Geolette Marie Esguerra

Celebrating a Decade of Design Heritage: Winners of Stilo Artefino Awards

Article (news)

<p>Ten years ago, the retail landscape in the Philippines was largely defined by imports rather than by what was designed and manufactured here. There was a prevailing, if misinformed, perception that locally made goods were inferior. So when <strong>Maritess Pineda</strong>, <strong>Armita Rufino</strong>, <strong>Susie Quiros</strong>, <strong>Cedie Vargas</strong>, and <strong>Marimel Francisco</strong> first mounted the ArteFino fair, they weren’t just setting up a bazaar like everyone else; they had an advocacy that propelled them to work closely with their retail partners. Little did they know that they were establishing their legacies: A cultural movement unlike any other.</p><div> </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785646831945viber_image_2026-08-02_12-31-34-307.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">The letras y figuras display at the entrance hallway of Artefino</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>What always made <a href="https://metro.style/search?q=artefino#gsc.tab=0&amp;gsc.q=artefino&amp;gsc.page=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Artefino</strong></a> different was the storytelling behind the brands, their partners, and the products. These weren’t merely objects for retail; these were stories of craft, design, and possibility.</p><div><br/></div><p>“We knew from the beginning that we needed to promote locally-made products and in the process help our artisan communities,” the founders said. “When we realized that we had a following, we knew that we couldn’t just keep selling. Rather, we needed to convey a message that would create impact.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785647101074unnamed.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Artefino: Isang Dekada features a fashion editorial in the Museum of Natural History, photographed by Jo An Bitagcol</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Every handcrafted piece represents a livelihood; every tradition deserves a future; and every artisan deserves the opportunity to thrive,&quot; the founders noted, grounding the movement in purpose rather than transaction.</p><div><br/></div><p>Today, that vision has evolved into<strong> ArteFino: Isang Dekada</strong>, a theme that captures the movement from its inception in 2017 to the present. It is, quite simply, heritage in continuous motion—always evolving, innovating, and finding new forms.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Design of Excellence</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785647231129Stilo Artefino Winners.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">The Artefino team honors R2R’s Rambutan Bag</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Central to this year’s celebration are the Stilo ArteFino Awards, a recognition that goes beyond the aesthetic to celebrate the passion and skill woven into every handcrafted piece. This year’s honors highlight a diverse spectrum of local talent:</p><p>The Best Booth went to <strong>Zarah Juan</strong>, while <strong></strong><strong>Maison Metisse’s Bauhaus Dress</strong> took the title for Best Product in Women&#x27;s Fashion. <strong>Idyllic Summer</strong> was recognized for Men&#x27;s Fashion, and <strong>R2R’s Rambutan Bag</strong> took top honors in Fashion Accessories.</p><p><strong>The Olive Tree</strong> was celebrated in the Home category for the Pahiyas Lamp/Pendant Light, while <strong>Fedesto</strong> received the Pamana Award. The <strong>Golden Monstera Bangle </strong>took home the Modern Filipino Award, and <strong>Project Nova </strong>was recognized for its Environment Stewardship. The Studio ArteFino Award was presented to <strong>Flos Conchas</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785648116292Layout 16_ Tela de Bonita Coordinates, Golden Monstera Jewelry(1) Large.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false"> Golden Monstera Bangle took home the Modern Filipino Award, here shown with Tela de Bonita Coordinates</span></span></span></div><p>These are markers of a design landscape that has shifted significantly. </p><p>Dressing in Filipiniana, once reserved for the occasional fiesta or official event, has become <em>de rigueur</em>. </p><p>The local home, once minimalist and imported, now embraces distinctly Filipino elements. </p><p>Artefino is now an adjective; people now say the <strong>&quot;Artefino look&quot;</strong> or <strong>&quot;very Artefino&quot;</strong>—truly Artefino has entered cultural consciousness. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Next Horizon: Responsible Retailing</strong></div><p>As the movement marks a decade, the focus has deepened. It is no longer just about the finished product, but the fibers, the methods, and the value chain. This year’s curation leaned heavily into the concept of responsible retailing, with brands exploring natural fibers and upcycling techniques. A standout, the collaborative collection between <strong>HeArteFino </strong>and <strong>Isla Tek</strong>, brings yarns made from pineapple, banana, and abaca to the forefront, signaling a move toward deeper, more meaningful conversations about sustainability.</p><p>The event itself has been reconfigured for this milestone. Spaces have been designed by Philippine Institute of Interior Designers President <strong>Cecil Ravelas</strong> to act as visual anchors, while the Central Display, curated by <strong>Gino Gonzales</strong>, sets a tone of aspiration. Even the culinary experience has been elevated with <strong>Eats by ArteFino</strong>, in partnership with The Seven Pantry, recognizing that food, like craft, is central to the Filipino experience of gathering.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785647495868viber_image_2026-08-02_10-19-22-100.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Looking ahead, the movement does not rest on its laurels. The founders acknowledge that while the foundation has been laid, the work of driving innovation and ensuring heritage continues to flourish is an ongoing project. It is, in the truest sense, a decade of meaningful action.</p><p>As ArteFino celebrates these ten years, it continues to pay tribute to the brands that helped shape the journey. It is a celebration of a movement that refuses to stand still, always finding new voices to tell the story of Filipino craftsmanship.</p>

<p>Ten years of redefining Filipino retail. Celebrating the winners of the Stilo ArteFino Awards—a testament to heritage, intentional design, and purpose.</p>

Ten years of redefining Filipino retail. Celebrating the winners of the Stilo ArteFino Awards—a testament to heritage, intentional design, and purpose.

Celebrating a Decade of Design: Winners of Stilo Artefino Awards

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Celebrating a Decade of Design: Winners of Stilo Artefino Awards

Geolette Esguerra,

Pauline Monteverde,

and Rick Formalejo

Published August 02, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

|

Updated August 02, 2026 01:31 PM PHT

Read More:

ArteFino

Heritage

Filipino

Craftsmanship

Artisan

Movement

Sustainability

Retailing

Innovation

Design.

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