Ambiente in Frankfurt. International sourcing teams at these events gravitated toward local material mastery, particularly the transformation of native abaca, rattan and natural fibres into contemporary furnishings.
Read more: In pictures: Tatler Homes Design Awards 2026 in the Philippines
Above A scene from a previous edition of Manila FAME (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
A scene from a previous edition of Manila FAME (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
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“What makes this upcoming edition truly special is how it aligns grassroots Filipino artistry with global market readiness,” says Leah Pulido Ocampo, executive director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). “We are not just showcasing beautiful objects; we are nurturing an ecosystem where our artisan communities can flourish sustainably on the international stage. Manila FAME 2026 reflects a mature, highly competitive Philippine design sector that knows its story and has the technical capability to deliver it to the world.”
Ocampo highlights this momentum, noting that the event acts as a critical turning point for local exporters to demonstrate both cultural storytelling and production capabilities on a global scale.
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This year’s edition operates under the theme “Bloom”, representing an evolution from the botanical focus of last year’s “Objects of Nature”. While continuing to incorporate organic forms and biomimicry, the new direction focuses on the commercial and creative flourishing of local artisan communities themselves.
The theme aligns with global consumer shifts identified by trend forecaster WGSN, such as the “Witherwill” mindset—a post-digital inclination to step back from online pressures through grounding physical objects. Furthermore, design developments incorporate emerging colour movements, including the WGSN and Coloro 2027 Colour of the Year, Luminous Blue, bridging organic materials with future-focused innovation.
Read more: How furniture designer Milo Naval transformed fire and timber into art in his debut solo exhibition
Above Patti Carpenter working across various provinces in the Philippines (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
Patti Carpenter working across various provinces in the Philippines (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
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To prepare participating exporters for global commercial demands, Manila FAME continues to implement structured product development mentorships. Through the Design Commune programme, designer Tony Gonzales has guided 20 participating companies to co-create 90 new prototypes in home decor and lighting. Simultaneously, the Home at FAME sector, led by furniture and interior designer Milo Naval, will unveil 40 new furniture and lighting pieces developed alongside 10 established exhibitors.
At the community level, the Artisans Village initiative engages 50 regional enterprises to generate over 100 new designs. Trend forecaster Patti Carpenter and designer Emma Gutierrez have mentored participating brands across Bohol, Aklan and Tarlac, while designer Rachelle Dagnalan leads eight companies in Isabela to produce 24 new prototypes. These regional collaborations bring distinct material traditions to the exposition floor: Bohol offers intricate natural fibre weaving; Aklan provides piña textiles and traditional loom-weaving; Tarlac contributes refined woodcraft and upcycled accents and Isabela introduces material variations using sustainable timber, bamboo and agro-industrial fibres.
Above Designer Tony Gonzalez has guided 20 participating companies to co-create 90 new prototypes in home decor and lighting at the Design Commune of Manila FAME (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
Designer Tony Gonzalez has guided 20 participating companies to co-create 90 new prototypes in home decor and lighting at the Design Commune of Manila FAME (Photo: courtesy of Manila FAME)
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Beyond product design, CITEM is placing international compliance standards and ethical sourcing at the centre of its buyer attraction framework. Recognising that international retail chains and hospitality buyers require verified proof of fair trade practices and eco-certified materials, the platform aims to establish deeper commercial trust with global sourcing agents.
Running concurrently at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) is the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX)—CITEM’s flagship initiative dedicated to driving sustainable transformation across export sectors through a conference, exhibition and startup pitch competition.
Organised by CITEM—the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)—in partnership with the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc (PHILEXPORT) and the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), Manila FAME highlights the ongoing role of artisanal craftsmanship within modern international trade.
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Franz writes about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright. But above all this, this Aether main spends more time in Teyvat than anywhere else.
