TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com
INTERNATIONAL
Month: March/April 2022
Issue: 1
2
Volume: 144
134
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Fine yet strong. Simple, elegant, modern porcelain.
Discover more at denbypottery.com/porcelain For further details please contact: sales.admindept@denby. co.uk Tel: 01773 740700
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EXTRAORDINARY
WE CREATE
A LIFE
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ART & BEAUTY
Tableware Team EDITOR MAIREAD WILMOT mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk
TableWare INTERNATIONAL
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
Front cover supplied by William Edwards England For more information see the website www.williamedwards.co.uk
Q
uite a bit has happened in the world since our last issue was published a mere six weeks ago. Early February saw news break that the New York Tabletop Show had been placed in mighty peril when the Rudin Management Company – owners of 41 Madison building which is really considered home to America’s tabletop business – had pulled support. Cue a few panicked days/weeks when there was a very real possibility that The New York Tabletop Show would be no more. Thankfully, word soon emerged that a new association led by some high-profile tenants (who I’m reliably informed know what they are doing) was being formed, and the show is now – thankfully – back on the road. There are gains to be had in the tabletop division – companies such as Fiskars, The Portmeirion Group and Villeroy & Boch all recorded good years so it is imperative that support for events, such as the 41 Madison one, keep gaining momentum. Our preview of April’s 41 Madison is on page 52. Along with our traditional six-page guide to glassware which starts on page 36 – (there is something really exciting about glassware at the moment, the category feels fresh, which is superb) – we also focus in on vases (pg 56), outdoor tabletop products
(pg 50) as well as looking at key trends such as Japandi (the fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese styles) on page 94. But most notable is the return of floral. Floral tabletop, or floral anything, has sometimes suffered from association. It’s been seen as kitsch, something your granny might have on her table, not particularly ‘cool’. But that was motifs of old. These days, floral tabletop is exceedingly beautiful, very sophisticated, occasionally elaborate and often, very fun. We take a look at floral favourites on page 18, while our columnist Michele Trzuskowski also spotted the trend when she visited trade shows stateside and she talks us through her favourites on page 28. Our retail interview this issue is with AMARA’s Sam Hood on page 30. The online outfit are so exciting, they bring such joy with their product selection and really, they are leaders when it comes to digging out exciting brands who lead the way with innovative product design. Speaking of online, from page 32 we talk with Nextrade and Juniper Market to learn how they walk the line between physical and digital. Their approach makes for an interesting read but key, really, is that the trade show is still king and digital won’t be replacing it anytime soon. The rings true too for the industry figures we interviewed about the future of trade shows on page 64 – everyone said the same thing, they want trade shows back – which should be reassuring for the new 41 Madison association.
“These days, floral tabletop is exceedingly beautiful”
Mairead Wilmot
Award winners announced! We have announced the winners of the Tableware International Awards of Excellence 2022 - turn to page 71 to see the winners and read what they have to say about their awards. We also interview our Lifetime Achievement Award winners Manfred and Christa Zieher on page 92, a true power couple!
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News & Trends
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16 News A round-up of international stories 18 Trend: Floral A focus on all things flora 20 New product The best new tableware
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Viewpoints: Roundtable A look at digital marketplaces 60 HoReCa: Column Valda Goodfellow casts her expert eye over hospitality affairs 62 HoReCa: new products New pieces for hospitality 63 HoReCa: The Chef’s Table Products in their natural environment 68 Column: BHETA Why lobbying matters
24
26 30 Retail interview Amara’s Sam Hood has her finger on the retail pulse 50 Product: Outdoor Product perfect for outdoor living
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54 56 Product: Vases Gorgeous pieces for the home 94 Trend: Japandi The aesthetic choice for those in the know
Regulars 28
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Interviews and more
26 Interview: William Edwards In conversation with the man behind the brand 36 Glassbuyer’s guide The latest glassware explored 48 I nterview: JOOR Global director of sales for JOOR, Mark Bergadon, reveals why the wholesale management platform is looking towards the home sector
46
Awards
92
71 Tableware International’s Awards of Excellence 2022 The winners revealed 92 Interview: Lifetime Achievement Award Winner We learn more from Manfred and Christa Zieher
Column: Retail Noticing the trends 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.
EVOLUTION
heringberlin.com
general News New trade association will keep NYC’s home of tabletop alive New York’s home of tabletop, 41 Madison, has been saved. A new trade association is being formed, made up primarily of 41 Madison’s loyal tabletop tenants and with that, it is understood the New York Tabletop Show (commonly referred to as 41 Madison) will be run by the new association. “Yes, a tabletop association is in the process of being organised and formed by a group of industry leaders mostly current 41 Madison tenants,” confirmed Kristi Forbes, senior vice president, 41 Madison. Kristi also confirmed the New York Tabletop Show would continue with its original published dates.
Utopia sources alternative suppliers Utopia has opted to source its products from alternative suppliers. The hospitality suppliers are launching nearly 350 new designs this year. However, they say with the supply chain and global logistics problems facing the tableware industry, they have decided to source alternative suppliers from closeer to home, making controlling logistics easier and shipping faster. Now the company is partnering with leading manufacturers and designers in Turkey, Czech Republic and Portugal. Meanwhile, they are also is in the process of simplifying their website to minimise visual clutter and make it as easy as possible to search and find products. The new design follows feedback from customers.
Fiskars withdraws from Russian market In a show of support for the Ukrainian people, the Fiskars Group announced its withdrawal from the Russian market. The company has employed approximately 70 people in Moscow and in the St. Petersburg area. The exit from the Russian market will not have a significant impact on the company’s financial standing or the 2022 results. “In this situation, with Russia having attacked Ukraine and caused an immense humanitarian catastrophe, it is clear to us that we cannot continue to operate in Russia. We will ensure that our exit from the market is done with due consideration to the local employees and legislation,” says Nathalie Ahlström, president and CEO, Fiskars Group.
Inspired by… sophisticated style WILMAX are bringing us an uber stylish, on-trend collection with a matte black finish. Emulating products made from slate, WILMAX’s black tableware collections are a vitrified porcelain covered with matte black glaze. There are three notable collections with different finishes - the texture of natural stone (SlateStone), crocodile skin (Croco) and wood (WoodStone). And, as with all WILMAX porcelain, it has a wonderful durability suitable for home and HoReCa table settings. You can discover a full range of WILMAX products on the company’s official website wilmax.uk.
16 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
“We are hoping the shows will continue on the previously announced dates for the foreseeable future… we are working to get the association up and running for brands to join this spring, right around the show. The October 18-21 2022 show dates have been published for over three years, many have already started their market plans.” News broke earlier this year that April's New York Tabletop Show was to be the last after management of the 41 Madison building, Rudin Management Company, said they would no longer support an official New York Tabletop Show. See our interview with Kristi and the 41 Madison preview from pages 52.
Outdoor chic Juliska has expanded its al fresco assortment of melamine and acrylic offerings. Three new melamine collection launches bring a choice of seven patterns to choose from, and two new suites of acrylic drinkware round out this category. Also debuting for spring are stainless steel decaled flatware sets, available in two colourways, for outdoor serving and dining. For more on outdoor-friendly tableware turn to page 50.
Villeroy & Boch “deeply upset” by war in Ukraine
Villeroy & Boch released a statement condemning the Russian war in Ukraine and revealing that it has suspended business in the region until further notice. The company said it was “deeply upset by the war in Ukraine and condemns the bellicose actions of the Russian government. Our concern and solidarity are with our employees, business partners and all people in Ukraine. The top priority now is the protection and safety of our employees in the region, and we are supporting them and their families to the utmost.... There is currently an order freeze for Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (<3 per cent share of sales). Villeroy & Boch is suspending business here until further notice and will reassess the situation as soon as the situation permits.... We do not currently see any supply bottlenecks for raw materials that are explicitly attributable to the war in Ukraine. We are particularly concerned and worried about energy supply and increased energy and raw material prices. We obtain our gas supply from our national suppliers and network operators, not directly from Russia.”
gia winners announced The Inspired Home Show and the International Housewares Association (IHA), the global sponsors and organizers of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) program, recently announced the 2022 gia Global Honorees for Retail Excellence. The Global Honorees are: ■ Argentina – Paul French Gallery ■ Brazil – Westwing Brasil ■ France – La Maison Pernoise ■ Taiwan – hengstyle HENG LEONG HANG CO., LTD ■ USA – Butler’s Pantry Pictured at the 2022 gia
awards; Paul Yeomans The global gia jury, consisting of four from TI with the team retail/visual merchandising experts and from Carrol Boyes, TI’s gia seven editors and publishers of conominee sponsoring housewares trade publications from around the world, selected the gia Global Honorees from the winners previously chosen in their respective countries by the national gia sponsors. In addition, the Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising was awarded to HomeTown – by Praxis Home Retail Limited of India, and the gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing was awarded to MAKE Designed Objects of Australia.
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TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 17
Vividly floral
Trends Floral
Porcel take the tradition of porcelain manufacture and, through innovative techniques, tailor it to current trends and styles. An excellent example of this is Vivian, a set of delicate porcelain pieces featuring embossed floral designs in which new trends meet old lines. The tactile experience provided by the textured surface of Vivian dinnerware feels like time travel, whilst lively coloured selected pieces maintain a more modern look. www.porcel.com
Gorgeous gardenia
Fresh florals are big news this season – from textile prints through to signature scents by perfumiers – and where fashion leads, tabletop is never far behind. We look at some of the most fantastic florals on the market…
Cottage cool Floral themes are always popular and for 2022, Dunoon has introduced Cottage Garden on their Lomond shape. Cottage Garden is a set of three bright and colourful designs featuring flowers found in a traditional cottage garden such as hollyhocks, roses, primroses and poppies to name a few. All beautifully painted in a loose, impressionistic watercolour style by Penny Silverthorne. www.dunoonmugs.co.uk
Calico calling Calico was first written into the Burleigh pattern book on 1 February 1968 as pattern no. 9086 and has been in continuous production ever since. Inspired by 19th-century indigo fabric, Burleigh’s Blue Calico brings quintessential country charm to your home. The rich cobalt blue tones and scrolling blossom design complement both casual family dining and special occasions. www.burleigh.co.uk
Simple beauty Mesa Ceramics’ beautiful Rosemary collection takes its inspiration from the herb native to the Mediterranean region. In Mesa Ceramics Uno shape, this delicate decoration is available in two very soft matt glazes with speckles, white and aqua, which helps to enhance the soft colours of the rosemary illustrated on the plates and bowls. www.mesa-ceramics.com
18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Embrace the magic A stroll through spring Rosenthal’s Magic Garden boasts three independent decors - Black Seeds, Foliage and Blossom which symbolise the three development stages of a garden, from seeds and seedlings to shoots and finally full bloom. It’s a striking collection.
