Manila F.A.M.E''s revamp unaffected by Iceland volcano

Manila F.A.M.E. International (MFI) entered a new phase in its April 2010 edition, as it repositioned itself as Asia's Boutique Show. The second longest running trade show for home and fashion lifestyle products in the Asia-Pacific region, MFI now aims to occupy a specialised niche in the market, to differentiate itself from other shows of its kind.

"By being boutique, the show offers unique and specialised merchandise of high quality with designs that are not found anywhere else," fair organiser the Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (CITEM) said.

The four-day show, which was held from April 22 to 25 at the World Trade Centre in Pasay City, featured 247 exhibitors from all over the Philippines. Following a successful October show attended by 1,942 buyers – mostly from the United States, Japan, Europe and Hong Kong – CITEM had been aiming welcome around 2,000 buyers for the April edition of the bi-annual trade show. However, a good portion of buyers, especially those based in Europe, were unable to attend MFI April due to the series of flight cancellations brought on by the volcanic eruption in Iceland and the ensuing ash cloud that spread over the continent. The total number of visitors at this edition was 1,512.

For those that were able to attend, MFI April did not disappoint. "It's the first time I've attended Manila F.A.M.E. and the designs I've seen are really beautiful," fashion accessories buyer Kiki Lee of Timeway Enterprises Ltd in Hong Kong said. "My company usually just buys fashion accessory components, but we are now looking into importing finished pieces made from natural materials." The Philippines has always been strong in handcrafted fashion jewellery and accessories made from natural materials and these were very much in evidence at MFI April - from simple and straightforward designs to the really innovative and design-intensive.

Statement pieces like bibs and intricate necklaces made from mother-of-pearl, pearls, shells, coral and wood were quite prominent in the exhibitors' Autumn 2010 collections, as were snakeskin cuffs and découpage bangles and pendants.

Source: Asia's Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Review