SUMMER 2013
F E AT U R E
Vista Alegre: A New American Chapter Added to a Storied Past Vista Alegre is hardly a new player in the tabletop field. The Portuguese manufacturer, one of the largest in the world, has been the toast of the finest European households since 1824 and touched down on our shores decades ago with a variety of distributors. But with the creation this year of its own U.S. subsidiary and a savvy U.S. president, Daniel Da Silva, Versailles
at the helm, the company is one to watch as it aggressively ascends to become a category leader in this market. Establishing its beachhead in America, Vista Alegre now occupies a 2,000-square-foot showroom at Forty One Madison on the 9th floor. It also has opened a 13,000-square-foot distribution facility in Fairfield, NJ, offering a Quick Ship program guaranteeing North American delivery of 500 SKUs within three to five business days; special orders are delivered within four to six weeks. “Vista Alegre is a worldwide leader in fine porcelain and crystal and is now bringing this global expertise to the U.S., supported by a strong customer service operations team,” said Da Silva. “Our distribution center and Quick Ship
Think
program will provide the pillars for excellent customer service. And as the center of the tabletop industry in this country, the Forty One Madison showroom provides us with the perfect window into the retail world.” Then there’s the product: The range of designs is extensive – including classic, neotraditional and contemporary styles – satisfying nearly every consumer taste and aesthetic. Superlative quality is in the brand’s DNA, and it’s a
Oxford
trait that extends into the company’s strong array of crystal and giftware offerings, as well. One other step the company has taken that promises to make a splash not only with the American market but also globally is a collaboration with Christian Lacroix Maison. It has yielded a porcelain series with all the markings of a fashion-for-the-table coup. “This is an exciting time for us,” said Da Silva. “We’re beginning a new chapter in the history of Vista Alegre and are looking forward to great success with both American retail partners and consumers.”
On the Cover:
From the Christian Lacroix Collection, a mix of Picassiette, Sol y Sombra, and Fórum
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Magnolia Leaf – Dragonfly
SEMINAR
Tabletop’s Stake in Family Mealtime Whether serving a home-cooked feast or fast food takeout, put it on your dinnerware. Setting the table makes a statement and sends a message that family interaction is important. That was the consensus of the Breakfast Seminar panelists who spoke passionately yet realistically about the challenges facing today’s households – and the tabletop industry. Some of the key takeaways from the session:
“The more family activities you can center on mealtime – preparation, setting the table, eating together, cleanup – the better the dynamic. You may not be able to do it every day, but make it a priority and instill the rituals while children are young and try and commit to them as regularly as possible without stressing out or feeling guilty.”
Stephen Scoble, creative director, Food & Wine; Isabelle von Boch, Villeroy & Boch; Laurie Burns; Emma Mustich, Huffington Post “Table Talk” blogger; Laureen Barber, design director, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
– Laureen Barber “At Huffington Post, we advocate family dinners, but it doesn’t have to be a huge task – it’s about the time spent together. And, no technology at the table helps teach people to engage with one another. Even for myself, I always put my meal on a plate. It’s depressing to eat out of a takeout container.” – Emma Mustich “The culture of mealtime needs protection in the U.S. Eating on the run…snacking (there’s not even a German or French word for snacks!)…electronic devices…these are threats to what takes place at the table, which is learning social skills – how to speak to each other, have eye contact, and connect with one another. It’s not so much about the food, it’s about the emotional connection, and tableware adds to that.” – Isabelle von Boch “I agree there’s value in family mealtime as a place where memories are made – and it’s one more important reason for bringing the family and friends to the table. When you make the effort to set the table beautifully it expresses that you care, makes those at the
Isabelle von Boch and audience member Lord Piers Wedgwood
table feel good and appreciated.” – Stephen Scoble
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SHOWROOMS
The Forty One Scene PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Rudy “Scooter” Mosny of Q Squared is an eco-commuter to his company’s Forty One Madison showroom. At BIA Cordon Bleu Greg Yakaitis and Paul Baughman met with Niki Crow and Becky Brunkema of Meijer. Georg Simon and Shannon Merson, Crystal House International, greeted Tori Schofield of Linen Chest. The Editor At Large, co-sponsor of Interior Designer Day, filmed with segment host Tori Mellott as Ercuis owner Michel Rouget explained to interior designer Alex Papachristidis the history of the fine silver brand. See the videos as Alex toured some of his favorite Forty One showrooms at www.editortv.com. Reed & Barton is once again collaborating with well-known interior designer Thomas O’Brien (center) and the result is the “Heritage” collection. He gave a sneak peek to Forty One Madison executives Samantha Rudin Earls and Bill Rudin. Wegmans Food Markets buyers John Watt and Elaine Berg made Tzeng Shyng a stop, where Kevin Newman showed them all that’s new. The Home Shopping Network team gathered at Gibson Overseas to nail down details for selling the dinnerware collection by Ingrid Hoffmann of Food Network’s “Simply Delicioso” fame. HSN’s Katie Rapport and Allyson Holt surround Hoffmann alongside Sal Gabbay. Gourmet Settings president Hildy Abrams worked with MYHABIT.com buyer Sania Davis. Headed into a meeting at Hampton Forge: Jillian Kukelka, Macy’s flatware buyer, and company owner Felix Amar.
