MANILA, Philippines – Lamina 2025, a curated art and lifestyle fair, puts artistry, innovation, and heritage at the center stage from May 2 to 4 at the Grand Ballroom of City of Dreams Manila.
Lamina, an anagram for Manila, sees some of the country’s top visual artists and designers at the visual arts fair, which also involves lifestyle, fashion, sustainability, and cultural advocacy.
Additionally, the fair brings together artists and artisans whose work merges traditional techniques with forward-thinking design and aesthetics.
With the who’s who of the industry, Lamina is expected to be filled with visual showcases coupled with inventive ideas. Here are some more things to expect.
Couture showcase
Positioning itself as a platform for circular economy practices, the event mixes community-based production and high fashion through the “Luminous Threads,” an art couture show that looks to turn fine art into wearable and immersive experiences.
Patis Tesoro, a prominent figure in Filipiniana fashion, banners the show. Tesoro is known for her collaboration with French textile artist Francis Dravigny, who reinterprets heritage fabrics through a contemporary couture lens.
The fair also features artist Anna Orlina’s glass sculptures, using her work as the foundation for sculptural fashion pieces. They’re highlighted by gradient silhouettes, luminous forms, and runway pieces that reflect the interplay of light, and structure — an echo of Orlina’s signature approach to shaping glass with movement and clarity.
Additionally, Lamina spotlights inclusive expression by collaborating with contemporary visual artist Bea Policarpio and Best Buddies Philippines, a nonprofit that supports creatives with developmental disabilities.
Immersive art and design
In what is seen to be an immersive experience for art lovers, the Orlina Art Car Pavilion, in partnership with Museo Orlina, debuts a new glass-and-paint collaboration between Ramon Orlina and Dominic Rubio, featuring a one-of-a-kind art car and hand-painted Vespas that fuse artistic craftsmanship with automotive design.
Meanwhile, the Wearable Art Jewelry Collection showcases handcrafted pieces by renowned artists Ramon Orlina, Helena Alegre, Maria Magdamit, Marge Organo, Arnel Papa, and Hoseki Manila, with designs by Knoi Esmane and Faico, to highlight the beauty of jewelry craftsmanship.
The Sculpture and Functional Art Pavilion also showcases works by Jik Villanueva, Richard Buxani, Jinggoy Salcedo, Agi Pagkatipunan, and others. Each piece blends design, cultural identity, functionality, storytelling, and nature.
Over at the Paintings Pavilion, featured artists like Nikulas Lebajo, Bullet Dematera, and Kara Pangilinan interpret the visual language of Patis Tesoro through their original works.
Vision and art conversations for a cause
Panels and talks about circular practices in art and fashion also stand at the forefront of the event through Art in Conversation on Day 2, when the floor is opened for public consumption.
There’s a benefit auction that will support Mangrove Restoration via UP Marine Sciences and the Weave for Peace initiative by HARVEST Creative Hubs.
Live sketching and painting by master artists and other artisans also serve as highlights for Day 3, in which proceeds will be donated to Best Buddies Philippines.
Tickets for May 3 and 4 are available at the venue. – Rappler.com