Through time, ASEAN has been associated with the
traditional and conservative East. But with the world
getting smaller and within one’s grasp, influences
from the new generations of the West have immensely
changed the picture.
Today, as the East meets the West in the context
of design, functionality with a combination of aesthetics
define the value of a design piece. A simple accent
piece can be as marketable as any other furniture,
provided, it carries the right mix of materials,
contoured with a distinctive style, modernity, elegance
and usefulness.
As a collaborative endeavor of the artisans from
the countries of South East Asia, ASEAN Fusion was
launched in August 2006 at Tendence Lifestyle fair
in Frankfurt, Germany. The sublime showcase of products
from the designers of Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand
and Vietnam gave life to objects with the use of
traditional and indigenous materials transformed
to vibrant and elegant pieces with function. Mixed
styles and textures evidenced in the products were
captured in lamps, vases, bowls, and other pieces by
fusing wood with stones or metal, ceramics with lacquerware … a
sweeping vista of colors and shapes, suited for the
interiors that will satisfy one’s discriminating
taste. ASEAN Fusion was conceived with the intent
of creating unique and innovative pieces out of raw
materials that have a distinct Asian origin, with
the contemporary, changing the conservative lines
of the East to a new lifestyle suited for modern
living. ASEAN Fusion Lifestyle will again be showcased
at Ambiente, the largest consumer goods fair in the
world, on 9 – 13 February 2007 in Frankfurt
Germany.
By bringing leading designers and exporting companies
from Southeast Asia together in one platform without
compromising the distinct style of each region, ASEAN
Fusion will remodel the traditional to cater to the
modern tastes and lifestyle of today’s ‘global’ generation.
As Curators, Philippine designers of international
caliber Budji Layug and Tony Gonzales share their
years of experience giving guidance and design direction,
mixing the traditional with modernity in this fusion
of styles, methods, materials and design philosophy.
Adorn your most cherished space with a collection
of furniture and furnishings, home accessories and
gifts with a style… a combination of the rich
culture and contrasts that is uniquely Asian.
Visit us at the ASEAN Fusion pavilion at the Forum
0 in Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany and allow your
senses to feast on an array of products molded only
by the best designers from South East Asia. The possibilities
are endless – Explore it!