FOLLOWING the successful exhibition of “Chambers: the Cebu Project” in Manila and Cebu, the Department of Trade and Industry 7 (DTI) and Cebu’s creative industry are bringing the exhibit to Paris next year.
DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte confirmed last Friday that they will bring Cebu’s exhibition to the Maison et Objet, the premier and largest French trade fair for interior design in January 2019.
Caberte said they already proposed a P7-million budget to assist exporters joining the trade fair.
“It was the Maison et Objet who encouraged us to bring the exhibit to Paris after they saw us in a special showcase in Manila last year,” Caberte said.
“Chambers: the Cebu Project” showcases Cebu’s best export quality products and is designed to display them in a resort-like setting.
“This curated and experiential setting showcases the beautiful and world-class objects designed by Cebu’s talents, which combine innovative materials, exacting artisanal techniques and the latest in digital manufacturing,” she said.
Caberte said the exhibit will be participated in by 15 to 20 exporters from the different creative sectors.
This initiative will be in partnership with Cebu Gifts, Decors and Housewares, Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, and Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters, with support from the Cebu Provincial Government.
Potential attraction
Maison et Objet, which mounts two fairs (January and September) every year, is one of the world’s biggest lifestyle events and attracts over 75,000 visitors from all over the world, including interior designers, decorators, architects, hotel directors, art directors, stylists, and trendsetters.
Caberte said the exhibit was initially set up to appeal to the domestic market, which is now the bread and butter of the creative sector while it still recovers from the economic slump in 2008.
Since the 2008 international economic crisis, exporters have turned to the domestic market to survive, said Caberte.
She noted that international visitors during the Manila show saw the concept’s potential to be a crowd drawer in Paris and Germany.
“We are making noise now. We want to communicate to the world that we are still here,” said Caberte.
“We actually have big plans with the sector,” she said, adding that this exhibition may bring back Cebu’s own and much sought-after exhibition, which was Cebu X.
DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora Terrado, in a statement, said the overseas event is a key in enabling Filipino creatives to meet new trade buyers and be exposed to the overseas market. (KOC)