Interview by: Katrina Manalo (what's posted here is only a glimpse of my whole interview with Kenneth Cobonpue. For more details on this interview, please send me a message. Thanks.)
The renowned Philippine designer from Cebu, Kenneth Cobonpue, has introduced his prolific and aesthetic design creations last 1st April 2009 at Hermon & Hermon Richmond.
How does it feel like when people come up to you and tell you positive feedback from your designs?
It feels good of course. It is humbling, it feels good when people appreciate my work. It is my passion, my imagination, my inspiration that all came into life and when people appreciate that, I enjoy it of course.
Curiously, how do you do those weaving techniques in your furniture?
Actually, those things are from us Filipinos. We have a long history of weaving and we always try to innovate and try to develop new materials then process them.
Are all of those handcrafted or do you use machines?
We sometimes use machines for the wood but most of them are handcrafted.
How about for the entire collection?
It’ll take upto 2 years. We wait until we get to perfect the prototypes that we have made.
And was there a time when you had to scrap out a design because it was just not working well or it didn’t turn out the way it should?
Many times. For every furniture that you see here, there are about 2 or maybe 3 that has been scrapped.
Out of those two years that you had to do the design?
Yes, for every design that you see here, there’s probably 2 that did not make it.
Your popularity has raised confidence in our furniture making industry in the Philippines. What steps have you taken to spread and uphold this industry in the future? Where do you see this industry going 5-10 years from now?
You know, it is undergoing a very tough time. There’s the competition from China and Vietnam. But I think people need to look at the design and I think for so long we’ve just been making designs for other company, which is another brand. So now that they choose to go to other countries, it is very hard for us now because we do not have our own identity. So what I try to do is always try to create like a modern Filipino design for the Philippines, make my own designs and make my own identity.
...And wait we will for the comeback of Kenneth Cobonpue here in Melbourne, Australia. I highly encourage everyone to stop by and have a look at the famous designs of our kababayan, Kenneth Cobonpue here in Melbourne showcased at Hermon & Hermon located at 556 Swan St Richmond.
The renowned Philippine designer from Cebu, Kenneth Cobonpue, has introduced his prolific and aesthetic design creations last 1st April 2009 at Hermon & Hermon Richmond.
Kenneth Cobonpue has been described as rattan’s “first great virtuoso” by Time Magazine. In addition, he is recognized as the leader of the “new contemporary Filipino design collective.”
His works has been recognized all over the world from his handcrafted pieces found in the movie ‘Oceans Thirteen’, in Nobu restaurants, in high-class hotels at Beverly Hills, London and Dubai and in the prominent International Design Yearbook.
During the rest of Kenneth Cobonpue’s stay in Melbourne, I was able to attend his design launch at Hermon & Hermon and to also have an interview with the man behind those wonderful designs:
Last night was the debut of your collection at the Hermon & Hermon here in Melbourne. How do you feel about it? How do you find Melbourne and what kind of reception did the Melbournians gave to your work?
I think it’s nice, there was more than 200 people at the reception and its my first time here in Australia and I like it here because the weather is good. It’s perfect for the things that I do. Plus its very warm here and friendly.
I think it’s nice, there was more than 200 people at the reception and its my first time here in Australia and I like it here because the weather is good. It’s perfect for the things that I do. Plus its very warm here and friendly.
Where do you actually get inspiration from?
A lot of it came from nature; they are my source of inspiration because nature has undergone many developments over thousands of years. Out of nature is where you can get the best ideas from.
A lot of it came from nature; they are my source of inspiration because nature has undergone many developments over thousands of years. Out of nature is where you can get the best ideas from.
Being green and earth-friendly has been fast becoming a trend nowadays particularly here in Melbourne where everyone has been making individual differences in taking care of our nature. Your designs are made from natural and organic materials and they are hand-crafted to make wonderful creations. Do you think this has been one of the reasons why so many of your clients got attracted to your work and so many award-giving bodies have given accreditation and credentials to your designs?
Yes, of course. Actually Filipino furniture, because we use natural materials, ever since we have always been earth-friendly. Even before we knew what the word meant. We have always been environmentally-friendly. It’s just more conscious now when things are processed and developed, I’m really sensitive to the environment.
