6 minute read
Julia Knight
Serving us serveware
Astra
With a reputation for standout serveware, The Julia Knight Collection is a young company making a big impact on its high-end fanbase. Motivated to start her design career at age 40 by her passion for dining, Tableware International speaks with the inspirational woman behind the brand
Julia Knight
Julia, tell us about the company – what are your design roots? That’s the crazy part. I didn’t start designing until I was 40! I made a few tissue boxes out of cowhide for my new Colorado home and turned it into a company called Stampede. And from there on it just flowed. I had more ideas than I could produce! the way people share their food and their homes. I also draw on iconic images from my past such as seahorse from the beaches where I grew up. Living in Paris, I was always so moved by how important sharing a meal is with friends and family. And I have always loved “l’art de la table”. Hosting parties as intimate as dinner for two or elaborate as a gala party has always been a passion of mine. steel that is hand painted with an enamel that is infused with iridescent mother of pearl. It is super hard and last for years!
I think I am best known for my use of natural materials and new silhouettes. Everything I do has a new texture and finish – from the shimmer of mother of pearl infused enamel to the one-of-akind rainbow bronze finishes.
Where do you get your inspiration from? I grew up in New York and lived in Paris after going to Brown University in Rhode Island. I am endlessly inspired by my global travels and What materials do you primarily work with? I love serveware to be durable, not fragile, and not fussy. I primarily deal with aluminium and stainless Your assortment is quite eclectic in style – there seems to be something for everyone – is that a deliberate move on your part?
My collections are so
Did you know?
Julia Knight won a 2022 Tableware International Award of Excellence in the Serveware category with the Astra Collection.
Eclipse Dark Due to the diversity of the collections, Julia Knight has customers worldwide. The brand sells to over 30 countries from Saudi Arabia where the Florentine Gold Collection is popular through to the south of France where the By the Sea collection is loved. The brand also sells well in urban locations such as New York City, as well as mountain towns like Aspen.
Classic
diverse that it looks like a split personality! Like many of us, I love design from modern to classic, fanciful and embellished to simple and modern. One of the most unique things about my collections is that they range in personality and style from opulent Florentine Gold to By the Sea to the ultra-modern Astra.
Can you explain a bit about the background of The Julia Knight Collection and what makes the products so special? One of my trademarks is Five Minutes to Fabulous. This is all about how you can make a fabulous presentation of even the simplest food in just five minutes. We all know that presentation is just as important as preparation. My serveware makes it easy to make your own personal style statement.
Whatever your mood, however you like to gather with friends, a few of my pieces are all you need to stage your own personal theatre. I have flashes of modern, a dash of elegant, a global tapestry of colours and a complement of perfect shapes and sizes to help you stage the perfect evening. That’s what I love! Offered in an array of I must say that as with many of us, of all the awards and honours in my lifetime, this was the most meaningful. I worked hard on the Astra Collection and am thrilled with how it turned out. To be recognised in such an important category by the amazing team of judges, well, it feels great.
sumptuous coordinating colours, my pieces have a durable, high gloss, food-safe finish that will remain beautiful and functional for years to come.
Do you have a distributor in the UK and Europe? If not, is that something you are looking to explore? We do not yet have a distributor on the UK or Europe although we sell to a lot of retailers. They see us in Atlanta at AmericasMart or Maison Objet in Paris. And of course, retailers find us through word of mouth and research. I’m always amazed at the retailers, hotels and resorts who find us by seeing us in another great store. Birds of a feather!
Finally, you won a 2022 Tableware International Awards of Excellence for serveware, how did that feel?
Holiday
By the Sea
