Cover The interior of SoFa Design Institute, decorated for the press preview of ArteFino 2025 (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
The interior of SoFa Design Institute, decorated for the press preview of ArteFino 2025 (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
1 / 1
Creative crossovers, Filipino design and curated retail take centre stage at ArteFino 2025 in Power Plant Mall
ArteFino, one of the Philippines’ foremost pop-up events, returns this year with a more focused, design-forward approach to conscious retail. Now in its ninth edition, the fair continues to champion Filipino craftsmanship, with a strong emphasis on innovation, curation and the language of local style. From July 31 to August 3, visitors can expect new layers to the ArteFino retail experience.
Founded by Maritess Pineda, Mita Rufino, Susie Quiros, Cedie Lopez-Vargas and Marimel Francisco, ArteFino has grown into a platform that fosters local talent, supports sustainable business practices, and builds a community of conscious consumers and makers.
“We were very mindful about staying true to our purpose and our essence. Thoughtful, rooted and evolving. It’s not just about how we live, but way,” the founders comment. This year, the group has endeavoured to put nonprofit organisation HeArteFino at the event’s forefront.
More from Tatler: Weaving culture, community and creativity: Philippine National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka
Above The founders of ArteFino Fair (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
Above Fashion designers Jor-El Espina and Zarah Juan (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
The founders of ArteFino Fair (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
1 / 2
ArteFino 2025 introduces new formats to reframe how shoppers engage with craft. A focus of this year’s experience is The ArteFino Lounge, running from July 26 to August 3, a newly launched pop-up space at the Balmori Chef’s Table. The venue brings together food, fashion, and design in one setting. Chefs Angelo Comsti and Don Baldosano of Offbeat Bistro lead the food programme with a lineup of heritage recipes designed specifically for the launch.
“Our menu for the launch will be composed of our bestsellers and new dishes that our loyal guests can look forward to,” they share. “This collaboration is ideal because like ArteFino, we celebrate local craftsmanship through immortalised heritage recipes.”
The space will also feature a curated selection of fine jewellery and home accessories, with visual direction by Jet Acuzar of The Forewoman and Tatler Homes. Among the brands on view are Arao, Caro Wilson, Golden Monstera, Katha Pilipinas and Peewee Benitez.
See also: Filipino architecture firm Barchan + Architecture triumphs at 2025 Asia Architecture Design Awards
Above Jet Acuzar of Tatler Homes and The Forewoman and Monchet Diokno Olives (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
Above Detail shots from the ArteFino 2025 press preview (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
Jet Acuzar of Tatler Homes and The Forewoman and Monchet Diokno Olives (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
1 / 2
ArteFino’s growing retail ecosystem expands further than the Balmori space with ArteFino Finds, now located along the length of Power Plant Mall’s new wing. This permanent retail platform offers a tighter edit of products that bring a modern perspective to Filipino craft and design.
Fashion designer Zarah Juan headlines this year’s collaborative collections with Full Circle, a collection developed for HeArteFino that explores natural dye techniques.
“I wanted to return to my roots,” Juan says. “Nine years ago, I started my creative journey with ArteFino, and it felt so natural that I would return here with a new perspective.”
Above Idyllic Summers x Earthbound, a collaboration between Geraldine Javier, Marionne Contreras and Steffi Cua (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
Above Detail shots from the ArteFino 2025 press preview (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
Idyllic Summers x Earthbound, a collaboration between Geraldine Javier, Marionne Contreras and Steffi Cua (Photo: courtesy of Before Deadlines)
1 / 2
For 2025, the fair introduces a series of artistic partnerships that bring contemporary relevance to traditional methods. These include a joint project between artist Geraldine Javier, designer Steffi Cua and creative Marionne Contreras called Idyllic Summers x Earthbound, a limited-edition collection by Jor-El Espina inspired by Patis Tesoro, and a partnership between Camille Villanueva and muralist Tara Soriano.
With refreshed spaces and tightly curated products, ArteFino 2025 sharpens its identity as a retail and cultural platform, reminding its avid following of how local can be both meaningful and modern.
NOW READ
Craft is culture: Lulu Tan-Gan on preserving tradition in contemporary design
Studio 925 celebrates its 10th anniversary with ‘Mano Mano’ at Aphro Living
About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
