TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com
INTERNATIONAL
Month: January/February 2024
Issue: 6
Volume: 145
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HELİX GLORY Our Helix Glory Collection, which stands out with its intense blue anddeep brown colour tones, accompanies your creative presentations. It adds a uniqueatmosphere to the collection with its elegant linear texture and unique details.
bybone.innovation
www.bybone.com
info@bybone.com.tr
Tableware Team EDITOR MAIREAD WILMOT mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk
INTERNATIONAL
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PUBLISHER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk
MANAGING DIRECTOR MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk
CHAIRMAN MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk
Published by Lema Publishing Ltd. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness Berkhamsted Herts HP4 2UB Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442 289930 www.tablewareinternational.com
Front cover supplied by Zwiesel Glas For more information see the website zwiesel-glas.com/professional
TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com
INTERNATIONAL
Month: January/February 2024
Issue: 6
Volume: 145
TableWare elcome to the first Tableware International of 2024 – our Ambiente preview issue – arguably, my favourite of the year. The buzz at the beginning of a new season is infectious, we have a myriad of trade shows featuring lots of new innovations and, of course, the Tableware International Awards of Excellence take place during Ambiente. Everyone is invited to attend the showcase which sees a panel of international judges award some of the best in the business. But back to the magazine at hand – we have a 160-page tabletop bible for you, brimming with industry info, from news on Stölzle Lausitz’s new factory opening on page 120 through to Vista Alegre telling us about their 200-year anniversary on page 62. Our cover story this month is a fascinating interview with Scott Hamberger and Prof. Andreas Buske of the Zwiesel Fortessa Group, who talk to us about what inspires them to innovate and propel the company forward. That is a great read from page 36. There’s a lot more too – of course! That’s the great thing about this time of year, we look forward with fresh eyes at the possibilities which lie ahead. Ambiente, taking place at the end of January, is precisely where we will find a hotbed of new ideas, new collections and fresh, new ways of thinking. You can see our in-depth preview of the show on page 80. Speaking of new, one company doing things differently is The Hẽrẽs Guild, who describe themselves as a brand management agency with a difference. Co-founders Liz Fodera and Peter Themistocles are based out of 41 Madison and tell Tableware International how they are partnering international brands with US retailers, read more on page 152.
On page 72, Porland introduces us to its latest brand Pioli while on page 74, we see Porland’s new collection launches. Porland will have, not one but two, stands at Ambiente – Hall 11.0, D11 and Hall 12.1, D30 – so make sure to check them out. It was interesting to catch up with Pauline Spin, managing director of Royal Goedewaagen, a brand with more than 400 years behind them who are bringing all that knowledge and craftsmanship to a younger generation. Hear Pauline’s take on the industry on page 144. Meanwhile, our friends Robert Suk and Insa Doan – head of design and art direction at Rosenthal’s Creative Centre – give us insight into how they plan and prep collections. That’s on page 52. That is merely the tip of the iceberg, we also chat to Dunoon on page 138 who are celebrating 50 years in 2024 (a Dunoon mug, still the best vessel for a cup of tea in my book and I won’t be argued with!). There is so much more in the magazine too, more interviews, more trends, more previews, more news which we will let you discover yourselves. Needless to say both my colleague Paul Yeomans and I will be at Ambiente and we are looking forward to meeting you all. And if anyone wants to buy us a glass of wine, you’ll find our stand in the foyer of Hall 11.0! See you at Ambiente.
Mairead Wilmot
Don’t forget! The Tableware International Awards of Excellence take place during Ambiente., Sunday, 28 January. This year, the awards ceremony (which we keep mercifully short!) takes place in the foyer of Hall 11.0 in The HoReCa Academy. The event takes place at 6pm – with drinks from 5.45pm.
2024
www.tablewareinternational.com Tableware International
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tablewareintmag
CONTENTS January/February 2024
Regulars
Columns
24 News 30 Product News 40 HoReCa News 128 Viewpoints
48 Retail 66 Nick Holland 148 Valda Goodfellow
In focus
78
Trends
36 Cover Story – Zwiesel Fortessa Group 62 Vista Alegre marks 200 years 72 Porland’s new collections
Interviews
80
34 Francéclat spring trends 54 Inspried by Pantone 122 Florals
Show previews 80 Ambiente 156 The Inspired Home Show 158 Atlanta Market
44 Retail 52 Rosenthal 76 Vidrios San Miguel 118 The Cerve Group 120 Stölzle Lausitz 134 Mesa Ceramics 138 Dunoon 142 Arc 144 Royal Goedewaagen 152 The Hẽrẽs Guild
62
138
98
68
34
144 60
The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher or Lema Publishing Ltd. Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.
Tableware International
tableware_international
@tablewareintmag
tablewareintmag
C A LY P S O
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News General
Burleigh is All Made Here!
Burleigh recently launched the second phase of its All Made Here campaign. The campaign sets out to reframe luxury, presenting it as provenance, authenticity and scarcity. Every piece of Burleigh has been made in the town of Burslem, at Burleigh’s home in Middleport Pottery since 1889. “When we say ‘made here’, we mean from start to finish; our craftspeople turning raw malleable clay into glossy vibrant ceramics,” Burleigh says.
New campaign
Turkish glass and ceramics exhibitors to make impact at Ambiente In a significant milestone for the Turkish glass and ceramics industry, numerous leading companies will showcase their prowess at Ambiente. More than 26 distinguished Turkish companies, specialising in glass and ceramics will take center stage at the Ambiente Fair, featuring captivating booths that provide a unique opportunity to discover their advanced and customised solutions. The stands will not only serve as a platform for engaging with visitors but also as a canvas to exhibit the remarkable artistic design capabilities of the Turkish glass and ceramics industry. Each booth will be adorned with tastefully displayed exhibits, spotlighting a diverse range of tailor-made and sustainable products. TurkishGlass and Turkish Ceramics are thrilled to present the robust and expansive ecosystem of the Turkish glass and ceramics industry at Ambiente in Hall 12.0, A17. They will host a networking cocktail on 28th January at 12:30 pm. 24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
showcases Waterford’s Lismore Arcus The Waterford brand has shot a new creative campaign to mark extensions to its Lismore Arcus series. Lismore Arcus was launched in 2022 and to showcase the additions to the existing collection, Waterford’s new campaign celebrates the different voices that bring people of all ages and cultures together. Shot in a studio space, the creative concept is a powerful expression of individuality and femininity. Seven new pieces have been added to Arcus – four new drinkware pieces, a champagne coupe, martini glass, hiball and wine carafe. The collection also introduces three interiors pieces, a large shallow bowl, rose bowl and pillar candlesticks in three sizes.
“From 2024 on, we want to simplify our brand structure and focus on our strong brands: Rosenthal, Thomas and Hutschenreuther. Again for 2024, our very successful partnerships with Versace and Swarovski will continue, while the Arzberg shapes will be rebranded – the Cucina and Tric shapes will be part of Thomas while 1382 and Joyn will be traded under the Rosenthal label. The aim is to achieve more growth and a broader distribution for these beautiful ranges and make them more international. Nothing will change in terms of the high quality and outstanding design of these products, standing for aesthetics, functionality and durability.” Lotte Franch, CEO, Rosenthal, tells us about some exciting changes for Arzberg in 2024.
SPRING SUMMER 2024
K IL N B LU E
Discover Denby’s New Spring 2024 collections all hand crafted in Derbyshire, England. Visit our virtual showroom www.denbypottery.com/trade or contact us at TradeB2BAdmin@denby.co.uk
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News General
Elevated florals
As floral continues to trend, we highlight some key options from core brands.
Costa Verde at
Ambiente
Hall 12.1 B61 www.pro.costa-verde.com Costa Verde will exhibit at Ambiente 2024, bringing their unique brand of Portuguese porcelain to Frankfurt. With a special focus on the HoReCa sector, all its developments and partnerships take into account the latest trends in the restaurant and hotel industry, especially the Moods concept, presenting the latest collections, Bubbly and Tense, in a perfect symbiosis between the application of reactive glazes and the latest digital printing technology.
Bubbly is the effervescent magic that transports to a world where every moment is an explosion of joy. Tense awakens tension and experience, being more than a state of mind, an opportunity to transcend the ordinary. Another novelty is the Terra collection. Like a work of art carved out of the earth, and designed by Pere Gifre, the pieces in the collection reveal themselves in a beautiful and imperfect way.
Villeroy & Boch With its delicate watercolour shades, intricate lines and clear shape, the Rose Garden collection creates a modern and romantic atmosphere in the home. As a complete dinnerware set, the collection combines a floral decor in graduated hues of pink and lilac with single-colour items in soft pink or pure white.
www.villeroy-boch.com
Turn to page 80 to see the start of our Ambiente preview.
Fusion wins
German Design Award The Fusion series from Zwiesel Glas – manufactured using a hybrid process has scooped a German Design Award 2024 in the Excellent Product Design - Tabletop category. The collection fuses man-made and machine-made in one glass, with the jury stating: "The Fusion stemware series from Zwiesel Glas combines elegant, timeless design language and well thought-out functionality that turns wine enjoyment into an experience”.
William Edwards From William Edwards, Hive has been inspired by global tea gardens. Note the delicate hand-painted design, which effortlessly lends itself to the Great British tradition of afternoon tea. Composed of 16 pieces, all hand decorated in the heartland of The Potteries, each item presents a unique design and boasts all the essentials for a classic afternoon tea offering.
www.williamedwards.co.uk
Turn to page 120 to see more elevated floral options for buyers. 12 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
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José Ferreira Pinto Basto establishes Portugal’s first porcelain rcel rc elai ain or the the th factory, with associated housing and support facilities fo for workers and their families. Vista Alegre attains Royal Factory acctto oryy tic ic a nd n d status from King John VI, acknowledging its artistic and men enttss. industrial accomplishments.
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French painter and sculptor Victor Rousseau joins the company, mp pan any, y, iccat ate ed d founding the manufacturing atelier dedicated to hand painting, which still exists ttoday. oda od ayy.
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A crafts ccrraf afts ts w workshop orkkssh is created, along with primary education or and schools. A theater and a philharmonic are added an nd music mu m usi s c ssc ch ho o tto o the the e existing exxiissttiin ng fa ffacilities. a
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The Th T he Vista Visstta Al Vi A Alegre leg gr range is showcased at the Crystal Palace, during in n London, Lon o do don, n d urin ur n the Universal Exhibition.
Vista Alegre is acclaimed at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, F Fr France. ran ance ncce e.
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A new phase of increasing growth, directly linkedto a bi b bigger igg gger er ds to to a focus on export and the brand’s internationalization, leads major technical and artistic development. pme men ntt.
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Vista Alegre pieces are showcased globally, at such venues ue ess a ass MoMA (New York Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art),),, USA, US SA A, n, IItaly. n, ta aly ly. and the Royal Palace of Milan,
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Vista Alegre as the largest tableware enterprise in Portugal orrttug tu ug ga all and sixth globally, operating on various segments, including clu ud diing ng tableware, earthenware, ovenware, crystal and handmade e glass. gla lass ss. s.
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Vista Vi V ist sta A Al Alegre’s leg egre grre e’ss C e’s Centennial is celebrated with resounding through ssuccess su ucc cces ess th hro oug gh many activities, including a major exhibition att the th he e National Nattio ona al Museum of Ancient Art, in Lisbon.
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The T Th he Vista Viist V sta Al sta A Alegre leg gr Museum is inaugurated, gathering, curating ccu urra a ati ting ti ng a and nd sshowcasing nd h the brand’s invaluable legacy.
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To meet To me ee et the the increasing th iin nccrr ncr demand for high-quality crystal, Vista V Vi ist sta A Al Alegre leg egre re o opens p a new factory.
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The Th T he inaugural ina in au ug ugu gu ura ral in iinternational n flagship store is opened iin n Madrid, Ma ad dri rd d,, S Spain. pain pa in
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The ID Pool (International Designers) is launched as a platform attffor orm envisioning design and technical innovation, welcoming co omi ming g knowledge from across the wo w world. orrlld. d
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A flagship store in São Paulo, Brazil, the largest estt ci es ccity ity ty in South America, is opened. p n pe ne ed d..
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Vista Vi V ist sta ta A Al Alegre’s leg grre e’s ’s sshowroom h at 41 Madison, New York, U US SA A,, is is un u nve veilile ed d USA, unveiled.
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The T Th he historical histto hi orricca all a and cultural heritage at Lugar da Vista Alegre (“Vista Alegre’s ((“ “V Viista stta Al A le eg gre re’ss place”) are totally rehabilitated, including tthe th he m mu use eum um, ch cchapel, h museum, theater and kindergarten buildings.
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Vista Alegre products are consistently acclaimed med ed a att international design awards, winning a total of 32 distinctions, cti tion ns, s including the German Design Award, Good Design A Award, ward wa rd, Iconic Award, LIT-Lighting Design Award, IDA Design Aw Award, A wa arrd d,, European Product Design Award, IF German Innovation A Award, Aw war ard, d, Architecture Masterprize, and German Design Awards. war ards ds. ds
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The launch of the Vista Alegre Home Cosmetics line ffurther urth ur therr establishes the brand’s presence and prestige with wi within ith thin n the lifestyle segment. gm men nt. t.
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Vista V Vist Vi ist sta A Al Alegre le eg gre e llaunch au a u a new segment – Textile - composed off b blankets la an nkke etts an a and nd scarves produced with premium cashmere and and wool, an wo wo ool ol, de ol d decorated eco o with motifs issued from some of the brand’s most popular porcelain lines. bran br bran nd d’’s mo ost st p o
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Vista V Vi ist sta aA Al Alegre leg egrre e ccelebrates e 200 years of a story built o determination, on de etter ermi rmina miina nati tio strength, hard work and perseverance, in the in the he pursuit pu urrsu rsu suit uiitt of of excellence. Multiple events, including national and international and an in nte t rn natio atiio at on exhibitions, exclusive books, a documentary, talks the of commemorative products, all ta alks lkks and and th an he release re re intersecting inte in nte errssec seccti t ng ng p past as and future, mark this emblematic date. as
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Question corner… Steelite International’s Alex Gonzalez, senior vice president of international markets, on why Ambiente is such an important date in the trade fair diary Will you be attending Ambiente this year? Steelite International will be attending Ambiente 2024 with a plethora of new products for the hospitality industry. Showcasing award-winning tabletop, lighting, and buffet solutions for the hospitality industry in stand Hall 11.0, C79. A global hub for all things HoReCa, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore trends and the very best in product innovation, for which Steelite is always at the forefront, exhibiting and launching our very latest developments for 2024. Is Ambiente an order-taking show for you or more about making connections? Steelite views the Ambiente show as a blend of order placement, establishing new relationships, and launching new products and brands. As a leading global hospitality event, it offers the opportunity to engage with both new and existing connections on a shared platform. What will your hero collection be at the show? Being at the forefront of innovation in the industry, Steelite is set to unveil an extensive range of new products that are bound to make a significant impact. Among the exciting introductions for spring 2024, the focus will be on our embossed whiteware selection, featuring the Steelite Distinction Alina and the specially crafted Folio Concorde, a collection exclusively designed by our award-winning designers. Alina combines two strong and complementary aesthetics: the simplicity, linearity and restraint of Japanese design coupled with an easy-going, approachable, and casual style that embodies the Scandinavian way of life.
The Concorde range is imbued with the sophisticated aesthetics of classic mid-century styling. Clean lines and a fresh, understated tactile surface are balanced with a warm, approachable, off-white body colour to provide a casual yet crisp food presentation style. Using both coupe and rimmed profiles, the Concorde range provides a modern yet functional aesthetic to showcase the very best cuisine at a very competitive price point. Do you anticipate a positive year for the industry in 2024? While some predictions suggest a potential market softening in the upcoming year, we perceive a notable resilience, driven by a sustained demand for exceptional hospitality experiences and creative tabletop and buffet presentations. During periods of increased financial considerations, individuals tend to actively seek out superior experiences as a means to optimize their spending, a principle that Steelite has consistently championed over the years. As the supplier of The Art of Presentation, Steelite provides solutions to curate, enhance, and elevate dining experiences, ensuring that hoteliers, restaurateurs, and caterers are consistently delivering the utmost quality & thoughtfully designed products to their customers. Finally, why does your company exhibit at Ambiente? As a hub for everything hospitality, Steelite sees it as a perfect opportunity to showcase our award-winning ceramic, glassware, melamine, cutlery, lighting, and buffet solutions and innovation to the hospitality industry.
Discover YJC Glass, renowned for our skilled craftsmanship, imaginative designs, and exquisite pressed sodium calcium & blown borosilicate glassware, bringing a touch of Retro-Futurism to your home.
www.wws-ceramic.com | chloecui@wellwares.com
News General
Enesco reveals new pricing strategy
Enesco Limited has revealed a new pricing strategyintroducing a more competitive pricing model, accompanied by improved retail margins. Firstly, Enesco is delighted to confirm that, with immediate effect last year’s 2.2 markup will be improved to 2.4, with the exception of their Home Fragrance brands (Yankee Candle, WoodWick, Chesapeake Bay, Eau Lovely, Irish Botanicals, Herb Dublin and Fern). In addition, for industry leading brands such as Disney, Warner Brothers, Jim Shore, Beatrix Potter and Willow Tree to name a few, Enesco's focus is on standardising pricing, and aggressively achieving crucial retail price points. To achieve this, retailers will see a large number of reductions in RRPs as well as the improved margin. These two changes offer better value to both the retailer, and the end consumer. The new pricing model represents Enesco's focus on creating strong and mutually beneficial relationships with retailers.
5 mins with… ID Fine’s Reha Tavil
ID Fine will attend Ambiente with its new lines. Visit them at the show – Hall 11.0, D71 How has 2023 been for ID Fine? In 2023, our primary goal was to introduce our brand and elevate our brand awareness fully. We achieved this by establishing our distributor network in 35 countries within one year. These efforts indicate that 2023 has been a productive year for ID Fine.
What sort of new launches can we expect to see from ID Fine this year? We will launch our Roots collection for the first time at Ambiente, where we will delve into our roots and showcase our handcrafted range. This collection is essential as we aim to bring a new essence to our brand. Additionally, our Surf collection featured in our 2024 catalogue offers an experience of tranquillity with colours and patterns that do not overshadow the meal, allowing for a peaceful atmosphere.
Will you be attending Ambiente? Like last year, we will participate in Ambiente again with our stand-numbered Hall 11.0, D71. Ambiente stands as one of the most prestigious fairs in the industry. Being part of this fair means standing with our competitors, showcasing our products, and providing a significant opportu-
nity for us. It's an excellent chance for us, like everyone else, to introduce our collections and brand to the world.
You’re a fresh, young company – have you encountered any challenges over the past year? We are a new brand, but we carry the 50 years of industry experience of our parent company, Porser Porselen. Thanks to this experience, we have quickly and easily overcome the challenges of being a new brand. It has strengthened our steps further.
Finally, what are your hopes for ID Fine in 2024? In 2023, we took a significant step as a new brand by introducing our brand to 35 countries. In 2024, we aim to solidify our position in the HoReCa sector by taking solid steps forward.
idfine.com.tr
Distinctive design from new Spode Spode has elevated its tableware collection offering even further, launching Blue Italian Steccato. New for 2024 and launching from early February, Blue Italian Steccato is decorated in an illustrious cobalt blue and blends great British craftmanship with timeless style for a modern take on a classic. Full of personality, the collection also seamlessly pairs with Spode’s iconic Blue Italian range. The new products in Spode’s Blue Italian Steccato tableware collection includes dinner plates, side plates, a salad plate, bowls, teacups and saucers, espresso cups and saucers, a teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug and mugs. www.spode.co.uk
28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
News Products
Kiln Blue joins Denby portfolio
Denby has added to its Kiln series with a new colourway joining the ranks for 2024. Kiln Blue joins the tableware portfolio and has been inspired by the colours and textures found in the natural world. “Kiln Blue follows Kiln and Kiln Green in being inspired by the colours and textures found in the natural world. The two glazes used in the collection echo the movement and multi-faceted tones of the sea’s waves as they combine,” explains pattern design manager, Nicola Wilson. Place setting items are available as single items or as part of a boxedset option for gifting, all in recyclable packaging. In addition to tableware pieces there are gift-boxed home fragrance pieces, vases and accessories such as glassware and seagrass placemats. Kiln Blue will be available from March 2024.
www.denbypottery.com/trade
Meet Metropole
Velvet Artěl collabs with American glass artist Amber Cowan
Amefa’s Metropole takes its inspiration from contemporary city architecture. The model – with long, slender lines and a sloping handle at the bottom – is made of 18-10 high quality stainless steel with a unique velvet finish that mimics the soft feeling of a real velvet fabric. www.amefa.com
Inspired by… florals The new floral-inspired VIDA Medusa Bowl in white is a standout in Beatriz Ball’s popular collection of luxury melamine. The piece is also available in the company’s signature sandcast metal. wholesale.beatrizball.com 30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Artěl has partnered with celebrated glass artist Amber Cowan on its latest project. Flights of Fantasy is a special collection designed by the American glass artist. The collection consists of four motifs designed by Cowan and painstakingly handcrafted by the brand’s team of Czech artisans. When creating the collection, Cowan said she wanted each motif to be “active and animated”, so that whether the depicted subject is “crawling, flying, or swimming across the surface of the glass, it will feel alive in the user’s hand”. Cowan also requested that the collection not be offered as a limited edition, in order to make it more accessible to a wider audience.
News Products
New from Figgjo
Figgjo has released a new series of plates and bowls, designed by woodworker and designer Morten Engebretsen. The Furo Collection embraces originality, and attention to craftsmanship – inspired by Japanese aesthetics. The collection includes nine products – six plates which are flat to the edge, two bowls and one deep plate; the last three with the Horimono-inspired relief. Made with hard-wearing vitreous porcelain, the collection fits perfectly within the Figgjo universe, as Mariken Steen-Forgaard, Design Manager explains: “Like with everything we do at Figgjo – be it a mug or now a collection of several plates – we wanted to make products with good design and quality at its heart. The result is a design with clean lines and an elegant relief to create a refined take on everyday essentials.”
LSA launches four collections for SS24 LSA International has launched four new collections for the spring summer 24 season. Arc Contrast, Folk, Sculpt and Victoria are all set to make an impact for the brand. Arc Contrast is a collection of tumblers which adds a colour and texture to the original clear forms of ARC drinkware. Folk, meanwhile, is an assortment featuring vibrantly coloured stripes borrowed from traditional Polish costumes and decoration. Sculpt is defined by stacked geometry and angular modern shapes. The carved wooden totems of Constantin Brancusi are referenced in the sculptural outlines of each mouth-blown vase and vase/lantern. Finally, Victoria is a collection of vases created in tribute to the late florist Victoria Taberer-Bond. A long-standing partner and friend to LSA, Victoria crafted arrangements for editorial shoots, bouquets for the LSA showrooms and presented flowers for events, always lending her passion, astute eye and love for organic colour.
www.lsa-international.com
Did you know?
Glorious glass YJC Glass, renowned for its skilled craftsmanship, imaginative designs, and exquisite pressed sodium calcium and blown borosilicate glassware brings a touch of retro-futurism to homes. Visit www.wws-ceramic.com to learn more.
Meet Indigo Blues from Carrol Boyes
The Carrol Boyes brand has launched a new coloured dinnerware collection – Indigo Blues. Following on from the success of the Indigo Girls series, the Indigo Blues collection has been designed to showcase four different figurative designs across mugs, cereal / soup bowls, dinner plates, and side plates. The collection draws inspiration from Carrol’s unique and inimitable sketches, brought to life in deep blue jewel tones. www.carrolboyes.com
For each new Victoria vase LSA sells, it will make a donation to the cancer charity sarcoma.org.uk in memory of late florist Victoria Taberer-Bond who was a friend of the brand. 32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Trends Francéclat Astier de Vilatte
Raynaud
Bernardaud
Haviland
Marie Daage
Vibrant
living
Each season Francéclat reveals its market trends for tabletop. For Spring 2024, we will be embracing vibrancy: pinks, mauves being paired with greens and yellows. Tablescaping is about to get decorative…
Haviland
Ogre La Fabrique
Luminarc Bruno Evrard
Capdeco
Ercuis
For Spring ’24, Francéclat – the organisation responsible for championing French tabletop globally – has revealed its trend predictions and it is everything we had hoped for. Think pinks, purples, greens, delicate motifs, exquisite floral patterns. In short, spring tabletop trends are truly dreamy. “Rediscover the pleasure of laying a table in a highly decorative, dream-like style with a spring baroque feel and an offbeat romanticism. The kingdom of plants and the realm of birds enchant the table with their gentle tones and subtle materials,” Francéclat tells us.
