Ito Kish, renowned furniture designer behind whimsical and iconic pieces that blend heritage with timeless modernity, opens the doors of his Makati store and in-house cafe (1120 J.P. Rizal Avenue) this weekend for Pop-Up for Creatives Series 1. The event runs from May 21 to 24, 11 a. m. to 5 p.m.
Five upcoming creative brands from fashion, decor, art, and crafts are featured in this gathering.
Kish was moved by the challenging times and the demands of joining fairs experienced by small but talented artists and entrepreneurs.
This is the second time Kish is hosting a pop-up event at his new location. The first was in 2020, a challenging time as it was the height of the pandemic. Recognizing the power of collaboration, he partnered with familiar brands Filip+Inna, Goodluck, Humans, and Joey De Castro.
On this month’s pop-up event, he related his inspiration, ‘The concept actually sparked at the onset of the conflict in Iran, when oil prices began to surge. We all know the ripple effect that it has on everything. One afternoon, while reviewing costs for an upcoming fair, I realized how expensive things had become and worried about how much worse it could get if the war escalated. It made me think: How will smaller brands cope if they don’t have the budget to rent spaces and get exposure?
‘That thought became the main driving force, and the Pop-Up for Creatives Series was born. To truly support them, we open our space entirely free-no rent, no commission. We even provide uniform fixtures for the four-day event. Initially, our goal was to highlight brands from outside Metro Manila.’
Powerful stories
In selecting the brands, Kish posted an open call on Instagram and received over 20 inquiries. From there, he curated a schedule of five to six brands per month, running from May through July, with plans to extend into the succeeding months.
For May, five brands will present their works this weekend.
Style Isle presents chic island-crafted wearables and home decor made in collaboration with indigenous and artisan communities across the archipelago.
MiArt creates on-the-spot portraits in gouache. The works capture the unique story of every subject.
Nyanya Crochet features cute knitted accessories for a good cause. Every piece supports neighborhood cat rescues.
Rada Collab highlights the designs of local artists with materials sourced across the Philippines. For this edition, the brand will showcase the works of six artists who create stoneware, clay arts, collapsible baskets, and more.
Meanwhile, Beyond Layers creates bespoke 3D printed decor.
Giving back
A notable figure in the regional design community, Kish is behind iconic pieces such as his most famous Gothic-inspired Gregoria Lounge and Chair: Named after his mother, the piece is part of his Baluster Collection and was inspired by barandillas or classic wooden balustrades (barandillas) found in traditional Spanish colonial ancestral homes. The piece won the Katha Award for Best Furniture Design.
Another award-winning creation is his Basilisa Collection, which won an Iron Award at the A’ Design Award and Competition in Italy. The piece is an homage to his maternal grandmother. It consists of an armoire and seating that features exquisite geometric solihiya or cane weaving. The Basilisa earned international recognition at the A’ Design Award and Competition in Italy.
From the same award-giving body, Kish also received recognition for his Rodolfo Console Table and a Silver Award for the Gregoria Lounge.
Kish was also honored as one of the ‘Icons of Asia’ for his Gregoria Chair at the Gwangjiu Design Biennale in South Korea.
But beyond the accolades, Kish is motivated to support the next generation of creatives.
‘I’ve been in this industry for over 25 years, and I started very small-in a tiny 45-square-meter store. I was fortunate that when I launched in 2000, the competition and marketing landscape were very different from what they are today. Now, there is so much noise that it can be incredibly difficult for a new brand to cut through and be noticed.
‘How much longer will my own brand be out there? I don’t know. But, I do know that I have a responsibility to open doors for others-or simply step aside and let a new generation take center stage, even in this small way,’ he reflected.
Besides designing and running his store and in-house cafe, Kish is in the middle of preparing for the MaArte Fair in August, and possibly participating in Manila FAME this October.
Kish is especially excited to release brand-new designs under the ITO KISH furniture and design brand-his first new collection in three years.
Meanwhile, he extends his invitation to all, ‘I invite everyone to come experience Pop-Up for Creatives: Series 1 and help these small brands be seen. Beyond the pop-up, you can explore the curated world of the Ito Kish brand, find inspiration in our home pieces, and enjoy a slow cup of coffee in our cafe, surrounded by design.’