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NEW YORK TABLETOP SHOW ® I OCTOBER 15 – 18, 2013 I APRIL 22 – 25, 2014
SHOWROOMS
PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Dianne Murphy, president of Martin’s Herend Imports, and Michael Scully, Scully & Scully. Kohl’s VP housewares Scott Kolsky and tabletop buyer Amy Terzynski were ready to get down to business with Homer Laughlin VP of sales & marketing Rich Brinkman. Deb Friedman, owner of New York Citybased la Terrine, met with Vietri’s Holli Draughn. At The Jay Companies, Melissa Schwartz (second from right), VP of sales, worked with the Macy’s team including Sarah Hartman, Lynn Canfield and Anne de Barcza. Xavier Barquissau, sales & marketing director for Odiot, and Julia Watts wowed Michael C. Fina’s Meryl Gold and Jenny Lim with the “no-home-should-be-without-it” gold caviar serving set. Interior designer Jamie Drake joined L’Objet founder Elad Yifrach as the company took the Market week partying to new heights with a rooftop soirée at the Gramercy Park Hotel. John Teilborg, VP sales, Lauren Ralph Lauren, worked with Dillard’s Cari Coffman and Lacy Champagne. Laurie Gates and QVCers Cheryl Baiocchi and Mark Callahan. Wedding planner extraordinaire Sharon Sacks showed Macy’s Kristen Lowe the new dinnerware she has designed for Lenox. Libbey’s Greg Pax met with Tish DeHoyos and Tom Suchenski from Texas-based supermarket chain H-E-B.
NEW YORK GIFT SHOW
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AUGUST 17 – 21, 2013
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F E B U R A RY 1 – 5 , 2 0 1 4
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SHOWROOMS
The Forty One Scene PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: Lladró EVP Alex Caceres and Macy’s Nevia Klaric prepared to do business. The JCPenney team was the toast of Luigi Bormioli whose national sales manager Phil Kessler met with Steven D’lorio, Ashley D’Antonio, Jamie Hayes and Leslie Clark. Helene Branisel (second from right), director of tabletop sales for Meyer Corporation, showed the Rachael Ray collection to Libby Casey, Laura Kintop and John Larkin from kohls.com. Tom Blumenthal, CEO of Gearys Beverly Hills, Wendy Kvalheim, president of Mottahedeh, and Hutton Wilkinson, president and artistic director, Tony Duquette. Gearys is the first to launch the newly developed dinnerware inspired by Duquette, the legendary Hollywood film and stage set designer. Tiffany & Co. stopped in at Nikko’s 22nd floor showroom where Tage Strom and Kenji Anzai walked Jennie Nyulasi, Nancy Franks and Kathryn Pilotti through the space and product introductions. Oneida executives Kevin Sullivan and Ross Patterson learned more about a dynamic new collection created for the company by Norwegian designer Per Finne. Andy Pickard Morgan of Pickard was seeing red (banded dinnerware, that is) with John Weeth and Gina Kwun of Gump’s. The Bowl Company’s Bob Dumont and Allison Bertorelli enjoyed the hospitality of Wendy Motlaq of Portmeirion Group at the company’s after-hours reception. The star power of TV’s Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi could be felt at the Prima Design showroom where she met with retailers, including Gilt.com’s décor & tabletop buyer Valerie Dierker. Bertrand Raynaud of Raynaud was on hand in the DeVine Corporation showroom with Sara DeVine to greet Jeannine Dal Pra of Elements, the Chicago-based specialty store.
