Redefined Local Shopping Scene

When founders Maritess Pineda, Armita Rufino, Susie Quiros, Cedie Vargas, and Marimel Francisco launched the movement in 2017, the Philippine retail market was heavily dominated by Western influences and imported goods. Locally-made handicrafts were often restricted to souvenir shops and limited in variety.

Driven by the core belief that “every handcrafted piece represents a livelihood; every tradition deserves a future; and every artisan deserves the opportunity to thrive,” the founders set out to build more than just a typical trade fair. They built a cultural movement. Over the past decade, that vision has successfully transformed consumer habits, instilling a deep national pride in supporting local Filipino design and aesthetics.

Introducing Conscious Innovation

Artefino envisions to continuously evolve by emphasizing sustainable practices and responsible retailing. This year’s curation goes deeper down the value chain by exploring innovative natural materials. A standout highlight is the collaborative collection between HeArteFino and Isla Tek, featuring specialized eco-friendly yarns made of pineapple, banana, and abaca fibers.

Featured grantees under the HeArteFino Development Program Grant—including Project Nova, Zarah Juan, and ANTHILL Fabric Gallery—will also showcase their collections at the South Court.

Fashion-Forward Exclusives

Among the featured exhibitors celebrating this milestone is contemporary Filipino designer Jor-el Espina, who marks his own 10-year journey with the platform by debuting his versatile Dekada Collection at the ArteFino Atelier at The Fifth. Inspired by his studio’s decade-long growth alongside ArteFino, Espina tripled his team to craft an extensive, three-category lineup ranging from reimagined hero designs to one-of-a-kind couture-detailed garments.

The collection features buildable, multi-wear “transformer” pieces like apron tops and tapis skirts, offering dynamic options for mixing, matching, and layering from day to red-carpet looks. Embracing a bold new approach to color, the designer infuses his signature muted tones with vibrant, candy-colored stripes and unexpected elements like hand-painted details and decorative colored safety pins. Rooted in conscious craftsmanship, 70% of the handcrafted pieces utilize handwoven pineapple fabrics, showcasing how Espina’s brand has continually evolved through his decade-long partnership with ArteFino.

Fresh Curated Experiences

To accommodate more than 100 participating Filipino brands, the fair grounds have been dynamically reconfigured into a series of visually striking and immersive spaces. Under the artistic curation of Philippine Institute of Interior Designers President Cecil Ravelas, the North and South Courts were thoughtfully designed, while designer Gino Gonzales conceptualized the central display area at The Fifth.

Marking its 10th-anniversary milestone, the event introduces exciting new experiential zones, including Studio ArteFino—a new retail extension at the South Court featuring items directly designed, handpicked, or invested in by ArteFino itself. Visitors can also enjoy Eats by ArteFino, a partnership with The Seven Pantry that blends local flavors with a curated lifestyle store offering pantry staples, snacks, and entertaining wares. As ArteFino looks toward the future, its founders remain dedicated to driving innovation and ensuring that Filipino heritage continues to flourish for generations to come.