PH Showcases Archipelagic Flair at Paris Trade Fair: CITEM Leads Philippine Enterprises, Artists at Maison et Objet 2025

By Aly Dela Peña

The Philippines made a strong impression at Maison et Objet 2025 in January, showcasing world-class home furnishings and artworks from 32 local enterprises and visual artists.

The exhibit, themed Artipelago II, continued last year’s initiative to highlight the country’s diverse talents, artisans, and creatives.

Housed in the DESIGNPhilippines pavilion, the showcase provided an inviting atmosphere that reflected the Philippines’ cultural influences, rich history, and artisanal expertise.

International buyers and guests enjoyed an immersive experience as they walked through curated vignettes that highlighted the country’s heritage, sustainability efforts, and innovative designs.

The DESIGNPhilippines pavilion stood out by seamlessly blending visual and functional art. It featured more than 100 pieces of furniture, lighting, home décor, and rugs.

With the revitalized global economy, many buyers expressed a renewed interest to purchase Philippine-made designs that embody sustainability, expert manipulation of natural materials, and intricate handmade craftsmanship. The best selling products from the pavilion this year included the rattan lounge chairs by Finali; driftwood seahorse sculpture by Cebu Homecraft; outdoor stools by Coast Pacific; bohemian set by Prizmic & Brill; abaca carpets and rugs by Weavemanila Inc.; and the aluminum artwork by Chino Yulo.

The Philippine showcase attracted a variety of notable buyers including a high-end department store in Dubai, a boutique hospitality property in Belgium, an interior decor distributor in UAE, and globally renowned luxury hotels in the Americas and Europe. Most of the inquiries came from interested parties based in France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, and Greece, as well as the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the US.

Designer Anton R. Mendoza is the Creative Director for the Philippine pavilion. He masterfully combined visual arts with home and lifestyle pieces to create conceptual vignettes. The art pieces in the pavilion, curated by Galerie D’Antoine and DF Art Agency, featured the works of Dino Gabito, Demi Padua, Chino Yulo, and Ezekiel Fajardo among others.

Held at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre in the French capital, the 5-day fair gathered 70,000 buyers and 2,300 exhibitors from around the world. The Philippine participation, organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), is the biggest to date. The delegation secured USD 1,920,000 in total export sales.

“Now, more than ever, we are thrilled to bring more and more homegrown products to prominent shows such as Maison et Objet. With a 32-strong contingent of premium brands and artists, and a solid storytelling of the country’s archipelagic edge, I am confident that this participation will take Philippine design to greater heights,” says CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo.

After its successful run in Maison et Objet, DESIGNPhilippines unveiled an exclusive display of premium home and furniture products at Trademart, Europe’s biggest B2B wholesale centre, in Brussels, Belgium. The showcase in the temporary showroom, organized by CITEM in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Brussels, created an opportunity for trade buyers in Belgium and nearby countries to familiarize with Philippine-made products.

The Philippines’ participation in Maison et Objet 2025 was organized by CITEM, the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), supported by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. A champion of arts and design, Mrs. Marcos has made it possible for the country to be represented in the Paris trade show for the second time. It signifies the current administration’s strong support for the creative industry to thrive in the global landscape.

Manila FAME, the Philippines’ premier trade show for quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products, is set to hold its next edition on 16 to 18 October 2025 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City. Manila FAME is organized by CITEM.