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NEW YORK TABLETOP SHOW ® I OCTOBER 15 – 18, 2013 I APRIL 22 – 25, 2014
Brent D. Smith of Décor Mart, Bangkok, Thailand, met with Ralph Lauren Home executive Nicholas Manville. Peter Darling, Bluck’s, Bermuda, Nathalie Banessy, Ercuis, and Tim DeVine, DeVine Corporation.
SHOWROOMS
PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT:
Ron Allison of Miss Jackson’s liked the vibrant colored glass designs that Alan Zalayet, CEO and managing director of Eisch USA was showing. It was a family affair at Riedel with Georg Riedel, Bill Rudin, Maximilian Riedel, Michael Rudin and Eric Rudin gathering for a true “photo op.” Teresa Lundhal (far right), founder and designer of Mateus, and brand rep Brenna Goldberg, of Home Essentials, met the UncommonGoods team: Morgan Tanner and Candace Holloway. The Café was a hot spot for meeting and refueling thanks to Bridal Guide, which served up bites and beverages. Michael Wainwright showed his new designs to Bloomingdale’s Lara Pollack and Emily Hull-Martin. Olivier Pechou helped shed light on the exciting new Saint Louis Crystal lighting designs for The New York Times’ T Magazine design editor Pilar Viladas. Forty One Madison’s visiting guest journalist and confessed Tervis fan Jane Dagmi and Rainer Kuhn, national director of sales, toasted the fanciful, practical drinkware. Sue Rosen of London Jewelers worked with April Durham, managing director, Seguso.
NEW YORK GIFT SHOW
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AUGUST 17 – 21, 2013
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F E B U R A RY 1 – 5 , 2 0 1 4
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D O E R ’ S
P R O F I L E :
PROFILE
Lester Gribetz Lester Gribetz is a
nearly 20 years until
kingpin of the tabletop—
forming his own consul-
and retail—industries.
tancy in 1992. In 2009,
This year marks his 60th
he was named President
in the “biz,” having jump-
of Lenox Corporation,
started his career in
where he’s been instru-
the training program
mental in adding to the
at Bloomingdale’s,
company’s portfolio with
rising to become its
prestige brands such as
VP of Home within
Donna Karan, Kate
10 years and then its
Spade and Marchesa.
Vice Chairman for
What china pattern/brand do you use in your home?
What’s the last book you read?
I have about eight different
I just finished The Patriarch
sets, but I primarily use Lenox’s “Tin Can Alley” bone china, Muriel Grateau’s ceramics (she’s an acclaimed
Weil, and Bette Midler. OK, that’s seven, but I’ve got to include a woman.”
Parisian jewelry and tableware designer) and Jasper Conran at Wedgwood White. If you could host a dinner party for six famous guests—living or dead —who would you invite? Though he’s passed, my mentor former Bloomingdale’s Chairman Marvin Traub, its
What’s the last gift you purchased for someone, and the occasion? For my architect for his wedding, he and his partner registered for Donna Karan Matte & Shine, so I gave them the dinnerware, glassware and flatware.
President Bill Clinton, Leonard Lauder, even
What is your favorite getaway destination and why?
though I work with him every day my boss
St. Barts, because of the great beaches,
current Chairman Michael Gould, former
great weather, great food and it absolutely takes me away from what I normally do every day. 8
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about Joseph P. Kennedy
Peter Cameron, wellness expert Dr. Andrew
by David Nasaw. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? There’s no other profession I’d like more than retailing and marketing, though I originally studied and have my degree in clinical psychology. What one thing about you might surprise others? I own and drive a 2002 Maranello Ferrari – in shocking red!
ICONIC DESIGNS
TABLE’S TOPS ICONIC DESIGNS OF THE DECADES
For this first-time Tableaux salute to the longevity and vitality of exceptional tabletop designs, we throw the spotlight on the Francis I sterling pattern from Reed & Barton.
It was introduced more than a century ago, in
Reed & Barton. The motif features 15 different
Bombay where it next was carried 800 miles
1906, and is named for the 16th century French
fruit and flower designs, each handle incorpo-
inland by train, 400 miles by mules and the
monarch who vigorously supported the arts and
rating one of these exquisite compositions.
final 100 miles on the backs of the Maharajah’s
is credited with sparking the French Renaissance.
