Museum Foundation’s MaArte 2015

Glam Bayongs  started out as home-based project by design consultant Christine Montenegro wose main purpose was to make hand-made, unique bags and accessories for friends and families. It was something that started out as a hobby, with the help of her household helper, but due to numerous requests, she found herself making more and more of the unique items, and needing more workers as a result.

Because no two bags are alike, “glam bayong”, a term of endearment given to the embellished bayongs by friends, puts a premium on its uniqueness. each item is carefully crafted by mothers in Quezon City, Taguig and Malabon, enabling these women toearn a lving while at the same time caring for their children and overseeing their famiies. Christine provides guidance on quality control and design patterns to these women who execute each bag.

Glam Bayong is joining the MaArte Fair 2015 with a new line of bags that break the norm. Its bayongs have crossed over from the “wet market” impression of what bayongs are more often used for, to the resort scene, gyms and even the workplace. It is exceeding the ordinary by presenting the discerning woman with new clutches that can go from day to night; spacious enough to hold your iPad and subtle enough to use for dinner dates and girl’s nights out. The “mommy and me” line is also a new offering one can look forward to, as a little girl can have a miniature version of her mommy’s bag.

Glam Bayongs are 100% hand-made utilizing locally sourced materials form different species of wood, semi-precious stones and coloured crystals, giving off a relaxing vibe.

KuwintasAdante Leyesa is a self-taught accessory designer and now a frontrunner in sustainable fashion and social design with his innovative and stand-out bejeweled accessories and bags. He is notable for his love to the community and the marginalized group: person with disabilities (PWD), out-of-school youths and young mothers, teaching them techniques and making them craftsmen of his pieces. Adante revolutionizes the use of traditional, home-grown Filipino materials and creates truly a world-class luxury line of accessories and bags. His pieces are a collaboration of different artisans, blending designs with techniques across cultures and origins. Every component that was incorporated on a particular piece was painstakingly crafted by diverse creative minds putting high regard on the use of raw materials that are endemic in the different provinces of the country and those that are unconventional, unexpected and upcycled materials.

Bamboo Bag series: is a fusion of regional cultures as designers attempt to revive the dying tradition of hand weaving, beading and embroidery; The bamboo base is hand woven by tribal people thriving along the mountain reanges of nortern Philipines while the beadworks are made by a group of young mothers and some out-of-school-youths from the south.

NEW: ORIGAMI COLLECTION Handmade bags and necklaces, painstakingly strung with seed beads and sequins following pure, austere lines which give off couture vibes and beautifully folded applying Origami techniques the Japanese art of paper folding. It adopts high-contrasting elements of the delicate sakura flowers and the textured windowpanes of Tokyo’s structures applying each masterpiece with vibrant colors of the majestic city that glares and reflects when the sun sets down.

Awards: Adante Leyesa won the grand prize under Accessory Division of “Weaving the Future” – a social Design competition by the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in November 2011; he was nominated for Best Bag Design at the Fashion Access, HongKong in September 2013; and received citation and a scholarship grant during the 2013 Look of Style Awards courtesy of Sheffield Hallam University, Yorkshire, United Kingdom and the British Council in November 2013. He is recognized as 2013 Preview Emerging Fashion Talent Awardee (PEFTA) by the Preview Magazine in the Philippines. He is a pioneer of Manila Wear, the roosters of local dsingers supported by the Philippine Center of International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), office under the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry , mentored by renowned fashion desinger Josie Natori. His works were presented on various local and foreign fashion spreads for magazines, tradeshow and exhibits. He has already presented his collections outside the country; at the 2013 Fashion Access in Hongkong, 2014 International Fashion Showcase (IFS) in London, 2015 Artisan Resource NY NOW (ASAM, a collaboration with Gawad Kalinga) in New York & 2015 ASEAN Showcase in Tokyo by the ASEAN-Japan Center.

The designer is committed to social design by continuously helping and empowering the marginalized group, alleviating their live and becoming economic independent; and, advocating the use of local materials, thus, and consistently promoting Philippine passion for fashion.

 There is definitely beauty in simplicity. Gorgeous decors from Creative Definitions! Casa Mercedes, Inc. is the pioneer artisanal ladies hand fan maker in the Philippines. Family owned and managed since 1951, Casa Mercedes has expanded to include holiday décor into its line up. Today, the business is managed by the third generation Diokno- Olives’.

The company is staffed with twenty six employees. These craftsmen, together with a team of designers, develop, innovate and produce quality products using local indigenous materials.

The venture into the holiday décor began as an off shoot of a fund raiser for a charity women’s organization with the papier mache reindeer as its centerpiece. Seeing the vast potential of the holiday décor market, Casa Mercedes began to export Christmas Decorations – papier mache reindeer and boxes in the 1990’s.