Colours and harmonies Shades of pink and mauve will be the stars of springtime table settings. They can be combined in a casual style with a straw yellow or a more classical style in harmony with a soft green.
Degrenne
Waww la Table Materials and motifs
About Francéclat Francéclat’s raison d’être is to develop French timepieces, jewellery and tableware. Working with experienced professionals from these signature fields, they strive to spread French art de vivre around the world. They have connections around the world, and their ambition is to promote and drive French expertise through finely crafted, authentic French products.
Turn-of-the-century inspiration with barbotine ceramics, which can be combined with earthenware or porcelain. The mixtures of materials and patterns impart style, all with lavish bird and flower motifs.
Shapes and finishes The lines are decorative and dream-like, in the form of flowers. Note the return of the champagne glass and floral decorations on the cutlery. The finishes bordered with a thin line of gold or colour accentuate the petal shapes.
www.franceclat-international.com
England
ThE LIFESTYLE MOvEmENT NEW Hotelier’s Day Monday, 29. 1. 2024
The most wide-ranging hospitality solutions – Ambiente is the hotspot of this constantly renewing sector. At the HoReCa Academy, high-calibre experts give their take on global trends, innovative furnishings and the latest hotel and catering concepts. Your industry, your community: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com/horeca info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 84
DU: 23.11.2023
FRANKFURT / MAIN
75163-028_AM_AZ_HoReCa_Tableware_International_210x297 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • cd |
26.–30. 1. 2024
Cover Story Zwiesel Fortessa Group
"Every entrepreneur aspires to create something meaningful and lasting" When Zwiesel Kristallglas AG merged with Fortessa Tableware Solutions in 2022, a formidable partnership of nearly 20 years was taken to a next level. The owners Prof. Andreas Buske and Scott Hamberger tell Tableware International what drives both themselves and the Zwiesel Fortessa Group forward
Tell us about the opportunities you saw with merging Zwiesel Glas and Fortessa. Professor Buske: At the time of the merger, Zwiesel Glas and Fortessa could already look back on almost 20 years of successful co-operation. The combination of the two companies has created a unique global enterprise in the tableware industry, in which both companies com-
in the end customer segment, Fortessa has been a leader in the North American high-end hotel and catering industry as well as in the retail business for years. The merger was therefore a logical step in the company's strategic development and international positioning. Mr Hamberger: My background is entrepreneurial. My
“Zwiesel Glas has never just been about glass, but has always echoed the possibilities inherent in glass” Andreas Buske bine all their joint activities. We are united by one vision: together we want to become the global market leader for tableware (glass, porcelain and cutlery). We have realised that we are even stronger together, because with Zwiesel Glas and Fortessa, two market leaders have joined forces: While Zwiesel Glas was recognised as the global market leader in crystal glassware for the high-end hotel and catering industry for the sixth time in a row in 2023 and is also developing successfully 36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
brother Eric and I founded an international trading company when we were still in college. We focused on tableware because we identified inefficiencies in the channels of distribution and realised there was a better way to do business. We realised there is something important missing: a focus on service matters and a direct-to-end-user orientation. We created the special “Fortessa experience”, and this distinct customer focus is still driving every single decision today.
In addition, we grew up in an environment of hospitality with happy memories around the table – shared stories, delicious meals, and warm laughter. So, the confluence of a business opportunity with a field that we enjoyed made for a great start-up business back in 1993. And, over decades, the family business grew into a leader in the field. My role has been one of growing with the company. In particular, I have always worked to envision the next three to five years of development in order to ensure continued relevance and competitive advantage. Today, we have an incredible team that executes on a daily basis so that my role focuses on supporting them and making sure they have the conditions for continued success. As owners, for Andreas and me creating the Zwiesel Fortessa Group represents a dream come true, the chance to take two excellent companies and create a world leader in our industry. I think every entrepreneur aspires to create something meaningful and lasting, which is exactly what we are doing with the Zwiesel Fortessa Group. What motivates you? Buske: Zwiesel Glas has never just been about glass, but has
always echoed the possibilities inherent in glass. We strive to create unique products at the highest level of manufacturing skill and craftsmanship that offer extraordinary experiences of enjoyment and community. Products that lend a special touch to every table setting and are simply part of refined taste worldwide. Eating habits, lifestyles, family structures, everything is changing. We want to help shape these developments. We are constantly adapting to the needs of the market. We want our customers to come back as enthusiastic buyers, then we know we have done it right. One of our recipes for success is certainly our focus on class instead of mass, and the Made in Germany production of relevant assortments for both the upscale hotel and gastronomy sectors as well as premium retailers all over the world. Coupled with an excellent service, this is what our customers appreciate. Our great trump card is that we are constantly developing as a company and consistently pushing our themes – brand and market development as well as high-quality manufacture and machine production. Hamberger: The main thing that motivates me, and I know
Prof Andreas Buske (left) and Scott Hamberger (right), owners of Zwiesel Fortessa Group
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 37
Cover Story Zwiesel Fortessa Group Zwiesel Fortessa Group is a globally leading group in the tableware sector, bringing the best to the table: from glass to cutlery and porcelaine
that Andreas shares this, is leadership. We are all called to leadership in life, whether we know it or not and whether we like it or not. How we act and the example we set, for better or worse, influences others around us. We lead our families, we lead our friends, we lead our colleagues, and we even lead people we don’t know but with whom we interact. As owners we have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to lead in a way that
main motivation, knowing that leadership makes a positive difference in the lives of those in and around our company. Tell us a little about your leadership styles. Hamberger: First of all, both of our businesses are family businesses. Fortessa Tableware Solutions was founded in 1993 by Eric and me. Buske: And Zwiesel Kristallglas AG was originally founded by
“We´re continuously searching for new production methods to ultimately create value for our customers” Andreas Buske makes a positive difference in the lives of a lot of people and we take that very seriously. We strive to make our group a place where people can grow personally and professionally in an environment characterized by integrity. We strive to make life better for our customers, by providing products and service that they value. We strive for shared success with our vendors, as we know that their success means our success as well. We may not always get it right, but that’s the culture we cultivate in the organisation. So, that is my 38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Anton Müller in 1872 and was brought back to its roots as a family business by me in 2001. In addition, both ZK AG as well as FTS LLC are owner-managed and we know who we are both as companies as well as one group. We are one group, comprised of two companies with unique strengths and cultures. We want to take advantage of the complementary and specific strengths of the existing organisations, while we strive for the optimisation of the group’s results. Together as one group, the Zwiesel Fortessa Group, we have a clearly outlined philosophy.
Hamberger: We are designers, developers, marketers, and manufacturers. We produce crystal glass, and we trade in thousands of items covering the entire tabletop and related products and services. We have a clear vision – to be the global leader in the tableware industry and a clear commitment of our leadership teams. We always bring our best to the table. Buske: And all this is based on a shared leadership philosophy with shared leadership values across the board: Trust and team spirit, passion for excellence, leadership and innovation, openness and willingness to change. We serve diverse industries and customers, including both professionals and consumers. We serve diverse markets worldwide. We combine passion and competence, take responsibility and overcome challenges together. With team spirit and mutual trust, we achieve more together. At the same time, we are always open to new ideas, flexible and ready to respond to change. It makes a difference whether you see a company as a place where you make a profit or as a family where you take on responsibility. What key factors – think in terms of sustainability and production methods – help drive the company?
Buske: In terms of sustainability, we are convinced companies must act and manage their resources responsibly to prevail in the future. That’s why we aim to manufacture our products with minimal resources and optimised energy input to avoid unnecessary environmental burdens. We use as many regional resources and materials as possible to manufacture our products. We continuously strive to achieve an integrated and sustainable lifecycle assessment for all of our processes and products. We are committed to continued process innovation to minimise our energy use in glass melting. A closed cooling water circuit, heat recovery technology, filter systems as well as UV and laser technologies reduce our energy consumption and make sure that water is returned to the environment in clean condition. We are particularly proud of our oxyfuel technology, which significantly reduces our carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. This technology enables us to use 30 per cent less energy in production compared to conventional gasheated glass melting furnaces. Furthermore, our glasses are produced with up to 60 per cent recycled Tritan Crystal Glass – this is what we call our high-quality glass. It is especially durable and break
resistant - perfect for private customers as well as for customers in hotel business and gastronomy. When it comes to production, we´re continuously searching for new production methods to ultimately create value for our customers. Recently we´ve developed a new so-called hybrid glass series that combines the best out of two worlds and it showcases the harmonious interplay between man and machine.
effectively in the international market using our facilities in the US as a distribution hub for products coming from and going to diverse geographies around the world. Supporting that from a compliance and operational perspective requires skill and the right technology, which we have evolved over the years from a doit-yourself solution to Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS). Speaking of IAAS, the evolution of Software as a Service (SAAS) has also been a game-changer as it allows a
“Andreas and I are humbled every day by the excellence of our people and, quite honestly, we are proud to be on their team” Scott Hamberger It's traditional handwork that merges with state-of-the-art machine precision. While the soft and particularly fine feel of the wafer-thin yet functional stem is created by human hands, the impressive stability and elegant bowl in this series are produced by machines. Both parts becoming one. Perfect glasses for Bordeaux and Burgundy, light and strong white wines, as well as for Champagne. Hamberger: We are not a technology company per se, but the effective use of technology has always been a source of competitive advantage for our organisation. Even in the 90s, the PC revolution and advances in telecommunications made our business possible. We were very comfortable with technology and even built our own Customer Relationship Management database system before people were talking about CRMs. Adaptation of that technology made it possible for a small start-up to compete nimbly with much larger and better-established players in the industry. Over the years we have developed a continued focus on identifying the right technology to bring to bear on business objectives, mostly with regards to business processes. As an example, our Foreign Trade Zone allows us to compete
midsize organisation to access technology that would only have been in the domain of very large organisations in the past. The rapid evolution of available technologies in this regard, which will only accelerate with AI, requires that managers have a facility for exactly that challenge of identifying the right technology to solve business problems. Most recently our focus has been on digital first, which is not a destination but rather a constant journey. Our business today would be nearly unrecognisable compared to our business 10 years ago. In the consumer products channel our business in the US is already 60per cent or more online which has required the creation of completely new infrastructure and leveraging new technology on an ongoing basis. We’ve also been able to leverage that learning in our businessto-business activities in the commercial foodservice channel such that we execute a substantial and growing portion of that business online as well. The only frustrating thing is that we’d like to move even faster, but we must maintain discipline and focus on the right opportunities. I will say that this is also a tremendous benefit of the group. Our teams have developed different competencies and different areas of focus, which gives us the opportunity to learn internally
and to leverage those competencies across the organisation. So, just as our team in the Americas benefits from the work of our team in Europe, we are also working to bring lessons learned from the digital growth in the Americas to other geographies in our business. What lies ahead for the immediate future of the group? Hamberger: We certainly have a clearly outlined roadmap for the group on a three-to-fiveyear basis. The most important components of that will be to execute on the synergies that we identified as the basis for the merger. Those synergies include global brand strategy, enhanced product development, leveraging economies of scale, and taking advantage of our unique to the industry global sales organisation, all while nurturing pre-existing organic growth opportunities. That said, we also know that no plan survives contact (a lesson from Von Moltke) so we will adjust to and take advantage of changing conditions. We’ve had the benefit of coming of age as leaders in very volatile times so we’re comfortable with ambiguity and with making change on the fly. Buske: In the market, our strong and continued focus is on our online presence. We are in the process of introducing Fortessabranded products in Europe and Asia, with the vision of becoming the leading provider of premium tableware products worldwide. This will be achieved through a one-stop-shop solution in collaboration with our partners. Our approach is increasingly tailored to the preferences of end users, whether in professional or consumer business, by expanding our directto-end user online presence or implementing digital solutions with our retail and business partners. This strategy should naturally be combined with an approach to expand our stationary brand business, aiming to create effective hybrid models that integrate both physical and digital elements. On the production side, being more sustainable in the future is our major
goal. And on an integrated basis it’s still optimising our internal processes. Finally, what makes Zwiesel Fortessa Group different from other HoReCa and retail specialists? Hamberger: First and foremost, the people. As Jack Welch said, you win by putting the best team on the field and by coaching them to play together. Andreas and I are humbled every day by the excellence of our people and, quite honestly, we are proud to be on their team. We respect our competition and admire their strengths, but we have total confidence that the Zwiesel Fortessa Group has no match in terms of the excellence of our global team. As well, we grew up together as organisations and as leaders. This means that we have the trust across the organisation that I mentioned above, which is essential to realising synergies. It also means that we have shared values such that the combination reinforces, rather than disrupts, existing culture. From a practical point of view, it also means that our business processes complement each other, right down to product development since we’ve been developing metal and ceramic products that fit the existing Zwiesel Glas range for decades. In other words, we have an existing and purpose-built global organisation unlike any of the competition. Buske: We have a global brand strategy with strong brands that we own. We respect our competition and take nothing away from them, but we are unique in terms of having a consistent global total tabletop product assortment with integrated branding. Finally, we are a unicorn in the industry in that we are strong in both the commercial foodservice and consumer products sectors. We have formidable competitors in each, but none that are brand leaders in both. This gives us a very strong diversification to our business and, even more importantly, it creates a unique virtuous circle of brand identity and recognition.
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 39
News HoReCa
Dovetale’s bespoke tableware is a feast for the senses When two Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers wanted standout tableware to match the level of culinary pizzazz at his newest restaurant venture, Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair, he turned to G&G Goodfellows and its brand Hering Berlin to come up with something special. Achieving a balance of immaculate design, subtle etched branding and huge culinary flair, this style of presentation is set to establish a new trend. Paul Goodfellow told Tableware International: “Tom is an exceptional chef, who is also prepared to be really handson in the decision process. The results speak for themselves.”
A bit More from Orrefors
Did you know? Rosenthal´s collections are used in more than 800 international luxury hotels, restaurants and caterers. Most recently in the Rosewood Munich, The Address Makkah and Jumeirah Makkah. The Profi Casual line is also going on cruises and will be on the new cruise ships Sun Princess and Explora I.
Orrefors is launching an elegant old-school martini glass as part of the More collection. This popular Nick & Nora model holds 5.7 oz and goes well with drinks such as Martini, Cosmopolitan, and Manhattan. The Nick & Nora glass is inspired by the stylish fictional detective and his wealthy wife - Nick and Nora Charles, written by American writer Dashiell Hammett. Famous bartender Dale DeGroff, the King of Cocktails, was searching for a small cocktail glass and found this elegant style displayed in the movie Thin Man. The offering from Orrefors has been designed by Erika Lagerbielke.
Paderno in action!
Utopia launches more than 500 new products Utopia is launching more than 500 new lines for spring 2024, many of which will feature on the company’s stand at Ambiente 2024. These new products are across ceramics, glassware, lighting, plastics and barware, and all are for front of house. The launches include brand new concepts to match the latest aesthetic trends in colour, finish and form. The brand’s Murra collection for example is now available in five different colourways with more than 25 different pieces, with a wide choice of plates, bowls and dishes in different sizes and shapes, as well as multiple accessories.
40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
During 2023, Paderno acted as partner for the International Truffle Fair. Paderno was the official supplier of Alba Truffle Fair kitchens. Stainless steel cookware and instruments were provided for masterclasses at the event. Chef Michele Minchillo from Michelin-starred Vitium Restaurant in Crema is pictured using Paderno at one event.
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News HoReCa
Sambonet to present Radici at Ambiente Radici, one of the latest offerings from Sambonet, will take centre stage at Ambiente. Radici (Italian for roots), boasts almost two hundred items and revolutionises Sambonet’s hospitality offering. Designed by the Sambonet Style Center, the buffet offers a synergy between the Sambonet and Arthur Krupp brands. Both brands are part of Arcturus, the point of reference for industry professionals. Wood, polyrattan, iron and stoneware, part of the Arthur Krupp collection, are complementary to each other and offer unique aesthetic versatility, adaptable to every service type and location mood. The collection also features chafing dishes, hot and cold drink dispensers, refrigerated display cases and other serving accessories for every occasion and time of day.
Heinen Delfts Blauw opens restaurant Heinen Delfts Blauw – one of the largest producers of authentic Delft blue procelain – has opened a small restaurant with a shop-in-shop function. Lekker Blauw (Delicious Blue) uses Heinen Delfts Blauw’s tableware collections with a quarter of the restaurant being used as a shop-inshop, where the porcelain plates, cups and bowls can also be bought.
Spotted! Duralex in Belgravia
In the heart of London’s Belgravia is The Anya Café where the Duralex Gigogne glass takes center stage as the quintessential coffee vessel. Drawing inspiration from the timeless British Cafe, Anya Cafe reimagines the classic with the finest ingredients and a touch of trademark humor. Launched in 1946, the Gigogne tumbler remains ageless with its simple yet stylish shape adorned with meticulous raised bands. Available in three sizes, the Gigogne tumbler retains its classic charm, fitting seamlessly into the cafe’s nostalgic yet modern atmosphere. 42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Question corner… What’s new from
Rosenthal Peter Serra, sales director hotel and restaurant service, Rosenthal tells us what the brand is focusing on for hospitality…
“For the HoReCa sector, we focus on the stoneware line Junto Dune, picking up the colour of a sandy desert, and the Allrounder of the TAC line. Inspired by the functionally timeless and straightforward style of the Bauhaus, the TAC service by Walter Gropius has made a name for itself in design history. The new all-round plate is neither flat nor deep, nor is it a bowl. It is a vessel that meets chefs’ needs and, above all, their habits with a modern, well thought-out design concept in the way of Rosenthal. There will also be exciting product launches coming up for 2024. Jade Lift is a real chef’s must-have: this minimalist, modern yet outstanding series of porcelain plates and bowls makes culinary delicacies shine and takes every signature dish to another level. Woven patterns are the eye-catchers of the new Rosenthal Kumi line. Inspired by the artisanal handcraft of producing baskets, leather handbags and furniture, Kumi focuses on the delicate look of hand-woven fabrics. The line is made of silicate porcelain, a material that is highly resistant to breakage and impact and is also slightly transparent.”
G&G Goodfellows
moves
to bigger premises G&G Goodfellows has moved to a larger office and warehouse space. The move to a much-expanded headquarters marks a significant milestone, reflecting the company’s unwavering dedication to meeting rising customer demand. Managing director Valda Goodfellow says: “It was a difficult decision to move from Burdon Drive, as it had been good to us and we see it as our spiritual home, but progress and expansion has pushed us to take the next step in our growth. “ With nearly twice the capacity of their former site, the expansion provides the space they need to accommodate further growth, including international expansion.
Retail Divertimenti
Passionately different
With the relaunch of its cookery school, London store Divertimenti is in a celebratory mood. Clare Turner talks to managing director Ben Phillips to find out more In 1963, Divertimenti made its debut in London with a mission to help people enjoy cooking and eating more. Six decades - and a couple of relocations – later, the kitchenware retailer is still thriving in the capital, at a 5,000sq ft premises which opened in 2005 on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. Ben Phillips, who joined Divertimenti as managing director
in 2019, explains the business was founded when passionate foodies Mike and Suzy Schneideman wanted to bring the finest culinary equipment to Londoners. They headed to France and loaded up a van with cookware, tableware and hand-painted pottery. Divertimenti was an instant success, which is attributed to the pair’s decision to swerve trends and instead select items based on form,
couple are regular customers “and it’s always great to see them back in store”. Today the business stocks more than 6,500 lines. The main categories are tableware (which accounts for approximately 50 per cent of floorspace), cookware, and knives. Key tableware names include Bordallo Pinheiro, Leach Pottery, Peter Swanson, Jars Ceramistes,
“Divertimenti has always slightly trodden its own path” function and durability. Several of their original choices have stood the test of time. For example, Pillivuyt, Gobel, Magimix, K Sabatier, Matfer and SKK are still stocked by Divertimenti. “Because the Schneidemans were very good buyers, they picked up on a lot of brands really early on, and we’ve stuck with a lot of them,” says Ben. And, he claims, “these brands were actually introduced into UK retail by Mike and Suzy”. He adds the 44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Wonki Ware, Vista Alegre and Costa Nova, along with a variety of handpainted ceramic ranges. For cookware, Le Creuset, AllClad, Cristel, and De Buyer are popular, while core brands for knives include Yaxell and Wusthof. Ben says: “Our range is definitely one of the most significant and it’s very carefully curated.” It’s also truly diverse, ranging from wooden spoons for £1 to a £10,000 Berkel meat slicer, and a customised La
Marzocco espresso machine that comfortably exceeds £10,000. “It’s the one place you’ll walk into and if you want an oyster knife, Divertimenti has probably got 12 options. If you want a croquembouche mould, we’ll have it in different sizes. Even for items like truffle slicers, we might have five options. It’s those sorts of things that really set us apart,” he explains. Most of the assortment is sourced directly from companies in Europe, “and we do buy a fair bit of product directly from the US. We buy knives directly from Japan as well, but we don’t buy anything directly from China”. Has he identified any particular issues when sourcing stock? “It’s increasingly painful thanks to Brexit,” Ben says. “More than half of what we sell is imported directly internationally, and it’s significantly slower these days due to Brexit. I think that’s probably the biggest factor that is an issue, day in and day out.” When it comes to seeking
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Retail Divertimenti
Getting personal
What do you like most about the homewares industry? There’s a lot of fantastic design, heritage, and craftsmanship. And ultimately, you’re selling products that customers really need. You’re not selling novelties. You’re selling something which someone can get passionate about, and which will hopefully fit into their life and become a key part of it.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? In retail, there’s a wonderful immediacy to any decision you make. You list a new product and start to see how it performs the day after it goes on the shopfloor. That’s always one of the most exciting aspects. When you think “our customers will like this” and you get it right, it’s a wonderful feeling. It’s the satisfaction: from picking a good product, hearing the team talking about it, and then someone else agreeing with you and deciding to buy it.
46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
new lines, Ben regularly attends Ambiente, and occasionally goes to Maison&Objet and Top Drawer. “Divertimenti has always been a bit unique. Most of what we sell will be exclusive to Divertimenti, or Divertimenti will be the only UK stockist. I’d say more than half of what we actually sell, you won’t easily find elsewhere. “I think people generally are very proud to supply into Divertimenti because of its history. I suspect it’s probably the longest-serving
“A lot may have a house in Knightsbridge or South Kensington, which may be one of many houses they own around the world,” Ben says. “And we also have a very enviable international client base, many of whom have shopped with Divertimenti through the generations over the past 60 years.” When it comes to visual merchandising, he confesses: “I wish we could spend more time on it. The reality is it’s such a busy store, and the volume of stock coming in
“A key project for 2024 is ensuring the successful relaunch of Divertimenti’s Cookery School” business that was established purely as a kitchenware shop in the UK - it’s certainly one of the most aspirational - and we’ve picked up a fantastic client base who have shopped with us over the years. I also believe people generally are very proud to see themselves as a Divertimenti customer.” Unsurprisingly, given Divertimenti’s well-heeled location (half a kilometre from Harrods), its local clientele tends to be affluent.
is at times very significant and turns around very fast… so our visual merchandising standard is probably very different to what you may see in a well-cared for department store, for example. But I think that’s part of Divertimenti’s charm. It comes across as a real working kitchen store.” Reflecting on the past 12 months, he says he’s noticed some interesting emerging trends which have evolved post-lockdown. “While we’re seeing less long-term enthusiasm for bread
baking and pasta making [which were popular hobbies in the Covid-19 pandemic], many people who got into pizza making or barbecuing during lockdown are now really stepping up and investing in the very best equipment and outdoor dining.” Overall, Divertimenti had “a very strong 2023, and our online sales were significant too. But looking ahead, I think there’s a lot more we can do. “Bearing in mind that Divertimenti has only been operating as an independent retailer for five years [it was previously part of Steamer Trading and prior to that, part of AGA Rangemaster], the store is really relishing being given that individual attention.” A key project for early 2024 is ensuring the successful relaunch of Divertimenti’s Cookery School, which is located on the lower ground floor of the store and has the capacity to host up to 50 people. The school closed due to lockdown restrictions in March 2020 but reopened in January with a full programme. “We’ve enlarged it and hired some very strong management to run it,” Ben says. “We are holding classes with a range of regular and guest chefs as teachers, along with private events and supper clubs.”
Retail Column Nashi
Pacifica by Casafina
Costa Nova
New year, new…
tableware?
