Features

Kenneth Cobonpue

31 May 2011

When Brad Pitt purchased Kenneth Cobonpue’s Voyage Canopy bed, this Filipino furniture designer immediately got global attention. His sleek and modern but environmentally friendly pieces are seen on the set of the movie Ocean’s 13 and his fans include Queen Rania of Jordan. MAIDA PINEDA caught up with this jet-setting, world-class furniture designer as he returned home to Cebu from Milan, with his suitcase barely unpacked.

You made waves in Italy unveiling the Phoenix, the first and only car made from bamboo and rattan. Can you explain?

It was the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the largest decoration trade fair in the world. This is the biggest event Milan has. Even the fashion houses participate. We had an exhibition outside of the fair for a week, where we launched the car. We got very good reception and a lot of press. 

How often do you travel to trade shows and exhibitions?

It’s almost like four to five months in a year. This is the European one. Next month is one in New York. In September, there’s another one in Europe again.

Are there certain destinations you keep returning to, whether for business or pleasure?

When it’s for business, it’s not as enjoyable anymore. It used to be that Paris was such a magical city, now it’s just like hotel room to exhibition hall to hotel room to exhibition hall. But I try to go to a new country every year just for fun. Last year, I was in Turkey for about two weeks. The previous year I was in Nepal. I was with a group of friends who were into photography. This year we are thinking of covering Havana, Cuba.

How do you make the hotel room feel homey?

We try to come home earlier in the evenings, just to enjoy the hotels. I try to stay in nice boutique hotels with great interiors. It’s very important in my line of work to be exposed to these things.

Is there any boutique hotel that you have stayed at and found astounding for its design?

There is a cave hotel – Serinn House in Cappadocia, Turkey. It has all the modern amenities and great service. It has only six rooms. The hotel is carved into the mountain, a formation caused by volcanic movement. It’s very organic.

Are there any travel essentials you can’t live without?

I need magazines to keep myself busy on the airplanes. I don’t really watch movies in the cinema or at home, so I catch up on movies on the plane. Onboard entertainment is so important for me.

I try to go to the gym before the flight. Long flights are tiring, sitting in the same position for many hours. So I always make sure I have my running shoes and gym shorts with me in my carry-on. I’ve managed to squeeze in some time for the gym, even in the airports.

Kenneth Cobonpue

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