Kenneth Cobonpue (born December 16, 1968) is a Filipino industrial designer known for his unique designs integrating natural materials through innovative handmade production processes. He began his design career after his studies in Industrial Design in New York, which led him to apprenticeships and further studies in Italy and Germany.
Cobonpue pioneered the integration of design, manufacturing, and global distribution as well as branding in Cebu, operating from his headquarters on the island.
Awards to his credit include Hong Kong's Design for Asia Award, the Japan Good Design Award, the American Society of Interior Designers Selection, the French Coup de Coeur Award, and the first Asian Designer of the Year title given by the
Maison et Objet
Maison et Objet is a major French trade fair for interior design. Held bi-annually in Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, it has been described as "among the 3 most important European events for interior design ... a huge collection of innova ...
in Paris.
Cobonpue designs have appeared in full-length films such as ''Ocean's 13'' and ''CSI Miami'' while his roster of clientele includes Hollywood celebrities and members of royalty like
Queen Sofía of Spain,
Queen Rania of Jordan
Rania Al-Abdullah ( ar, رانيا العبد الله, ; born Rania Al-Yassin, 31 August 1970) is Queen of Jordan as the wife of King Abdullah II.
Rania was born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents. She received her bachelor's degree in busi ...
, and former couple
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie (; born Angelina Jolie Voight; June 4, 1975) is an American actress, filmmaker, humanitarian and former Special Envoy to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award ...
and
Brad Pitt.
TIME Magazine
''Time'' (stylized in all caps) is an American news magazine based in New York City. For nearly a century, it was published weekly, but starting in March 2020 it transitioned to every other week. It was first published in New York City on Ma ...
has called him “rattan’s first great virtuoso."
Career
Interior Crafts of the Islands, Inc. (I.C.I)
After a series of further studies and apprentices abroad, Kenneth moved back to Cebu in 1996 to help manage their family business founded by his mother in 1972. Upon managing the business, Kenneth discovered that by the use of natural fibers and materials as a medium, modern design could have a new face.
NEDA Region 7 chair
In March 2017, Cobonpue was appointed by President
Rodrigo Duterte as chairperson of the
National Economic and Development Authority
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA; fil, Pambansang Pangasiwaan sa Kabuhayan at Pagpapaunlad) is an independent cabinet-level agency of the Philippine government responsible for economic development and planning. It is headed ...
Regional Development Council for
Central Visayas
Central Visayas ( ceb, Tunga-tungang Kabisay-an; tl, Gitnang Kabisayaan) is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VII. It consists of four provinces: (Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor) and thr ...
.
Timeline of collections
![Kenneth Cobonpue 2021 stamp of Philippines](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Kenneth_Cobonpue_2021_stamp_of_Philippines.jpg)
*1980 – ''Lotus'' (patented)
*1998 – ''Yin Yang'' – Cobonpue's first design.
*1999 – ''Balou''
*2000 – ''Pigalle, La Luna''
*2001 – ''Voyage''
*2002 – ''Yoda, Croissant, Kabuki, Lulu''
*2003 – ''Tilt, Matilda, Amaya, Dimple, Lolita, Terra''
*2004 – ''Chiquita, Lolah, Wave, Pirouette''
*2005 – ''Stitches, Retaso, Suzy Wong, Kawayan''
*2006 – ''Dragnet, Dimsum, Link''
*2007 – ''Kawayan Too, Manolo''
*2008 – ''Oasis, Noodle, Bouquet, Operetta''
*2009 – ''Bloom, Harry, Hagia, Freya, Nobu, Vaña''
*2010 – ''Rapunzel, Ima, Juniper, Ziggy''
*2011 – ''Cabaret, Papillion, Mermaid,Dream Catcher, Pebble, Giza, Enoki, Tria''
*2012 – ''Eclipse, Tropez, Zaza, Kaja, Parchment Table, Annika''
*2013 – ''Parchment, Calyx, Adesso, Trame, Papillion Swing''
*2018 – ''
Star Wars Collection'' – in collaboration with the Disney Company Philippines
Other appearances
*International Design Yearbook 2005 (Lawrence King Publishing House of London) curated by
Marcel Wanders
Marcel Wanders (2 July 1963) is a Dutch designer, and art director in the Marcel Wanders studio in Amsterdam, who designs architectural, interior and industrial projects.
Life
Born in Boxtel, Wanders graduated cum laude from the Hogeschool v ...
*International Design Yearbook 2004 (Lawrence King Publishing House of London) curated by
Tom Dixon Tom or Tommy Dixon may refer to:
*Tom Dixon (American football) (born 1961), American football player
* Tom Dixon (catcher) (1906–1982), Negro league baseball catcher
* Tom Dixon (pitcher) (born 1955), Major League Baseball pitcher
* Tom Dixon (C ...
*International Design Yearbook 2002 (Lawrence King Publishing House of London) curated by
Ross Lovegrove
Ross Lovegrove (born 1958 in Cardiff, Wales) is a Welsh artist and industrial designer.
Biography
Ross Lovegrove was born in Wales in 1958. He studied at Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan University), graduating with a Fi ...
.
*Tropical Living and Tropical Interiors both by Elizabeth Reyes (Periplus Editions) 2002
*New Bedroom Design, 2004 (Daab GmbH) by
Marcel Wanders
Marcel Wanders (2 July 1963) is a Dutch designer, and art director in the Marcel Wanders studio in Amsterdam, who designs architectural, interior and industrial projects.
Life
Born in Boxtel, Wanders graduated cum laude from the Hogeschool v ...
2005
*1000 New Designs and Where to Find Them, 2006 (Laurence King Publishing, Ltd.)by
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Kate Hudson (born September 12, 1981), also known by her nickname J.Hud, is an American singer, actress, and talk show host. Throughout her career, she has received various accolades for her works in recorded music, film, televisio ...
Tropical Interiors, 2002'', (Periplus Editions HK) by Elizabeth Reyes. Pages 93–97
*Design Now!, 2007 (Taschen GmbH) by Charlotte & Peter Fiell
*Simply Material, 2007, (Viction:Workshop Limited) by Victor Cheung
*Fork, 2007 (Phaidon Press) by Tom Dixon
*Phaidon's new 2007 book, "& FORK," underscores his leading position in the industry.
*Appearance in European television including Deutsche Welle and Dutch TV
*“The Voyager” – “Never gonna leave this Bed” music video by Maroon 5 , January 29, 2011
*International magazines:
#Wallpaper
#Newsweek
#TIME Magazine July 2006 ISSN 0040-781X
*Newspapers: The Washington Post and Shanghai Daily News
*“Ocean’s Thirteen”
*“CSI: Miami”
Other Media Magazines featuring Kenneth Cobonpue
References
Travel+Leisure Magazine (October 2009)
[Movement 8]
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cobonpue, Kenneth
Living people
Filipino designers
People from Cebu City
1968 births
Duterte administration personnel