To date, the Holiday line has further expanded to meet the changing demands of the buyer. For the papier mache collection, table tops and Christmas trees were added to the original reindeer. Hand and laser cut ornaments, reminiscent of chandelier crystal were introduced as stand alone ornaments, or embellishments for steel candelabras.

Combining materials like metal, wood, paper and papier mache into new holiday décor is what sets Casa Mercedes apart. The soul of innovation and the immediate response to the needs of the buyer is what has kept the Holiday atelier going since its inception 25 years ago.

The Olive TreeGKonomics International, Inc. is a non-stock, no profit organization, incorporated in May 2009 to build sustainable livelihood in Gawad Kalinga communities. It began with 5 women volunteers who share the same passion for Gawad Kalinga and its call for development without leaving the poor behind. The vision of building a country of producers continues as more volunteers join forces with GKonomics in helping create a Philippines free from poverty.

A GK resident from GK Sunshine in Las Piñas crafts a classy Silver Bag out of recycled doy packs.

Our vision  A prosperous Philippines where no citizen is in need and no one is left behind.

Our mission we are instilling a culture of productivity in GK communities by helping build community enterprises that will make the Philippines a country of producers of world-class products and services without leaving the poor behind.

 Look for Angie’s Yakan Cloth for a selection of indigenous handwoven cloth, table runners, wall decors, coaster, placemats, pillow cases and bags The GREAT Women Brand is inspired by the need to add value to women products and elevate these products to new markets. The ECHOsi Foundation, the non-profit arm of ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle owns the GREAT WOMEN trademark.  GREAT WOMEN products are made by certified, majority women-owned (minimum of 51% ownership) and women-operated micro businesses and SMEs aided by development platforms in the Philippines (through government partnership with the Canadian government) and in the ASEAN region (through ECHOsi Foundation’s partnership with USAid and women entrepreneurs from the ASEAN economies).

The economic empowerment of women is a key direction as ECHOstore is a women-led company: its supply, production, and consumer bases are almost 90% women. Bridging gaps in the value chain, creating market access, and opening new markets have highlighted the development programs of ECHOsi Foundation and ECHOstore.

GREAT is an acronym for “Gender Responsive Economic Action for the Transformation” of Women. GREAT WOMEN products build a supply chain from small producers and artisans, supported by women business owners, designers and lifestyle experts that link them to global markets. It is also the journey of women helping women make creating sustainable households across the ASEAN region.

The GREAT WOMEN Textile Collection for Maarte Bazaar 2015 will highlight products for Home and Living Spaces, Accessories and Apparel. Highlighting handmade design diversity, using natural, sustainable and indigenous materials, GREAT WOMEN textile products carries the passion and spirit of every woman who keeps the weaving traditions alive in her heart, across similar but diverse cultures.

 Exciting collaboration between FÄE candles and Mia Casal pottery! Handcrafted vessels filled with distinctive candle scents. These will be available exclusively at the MaArte Fair.Perhaps one of the most daring and avant-garde designers today, Michelline Syjuco boldly fuses the art of sculpture with that of jewelry in order to create what she calls “sculptural jewelry”.

Each one of her pieces is handmade from her choice of unconventional elements, such as cultivated rust, pointed steel studs, gnarly pearls, exploded bullet shells, acetylene burns, crushed tin cans, multicolor acid patinas, recycled wood from fallen trees, and even strange rocks from outer space.

Definitely bordering on the blasphemous and edgy, Michelline’s pieces are signed, one-of-a-kind originals coming straight out of her studioin Ayala Alabang where she chooses to work with the most basic primitive tools.

Born in 1979 in Manila, Michelline graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, Major in Entrepreneurship from San Beda College Alabang. As the eldest daughter of experimental artists Cesare and Jean Marie Syjuco, Michelline, now 35, has been creating art since early childhood.

At the age of 4, she was the country’s youngest painter to be exhibited in the juried Annual Exhibition of the Art Association of the Philippines. Her photographs  and articles likewise appeared in various magazines and newspapers for public consumption. She was also a mainstay actress for “Sesame Street”, and later “Batibot”.

In the early 90s, while Michelline was a high school student at Paref  Woodrose School, her interest turned to singing and writing music. She was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band FAUST!, along with her younger siblings, and the band immediately became an overnight sensation, releasing two record albums in close succession, including numerous radio hits. Michelline began creating fashion accessories mostly for herself, shortly after graduating from college.  This was not a difficult transition from the music industry since she was already known to create and design her own clothes, hats, bags, belts and jewelry from her days in FAUST!.

In 2008, Michelline launched her exhibition entitled “Armadillon” in Mag:net Bonifacio High Street. This exhibition featured 88 pieces of her wearable sculptures, which were presented as elements in her huge art-installation measuring 8 X 28 feet. This mixed media installation also included some pieces of her large-scale  sculptures in wood and rusty metal cladding, as well as various other odds and ends inspired by her Armageddon theme (the final battle between good and evil).

