It’s the kind of thing you do, or would want to do, when you reach a point of despondency or elation; throwing caution to the wind, channeling your inner gypsy, unmindful of unsolicited opinions, wallowing in either personal mire or simply celebrating a kind of affirmation and freedom. The circus has always been a good place to be.

Cobonpue himself, in his talk as the fair’s first Asian Designer of the Year, held the audience in awe as he enumerated the various inspirations that gave birth to his designs.

So when Kenneth Cobonpue decided to unleash a circus-themed showcase with his most recent collection, it seemed to signal a giddy triumph not just for the designer himself but for Philippine design as well.

The significance of Cobonpue’s prestigious anointing resonates all around design circles, signaling yet another upward thrust in Philippine design efforts.

This aptly came on the heels of yet another honour reaped by Cobonpue, being lauded as the Designer of the Year 2014 at Maison&Objet Asia. The design fair, whose original Paris edition has long been considered among the top ten design fairs in the world, opened its doors to Asia, hosted by Singapore in March of this year. The significance of Cobonpue’s prestigious anointing resonates around design circles, signaling an upward thrust in Philippine design efforts in the international market.

Find out more about Kenneth Cobonpue in this exclusive feature in the eighth volume of Philippine Tatler Homes, available in leading newsstands and bookstores. Download the digital version on your device via Magzter and Zinio.