As we enter a new year, our columnist Michele Trzuskowski from T is for Table tells us what trending categories she will be paying attention to for the new buying season, highlighting everything from serveware to fresh colourways
About T is for Table T is for Table is a luxury independent boutique, with a focus on tabletop, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Open more than 20 years, it offers an experiential and inspirational space dedicated to helping customers tell stories, create traditions and celebrate life. The boutique offers everything from fine pottery, china, glass, serveware and table accessories, to home décor, jewellery and body products, and delivers a custom service with its custom engraving, home visits and gift registries.
www.tisfortable.com
48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
E
very time we turn the corner and enter another new year, there’s the announcement of new trends and new colour palettes for the interior design and home décor industry. Since the tableware industry closely follows the current design influences, I find reading about these trends interesting in terms of what I’m seeing in my own store. I can’t address the colour palettes from a designer’s point of view, since being in Florida, we have a distinct colour palette compared to more northern states – but I am seeing definite influences in tableware and customers’ choices as to what they are gravitating to. For me, what’s most important is that their tableware choices reflect their personality, whether bold or soft, patterned or
not – they are designs that tell their story – allowing them to make every meal as memorable as they are. Here’s what I find is trending now… Soft floral blues and greens From Juliska and Caskata, along with many other manufactures, I’m seeing more soft florals appearing in the marketplace. Juliska’s new introduction of
beauty of the wildflowers that flourish outside of New England. Its floral pattern offers a fresh approach to floral dinnerware in creamy, high-fired porcelain. In addition are their Arbor and Freya dinnerware patterns, comprised of a soft moss colour depicting flora and fauna. Both companies allow for mixing and matching
“From Juliska and Caskata … I’m seeing more soft florals appearing in the marketplace” Villa Seville is a wonderfully eclectic collection. It balances colour, historic shapes, and painterly folkloric tile renderings which make you feel as if you’re walking the streets of Seville. Then there’s Caskata’s soft Summer Blues pattern which captures the
with their original base of dinnerware, making it even more compatible to grow the collection in the future. Geometric and graphic patterns Over the last couple of years, more and more geometric
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Retail Column
Juliska Villa Seville
and graphic patterns have emerged and customers are noticing. They can be in black and white or bold greens and blues. Examples of this are both Costa Nova and, again Caskata. Costa Nova’s Augusta patterns allow for a bold black diamond design place setting that can be purchased on its own or with the complimentary black-rimmed white dinnerplate. Caskata’s patterns are bolder in colour, using primary reds, blues and greens in their Newport Stripe and Garden Gate patterns. Again, they are strong proponents of mixing and matching their dinnerware in terms of both patterns and colours. Organic and clean line shapes Unique, organic, and clean coupe
Caskata Strip
Caskata Strip
or flat plates are also growing in popularity. I am obsessed with Casafina’s Pacifica. It is available in eight colours with a matte finish and flat plates with a slight lip to them. This collection showcases a design that works well for everyday meals and weekend casual gatherings. Other collections that reflect a more organic feel are Juliska’s Puro dinnerware – now available in five colours since they’ve added basil, blush, and taupe to their already popular whitewash and chambray colours. Mottled edges and a natural, uncontrived state, the Puro collection resembles the soft texture of rumpled linen. Distinct serveware I am also seeing a strong increase in purchases among
“Over the last couple of years more and more geometric and graphic patterns have emerged and customers are noticing” Casa Buggati
50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Nashi
Caskata Summer Blues
the serveware category. If a client doesn’t want a new set of dinnerware, they are interested in elevating their table with unique serveware, whether in serving utensils and/or tongs, to platters, pedestal plates, or bowls. In this case I am finding that they don’t necessarily want to match the set they have, but invest in stainless, wood, glass, or other types of unique but functional serving pieces. This is where I have seen a prevalence towards adding the metals – whether gold or silver or even copper. Casa Buggati has some great serving utensils with artisan flare and when mixed with any glass or plain serving piece can really enrich its appearance. My favourite piece from them is their Kissing Tongs. Novelty in feel, but purposeful and artisan, as well
as colourful at the same time. Nashi is another brand that fits this category. A resin that looks like marble is producing wonderful bowls and platters in many colors and unique shapes that are enhancing customers’ existing dinnerware patterns. I personally love their oblong serving pieces. Overall As always, in the world of interior design and home décor, tableware continues to play a distinct role in the accent and aesthetics of a room. As we enter 2024, trends will continue to evolve as consumer preferences prevail. But from my viewpoint the trend is always somewhat the same. It’s the fusion of elegance or casual elegance meets functionality.
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Interview Rosenthal
Meet the creatives
New studio-line design vases
Rosenthal, a powerhouse brand famed for its many iconic collections, prides itself on being a leader in porcelain production. Unafraid to push boundaries, Rosenthal celebrates the creative processes of some of the world’s most forward-thinking designers. Robert Suk and Insa Doan – heads of design and art direction at Rosenthal’s Creative Centre – give Tableware International some insight into the brand… For Robert Suk and Insa Doan – head of design and art direction at Rosenthal’s Creative Centre – inspiration lies everywhere. Every nook, every cranny, every face they meet, every place they travel – it’s built into the fabric of their beings. Given they are the people responsible for driving the powerhouse that is Rosenthal’s design centre, the
heart of the company’s creative engine, it’s really no surprise they find influence from so many different facets of being. “We walk around with open eyes and observing the zeitgeist,” they tell us. “We both travel a lot and get inspired from various cultures, art, food and trends from all around the world.” They also cite trade fairs, exhibitions and forecast
Inspiration from Rosenthal 2024 For 2024, Rosenthal has taken inspiration from a myriad of crafts and materials – while pastel shades are big news. The design team tells us: “We rely on delicate colours that convey strength and a lot of calm, which is certainly a strong trend. Pastel colours are also a big trend we´ve seen on catwalks around the world. This is something that will also translate into interior: the combination of colour-in-colour tones will be strong. We are both fanatical when it comes to essential food tendencies and we always keep these in focus. We can see, for example, that sharing plates are trending in gastronomy, and also when it comes to table setting at people´s homes.” 52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
presentations for giving insight into possible future trends. “We both like to research a lot, which can go in very different directions. For example, a new relief structure could come from a piece of fabric or a new shape from an
after Kumihimo, a traditional Japanese technique in which yarns, ribbons and cords are artfully woven together.) Being too early with a trend is as bad as being too late, Robert and Insa say, so they will – generally
“This year we rediscovered our iconic designer vases from the studio-line, where from 1961 artists, designers and architects turned avant-garde designs into porcelain creations” archive inspiration. You will see with our beautiful new Kumi line that woven patterns, handwoven fabrics and the artisanal handcraft of producing baskets, leather handbags and furniture inspired us,” they reveal. (Interestingly, the new Kumi collection is named
speaking – forecast up to two years ahead of the curve. And while brands can forecast as much as they like, products need to sell, so the creative must always meet the bottom line. With that in mind, how does Rosenthal’s Creative Centre anticipate what will sell and
Question “Sometimes there are surprises, especially with our classics that never really seem to go out of fashion”
corner
We asked Rosenthal’s Robert Suk and Insa Doan – heads of design and art direction – at the brand’s Creative Centre if they think the tableware industry moves quickly enough to respond to décor and lifestyle trends, or whether it is hampered by the nature of production?
Robert Suk
“We are sometimes surprised ourselves how quickly we can respond to lifestyle trends and also adapt these. From a personal point of view though we feel what should count is not the fastsetting trend in a world that speeds up more and more. It should be the focus on quality and the consciousness of having a great product. We wish that the much-talked-about trend of SLOW in the food sector a byword for quality, clean and fair living - could be better translated for the tabletop when it comes to design and tableware.”
Insa Doan TAC AllRounder
what is merely a passing fad? “This has a lot to do with observing and informing; you develop a feel for what stays, what is short-lived or worth jumping on. Sometimes there are surprises, especially with our classics that never really seem to go out of fashion. The TAC line, for example, has been that successful for such a long time. Architect and Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius designed it in 1969 and with TAC Sensual, we recently gave it a colourful makeover in powdery nuances of Gentle Grey and Comfort Blue. It‘s a clean-lined, functional tableware set which suits current tastes.“ Classics such as TAC will always have an audience but there is, of course, an element of risk when brands hedge their bets on a trend. So how does Rosenthal offset that liability? “Of course, all decisions are made with a large, responsible international team so that the risks are assessed,” Robert and Insa tell us. “If we want to minimise the risk, we set on an already well-
known trend. Trends are inherently something that already exists and has already been seen and understood. You just have to give it a good twist.” And while a “good twist” can refer to a number of things – think fresh colourways or additional texture – lifestyle trends and eating patterns are also a key driver impacting which tabletop collections are put into production. “The way we eat and live in the future will have a significant influence on the objects on our table,” Insa and Robert tell us. “In the near future, there will be many world kitchen influences in tableware design – a lot of restaurants, but also family and friends at home – celebrating fusion cuisine from all around the world. What we see is that in traditional services all around the globe, the bowl plays an important role. It has its function in table settings in nearly all cultures and nations: whether as rice bowl, for soups or salads.”
TAC Sensual
In terms of what is coming next from the powerhouse brand that is Rosenthal, Robert and Insa say they rely on innovation and wellthought-out concepts, designing something for everyone. “To give you a sneak-peak – this year we rediscovered our iconic designer vases from the studio-line, where from 1961 artists, designers and architects
turned avant-garde designs into porcelain creations. “Six vase designs are now available, cast from coloured porcelain, in new, pastel shades and in unlimited editions. “Looking further into the future, there will be exciting floral forms playing a big part in tableware, but also new materials and innovative, shining décors.” TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 53
Trends Peach Fuzz Porcel
Orange is the new black Arthur Krupp
With Pantone announcing Peach Fuzz as its colour of the year – and with home décor experts touting various shades of orange as their must-have hue for 2024, we can’t leave tabletop out of the equation. Terracotta, orange, and tangerine are due to be big business for 2024’s chic buyers. Here, we shine a light on some collections which have embraced the citrus shade…
How Pantone suggests using Peach Fuzz in interiors… “Introducing soft and cozy PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz into home interiors creates a welcoming ambiance. Promoting feelings of gentle warmth whether appearing on a painted wall, in home décor, or acting as an accent within a pattern, PANTONE 131023 Peach Fuzz infuses our most personalised worlds with a comforting presence.” Source: Pantone.com 54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Eclectic entertaining
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Trends Peach Fuzz
Amefa
Artel
bloomhouse
Fürstenberg
Beatriz Ball Mesa
Villeroy & Boch Wilmax
56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Pantone announced Peach Fuzz as its colour of the year for 2024 (I know, I wish it wasn’t called Peach Fuzz too, but here we are). Described by the colour institute as a “velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches heart, mind, and body” Peach Fuzz is a cute colourway which makes for a gorgeous accent shade – ideal for tableware lovers who don’t want to fully commit to a Peach Fuzz-filled wall. So how has the industry interpreted orange for its collections? Various mediums of the shade have been popping up in collections for some time now. Copper, for example, enjoyed a real surge in popularity several years ago and is making a comeback. Amefa is on hand with its Soprano Copper line, a clean design that stands out for its modern, slim lines. Made of 18/0 stainless steel with a satin copper PVD finish, Soprano Copper brings a contemporary look to the table – which is what we all want, right?! Artel always brings an elevated sense of style to any setting, and of course, they offer several pieces (with different décors) in a burnt orange shade. Continuing the glassware theme, Beatriz Ball’s handmade Adana Glass Collection, named after one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, combines modern forms and colours using ageold glassmaking techniques. Featuring a sophisticated soft new palette of oranges, pinks, and greys, it includes reversepainted platters and bowls with swirling surfaces of warm hues. Crystalex, meanwhile, tells us they have recently developed a new range of vases with orange becoming an integral colourway in the collection, inspired by terracotta pottery. For Duralex, the Picardie Tumblers are a timeless design classic. Celebrated for their durability, (vintage 1960s advertisements famously
Trends Peach Fuzz Arthur Krupp
Porcel
Crystalex
Haviland
Utopia
Orrefors
Mesa
58 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
compared them to the strength of a hammer) the range comes in an on-trend amber shade. The amber tint, incorporated into the glass during production, guarantees lasting colour stability, the brand tells us. LSA International has truly embraced vibrant colour borrowed from traditional Polish costumes and decoration in the new FOLK Collection. Staggered bands of alternating colour mimic Łowicki fabrics, and the exaggerated silhouettes of layered, billowing skirts are seen in the wide, undulating vase shapes. Describing the collection, LSA says: “Solid, coloured glass rods are fused with a gather of clear glass and then mouth blown into a bespoke mould. The skilled, handmade process produces distinctive folkinspired patterns and organic forms, with no two vessels ever being the same.” Staying with vases, Kosta Boda’s Limelight Vase in amber, designed by Göran Wärff, has a stylish collar that perfectly frames and highlights flowers. Like all the items in the Limelight collection from Kosta Boda, the vases have the distinctive, textured base that optically reflects light. Villeroy & Boch’s like. glasses in Apricot are a super option for those wanting to add a splash of fresh colour to a tablescape while the vases of Manufacture Collier Terre give a more grounded, earthy note. Moving on to plates, Mesa Ceramics offers its Jupiter collection as befitting the trend. The series boasts a terracotta matte glaze complemented with a circle-like décor reminiscent of planet Jupiter. Narumi’s Shagreen collection uses several tones of orange to create a modern décor. Applying a special decal that makes unique embossment on the surface, the result is reminiscent of shagreen (sharkskin) – hence the collection’s name. Porcel’s Apricot marries an on-trend coral hue with either a gold or platinum edge. Decorated by hand, this set includes different pieces, from dinner plates to
Trends Peach Fuzz saucers and even a pickle dish. From the Arthur Krupp brand, the stoneware collection Sunlight Red takes its inspiration from the sun’s rays. In Sunlight Red, the warmth of terracotta mixes with neutral cream colours to create a must-have mix for table settings. “One thing about orange tableware – the food needs to be dynamic to stand out! Which is why classic Spanish food is so often served in bright orange terracotta,” Josh Rammell, marketing manager at Utopia Tableware says. “One of Utopia’s most popular designs is Estrella, which offers a comprehensive choice of bowls, casseroles and dishes in a vivid orange terracotta. The range also offers lots of accessories, including a tagine, rectangular dish, jug, ramekins and the classic terracotta fry pans with handles.” For a softer, rustic ambience Utopia offers the Karma collection. Giving a twist to the traditional terracotta experience, they combine a textured orange exterior with a pale, subtly patterned, glazed interior. Wilmax’s series from the ColorBoom porcelain collection is a bright but subtle hue of orange, resembling a burnt tangerine colour. Three lines of the Wilmax ColourBoom collection – Splash, Spiral and Scratch – include 70 items for table settings in orange: a variety of plates, including pasta and salad plates, bowls of different sizes, serving platters, mugs, coffee and teacups. The Splash line resembles water splashes on the surface of porcelain, and in Scratch and Spiral textured lines form scratches and spirals on the coloured glazing. With a huge range of on-trend orange options already on the market, there is no excuse for tableware buyers not to embrace the trend for fresh citrus hues.
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LSA
Nurumi
Amefa
Duralex Utopia
Artel
Rayware
Fürstenburg
Tableware International 24.indd 1
2023-12-14 07:38:36
Interview Vista Alegre
The evolution of
Vista Alegre As Vista Alegre celebrates 200 years of creating l’art de la table, Tableware International’s editor Mairead Wilmot speaks with Vista Alegre board member Nuno Barra to learn more about honouring the brand’s extraordinary history….
62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Vista Alegre celebrates 200 years in 2024 – what an achievement! Tell us how you intend to mark the occasion. It’s absolutely an incredible milestone! And it’s fortunate for those of us who can experience this celebration and work on the brand at this time. It’s 200 years of achievements of history and 200 years of growing together with all those who have been part of this institution’s journey. That’s why this story can only be told with the memory of those who, in some way, have been part of this journey. It was with this in mind that we launched a challenge to our customers, partners, employees, artists, all those who have touched or been touched by Vista Alegre and invited them to celebrate this very important milestone in the history of this brand that is deeply intertwined with the history of the country and Europe. The first step was to ask them to tell us their memories: their stories of Vista Alegre. From the tea service that always existed in the family home to the continuity of these pieces today. This was the first moment of celebration – we wanted to involve the people who have walked alongside us. Collecting personal memories and
knowledge of one of the oldest and most emblematic industries in operation will be an essential contribution to the construction of the Vista Alegre Museum’s Digital Archive, which will aggregate and make accessible this content, promoting the valorisation of national and European ceramic culture. Then, throughout the year, we’ll be preparing a series of events, exhibitions, collections, and very special pieces dedicated to commemorating the bicentenary; moments of celebration for the brand that will show not only how far we’ve come in these 200 years, but also, and very importantly, all that we still want to build (to infinity) from now on. How does the company perceive itself? As a tableware brand or something more? There is a naturally evolutionary and, of course, entrepreneurial character to the brand’s DNA. Founded in 1824, the Vista Alegre Porcelain Factory was the first industrial unit dedicated to the production of porcelain in Portugal. The spirit of persistence of its founder, José Ferreira Pinto Basto, was crucial to the foundation and success of this risky
NELL’ACQUA by Lorenzo Mattotti
Marking 200
years of creativity As Vista Alegre marks its 200th anniversary, Nuno Barra tells us about some of the collections launching which will honour the event All the new collections we’re launching in 2024 are dedicated to the celebration of the bicentenary. This means that, in most cases, we’ve looked at the extensive collection at the Vista Alegre Museum, selected pieces with historical relevance and reinterpreted them, giving life to new tableware, new decorative pieces, new pieces from the textile segment, beautiful crystal sets and, of course, contemporary pieces crafted by outstanding artists and personalities, such as architect Siza Vieira, Joana Vasconcelos, Lourenzo Mattotti and the irreverent OSGEMEOS. We’re going to launch incredible pieces that are destined to win many international design awards and delight our customers and partners. We’re going to have a year of celebration, many surprises, many new pieces and many moments where we’ll have the opportunity to tell you a little more about our extraordinary Vista Alegre. I leave you with a challenge: Be part of our history! Join us in these celebrations. HERANÇA Table Set
Founding father Vista Alegre was founded in 1824 – by José Ferreira Pinto Basto. It was the first industrial unit dedicated to the production of porcelain in Portugal. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 63
Interview Vista Alegre
industrial enterprise. A royal decision taken on 1 July 1824, King João VI authorised the establishment of the factory, awarded the title of Royal Factory, in recognition of its craftsmanship and industrial success. These first steps in the brand’s history dictated the audacity, rigour, quality and spirit of innovation that has always accompanied the brand. And it is with this spirit that
Do you feel a lot of responsibility being the current guardians of Vista Alegre? Of course! The whole team has that feeling, but above all we feel the pride of belonging to this institution. As I said at the beginning, it’s a privilege to be part of this story. It’s a huge responsibility to maintain quality, to respect the brand’s values,
1824
“The spirit of evolution, of truly listening to the needs of our clients, regardless of whether they are hospitality or retail, is what marks the future” we are now much more than just a tableware brand. Our core is tableware, giftware, art (with special editions) and hotelware, but we are evolving to lifestyle. That’s why today we have a line of home cosmetics, textiles for the home and personal use, cutlery and, of course, a high-quality offer in the home decoration segment. This is the result of the work of our fantastic inhouse teams, but also of our constant partnerships with renowned artists and brands all over the world. We are a brand and an institution in constant evolution.
HERANÇA Table Set
to continue what all those who built it over 200 years have left us. But also, the responsibility to continue the brand... for at least another 200 years! In terms of the tableware industry, does its future lie in hospitality or are retail sales even more important? What is your view? I don’t think it’s possible to make that distinction. All markets are important; we can’t name one as more important than the other. Each one has its own needs and demands and the secret – or to be more
assertive, the success – may depend on how we respond to those needs. The spirit of evolution, of truly listening to the needs of our clients, regardless of whether they are hospitality or retail, is what marks the future. There is room and space to evolve on all these different markets. That’s why it’s so important for us to continue to be present at international trade fairs and to have teams spread out all over the world. Back to Vista Alegre, I’m really interested in the way you partner with Bordallo Pinheiro, most recently on The Meaning – both brands have such unique styles albeit the same parent company. Do you think this sort of joined-up creative thinking is the way forward? Not just for Vista Alegre, but the industry as a whole?
64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
It was a very interesting and enriching partnership for both brands, for several reasons. Technically there is, without a doubt, a great challenge; each raw material reacts differently and has its specificities to be worked on. When we put them together in the same piece, the challenge of making mistakes, in other words, of learning, it’s more significant. There is a healthy pressure on our technical teams so that the final result is what we are used to launching on the market. Then, of course, the identities of each brand are very different. Ensuring that there is harmony, beauty and a collection that we are all proud of is another great challenge. The truth is that we liked it so much that we are already doing it again this year. We will have good news to share very soon!
Timelessly elegant, simple and beautiful.
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Column Nick Holland
The humble plate – designer Nick Holland talks shapes, decals and, most importantly, designing them
Let’s talk
plates
Unico
Nick Holland Nick Holland Design is an award-winning product design company that specialises in tableware and housewares. After a career as design director in the ceramics industry in England and Portugal, including 13 years with Vista Alegre, Nick now works with leading manufacturers in Europe, USA and Asia to create successful, beautiful and timeless products for retail and hospitality markets. www.nickhollanddesign.com
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The plate: a simple functional object that has been around mealtimes for thousands of years in various guises and materials – stone, clay, leather, wood, metal, glass. Since the discovery (in ancient times) that clay could be heated to high temperatures to create a strong and stable material, the functional ceramic plate for food was born. At first formed by hand and undecorated, things have since moved on a bit! For eating and dining, the plate is usually the most important element in tableware, with bowls sometimes coming a close second in some markets, especially in Asia. Today, the art of designing and producing plates on a large scale is a highly complex business. Developments in technology
and manufacturing, changes in dining and the culinary arts, as well as general trends in society have led to many new themes and ideas for what the perfect plate might be. Speaking as a product designer, to design a successful new plate shape for factory production is a real challenge. The first design challenge? Well, so many different plates in all shapes and sizes are readily available
can tick all these boxes you should be well prepared to start working on your new perfect plate design!
The material There are many different ceramic materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Bone china, porcelain, stoneware, vitreous ceramic, earthenware, glassceramic. Bone china and porcelain are
“Today, the art of designing and producing plates on a large scale is a highly complex business” worldwide. How do you create something new that is different and better than what already exists, and that will also have commercial appeal? The second challenge is to know all the manufacturing processes that will be used to make the plate and to understand (in detail) the respective advantages and limitations of each process. This comes with experience. The third challenge is to know the market well, understand trends in food presentation and cuisine, and the differing requirements of retail and hospitality markets. Once you
white bodies; stoneware, earthenware and vitreous have a natural beige tint. The white body materials traditionally tend to show their pure white colour as part of the overall plate decoration with decals or direct printing, although more recently stoneware-type reactive and coloured glazes are also being used by some manufacturers on porcelain. Stoneware, earthenware and vitreous bodies are usually decorated by coloured glazes that are often paired with special effects such as reactive, speckle, crackle, etc. All these materials can be decorated with colours and patterns in an infinite of ways to complement the whole
www.eqcceramics.com
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Column Nick Holland Tornado
Unico
Drops
irregular plate shapes, sometimes with deliberate imperfections, even for large-scale production in factories. Technical advances in manufacturing and robotics have made this possible.
Anything goes!
gamut of food presentation. The design of a new plate for factory production is initially a creative process, usually starting with exploratory sketch ideas, progressing through an oftenlengthy phase of painstaking design development and refinement, then finally, technical development of the design into fully detailed 2D engineering drawings and 3D CAD models. This precise and detailed engineering work is needed by most factories to enable the manufacture of the plate moulds and tools for the production process. My education in design at the Royal College of Art in London was a master’s degree in industrial design, and this creative course with a technical component has proved invaluable in terms of
the engineering aspects needed for working with factories with largescale ceramic production.
Creative thinking Moving to the more subjective and creative side – what are the best plate shapes? Much depends on the context of use. There are no definitive guidelines, other than plate shapes should be practical and functional, attractive and preferably durable. A round coupe plate is the simplest shape for a plate and very popular nowadays, especially in retail. It provides a completely open surface area with no borders, so gives maximum flexibility in the presentation of food. Coupe plates can come in many forms and with different design
details. I use coupe plates at home for the flexibility they offer. Plates with rims were the most popular shape in retail for many years and continue to have a strong presence. The rim acts as a visual frame, enhancing the appearance of the food contents and as a border to retain the food securely. Rims can come in many different styles that give the plate its character and are widely used in the HoReCa market, especially for banqueting. Other popular shapes that have been around for some time now are oval plates and platters, square and rectangular forms and more recently, freeform styles. The increasing appreciation by people of craft and hand-made artefacts has led to a great variety of asymmetric and
Chefs and food TV programmes have had a big influence too. Most chefs like to choose the pieces to present their culinary art to best advantage, and often will choose individual items from various different companies. A whole world exists for plate decoration possibilities and there are no rules. The chef is king – there is room for everyone. I love this world of tableware and enjoy the challenge in a crowded market of designing something unique and special and timeless. Ceramic plates look simple but the design process is actually pretty technical, as well as creative. Often it is the fine details that make all the difference. This is especially true in the case of my new design ÚNICO for Mesa Ceramics. As the legendary 1950s furniture designer Charles Eames said; “The details are not the details, they make the design.”
