NEW BREED OF DESIGNERS AT SM NORTH EDSA EXHIBIT

I have always been a "furniture enthusiast."  Home depot is one of the places that I feel most relaxed in.  If other people have "retail therapy", I find bliss in what I call my "design therapy".  Such a happy feeling looking at those home accessories and furniture and dreaming that one day, I can create a solid look of a scandinavian-inspired home  :)   

So happy that SM North Edsa has Interior Zone, located at the back of the main mall at the carpark.  It is really your one-stop-shop when it comes to home decorating and furnishing.

But something interesting happened last February 24, when I was invited to the launch of "Home Is Where The Art Is".  It is an exhibit that celebrates the ingenuity of young designers.  

Featured to give insightful stories on their design journey were MICKI OLAGUER and VIKTORIA LAYUG.  JIM TORRES joined in the open forum.

All three designers were part of the Red Box Design Program, a program set up in 2013 by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) to nurture the next generation of Filipino designers.

Photo Credit:  https://manilafame.wordpress.com

Micki Olaguer, grand winner for Fashion Apparel, featured her mother of pearl and gold and silver jewelry in the fashion Utopias:  International Fashion Showcase in London. 

For Utopian U-turns, she got the inspiration from the filipinos working in gold mines; children sifting gold.  These are individuals who risk their lives for the price of the gold they mind.

photo credit:  https://alleyadesigns.com/

photo credit:  Inquirer Lifestyle

Red Box Design Talent 2015 grand winner for home, Jim Torres showcased his "Escapade" collection at the ICFF 2016 inNew York, USA and at the Red Box Showcase in Manila Fame in April 2016.  He is a graduate of UST.

Photo Credit:  https://manilafame.wordpress.com

Viktoria Laguyo is one of the 14 finalists of Red Box Design Program.  She collaborated with Obra Cebuana, and chose to do a circular lounge chair and series of stackable end tables made of rattan.  She believes in using indigenous materials to promote the Philippines.  As a ballet dancer, she also gets inspiration from the moves and costume of the dance. 

photo credit:  https://manilafame.wordpress.com

You may catch Viktoria's creative creations at SM North Edsa's "Home is Where the Art Is" until March 4, 2017.  Also featured are the works of young designers from the different universities.

PINA CHAIR BY KIM ACOSTA, ANNE GAW AND KAYLA BUNYI
COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE


GLOVE CABINET BY AJ ALONZO, KISHA FLORES, MICHELLE HILAHAN
JASSIE MEDENCELES, BIJ OSIAS AND YANG TAN

TRANSFORMERS BY  ROMEO DOMINGO AND MA. PATRICIA DE VERA 

CALLA CHAIR BY JANINA CUA AND MERIDITH LICHANGCO
COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE

YIN AND YANG BY ABIGAIL TUMALA 

MOI, MOMMY JING AND THE YOUNG DESIGNERS  :)