Several dozen other sculptural jewelry pieces were also presented in an experimental fashion show with well-known artists, poets and musicians— each one acting out the parts of “models”. Michelline’s intention was to situate her jewelry collection in an Art context, where the pieces could be viewed not simply as jewelry, but as “little sculptures” in their own right. Armadillon has since garnered critical acclaim and was included in the 2009 Ateneo Art Awards (The most prestigious art award in the Philippines today)—a first for Philippine Jewelry Design. Michelline was again a finalist the following year.

In November 2009, Michelline showcased her second collection entitled “TRIAD” at FIRMA Greenbelt 3, alongside two other prominent jewelry artists, Paul Syjuco and Kristine Dee. This was followed by 2 other collections, entitled “Modern Mythologies” which was launched at Firma on September 30, 2010, and TRIAD 2 which was launched shortly thereafter.

As a prominent young figure in the Manila Art Scene, Michelline Syjuco was selected to represent the NCR in the prestigious SUNGDUAN exhibition at the National Museum of The Filipino People, with jury selected artists from all over the country. She appeared on the cover of Sense & Style’s Art Issue featuring fashion’s “It Girls”, and  has also been named one of Manila’s Most Stylish People by The Philippine Daily Inquirer and LOOK Magazine. She was also awarded as one of the ten PEFTA (Preview Emerging Fashion Talent Awards) winners.  To cap it off, she has also been named one of the Philippines Top Accessories Designers by Metro Magazine, as well as one of “The Fashionable 25” by The Philippine Star’s YSTYLE section. Apart from this, Michelline was selected as one of Metro Society’s “Young Society Designers”, and has participated in at least 3 Metrowear Fashion Shows.

In 2014, she again wowed audiences with the launch of her latest collection entitled “Theater of the Mind’ at Firma, where she showcased her “Yorick” Sculptural Skull Bags made of  sustainable materials such as carved wood from fallen trees (taken down by Typhoon Yolanda), antique automatic watch parts, repurposed bathroom fixtures, recycled nuts and bolts, and semi-precious gemstones. She recently graced the cover of  TOWN & COUNTRY MAGAZINE’S Annual Design Issue, as well as the coveted cover of PHILIPPINE STARWEEK (The magazine counterpart of The Philippine Star Newspaper). Michelline is also being recognized as one of Crème Silk’s “Women Beyond Beautiful” at their 30^th Anniversary next month.

In 2015, Michelline Syjuco was selected by CITEM (Center For International Trade Expositions and Missions) and The British Fashion Council to represent The Philippines at The International Fashion Showcase held at Brewer Street Carpark alongside London Fashion Week. She has also just been selected as a designer brand ambassador for Swarovski and Swarovski Watches in The Philippines.

 Brighten up your lovely home with these vibrant vases from Silay ExportSeries of Filipino children’s toys previously created from discarded milk tin cans, sardine cans and soda pop bottle caps.

This series represents the studio’s efforts to honor the happy memories of these toys in a world now inundated by extruded metal and plastic toys.The scooters and push bicycles represent toys still popular in Northern Philippines. Made of used palochina crating, machined metal, steel bearing, and custom made rubber tires.

In 2014, the stars aligned for three long-time friends who happened to find themselves on the same lay-over on life’s journey. “What adventure is there for this next chapter?” was a nagging question they shared. A common interest in making things pretty and finding simple joy in their attempts to turn the ordinary into the sublime led to the experience of that sheer ecstasy in discovering a FIND! They found proverbial AHA! moments as they discovered joyful global product finds that matched their design sense. They recognized that they wanted a platform to be able to share this curated delight. Thus, Statement Theory.

STATEMENT THEORY is all about the expression of one’s lifestyle as it provides a curated channel for home design products for the stylishly discriminating individual.

STATEMENT THEORY items are curated, inspired and transformative. Boasting of inspiring pieces, the Statement Theory product line showcases Decorative
Accents, Tableware and artisan products that flaunt the Filipino craftsmanship.

By happy chance, STATEMENT THEORY joins Maarte 2015 as the ladies behind the brand desire to engage the Philippine market by making the Statement Theory products available to the chic Filipino consumer. More importantly, the brand joins Maarte 2015 in its desire to support the Filipino creations carried by the brand, which are currently available in Neiman Marcus and Barneys.

This August, find those Statement Theory sartorial pieces that punctuate your timeless style. Look for the enchanting teakwood bowl with capiz inlay, round iridiscent capiz placemats that hint of subtle glam, the glass and silver cake stand with mother of pearl inlays – a true statement piece — only some of the Statement Theory products on parade at Maarte 2015.