Inspired by morning walks in romantic rose gardens, Villeroy & Boch has created Rose Garden, a decor capturing the delicately changing hues of English roses in soft watercolour designs on pure white premium porcelain. With its delicate shades, intricate lines and clear shape, Rose Garden creates a modern and romantic atmosphere in the home. Coordinating glasses in elegant crystal glass ideally complement Rose Garden crockery. With their floral shape and delicate lines, the goblets look almost like closed blossoms. The collection also includes long-stemmed wine and champagne glasses as well as water and long drink glasses with a matching carafe. www.villeroy-boch.com
www.rosenthal.de
Field of flowers Juliska’s new Field of Flowers in soft, chambray blue features pencillike botanical renderings in a dreamy pastel palette. This always classic blue and white pairing offers elegant outdoor dining options in shatterproof, melamine style. Collection includes dinner plate, dessert/salad plate, cork backed placemat, 100 per cent cotton sateen napkin and stainless-steel decaled flatware sets. www.juliska.com
Stylish storage With a passion for sustainable and stylish storage and serveware solutions T&G’s Cottage Garden has been inspired by British blooms and our need to re-connect with the natural world. The collection also boasts sustainable serving boards and accessories, all items are made from FSC® Certified beech wood with delicate bee and butterfly laser details. www.tg-woodware.com
Rich detail The white porcelain of Koransha’s Cattleya Collection is bedecked with a rich cattleya relief. The surface is sandblasted to give it a smooth texture and bluish tint that makes for a refined and exquisite look. The delicate relief pattern enhances the beauty of this piece and gives it a modern, sought-after style. Available in a dinner plate, bowl and medium plate www.koranshaus.com
New Products
Welcome to paradise Paraíso, the new decor from SIEGER by FÜRSTENBERG, is an homage to the beauty of the earth, the richness of nature and the diversity of cultures. With imaginative designs and lots of colour, the dinner service brings all the world’s continents to the table. Michael Sieger and his team have designed a decor that will offer up fresh surprises each and every day. All 35 pieces in the collection were handcrafted and decorated with exquisite precision by Porzellanmanufaktur FÜRSTENBERG. Exceptionally versatile, they have wafer-thin walls with a thickness of around just two-and-a-half millimetres.
www.sieger-germany.com
Designed
for you From dinnerware collections to flatware, we highlight beautiful new products designed to make buyers happy…
Vista Alegre launches
Prism and Perle
Prism
Perle d’Or
Vista Alegre has launched Prism and Perle in the cutlery segment. The Prism cutlery set, consisting of 130 pieces, was inspired by the Vista Alegre iconic Bicos collection, with geometric lines and an exclusive, high-level design and sophisticated finishing. For the Perle collection, Vista Alegre created two models: Perle CN and Perle D’Or. The Perle CN model reveals its elegance, versatility and modernity in its curved shapes, in the thin 4mm thickness and in the hollow-handled knife. On the other hand, the finishing, which gives it a special touch, the superior quality and the small reliefs reminiscent of pearls give it a timeless character unique to the classics. Perle d’Or is the new version of the elegant Perle model, distinctive due to the 24-karat gold applied through a complex production technique.
www.vistaalegre.com 20 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Inspired by… Japanese Kimonos
New from Serax for SS22 is the joyful Japanese Kimonos collection, designed by Bela Silva. The collection is made up of decorative bowls and plates in blue-green colourways. Designer Bela Silva is described by Serax as a “true citizen of the world” she often incorporates impressions from other cultures in her ceramics. She has named the new dishes and bowls Japanese Kimonos because the patterns and colours remind her of Japan. It is a particularly optimistic series, an ode to summer, to picnics on the grass, to flowers and blue skies. Perfect for bringing a touch of spring into your home.
www.serax.com
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New Products
Something Evoking ancient Rome
extra
From Sambonet comes The Extra Cutlery table pliers – a piece designed to be used in addition to, or even in place of, your traditional cutlery set. Perfect for serving appetisers and deserts, or for a home buffet, the table pliers is a neat hybrid of a tongs and a chopsticks, coming in two finishes – steel and PVD gold.
www.sambonet.com
Utopia’s Murra collection references the luxurious ceramic vessels created using semi-precious materials by the artisans of ancient Rome. With 25 items in each of five different coloured, hand-finished rich reactive glazes, Murra offers venues a chance to personalise their serving and add individuality to the tabletop. The toffee colourway brings rich warm tones to the table while the blush pieces exhibit beautifully delicate shimmering tones. There is an ash colourway for those wanting a dark canvas to showcase food, for washes of a warm golden colour choose the honey variation. Finally, the blue glaze of Pacific creates stunning tonal effects evoking crystal clear waters and bringing vibrancy to the table.
www.utopia-tableware.com
Unique contours Inspired by the unique contours of tagine dishes, LSA International’s Cloche is a three-piece collection of glass domes has been mouth-blown into distinctly different shapes — one curved, one bell-shaped and one conical. The long, tapered handles create silhouettes that are seamless and contemporary. Each dome sits on a base of natural oak that has been sourced from sustainably managed European forests, before being sanded by hand to offer a finish that is soft and smooth.
www.lsa-international.com
Did you know?
Mesa Ceramics’ newly launched Lazuli has been inspired by Japan’s breathtaking landscapes. Terraced paddy fields and blue lakes influenced the collection’s subtle motif as splashes of blue float across each piece. Consisting of four different white plates with digital printing – mix and match with strong reactive blue pieces to create a varied yet cohesive look. www.mesa-ceramics.com 22 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
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New Products
Feel the Allure
Carrol Boyes has launched a new cutlery collection – Allure. The 24-piece collection – along with salad servers and a set of four steak knives – embodies sheer simplicity through the combination of a dramatic silhouette and a minimalist aesthetic. Crafted from 18/8 stainless steel with a sleek mirror polish finish.
www.carrolboyes.com
Breath in
grand air
Rosenthal’s new floral décor Grand Air by Regula Stüdli is a delightful ode to a summer’s day. Stunning blooms adorn the white porcelain – fragrant herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender, bright meadow flowers such as nasturtium and marigold combined with the filigree beauty of cosmea, come together with other edible wild flowers such as cornflower, pansies and daisies in the picturesque flowerbed. Slightly poisonous flowers used as medicines glow a delicate pink.
www.rosenthal.de
Beach days
Nostalgic colourways
To mark 70 years of Teema, Iittala has introduced three new nostalgic colourways – vintage blue, vintage brown and neutral linen. In 1952, Finnish designer Kaj Franck launched Teema, then known as Kilta. Kilta’s design was revisited and renewed by Franck in 1981 and then renamed Teema. Teema’s multifunctionality, simplified forms, combinability and high-quality form a collection which has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with new generations; it serves all today’s needs and now with the added bonus of new colourways.
www.iittala.com
24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Organic shapes are the backbone of the new collection Thomas Cliff White Beach. Spanish designer Gemma Bernal captures the warm Mediterranean light, the sandy beaches and the connection between the island and the surrounding sea in the collection. The new White Beach glaze emphasises the harmonious curves of the island landscape. In Cliff, every item is two-coloured: light cream-beige as the basic colour is combined with soft white. In this delicate mix of colours, plates, cups and bowls in various sizes rise above the table surface like single small cliff coasts, and create a harmonious, timeless look.
www.thomas-porzellan.de
Simplicity has proven to be excellent 2022 Tableware International Awards of Excellence NUDE is the winner in the Decorative Category
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interview William Edwards Burnished Gold, Sultan’s Garden (right)
“Our retail ambition is international”
The man with the
golden touch
William Edwards has a deep understanding of the luxury tableware market, and the possibilities are limitless when it comes to the WE brand, as Tableware International’s Mairead Wilmot finds out Where did your passion for firstly, design, and secondly bone china, come from? Initially my love for ceramics design came from craft ceramics, in particular shape design which started from school days as a pottery thrower. Once at art college I discovered the extraordinary qualities of bone china, in particular the whiteness and brilliance of the materials used.
How hands-on are you when it comes to the direction the brand is taking? Very hands on – I have a deep understanding of the luxury tableware market, both domestically and internationally, ably supported
by the Steelite marketing department with significant plans to internationalise the brand.
What’s your ultimate vision for the brand? To be one of the top bone china suppliers to the luxury global market, embracing all that is good about great British design.
Is extending further into mainstream retail something you are interested in, and open to? We are currently pursuing retail opportunities as our existing and new product introductions have both retail
Inspired by… William’s love of ceramics began during his time at school when he practiced pottery throwing. It was at The Royal College of Art, London that he first discovered bone china. 26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
and hospitality appeal. Our retail ambition is international, as it is with hospitality, this is made possible with the international distribution globally at Steelite.
What inspires you, what drives you to create new collections? With luxury hospitality it is the ability to deliver great design solutions for world class hotels and working closely with hospitality professionals at a high level who have high expectations for their F&B outlets.
Meet Jewel, a new collection from William Edwards
Taking inspiration from the ever-popular Diamond collection, Jewel features a geometric decal design on a bold and colourful pallet. Designed to meet today’s foodservice trends, the unique jewel tones interrupt modern design to instantly give a sense of distinction and regal-ness in any tabletop setting. Jewel will be available in striking colourways this June.
venue, or the end user? This varies depending on who is the project driver, and that varies from project to project. Depending on the scale of the property and opportunity we often engage with several people within the business – owner, GM, F&B director, chef, purchasing or procurement companies.
Do you find it a challenge being both a creative and a businessman? Yes, always, but all our business
“I have always felt that design can be over thought, and momentum is a key driver to innovation” My enthusiasm for great design never diminishes and being fortunate enough to travel internationally and constantly being in the marketplace is always inspiring.
A William Edwards collection is renowned for its quality but what is the most important to you – aesthetics or functionality? I would say it is impossible to split the two, great design should be fit for purpose in hospitality where functionality is key.
In terms of designing a William Edwards collection, how long does the process take from initial design idea through to completion? The design process is always fast, I have always felt that design can be over thought, and momentum is a key driver to innovation. The demands of the markets is for everchanging product lines. With an in-house design studio, we aim to complete our collections within eight to 10 weeks.
When you’re designing a collection, who are you designing for – the chef, the
has grown through our ability to be creative, and this will always be a key driver to our success. This is exciting now because with the support of Steelite globally we can continue to enhance our creativity throughout the global market which inevitably will grow the WE business.
Finally, we are coming out of a very difficult two years, what are your thoughts on how the industry progresses now – has business changed irrevocably? The luxury hospitality market will always rely on international travel, and this is an absolute driver to the market opening back up. The regional domestic market is in a strong place, but inner city and, in particular, Far East destinations are very challenged as well as the inevitable lack of visitation to the UK. The business has changed with major challenges with personnel and the supply chain, it will be essential for operators to plan and work as efficiently as possible, but there is an underlying confidence that when the market opens fully there will be huge demand for our hospitality sector which I believe in.