Plate power!
Josh Rammell, marketing manager at Utopia Tableware, gives his view on powerful plates In your opinion, is the coupe now the most popular plate shape?
One for
the chefs? If you are looking for modern, highquality chef’s plates to present your creations in the right light, the Chef’s Collection from Fortessa may be up your street. Modern colours, a special three dimensional feel and an unusual design come together in one collection. The extravagant seaweed, meadow and garland patterns in the trendy colors dark grey, taupe, mustard yellow and muted blue bring vibrancy to the table and ensure your masterpieces make the perfect appearance. These plates can be used either as show plates or as chargers. 68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
The popularity of the coupe plate has definitely increased in recent years. The combination of a sleek profile and rimless design allows it to be used in a variety of modern dining settings. Not only can it create an appealing presentation for a variety of cuisines, it is equally at home in both casual and fine dining contexts. While plate preferences are very subjective and can be influenced by wider cultural and regional trends, the coupe plate is undoubtedly one of the most common and in-demand types of tableware and certainly holds a significant place in the market.
What is the optimum plate diameter? The bestselling diameter of plate across all Utopia’s ranges is between 26 and 28cm. This is where most restaurants aim for with their main dishes, as it provides a generous amount of room to create dramatic and visually pleasing presentations. It can also work for small shared serves or large sides.
Which material showcases food better – porcelain or stoneware? Fundamentally the choice between porcelain or stoneware depends on the aesthetic the restaurant is aiming for, and whatever they pick should align with their overall theme and culinary style. While porcelain offers slightly more durability and provides a classic plating for a range of dishes, stoneware has an appealing tactile quality that can help to enhance and reinforce certain types of presentation, particularly ones aiming for a more natural or authentic aesthetic. Both porcelain and stoneware have their place, and can be combined to create individual and dramatic serves. Mixing and matching different styles and materials to create the ideal presentation for your business is an increasingly popular choice.
Question
Opinion General
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The great plate debate The OG, the GOAT, tableware’s baby daddy… however you want to describe it, the humble plate has taken a backseat in recent years. Arguably, its cooler brother – the bowl – has taken centre stage. But we can’t overlook the old reliable. Richard Eaton, design director, Denby, weighs in on the great plate debate… No matter how much we talk about bowls there are still some meals which are better on a plate. It’s almost the staple that nobody has talked about a great deal for the past few years. It’s just staring at you in its humble position as a key piece that we eat so many traditional British meals from, which just won’t work in a bowl – a roast Sunday roast, steak and chips, the morning round of toast! Some dishes work fine in a bowl such as pasta, salads and for international cuisine, bowls are used much more but plates are still important. I think the plate has taken a backseat to the bowl over recent years but it’s still there, still strong and a fundamental part of the tableware range. I think the plate whether it be small, medium or large dinner plate, has been biding its time and has never been in danger of going away! The coupe has become more popular as it’s a casual style of plate, but that’s not to say it’s for everyone. And that’s the great thing about a plate if cooks/chefs want to present food in a more casual style, you are more likely to serve it on a coupe shape. The rimmed plate hasn’t gone away, however, and even now there are wide rimmed plates and narrow 70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Heinen Delfts Blauw Femke Smelt, marketing and product manager, Heinen Delfts Blauw on great plates In your opinion, is the coupe plate now the most popular plate shape? Not with our customers. They still prefer the traditional large dinner plate with a rim.
rimmed plates and if you have a preference, you can still find every type of plate design. The great thing about the coupe style, it’s better suited to an all-over coloured design or a textured design in, say, a casual stoneware ceramic. For more formal presentation of food, a rimmed plate is preferable. So I think the selection of a plate is based on whatever goes with the design and whatever works for you, or how you wish to present food. In South Korea for example, the coupe dinner plates are for serving. The typical traditional size of coupe dinner plate is still a diameter of 26 centimetres, obviously with rimmed designs they are a little bit bigger at around 27cm as you need to allow the surface area to present food. The other great advantage of a coupe plate is functionality because it’s a deeper than a flat plate, of course, and it has sides more suitable for certain types of food and certainly, as importantly, where you may want to eat your food. If you’re sat down in front of the TV with your plate on a tray then a coupe is more suitable. But if you are dining on a table with white tablecloths, a very flat plate is probably more appropriate. So in all, it’s hard to generalise and what’s right for one may not be for someone else.
What is the optimum plate diameter? When it comes to a dinner plate, our ideal size is somewhere between 26–28 cm diameter. This gives you plenty of space to decorate the plate with food and it’s still easy to hold and serve. Which material showcases food better – porcelain or stoneware? Oh, 100 per cent porcelain! It’s smooth surface looks just beautiful, is durable and less likely to absorb grease or the colour of the food you are serving. As to whether it’s porcelain or stoneware which works best as coupe style, I think the coupe shape works well in stoneware and allows for so much colour, texture and life in the plate, whereas porcelain is more suited to a wide rimmed/gourmet plate showing the pure white of the porcelain. When, for instance, you see a Denby Halo coupe plate which goes from black through to a texture of grey, you see photographs of it with food, it looks amazing and almost the antithesis of a white porcelain or bone china plate. Currently in hospitality, chefs use the style of the plate to suit the style of the food and I think people appreciate that drama. We have all seen the white, wide rimmed plate which brings the intensity of food to the fore, but there are also rustic style
plates which achieve the visual focus with glaze effects. Often both those styles of food and presentation can be found in the same restaurant, which I think is one of the very exciting about working in the tableware industry today. The chef wants diversity and as a manufacturer of ceramics we are helping to create that drama as not one style fits all. As far as which ceramic showcases food better, there are advocates for both stoneware and porcelain styles!
LAV
MOOD
Collection
dissection
Milena
Let’s meet Pioli
Porland has launched Piolo, an exciting new brand! We shine a light on some key new launches which will be introduced at Ambiente...
Aida
Porland launches
new brand Pioli We showcase a number of collections from Porland’s new brand Pioli. And turn the page to see new introductions from Porland itself...
Aida Thanks to its elegant design, Aida has been created to support chefs’ creative culinary approaches. This series adds value to tables with its fine structure and silky texture.
Milena With space-saving stack-ability being a key feature and superior durability, the Milena series will appeal to the gastronomy industry.
Smoky Matte Brown Matte Brown combines a smoky effect with matte brown tones and unique texture. The brand says this collection “will be an ideal choice for reflecting modern style on tables”.
Smoky Matte Blue Like its sister collection, Smoky Matte Blue marries a smoky effect with matte blue tones and texture – perfect for showcasing culinary highlights.
Smoky Matte Brown
Smoky Matte Blue
Zenit
Poem
Zenit The Zenit Collection stands out with its tranquility and elegance, bringing serenity and balance to your table. Its minimalist design transforms every meal into a ritual of relaxation and tranquility, catering to those who prefer a sophisticated presentation.
Poem Inspired by traditional handicraft patterns, this exquisite set features matte bronzes, blues and shaded colours that flow like the verses of a poem. The collection is described as “elegant, fluid and imaginative”.
Porland will have two stands at Ambiente Hall 11.0, D11 and Hall 12.1, D30. 72 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
A NEW GLASS AN SENSAEW TION
TIME TO CELEBRATE MAKE ROOM FOR LAV IN YOUR LIFE Moments of joy
SHOW YOUR UNIQUE STYLE www.lav-us.com /LAV-US
THE INSPIRED HOME SHOW 2024 17-19 March 2024 Chicago, IL McCormick Place South Building Booth No: S636 AMBIENTE 2024 26-30 January 2024 Messe Frankfurt Booth: B 80 Hall Floor: 12.0 info@lav-us.com
Collection
Funky
dissection Funky
Danshari
Porland has always drawn inspiration for its designs from a variety of art forms, and Funky is no exception. With its modern and visually striking design, this collection brings an authentic touch to your dining spaces. Presented as an abstraction of the art of collage, the collection is guaranteed to add a visual uniqueness to your home settings.
Danshari Named after and inspired by the Japanese concept of minimalist home decluttering, the Danshari collection revolves around three fundamental truths that essentially describe humanity, along with three main colors that reflect us: sky, earth, and forest – blue, brown, and green. These colors exist in nature in their most fundamental and purest forms, evoking a sense of tranquility and calmness.
Meet Porland’s
fresh collections As Porland prepares to showcase its new collections, we highlight some hero lines sure to make an impact
Christina
Stoneware
Stoneware Porland proudly presents a new Stoneware line that incorporates many of the qualities typically associated with high-quality porcelain. Completely lead and cadmium-free Porland Stoneware offers high mechanical strength and surface scratch resistance. With its 0 percent water absorption, Porland Stoneware is designed to endure the demands of even the busiest foodservice environments. This collection is presented in eight stunning collections, each featuring uniquie designs, delightful colors, and captivating glazes.
Christina Porland has designed the Christina collection, which synthesises modern and traditional styles to create a retro-looking elegance. This collection is crafted using Porland’s own specially formulated Alumilite. The Christina collection stands out with its high Alumina content, providing excellent mechanical resistance. Its slim design caters to both professional users and consumers. The collection offers various color options and features unique reliefs engraved on every plate. Adding innovation to the collection, Porland has designed stands that harmonise with these engravings.
Posh The Posh collection is designed with inspiration from different patterns that symbolize various cultural values. This collection tells a new story through ethnic patterns. Posh emphasizes universality and traditions, showcasing the music, dance, fashion, and handicrafts from cultures around the world with a graceful rhythm. Porland states that the Posh collection is a symbol of respect and acceptance towards different cultures.
Posh
Botanical Botanical 74 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Botanical is an exquisite collection that brings wild flowers to life. The violet, lavender and butterfly patterns in the Botanical Collection provide a feast of nature on your dinner tables.
Porland will have two stands at Ambiente Hall 11.0, D11 and Hall 12.1, D30.
SILHOUETTE DESIGN: BODO SPERLEIN, LONDON
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In Focus Vidrios San Miguel
Taking care of future generations
As the only company to have a GRS cert for 100 per cent post-consumer recycled glass, Vidrios San Miguel holds its own in the marketplace. Export manager J.M. Botella tells Tableware International how the brand has grown to employ 380 people by recycling glass… In a small Spanish town, near Valencia, sits the Vidrios San Miguel factory. The factory, warehouse and offices employ 380 people producing 100 per cent recycled glassware, which is exported to 82 countries.
The company was founded 38 years ago and, as far as export manager J.M. Botella is concerned, its story is founded on principles of authenticity. Authenticity of product and authenticity of place.
GRS certified
Vidrios San Miguel is the only worldwide company having the GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification for 100 per cent postconsumer recycled glass. The GRS certification is the highest international standard to confirm compliance with sustainability, in this case for 100 per cent post-consumer recycled glass. “This certification also allows all our customers to distribute and sell genuine sustainable products,” J.M. Botella explains. 76 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
“San Miguel starts every piece with authentic 100 per cent post-consumer recycled glass, rooted in the belief that creating earth-friendly products, does not have to come at the expense of Mother Nature. Our journey began 38 years ago, and it continues today.” As conversations around sustainability, green living, environmental awareness, and ethical production become more the norm than part of the zeitgeist, Vidrios San Miguel’s production values are already on point. “We source all our glass and raw materials locally to avoid extra-transportation
and CO2 emissions,” J.M Botella explains. “We don’t use any natural resources such as sand and no chemicals in our production process. The glass we recycle is the glass the end consumers have deposited in glass bins. The energy used to produce recycled glass is lower than that needed for new glass. The recycling process of glass is a perfect circle and a clear example of sustainability.” He continues: “The younger generation are completely aware of the importance of recycling and living in a more sustainable way. Demand is constantly increasing around the world.”
See Vidrios San Miguel at Ambiente this year – Hall 12.0, C54.
In Focus Vidrios San Miguel
“San Miguel starts every piece with authentic 100 per cent post-consumer recycled glass”
And while all of Vidrios San Miguel’s products are 100 per cent recycled, it is important they hold aesthetic values too. So, what are the company’s bestselling lines? “Tableware is becoming one of our most important product lines, such as our Authentic and Basic ranges,” J.M. Botella reveals. “Decorative items such as our Simplicity collection are also very popular on all five continents – not forgetting our HoReCa products like the Est. 1896 range.” Speaking of HoReCa, Vidrios San Miguel’s range covers both
consumer and hospitality, with the company enjoying growing demand from the professional sector. To meet demand from both consumer and HoReCa, the company prides itself on its flexibility. “Between shapes and colours, we offer 25,000 possibilities,” J.M. Botella tells us. “We also have flexible capabilities to cover specific demands from our customers. We have a comprehensive design team that marries the natural beauty of recycled glass with inspiring
Did you know?
The energy saved in the recycling of three bottles is enough to charge the battery of a smartphone for one year, keep a light bulb on for nine days or put the washing machine on three times. 78 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
trends, offering affordable highquality home décor products.” When it comes to the future, Vidrios San Miguel is going into the new year full of expectation. “We keep investing on a constant basis towards sustainability and innovation; 1.7 GW energy sourced from solar panels, construction of our own
oxygen production plant, modern and efficient new offices are part of our investments. We will also be introducing a very large number of new items for our 2024 collection,” he reveals. As consumer demand for recycled glassware continues to grow – Vidrios San Miguel is there meeting the demand. See the team at Ambiente – Hall 12.0, C54.
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Preview
Ambiente 2024 opens this January, welcoming thousands of industry exhibitors to Frankfurt for the key date in the trade show diary. Tableware International takes a closer look…
Did
It’s showtime! With the opening of Ambiente this January, the tabletop industry gathers for its premier showcase. Thousands of exhibitors across the entire industry spectrum will present their wares in Frankfurt in what is an absolute must-attend for the majority. Being there and being seen to have your finger on the pulse is as important as now as it was pre-pandemic. This year sees the return of many big-name brand names, such as BHS Tabletop, RAK Porcelain, Steelite and Villeroy & Boch who will be exhibiting in HoReCa Hall 11.0, where Zwiesel Kristallglas will also have a
stand and present its consumer product line for the first time, together with its own hospitality brand. Visitors can also look forward to Table & Table Select (Halls 12.0 and 12.1) with new exhibitor Gers van Well and returning exhibitors Bormioli Luigi, Narumi, Noritake, RCR, Rosenthal, Royal Tableware and Seltmann-Weiden. “Ambiente serves as a valuable platform for NUDE’s marketing operations,” a spokesperson for the luxury glass maker told Tableware International. “While it provides an opportunity to showcase new collections and secure orders, it is equally
Don’t forget!
The Tableware International Awards of Excellence takes place Sunday, 28 January at 6pm in the HoReCa Academy, based in the foyer of Hall 11.0. 80 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
important for establishing and nurturing connections within the industry. Building relationships with potential clients, distributors, and partners is vital for the long-
exhibition allows us to showcase our latest products, connect with potential clients, gather market insights, and stay abreast of industry trends.”
“The big brands – the big players in the industry – are there” Thomas Kastl, director Ambiente dining
term success of the brand.” The NUDE Glass brand spokesperson added: “We exhibit at Ambiente to leverage the international exposure the trade show provides. Ambiente attracts a diverse audience of industry professionals, including buyers, retailers, and distributors. The
Speaking about exhibitors at the show, Thomas Kastl, director Ambiente dining recently said: “In 2024 many (crystal) glass manufacturers are back at Ambiente and the glass industry in general returned. We are delighted about many returnees and exciting new exhibitors in all
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Preview
Hospitality focus
Ambiente is putting the hospitality industry in the spotlight with a top-class lecture programme and the newly designed Hotelier’s Day: from 27 to 29 January 2024, the HoReCa Academy in the foyer of Hall 11.0 invites the industry to exchange valuable knowledge and to network. Visitors can look forward to renowned speakers, exciting presentations, stimulating discussions and an overview of the latest hospitality trends. product groups. The big brands – the big players in the industry – are there.” Another exhibitor at the show will be recycled glass experts Vidrios San Miguel with export manager J.M. Botella describing Ambiente as: “the most important and professional working platform for our company. It gives us the opportunity to meet all our customers all around the world. We will be exhibiting a very large number of new ranges responding to the latest trends in shapes and colours.” Likewise, Villeroy & Boch’s Andreas Schönfelder, sales director, dining & lifestyle says: “We are very much looking forward to interesting conversions and lively discussions with our customers. We are also offering an exciting experience for our visitors that will allow them to discover our new Afina collection from a completely different perspective.” From Dunoon’s perspective, sales director Peter Smith says the company – which celebrates 50 years manufacturing in 2024 – is eagerly anticipating the show. “Our inaugural post-Covid exhibition at Ambiente
2023 proved to be a resounding success, with customers expressing joy at the opportunity to see our products in person and placing substantial orders. If the upcoming Ambiente 2024 mirrors the positive reception of the 2023 exhibition, we will be thrilled. In preparation for this event, we plan to unveil over 150 new mug patterns to captivate customer interest and encourage substantial ordering.” Meanwhile, HoReCa, of course, is a big deal. All of Hall 11.0 is dedicated to the space with the HoReCa Academy in the foyer of Hall 11.0. Ambiente tells us the focus continues to be on HoReCa as the leading platform for the front-ofhouse business for restaurateurs and hospitality decision-makers. In addition, the range of out-of-house and back-of-house products can now also be searched for here. With the Hotelier’s Day, Ambiente is now dedicating a whole day of the fair with a tailored fringe programme to these heterogeneous target groups. “Ambiente Dining thus offers even more potential for new contacts and synergies: wholesalers and retailers or
Design talent The multi-award-winning product designer and artist Elena Salmistraro from Milan is Ambiente’s Designer 2024. She designs ‘The Lounge’, a special presentation in Galleria 1 that creates a thematic interface between interior design and HoReCa. This is the starting signal for an ongoing project: every year, Ambiente will now select an up-and-coming designer with an exclusively designed special showcase. 82 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Don’t miss
Denby at Ambiente! Jonathan Thornhill, Denby’s international account manager, will be on the Clip Quality Brands Stand, Denby’s distributor in Benelux, Germany and France on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Hall 12.1, E41. Jonathan Thornhill tells Tableware International: “We believe that people are happiest in a place where they feel completely at home. It’s a powerful motivation that drives Björn and Ruchama Bakker of Clip Quality Brands in everything they do. Clip Quality Brands has experienced impressive growth in recent years thanks to a strategic expansion of new activities. This includes continuing to innovate with its own brands and continued investment in the company’s distribution arm, which distributes products for Denby Pottery, among others, in mainland Europe.” Distribution with Denby Pottery As a family business, Clip Quality Brands has two divisions. In addition to developing its own brands, it has been a distributor for Denby Pottery since September 2021. Björn and Ruchama say: “Next year we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary as a company. Having been in the tableware industry for all this time, we have come across many brands, including Denby Pottery, an established brand that fits well with our core values. They were looking for a strong partner with a good retail network in Europe and they came to us. Since then, we have been developing the brand in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and France.” At Ambiente the Clip stand will showcase Denby’s new products, Kiln Blue and Greenhouse & Carve. Visit: Clip Quality Brands, Ambiente: Hall 12.1, E41
Preview
All about
Head of international sales hotel & restaurant – Sambonet Paderno Industrie, Arcturus Group Caterina Bernabino gives us insight into why Ambiente is such an important date in the company’s diary…
The HoReCa Academy will be back at Ambiente 2024. Global industry experts will present a top-class lecture programme specially tailored to the requirements of the hospitality industry.
Is Ambiente an order-taking show for you or more about making connections?
HoReCa
On Saturday, 27 January, Pierre Nierhaus, the internationally renowned trend researcher, will present at the HoReCa Academy what is driving the global hospitality industry. In his presentation from 14:00-14:30, he will explain how restaurateurs and hoteliers can create unique experiences through extraordinary staging and captivating storytelling. The topic of sustainability will take centre stage immediately afterwards: from 14:45-15:15, Swedish trend expert Stefan Nilsson will focus on innovative sustainability concepts for hotels and restaurants. Included in the programme: exciting best practices for the conscious handling of food and waste, recyclable materials and alternative room furnishings in the hospitality industry.
84 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Question
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Ambiente is undoubtedly the perfect showcase for an international preview of our new products. In addition to Rosenthal-Sambonet’s high-end mise en place, this year we will also introduce a special focus on Arthur Krupp, with its adaptable and trendy table range. Compared to the past, Ambiente is even more an opportunity to strengthen our network of contacts, not just to meet clients with whom we can consolidate existing relationships, but also to get in touch with new partners from all over the world. It’s the perfect place to discover products live, place orders but also to discuss with our collaborators located around the world about the scenarios of the industry, for which we are always ready to develop new solutions that meet the most diverse needs and challenges of the future. What will your hero collection be at the show? During the fair we will showcase significant new products for the table and living, such as the latest Neutra cutlery designed by Centro Stile Sambonet, the Radici home living capsule, a new selection of very attractive gift ideas, and also four new Arthur Krupp plate series that will further expand the brand’s offerings. At Ambiente we will also present Sambonet’s renewed image. A communication project that will give new impetus to the brand, celebrating the Italian ingenuity and technology that have distinguished our products in this market for over 160 years. Do you anticipate a positive year for the industry in 2024? It is very difficult to say for sure: our new products are very attractive in terms of design, offer and price. We believe that the assumptions behind our work allow us to look to the future with confidence but, of course, we are very cautious because of the complex political and economic environment that impacts some markets. Finally, why does your company exhibit at Ambiente? In our business, Ambiente is the only event with international appeal for retailers, and in just five days, we are able to meet our partners from around the world, get a glimpse of the latest news and emerging trends in the entire industry, meet with suppliers and business partners, as well as share market intelligence with colleagues from our sister companies and subsidiaries, but we also have time to meet with agents and distributors who work for us in certain markets.
commercial traders, specialised contract business and hospitality buyers, outfitters, project planners, distributors or hoteliers and international hotel chains, caterers, chefs, F&B managers, and restaurants will all get their money’s worth in Frankfurt,” says Kastl. One of the major additions to this year’s HoReCa schedule is the above-
mentioned Hotelier’s Day on Monday, 29 January. The day includes trend tours and special offers at selected exhibitor stands. The HoReCa Academy has a tailor-made lecture programme in store too but one highlight at the end of the day will be chef Jozef Youssef who will present his latest research in the field of gastrophysics under the title
Fact! The Dining area is situated
over a total of 10 hall levels with all global market players represented.
“The power of colour: a survey on how coloured tableware influences the perception of food”. Starting at 18:00, visitors will find out what effects colours have on the sense of taste and what cultural influences may be behind them. Following his keynote speech, the celebrity chef will be serving a specially created finger food menu. With so much taking place during the course of the show, it is near impossible to cover it all. Needless to say, Tableware International will be attending Ambiente with our stand in the foyer of Hall 11.0 – make sure you drop by to say hello.
The Emma Line Making everyday life more beautiful
Design: HolmbäckNordentoft
The Emma line, with its simple and elegant lines, is a beautiful addition to any kitchen counter or dinner table. Emma includes everything from vacuum jugs to electric kettles and toasters. In the Emma collection, you will find everything you need to set an inviting table from cups and plates to thermos, electric kettles and toasters.
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Preview Attending their first Ambiente, Heinen Delfts Blauw is looking forward to the new connections offered to them by the show. Marga van Halteren, in the company’s marketing department, tells us more… Is Ambiente an order-taking show for you or more about making connections? This will be our first time on Ambiente, but our primary goal is to take orders. Having said that, making new connections is almost just as important to us, so our focus will be on both. What will your hero collection be at the show? We are located in the tableware section, so our main focus is on our tableware collections. We don’t have a specific hero collection at the moment, but our collections Blauw Vouw (Blue Fold) and Blauw Bloesem (Blue Blossom) will be given the most space and attention in regards to our presentation. Do you anticipate a positive year for the industry in 2024? Yes, I do think that 2024 is going to be a positive year for the industry. Now that Covid is gone, people are enjoying themselves again and visiting restaurants and bars – even at international shows you see more customers coming back. The faith has been restored and that is always a good thing for this industry.
See Heinen Delfts Blauw in Hall 12.1, E16. Francisco Braga, CEO, Mesa Ceramics, on why Ambiente is a must-attend event are expecting some growth in the market, especially in the hospitality sector, so we are ready for the buzz and the extra work that comes with it. As last year, we definitely expect the sample request volume to go up during the weeks after, as well as orders from the new contacts to open during the show. Do you anticipate a positive year for the industry in 2024?
