26 August 2015 - A delegation of 19 Philippine manufacturers/exporters under the Lifestyle Philippines brand for the first time participated in the 2015 edition of the NY NOW Trade Show at the Javits Convention Center in New York City from August 16 to 19.

Lifestyle Philippines is a curated exhibition of creative enterprises exhibiting the colorful heritage and artisanal soul for contemporary living. On its maiden launch in NY NOW 2015, the Philippine government branding aims to place the Philippines as a sourcing destination for finely-crafted lifestyle products for the world market. NY NOW is a bi-annual trade show for home and lifestyle products and is a premiere market for all new and on-trend in specialty retail, featuring three collection categories: Home, Lifestyle and Handmade.  

The participating companies under the Home sector are: Alice Blue Candles & Home Fragrances, Arden, Art n Nature, CSM Philippines, Finali, Klassy Collections, Lightworks, Markalex Creative Craft Corp., Mil Export Philippines, Nature’s Legacy, and Venzon Lighting.

The participating companies under the Fashion sector are: Ann Ong, Beatriz, Crystal Seas, kitSilver Jewellery, Larone, Megabijoux, Risque Designs, and The Tannery Manila. 

Boosting the Philippine participation are 3 themes: “Industrial Craft” which focuses on the industrial making process of molding and casting, welding, laser-cutting, 3D printing, CNC machining, accenting the marriage of linear and geometrical structures with a more subdued color palette; “Terno Patterno” which underlines traditional motifs imbued with patterns and bold colors for a modern revamp; and “PriMo (Primitive Modern)” which juxtaposes geometric and organic elements that are raw and primitive with postmodernist designs that are ornate and ablaze with colors. 

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) which is the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is spearheading the country’s first participation in New York’s leading trade fair. “To boost the country’s export sales, the country’s first participation in NY NOW will not only strengthen the Philippine design identity but shall expand opportunities for our home, lifestyle and fashion sectors as well,” said CITEM Executive Director Rosvi Gaetos. 

About 2,600 exhibitors and thousands of lines under 400 categories, 35,000 buyers representing 20,000 companies from 50 US states, along with attendees from 80 foreign nations, including the Philippines, participated in NY NOW 2015. 

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. graced the opening day of the NY NOW 2015 trade show on August 16. 

Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon, Jr., together with Philippine Trade Representative in New York John Paul B. Iñigo, visited the Lifestyle Philippines pavilion on August 18 to meet with each of the 19 exhibitors at their respective booths, all of which displayed a colorful assortment of Philippine-made home, fashion and lifestyle products.   

At the conclusion of the trade show, Consul General and Mrs. De Leon hosted a dinner for the Philippine CITEM participants at his official residence in the evening of 19 August 2015. Together with Trade Representative Iñigo, Consul General De Leon congratulated the delegation members for raising the profile of the Philippines as a vibrant and active international hub for creative artisans in household and fashion accessories. The CITEM participants remarked how pleased they were with the success which they achieved during the trade show in connecting with prospective customers. END