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 27
Retail Column
Rosenthal
Everything’s coming up roses Fresh from seeing products in real life at trade shows, retailer Michele Trzuskowski is stocking up on all things floral. Here, she talks the trend…
Vietri
Raynaud
Rosenthal
Vietri
E
very lushly styled tablescape usually has an equally beautiful and vibrant floral centerpiece. This spring, these tablescapes will go beyond floral centerpieces as they embrace current trends growing among tableware designers and manufacturers… florals. Everywhere I went this past show season, I was met with vibrant, as well as delicate, floral patterns in new dinnerware collections and home décor. Based on what I saw, it’s obvious flowers will be significant in tablescaping. As we all know, there’s nothing like the feeling of being gifted a bouquet of flowers, and we’re seeing floral trends on the catwalks, on home décor fabrics and in bold wall papers, so why not tableware? The biggest colour trends of 2022 seem to be embedded in optimism, warmth, and growth, especially as we head into the third and hopefully last year of Covid, so artistic expression in florals
not only available in dinnerware but also home décor items such as vases, and scented candles. While less dramatic, but still impactful are Rosenthal’s two spring floral patterns: Brillance Fleurs des Alpes mixing fresh blues and yellows, and Brillance Fleurs Sauvages reflecting reds, yellows, and orange hues. These two patterns are less formal and perfect for everyday dinnerware. At the opposite end of the spectrum, we go from fine porcelain to pure fun with Vietri’s new Fiori De Campo dinnerware collection made of white earthenware. The hand-sponged design on these plates depicts sweet bouquets of whimsical wildflowers of Fiori di Campo with a watercolor effect that transports your table to the Italian countryside. Additionally, from Vietri, you have the everpopular Lastra Poppy with its bold red poppy design, as well as Lastra Sunflower, 2021’s flower of the year
The season’s botanical designs range from dramatic bolds and exotics, to more feminine soft and seductive florals only seems natural. The season’s botanical designs range from dramatic bolds and exotics, to more feminine soft and seductive florals, as well as impressionistic and sketched designs. There are so many patterns I could reference but here are a few I love. For example, I’m obsessed with Rosenthal’s dramatic Heritage Turandot pattern with its rich exotic Asian influenced style using a strong color palette of navy with accents in green and gold. This design mixes both flora and fauna in its pattern. It’s 28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
with its hand painted bright yellow sunflower in the center of the plate. And let’s not stop there – how about melamine dinnerware… Juliska answered that call with their Field of Flowers which originally was done in ceramic but is now only available in melamine. More recently they introduced the colour chambray blue in Field of Flowers meeting the continued demands for the color of blue. They are so invested in this pattern that they continued the pattern onto the handles of flatware and serving pieces.
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
Of course, there are old favourites, that although not newly introduced will see a comeback with trends like this. One of my favourites Mottahedeh’s Tobacco Leaf collection again featuring an interpretation of flora and fauna in a plethora of colours that can be mixed with so many other patterns, like Lace, or even a basic solid plate. Another loved pattern is Harmonia by Raynaud. This pattern is very naturalistic and characteristic of the Chinese golden age. It’s mixture of pomegranate and floral stems in vivid colours adorn the plate. Florals are also present on the table in terms of serveware. Take Bordallo Pinheiro, a master of figural shapes in ceramic. Their collections in geranium, lily, as well as individual pieces like their daisy and dahlia bowls are fabulous. In a multitude of sizes, they are great for serving anything small to large. When I spot trends like this, I always try to make it forefront from a merchandising standpoint for my customers. I pull together florals from dinnerware to table linens, napkins, and napkin rings. This helps guide customers to think about it as a “movement” and not a “moment” Whether old or new, porcelain or stoneware, or depicts this year’s flower, the tulip (2022), let’s hope the optimism and hope that flowers bring to the world will also bring it to our individual tables to enjoy for years to come. In other words, a future in full bloom!
· since 1946 ·
/eisch_glass /eischglaskultur www.eisch.de
Retail AMARA
On point
luxury
As leaders on the luxury retail scene, AMARA’s co-founder and chief creative officer Sam Hood tells us how the outfit continues to excite and innovate How has the retail landscape changed over the past two years?
over the course of the pandemic; what other categories grew?
The pandemic has fast forwarded the way we shop to bring more consumers into the online shopping space. Using technology to meet demands on the website with all that entails, but also by making working from home a viable and long-term solution for our staff. The home has become even more important than ever, and we have seen great interest in our home inspiration and editorial content.
At the start of the pandemic, it was cookware, barware and office type products but everything garden related did extremely well too! As we started to be able to be outside picnicware thrived, and even when kitchenware slowed, barware continued to do well and hasn’t really subsided since.
What’s trending in the homewares sector at the moment? Fun and colourful, our customers are being braver than ever with colour in their homes and more adventurous with the more wild and whacky products such as crow wall lights and slogan storage jars.
It’s well documented that barware sales increased 30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
In terms of tableware, what is selling well for you? Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Pols Potten are all doing very well for us at the moment, especially plates but sales in trays have had significant growth, as have placemats.
I’m curious about which aspects of tabletop are growing for AMARA? Are you noticing trends towards any particular pieces (bowls/ plates/ glassware)?
We are seeing growth in decorative serveware, especially if they are more unusual and stylish in design.
“The home has become even more important than ever, and we have seen great interest in our home inspiration and editorial content”
Trade shows are picking back up again, are you hoping they will return to full strength? The buying team are very much looking forward to attending trade fairs in order to see product in real life once more!
Part of AMARA’s USP is that you offer the consumer really stylish pieces, do you feel pressure to continually seek out new suppliers? Yes, we do! But it’s the most rewarding part of our role, to see a new brand to market flourish on our site.
There is a definite squeeze on the consumer wallet with a noticeable increase in the cost of living, is that something which
Fact!
Sam tells us colour is king right now as AMARA’s customers are “being braver than ever with colour in their homes”.
concerns you in terms of consumer buying power? Our customer demographic isn’t as conscience of increases in the cost of living, but they do want value for money and quality of service, which we thrive to do every day.
Tell us about AMARA’s own-brand offering, how has that developed for you? We are currently working to relaunch our tableware offering for 2023, with sourcing trips in Europe planned for this summer – watch this space!
Finally, how does AMARA continue to innovate its retail offering? The buying team are always looking at new and exciting brands, as well as getting the latest collections from brands onto the site as soon as possible. They also work on
exclusive collaborations with brands such as Les Ottomans and Pols Potten to offer those limited-edition pieces. We also have very strong in-house teams working throughout the business, from the photography studio to the marketing team. This ensures that the customer enjoys their shopping experience at every touchpoint.
“Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Pols Potten are all doing very well for us at the moment”
Did you know? Barware sales peaked during lockdown in the UK and have not slowed down for AMARA. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 31
Viewpoints Digital Marketplace
The future
of buying? As more and more buyers turn toward the digital space – we speak with Philipp Ferger of Messe Frankfurt – the force behind NexTrade and Bill Furlong, CEO of the newly launched Juniper by IMC – to learn more about how these uniquely positioned marketplaces are walking the line between physical and digital Bill Furlong CEO, Juniper by IMC What, in your opinion, are the benefits of businesses using a digital marketplace? Simply stated, buyers and sellers can connect anytime and everywhere. Discovery is easy and transactions are efficient (and affordable, with JuniperCredit’s net 60 terms). JuniperMarket has a breadth and depth of proven products and trusted brands, and Juniper’s fully-integrated ecosystem allows business to be conducted seamlessly at market, on the road or online.
Philipp Ferger Member of the Board of Management of nmedia GmbH and Vice President Consumer Goods Fairs at Messe Frankfurt
and its websites attract 5.5 million visitors annually. We are mindfully leveraging the unique value of our physical markets and the power
“All of our research indicates that buyers desire a mixedchannel sourcing model” Can digital B2B marketplaces work successfully in tandem with trade shows? IMC registers 250,000+ buyers and contracts with 13,000 brands annually for its physical markets,
32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
and potential of our database of 600,000+ qualified buyers as we develop JuniperMarket. The business landscape is both changing and increasingly digitized, with buyers and sellers looking to connect and transact not only at market, but also on the road and online. By bridging our digital and physical markets, IMC is uniquely to positioned to meet our customers wherever and whenever they want to transact.
What, in your opinion, are the benefits of businesses using a digital marketplace? Nextrade, as a digital order platform, offers a wide range of services and all this with just one log-in for brands and retailers. Nextrade supports the internal sales force, the field sales force and the e-commerce in a targeted manner. I would like to illustrate this with three examples that are relevant for many brands. For the internal sales force, process efficiency is increased and costs are reduced by taking over and digitizing customer follow-up orders by fax, mail or telephone to Nextrade. The manual processing of an order costs between ten and 17 Euros. In the field services, costs are reduced and turnover increased by automating customer follow-up orders from the existing merchandise management system. This means an increase in turnover of around 20 percent if the articles are permanently available on the shelf. In e-commerce, there is also an increase in process efficiency and reduction in costs by taking over the
management of all item information, especially for the high-maintenance B2C marketplaces and chain stores. For all these requirements, the Nextrade team helps to quickly identify the potentials of the respective brand with concrete starting points and starts directly with the implementation. In this way, the best possible results can be achieved if the brand is actively involved in the process. Nextrade offers dealers the possibility to have all article and image data of the relevant brands
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Viewpoints Digital Marketplace Bill Furlong CEO, Juniper by IMC Post pandemic would you say more companies are now veering towards a digital B2B marketplace presence, perhaps in lieu of attending trade shows? Certainly, COVID made online shoppers of us all, and that has help escalated adoption of B2B
digital elements. The intersection of online and offline commerce continues to blur. The development of our digital tool set will continue to enhance the physical market experience as well as extend markets to become 365/24/7,
“We are mindfully leveraging the unique value of our physical markets and the power and potential of our database” ecommerce platforms for sourcing and shopping. However, COVID also reinforced the necessity of in-person interactions and the importance of attending physical markets to see, touch and feel the products. Our physical markets are either back to pre-COVID attendance levels or very close to it, which confirms the importance of face-to-face business in our industry. All of our research indicates
15,000+
buyers registered with JuniperMarket in just the first two months that buyers desire a mixedchannel sourcing model, and market recovery and simultaneous early growth of our digital platform reinforce that fact. Looking to the future, we anticipate continued evolution towards a more hybrid market experience, which combines both physical and
34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
so buyers can source whenever and wherever it is best for their businesses. It’s a paradigm shift for an industry traditionally focused on doing business at in-person gatherings held during two or four weeks a year. Do you find your marketplace is attracting buyers and sellers in equal measure? Our focus is less on the numbers – though to be transparent we have 1,500 sellers and 3+ Million SKUs currently contracted on JuniperMarket, as well as 15,000+ buyers registered in just the first two months since our launch – and more on providing the right products to the right buyers rather than just chasing quantities of buyers and sellers. We’ve worked hard to balance our offerings and the current product mix is about 50 per cent home, 40 per cent gift/tabletop and 10 per cent apparel, and our buyer base has a similar mix. We’ll continue to build JuniperMarket adoption and engagement with this ratio in mind.