Is Ambiente an order-taking show for you or more about making connections? For us, Ambiente is the most important trade fair of the year. Last year we had a fantastic show and came back with new contacts, partners and orders. We had a few busy months after Ambiente, with a high demand for samples and urgent orders for production. We 86 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
2023 was a year of strong market contraction, particularly in the retail sector. In 2024, we expect to see a slow but steady recovery in the retail sector and an increase in sales in the hospitality sector. At Mesa we are making a very strong commitment to the HoReCa, without neglecting all retailers who are looking for a product with great quality, resistance, elegance, design and environmental sustainability. With that being said, we do expect this year to be positive, and are ready to adjust to the demand, as many times
as required, in order to provide the best customer service needed. Finally, why does your company exhibit at Ambiente? Ambiente is the most important exhibition show of the year, for us. Past years have revalled that attending is very fruitful and our team is always very enthusiastic to participate and grow through every year's new experience.
See Mesa Ceramics in Hall 12.0, B76.
Preview
RAK Porcelain Hall 11.0, C51
www.rakporcelain.com
Narumi
Hall 12.1, Stand B35 Narumi will be back in Frankfurt for the first time in three years. It focuses on the flow of nature, especially how objects and landscapes change as time passes, to visualise the beauty of nature that is often invisible and obscure. There is no one definite border between winter and spring, yet we sense the coming of spring by gradual changes of temperature and blooming flowers. Our days continue to pass seamlessly every day, yet each day has morning, evening and night and we can tell it by the changing colours of the sky. It is those obscure moments in nature that NARUMI aims to capture in their new collections at Ambiente. The moments created by the natural flow of time are presented by gradations, colour layers, glazes, embossment, and reliefs. While they reflect latest design trends such as calming colours, soft shapes, comfortable curves and organic touch, they are designed and engineered in a way that will best benefit culinary professionals; there is no compromising on quality, functionality, or easiness to handle. They are also suitable for home use as they create comfortable atmosphere in a sophisticated way. The understated, yet distinctive designs will elevate food presentation in any occasions.
www.narumi.co.jp
RAK Porcelain will be welcoming all tableware enthusiasts and HoReCa professionals at their booth of an exceptional size of almost 400 square meters featuring an on-site restaurant in Hall 11.0. Included in the novelties are several new cutlery series, such as the two highly luxurious, ultra-light hollow-handle series, “Rezzo” and “Nawaï” which demonstrate finest craftmanship.
RAK Porcelain also launched their first ever series in 18/0 stainless steel, “Kampton”, which aims to facilitate the service in collective catering settings and a first embossed cutlery series, “Sparkle”. Furthermore, visitors will be able to discover a never-seen-before series on RAK Porcelain’s bone china which will be revealed for the very first time during Ambiente in January 2024.
Robbe & Berking Hall 12.1, C02
www.robbeberking.com Robbe & Berking will be at Ambiente as it celebrates 150 years of producing top-tier products. You’ll find Robbe & Berking’s cream-colored cutlery box and champagne box on the stand. The brand also boasts a sterling silver chess set which follows Robbe & Berking’s 2020 launch of one of the most valuable chess sets ever made. A series of other games will follow.
Amefa Hall 8.0, E29
www.amefa.com For many years Amefa has attended the world’s leading consumer goods fair Ambiente, this year is no exception. At their stand E29 in Hall 8 they will be showing their current assortment as well as the newest trends for flatware, steak knives and kitchen knives. If you would like to plan an appointment, please contact sales@amefa.com. Amefa looks forward to seeing you at Ambiente!
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Preview
New textures enrich
Wilmax’s Monolith At Ambiente Wilmax is presenting entirely new textures and shapes of tableware as a part of its Monolith collection which symbolises the infinity of the universe, calmness, and inviolability… The Monolith collection brings a fresh take on the classic vitrified porcelain tested by time. This collection is inspired by nature and objects around us with a variety of textures, natural colours and simple forms. The simplic-
ity of lines is enriched with the natural texture, achieved with special matte glaze. A wide variety of textures were added to the already successful subline with the texture of stone. The texture of the products is created covering vitrified porcelain with matte glaze, which also gives the products their final colour. New textures introduced by Wilmax resemble traces of water on the sand, crocodile skin, fossil prints, burnt wood, leather, subtle lines and fish or reptile scales. They leave room for the imagination and produce associations with things once seen or touched. And they certainly give room for creativity as the matte textured surface
of the porcelain is an excellent backdrop for a variety of dishes and emphasises the beauty of their presentation. The Monolith collection comes in three colours – black, sand, and white. These natural colours work well in different interiors. They can be used separately or combined to create different contrast combinations and backgrounds for dishes. And the succinct but extraordinary design of the products will make every serving unsurpassed. They also combine well with different materials such as stainless steel, acacia wood, glass or bamboo. The variety of product choices of Monolith is impressive – rectangular, square, and round plates for serving aperitifs and main courses, salad bowls, serving dishes, tea pots and cups, signature
Expanding the range The existing Monolith collection lines (SlateStone, SandStone and WhiteStone), which became a hit with HoReCa professionals are also expanding. Now Wilmax has added tea pots, cups and creamers, new shapes of bowls and serving plates. 90 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Find them! Hall 12.1, D41
wilmax.uk serving plates and much more. The existing lines of the Monolith collection (SlateStone, SandStone and WhiteStone), which became a hit with HoReCa professionals are also expanding. Now Wilmax has added tea pots, cups and creamers, new shapes of bowls and serving plates. Trends, set by chefs combined with the professional quality of tableware, can be now used to bring new aesthetics to serving. The shapes of the collection are elegant and minimalistic in line with the latest trends in serving. And as with all Wilmax products, the Monolith collection is designed for intensive use and is suitable for both professional and home environments.
Preview
Dankotuwa Porcelain
Stelton
www.dankotuwa.com
www.stelton.com
Hall 12.0, Stand A37
Dankotuwa Porcelain Plc, based in Sri Lanka, is a fully-fledged manufacturer of world-class porcelain dinnerware with 39 years of true Sri Lankan heritage. It has established its presence in over 40 countries - from USA to Europe to Japan and beyond, and is acclaimed for its pristine whiteness in its porcelain as well as intricately decal decorated products and more. Renowned globally for its rich luxurious and elegant porcelain Dankotuwa dinnerware – the company ventured into unique reactive glazes as well as hand-painted designs on porcelain dinnerware inspired by poetry to nature to geometric and architectural designs using its skilled artistic craftsmanship and experienced talent. Royal Fernwood Porcelain ltd, a subsidiary entity of Dankotuwa, is also a fully-fledged manufacturing facility based east from Sri Lanka’s commercial capital Colombo. Production capacity of both entities exceeds twelve million pieces per annum. Dankotuwa Porcelain and Royal Fernwood Porcelain has established itself as a reliable and high-quality supplier of porcelain products in the areas of co-branded, and contract manufacturing as well as having its own brand globally, winning multiple awards in exports for its trailblazing dinnerware in porcelain. At Ambiente 2024, the company will be launching masterpieces suitable for any gastronomy and invite you to visit them in hall No 12.0 stand number A37.
Hall 3.1, E60
Stelton will be at Ambiente with its new assortments for 2024. Part of the lineup includes Emma, the latest addition to Stelton’s stoneware collection, inspired by the Danish ceramic tradition and natural hues. Crafted with a resilient glaze and adorned with an elegant matte finish, Emma exudes a raw and exclusive aesthetic, perfectly suited for everyday use.
Sambonet Hall 12.1, C09
www.sambonet.com Sambonet will present the Radici Home Collection at Ambiente. A capsule collection of objects designed to add content but also beauty to the home, where Italian genius and Sambonet’s timeless design combines with the glamorous and ever-changing character of Arthur Krupp. The selection mixes together items for the table but, at the same time, is extremely flexible and open to different functions and styles. It can also be used outdoors.
Porcel Hall 12.1, B67
www.porcel.com Porcel will once again participate at Ambiente with the team looking forward to showcasing new products, meeting clients in addition to potential new buyers, as well as reinforce partnerships with others exhibitors. For this edition, the brand’s product preview includes a new collection under the “Elements” concept - a luxurious and innovative approach to reactive glazes, inspired by nature and decorated exclusively by hand. This new collection invites new sensory and gastronomic experiences and has also been designed to combine perfectly with other collections, such as helping to create bold table settings with personality. Porcel will also showcase the new pieces from the Lush Forest collection, the first collection from the concept. Porcel’s stand can be found at our new location: Hall 12.1 Stand B67. They invite you to explore their collections first-hand, engage with our team, and witness the technique and quality that sets our products apart. 92 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Preview
Brilliance
Fresh new collections
from Rosenthal
Rosenthal will showcase its new launches at Ambiente, along with introductions from the Thomas and Hutschenreuther brands…
Find them! Hall 12.1, C09
www.rosenthal.de Brilliance Teatime and fine herbs have always been a harmonious combination. A pattern of delicate flowers and herbs therefore adorns the new small teapot as an extension to the Brillance Grand Air collection made of the finest bone china. Together with two teacups and saucers it comes as a “Tea for 2” set in optional gift packaging. The
Balance Vases
perfect moment of pleasure for lovers of fine blends, which can be celebrated with a loved one or as a me-time. In addition, mugs are available in three new floral designs in the colours lila, jaune and bleue, which are also available in a set of four in appealing gift packaging. Within the Grand Air décor, Regula Stüdli captures the purity
of nature. She combines fragrant herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender, bright meadow flowers such as nasturtiums and marigolds with wild flowers such as cornflowers, pansies and daisies. The bone china of the Brillance line emphasises the elegance and lightness of the delicate floral decor.
Balance Vases The new Balance Vases bring colour, shape and surface into harmonious harmony. Made from the finest bone china, the vases in watercolour-
Design vases
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like shades add a fresh touch to any interior. The beautifully shaped vases are available in two colour variations: while in the “Lime” version a soft light green merges into a lime yellow, the “Purple” version features a variety of light and darker violet tones. The sleek shape is based on a classic vase design, yet remains modern and unobtrusively elegant. The two vases go well with Rosenthal’s Brillance Grand Air line in bone china and the floral decorations by Swiss textile designer Regula Stüdli.
Original, unique and a conscious choice for quality. 100% made in the Netherlands.
ROYALGOEDEWAAGEN.COM
Preview
Mini Vases+ debut in new colours
Mini Vases
Design vases In 1961, Rosenthal shook up the porcelain industry with the line studio-line, in which it turned avant-garde designs by artists, designers and architects into porcelain creations. To mark the 60th anniversary of studio-line in 2021, Rosenthal reissued iconic vases, created from various design collaborations, as part of the “Sixty&Twelve” collection. Six vase designs from the line are now available, cast from
coloured porcelain, in new, pastel shades and in unlimited editions: the Fast shape (design: Cédric Ragot) in the color Cameo, Squall (design: Cédric Ragot) in Mint, Asym (design: Claus Josef Riedel) in Sea Salt, Vase of Phases (design: Studio Dror) in Pacific, Skum (BIG Ideas) in Fossil and Hop (design: Sebastian Herkner) in Atlantic. The vases, which measure between 26 and 32 centimetres, have an elegant touch thanks to the matt feel on the outside and the glaze on the inside.
Hutschenreuther puts the spring in gifts Visitors to ambiente can see the new Hutschenreuther collector’s edition “Spring is in the Air” on the Rosenthal stand. The new designs made from the finest porcelain and bone china are perfect gift ideas not only for gardening enthusiasts and animal lovers. The 2024 limited edition flower bell is decorated with delicate flowers and butterflies in pastel colours. The mini eggs and hearts are also a feast for garden lovers: their protagonists are cornflowers, anemones and forget-me-nots. Hutschenreuther is also celebrating an anniversary in 2024: the popular porcelain egg has been around for 40 years. The maxi egg in this year’s collection, with its delicate relief motif and made entirely of white porcelain, is therefore available in a limited-edition of 1000 pieces. Hutschenreuther is also launching an anniversary edition of a five-piece set of mini eggs, also in a limited edition. It contains the most popular motifs from the last five years and can be purchased in an elegant set box. The new mugs in the “Nora Wild Flower” line made of bone china also focus on nature. www.hutschenreuther.com 96 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Whether a single cherry branch or a small flower arrangement: Rosenthal’s Mini Vases+ turn blossoms, buds and branches into real eye-catchers. Twelve designs, formed from coloured porcelain mass in the six new shades Mint, Coral, Mid Night, Fossil, Abyss and Lava, come in an elegant surface similar to “biscuit” porcelain (porcelain without glaze) and in extraordinary shapes. The small design objects were modelled exactly on their large predecessor vases. The small “Fast” vase, for example, is a fascinating interpretation of social change in the digital age, while “Node” is the little brother of designer Martin Hirth’s optical node. The 8-11 cm small vases work as soloists or in combination with each other and are ideal gifts for design lovers.
Profi Casual A design for relaxed hours and casual places, and already popular tableware at many international and national hotels and restaurants: With the collection now also available for end consumers, trendsetters bring a hip bar and café atmosphere to the table at home. The plates and bowls come in the delicate pastel colours shell, moss and mint, which freshen up living environments. The chestnutcoloured handpainted striped edge gives a high-end crafted effect to each porcelain item. This range is the perfect companion for good times with friends and family. It is protagonist for sharing plates or finger food and a stylish entrance to the special weekend feeling. A must have for people that search casual and timeless elegance as well as excellent and robust quality. Daily use is highly recommended!
Proli Casual
New tableware from Thomas The power of water, vivacious, turbulent and of unlimited beauty, is reflected in the new Thomas Nature shade, Ocean, launching in 2024. The mysterious dark blue of the ocean spans vast expanses – and appears just as awe-inspiring on plates, cups and bowls in different sizes. A hint of grey gives the coloured glaze a sense of depth and unobtrusively complements the robust stoneware. Whether it’s solo or in combination with the natural Thomas Nature shades – Sand, Water or Leaf – the calm colour tone exudes maritime confidence and on-trend character. www.thomas-porzellan.de
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Preview
Luzerne
Woodfire
Woodfire
Hall 11.0, E71
www.luzerne.com Embark on a curated showcase of fire-forged beauty, expanded possibilities, and timeless elegance at Ambiente 2024 with Luzerne. Here’s what awaits you:
WoodFire Inspired by the rustic charm of open-fire cooking, this handcrafted collection features unique wood-like textures on each piece. Beautiful and functional, it embodies Luzerne’s commitment to artisanal techniques and everyday dining experiences that spark joy.
Lek takes Flight Luzerne is adding more playful pieces to the existing Lek collection, expanding the horizons of Chef with options for creating delightful foodscapes. But that’s not all! Get ready for Lek’s new exquisite series of refined whiteware. Think crisp plates, elegant bowls, and saucers adorned with delicate decals – all crafted from sleek ceramic. It’s a sophisticated new voice for Lek, ready to elevate your Everyday Best moments, from casual gatherings to grand celebrations.
Eternum Hall 12.1 D11
www.eternum.com Eternum will attend Ambiente 2024 where they will celebrate 100 years in business. Visit them to see new introductions such as Cento, a Signature collection. They will also launch Ravenna notable for the mosaic on its handle. With Gastronum, Eternum launches a complete matte black edition joining the trend for coloured table accessories. They have also redeveloped their retail packaging to match a new brand image. All novelties will be introduced at Ambiente.
Structo
Victorian charm arrives Embrace a bygone era with Astoria, a delicate collection that features intricate Victorian-style details, adding a touch of romance. It’s a love letter to timeless elegance, perfect for everyday. Luzerne is also expanding colour palettes across both existing and new collections. Witness deep, smoky greys anchoring the playful waltz of lagoon blue and green and rosy summer pinks. Find the perfect shade to express your every mood and occasion.
Zieher
Hall 11.0 C28 and Hall 12.1 C43
www.zieher.com
Zieher will be at Ambiente with two stands, Hall 11.0 C28, and Hall 12.1 C43. Visit them to see a standout array of collections and products, amongst them, On The Rocks – a unique decanter cooler. On hot days, decanting wine while keeping it at the optimal drinking temperature can be quite a challenge. The decanter cooler On The Rocks offers an innovative and highly aesthetic solution for this situation. It has been exclusively designed for Zieher decanters Eddy and Star. The selected grey marble is captivating due to the diverse patterns of its marbling. Each piece is unique and offers the opportunity to decant and simultaneously chill white, rosé, and red wines in a stylish manner. The top part of the cooler is stored in the freezer, while the matching base remains unchilled. It captures the condensation that forms on the frosted top part during use, ensuring that the table remains dry and free from unwanted water stains. The frozen shell ensures that the wine maintains the desired drinking temperature for longer on hot days. Two silicone rings, included in the set, dampen noise and protect the decanters when inserted into the cooler. With On The Rocks, chilled dishes can also be presented and served in an exceptional way, on ice.
Fine2Dine Hall 11.0, D90
www.fine2dine.com Visit Fine 2 Dine on parent company Fine Dining & Living’s stand to see the Aroma collection – created especially for true coffee lovers. Choose from the soothing and serene Aroma Blue, the warm and inviting Aroma Caramel or the timeless and elegant Aroma Pearl. Or simply combine them together! From small to large cups suitable for different coffee sizes, to perfectly matched saucers. Milk jugs and sugar bowls complete the look. You’ll also find Structo Turquoise where strong structures and stackable shapes are the essence of this unique range. The simple and robust design finds its inspiration in the bold lines of architecture and the solid structures of the construction industry. 98 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Aroma
Preview
Rose & Morning Bouquet
Harvest Dream
Noritake celebrates
120 years! Company returns to Ambiente for first time in four years Celebrating 120 years in 2024 Noritake is excited to be exhibiting at Ambiente for the first time in four years and returns this January with a bright new look. The emphasis will be on newness and releases that reflect contemporary lifestyle trends, while at the same time retaining the legendary quality and technique that is synonymous with the Noritake brand. Conifere Aqua, Yellow and Pink are new casual dinnerware ranges manufactured using Noritake’s latest hand-dipped color process and are suitable for both everyday and HoReCa use. Verdant Meadow is a stunning mix ‘n match design inspired by seasonal florals that features an exquisite teal glaze and advanced microwave safe gold technology, making it ideal for special occa-
sions and everyday use. Rose Bouquet and Morning Bouquet combine classical baroque shaping, Art Nouveau styling, hand-dipped coloor glazing and microwave safe gold in one design, creating a product with a vintage feel to be used everyday. Sorrento Breeze is a fine bone china pattern where organic design and vivid color blend beautifully to establish a fresh feel and a sense of nostalgia. Finally, there will be two new floral Noritake Gift Collections released at Ambiente. Harvest Dream, made from fine bone china, has a lovely French Provincial feel to it, while fine porcelain Chelsea Estate features contemporary styling with a unique lotus flower design, highlighted by bold yellow colouring and striking blue/red accents.
Did you know?
Find them! Hall 12.1, C16.
www.noritake.co.jp
Noritake will launch two new floral Gift Collections at Ambiente. Harvest Dreams, made from fine bone china, has a lovely French Provincial feel to it while fine porcelain Chelsea Estate features contemporary styling with a unique lotus flower design. 100 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Sorrento Breeze
Verdant Meadow
Preview
Mars & Vazo
Juno
NUDE’s new glassware them! to shine at Ambiente Find Hall 12.0, E80 Istanbul-based global design brand, NUDE, will present its collections at Ambiente. The showcase in Frankfurt will feature brand new additions to NUDE’s stemware, home accessories and serveware offering… Round Up
eu.nudeglass.com Mars Designed by Pentagon Design, these spherical vases are an homage to the planet Mars and its two moons. Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, has long captivated human imagination with its shades of orange and steel blue. Reimagined for the home, the Mars collection is crafted from mouth-blown glass and is available in three sizes.
Juno
Round Up in Dusty Rose NUDE has introduced its newest colourway launch, Dusty Rose, which adorns the Round Up collection of wineware. Available in four glass sizes, the handmade leadfree glasses have been designed with a rounded bowl which encourages smooth pouring and encapsulates aromas. The wide ribbed, optic surface gives the glasses an enchanting quality, accentuating the colour of the drink they hold.
Contour in Steel Blue NUDE welcomes its Steel Blue colourway to the iconic Contour collection designed by Pentagon Design. Featuring three vases, the collection is characterised by a sculptural silhouette and visual illusion which makes the form seem at once solid and ethereal. 102 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
The in-house designed Juno collection is characterised by curvaceous forms which undulate and intertwine, paired with an eye-catching orange hue. Handcrafted from crystalline glass, the range includes a carafe and glass, cake dome and two serving plates which were designed to bring people together to experience culinary delights. Each piece in the range makes a bold statement whether used separately or in unison.
Preview
Villeroy & Boch Hall 11.0, B10 – B11
www.villeroy-boch.com Exceptional design combined with high functionality and excellent quality - it is with this winning formula that Villeroy & Boch’s products have been inspiring people right from the start. And wherever they happen to be with porcelain from Mettlach, they will always feel at home. To express this strong connection, Villeroy & Boch’s Dining & Lifestyle Division will be exhibiting at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of January under the motto of “Where Hospitality meets Home”. Together with Christian Haas, Villeroy & Boch is continuing the successful designer cooperations of previous years and presenting Afina, a unique collection developed for both retail and the hospitality sector. Afina impresses with an exciting flowing shape that gives the porcelain a unique floating appearance, as well as with a subtle relief inspired by rays of sunshine. With its striking design, the new La Boule will be a real talking point at Frankfurt, and will also be revealing a surprise with a new size and thus a different function. Reflecting the continuing trend for pottery tableware, the Lave and Crafted collections are being extended with new products and a popular trend colour. New shapes and colours are also being added to the two best-selling collections of Manufacture Rock and Boston.
S|P Collection Hall 3.0, E70
www.finediningandliving.eu The Faro dinnerware collection is inspired by today’s latest interior design trends. This elegant tableware collection features a chalky exterior and soft, neutral beige colours. With its subtle texture, this dinnerware is the perfect choice for any occasion. In addition, the dinnerware pieces are stackable, making them easy to store. Discover the timeless beauty of Faro dinnerware at Ambiente for an unforgettable dining experience.
Francéclat
Hall 12.1, D60
www.franceclat.com Creating a beautiful table is an integral part of French art de vivre and involves many different areas of savoir-faire. With houses several hundred years old and today’s best designer artisans, French brands have always valued the importance of a welcoming, sharing atmosphere around an elegant, creative and unique table. Explore the world of glassware, dinnerware, and cutlery, each piece a testament to French craftsmanship. Dive into the latest French design trends as they come to life, beautifully illustrated by a curated selection of products from the brands featured at the trade show.
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Mesa Ceramics Hall 12.0, B76
www.mesa-ceramics.com Único is one of the hero collections on the Mesa Ceramics stand, the result of two years of in-depth research leading to the development of a new isostatic body in vitreous stoneware. Meanwhile, another favourite is the Candy collection, a breath of fresh air inspired by cotton candy and lightly clouded sunsets, with a complete range of beautiful and functional pieces in tableware stoneware. The combination of a two-tone collection, with a matt satin glaze on the outside and a glossy candy colour on the inside, sprinkled with dots, reminiscent of the sweetest dreams embodied on a plate, is able to reinvent the urban form of Mesa Ceramics. Candy is available in five different shimmering pastel colours: green, blue, pink, lavender and beige, all combined with a rich reactive glaze with a satin finish on the outside of the pieces.
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Preview
Zwiesel Fortessa Group to showcase new lines The Zwiesel Fortessa Group will be at Ambiente 2024 with lots of standout products for both retail and hospitality. We highlight just a few…
Find them! Hall 11.0, D51
Cinco
www.zwiesel-glas.com Cinco The new Cinco banquet series from Schott Zwiesel is the perfect companion, both in restaurants and at events. With its modern, yet very compact, short-stemmed shape and balanced goblet sizes, the Cinco range is suitable for everything from classic restaurant meals to formal banquets and informal celebrations. The five sizes in the range - white and red wine, sparkling wine, all-round and gin and tonic glasses - provide an ideal setting for almost any drink. Cinco is machine-made in Germany from Tritan® crystal glass and is particularly durable, brilliant, break resistant and dishwasher-safe. This makes Cinco the ideal partner for the catering trade.
Symbiosis Symbiosis
Perfect symbiosis of glass and stone! Symbiosis combines archaic and filigree aspects of nature with fine crystal glass and selected stone. The decanter is covered in the finest craquelure, giving the impression of great fragility. Contrasting with the natural, pristine stone base, this symbiosis has a very special visual appeal. The decanter and base nestle together in their precisely harmonised shapes. In Symbiosis, the traditional craftsmanship of the glassmaker merges with that of the stonemason. Together, they create a handmade, exclusive and unique piece that is unrivalled. The decanter is handmade in small quantities by master glassmakers in Zwiesel, while the soapstone base is quarried and worked in Finland. This ensemble is completed with a high-quality felt underlay.