T’nalak home is a specialty store located in Abreeza Mall Davao. The store houses export-quality abaca and t’nalak products by the TADECO Livelihood and Training Center. It also exclusively showcases items by some of the globally known Filipino designers and exhibitors. It used to be that designers and their pieces are only shown to the international market via Manila F.A.M.E. and other shows abroad. T’nalak home paved the way for the local market especially in Mindanao to communicate with world-class designers and manufacturers, getting the chance to see and own their wonderful products.

 Visit MaArte EATS! The bridgeway leading to the tent will be filled with a variety of creative local purveyors in the food market. So get your tummies ready for a food sensation!Holy Carabao Holistic Farms is a close-knit group of family farms with locations in Baguio, Laguna and Batangas. We practice sustainable, holistic, biodynamic farming so that all the vegetables we produce are healthy, nutritious and abundant with live enzymes. Organic farming utilizes natural compost and nutrients in place of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to ensure that both the produce and the soil that nourishes it are free from toxins. In conjunction, biodynamic farming works together with the life forces, rhythms and natural cycles of the Earth. When we work with Nature, not against it, we are able to experience its power to heal and encourage life. It is this healing power that we aim to harness in everything we harvest. We believe that food is essential to life; and good food is essential to a good life.

Quinoa Salad Mix – Ancient Quinoa grains, tinapa, kesong puto, roasted tomatoes, arugula, sweet basil with hard-boiled free range egg on top.

Nipa Foods is a division of Selula Hayagham Corporation that sources unique, all-natural foodstuffs from small, independent local businesses throughout the Philippines, and repackages it under the brand Nipa. The target markets of Nipa products are foreign tourists and discerning locals who wish to give high-quality Filipino foodstuffs to their foreigner friends.

Brief Background

We are young, idealistic Filipinos who believe in sourcing locally, as a means of developing the countryside. Hopping from island to island, we are constantly searching all over the Philippines for those high quality, natural, and responsibly sourced local foodstuffs.

Once we find something that passes our tests of taste and of conscience, we put our stamp on it and offer it to our customers under the trusted brand – Nipa. The customers can rest assured that what they have in their hands is not only a fine and healthy Philippine local foodstuff, but that they are also helping farmers and friends from our beautiful provinces.

Our suppliers are small, cottage businesses in the different provinces of the Philippines. Our prices reflect the fact that we do not push our suppliers for astronomical discounts – our simple idea of equitable profit-sharing and helping our countrymen.

Nipa Brew

Nipa Brew is a division of Selula Hayagham Corporation that operates a craft microbrewery.

ART OF PIE  is a one stop shop of meticulously handcrafted pastries made with the finest ingredients in the market. Our products are solely prepared by hand to put in that extra effort to give our consumers the best tasting high-quality products.

Mission Consumers are our core, our lifeblood, and the one that keeps us going. Our products are created to satisfy the longing for home cooked goods. The good old comfort food that reminds us of our childhood that never goes out of style. We aim to bring happiness to the tables of our valued customers.

 Packaging we use eco-friendly packaging materials such as our natural brown kraft boxes, organic abaca jute strings, stationary hang tags, business cards and note cards from premium recycled papers made with 100% post consumer fiber and printed using soy-based ink.

Officially founded in 2013, Stanford Shaw Brewing is a small operation built and run by two brothers that aims to brew old-fashioned beverages, drinks and sodas. The business essentially began when the brothers started to sell their beverage in the Makati weekend markets (Salcedo and Legazpi). Stanford Shaw’s current product is a fresh ginger ale which is a homemade craft soda.

Stanford Shaw uses only raw, natural ingredients, with no artificial additives and zero preservatives. To achieve freshness, our ginger ale is brewed in small batches weekly, and fermented lightly. A testament to the freshness and home-brewed quality the ginger ale is that it must always be chilled and has a short shelf life of only 2 weeks!

It is currently being stocked at Purple Yam (Malate), Mr. Delicious (Century City Mall, Makati), Global Beer Exchange (Magallanes) and Alcohol By Volume (Makati) among others.

The Story

Back in 2011 after a couple of failed attempts at business, Marc’s mom lent him a beverage cookbook she had bought 30 years ago (but never used). He stumbled upon recipe after recipe for making beverages from scratch. He was inspired to try a fresh ginger ale since it was the only only recipe that used ingredients grown in the Philippines. Early experiments were promising. He was joined by his brother, Johann, who saw how hard and time consuming it was to make by hand. They tweaked and refined the ginger ale, all the while getting feedback from family and friends who served as guinea pigs.

Come 2013, they were confident enough to try and launch in the weekend markets in Makati. Stanford Shaw currently joins special events/bazaars and are stocked in a few restaurants around the Metro. Going forward, Stanford Shaw plans on expanding their product line to offer Filipinos more options on how to enjoy and drink better.

The Name

Stanford Shaw the brand name comes from where the house where the product was founded and produced, namely Stanford St. and Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong City.