Philipp Ferger Member of the Board of Management of nmedia GmbH and Vice President Consumer Goods Fairs at Messe Frankfurt bundled in one place, in a standardized format, on their individually selectable transmission path. Retailers can thus increase the data quality in their own merchandise management system and use data for their own B2C online shop. Can digital B2B marketplaces work successfully in tandem with trade shows? Nextrade is a complement to our presence fairs for the industry. The B2B digital platform drives the trade fair business and maintains business relationships between events, extends content and exchange virtually throughout the year - and also makes it possible to tap into new target groups. But it is no substitute for face-toface discussions between suppliers and retailers or the emotional component of purchasing. But that is not the goal of the digital platform either. Suppliers get new sales and distribution channels, especially abroad. Nextrade enables them to easily integrate trading partners who have not been reached via trade fairs or other sales channels so far. And another plus point for the platform: it creates more freedom for exhibitors and visitors in real trade fair encounters. Since dealers can place orders around the clock, 365 days a year, there is more time for the essentials on site: For sustainable networking, tracking down new products and thus strengthening the product range. With the launch of the platform, we are the first trade fair organiser to leverage this potential and, together with strong partners, help shape the digital transformation of the industry Post pandemic would you say more companies are now veering towards a digital B2B marketplace presence, perhaps in lieu of attending trade shows? Nextrade currently offers 400 brands and over 10,000 retailers a platform that is available at any time of the day or night, 365 days a year. With Nextrade, we have not only digitized and centralized ordering
in the consumer goods industry, but also the simple exchange of item data. That’s why I expect more brands to open their shops via Nextrade, regardless of the pandemic situation. Because with Nextrade we offer brands the opportunity to present their products and novelties and even make them tangible in virtual showrooms for that we provide the order and data interface. Everything digital, central and accessible around the clock. The trade fairs will also play an important role. Because what the pandemic has shown us is clearly that the digital platforms cannot replace the personal exchange and the haptic experience that is so important especially in the consumer goods industries. Do you find your marketplace is attracting buyers and sellers in equal measure? In any case, the brands as well as the retailers benefit from Nextrade. Our goal with Nextrade is to create a standard for the industry, as a central industry product information management (PIM), so to speak. Currently, the product data of over 400 brands can be obtained in a format that is the same for all brands. This alone is a relief for the specialized retail trade. It also gives retailers the opportunity to establish their own processes for processing the data, as the format no longer differs for each brand. At the same time, it is easier for the brands to concentrate on the quality of the data, as the individual provision of the data to the retailer is no longer necessary. We work closely with the brands and retailers to create added value for both sides, which is reflected in satisfaction as well as sales. We support the retailer in automating the processes so that the import of the data into their merchandise management system or online shop is as simple as possible. In addition, traders benefit from the possibility to order around the clock 365 days a year. The digital platform also eliminates long journeys for buyers, which saves time and financial resources.
Did you know?
Nextrade currently offers 400 brands and over 10,000 retailers.
january ad 2022.qxp_Layout 1 11/01/2022 15:37 Page 1
ROYAL SCOT CRYSTAL Britain’s largest collection of fine crystal
For information please contact: +44 (0) 20 8508 2435
Guide to Glassware
Crystal
Zieher
clear choices
From the return of coloured glassware to the use of optics as focal points, we explore some on-trend choices for buyers this season
Barware
Elevating the bar with considered choices
Waterford As part of the Connoisseur Collection – which brings together form and functionality to elevate the drinking experience – Waterford brings us a snifter with tasting cap. The Snifter balances an expanded nosing experience with an easy-sipping shape. The tasting cap complements the glass, trapping aroma within and allowing it to intensify and develop between sips. The snifter and cap pair well with aged spirits, revealing the hidden depths of rums, whiskies and cognacs. Inspired by the world’s finest spirits, each glass in the collection has been carefully shaped to give users the choice of how to enjoy their drink as well as unlock the full complexity of its taste and aroma. www.waterford.com
RCR Crystal From RCR Crystal, the Etna collection is inspired by the power of the eruption of the Sicilian volcano. The perfect imperfection of nature is engraved on the glasses and goblets: the light is reflected on the carvings and is multiplied on different levels enhancing the exceptional transparency of the Eco-Crystal. Next, the Tattoo Mule is not only the first Eco-Crystal mug dedicated to the Moscow Mule, but its an innovative product for the mixology world. Its transparency enhances the colours of the cocktails while the handle allows for an ergonomic grip. The thickness of Luxion® EcoCrystal guarantees a higher temperature maintenance than any other glass, for a drink that is always cold at the right point. Finally, the Jigger Tattoo is a one-of-a-kind piece, two glasses and a jigger into a single product. www.rcrcrystal.com
A real talking point, Zieher’s Doppio decanter puts wine centre stage. The geometric silhouette and seemingly reduced design appears almost technical but directs the eye inside the decanter because the whole secret of this extraordinary design only comes to the fore once the piece is filled. Attractive visual effects appear already during the pouring process when the wine is divided onto both levels of the Doppio decanter. It almost seems that the wine is levitating. In addition to the natural flow of the wine, which pours over the inside of the decanter onto the two levels, the division into two levels also has an extremely beneficial effect on the development of the wine. The splitting creates a significantly larger surface of the wine with a comparatively small space requirement on the table, which maximises the possible oxygen contact. The division also remains when pouring out, so that the cascaded flow creates a waterfall effect, which additionally increases aeration through swirling. Doppio is elaborately handcrafted from high quality borosilicate glass, which is robust and easy to clean. The ideal charge of the decanter is 0.75 litres in order to generate maximum oxygen contact and the most beautiful optical effects. www.zieher.com
Royal Scot Crystal
Mouth blown, handmade crystal glasses such as the Jacobean Air Twist from Royal Scot Crystal add a touch of luxury with exquisite hand cut designs. These air twist glasses are reproductions of mid 18th century glasses. The air twists in the stem are created by making four pin pricks allowing in air, then the stems are twisted during manufacture to create a delicate air twist design within the stem. www.royalscotcrystal.com
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Guide to Glassware
Denby To complement their new Kiln Collection, Denby introduce a dimple textured glassware range. Handmade and mouthblown into a mould, Kiln Glassware sits comfortably with other tableware patterns and this compact range comprises gift packs of two red wine glasses and two large tumblers. www.denbypottery.com
Gibson Homewares Gibson is introducing Soho Lounge glassware along with a new dinnerware collection Urban Soho, a complement to its successful Soho Lounge line of dinnerware. With the addition of the 12pc clear glassware set to the line, Gibson aims to expand its appeal with audiences who have an appetite for sparkling glass dinnerware. www.gibsonhomewares.com
Casual glassware The everyday made easy with quality glassware designed to be used
LAV From LAV comes Vera, a glass first born as a thriving modern redefinition of the classic Turkish tea glass which has been reinvented as a fine-looking, sleek tumbler. The vague tulip shape and overall simplified perfection make them ideal for any contemporary setting. Lav-us.com
Rayware
Pure Table Top As part of their collaboration with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Pure Table Top have included recycled glass tumblers, wine glasses and a carafe into the Living Jewels collection. The range for Spring/Summer 2022 aims to highlight the incredible and crucial role bugs play in the natural world to help ensure a sustainable future for the planet. www.puretabletop.com
38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
The Ravenhead Tulip range is a classic, functional collection of glassware perfect for any household. These highly transparent, durable glasses fit perfectly in a standard size dishwasher. With its distinctive shape and high-quality finish, the Tulip glassware range has been one of the bestselling collections for over 20 years and continues to offer style for the home. www.rayware.co.uk
crystalex.cz
Guide to Glassware
Zwiesel Glas
Zwiesel Glas brings us gorgeously toned vases and lanterns in two sizes and various colours with the Dialogue range. Available in the on-trend colours graphite, taupe, lilac and petrol, both small and large vases have plenty of room for exceptional flower displays. As a cosy lantern, they imbue every home, every bar and every restaurant with a truly wonderful atmosphere. www.zwiesel-glas.com
Coloured
It’s all about ombre and pretty pastels for coloured glassware
Blue Pheasant
The Nicolas Highball and Tumbler is an artful take on traditional hand-blown glassware. Each of these artisan-crafted glass tumblers has a unique wash of cobalt at the rim and base—plus, extra thick walls that help keep margaritas and other refreshing beverages chilled. www.bluepheasant.com
Rayware
Denby
Denby’s Modern Deco Glassware brings a fresh look to contemporary glassware and has a textured swirl to complement the texture of Denby’s Porcelain Arc range. Handmade and mouthblown into a mould to achieve the textured effect, Denby’s Modern Deco glass also has a blue ombre colour effect. Included in the range is an elegant glass carafe featuring the unique combination of texture and stunning colour at its best.
The Ravenhead Gemstone range features glassware with an elegant diamond design and subtle ridges in a deep charcoal grey, ocean blue, fawn green and a mystical amethyst purple tone. The colours are inspired by eye-catching semi-precious stones, and make for an original twist to your bar and drinkware. From wine glasses to footed sundae dishes and hiballs, each glass in the collection is available individually for the perfect mix-and-match of colours. www.rayware.co.uk
www.denbypottery.com
Beatriz Ball
Beatriz Ball has introduced new Carved multicolour glassware sets of six. They are available as DOF and wine glasses. Each glass is in a different colour with its own etched design. “Welcome colour, nice to have you back!”, the designer says. wholesale.beatrizball.com
40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
trade.lsa-international.com
Dine Collection
MAKING CONNECTIONS Time to come together
LSA Guide to Glassware
From LSA comes Tier, a collection of mouth-blown vases and lanterns characterised by stacked, geometric shapes — inspired by postmodern architecture. Skilfully mouth-blown in clear, cased slate grey or cased chalk white glass, which is achieved by encasing coloured glass within a layer of clear before blowing. The rims of each are cut and polished, creating a striking linearity. Asymmetric in form and unmistakably contemporary, the sculptural pieces may be used for flowers and foliage, or simply displayed as a statement object in the home. www.lsa-international.com
Artel
Artel’s Social Butterflies motif celebrates the otherworldly insects (and their meadow habitat) with a design that brings a taste of the great outdoors into any home décor setting. Featuring richly detailed butterflies, blossoms, and interwoven vines, Social Butterlies takes it inspiration from wallpaper create by Dagobert Peche of the Wiener Werkstatte (a Austrian art and design movement of the early 20th century).
