It was a red-letter day for Italian design and traditions — a splendid and extravagant display of everything at the bleeding edge of its most epoch-making forms making their way into Filipino homes.

Hosted Italian furniture showroom by HomeStudio, Italian Design Day was celebrated in the Philippines for the first time this year, where sustainable and environment-friendly designs were front and center.

A gathering day enriched by creativity with purpose, the celebration became a platform of sharing and learning quality designs that matter.

IDD 2023 was also in time with the 23rd anniversary of Homestudio.

What started as an importer of Italian tiles in 1999, the showroom on Connecticut Street, Greenhills, eventually ventured into furniture sets: a home to a collection of curated, globally crafted and designed living spaces.

Renowned designers from the fields of Product and Interior Design, Fashion and Architecture led three masterclasses in the day activities organized by the Embassy of Italy in Manila.

Italian multidisciplinary designer Ilaria Bianchi shared her design processes and crafted her widely recognized works.

In her masterclass, Ilaria explained her system in creation and how the creations had a language that reflects its story.

Filipino fashion designer and DOST Consultant Christine Cheryl Benet also facilitated a masterclass about fashion in “Global Futures: Moving Towards Sustainable Fashion”.

With a nod to global fashion trends, the class stressed on the manufacturing and merchandise considerations, and their effects in the sustainability of designs.

Multi-awarded Italian architect and businessman Romolo Nati talked about passive green cities and how their architecture designs in Italpinas Development Corp. have delivered sustainable buildings in emerging cities across the Philippines.

Sharing their creation processes and technicalities in design, the masterclasses were attended by students and faculties from various universities and colleges, equipping themselves with new learnings and approaches to designing.

Capping off IDD was an evening gathering where 23 distinguished designers from different fields were recognized for excellence and impact in the industry, especially in Filipino craftsmanship.

IDD was also about delectable Italian food by chef Margarita Fores, against the backdrop of a classical string quartet.

On its promising Philippine debut, the Italian Design Day was closed with a night filled with music and passion for positive impact on people and environment through design.