Up
Up
The first wine tumbler series Up from Zwiesel Glas takes drinking pleasure to a new level. Up offers three tumblers which provide the perfect setting for sparkling wine, white wine and red wine. The versatile tumblers are also suitable as all-round drinking glasses for water, cocktails, juices, soft drinks and much more. But it’s not just drinks that are shown to their best advantage in the cups, but also different dessert variations. The level in the tumblers is a treat for both the eye and the palate. Up has been sensory tested and is highly functional. The distinctive edge allows the various flavours of the respective beverage to break through, giving them space to develop. Aesthetically, Up pays homage to the “Golden Twenties”, a time when life and freedom were celebrated. This makes Up the perfect companion for cosy evenings with friends or birthday parties with the whole family. Up is machine-made in Germany from Tritan® crystal glass and is particularly durable, brilliant, break resistant and dishwasher-safe. 106 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Preview
Elia
Hall 12.1, D65
www.elia.co.uk Elia will launch a new contemporary pattern to their dynamic cutlery offering. The Flow range features an ergonomic design with a generous gauge and owes its charm to its gentle curves that streamline into an elegant angular handle. Expertly crafted to an exceptionally high specification in the highest quality 18/10 Stainless Steel, Flow is debossed with a delicate sophisticated pattern. Flow is available with a full range of 8-pieces. To view this pattern in a smooth mirror finish, please see our Safina range which is an extended range of 17 different items including fish cutlery and serving items. Meanwhile, Elia’s chinaware range represents a diverse blend of shapes and styles to perfectly enhance any table setting to bring a sense of elegance and re-
Revol
Hall 12.1, C37
www.revol1768.com The new Madeleine collection by Revol, in the brand’s signature alabaster white, is a celebration of comfort food. These restaurants, custodians of a culinary tradition as much as our nutritional wellbeing, will appreciate the finesse of Madeleine porcelain, made with meticulous care in our workshops in France. The collection takes its name from a key figure in the history of the factory, Ma(g)deleine Carrier, who married Pierre Revol, both of whom were behind the creation of the first production workshop in 1768.
finement to every dining table. Miravell is an exemplary illustration of modern dining at its finest. Composed of Premier Bone China, the range is fully vitrified to ensure strength and durability over time. It is also microwave and dishwasher safe. With its slim shoulder and coupe shaped dish, this range makes for the ultimate in exquisite dining presentation to ensure that the food takes centre stage. The smooth curves and contours will enhance any dining experience. See more at Ambiente.
Claude Dozorme Hall 8.0, F91
www.dozorme-claude.fr La Maison Claude Dozorme will, once again, showcase its collections at Ambiente. This year, they will highlight the new products such as the XXL Steak knives, and a new blue marble colour in the Berlingot collection. The Berlingot collection has also expanded with exciting new additions. And not forgetting a collection of knives designed in collaboration with a French painter… a set of 6 table knives and 6 pocket knives presenting the joyful, colourful and slightly naughty paintings of François Grosliere! The brand will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the bestselling LinerLock collection.
Polskie Fabryki Porcelany Ćmielów i Chodziez Hall 12.0, C70
www.porcelana.pl Visit Polskie Fabryki Porcelany at Ambiente to see the Fryderyka and Alaska collections. Interestingly, in 2023, after the announcement of the closure of the Kristoff Porcelain Factory, they made the decision to save the Fryderyka and Alaska collections from oblivion by continuing production. Fryderyka, a historic porcelain design created in the 1930s will gain new life under the wings of the Polish Porcelain Factories “Ćmielów” & “Chodzież” S.A while keeping its unique aesthetics and traditional value. From historical documents, it is known that the ‘Fryderyka’ service was based on a design created by model maker Richard Tatschner in 1934 for Krister Porzellan Manufaktur. The surface of the dishes is decorated with an expressive floral relief alluding in form to the 17th-century Italian Baroque style. Meanwhile, Alaska will return under the Ćmielów brand in 2024. In 2012, a dinner and coffee service was ordered by the office of US President Barack Obama. Top-quality porcelain in the Alaska cut, hand-decorated in highcarat gold and with the White House logo in cobalt blue, went straight to the White House chancellery in Washington! 108 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
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Preview
Antigua
Aruba
Barista Bullet
Barista Matt
Utopia dishes up hundreds of new products at Ambiente With hundreds of new product launches at Ambiente Find them! 2024, Utopia’s stand is set to create a buzz. As the Hall 11.0, D49 leading supplier to the HoReCa sector, they run a www.utopia-tableware.com continual programme developing new ideas… LED lamps Among the hundreds of new products Utopia will be launching at Ambiente 2024 are cordless LED lamps designed to create a chic yet practical method of lighting that’s ideal for a range of hospitality venues. The Standard range recalls classic lampshade shapes, Monserrat having bold curves while Dominica and Aruba offer variations on pleated café lamp shades. All three are available in stylish matt black or cocoa as well as in striking brushed gold and brushed copper finishes. Monserrat is also available in brushed silver. Meanwhile the Illumina collections features four different contemporary styles showcasing bold geometric shapes. Each is available in standard 32cm and compact 21cm versions, with a choice of four colourways – gold, copper, black and corten (a rich rusty red). The Illumina range has an IP56 rating which makes it suitable for use indoors and outdoors. Both Standard and Illumina lamps have two colour modes, warm or cold white, and their brightness can be adjusted with the stepless dimmable function. Operated by touch on-off, they have battery life of nine hours on a full charge.
Nammos: beyond the pale Off white is the new white, especially for the casual dining sector. The Nammos collection exemplifies the new white, with its hint of colour and scalloped form adding an ingenious nuance to food presentation. This is a soft design, blending subtlety with the unexpected to create a tableware that’s restrained and yet stands out. Typifying this combination is the delightfully irregular shape of the four bowls. Meanwhile the understated styling of the three coupe plates brings a sophisticated edge to the table.
On the trail for Oregon Oregon is a stunning new tableware collection that combines a raw pottery outside, which spills in a wave into the inside edge, with a soft, pastel glaze interior, which in turn spills onto the exterior. This crossover creates a dynamic presentation that offers a real point of difference. Oregon comes in three colourways: the Dawn design is pastel pink, Buttermilk is yellow, and Cloud is grey. The new design features a selection of coupe plates and conical bowls. The blend of
Did you know?
If you can’t get to Ambiente, the company has two showrooms, in London and Chesterfield, where the new products will be on display. 110 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
soft colours and on-trend, HoReCafocused shapes gives Oregon a very contemporary feel that delivers a classy, casual dining ambiance.
Class in the glass: Singapore As cocktails become ever more popular, operators are looking for new and exciting ways to serve them. A different glass for each cocktail helps underline just how special the experience is (as well as helping justify the premium price). Utopia’s new Singapore line joins the company’s extensive range of mixology glassware and brings a showstopping variation to the classic Hiball and Old Fashioned tumblers. The glasses feature crisp vertical lines that blur the contents mysteriously while adding an agreeably tactile presence to the serve.
Nammos
Barista ‘n Bullet!
The demand for specialist sizes of cups and mugs for coffee service has grown quickly in recent years. At Ambiente Utopia will show the latest additions to its popular Barista range, designed specifically for the different coffee serves. The two new colours are olive and navy, both available in cups sized for espresso, flat white, latte and cappuccino, as well as a choice of other cups and mugs and accessories such as creamers and teapots. There are now eleven colourways in Barista, allowing a rainbow of mix and match options for a more dynamic presentation. Meanwhile, for HoReCa operators looking for the most durable ceramic tea and coffee answer, Utopia will also be showing its new Bullet mug. Made of super vitrified porcelain, the Bullet combines practicality with quality to deliver an attractive solution.
Singapore
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Preview
BonBistro
Heinen Delfts Blauw
Hall 11.0, D90
Hall 12.1, E16
finediningandliving.com
www.heinendelftsblauw.com
Visit BonBistro as Ambiente and enter the world of Serve, the secret armour for bistro chefs with taste as well as style. Made of durable stainless steel, this collection adds a touch of spice to your culinary creations. From small jars full of homemade dips to cups with artisan sauces, Serve makes serving in your bistro not only tasty but also creative. The large trays provide space for lavish dishes, while the serving buckets add a playful touch. Sturdy and chic, this collection withstands the hectic pace of the bistro kitchen and is easy to clean. The secret of bistro-chic revealed!
Paauw Blauw is a tableware collection by Heinen Delfts Blauw. This new collection centers around the peacock, a graceful bird that is used as a muse in the world of pottery and art. Delft blue porcelain and peacocks share an intriguing history that leads all the way back to ancient China, which comes together in this beautiful porcelain collection. This tableware collection is a homage to our original Delft blue factory in Delft, that used to carry the name ‘De Paauw’, the peacock. The factory was one of the oldest Delft blue potteries that date back to 1651. Paauw Blauw brings together the history of Chinese porcelain, the Asian roots of the peacock and one of the oldest Delft blue potteries of the Netherlands. A collection in which royal allure, love and good luck melt together.
Goebel Hall 12.1, B20
www.goebel.de Goebel has developed a unique and delicate collection in cooperation with fashion designer Gabriele Strehle. The raindrop – under the impact of gravitation – serves as a source of inspiration for an outstanding series of vases and bowls. A clear and smooth transformation leads from one form to another creating the illusion of floating motion emphasised by a grooved structure and different colour gradients.
Studio William Hall 11.1, C41
www.studiowilliam.com Studio William Cutlery is delighted to have been selected as Ethical Style Award Winner by Ambiente 2024 for their 100% compostable braille packaging for cutlery, having recently won the USA Green Design Award for the packaging, CEO, William Welch, comments “We aspire to be industry innovators in considered and functional design, we hope that our new packaging stimulates the tabletop industry to take greater responsibility for the sometimes inappropriate packaging materials that accompany our industry products to market globally, it is down to us as manufacturers, to help make an environmental difference.”
Kilner
The Rayware Group Hall 9.0, B20
www.rayware.co.uk
Price & Kensington
Mason Cash
The Rayware Group is thrilled to be back at Ambiente to exhibit new 2024 collections and bestsellers from British heritage brands: Mason Cash, Kilner, Price and Kensington, Viners and Typhoon. Mason Cash will be showcasing the exquisite In the Meadow collection. Kilner will be introducing the Seasoning Grinder, the perfect kitchen gadget for grinding and storing ingredients such as rock salt, peppercorns, spices, dried herbs and seeds. Price and Kensington has updated their extensive teapot collection with a new bold magenta shade, perfect for the spring/summer season and inspired by trend colours. 112 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Preview
Crystalex will introduce new shapes, new collections and bring an all round feeling of fresh to Frankfurt this January…
Crystalex to shine at Ambiente Over the last number of years Crystalex has been focusing on acquiring new contacts, transforming thier booth, its organization and staff to fit their new concept. “Meeting our important customers is also of the utmost importance, as we consider Ambiente a space where we can meet customers from virtually the entire world,” they tell Tableware International. At Ambiente, they will introduce new shapes reflective of the
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current happenings in the world of glass. Among new items is the Peony collection inspired by peony blossoms, the Serious Gentleman set of cognac and whiskey glassware, and the decorated Spectrum and Rainbow collections consisting of classic designs presented in a whole new format. The Mucha by Crystalex collection will also be a great novelty, featuring the Reverie and Moon editions reflecting the unique work of the famous artist Alfons Mucha. And Crystalex will also extensively feature last year’s bestsellers: 4For1 and Alex. “Because the last two quarters of 2023 have brought a worldwide decrease in sales, which will most likely continue into 2024, we are expecting a rather difficult year in the first two quarters but look forward to the overall situation’s improvement towards the end of the coming year,” Crystalex says. “We consider the Ambiente fair as an important place for meeting people and companies working in the sphere of drinkware and decorative glass from all around the world, and a place where we receive feedback for our new items and the year’s trend set, as well as get the opportunity to show the long-term direction of
our assorted products and test how they are perceived by our customers. And we also get a picture of how and in what direction our competition, both near and far, is developing, which provides us with important feedback for our own development into the future months and years.” During the exhibition Crysalex will present a range of new shapes – Peony, Serious Gentleman, Alex, 4For1 – all of which have great potential in the world of gastronomy and mixology. But decorated glass designed by contracted creative artists will also be given a lot of space also. Visitors can look forward to the ethereal Heron collection or the vintage Glass Porcelain edition which evokes classical porcelain. “In the HoReCa sector, we will introduce an exclusive line of our current and new glassware whose design corresponds to contemporary local and world trends in bartending. We have carefully consulted the selection with the foremost experts in the field, which is why you will find glassware in our portfolio which facilitates the easy serving of drinks but is also a joy to use. They
Find them! Hall 12.1, D61
www.crystalex.cz are in this way ideal both for the bartenders as well as consumers,” Crystalex says. “Pastel colours with matte texture and a simple and soothing aesthetic will be very popular in the coming year, and sweet pink in various hues will also be a favorite. And gold rims will most likely also be very popular, giving glassware a luxurious and prestigious aesthetic. “We consider this event a personal investment, as we wish to strengthen our position on the market going forward – we have already been working hard at this over the past years, and hope that we will make gains in this sphere in 2024 and into the future, especially strengthening our brand in the HoReCa segment. In erms of the global market for 2024, we rather expect stabilization than any significant expansion.”
Preview
Costa Nova Hall 12.1, C40
www.costanova.com Costa Nova, a brand owned and manufactured by Grestel, recently launched its first-ever launch of a fine porcelain collection – Resonance. An expanded version of the collection, designed by Carsten Gollnick, will be unveiled at Ambiente Trade Show. Resonance offers a diverse range of porcelain pieces that can be used independently on the table, as well as an impressive looking selection of stoneware pieces that can also be used either on their own or combined with the porcelain items for creative and versatile table settings. This launch makes a pivotal moment in the history of Costa Nova and its manufacturer Grestel, reaffirming the company’s innovation DNA in the professional world.
Palmer Hall 11.0, C29
www.wegter.nl It is said that we taste a dish with our eyes before we even take our first bite. And every true lover of food, from the Michelin-starred to the enthusiastic home cook, knows anticipation is the finest of seasonings. Palmer’s collections are designed to engage all of the senses. Rich colours and beautifully textured finishes transform every meal into a dish worth celebrating. Indulge in perfect lightweight Japanese porcelain with the Kiryu and Midori series. The product of centuries of Japanese craftsmanship is as delicate as it is strong. The deep nori green and vibrant blue glaze make a truly lasting impression. Find Palmer on the Wegter stand.
CHIC Hall 11.0, D90
www.finediningandliving.eu
Dunoon Hall 12.1, D31
From CHIC, porcelain collection Arte is a true work of art in its own right. The unique, cloud-like shape of this collection takes you to a world of sophisticated elegance and class. Arte is also handmade which makes each piece unique. On the outside of each piece, you will find a soft, matte texture that creates a subtle and organic look. The inside of each piece is beautifully finished with a glossy glaze, bringing out the colours and textures of your culinary creations. The contrast between the matt exterior and the glossy interior creates a visual tension that takes your presentation to new heights.
www.dunoonmugs.co.uk Visit the Dunoon stand at Ambiente as they celebrate 50 years in business. There, you will see new launches including ‘Fairies’ a delightful set of three mugs on Dunoon’s Lomond shape. Each mug is colour themed and features pretty fairies having fun in scenes of flowers, with delicate butterflies flying around and joining in. The mugs are beautifully illustrated by Patricia MacCarthy. Meanwhile, ’Time for Tea’ is a set of two fun mugs on Dunoon’s Nevis shape and feature cats and dogs sitting on chairs at a table anticipating a treat of tea and cakes! Kate Mawdsley has captured the scenes beautifully in her quirky designs. ‘Flower Garden’ is a set of three beautiful mugs on Dunoon’s Lomond shape. Each mug features colour themed borders of flowers painted in Claire Winteringham’s expressive watercolour style. ‘Bird Garden’ is a beautiful design on Dunoon’s Shetland Infuser Set and features a collection of garden birds in amongst studies of pretty wildflowers, all carefully illustrated in fine watercolour detail by Jane Fern. The Shetland Infuser Set comprises of Dunoon’s tall, elegant Shetland shape mug accompanied by a decorated lid, both made in fine bone china and a tea infuser made of stainless steel. 116 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
See us at Ambiente Hall 12.1 booth E01.
Preview
See Cerve at
Ambiente! Inspired by… fashion The Cerve Group will bring its signature flair for stylish glassware from both the Vidivì and Cerve brands to Ambiente. We learn more from head of marketing and communication Guido Bormioli… The Cerve Group will bring an array of exciting innovations to Ambiente for 2024. “We remain committed to advancing in the field of tableware, and this year, we are proud to un-
spotlight on the Velo collection from Cerve. “The new glass shape is not only lightweight and elegant but also adorned with refined decorations,” says Guido. “Another highlight is the Vidivì - Vetri delle
“Another highlight is the Vidivì - Vetri delle Venezie collection, featuring exquisite designs on both plates and Venetian-style glasses” veil a variety of new glass shapes and designs crafted using different technologies such as screen printing, painting, sublimation, and more. Visit us at booth D76 in Hall 12.0, where we will showcase the latest additions for both our Cerve and Vidivì brands,” says head of marketing and communication Guido Bormioli. “Ambiente, for us, is more than just an exhibition; it’s a platform for creating meaningful connections,” he adds. The group will launch more than 20 collections, with a special
Venezie collection, featuring exquisite designs on both plates and Venetian-style glasses.” Special focus is being placed on the Vidivì brand, Guido tells Tableware International. “Everything is about to take on a new dimension,” he says. “Our collection goes beyond being a mere assortment of tools; it’s a statement aimed at making people feel good based on the experience of discovering our glasses. We envision the glass not just as a tool but as carefully selected giftware – from the selection of pure and crystalline glass
See Cerve at Ambiente Hall 12.0, stand D76 118 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
composition to the meticulous study of materials, and the incorporation of organic colours inspired by Pantone trends.” He continues: “Our goal is for these new products, with their packaging and overall presentation, to evoke positive vibes in consumers. The graphics featuring stars, lilies, and stripes are designed to provide a 360-degree experience – both visually and tactilely. We aim to convey a sense of well-being. “Central to our design philosophy is a deep respect for nature, reflected in the use of noble materials such as pure glass and organic colours. Even our packaging is thoughtfully crafted from recycled cardboard, adorned with a cotton fabric band. We believe in offering more than just glassware; we want to provide an immersive and uplifting experience. Join us in unveiling a collection that not only meets functional needs but also resonates with the essence of joy and well-being.”
Giovanni Bormioli, president and owner of The Cerve Group speaks about the group’s commitment to Ambiente and staying ahead of trends “With over 20 years of participation at Ambiente, our company, deeply rooted in the fragrance and cosmetics industry, leverages its expertise to bring innovation to the tableware sector. The glass we manufacture in our factory is of the highest quality, meeting the stringent requirements of the perfume industry and serving as the basis for Vidivì, renowned for its purity and transparency due to its pristine composition. “Our glassware is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable making our glasses a preferred choice in the HoReCa industry. Our glass plates, bread plates, and chargers are of exceptionally high quality, with our filo oro and filo platino designs being particularly popular. We draw inspiration from classic aesthetics and contemporary colour trends, aligning our new coatings with the latest fashion trends chosen at various fashion weeks. “We look forward to welcoming you at our booth to experience the sophistication and innovation of our new collections first hand!”
New launches...
The group will launch more than 20 collections, with the Velo assortment from the Cerve brand a hero line.
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Interview Stölzle Lausitz
Find them at Ambiente! Stölzle Lausitz will have a new stand (Hall 12.1, C23) at Ambiente and invites you to join them at the Born in Fire bar for a cocktail.
Investing in the future Leopold Grupp, CEO, Stölzle Lausitz GmbH tells Tableware International about fresh project launches – including a new factory – and discusses the success of the German Design Award-winning Cocoon series…
There is a lot happening in the Stölzle Lausitz camp – a lot. Fresh from the Cocoon series winning a 2024 German Design Award, the company is now focused on unveiling its new stand at Ambiente in Hall 12.1, C23, but even more importantly, this year sees the opening of the brand’s new factory. “It has been an exciting year for us,” agrees CEO Leopold Grupp. “It has been focused on innovation. We have created incredible new products, achieved a weight milestone with lightweight glasses at around 123g, and introduced a new methodology to create completely new shapes in our factory, like the Cocoon series. Moreover, our project on non-rotation symmetric shapes is underway, promising more unveilings throughout the year. And
finally, we improved our bar lines, including Soho’s transformation into a complete bar line, and the introduction of the very elegant and lightweight Kyoto bar line. We have new alternatives for existing coupes and Nick&Nora glasses.” All this, plus the aforementioned new facility, which will launch later this year and promises to be one of the most advanced crystal facilities globally, positions Stölzle Lausitz as, potentially, the largest crystal manufacturer in the world. “Located just half an hour away from our current factory, it will complement and extend our existing operations, significantly increasing our market responsiveness,” Mr Grupp explains. “The product range will include two-piece stems, pulled stems, heavy tumblers and light tumblers, allowing us to produce a more casual product while, more importantly, elevating the already exceptional quality of our
premium products.” Explaining why Stölzle Lausitz has decided to invest so much in a new facility, the CEO says: “We strongly believe in our mission and our brand. Stölzle Lausitz possesses an exceptional expertise and a highly dedicated team, that it is only right to invest in this remarkable company. As an emerging glass brand, considered one of the youngest in the industry, we’ve already experienced significant growth. To sustain and build upon this success, expanding our capacity is essential for further growth.” As for the brand’s aspirations for 2024, Mr Grupp finishes: “We’re thrilled about the prospects for 2024! With the addition of new team members, a revitalised brand, innovative products and technologies, and the launch of our state-of-the-art factory, the year holds immense promise for us. We are enthusiastic about the journey ahead with our fantastic team.”
Did you know? Stölzle Lausitz has a new mixology series launching soon which aligns with the brand’s concept of elegant simplicity and exceptionally lightweight glassware. “This idea has been brewing for a while, and we’re eager to see how it resonates with the new generation of mixologists,” says CEO, Leopold Grupp. 120 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
On the success of Cocoon “We are delighted by the overwhelmingly positive reception of the Cocoon in the market. As anticipated, the unique shape of the glass has sparked polarising discussions, which we view as a positive outcome, invigorating conversations among passionate glassware enthusiasts. The extensive data analysis invested in the Cocoon line validates the reliability and efficacy of our data-driven approach. The feedback from sommeliers, winemakers and wine lovers, has been consistently positive, with people expressing awe at the transformative impact the glass has on the wine-drinking experience. It’s fascinating and well worth trying. The Cocoon series also serves as a manifest to our craftsmanship. Its lightweight design makes it challenging to distinguish from handmade glass, highlighting our capabilities in terms of weight, glass distribution, and intricate forming. This reinforces our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our craft.”
Trends Floral
Serax Italian fashion brand Marni launched its first tableware collection with Serax early in 2023. Midnight Flowers encompasses 120 pieces of hand-illustrated porcelain plates, dishes, cups, saucers and teapots. The botanicalinspired collection interprets the Marni brand values through a new medium, highlighting an avant-garde approach that holds a constant dialogue with the world of art, with Serax as proud partner. www.serax.com
Floral fancy
A wave of fresh floral patterns is making their way onto dinner tables – elevated to new levels of cool by updated colourways or chic, pared-back patterns and motifs, some of which almost resemble hand-drawn art. This is floral tableware for the high-end trend setters...
Porcel
www.porcel.com Inspired by autumnal motifs, Feelings is a collection featuring an appealing wildflower design. Contrasting with the warmer toned design, it boasts a smooth, light-grey surface, which gives the collection a serene touch and mild texture. Feelings is perfect to create a modest yet elegant tablescape.
Burleigh Available in three colourways – green, blue and pink – Burleigh’s Asiatic Pheasants has sat on tables for the past 190 years. The iconic pattern has never lost its appeal. In the 1830s Asiatic Pheasants was part of a shift towards something more delicate, with greater amounts of open pattern between the floral and pheasant motifs. Alongside the change is designs at the time, also came a change in colour, with softer and lighter colours becoming available. At least 60 known manufacturers have produced this iconic Asiatic Pheasants pattern over the years. As the years have passed this number has dwindled and by 2000, Burgess & Leigh Ltd became the last home of Asiatic Pheasants, where it continues to be produced in the original manner using underglaze transfer printing, making each and every piece unique.
www.burleigh.co.uk
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Trends Floral
over&back
Denby The Constance Collection in Denby Porcelain has a small English inspired traditional floral pattern which is repeated in a single colour and Denby’s new Greenhouse is a pattern consisting of leaves – both are pared back patterns. While flowers have always been important on ceramics and were for Denby historically, especially in the 1960s- ‘80s patterns, they fell out of favour, as a more artisan style with texture and hand-decorated glaze effects featured on Denby’s awardwinning patterns. However, this has changed since the introduction of porcelain made at Denby’s Derbyshire base. Floral inspired patterns work well on porcelain such as Constance and the new Greenhouse.
www.denbypottery.com
Porland From Porland, Botanical brings wild flowers to life. The violet, lavender and butterfly patterns in the Botanical collection provide a feast of nature for the dinner table.