Decorative Beautiful glassware crafted to make the living space perfect
www.artelglass.com
Zwiesel Glas
Scandinavian, purist, handmade par excellence - Network enthrals with its classic, generous lines. An unconventional, hand-worked cut makes this vase a unique decorative touch to enhance any setting. It is infinitely reminiscent of other arts such as architecture and weaving. www.zwiesel-glas.com
Waterford Rosenthal meets Versace
Rosenthal meets Versace extends the popular Medusa Grande Collection in 2022 with a new design. After the introduction of the transparent glass vase, the series is bolstered by three further colour variants in pink, blue and black. The colours match the tones of the new Medusa Amplified collection and can be combined with the Medusa Amplified Short Sets. www.rosenthal.de
42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
The Waterford Crystal Ocean has been handcrafted at the House of Waterford in Ireland, each piece in the Ocean Collection envelops all senses, bringing to life the form, texture, movement, and wondrous features of the sea. Waterford’s Ocean collection embraces the spirit of the ocean and the different senses it ignites. The Mastercraft Ocean collection is a homage to heritage and a celebration of the sea, inspiring moments of calm and adventure for those with a magnetic draw to the ocean and appreciation for beauty. The collection consists stunning sculptures, home interiors, and extraordinary drinkware masterfully crafted for up to 90 hours to add life to every occasion. www.waterford.com
Guide to Glassware
Artel
The Sakura range from Artel – Double Old Fashioned and Highball – are mouth blown, sandblasted, acid etched, hand-engraved, hand-painted, hand-gilded! The motif takes its inspiration from the Japanese blooming of the cherry blossoms trees – known as sakura – which symbolises human life, transience and nobleness. To celebrate their limited flowering period, many people hold “flower watching” parties known as hamani. The making of these glasses is something to behold – after each piece is mouth-blown, it is cased with a second layer of white crystal, which is then sandblasted almost entirely off, leaving behind only the shapes of the blossoms and branches. Next, each piece is acid-etched to achieve a pearl finish, and each blossom is then hand-engraved. Lastly, each blossom and branch is handpainted and in hand-gilded with 24-carat gold. www.artelglass.com
Handmade
Unique hand-crafted pieces, be it mouth-blown or hand-engraved, for that extra-special touch
Broste Copenhagen
Broste Copenhagen’s Limfjord collection is complemented with the addition of mouth-blown stackable drinking glasses inspired by the quiet life on the seabed. With their versatile design, the Limfjord drinking glasses can be used either as a companion to wine glasses, for water served at relaxed family dinners, or as a cocktail glass. www.brostecopenhagen.com
Cumbria Crystal
Cumbria Crystal is a small British crystal manufacturer with a reputation for producing some of the highest quality completely hand-blown and hand-cut 24 per cent lead crystal available. Being small and reliant on the skillset of a few dozen artisans means most items are specifically made for the customer. A classic example of their work is the popularity of the classic Grasmere Collection, seen in every episode of Downton Abbey and a favourite of James Bond. www.cumbriacrystal.com
Eisch
The KAYA collection is refined by hand in the Eisch glassworks. Red wine, white wine and champagne glasses are complemented by slate-look tumblers, copper napkin rings and knife rests. Glasses that emphasise the taste of wine do not always have to be undecorated, Eish say, adding that the manual finishing of KAYA brings additional pleasure for the eye. Eisch.de
Stemless
Increasingly popular, stemless glasses are in demand
Artel
Depicting a richly detailed, handengraved seascape of coral, shells, and marine flora, Artel’s immensely popular Atlantis motif provides an enchanting view of underwater life, making it especially suitable for nautical and seaside settings – and a perfect gift for anyone for anyone who loves the ocean. This elegant and unique design is popular both in clear and blue. www.artelglass.com 44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Rayware
The Ravenhead Stemless Glasses offer modern design which minimises breakages and spills. The wide bowl base shape allows aromas and flavours to release from red and burgundy wines, and they are also suitable for enjoying crisp white and rose wines or even serving creative desserts and fruit cocktails. www.rayware.co.uk
Zwiesel Glas x Sebastian Herkner
Journey 150 years of Zwiesel Glas - Sounds like a great history. Milestones in the 150-year history of Zwiesel Glas are represented in a linear relief pattern in the glass stems in this five-piece set. They connect together the past, present and future. Bordeaux, Burgundy, white wine, allround and sparkling wine glasses form an ensemble representing the historical highlights of Zwiesel Glas, and make every moment of pleasure tangible. This unique range emerged from a partnership with renowned designer Sebastian Herkner. zwiesel-glas.com
Guide to Glassware
Lenox
Lenox has collaborated with Victoria James, America’s youngest sommelier at 21, and partner and director of beverage at New York & Miami’s Michelin-starred COTE restaurants. Together, Lenox and James have created the Signature Series, an exclusive collection of stemware designed to transform the way wine drinkers experience wine. The carefully thought-out glasses were developed specifically for the climatic regions from which the wine comes. Instead of matching your glass to the grape, Lenox and James focus on where the wine was created. www.lenox.com
Carrol Boyes
The Carrol Boyes Ripple glassware collection is handmade with a delicate ripple motif at the base of the glass. Comes in a set of four. www.carrolboyes.com
Stemware
The most classic of glassware shapes for delightful drinking
LSA
Metropolitan is a collection of drinkware for wine, designed for bringing people together. Each elegant and contemporary piece, from flutes and saucers to wine glasses, is made with quality and care to enhance any occasion. Inspired by cosmopolitan culture and urban living, the pieces — created for both formal and casual settings — feature angular bowls and tall, finely drawn stems. www.lsa-international.com
Nude
Round Up from Nude Glass is a highly decorative, vintage inspired four-piece stemware range. 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 as an enchanting quality, accentuating the colour of the drink they hold. The elegant collection features four glass sizes: red wine, white wine, champagne coupe and champagne flute. Eu.nudeglass.com
Villeroy & Boch The perfect companions to Villeroy & Boch’s MetroChic and MetroChic blanc collection are the filigree glasses made of crystal glass. The design of the MetroChic glasses was developed for discerning connoisseurs: the high-quality glasses made of crystal glass are formally restrained, but at the same time concise and stylish with their opulent goblets and guarantee perfect drinking pleasure. www.villeroy-boch.com
Riedel
Riedel Veloce is a new, impressive development based on state-of-the-art technology. The glass is taller than its predecessor Extreme and has a thinner stem and finer bowls. A specially developed machine, at Riedels Weiden factory, enables them to draw stems that are the equal of those made by hand by a master glassmaker. The base, with a diameter of 100 mm, is a new standard for large glass shapes and is the maximum that can be produced by machine. The weight of Riedel Veloce has been reduced considerably from that of the Extreme collection. The collection is available in nine sizes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Syrah/Shiraz, Pinot Noir/Nebbiolo, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Chardonnay, a Champagne glass, and a water glass. 46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
www.riedel.com
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interview Joor
“It’s time...” Premiere wholesale management platform JOOR is breaking into the home sector, led by global director of sales Mark Bergadon. He tells Tableware International why the industry needs to sit up and take note… “The Total Addressable Market of Home worldwide is over 660b and that’s a big number”
Retail focus
Neiman Marcus, Selfridges, Harrods, Printemps, SSENSE, and Matches are just some of the retailers who use JOOR’s platform. 48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Mark, JOOR is a major player in the wholesale marketplace industry, but what makes it different from the other retail avenues? One of the things that sets us apart from the rest is our global reach. We have offices in 12 countries from LA to Melbourne and around the world. We work with brands and retailers from 150 different countries, transacting in 135 currencies. Those numbers continue to grow. Another important part of JOOR is our exceptional customer success team. With a retention rate of over 96 per cent, we are known for our customer partnerships.
We understand JOOR is expanding its reach into the homewares sector. Why? It’s time. The Total Addressable Market of Home worldwide is over 660b and that’s a big
number. We dominate the luxury apparel segment and we want to bring home brands and retailers on board that parallel our better/best/luxury ecosystem. Also, as a whole, the homewares sector has been a bit slower to adopt digital. I know, having had the privilege of being a part of this industry for my entire career. JOOR gives the homeware sector the opportunity to modernise the wholesale experience and increase ROI through a world class platform.
Why would a tableware/ homewares buyer turn to JOOR over other marketplaces in the industry? Having served the world’s most prestigious brands in fashion, we are uniquely positioned to bring this expertise to home. As I mentioned before, luxury home brands are in good company on
“Brands and retailers want a hybrid solution. Buyers want to shop whenever and wherever they want” JOOR, not only because of the ecosystem, but also because of our global reach. It’s also important to note that myself and the JOOR home team come directly from the homewares industry. We have been buyers, SVP general merchandise managers, product development directors, VPs of sales, etc… on both the brand and retail sides. Combining this with our tech expertise sets us apart from the rest.
Is it fair to say JOOR plans to change the retail landscape for tabletop buyers and sellers? Some of the most exciting new retail concepts out there are focused on consumer lifestyles. I’ve also seen legacy retailers adopt this philosophy. Art, epicure, gift, apothecary, decorative accessories, etc are existing with apparel and personal accessories to bring a total lifestyle concept to consumers. Being a part of the JOOR ecosystem means brands can connect with retailers outside of their current lens and reach.
Tell us about some of the retailers who already use JOOR to source product? We have several retailers that use JOOR as an exclusive propartnership: Neiman Marcus, Selfridges, Harrods, Printemps, SSENSE, Matches to name a few … but it’s important to point out that JOOR is an agnostic platform; any retailer can use JOOR to source product and make connections with brands and we have many small and mid-sized retailers within the platform.
How important is tableware and tabletop accessories to JOOR, has it been identified as a growth area? Very important and most definitely an area of growth. Tableware and tabletop is not only functional, it’s fashionable in the same way as apparel is fashionable. We understand the brands and retailers in this vertical having worked with and alongside the best in the world.
Will you be targeting the hospitality sector too?
Absolutely. We are talking to a few brands and firms in this sector to better understand their specific needs.
Did JOOR find the digital market space grew significantly over the course of the pandemic and how do they plan on maintaining momentum? Yes, we had a definite spike in growth as a result of the pandemic but this only accelerated what was already happening. The move to digital was already underway, but since then we’ve discovered
96+ per cent, JOOR’s customer retention rate.
at home, on their laptop on a plane or at a coffee shop… even on their phone. They want efficiency. To maintain momentum, JOOR is constantly thinking about what’s next. Almost 50 per cent of our team is dedicated to innovation and technology. This year we will see releases to the product that will keep us ahead of the curve and this team is continuously
“Tableware and tabletop is not only functional, it’s fashionable in the same way as apparel is fashionable” that brands and retailers want a hybrid solution. Buyers want to shop whenever and wherever they want. In person, at market or during a rep appointment on the iPad, on their desktop
listening. JOOR is laser focused on bringing industry leading innovation and technology to our clients.
www.joor.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 49
Category Outdoor Trends
Rig-Tig From Rig-Tig comes the stylish Picnic assortment, a collection designed to make outdoor dining easy. The new Picnic vacuum flask and baking tin are perfect for trips to parks, the beach or the woods with friends and family. The vacuum flask keeps drinks hot or cold for many hours, having been designed with double-wall vacuum insulation in steel, which keeps liquids hot for 11 hours or cold for 22 hours. The flask comes with four cups in different shades, making it easy to remember who’s using each cup. The cups are made from PBT plastic which means that they won’t break if you drop them – perfect for families with small children. Meanwhile, the Picnic baking tin comes in a size to make enough cake for everyone. The non-stick coating ensures that cakes are easily released from the tin. The included lid also functions as a serving tray.
www.rig-tig.com
Outdoor
living
As thoughts turn towards summer, we look at some of the most desirable outdoor products available to buyers…
Beatriz Ball This latest design from Beatriz Ball’s VIDA Collection of luxury melamine has been designed in collaboration with noted American illustrator, August Wren. Ideal for salads and snacks, for garden parties and indoor gatherings, the new salad plates collection consists of a set of four 9-inch plates, with bamboo border and each featuring a lovely watercolour of a different wildflower.