Yes, of course. Actually Filipino furniture, because we use natural materials, ever since we have always been earth-friendly. Even before we knew what the word meant. We have always been environmentally-friendly. It’s just more conscious now when things are processed and developed, I’m really sensitive to the environment.
How does it feel like when people come up to you and tell you positive feedback from your designs?
It feels good of course. It is humbling, it feels good when people appreciate my work. It is my passion, my imagination, my inspiration that all came into life and when people appreciate that, I enjoy it of course.
Curiously, how do you do those weaving techniques in your furniture?
Actually, those things are from us Filipinos. We have a long history of weaving and we always try to innovate and try to develop new materials then process them.
Are all of those handcrafted or do you use machines?
We sometimes use machines for the wood but most of them are handcrafted.
Looking at the yoda bed for example or the yoda chair, how long does it take to make one furniture like those? From design to prototype.
The designing can take upto two years, but doing the furniture, for example, can take about 2 weeks.
The designing can take upto two years, but doing the furniture, for example, can take about 2 weeks.
How about for the entire collection?
It’ll take upto 2 years. We wait until we get to perfect the prototypes that we have made.
And was there a time when you had to scrap out a design because it was just not working well or it didn’t turn out the way it should?
Many times. For every furniture that you see here, there are about 2 or maybe 3 that has been scrapped.
Out of those two years that you had to do the design?
Yes, for every design that you see here, there’s probably 2 that did not make it.
All your furniture are one-of-a-kind (like the Yoda chair, Wave dining table, Pigalle easy indoor armchair and many more) in a way that it stands out from the usual and contemporary designs out there. Where do you get those names from?
Ah, sometimes it’s very obvious like the collection that I have that’s called Little People. Sometimes it is obvious sometimes it is less obvious. So it can be from an inspiration and sometimes we ask people on what this particular piece reminds them of.
Ah, sometimes it’s very obvious like the collection that I have that’s called Little People. Sometimes it is obvious sometimes it is less obvious. So it can be from an inspiration and sometimes we ask people on what this particular piece reminds them of.
Your popularity has raised confidence in our furniture making industry in the Philippines. What steps have you taken to spread and uphold this industry in the future? Where do you see this industry going 5-10 years from now?
You know, it is undergoing a very tough time. There’s the competition from China and Vietnam. But I think people need to look at the design and I think for so long we’ve just been making designs for other company, which is another brand. So now that they choose to go to other countries, it is very hard for us now because we do not have our own identity. So what I try to do is always try to create like a modern Filipino design for the Philippines, make my own designs and make my own identity.
Have you encountered challenges in your field that pushed you to do better in your forte’?
There has been a lot of challenges there’s competition, there’s the price and with the materials we use, education actually is needed with the materials that we use like the abaca, bamboo, rattan -- they don’t know what it is. To them it is all the same bamboo furniture. So its education and then second would be the price, they don’t know the amount of labour that goes in it. So they have to know what they are paying for and the difference between good quality and the standard quality. Because it is Filipino-made, it is better made, better quality, better design. So it has to be higher from the ones from Indonesia, Vietnam or China.
And lastly, do we get to see more of your famous designs and collection sometime soon here in Melbourne like the Voyage bed, Croissant chair, the Balou collection, Oasis love seat or the lolah collection?
Oh yeah, I think I’ll come back in the next two years or so.
There has been a lot of challenges there’s competition, there’s the price and with the materials we use, education actually is needed with the materials that we use like the abaca, bamboo, rattan -- they don’t know what it is. To them it is all the same bamboo furniture. So its education and then second would be the price, they don’t know the amount of labour that goes in it. So they have to know what they are paying for and the difference between good quality and the standard quality. Because it is Filipino-made, it is better made, better quality, better design. So it has to be higher from the ones from Indonesia, Vietnam or China.
And lastly, do we get to see more of your famous designs and collection sometime soon here in Melbourne like the Voyage bed, Croissant chair, the Balou collection, Oasis love seat or the lolah collection?
Oh yeah, I think I’ll come back in the next two years or so.
...And wait we will for the comeback of Kenneth Cobonpue here in Melbourne, Australia. I highly encourage everyone to stop by and have a look at the famous designs of our kababayan, Kenneth Cobonpue here in Melbourne showcased at Hermon & Hermon located at 556 Swan St Richmond.
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