Over&back has launched a stunning array of hand-blocked floral prints from India. Each design in the textile collection is carefully crafted for seamless mixing and matching with other prints, as well as the brand’s exquisite woven solids. This blend of patterns adds a contemporary edge, ensuring these florals resonate with a modern sensibility. What sets these florals apart is the harmonious marriage of simplicity in motifs and the intricate artistry of hand blocking. The result is an elevated floral experience that effortlessly bridges the gap between tradition and contemporary style. The launch encompasses four floral prints, each available in two distinct colourways.
www.overback.com
www.porland.com
Narumi From Narumi, an elevated floral pattern boasting a minimalist-chic design. In the Montmartre collection, the details of florals have been pared back to an obscure silhouette. It is simple but far from boring; rather, it achieves a quiet luxury that attracts diners who are seeking a truly fine and meaningful dining experience. A perfect balance of plant silhouette and white bone china is the heart of this sophisticated collection. Drawing inspirations from Japanese ink painting, the collection is available in several chic colour tones including dark grey, yellow and green.
www.narumi.co.jp
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Trends Floral
Artěl The new Chinoiserie collection from Artěl takes its inspiration from 17thcentury European chinoiserie (from the French word chinois, meaning “Chinese” or “after the Chinese taste”) – a decorative style inspired by Western conceptions of the exotic cultures of eastern Asia. Three animal motifs (jaguar, monkey, and peacock) decorate the new glassware series as well as a fourth motif, menagerie, which features all three creatures and is only available in large decorative shapes. Each mouth-blown glass in the collection features an exquisitely engraved and sandblasted image of its subject surrounded by sumptuous depictions of foliage, flowers, fruits, and silk tassels – all executed by hand with the meticulous level of detail that is Artěl’s signature.
www.artelglass.com
bloomhouse
Cumbria Crystal
The Cassia Bud Handpainted Stoneware Set from bloomhouse celebrates traditional artistry and modern ceramic designs. The handpainted floral motifs lend a vintage charm to every piece, serving anything from starters and mains to desserts and other creative pairings.
Launched in Spring 2023, to coincide with the Coronation of King Charles III, this elegant collection is the first non-geometric collection of handblown and cut crystal produced by Cumbria Crystal. Sovereign is unique due to its non-geometric pattern in honour of our King’s connection and adoration for nature and flowers. The collection was designed in-house by master cutter Jitka Wilcox who used the coronation emblem as her inspiration, cutting an organic, floral theme into the crystal.
www.bloomhousecollection.com
www.cumbriacrystal.com
Fortessa/United Tables Classic with a subtle eye-catcher, first-class porcelain is refined with floral prints for the Blue Botanicals series. Running across the rim like a quote or as an eye-catching decoration across the entire plate, the motifs in elegant blue bring lightness and freshness to the restaurant table and offer plenty of scope for creative food placement. The Blue Botanicals series combines elegance in design with the robustness and maximum edge chipping resistance of the material to meet the highest gastronomic demands with ease.
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Opinion
From thoughts on licensing deals to what is waiting for us in 2024 – we hear from industry personalities on what the sector has in store for us
Industry
natters NUDE GLASS
DENBY
Hayley Baddiley global marketing director Do you think there are enough celebrity collaborations and licensing deals in tableware? Licensing can be a powerful way to reach additional audiences for homewares brands but should be done thoughtfully ensuring that collaborations are credible and add value for the consumer. Denby has worked with James Martin for example for well over 10 years now, blending James’ skills as a chef expertise in prepping and cooking food with Denby’s expertise in ceramics. As well as working with us on many events in the past, James co-designs the items ensuring they do they job they’re meant to. Today’s consumer’s expect more than just a name on the packaging. Looking back on 2023, how do you think the industry fared? There is no doubt that 2023 has been a challenging year for the tableware industry given the tough macro economic climate, particularly following the strong sales periods around the pandemic where homeware spends significantly increased. With some retailers succumbing to the temptation of heavy discounting to maintain sales, the need has never been stronger for the industry to look to the longer term where possible to maintain values and earn a just return for high quality products. It requires brands and retailers to be more innovative and work smarter to achieve their goals looking for new incremental audiences and usage occasions. And similarly, looking towards 2024 – what kind of year do you predict the tabletop sector will have? The consumer spending bounceback may not be quick but it will come, and so brands and retailers must hold fast to their strategic goals and find smart ways to achieve their commercial objectives looking to new audiences and occasions. 2022/23 saw consumers able to spend much more strongly on leisure and travel after the constraints of the pandemic so we are anticipating 2024 being a more normalised year. Do you anticipate the HoReCa sector will continue to strengthen? The HoReCa industry had to weather the toughest of storms through 2021/21 and it’s been fantastic to see the sector bounce back during 2023 in terms of resumed consumer spending on leisure and travel. That said, inflation on costs and pinched household budgets mean operators must work hard on their business models. At Denby we are investing strongly and planning for significant growth in our HoReCa business in 2024, building on our successful re-entry into this sector in recent years.
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company spokesperson Are you forecasting any key trends for 2024? We’ve seen a shift over the last few years towards a more laid-back approach to dining which we’re expecting to continue into next year. This more relaxed way of entertaining puts emphasis on sharing food and good times with friends and family. Comfortable organic forms and irregular shapes are where we’re seeing dining habits heading, layering the table with different drinkware, and serving pieces to support diverse culinary moments. Customers are also increasingly looking for small flourishes to enliven their day-to-day routines, opting for bold, colourful pieces that elevate everyday activities. Do you think there are enough celebrity collaborations and licensing deals in tableware? NUDE collaborates with esteemed designers, fashion icons like Iris Apfel (pictured), mixologists, and favourite spirit brands to create new business opportunities and address a new set of audiences. We’re gearing up for some exciting new collaborations for the year ahead that will bring great value to the brand.
Opinion
CLAUDE DOZORME Didier Perret, president and CEO Looking back on 2023, how do you think the industry fared? Regarding 2023, we can say it has not been as bad as expected, but it has been a long run through uncertainty. After two years spent improving their home interiors, people started travelling and going to restaurants again. I think the cycle is not finished and the global economic situation is tricky, so 2024 will remain the same. So, we’ll have to be careful but we must keep moving to prepare 2025.
For myself, I don’t see any big new trends on the market, but I’m not a key influencer! Products inspired by nature will remain popular, like local productions. Mass production is no longer fashionable, and manufacturers must find ways to differentiate. Collaborations in product design or co-branding is a part of this personalisation.
HEINEN DELFTS BLAUW Femke Smelt, marketing & product manager Are you forecasting any key trends for 2024? Sustainability stays very important when it comes to creating new products. We’ve noticed people become more and more conscious about what they buy and more often they prefer a product that is produced with attention to the world around us. Porcelain is a very durable material for example and products that are produced locally are preferrable. A big trend we see coming is the vintage vibe, so products with a vintage retro vibe combined with floral decorations and orange hues. For this trend we have created a collection of wall plates with Dutch designer Richard Hutten. The plates have a very retro feel and have a circular pattern. That’s another trend we notice, round shapes. We see them in candlestick holders for example. Another trend is anything that has to do with the forest, like mushrooms and pinecones. What is the most underrated tabletop product, in your opinion? I’d have to say the cake stand. Awkward to store away in most kitchens, but it makes such a beautiful centrepiece on a dining table. Of course, you have them in all sorts of heights and sizes 130 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
and they are so versatile in use to serve cakes, chocolates or sandwiches. It elevates the food from the table and really makes it stand it. I think people sometimes forget all the things they can use a cake plate for.
keep reinventing our products and it is a clever way of introducing our products to new target audiences.
Do you think there are enough celebrity collaborations and licensing deals in tableware?
I think it has been a good year. We still see that our loyal fans of the Delft blue products, love to add more products to their collection. Especially tabletop products and decorative items for the home are popular.
This is something we have been aware of for quite some time now. For years we have been including well-known names when developing new tableware collections and we see that this has a great result. For example, we’ve developed a tableware collection with TV personality Janny van der Heijden, who is known as a culinary expert on cooking shows and as guest editor in magazines. Her tableware collection for Heinen Delfts Blauw remains very popular. For other tableware collections we work together with established Dutch designers such as Debbie Wijskamp and Romy Kühne. For other decorative pieces we work together with artists such as Loes van Delft, Richard Hutten and Redmer Hoekstra. We love the fresh energy they bring to the drawing table and the new ideas they come up with. They look at our very traditional Delft blue product and literally help us to create new traditions by using their own point of view and their talents. We strongly believe this is something that keeps Delft blue tableware alive for future generations to come. It helps us to
Looking back on 2023, how do you think the industry fared?
Opinion
Home by Kirsty Christine Zimmermann, founder Are you forecasting any key trends for 2024? I think people are tired of ‘regular’ tableware. We are starting to see more colour coming from new brands (like ours). I think 2024 will be full of colour and passion for our tables. What is the most underrated tabletop product, in your opinion? Pretty napkins, or any small tabletop product. They are an easy way to change the look of your table with just a few details. Do you think there are enough celebrity collaborations and licensing deals in tableware? I completely agree. You see it in fashion all the time, it’s time to diversify. I personally believe it would do great. Many celebrities are starting their own homeware/ tableware brand, for example Paris Hilton. So, I believe we are getting closer to also seeing more collaborations.
ThinKitchen Anand Baldawa, CEO What is the most underrated tabletop product, in your opinion? Determining the most underrated tabletop product can be subjective. However, in the pursuit of stylish dinnerware and decorative elements, cutlery, salt and pepper shakers and placemats are sometimes overlooked. Their versatility and practicality make them valuable and underrated additions to any tabletop, contributing to a wellrounded and enjoyable dining experience. Cutlery is often overshadowed by elaborate dinnerware and intricate table settings, but quality cutlery plays a crucial role in enhancing the dining experience. An often underestimated tabletop item is the salt and pepper mills. While seemingly mundane, these small condiment dispensers can significantly impact the flavour of a dish. Stylish and well-designed salt and pepper shakers can add a touch of sophistication to any table. Another underrated product is placemat. It serves both functional and aesthetic purposes but are sometimes taken for granted. Beyond their role in protecting tables from spills and scratches, placemats can elevate the overall dining experience.
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Looking back on 2023, how do you think the industry fared? I have seen a lot of change in tableware this year. There have been two styles that stood out to me particularly. I have quite a bit of Scandinavian inspired tableware, which is very simple and minimalist. But I’ve mostly noticed colourful pieces. I see bright colours in most home decor stores I walk in nowadays, which wasn’t always the case. I feel like most people are starting to be daring with their personal style. In 2023 in tableware, I have seen more originality, more colour, and different shapes (especially for vases, candleholders and cups). And similarly, looking towards 2024 – what kind of year do you predict the tabletop sector will have? I think tableware in 2024 will continue this year’s trend and be original, new, colorful and different.
over&back Laura Fischer vice president, merchandise and product What is the most underrated tabletop product, in your opinion? At over&back we love coloured glasses! They add a burst of colour that effortlessly transforms any setting. The introduction of coloured glass is the ultimate game-changer, an instant update that speaks volumes of style and personality. These glasses aren’t just vessels; they are versatile, doubling as both vases and votive holders or even breadstick servers. We have even used these in other rooms of the home as well – think a great vessel for your make up brushes! O&B will launch with three colours – smoke, green and purple – in two styles.
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ROYAL SCOT CRYSTAL Exquisite style and great functionality are the two hallmarks of Royal Scot Crystal’s glassware. Highly skilled craftsmen are the secret of the success and in an age of mass production each and every hand cut or mouth blown item has been made by these craftsmen.
For information please contact: +44 (0) 20 8508 2435 www.royalscotcrystal.com sales@royalscotcrystal.com
Interview Mesa Ceramics
Unico
Unico
“We have never
stopped innovating” With several German Design Awards (and a Tableware International Award of Excellence!) under its belt, Mesa Ceramics is a young company on the rise. CEO Francisco Braga tells Tableware International why he sees a future in digital printing and we get to share insight into a new HoReCa project… Francisco, how has 2023 been for Mesa Ceramics? Overall, we believe that 2023 has been a positive year, a year full of challenges and some setbacks. But we have been resilient enough and we have had the opportunity to
and the retraction of the market, particularly in the retail sector. But settling down is not an option for us, so we have never stopped innovating and developing products that are modern and attractive, using the most
“There is a lot of prejudice in our industry about the use of decals… but we truly believe this is the way forward” make a difference in our factory, in our people and in our products with the innovations that we have implemented. We are still dealing with the consequences of the huge increases and instability in the energy sector, which have really affected us,
Find them!
environmentally friendly technology available on the market. We also believe that the international design awards we have won help to validate our strategy, as they recognise innovation, quality and design. In 2023 we won the German Design Award for Excellent Product Design, an Iconic Award for Innovative Interior, and a Tableware
International for Serveware. We also won an award from Host Milano, the Smart Label, which recognised that the use of digital printing technology helps to achieve a unique and innovative product, while at the same time helping to be ecologically efficient as it doesn’t use any toxic material and only requires a single firing process. Even though 2023 was full of challenges, we were able to face them, thrive and learn even more. So, we believe we’re ready for a new year full of opportunities. What challenges has the company faced? We have faced many challenges, including rising costs and all the geopolitical instability around the world and its consequences. We felt the need to diversify the markets we sell to and broaden our presence. This diversification allowed us to benefit from a little less instability and to be confident of positive results. Overall, it was
Mesa Ceramics will be at Ambiente, Hall 12.0 B76 134 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
also a great way to innovate, to think outside the box, because we saw it as another opportunity to create new products and open up new markets. In your opinion, where does the future of the tableware industry lie – is it in HoReCa or is there a future in retail too? We see the future of the tableware industry in both retail and HoReCa. However, we believe we will see a “new normal” in the sector over Wine by Chef Rui Mota
Interview Mesa Ceramics
Fresh
innovation
Francisco Braga tells us about ID7 – Mesa’s new development in stoneware created for the HoReCa sector “The constant commitment to process development and product innovation is in our DNA. ID7, our new vitreous stoneware development, is the result of two years of in-depth research carried out by internal and external teams, with the aim of finding a solution for increasing the resistance of our stoneware while maintaining a fine and elegant product without compromising our ecological values. With this new body, we developed the ÚNICO range. ÚNICO reinforces our strategy of positioning ourselves through product/material/technology differentiation. From a design point of view, we developed a very specific briefing for our outsourced designer, Nick Holland, to be mindful that we want to grow in the hospitality sector. Therefore the ÚNICO range had to increase the chip resistance while keeping the design refined and thin. Nonetheless, we like to create disruption. We made a breakthrough when we started using digital printing technology consistently, and now we’re betting on a product that uses an innovative clay that offers strength, elegance, and lightness. This is a product that has the strength of stoneware and the elegance of the finest porcelain, with an ecological core that is so fundamental to us. This product’s innovation is based on its technical characteristics, which allow it to achieve a quality far above the average through a single firing. This is very important because it allows us to save up to 49 per cent of gas and reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere up to 42 per cent when comparing with a company that uses two or three firings. We are certain that in the future the ceramics industry will have to adapt to reduce its environmental footprint. And the fact that this is a very elegant and lightweight product with a much lower ecological footprint than the average in our industry has already earned it a German Design Award in 2024.”
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the next few years, as the hospitality sector continues its gradual growth in line with the pre-Covid trend of prioritising travel and restaurant experiences. We expect the retail sector to have a better year than 2023, but still a slower recovery than HoReCa, as the geopolitical situation is still very volatile and we are generally facing problems with inflation and energy costs. There has been some criticism – particularly with the prevalence of digital printing – that there is not enough innovation in tableware design at the moment, what is your view on that? We do not identify with this statement. The growth of our business in a short space of time shows otherwise. We have managed to create differentiating products that combine reactive glazes with digital printing to create totally different patterns and designs. Digital printing has a different language to decals or hand painting. We need to know how to use the technology to our advantage Rondo
involve reducing the use of gas and lowering the CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. We’re already seeing plenty of other industries adapt and evolve into new ecological ways of doing things, and we strongly believe the pioneers of ecological innovation are going to be the ones who resist through this paradim-changing era. The digital printing is also a flexible technology that allows Mesa Ceramics to try new designs on one piece at each time, avoiding big trial productions in order to approve designs. This technology uses, on average, less than 0.5g of paint per piece, which is a very low quantity with no waste per piece as the technology releases the exact quantity needed to create digital effects desired. Digital printing is a very functional new technology that allows us to produce high quality products faster, while aiming to eliminate waste and resource consumption, both in terms of finished products and raw materials, as well as protecting workers in their daily working environment.
Alma by Chef Vitor Dias at Quinta das Lágrimas
Canyon by Chef Vítor Dias at Quinta das Lágrimas
and not try to replicate what others are doing. Fortunately, we’ve been able to find our own voice and make our products distinctive and recognisable. There is a lot of prejudice in our industry about the use of decals as the preferred means of decorating tableware. For us, the issue is very much about the type of manufacturing decisions that each company has made. It’s natural that companies that are organised to apply decals are not prepared to invest in a completely different technology that requires changes in terms of investment in digital printing machines and new kilns. But we truly believe this is the way forward. The use of digital printing technology allows us to fire all our products in a single process. This is important in the sense that it allows us to make massive gas savings of around 49 per cent and a reduction in CO2 emissions of around 42 per cent compared to hand painting and decals, which require between two and three firings with extra hours and higher temperatures. We believe that sustainability is a central theme in our culture and that in a few years’ time the industry will have to adapt and reduce its ecological footprint, which will, of course,
Will you be attending Ambiente, why is it such an important trade show? Ambiente marks the start of the year for us and is one of our most important events. We’re usually full of energy and looking forward to presenting our new products and ranges to the
“The ceramics industry will have to adapt to reduce its environmental footprint” world, and this year will be no different. Ambiente is where we meet our customers, partners and friends and, as it is an order-taking show, it is where we present the new products and discuss new business, creating new partnerships and enriching existing ones. There’s been a great sense of pride and positivity about the buzz and atmosphere we’ve experienced on our stand in recent years, and our expectations for this year are similar, if not higher. We had some very special moments last year as Ambiente is the venue for important awards such as the German Design Award (which we were fortunate enough to win for the third year running) and of course the Tableware International Awards of Excellence, which is a very selective and special event.
NEW DESIGN
Up
zwiesel-glas.com/professional
Interview Dunoon As Dunoon turns 50 years old in 2024, Tableware International speaks with Peter Smith, sales director, to learn more about one of the most trusted brands in the business
Dunoon at 50... Dunoon is celebrating its 50th year anniversary in 2024 – tell us a little about the company’s beginnings. Dunoon was formed in 1974 by Gordon Smith, prior to which he’d worked for one of the world’s largest tableware manufacturers in Stoke-onTrent. He’d always wanted to run his own pottery company and when he heard of an acquaintance leaving the employment of a large Stilton cheese manufacturers in Leicestershire to start his own business, with government support, making Scottish Blue Cheese in northern Scotland, he believed he could do the same. Government grants and loans were available to encourage businesses to set up in an area of high unemployment, and following a series of meetings and the securing of a grant and various loans, Dunoon Ceramics Ltd was born making pottery in the Highlands of Scotland.
When the company was starting out, was it ever envisaged it would be marking 50 years in business? The first two or three years were particularly tough and very hand to mouth, it was all about survival. So at that time no one would have imagined marking 50 years in business. It soon became apparent that Dunoon needed to make something quite different in the competitive mug market and moved away from using an earthenware body to a high firing stoneware clay to command a better price. The combination of reduction firing and stoneware glazes fired at high temperatures achieved a range with outstanding decorative effects that proved to be Dunoon’s salvation as orders flooded in for these beautiful mugs. How different is the industry now to when you first started working with Dunoon? What was important then that may not be so important now and vice versa? The ‘70s fashion for earthy stoneware tableware waned, so Dunoon opened a bone china factory in 1981 in Staffordshire, England, the traditional home of the British pottery industry. Sadly, many British pottery companies have gone bust in the intervening years, but Dunoon continued to thrive making slip-cast – nice, thin, light to hold bone china mugs with a wealth of beautiful patterns from which to choose. Our market and our customers appreciate Dunoon quality now more than ever. In this world of mass
Dunoon was founded in 1974 by Gordon Smith
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production there is a real appreciation for authentic quality and originality which our customers demand. Although a labour-intensive and inevitably expensive process, the slipcast method of making our mugs (not machine made) is key to our success. Access to international markets and exporting to over 60 countries worldwide deserves mention. Thanks to better communications these days and growth of the web and social media, we’ve been able to develop
Peter Smith
countries – how was that side of the business in 2023? We’ve gone from, in the 1980s a 70 per cent/30 per cent split in turnover on home market and export markets respectively to a 70 per cent/30 per cent in favour of export today. Growth in export has been vital for Dunoon and continues to be so in supplying over 60 countries worldwide. Despite significant product price increases due to massive hikes in our energy costs over the last 12 months, our overseas business
“The first two or three years were particularly tough… it was all about survival” our network of customers initially through importer/wholesalers but more and more direct to retail. The breakthrough was the installation of the fax machine in the mid ‘80s. I remember, prior to this, writing letters to prospective customers in Japan and receiving orders or replies on rice paper weeks later! With fax, email and now Zoom and Teams, access to customers is instant. However, we still prioritise personal contact with regular visits to as many customers as possible, not only to achieve sales but also to engage in meaningful discussions and gain insights into customer preferences and market needs. Your export business is incredibly strong – up to 70 per cent of your product is exported to 60
continues to grow. We’ve continued to invest in a significant number of new patterns from our talented designers, which have performed well in the marketplace. How will you be marking 50 years in business? In terms of design, we are promoting our anniversary edition Flying the Flag mug, which draws inspiration from the Union flag. The design is a montage of some of the finest original artwork from our extensive archives, with the mug backstamp commemorating our 50th anniversary. Encouragingly, a considerable number of our customers have already expressed enthusiasm for this concept, embracing it not only for re-sale but as a collectible item or a promotional piece.
Interview Dunoon
50 years
With Dunoon marking 50 years of production in 2024, we look at the company’s bestselling design for each decade…
of bestsellers
‘80s
Arran shape stoneware mug
‘70s
A reduction fired natural stoneware mug using reactive glazes. This style of mug was crucial to the early success and establishment of Dunoon.
Devon shape fine bone china mug ‘Cottages’ A collection of three mugs showcasing picturesque English country cottages gained significant popularity during the 1980s. These mugs were designed by Sue Scullard, who has maintained her creative contributions to Dunoon, including the ongoing design of the annual dated Christmas mug.
‘00s
‘90s
Nevis shape ‘Funky Farm’ Brightly coloured whimsical animals and insects were instrumental to Dunoon’s success in the 1990s, culminating in one of their biggest volume sellers; Funky Farm, featuring amusing farm animals.
‘10s
Glencoe shape ‘Informative’ Lomond and Cairngorm shapes,
The Informative journey began with a series of mugs that showcased the Periodic Table, Human Skeleton, Map of the World, and Night Sky – each an instant hit. Since then, the series has expanded to include approximately 50 different mugs. Excitingly, this year introduces new additions to the collection, featuring designs dedicated to Yoga, Skiing, and the fascinating World of Birds.
‘Warm Hearts, Hot Spots, Starburst’ This collection is the creative work of Caroline Bessey, Dunoon’s design manager with over 35 years of dedicated service at Dunoon. Her signature style, characterised by free-flowing and vibrant watercolour motifs, has been a spectacular success this decade and continues to captivate our audience.
