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MaArte Fair 2026: Celebrating Filipino Artisanship

by Hella Cliques
August 13, 2026

The MaArte Fair is widely recognized as one of the Philippines' premier design, art, and fashion showcases. Operating as the flagship fundraising initiative of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (MFPI), the fair directly supports cultural preservation, heritage grants, and local artisan communities.

Since its inception in 2009, MaArte has evolved from a boutique gathering into a major annual cultural institution. Marking its 17th edition, the 2026 fair runs from August 13 to 16, 2026, hosted once again at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City. The 2026 edition centers around the theme "Karnabal," paying tribute to the historic Manila Carnival (1908–1939) with over 200 exhibitors spanning fashion, jewelry, home decor, and fine crafts across the hotel's suites and ballrooms.

Jojie Lloren (J. Lloren Editions): Renowned for impeccable tailoring and clean architectural lines, Lloren debuts a capsule collection that treats ready-to-wear fashion as collectible, wearable art—integrating block prints and native woven craft.

Kelvin Morales: Famous for his avant-garde, boundary-pushing reinterpretations of classic Filipino attire (such as raw-silk and embroidered Barong Tagalog), Morales introduces modern womenswear with a distinctly sculptural sensibility.

Alexie Nethercott: Embracing sustainable luxury, Nethercott’s design style revolves around upcycling studio leather remnants into meticulous, handcrafted beadwork and rich visual textures.

Barba: Specializes in structured, modern silhouettes that seamlessly incorporate traditional indigenous textiles—such as Ilocano Abel—into edgy, contemporary everyday wear.

Amami: A heritage jewelry label dedicated to reviving centuries-old pre-colonial Filipino metalwork and filigree techniques, translating traditional craftsmanship into modern gold heirlooms.