Floreia accessory brand makes waves in Europe

By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Nature Legacy’s fashion accessory arm—Floreia has made a positive entry to the European market, amid the depressed economic state across Europe.

In an interview with Floreia fashion accessory managing director Carlo Manuel Delantar, he said that the company’s thrust in providing nature-based products, is the primary tool why the company has sustained its lucrative stand in the European market.

Delantar said that while prices of fashion accessory products will not cost consumers a lot of money like furniture, take up for these kinds of export items is still growing.

The company largely uses recycled materials, such as paper, NuCast, stone cast, among others. These kinds of products are sellable in the European market, while consumers are already aware of patronizing “green” products and companies’ that are helping the environment.

At present, Floreia brand is enjoying growing demand from Spain, Paris, as well as Australia, Delantar said.

Significantly, the strong interest from Paris and Spain markets strengthened the company’s positive outlook at least this year.

According to Delantar the company has seen a double-digit growth starting this year, and it is seen to make stable stride at least within this year.

“Our growth has been stable starting this year. We already noticed the demand rebound since last year,” said Delantar in an interview.

The company uses 100 percent locally sourced raw materials for all its items in fashion accessory products.

“Our jewelry goes through a patented process wherein the raw materials are sourced from communities and are eventually brought to use. We take these materials and put them through a sustainable process that uses water-based binders. Having environmental awareness as our core value, we make sure that the entire process is eco-friendly,” said Delantar.

Earlier, the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, executive vice president Henry J. Schumacher said that although there is a crisis in Europe, it doesn’t mean that people don’t have money. “The market is there, nobody is broke.”

According to Schumacher the Philippines exporters including fashion accessories, among others is still seen to gain considerable market interest in the European market despite the ongoing financial woes, while manufacturers here are leading in providing sustainable green products.

Schumacher emphasized that Cebu exporters’ practice in green and sustainable operations provided them “immunity” to crisis stricken markets like Europe, as market continuous to grow demanding for high-end and green products.

Schumacher reiterated that the huge European market is still there, however, he warned that exporters will have to see where the market is heading. And introducing a certified eco-design is one of the effective niches the Philippines should take.

Aside from Europe, Schumacher also mentioned a good consumer base in eco-design products in China, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.

http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2013/06/25/958006/floreia-accessory-brand-makes-waves-europe