Interview Arc
Here is looking at you, Arc! John Goodman introduces us to Arc’s 2024 launches
Going for growth
Sustainability is a key factor for Arc International. John Goodman, country manager, gives Tableware International some insight into how the company manages its green programme while also talking about the year ahead… Why is sustainability such a driver for Arc? Innovation has always been within the DNA of the business. From day one, the Durand family – our founders – built the business on the ethos of continuous improvement. We believe that the sustainability issues we face today and, in the future, encourage the same dynamic - one of innovation, forward thinking and proactivity. Can glassware manufacturers ever truly be sustainable, in your opinion? There are many factors to consider when talking about sustainability. Glass is an emotive product and has a long history of celebration, craftmanship and versatility. There are also inherent positives with glass, such ease of recycling, nontoxicity and lifespan. These are all factors that are often forgotten when looking at sustainability. We believe it is our job to take these significant benefits and improve in other areas. We already transport over 70 per cent of our raw materials by barge and rail, and 80 per cent of these are from suppliers within 500km. In addition,
90 per cent of our internal glass waste is recycled and we already operate three electric furnaces. It is our plan to innovate further by switching our largest furnaces to electric in the coming years and ensure our water consumption is reduced via internal recycling. We are also working hard to create closed loop systems where we can take back glass and recycle it into a new product. Our moto of
“2023 has been an incredible yet challenging year” today is ‘choose durable and not disposable’, and we believe that we have to encourage the consumer to value a product that has proved itself over many hundreds of years. Arc recently opened a new UK showroom, how has that been received? We opened our showroom in London in summer 2023. This was for two simple reasons - London is seen as one of the most progressive cities in the world for hospitality
Did you know? Arc transports over 70 per cent of its raw materials by barge and rail, and 80 per cent of these are from suppliers within 500km. In addition, 90 per cent of internal glass waste is recycled and already operates three electric furnaces. 142 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
and our valued retail customers are located within London or within easy reach. We believe that by having this amazing space we can showcase all of our innovations, designs and also make physical contact with our customers, something that we believe is important in the digital environment we live in today. Tableware is a very emotive product. We enjoy a drink in an eye-catching glass and eat amazing food from
dinnerware, so it is important to be able to touch and feel our product. Sum up 2023 for Arc – both challenges and successes. 2023 has been an incredible yet challenging year. Social political issues have continued to impact business around the world. Inflationary pressures have weighed heavy on our business, which was compounded for Arc when our main manufacturing site suffered from flooding. However, we have continued to invest and refocus. Our dinnerware ranges have continued to prove popular and new launches, such as our Cottage design, sold out prior to first production. In our hospitality arm we have increased stocks and our commitment to the UK has never been stronger.
“We have a diverse collection of items coming to the market in 2024; truly something for everyone! In January we will launch a stunning wine suite called Exaltation under the Chef & Sommelier brand. This collection moves the market forward from the angular shapes we have enjoyed over the last 10 years to a stunning soft organic form designed to bring the wine alive. We are launching new tumbler suites with a retro feel, Stack Up Cross, a fully tempered collection perfect for the hospitality market. Alongside this are some new solid colours in Broadway, a cut vintage collection. In June you will also see our focus on the care segment, when we will launch our Autonomy collection of plates and glasses for those with mobility issues, a market place often forgotten, but an area where we can excel and assist. In retail, we launch our first crystal collection in Luminarc, bringing casual sophistication to everyone. A focus on storage will see our first oven safe storage containers with playful coloured lids. Our oven safe segment will also be joined by a collection that includes amazing silicone lids, increasing the flexibility of our products even further. We will also refresh our dinnerware offer, bringing two new colours called Paradise Blue and Green to market in our spring launch program. We will also launch Zelie black to the market, a collection that started in white and has already sold in the tens of millions. To complete our 2024 launch programme, we will launch a stunning crystalline collection in Cristal d’Arques called Bracelet. This beautiful collection is a true show stopper and will look incredible.”
Interview Royal Goedewaagen Pauline Spin, managing director, Royal Goedewaagen tells Tableware International how the brand is taking more than 400 years of history and bringing all that knowledge and craftsmanship to a younger generation…
“Making ceramics is a craft, an art”
Having started life more than 400 years ago – 1610 to be precise – Royal Goedewaagen is a ceramics company which has heritage flowing through its very veins. There is history, and then there is history – Royal Goedewaagen has the latter. “Making ceramics is a craft, an art. This requires knowledge and craftsmanship. At Goedewaagen we have acquired such knowledge over 400 years – it all started in 1610, in Gouda, The Netherlands,” says the company’s managing director, Pauline Spin. “We think this is something
to be proud of and something that should be treasured. That’s why we embrace our heritage, craftsmanship, local identity and all the unique experiences of the people who keep these crafts alive. “We want to share our knowledge and ensure that the old crafts are not lost. We feel it is our duty to pass on this rich legacy to new generations.” When Royal Goedewaagen launched the Heritage Collection (a fresh and contemporary collection with a nostalgic edge)
On HoReCa… “Royal Goedewaagen products are made of earthenware which is not really suitable for use in HoReCa. However, we have recently made unique limited-edition plates for one of the most hip and emerging restaurants in Amsterdam. That’s something we can facilitate easily when you produce so close to home.” Pauline Spin, managing director 144 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
over a year ago, it immediately enjoyed success. It was exactly what Spin and her team were hoping for, having recognised that, although centuries old, Royal Goedewaagen is still a new name to many people.
are manufactured in China. But fortunately, the Holland-America Line has remained loyal to us, and we have been making ceramics for them for 60 years. The Royal Family also comes to us regularly with orders. And we have many new
“Of our 29 suppliers of raw materials, 24 are Dutch and the remaining five are European” “We are not an established brand, whereas we are one of the traditional producers of Delftware, and for thirty years we made the famous KLM houses for Bols, for example,” she says. “Number 1 through 75 were developed and produced by us. Unfortunately, these days the KLM houses
partners like Bloomon, for whom we make all kinds of different vases.” Product imported from territories such as China is causing an issue for Royal Goedewaagen. “It’s a threat to the continuity of the beautiful ceramic craft in our country,” says Spin. “Another is that the craft is no longer being passed
See Royal Goedewaagen at Ambiente: Hall 12.1, C26.
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On producing from the brand’s own factory… “The fact that we carry out every step of the production process in our own factory is a sustainable method in itself. We do not use semi-finished products from other countries. We make our own designs and our own moulds, we pour and fire the clay in our own kilns and decorate and glaze everything in our own studio. We obtain our raw materials from as nearby as possible. Preferably from the Netherlands, and if that is occasionally not possible, from other parts of Europe. This reduces our transportation footprint substantially and therefore also our CO2 emissions.” Pauline Spin, managing director
on. We try to hire younger people so the craftsmen who have been with us for a long time can transfer their knowledge. They are our biggest capital.” One major motivation for creating the Heritage Collection was Royal Goedewaagen’s desire – led by the MD – to introduce the brand to a younger audience. “People today rightly find it increasingly important to know what they are buying, what the story behind something is. And we have a very good story, which we want to spread. That’s what we’re trying to do with the Heritage Collection. It is 100 per cent Dutch craftsmanship, based on timeless designs from our own archives, produced locally and sustainably. Of our 29 suppliers of raw materials, 24 are Dutch and the remaining five are European. Strangely enough, ceramics – unlike clothing, for example – does not have to state where it comes from, even though nowadays everyone wants to know where things have been made. We put it on there, of course.” With the Heritage series, Royal Goedewaagen has attempted to honour not just the Dutch ceramics 146 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
industry, but also Dutch design. “In terms of form, the dinnerware may be traditional, but in terms of colours it is actually new and current,” Spin explains. “We realised that often there is already white or creamcoloured crockery in the cupboard, and with our collection you can add some fresh shades to that, to give your set table a different feel. It is more fun to have not just one service, but your own mix of heirlooms, vintage finds and hip designs. The fact the Heritage Collection caught on immediately says something, I think. At the leading trade fair, Ambiente in Frankfurt, our candlesticks were nominated for an international trade award. In the Netherlands, more and more retailers are inquiring whether they can sell the collection. This is, of course, a great compliment.. It gives us confidence that people are opting for fewer disposable items, and placing greater emphasis on things that are beautiful and last. Often you will have saved up for them, and you automatically take better care of them, you cherish them, you get attached to them, love them, and you pass them on. And that is also how our craft is passed on.”
Pauline underscores how vital sustainability, quality and longevity is to the brand. “Every day we produce our goods with the greatest possible care and attention – for people, the environment and society. We do not believe in a disposable culture, but in sustainable products that are made with care and attention, and that can be enjoyed and used for a long time. Everything we make is meant to last. That is why we make our ceramics according to the highest quality and functionality standards. We are aware of our social responsibility, which is why we continuously adjust our production process, making it more sustainable across all links in the chain. For instance, we handle our residual waste with care, and we are constantly looking for new ways to reuse our clay residues and leftover glazes. We act globally and think locally.” The goal now for Royal Goedewaagen is to expand its current sales territories but Pauline adds: “We are also looking to collaborate with other brands that value sustainability and local production. It’s a craft we practice, something unique and truly of value.”
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Figgjo
And for
2024…
With years of experience in the business, Valda Goodfellow makes her predictions for what will make an impact in the new year. Think colour, considered details and maybe even a move away from stoneware for casual dining chefs…
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About G & G
Founded by Paul and Valda Goodfellow, G & G Goodfellows is a creative design & distribution company with a showroom in Little Portland Street. Offering a truly hands-on service, Goodfellows passion is to bring new and exciting, bespoke food presentation concepts to the UK’s culinary scene. As well as offering a wide variety of the world’s best branded tableware and more.
ole Porter knew a thing or two about the fickle finger of fashion, when he wrote; “ The world has gone mad today And good’s bad today, And black’s white today, And day’s night today…” I won’t go on with the entire lyrics but way back then, you could say that it was just the same as it is now; anything goes! Or at least anything, that is, that looks right for the moment and at the start of a new calendar in our crazy plate world, it’s our job to guess what is right for this moment and this new year. The only real proof of whether we get it right or not is sales. People will buy it if they think it’s right, if they like it, and if they can afford it (and will 148 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
sometimes buy even if they can’t afford it). Capturing the zeitgeist before it evanesces from the collective gaze can be tricky, but isn’t it fun? I love the prospect of another clean page on which to scribble the plan for this year’s
hospitality industry and if you ain’t ready to party, then forget it. All bets were on 2023 for being a really bad year for consumer spend, yet who tore up the rule book? Taylor Swift, that’s who. What a performer, businesswoman and talent she is. Tay Tay can even change the
“Brands need to keep ahead of those who imitate” collections. If not in specific form, then at least in trend form. So, if you’d like to know more about my predictions for 2024, then read on dear reader, read on. Firstly, forget the doom and gloom that we seem to be globally immersed in. We are part of the
economy! The point is, she created something exciting, exclusive, and enjoyable. All the ingredients you need in hospitality. After all, people go out to enjoy themselves, so the first thing is: make it feel special. To do
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Design meets superior quality
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Valda says…
“It is not quite a thing yet, but remember you read it here first – casual dining chefs are starting to explore alternatives to their favourite stoneware staples, as porcelain manufacturers become ever more adept at mimicking the stoneware look.”
Hering Berlin
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that with tableware means thinking hard about elements of surprise that really work together with the food, the surroundings, and the service. Taylor would never go on stage saying, ‘I’ll just wear this old thing’. Really think about how you want your diners to feel about the effort you have put into the details. I am not saying anything that’s bling goes, because it doesn’t. It must work with all the other elements, not just be put on a table when it has no relevance to anything else. A good way of achieving the ‘wow’ effect is to introduce it at a point in the meal where it will stand alone, or at least not have to fight with a lot of other items on the table at the same time. Think how you could reimagine a popular dessert served in a fun way; or serving seafood out of a glass octopus dish! My second divination for 2024’s trends is… colour. We do this every year: we take a guess at what will be the nation’s favourite colour palette, whether it is for fashion, home interiors or tableware. Well, my guess this year will be not one colour but an expression of freshness. Whether it is crisp white mixed with vibrant green, or tonal greens; green will be this year’s colour. Always a great choice for serving food, but this year it gets interesting as we’re also putting green where you would never expect it, like on an afternoon tea stand! What a difference this makes. A normal stand becomes part of the show, not just the supporting act. In fact, you can have whatever colour you like but this green is particularly fresh and fun, yet not gimmicky. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to offer green tableware as well, and this beautiful Narumi’s Queen’s Garden range of bone china, suits the afternoon tea stand theme impeccably.
Culinary Concepts
The delicacy of the tone and the straight-sided design is an updated twist on the classical afternoon tea service. Green isn’t just for afternoon tea; it is a great colour to use for food plates. From soft and subtle muted greens to highly coloured and vibrant greens, there is a green out there to suit everyone’s cuisine. My favourite is the Pax plate from Figgjo. The colour is a more subtle green which would suit casual dining equally as well as it does for finer dishes. My final prediction for the tableware trends of 2024, is that fine dining tableware will continue to move further away from casual dining looks. This really took root last year with the emergence of elegant white tableware as the primary choice, and we will see this trend continue with Michelin star chefs aiming to achieve a look of exclusivity, refinement, and the highest quality. It is the ‘quiet luxury’ look for the table. It is far from boring and captures enough interest in terms of texture or form to properly frame the chef’s masterpiece. One of the best examples of this is the Evolution Plate from Hering Berlin. And so, to round off my soothsaying for 2024 – it is not quite a thing yet, but remember you read it here first – casual dining chefs are starting to explore alternatives to their favourite stoneware staples, as porcelain manufacturers become ever more adept at mimicking the stoneware look. Who knows, maybe they too will start looking to differentiate by adopting a whiter, cleaner style. I wouldn’t be at all surprised, as we are already seeing a huge surge in popularity of Serax’s Inku range as a go-to-choice for casual dining. I have a feeling that white plates will be the trend for a very long time. As my friend Taylor says, ‘cause we never go out of style’!
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Interview The Hẽrẽs Guild Liz Fodera and Peter Themistocles, co-founders of The Hẽrẽs Guild, a brand management agency with a difference, tell Tableware International how they are partnering international brands with US retailers
Peter Themistocles
Liz Fodera
“Our aim is to facilitate access to the US market” Can you explain the concept behind The Hẽrẽs Guild and how you came to establish the business together? The Hērēs Guild is a one-of-kind fractional brand management agency. Our innovative business model provides an alternative to the distributor and sales agency models. Our brand partners want to remain connected to the market, they want to feel a sense of control but recognise the complexities of the US market require US experience
and expertise to be successful. We deliver this and more. We are an extension of their central team, they can leverage our collective 30 years of expertise, have a NYC-based showroom and office, all without the complexities and prohibitive costs of US-based employees and lease holdings. We work together with the brand to craft and execute strategies for long-term sustainable growth without ever sacrificing the traditions,
crafts, and human connections that define their brands. We have a proven track record and our unique strategy for launching, nurturing, and scaling brands has earned us the
“We are proud to disrupt the market with an innovative business model”
Did you know? Based out of 41 Madison, NYC, The Hērēs Guild has been co-founded by Liz Fodera and Peter Themistocles. Describing themselves as a “one-of-akind” fractional brand management agency, they boast of an innovative business model which provides as alternative option to distributor and sales agency models. 152 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
reputation as leaders in our field, garnering the respect of the international market that paved the way for The Hērēs Guild. The Hērēs Guild is fuelled by a blend
of passion and frustration with the challenges widely accepted in the industry. We are proud to disrupt the market with an innovative business model that makes the US market accessible to artisans and creators around the
17-19 MARCH 2024 | CHICAGO, USA
TheInspiredHomeShow.com
WHERE THE INDUSTRY CONNECTS AROUND INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION
Each March, the home + housewares industry gathers together at The Inspired Home Show. Come to Chicago to experience everything that the Show has to offer — over 1,600 exhibitors from over 50 countries offering the latest designs and innovations, informative educational sessions that focus on key industry trends, and ample networking opportunities spread across three full days! Register in advance of the Show opening for free, and stay an extra day to participate in the free-of-charge Chicago Retail Tour after the Show! We look forward to seeing you in Chicago, 17-19 March! — DEREK MILLER, President & CEO, International Housewares Association
CHICAGO The Inspired Home Show 2023 was an unforgettable experience. What impressed me the most was the variety of products and brands from all over the world present at the fair, very focused on the universes of kitchenware, organization and electrical appliances. Thanks to the fair, we were able to find a lot of new items for our stores. We established business relationships with various suppliers from around the world and were able to bring products to our store that we had never seen before. In addition, the fair gave us an idea of the latest trends in the kitchenware industry and allowed us to keep abreast of innovations in the market. — BEATRIZ ESTÉBANEZ MUÑOZ, Kitchenware Buyer, El Corte Inglés, Spain
For more information and to register for your FREE entrance badge, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com.
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© 2023 International Housewares Association. All Rights Reserved.
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Interview The Hẽrẽs Guild
How it works...
The Hẽrẽs Guild leverages Peter and Liz’s merchandising and retail expertise to become an extension of thier partners’ teams - crafting strategies for long-term sustainable growth. world. We provide strategic planning and execution, account management, product development and assortment optimisation, as well as an exclusive supply chain solution to our brand partners. We often say, “If you hired your first US employee, what would you expect them to do? The answer is - a bit of everything!” How would you sum-up the US retail scene currently? We are seeing a split: we are overwhelmed with sale messaging to the point of
not be underestimated. The impact of US tourism on global markets is substantial, with consumers traveling, spending generously abroad, and bringing back their discoveries. Both American-made and foreign brands can co-exist and thrive in the US market, but entering it is no small feat! We’re here to strategically support and guide international brands on this journey. The US housewares market is vast – but is there room for more brands?
“American retailers are consistently seeking brands or products to distinguish their offerings” dilution – it’s not enough to scream sale to acquire and convert. In fact, it’s a losing game for your top and bottom line. Consumers are more demanding – they expect value, but they want differentiated products and are craving connections. The retailers that are experiencing strong seasons are delivering an experience to their customers; continuing to surprise and delight their customers with unique finds, captivating imagery, and engaging content – be it digital or analogue. Is it penetrable for foreign brands or skewed towards USonly? American consumers are placing a growing emphasis on diverse sets of values when deciding on purchases. “Made in America” is a value that holds significant appeal, especially when it’s locally sourced. However, the attraction of international products should
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As vast as the market may be, there will always be room for new brands. History has proven that retail exemplifies survival of the fittest; brands of every size and age will come and go every year. Success relies on providing distinct value propositions, comprehending consumer needs, and strategic positioning. We see tremendous opportunity for brands with soul, brands focused on craft, brands that possess compelling stories.
durability. For some, it even includes integrity - where and how a product was produced. There is also a rapidly growing appreciation for the discovery of uniquely special brands and products. Are US retailers open to working with brands from outside their home sales territory? Certainly, American retailers are consistently seeking brands or products to distinguish their offerings. However, the process of introducing international brands to the US market presents challenges, particularly for smaller retailers lacking dedicated import or supply chain teams to navigate logistics. Our initiative aims to bridge this gap by rendering these international brands accessible to US retailers, streamlining the process, and alleviating the hurdles, especially for smaller businesses. How do you connect US retailers with notable, heritage brands? With over three decades of retail expertise, we boast a vast network of retailers and industry professionals to facilitate meaningful connections. What sets us apart isn’t just how we connect but our distinctive approach. We prioritise storytelling, showcasing the
“We see tremendous opportunity for brands with soul” How would you describe the typical US customer and what are they looking for? Providing exceptional value is table stakes, but value encompasses more than price - it also must factor quality and
artistry and the individuals driving that craft. What sort of opportunity exists for brands in the US housewares market? Achieving substantial growth requires a deep understanding
and targeted approach for each customer base. This is where we excel. As former merchants, we understand the intricacies and complexities of the US retail market, enabling us to assist foreign brands in navigating it without compromising the traditions, crafts, and human connections that define their brands. Where do you source your housewares brands from? Inspiration and discovery can be found in every place. But the commonality is our passion for connection with others. We have discovered incredible brands in local shops and upon the recommendations of locals on where to eat and drink! Like all housewares professionals, we turn over a plate or hold a glass up to the candle before we even open a menu! From there, we do our research, and of course, the introductions from our friends in the industry are invaluable!
Finally, how can potential new clients reach out to you? Will you be attending Ambiente for example? We will be at Maison Objet and at Ambiente, connecting with current partners and seeking to expand our portfolio with new brands. Our aim is to facilitate access to the US market for international brands and vice versa, making them available to retailers of all sizes. While prioritising international brands, we remain open to evolution and collaboration with US brands, emphasising the importance of heritage for all the brands we engage with. We are always reachable through info@theheresguild. com and welcome visitors in our permanent showroom at 41 Madison in Manhattan, New York City. And of course, we’d be delighted to visit brands at their booth at Maison and Ambiente to meet in person.
Preview Inspired Home Show The 2024 Inspired Home Show – run by the International Housewares Association – opens its door this March and, as always, brings a must-see blend of kitchen, table and homeware products together for retailers of all persuasions
Inspiring retailers What? The Inspired Home Show | Where? McCormick Place, Chicago | When? 17-19 March, 2024
Did you know?
Riedel (pictured below) will once again showcase its latest offerings at Chicago’s Inspired Home Show. On display will be new product introductions for 2024, including new optically blown, colourful and magnum decanters. Guests will also have the opportunity to view Riedel’s extensive portfolio of grape varietal specific glassware, including its luxury Riedel Superleggero MachineMade series, which introduces the largest, lightest, thinnest, and most functional machine-made glass on the market today. Additional highlights include new introductions to Riedel’s Drink Specific Glassware collection. RIEDEL will also showcase its existing range of both hand blown and machine-made decanters. Riedel’s booth will be located within the Trade Mart (Luxe Area).
Riedel
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The Inspired Home Show in Chicago will be embracing a party-like atmosphere as it opens its doors on St Patrick’s Day this year. And not just in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, of course, but because thousands of homewares exhibitors and retailers will have gathered to the best products in the business. Divided into four expos – clean + contain, dine + décor, wired + well and international sourcing – the show will be buzzing with lots of new innovative product options for retailers who, largely, come from North America. Tabletop buyers should head to Level 3 in the South Hall for dine + décor expo where you’ll find casual and luxury tableware exhibitors along with the cook and bakeware, gourmet and specialty food area and home décor.
A key part of the show is the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) awards. For more than 20 years they have been honouring excellence in the housewares industry around the world. Each year, finalists and Global Honorees are named in the areas of Retail Excellence, Product Design Excellence and Student Design Excellence – a special gala event takes place on Sunday, 17 March where the winners will be announced. Other events include HYPE (Housewares Young Professionals Event) on Sunday 17 March, and Networking After Dark on Monday, 18 March, to name a few. There are, of course, plenty of keynote speakers and lots of ways to find yourself inspired. Visit theinspiredhomeshow.com before you travel to Chicago to fully immerse yourself.
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Preview Atlanta Market
Atlanta Market opens its doors this January. As the show grows in popularity, more and more global retailers are sitting up to take note
New tableware launches at
Atlanta Market What? Atlanta Market | Where? Atlanta, Georgia | When? 16-22 January 2024
Beatriz Ball
The English Ladies Company
Did you know?
Atlanta Market features three buildings with 51 floors of showrooms and temporary exhibits with thousands of brands that attract retailers and designers from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. For information, visit AtlantaMarket.com. 158 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
As Atlanta Market attracts more and more international buyers, there are plenty of new launches taking place at the home and gift expo. First up, Beatriz Ball, typically known for its signature metalware products, has recently added more tabletop categories to its collection with ceramic dinnerware, flatware, glassware, melamine, acrylics, linens, rattan and placemats. Ceramic dinnerware comes in two collections, Valentina and Chiara, with Aurora serving items to mix & match. New for winter 2024 is Bird on Branch, hand-painted ceramic serveware which includes bowls, an oval platter, baguette tray, pitcher and a pedestal cake stand. The new Bird on Branch motif can also be found on linens, including a runner as well as dinner and cocktail napkins. The new multicoloured Aquarelle glassware collection features tints reminiscent of watercolours. It includes stemmed flutes and coupes, with a different colour on each segment and also HB, DOF and All-Purpose glasses. The Aquarelle glasses are sold in sets of four and can be mixed & matched for a unique serving experience.
New in glassware is also the Adana collection with reverse-painted bowls and platters. In metalware Beatriz Ball will add colour elements with the new Carnaval collection of bowls, platters and barware items. New placemats will also debut. The Bloom melamine series will be line extended with serving items at the Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas markets. “It might take a lifetime to assemble a tableware collection as beautiful, varied and versatile as the one I have put together”, says Beatriz Ball, founder of the company that carries her name. “I have been inspired to build stories and collections with a renewed sense of purpose and energy. I think that our introductions for winter 2024 are some of our best ever”. Meanwhile, exhibiting from Stoke-on-Trent, The English Ladies Company will debut three brands at the Atlanta Market: Disney, Paddington Bear and Charlie Bears. The range of fine bone china collectibles, figurines and teawares will be based in Building 2, Floor 3, Booth 100E. After a brief introduction by Enesco in 2023, the company of brands will enter the US Market on its own and is looking to secure direct relationships with retailers across the USA, having set up operations to support US retailers.
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