Manila F.A.M.E. endeavours to elaborate fashion section

The October edition of Manila F.A.M.E. International is scheduled from 15 to 18 October 2009 at SMX Convention Centre and World Trade Centre, displaying furniture and home décor, Christmas décor, fashion, and health and wellness products, as well as art pieces. The fashion hall "Fashionation," covering fashion jewellery and accessories, is located in the SMX Convention Centre.

Thelma Dumpit-Murillo, deputy executive director and the show project director of organiser CITEM, expects to draw 600 exhibitors from these five categories to the show.

Highlights of the show include the re-launch of the Philippine garments, textile and footwear pavilion; the Merchandise Design Consultancy Programme, which aims to bring local and international designers together and encourage collaborations among designers and manufacturers; and a showcase of traditional arts and crafts.

Ms Murillo said, "Each of our sectors will come up with its own design direction and branding. Garments, textiles and footwear currently belong to the ‘Fashionation' area, but will eventually be an individual show category co-located within F.A.M.E. This is our goal."

As for the jewellery and accessory styles for Spring/Summer 2010, Butch Carungay of Avatar Accessories, an award-winning exhibitor of the show, reveals, "Summer brights will be back in a major way as a reaction to uncertain economic conditions. All colours of the rainbow are crucial as well, from bright reds to vivid violets. Style-wise, big and chunky jewellery will become very prominent; and natural materials, from shells and wood to seeds, will make a strong comeback as well."

Asked about the Philippines' fashion jewellery and accessories scene, Mr Carungay admits the market was quite unsatisfactory in the first half of year, but expects the second half will be better, and that a mild upswing will be seen in 2010.

Source: Asia's Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Review