Genteelhome on Wednesday, August 13, launched its newest furniture line, the Bigkis collection, which will debut at Maison&Objet Paris 2025 from September 4 to 8.
Derived from the Filipino word meaning “ties” or “bonds,” the Bigkis collection highlights design as a means of connecting people, places, and ideas, transforming materials, processes, and intentions into a shared cultural narrative.
The showcase will feature five Southeast Asian designers—Eggarat Wongcharit from Thailand, Keat Ong from Singapore, Lai Siew Hong from Malaysia, Kezia Karin from Indonesia, and Ivy Almario from the Philippines—working with Genteelhome’s master Filipino artisans.
At the center of the collection is Filipino craftsmanship, which serves as both a platform and perspective, using wood, fiber, metal, and glass shaped through traditions refined over generations.
The collaboration aims to unite Southeast Asia’s textures, languages, and colors through shared techniques and sensibilities.
“Bigkis is about creating spaces that reflect the warmth and togetherness at the heart of every Filipino home. It celebrates the family and the way our living spaces become the backdrop for shared stories and bonds. But we hope our Bigkis showcase sparks a deeper interest and appreciation for Filipino design—not just abroad but also among our fellow countrymen,” said Genteelhome founder Katrina Blanca de Leon.
She added that the furniture aims to showcase to the world that Southeast Asia’s creative voice is rich, diverse, and worth listening to.
The participating designers bring distinct concepts to the collection:
• Eggarat Wongcharit blends Thai and Filipino materials such as nipa thatch and tinalak to create globally adaptable pieces.
• Keat Ong merges Eastern craftsmanship with Western campaign furniture for transformable and sustainable designs.
• Lai Siew Hong uses woven rope and timber interlocks to craft poetic expressions of togetherness.
• Kezia Karin incorporates Indonesian jewelry motifs into furniture accents with rich cultural detail.
• Ivy Almario delivers functional art that reflects Filipino identity with contemporary pop-art elements.
The Genteelhome booth, designed by Milan-based Filipino architect Michael Vincent Uy, will feature flowing walls intended to symbolize the richness of the Philippine archipelago while bringing together diverse Southeast Asian design voices.
Bigkis, according to Genteelhome, is more than a furniture line. It is a statement of Southeast Asian representation and an invitation for global audiences to appreciate the region’s craftsmanship.