7 Local Brands to Expect at the Artefino Fair 2019

Close to 130 participating brands will be championing the importance of heritage at this year’s ArteFino Fair.

Happening this August 19 to September 1, 2019, Manila’s premier craft fair opens at the Fifth at Rockwell, Power Plant Mall with the theme Pamana (heritage).

The fair comes together through the efforts of its founders, Maritess Pineda, Mita Rufino, Cedie Vargas, Susie Quiros, and Mel Francisco, all of whom are advocates of social entrepreneurship and artisanal art.

They are passionate about creating a venue for Filipinos to pursue the best of art and culture.

For 2019, ArteFino is moving beyond a curated lifestyle. Roughly 130 participating brands are following a new awareness toward the notion of conscious consumerism—taking into mind the environmental impact, heritage processes, and over-all awareness of the community it supports.

Moving forward, they introduced the HeArteFino Development Program with the intention of growing the community. The on-going goal is to bring local artisans closer to a sustainable livelihood by elevating their living traditions to adapt to modern times.

Also read: 6 Local Fashion Brands Advocating For Sustainability

Some of the brands that embody the Pamana movement and are present at this year’s ArteFino Fair include Adornata, Lara Samar PH, Casa San Pablo, C&C, Great Women, Herman & Co., Holicow x Hacienda Crafts, Anthill Fabric Gallery, Mich Dulce, Sustainably Made by Marsse, Ines Moda Infantil, and Creative Definitions.

Also read: World-Famous Filipino Fashion Designers

Adornata

For 2019, Adornata is launching a special capsule collection for Artefino called Stella, which means star. Coming from its name, the collection is inspired by stars and celestial bodies, as well as on woman’s ability to shine through—dubbed “Every woman is born a star.”

The Community: Currently, first-generation Bulacan jewelry artisans are the manufacturers of Adornata’s one-of-a-kind pieces. Bulacan remains as the traditional jewelry industrial district of the country with a strong national economic contribution.

Lara

By transforming indigenous materials into contemporary fashion and lifestyle creations, Lara produces design-forward pieces that provide a long-term sustainable livelihood. Lara’s woven creations are driven by the potential for progressive design, ultimately bringing the Samar banig to the forefront as an iconic fashion staple.

The Community: The weavers of Basey, Samar reinvented the banig as a means to rebuild their communities after Typhoon Yolanda. Visionary brand Lara transforms indigenous materials of Samar into contemporary fashion and lifestyle creations.

C&C

The Organic Escape Collection celebrates nature by making use of natural forms and emulating living things. This new collection to be launched exclusively in Artefino 2019 seeks serenity in the powerful elements of nature and translates it into beautiful pieces for the home.

The Community: C&C stands for creative and committed that entwines the artistry and tenacity of the local weaver communities. They are empowered from earning a living from their craft while getting to stay close to their households and children.

Herman & Co.

Founded by Bea Constantino, Herman & Co. serves as a platform to highlight her hometowns—Zamboanga and Sulu—as a heritage concept brand showcasing indigenous weave, textiles, and artisanal products from the Mindanao communities.

The Community: A special focus has been put on the conflict area of Maimbung, Sulu—Tausug traditional weavers of Pis Siyabit. The beautiful products are there with very limited means to sell, and Herman & Co. helps sustain a more stable livelihood by consistent orders and fair trade.

Holicow x Hacienda Crafts

Hacienda Crafts are design-driven as expressed by their fine craftsmanship. As partners in design and sustainability, they’ve often intersected with HoliCOW in projects to cover a wider Visayan region in creating lighting and fixtures that marry technology with weaving techniques.

The Community: They use 100% Philippine-grown cotton while preserving Cebu’s utilitarian but lasting hand-weaving techniques. They have also partnered with DTI in integrating Cebu’s endangered handwoven traditions to K to 12 classes to preserve the craft.

Sustainably Made By Marsse

Marsse Tropical Timber’s Mario Sebastian has seen both the dire state of Philippine forests and the vast potential of the Philippine countryside to sustain renewable sources of wood.

The Community: MARSSE works with the rice farmers of Um-ingan, Pangasinan. They continue to work as rice farmers during rice planting and harvesting months not only because this is their main skill with a significant source of income, but also to continue the food productivity of their land.

Creative Definitions

The owners Mike and Banj Claparols have continuously dedicated themselves to providing world-class Negrense products in the local market. They’ve created the Lakat Sustainables, a line of shoes that is inspired by local craftsmen made with Philippine indigenous fibers and recycled materials.

The Community: Creative Definitions has continually dedicated itself in promoting world-class Negros made products in the local market. They now strive to innovate and open new opportunities for craftsmen not only from Negros but also in other areas in Visayas.

Also read: ArteFino Fair 2018: Local Is the New International

Stories unfold as vendors experiment and develop products for a collection that complements the changing Filipino lifestyle.

“There is a greater understanding of quality of the locally designed, produced, and sourced items that will go on sale at ArteFino,” Maritess Pineda concluded.

Details

What: ArteFino 2019: Craft Fair for Filipino Artisans
Where: The Fifth at Rockwell, R5 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City
When: August 29 to September 1, 2019
Ticket Information: TBA
Website: ArteFinoph.com

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Source: ArteFino’s official press release