A closer look at Brad Pitt's Pinoy-made furniture

MANILA, Philippines - He's not an actor, director or producer, but Cebuano Kenneth Cobonpue has made it big in Hollywood.

The world renowned furniture designer's creations, known for mixing comfort, style and organic materials, have been featured in several films abroad such as Ocean's Thirteen led by George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon; Made of Honor starring Patrick Dempsey; and Spread top billed by Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche.

"The bar at Ocean's Thirteen was designed by Kenneth (Cobonpue)," Sheryl Pates, Cobonpue's marketing officer, told abs-cbnNEWS.com as she gave a tour of the designer's showroom in Cebu City.

Cobonpue's work was also seen in popular American television series CSI: Miami. But did you know that on top of all these, his pieces also made their way into the home of Hollywood's most popular couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?

Said to be an architecture enthusiast, Pitt earlier purchased some Cobonpue's red Dragnet lounge chairs for his new home.

The chair, made from polycotton fabric twisted around galvanized and powder-coated steel, is currently priced at P80,000 each, according to Pates.

Also making the rounds in media and blogs until today is the Voyage bed, which Pitt ordered for him and Jolie some 5 years ago.

Made from buri (palm leaf spines) and abaca, the bed costs around P100,000.

A crib has also been made for the Hollywood super couple's first biological child, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt.

Called the La Petit Voyage crib, it is made from rattan and nylon filament, creating a "cocoon where dreams are revealed."

"Kenneth (Cobonpue) always uses local, organic materials for his indoor furniture such as rattan, abaca and bamboo," Pates explained.

She continued, "His pieces always have a touch of nature to them."

With Pitt's support for the brand, Pates shared that Cobonpue's creations continue to attract more prominent figures in show business and other fields, both here and abroad.

He may not be a movie star or a champion boxer, but the Cebuano designer has certainly made his country proud.

Furniture photos by Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com. Designer's photo courtesy of kennethcobonpue.com.

E-mail the author at karen_flores@abs-cbn.com. Visit her blog at https://asliceofkeix.blogspot.com.