When Cebu Fame hosted the most extravagant and most visited trade show this year, Bijoux Cebu last September 28-29 became a denoument  of a year that concluded a large segment of the fashion-system juggernaut yet promised more for the upcoming years. The common thread for all of these shows and among the rest of Cebu fashion that we have witnessed in 2009 is that Cebu will never stop surprising us with so many talented, artistic and creative people. Three fashion shows in a day? Top that, Philippine Fashion Week!

The opening ceremonies were headed by Fame Foundation President Janet U. Chua and Bijoux 2009 Chairman Gil “Butch” Carungay and joined by VIP guests headed by Ms. Mina Gabor, former Secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Founder of CITEM (Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions).

The ribbon cutting

Cebu FAME friends

A bazaar outside indulged my burloloy fancy! Smitten Accessories also had a booth at the garden area. I was about to show you a pair of flip-flops I bought for only P100. One of the pair only has half of those stones on it because my very adorable I-want-to-cry-but-I-can’t dog chewed that part. Oh well.The second leg of the show highlighted African and Asia inspired collections.

This one on Nikki Taylor, AD Model, is made out of dried mango seeds.

Day 2 was major highlight of Bijoux Cebu. The Buyer’s Night summarized the entire Bijoux Cebu 2009 collection and was graced by the top fashion designers in Cebu.

Gwen Trott wearing Jun Escario and Noreen Tseng accessory.

Angel Luzano in Arcy Gayatin

Steph Basubas Señires on Arcy Gayatin

Tania on Dexter Alazas

Sharon Angel on Oj Hofer

Dexter Alazas and Mary Woolbright

The Stranding Competition or On the Spot Design Contest went underway at exactly 3pm. We were given a tip that most of the contestants were seasoned factory workers. We weren’t mistaken! My friends, Kieth Bitor and Giselle Tribaco, joined. Congratulations to the winners! Kieth won 3rd place, actually.  The top 3 winners received cash prizes, certificates of recognition and plaques.

The plaques

3rd placer Kieth Bitor

Jenina and me and a Kieth Bitor bag

Judges were:

Mina Gabor, Founder of CITEM
Maricor De Guzman, a representative of Bureau of Export Trade Promotion
Mari-ann Bianco, Director of Nordik Light Ltd, UK (buyer)

Guess who else from the media were present:

Tessa Prieto- Valdes, PDI
John Serrano – Fashion Editor,Metro Magazine
Pauline Juan, Editor-in-Chief – Preview
Chia Woon Hung, Writer – WGSN – Worth Global Style Network (WGSN) is the world’s leading research, trend analysis and news service whose mission is to inform, aid and inspire every company in the fast moving fashion and retail industries.
ANGELA ALLEMANN – Swiss journalist

The opening ceremonies were headed by Fame Foundation President Janet U. Chua and Bijoux 2009 Chairman Gil “Butch” Carungay and joined by VIP guests headed by Ms. Mina Gabor, former Secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Founder of CITEM (Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions).

A ceremonial tree marking for the Go Green Philippine project of FAME Foundation followed the ribbon cutting headed by Ms. Mina Gabor and Mr. Luis Sicat of the Export Development Council.  These seedlings will be planted during the next planting schedule of Go Green Philippines Team in the names of these VIP guests to remind us of their presence and support during the 2nd Bijoux Cebu show.

The following personalities were given tree markers for the ceremony:

1.  Ms. Mina T. Gabor – CITEM Founder
2.  Ms. Emmarita Mijares – Deputy Executive Director,EDC
3.  Mr. Luis Sicat – Trustee, EDC and PhilExport
4.  Ms. Asteria Caberte – DTI 7 Regional Director
5.  Ms. Nelia Navarro- DTI Cebu Provincial Director
6.  Mr. Allan Suarez – President, Philexport Cebu
7.  Ms. Thelma Dumpit-Murillo – Deputy Exec Director, CITEM
8.  Mr. Jonathan Keating – Go Green Donor
9.  Mr. Percy Aranador – Bijoux Cebu Creative Director
10. Mr. Samuel Parcon – DOSt 7 Provincial Director
The exhibitors came from 82 exhibiting members and non-member companies and they brought more than Php 2.5 Million worth of costume jewelry to display with more than 50%  on-site sales.

Overall, the exhibition was larger than the last event held in 2008.     In terms of exhibits, there were improvement and the exhibition saw 70% of return exhibitors and 30% of new exhibitors – testifying to the credibility of the exhibition to deliver results to the exhibitors.

While the visitor count was lower than expected due to cancellation of flights after typhoon “Ondoy” hit Manila, the quality was definitely much better – as reflected in the visitor analysis and comments by the exhibitors who were happy despite the lower-than-expected visitorship.  About 22% of last year’s buyers came back to the 2nd Bijoux Cebu.

The exhibition received good support from all around, but most importantly from the government level including the Regional Director of the Department of Trade & Industry Asteria Caberte herself who graciously co-officiated the Opening Ceremony of the exhibition and speaking in behalf of DTI Undersecretary Merly Cruz, expressed her pleasure with the Bijoux 2009 team which was conveyed in her official speech, bespoke volumes.

The lead sponsor, the Export Development Council and other support organisations expressed delight at the exhibition. FAME Foundation President together with other board members were seen making rounds at the exhibit area throughout the exhibition.

The media support was also tremendous with Sky Cable covering the event and giving it 1 hour and 20 minutes of airtime coverage.

All in all, the event was a success and paved the way well for the Bijoux Cebu 2010.

Photo credits to Cedric Cañete for StyleCebu.