Paris puts Philippine design in spotlight


Proudly Pinoy-made products make it to Maison & Objet’s ‘Best of MOM’ 2021 list

PINOY DESIGN From left: Zarate’s Cheque Bench; Philippine Embassy first secretary C. Rola McKernan with MOM project manager E. Potier; and Finali’s Fiori Lamp (Paris PE photos)

Maison & Objet, one of the world’s biggest lifestyle trade events held in Paris, resumed this year following its pause in light of the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For this year’s in-person event, a showcase of 26 “Best of MOM” design products—two of which are Philippine brands—were on exhibit at the heart of the event venue for the duration of the Maison & Objet trade show early this month. The” Best of MOM” list, whichwas carefully selected by prominent personalities in the global décor sector and by the MOM trend team, include Philippine creations namely the Fiori Lamp by Finali and the Cheque Bench by Zarate.

The MOM, or the Maison & Objet and More, is the digital platform complement of the in-person event that is regularly held in Paris twice a year for almost three decades.

PINOYS IN PARIS Left: At the Maison & Objet’s MOM village, creations by Philippine design companies Finali and Zarate are two of 26 carefully selected pieces showcased at the Best of Maison & Object and More (MOM) exhibition. Right: First secretary Christina Rola McKernan of the Philippine embassy in Paris and director and commercial counselor Froilan Pamintuan of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center at Maison & Objet opening (Paris PE photos)

During their visit to the exhibition’s opening day, Philippine Embassy in Paris first secretary Christina Rola McKernan and director and Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC Paris) Commercial counselor Froilan Pamintuan were briefed by the MOM organizers that the selection of the Philippine design pieces were made by prominent names in the international design scene, particularly, French gallery owner and interior designer Jessica Barouch and the founders of Marcante-Testa Italian Design Studio.

Of 26 ‘Best of MOM’ design products carefully selected by prominent personalities in the global décor sector, two are Philippine brands—the Fiori Lamp by Finali and the Cheque Bench by Zarate.

As COVID-19 pandemic restrictions still limit the participation of international exhibitors in Maison & Objet, the Philippines continues to be very active in the MOM digital platform, which was, in fact, an innovation that the event organizers conceptualized well before the arrival of the pandemic.

Trade buyers are encouraged to register at FAME+, the home of Philippine design excellence on http://bit.ly/FTSC-ToolKit.

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