30 August 2016 – Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon, Jr., accompanied by Trade Representative Katrina Banzon, visited the booths of 12 Philippine-based companies exhibiting their lifestyle designs and products at the NY NOW trade show held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan from August 20 to 24.

Held twice a year, NY NOW is a leading market show for buyers of home and lifestyle products, and new and trending products in specialty retail. The trade show currently features three collections: Home, Lifestyle, and Handmade. 

Organized under CITEM’s Lifestyle Philippines, the twelve participating companies were: home designers CSM Philippines, Arden Classic, Inc., Nature’s Legacy, Finali Furniture & Home Accessories, Craft Mill, Inc., and Shelmed Cottage Treasures; fashion designers Beatriz/Bella Trading, Crystal Seas, Megabijoux, Inc., Agsam Fashion Fern, and Orient Meadow; and holiday/gifts designer Stella Polare Manila. 

Lifestyle Philippines is a collective of creative enterprises representing the best of Philippine home and fashion sectors that design versatile yet highly artisanal products that are attuned to contemporary living.  Their range of products made use of indigenous materials such as abaca (Manila hemp), bamboo, raffia, coconut husk, rattan, mother of pearl, and fine bone china. 

The Lifestyle Philippines booths also featured a tapestry of crafted narratives allover the Philippines. The booths showcased a colorful selection of products that convey a shared passion for craftsmanship, reflecting the rich and vibrant culture and history of the Philippines.   

A number of US mainstream and Filipino-American media outlets covered the NY NOW trade show and the Philippine Pavilion.  Among the media outlets covering the event are The Oprah Magazine, Hearst Design Group, Cottages & Gardens, Lifestyled.net, MSNBC, House and Home Magazine, Traditional Home, Interior Design, Style Edit, Asian Journal, Fox News Channel, HFN, and Meredith Corp. END