A whopping $6.6 million in export sales was generated in last year’s 40th edition of Manila FAME, a flagship sourcing event of the Department of Trade and Industry’s export promotion arm, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions or CITEM.

The said export sales were a 51 percent increase from its last face-to-face edition in 2019.

Based on the records of CITEM, Manila FAME was participated by over 200 local exhibitors of home, fashion, and lifestyle products and attracted more than 4,000 local and international visitors.

Further, CITEM revealed that the show also generated P44.7 million in domestic sales.

Everything Green

Coconut slippers from exhibitor Everything Green emerged as the top-selling export product with more than $3.3 million in negotiated sales.

The coconut slippers were featured under the Coconut Pavilion, a collaboration of CITEM with the Export Marketing Bureau and the Design Center of the Philippines to make use of the rather discarded husk of the abundant natural material.

Design Commune, a curated showcase in Manila FAME of home and fashion pieces from CITEM’s product development program featured 425 new designs produced by 40 local companies.

Design Commune

This year’s edition of Design Commune was led by renowned product specialists Tony Gonzales and the tandem of Rita Nazareno and Gabriel Lichauco.

“Through time, the Philippines has become famous because our craftsmen and designers have been able to come up every year with new designs, new ideas, and new ways of using the materials,” shared Gonzales who curated home decor, lighting, and furniture pieces in collaboration with local brands.

Meanwhile, Nazareno and Lichauco came up with a concept they thought would resonate with many. “We incorporated a blend of utilitarian and anthropology, but in a quintessential, Filipino spin to everyday fashion items such as bags, wearables and shoes, among others.”

“In the special setting for Design Commune, we wanted the audience to feel like they’re at an anthropology exhibit,” Nazareno added.