Francis I remains a signature of the brand.
carriers. Also, President Harry Truman and
A few anecdotal factoids to feast upon: In
guests dined aboard the presidential yacht with
1924, the Maharaja of Barwani in East India
his set of Francis I, and the Eisenhowers used
purchased more than $1 million worth of the
it at their Gettysburg farm. An enduring classic
pattern for his dinner service. The order
that will never go out of style, Francis I remains
What was achieved is forever a phenomenon.
shipped in small packages that made the
a top-selling pattern that since 2000 alone
Francis I is rich in detail and character and
trek from Reed & Barton’s Massachusetts
has represented $18 million in sales for
underscores the unparalleled craftsmanship of
foundry to New York, then to Liverpool and
Reed & Barton.
Reed & Barton commissioned Ernest Meyers, a French silversmith whose vision was to create a pattern that could rival the ornate metalwork of Francis I’s court artist, Benvenuto Cellini.
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LOBBY
What’s
KNOT To Like?
The Knot took charge of setting the Lobby Tables during The New York Tabletop Market – and it was a compelling scene to be seen,
The Knot editor in chief Rebecca Dolgin and contributing editor Sarah Newell Johnson.
loaded with inspiration. Kate Spade New York “Crown Point”
White & Flirty
White-on-white with touches of crystal and platinum proved to be an enchanting, irresistible visual treat. The setting incorporated Ralph Lauren Home “Durant” chargers, Kate Spade New York “Larabee Road” dinnerware, Two Of A Kind “Ours” decanter, and “Crown Point” crystal frame, Mikasa “Love Story” dinnerware, Marchesa by Lenox “Pleated Swirl” flatware, Riedel “O” glasses, Vera Wang Home Décor “Orient” candlesticks, Reed & Barton “Weston” candlesticks, and Anchor Hocking “Isabella” cake stand. Paper wall was by Bohemian Bloom.
Riedel “O”
Vera Wang Home Décor “Orient”
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LOBBY
Sambonet “H-Art”
Art Deco Glam A design era that continually resonates, Art Deco evokes opulent dining and a glamorous lifestyle. To create this setting: Michael Wainwright “New Rochelle” chargers, Lenox “Minstrel Gold” dinnerware, Vista Alegre Christian Lacroix salad plates and “Versailles” tureen & creamer, Marchesa by Lenox “Imperial Caviar Gold” flutes, Noritake “Palais Black” goblets, Sambonet “H-Art” flatware, William Yeoward Crystal “Lottie” salt cellars, and Fiesta pitcher.
Fiesta “Disc Pitcher”
Marchesa by Lenox “Imperial Caviar Gold”
Emerald Fantasy
Inspired by Pantone’s jewel tone color of the year, this glorious setting could cause a serious case of envy. On the table: Sophie Conran for Portmeirion “White Oak” dinnerware, Dansk “Torq” wood paddle servers, Villeroy & Boch “Cottage” light green stemware, Waterford “Lismore” aquamarine flutes, Michael Aram “Golden Pear” salt & pepper and “Tree of Life” candlesticks, Oneida “Diameter” flatware, and Nambé “Anvil Petal” centerpiece bowl.
Michael Aram “Golden Pear”
Dansk “Torq”
Sophie Conran for Portmeirion “White Oak”
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NEW YORK TABLETOP MARKET® October 15 – 18, 2013 April 22 – 25, 2014
41 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010-2202 212-686-1203 www.41madison.com A RUDIN BUILDING
NEW YORK GIFT SHOW August 17 – 21, 2013 February 1 – 5, 2014 (dates subject to change) Laurie Burns Senior Vice President, Director
Stay connected with Forty One Madison www.41madison.com
Donna Squillace has joined Forty One Madison as Buyer Services Representative.
Note From Laurie This April Show’s seminar discussing “Tabletop’s Stake in Family Mealtime” was hot, just like the show itself, and sparked some thoughtful dialogue. Read all about it on page 3. Hopefully it imparts something to help your business. Bullish retailers were here, seeing product launches that are giving consumers what they say they want. Never have the concepts “mix ‘n’ match,” “open stock,” and “custom” been more prevalent. This amazing, creative industry is yet again proactive to ever-changing lifestyles. Residential design projects, hotel remodels and new restaurant openings are on the uptick. Bridal registry was about price point and was optimistic. If you attended, you felt the positive vibe. It doesn’t get better than that.
Laurie Burns
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