Wholesale.beatrizball.com
Villeroy & Boch Whether used for breakfast, lunch or the occasional snack – the Premium Porcelain lunch boxes from To Go & To Stay are available in the right shape and size for any occasion. Round or rectangular and available in the sizes S, M and L, the lunch boxes are perfect for meal prepping, packaging-free shopping or for storage at home. To Go & To Stay also has the perfect solution for drinks and liquid food such as soup: two mugs made from white premium porcelain are true all-rounders and are suitable for transporting smoothies, yoghurt and small snacks or as drinking cup at home or on the go.
www.villeroy-boch.com
“The focus has shifted to more durable and environmentally-friendly products. Amefa’s Leaves is one of those products – a durable alternative to plastic and other single-use cutlery. Proactively designed by Amefa, in anticipation of the European legislation banning single use plastics from our society. Leaves is featherlight and thin, however it looks, feels and eats like regular cutlery. The design has a curved, gloss handle that is optimised for stacking.” Benoit Desoutter, group food service director, Amefa 50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Denby While not strictly created for outdoors, Denby’s Kiln collection certainly fits the bill as a stylish choice for alfresco dining. The company says just one Denby dinnerware set can do it all and is super practical with versatile pieces that work well indoors and out. Inherently beautiful and durable, Denby can go through the dishwasher when the sun goes down. Denby was the first UK pottery to be zero to landfill on process waste and holds ISO14001 which means sustainability and the care of the environment form an integrated part of the production process and management decision making, making it a great choice for outdoor use.
www.denbypottery.com
“We saw a huge surge in demand for good quality, attractive outdoor living products during the pandemic – the lockdown, combined with beautiful weather, sent families and friends outside into gardens and parks for gatherings when they were able, and so there was an increased demand for practical yet stylish serveware.”
RKW The Coast & Country collection by Tower features a range of reusable serveware – Fresco – that not only ticks the practicality box, but is super stylish too. Made from sturdy plastic with an elegant honeycomb hexagonal pattern and cool glass-effect turquoise tint, the range comprises wine glasses, tumblers, jugs and bowls – all the essentials for an al fresco get together.
www.rkwltd.com
Rachel Daniels, housewares product manager, RKW, on the boost in sales of outdoor products during the course of the pandemic.
Royal Selangor
Typhoon
Royal Selangor’s Woodland collection, is an assortment of nature-inspired drinkware, featuring the very best of flora and fauna. The collection comprises a set of four tumblers, tray and wine stopper for the tablescape, and a hip flask for the person on-the-go. The Welsh daffodil, the Tudor rose, the Irish shamrock and Scottish thistle decorate a set of four tumblers. The tumblers are also available separately. Look out for the charmingly sculpted fox which stands watch over the open bottle of wine in the form of a wine stopper.
www.royalselangor.com
Whether you like your pizzas from Naples, New York or Chicago, the World Foods Pizza range has all you need to bake or serve your homemade pizzas from the oven to the table. The Typhoon World Foods Pizza Plates are made from quality porcelain and feature pizza box style decorations. At 31cm, they are the perfect size for homemade or shopbought pizza. Suitable for use in the oven, microwave and dishwasher, the plate is versatile and practical for indoor and outdoor use.
www.rayware.co.uk
Show Preview 41 Madison
Porland Twilight
“We are
staying positive” There is nothing quite like a short, sharp, shock to jolt the senses and that’s precisely what happened when news broke in February that The New York Tabletop Show was to be discontinued, having lost the support of Rudin Management Company, the owners of the iconic 41 Madison building which has long been New York’s home of tabletop. The narrative has now changed and from the ashes a new association, made up primarily of 41 Madison tenants, is being formed, signalling the saviour of The New York Tabletop Show. We spoke with Kristi Forbes, senior vice president at 41 Madison to learn more… Kristi, firstly, news that this April edition was to be the final New York Tabletop Show came as a blow. How are you and the team faring? We are staying positive, but have actually been quite busy assisting with an effort to create a tabletop industry association, that will not only continue the tabletop shows, but will also unite the industry at large and provide lucrative businessbuilding opportunities. What does this mean for the tenants in the building? Many of the tenants want to maintain a presence at 41 Madison, especially those that use their showroom as a daily office and or year-round.
steps that will be taken after the April show? We are working to get the association up and running for brands to join this spring, right around the show. The October 18-21 2022 show dates have been published for over three years, many have already started their market plans. Speaking of the April show, what can we expect? All systems go? Yes! We are expecting a great April show as people continue to become more comfortable with travel and are eager to get back to in-person events and meetings.
What are your favourite show moments? I love seeing the building come to life when the brands reveal freshly styled showrooms with new Is there a chance the show product. Tabletop products bring can be revived? joy, they make you think of good Yes! We are hoping that the times, cooking with friends and shows will continue on the previously announced dates for family. It’s also aspirational in a fun way – I always feel inspired to try the foreseeable future. a new cocktail recipe when I see a beautiful new glass. What now, what are the next
Porland Floor 18
Visit Porland on the 18th floor of 41 Madison to see their exceptional assortment. First up, the Christina Collection radiates retro elegance by synthesizing modern and traditional styles. Christina is made with Porland’s Alumilite porcelain, giving it high mechanical strength while maintaining a slim profile. Next is Ethos Twilight - inspired by the setting of the sun, the Twilight Collection will make you feel like you are reaching eternity with its unique colour transitions. You’ll also find Seasons, all beautifully handmade, this is inspired by the Japanese 16th century Wabi-Sabi philosophy, Seasons represents simplicity. Perfectly imperfect, Seasons has a reactive glaze detail to allow each piece to be unique while creating a harmonious balance throughout the collection and colours.
www.porland.com 52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Christina
Seasons
TIME TO CELEBRATE
BEST SPECIAL MOMENTS Energy of happiness
Enjoy your time /LAV-US
A NEW GLASS A NEW SENSA TION
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW
22 May-24 May 2022 Mc Cormick Place, Chicago, IL South Building, Booth 637
Show Preview 41 Madison
Typhoon
LAV Floor 7 Visit LAV on the seventh floor to see an assortment of new products including an update on the hugely popular Terra glass – a multipurpose gem known for its fine-rim and versatility. Meanwhile, the Valeria glass boasts playful angle at the base which catch and reflect light beautifully while the Vera carafe fits perfectly into fridge doors and boasts a lovely design.
Homewares
Lav-us.com
Floor 8
Daum
Haviland Floor 6 This season, Daum take us on an extraordinary voyage to the seas of the world, where the baroque fabrics of a collection inspired by Haute Couture, The Croisiere collection, rub shoulders with the free and fascinating forms of underwater life. You’ll also find an exquisite array of collections from Haviland.
us.daum.fr
Denby USA Limited Floor 10 Denby USA will launch Kiln at at 41 Madison. Beautifully uncomplicated, the Kiln tableware collection is a celebration of British craftsmanship created using a soft calming palette of chalk white and hues of oatmeal and grey. Decorated using a unique freckling glaze effect which is completely different on each item makes every piece of Kiln one of a kind, yet it all combines to create a collection that is simple and easy to live with. Newly designed items in the collection with their asymmetrical organic forms, sit effortlessly with the functional yet stunning place setting items and showcase the new textural freckling glaze effect at its best.
www.denbypottery.com 54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
The Price & Kensington Amalfi collection is a coordinating tabletop range inspired by the fragrant and zesty lemons grown on the Amalfi Coast. The range comprises of ceramic storage jars that feature stunning hand-painted lemon handles, a soft wash glaze and 3D decal decoration. Other items within the collection include a butter dish, juicer, salt and pepper pots and a spoon rest. See it, and lots more from Typhoon Homewares at 41 Madison.
www.typhoonhomewares.com
Did you know?
The newly formed tabletop association will continue to host a New York Tabletop Show after this April’s edition.
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Category Vases Trends
The beauty within Villeroy & Boch
Beatriz Ball
56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Whether for their original purpose as a home for stems, or simply as an eye-catching nod to design, vases – both glass and ceramic – have seen a growth in momentum, playing as key a role as ever in home décor. Millennials and Gen-Z can’t get enough of them as high-fashion focal points and they have become part of the next natural extension of tableware collections. TI’s Mairead Wilmot highlights some of the best… First up from Beatriz Ball, with the delightfully stylish budvases offered in clear, smoke and amethyst. Compatible shapes have been made to mix and match for artistic tablescapes. Ideal for blooms or a cluster of smaller flowers, they can be used as a centerpiece, or creatively with one budvase for each place setting. In direct contrast to the budvases, we have the uber on-trend Enigma vase from Carrol Boyes. Hugely desirable, this piece was designed by Carrol who was always fascinated by the legend that Michelangelo went to Carrara to choose the best blocks of marble for his sculptures, including the David and the Pieta. As it was not possible to do the Enigma range in marble, she chose to use porcelain. After experimenting with glazed and unglazed finishes it was decided to use unglazed as it kept the integrity and crispness of the facial features. In contrast to the gorgeous starkness of Enigma, we have the Stanislas collection from Haviland which offers a new take on the iconic Renaissance period, underscoring its timeless quality. The new collection of candles and vases features an engraved feminine face framed by an iconic motif of acanthus leaves – it is very
extra, very beautiful and very befitting of a grand estate. In the same breath, the Celadon Chrysanthemum Vase, made in Arita, Japan by Koransha is another fantastic piece of craftsmanship deserving of centre stage. The chrysanthemum leaf covering the entirety of the vase is created by first spraying the work with Gosu pigment, then applying a glaze to the celadon before firing. Koransha tell us that in Japan, especially valuable products tend to prefer surface treatment with less gloss from Zen’s Wabi-Sabi concept, so Koransha has devised its own surface treatment. The whole surface is then sandblasted to articulate the shape of each white flower. “We consider vases and other homeware a necessary addition to tableware collections,” says Nobu Kimoto, director, Koransha’s New York office. “Especially after the pandemic happened, people have tended to spend more time at their home than before, and they want to decorate their space with something very special. When we exhibited at the Las
Carrol Boyes
Porcel
Category Vases Trends
Serax
Haviland
Vegas Market last year, our beautiful vases got a lot of attention from the interior designers who visited the show.” Porcel, meanwhile, tell us they absolutely recognise that nowadays, porcelain goes way beyond the table. Looking towards collections such as Blue Legacy, Adamastor and Belle Époque you’ll find a wide range of homeware pieces – featuring simple golden edges that will complement a classic decoration, as well as beautiful colours and a variety of patterns for a bolder look. The Arienne collection, too, is a selection of exclusively decorative accessories that are useful as well as beautiful – maintaining Porcel’s strong brand identity. Moving onto Rosenthal – masters of design – their current vase offering is frankly, sublime. The iconic Paperbag vase by Tapio Wirkkala was given a new lease of life with fresh colourways as part of their 2021 novelties. For the studio line’s 60th anniversary year, the vases were produced with rose-coloured cameo, light grey lava, orange-red coral, and pastel green mint made of solid-coloured porcelain. As part of their 2022 offering, Rosenthal meets Versace’s La Medusa vases are modelled on Versace’s successful handbag of the same name, adorned with a Medusa plaque – the same décor that was discovered on the doors of the brand’s first headquarters in Milan. A special detail is the curved offset of the top with the iconic Medusa and fine decorative stitching as on the leather handbag. The cylindrical vases made of coloured porcelain are available in three sizes in pastel shades of pink, green and blue. Keep an eye out too for the La Medusa Studded Vases which boast ton-sur-ton macro studs and the extraordinary round shape. Increasing desirability, these vases made of coloured porcelain are limited until 31.12.2022 and available in two sizes in pink and green. A nod too, for Martin Hirth’s Node collection of vases – a geometric knot shaped sculptural piece
in three colourways – white throughdyed porcelain, as well as in dark green abyss and in rosé shade cameo. We move then to Serax’s Shapes by Studio Piet Boon – a follow-up collection to the 2019 Volumes. With Shapes, Studio Piet Boon created three beautiful and serene vases, fully mouth-blown. The collection, we are told, is an assortment of objects that have an aesthetic added value yet do not demand too much attention when filled with flowers. Japanese design and nature served as sources of inspiration. “The shape is inspired by the Japanese cherry blossom because it breathes the feeling we wanted to create,” Piet Boon explains. Villeroy & Boch, meanwhile, always deliver on style and substance – from the Manufacture Collier collection come these style statements vases. In the colours of Taupe and Beige, the vases create an understated and elegant effect, while in black or white they add bold contrasts. An moment too for the pieces from the Lave Home collection. The vases are available in three different shapes and two sizes, in a choice of warm grey beige, deep blue and a combination of blue and white. What makes them so special is the fact that each piece is one of a kind. A special reactive glaze creates individual colour gradients with slight variations during the manufacturing process. Just a few key home décor pieces for buyers to consider when looking to extend their retail offering.
Relight my fire...
Always delivering on style, the clever people are Ginori 1735 have once again pulled it out of the bag with the LCDC, La Compagnia di Caterina. Whilst not vases, this is the brand’s first venture in the world of home fragrances and these creations designed by Luca Nichetto are really gorgeous (scented) works of art. www.ginori1735.com 58 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Koransha
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Column HoReCa
An eye towards new There is plenty of fresh, new and exciting products on the market, Valda Goodfellow points us towards some notables…
I
About G & G Founded by Paul and Valda Goodfellow, G & G Goodfellows is a highly creative design & Distribution Company with an amazing 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, kitchen equipment, clothing and machines, Goodfellows also collaborates closely with UK craft producers for totally unique products. It works with all sizes of restaurant and catering projects, happy to supply anything from an individual plate to a full restaurant concept.
60 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
t seems a long time since we could talk with real excitement about new things. But here we are, filled with anticipation and expectation for what is ahead. Coming out of a time of great challenges, with hope for a bright spring, we crave a little respite and normality. And yet, the world is again plunged into a new darkness that makes talking about new tableware seem a little insensitive. But we must. Doing what we do is our only defence against forces that would have us enthral to this madness. So, without the ability to change world events, we go forward in our own way; doing what we do because the sane world has to prevail. Our thoughts are with those that do not have this luxury while we are fortunate enough to carry on with our daily lives without fear. So, onto brighter and more hopeful things – we have so much new product to talk about that we are having to phase launches so that customers can clearly see each item that is new. Some of the most creative
designers and producers have been working away in the background to bring us the very best of their new ideas. We applaud them all, regardless of brand and origin. Creativity feeds our industry, and we need to celebrate those that can find inspiration, even in the most difficult of circumstances. With this scale of new development, it is a good time to discuss what is coming through and where I think it will be
finely polished bisque porcelain, while the centre in glazed. The hand-modelled curve of the coupe plate with its wide rim in dazzling white looks like a flower opening. Subtle but distinctive, this plate will frame the finest chef creations perfectly. Another winner in the fine dining collection will be Jacques Pergay and his delicately textured pieces, some of them again styled on a nature theme. We will build on
We have so much new product to talk about that we are having to phase launches positioned in hospitality. Starting with the finer end of dining, we are seeing a big trend for ‘white with a twist’, by which I mean white tableware with a distinctive difference, whether it be texture, like a matte finish or a little design detail that draws attention. A perfect example of this would be Hering Berlin’s amazing Evolution range, especially the Coupe Plate with Facet. The rim is finished in
such amazing items as the Pocket Tree Bread Plate, which we offer to chefs not only as a great side plate but also as the basis for a brilliant Amuse plate, as the image shows. Jacques Pergay is brilliant at using shape and texture to make a white plate the star of the show. Some of his new items can’t be shown here as we don’t yet have images for them, they are that new! Moving onto the brands that
Bonna
Jacques Pergay
Things to watch… ■ ■ ■ Figgjo
produce for amazing designers such as Ann Demeulemeester, Roos Van De Velde and Piet Boon; Serax is renowned for bringing incredible designs to the table. We particularly like the Ann Demeulemeester Off-White/Black fine porcelain plates which, with the delicate, hand-painted decoration around the edge, frame food in a way that produces Instagrammable magic. Moving onto the very best of Scandi cool, is Figgjo’s new Ela Range, with a bang on-trend, soft pink tone that really works with great food. Pink may be the colour of this year, as we are seeing more and more producers offering products in every tone from blush pink to deep rose. The colour compliments the porcelain’s clean lines and is striking enough to catch the eye but subtle enough that it could be an everyday tableware for any cuisine. The sand grain pattern sprayed on top, gives an added level of detail that gently evokes the textures of the seashore. Again, the nature theme seems to be a focal point for designers and producers. Maybe all those lockdown long walks provided more than just exercise for the body and soul. One of our most popular producers for casual dining concepts is Bonna. It’s rate
White with ‘a twist’ such as Hering Berlin’s Evolution Jacques Pergay’s Pocket Tree Bread Plate Ann Demeulemeester for Serax’s Off-White/Black fine porcelain plates
of innovation is prolific and always seem to catch a mood or trend that is just right. They manage to play with pattern and increasingly with texture to an extent that it transcends categorisation as a casual dining brand. Its appeal is far broader than that; and is a favourite with chefs and restaurateurs across all cuisines. Take its new Sway range, which picks up on the textured appearance which adds a subtle and hugely appealing basis for great food of all styles. With the seemingly unstoppable surge of sharing food concepts, with fusion menus being the rising trend for 2022; we are constantly being asked for advice on creating eclectic mixes of textures, ranges and materials to suit sharing food across all cuisines but most often ‘fused’ with Ann Demeulemeester a Japanese twist. Smaller eating plate sizes from 1922cm are in the highest demand and what we are seeing now is using
Creativity feeds our industry, and we need to celebrate those that can find inspiration, even in the most difficult of circumstances
a mix of the same shape in different colours; or a base colour mixed with plates which have just a coloured rim. The other big trend is plates with logos, which are perfect for brand identity, particularly when it is executed with great taste by Michelin standard chefs like Paul Ainsworth at his sell-out pub The Mariners in super-cool Rock (Cornwall). A hangout for celebs and foodies, The Mariners epitomises the very best of casual dining and is not afraid to shout its name from the plate. When we helped Paul put The Mariners collection together, we didn’t know it would spark such a huge trend for this look but we can see this influence growing every day. Not wanting to give all our secrets away, I had better stop there. Let’s just say that this is just the start of what is a really exciting wave of new products. Let’s hope humanity and common sense prevails to allow all of us to enjoy this most creative of times.
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 61
HoReCa News
Did you know? Kuulas is designed for an in-flight environment and is almost 20 per cent lighter than Finnair’s previous tableware, which supports Finnair's weight reduction and emission targets.
New Iittala design
for Finnair flights Finnair's long-haul travel experience is complemented by new Iittala tableware designed exclusively by Harri Koskinen, one of Finland's best-known contemporary designers. Koskinen created the Kuulas collection to be used in Finnair's long-haul business class and the new premium economy travel class, and short-haul business class. The new collection – which includes plates, bowls, cups, tumblers, wine glasses and cutlery – is designed for the flying experience and inspired by the modern home-like environment. “In the long-haul business class and the new premium economy class, dining is an important part of the whole, and we wanted to complement the experience with fresh Nordic design,” says Kristos Mavrostomos, who is responsible for developing the tableware in Finnair’s Inflight CX team. “As a designer I was fascinated by Finnair’s idea for the new flight experience to make the cabin feel like home. Even though the Kuulas tableware is designed for the in-flight environment, the main task was to create authentic, familiar items which would remind the user of home and of tableware used in everyday life. Lasting materials and thoughtful design create a premium experience,” Koskinen says.
Michelin Guide partners with video game developers
Sakura in
bloom
The gorgeous Sakura collection from Koransha is pictured here being used at Bentos Restaurant, in Manhattan, NYC. The collection’s cherry blossom motif is the most beloved of all flowers in Japan and has been an abiding part of the Japanese aesthetic and sensibility since ancient times. The collection boasts layers of cherry blossom petals in full bloom expressed in beautiful contrast by coats of varying shades of lapis lazuli – seen here in its full glory. 62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
The Michelin Guide has partnered with NACON and development studio Cyanide on a new video game – Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator. Offering both a management and simulation gaming experience, Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator immerses players in the life of a restaurateur. They will need to hone their cooking skills, manage their team and make the best decisions for their establishment. The game will release on 7 October for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™ and PC. This all sounds great but… what tableware are they using?
“At Tender Cow we pride ourselves on the quality, locality and seasonality of the produce we serve in our restaurants. This extends to the tableware we choose to serve our produce on. Denby tick all the boxes we look for when choosing our suppliers. Locally made, superb quality and made to last. It took us a while to find a crockery supplier we were happy with; someone who can keep up with our demand and offer a seamless experience.” The Tender Cow, which has three venues, on why they choose to use Denby.
HoReCa New Product
WMF brings a cohesive vision to the table
Synergy
Style Lights
WMF Professional has developed an all-encompassing new collection for HoReCA – the porcelain Synergy collection and Style Lights, a mixed material lifestyle range. In short, everything you need to dress a hospitality setting. WMF Professional created four basic styles, from which, they say, all restaurant types can be derived, and built the Synergy porcelain collection and the Style Lights range around them – so the collections have multifunctionality and flexibility as their raison d’êter. Porcelain articles from Synergy are modern, clear, and geometrically balanced. Meanwhile, the latest trends are reflected in Style Lights, where contemporary shapes, colours, materials, and surfaces are on display. With the intriguing material combination of ceramics, glass, wood, marble, and cast iron, Style Lights and Synergy porcelain are designed to inspire.
wmf-professional.com
Retro styling from Utopia Utopia’s new Pico range is getting noticed. Made from superior stoneware, this range is as robust as it is stylish. With a hint of retro styling and a soft sheen glaze, Pico lends a casual charm to the dining experience. Classed as a compact collection, Pico comprises three sizes of plates and bowls plus a rectangular serving platter with rounded edges. Five different colourways, all well suited to the modern dining table, give plenty of choice. There is a glorious natural green, a mellow cocoa, a deep tonal black, a lovely muted grey and a rich neutral taupe.
www.utopia-tableware.com
Bolsius lights the way Bolsius Professional’s Relight concept is a stylish, but practical, lighting system for the hospitality sector. The Bolsius holders – available in a wide range of colours and designs – are combined with specially developed refills which can be changed or replaced. The Relight holders are available for both indoor and outdoor settings. Offering a burn time of 25 hours, or no less than 30 hours for the new Relight Plus, all refills are made using plant-based wax and contain no palm oil and are recyclable after use. www.bolsius.com
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 65
Viewpoints Roundtable
Roundtable
talk Ambiente will now be held simultaneously with Christmasworld and Creativeworld as the Home of Consumer Goods, what are your thoughts on the change? Zieher: Since Ambiente is very important for us, considering our business relations into over 90 countries, we recognise changes with some natural scepticism. However, we have an understanding that there is more room available with the new hall, and of course that the show’s organisers need to optimise business strategies to push efficiency, since they had difficult times, too. So we trust the Ambiente team with their experience in that sector to do the right thing and we look forward to a better show for everyone with somewhat carful optimism. Lifetime Brands: We think this is a fantastic change. We didn’t think Ambiente could get any larger but obviously with the addition of the fabulous new Hall 12 since the last show, it ensures that the show becomes a destination for more and more buyers in all areas of home. This is particularly key as retail destinations are now fusing their categories in a far greater way than ever before and for buyers, it means it becomes an
We bring together some of the industry’s finest to hear their thoughts on the future of trade shows... efficient use of their time to cover as many categories as possible. Seasonality has always been key in retail but it is becoming an increasingly important factor in driving footfall overall as buying channels now look to balance out post Covid. RCR: I think it’s good news. Combining several events with different themes in the same period can attract a greater number of visitors, bringing new realities to the world of tableware and open up new opportunities. I would have expected even more radical changes, for example an anticipation of the fair event in October instead of February, but in any case it remains the most important event of the year for the world of tableware and we’re eager to be together in person again with our partners. Dunoon: We are quite excited about the 2023 Ambiente exhibition merging with Christmasworld. Part of our customer base is from the gift trade and this will create a wider audience for Dunoon. The earlier dates of 3rd to 7th February are good as it gives us more time to prepare the spring and summer orders for our customers.
Post pandemic, do you think tradeshows still have a place in the industry? Lifetime Brands: Possibly more so post pandemic than ever. People have missed seeing people, touching product and having those conversations you just can’t have over Zoom. This could be a real resurgence for trade shows if the organisers manage the changes well, incorporating what we truly love about a trade show and what they were not delivering before the pandemic. Sometimes, the costs
Claire Budgen
64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Peter Smith Sales director, Dunoon
RCR Crystal: Absolutely, yes! We are Italians, meeting customers, hugging them, laughing with them is part of our life. I can’t imagine how sad it would be to interact with people just behind a camera. Zieher: I am pretty sure the shows will not totally vanish, since one of the important parts in doing business internationally is trust. Since meeting your partner personally affects this greatly, we will continue to attend shows. There is only so much you can
“Since Ambiente is very important for us, considering our business relations into over 90 countries, we recognize changes with some natural scepticism” Nikolan Borger, Zieher can be prohibitive to the return and so organise more effective spaces / product hubs where exhibitors could manage costs better for example. And ensure there is support for the product category they are offering. An exhibition with only a handful of exhibitors in a certain product
Meet the panelists
Commercial director, Lifetime Brands Europe
category for example is not going to be time well spent for buyers.
Fabio Lupi Sales & marketing director, RCR Crystal
Nikolan Borger, Marketing manager, Zieher
substitute by a Zoom meeting, though we are glad that they exist. Another factor is novelties can be better assessed when you can inspect the real deal, with a direct look and feel of the actual thing. Especially for companies that provide exclusive design items made of exquisite materials like us, lifting an item, experiencing its weight and the surface structure is something even the most elaborate online tutorial can´t provide. So, I guess the shows might turn even more into a place where the extraordinary can be experienced live. Dunoon: Regarding exhibitions, we will be more reflective on which ones we will exhibit at in the future with Ambiente being the main show for us. We have an active field sales force that visit both UK and overseas customers, so it isn’t as important to attend so many exhibitions as previous.
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Show Review Chicago
Inspiration
and innovation return to Chicago!
Without an in-person event since March 2019, the pressure was on for The Inspired Home Show to deliver its usual great mix of inspiration and innovation. Sarah Selzer reports... The Inspired Home Show in Chicago has been waiting three years to welcome back international and home-grown brands and buyers to a show that prides itself on being packed full of trends. From the New Exhibitor Preview and Trending Today events which take place on the Saturday morning before the show starts – this
TI’s Paul Yeomans (center) with the team from LAV 66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
year saw 90 new exhibitors from across the globe, with Health @ Home the trend theme – to the keynote address on future colour and designs trends by Lee Eismann, executive director of the Pantone Institute. There is the Inventors Revue which gives start-ups and entrepreneurs a chance to shine, the Cooking Theatre welcoming names including the legendary Martha Stewart and the Innovation Theatre featuring seminars on all aspects of retail. Then there are the Global Innovation Awards – for Excellence in Retailing, Product Design and Student Design as well as three halls of exhibitors including ‘show within a show’ areas like Dine & Décor and Discover Design. There is plenty to see and listen to! The show ran for a day less this year, finishing on the Monday, but still managed to include a whole host of networking opportunities as the show drew to a close each day. Next year’s The Inspired Home Show runs from March 4-7 at McCormick Place, Chicago. Check out https://www.theinspiredhomeshow. com/ for details on exhibitors, GIA 2021-2022 winners, keynote addresses, Innovation Theater and more.
Here’s a small selection of tabletop brands on show Lynn & Liana is a familyrun business in Canada combining Canadian maple or acacia with the plantbased UVPoxy resin made with recycled bioproducts. The result is stunning!
Lynn & Liana
US brand Oggi has long been known for its barware and used the event to showcase new items like its Groove double-walled insulated cocktail shaker as well as stand-out ranges like the Modernist collection pictured. Nuts Innovation from Switzerland had innovative bags and wraps (including vegan) and some really different products like these cork-bottomed bread bags.
Oggi
Nuts Innovation
Verve Culture featured a great eclectic collection of products from artisans in countries including Mexico and Thailand. The company is run by Verve co-founder Jules Vertrees, who with her mother Jacquie Lewis and Sarah Laping Garland.
Verve Culture
Column BHETA
The power
of lobbying BHETA have become experts in lobbying for the industry and with imminent new knife legislation in coming, it’s more important than ever…
W
hether it’s a world issue such as climate change, a European issue such as the continued fall out from Brexit, or a UK issue such as the horrible prevalence of violent crime, there is an extensive list of concerning subjects which trouble us all. And that’s not to mention the spectre of European war which some of us never thought we would see again. Not only are these issues worrying, in some cases frightening, for us as individuals and business people, they are problems for the governing powers. Sometimes, I’m sad to say, governments – of all colours – behave as if ticking some boxes to show they can be seen to have addressed the problem is an adequate response. More than likely it’s not adequate; and giving benefit of the doubt here to whatever may also be going on behind the scenes, I hope there are other initiatives in train. But the trouble is the ticking of boxes often comes at the price of penalising commercial sectors that a) can ill afford it and b) will suffer as a result - yet at no benefit whatsoever to the real nub of the problem we are all seeking to address. Three examples are: taxing multiuse plastic to address sustainability, blaming kitchen knives, cutlery, garden and DIY tools and corrosive household cleaners for violent crime and imposing costly product reconfiguration, relabelling and repackaging on suppliers of household, garden and other products to comply with new import / export laws. My conclusion is that organisations like BHETA must lobby against unfair penalties which achieve nothing real; just tick a box. And I exhort all retailers and suppliers in our sectors to do the same.
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Since 2019, BHETA has been engaged in lobbying on the legitimate sale of products such as cutlery, secateurs and drain cleaners which were included in the original draft of the forthcoming Offensive Weapons Act (OWA). So far, we have received good and bad news. The act is scheduled to come into force this spring – potentially 6 April. While the new guidance still provides interpretation on selling products to under eighteens and online, and still includes knives used for the purpose of hobbies and trades, such as Stanley knives and snap-off cutters as well as gardening tools which ‘could commonly be described as a knife’, thanks to lobbying some significant exclusions have been achieved. These are products such as shears, secateurs, carpenter’s adzes, chisels, scissors and lawnmower blades. There are also positive developments regarding OWA’s impact on corrosives. While products such as drain cleaners/ unblockers, paint strippers, brick and patio cleaners, cleaning products and rust or limescale removers are still included, the government has now published a list of the chemical ingredients and the concentration limits at which they fall within the definition of ‘corrosive product’. Looking at the table of concentration limits, it seems that many household brands in this sector who would previously have had to take costly labelling and packaging steps to comply with the new OWA, in fact fall below the threshold in terms of the strength of the product. Disappointingly, the sales of roundended cutlery knives remain within the scope of the new Act, meaning risk-averse retailers may take a raft of new steps now deemed essential to comply with the law. (Of course, sharply-pointed steak knives are
About BHETA The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is the voice of authority on everything home improvement and home enhancement, including DIY, housewares, garden, small domestic appliances and home decor. It represents £5 billion at retail and 9,000 employees and brings together manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and opinion formers to drive growth at home and abroad. For more information about retailer and supplier co-operation, contact BHETA on 0121 237 1130, or email wj@bheta.co.uk, or visit the website at www.bheta.co.uk
The key is co-operation between trade associations, suppliers, national retailers and independents similar to kitchen knives and should mirror their status). I think that, sadly, we are heading for a situation where interpretation and enforcement on cutlery will vary by regional trading standards. The key issue is that national retailers, who have stores in distinct locations around the UK, may feel that they must adopt a risk-free approach to avoid prosecution from overzealous local policy. Meaning a strengthening of their approach to age verification on cutlery in terms of labelling, packaging and POS, not to mention online sales. Knowing what the potential impact of this will be from the experience of kitchen knife sales, such actions, while understandable, would cause losses in sales to the retail sector and considerable additional cost to suppliers. So, we are redoubling our efforts with the Home Office outlining concerns and suggesting they either exclude cutlery knives in the same way they have excluded pen-knives with blades under three inches, or write into the guidance that items with are not ‘bladed products’ (ie not dangerous) are exempt from age restriction. BHETA is also continuing to collaborate with the Police and Trading Standards to
ensure that cutlery knives receive no enforcement activity – both of whom incidentally agree with BHETA’s position. We are also working with Leisa Nicholas-Drew (associate professor in Forensic Biology at Leicester University) with a view to clarifying the interpretation of bladed items that pose a threat in the wrong hands and lobbying the business ministry and the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS). Our lobbying communications are being sent to all suppliers and retailers involved in our OWA steering group and I also urge all interested parties to lobby individually, writing to local MPS and contacts. BHETA can provide templates wherever those are helpful. The key is co-operation between trade associations, suppliers, national retailers and independents. Together we can keep the pressure on and achieve many more benefits for our industry. For more information about BHETA, BHETA lobbying and the BHETA responsible knife retailing campaign, contact the BHETA Member Services team on 0121 237 1130 or visit the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk.
+20( .Ζ7&+(1:$5(6 )$Ζ5
And the winners are… The winners of the Tableware International Awards of Excellence 2022 have been announced
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Retail Global Table
The collections that matter The winners of the fifth annual Tableware International Awards of Excellence 2022 are now announced. As with last year, we are unable to host a live awards event due to the continued impact of Covid, however, that does not detract from this year’s incredible award winners who have produced some outstanding collections. Our thanks, as always, to our international panel of judges and to
Main Sponsors
Category Sponsors
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each and every company who entered the 2022 awards. “It is an absolute privilege to host these awards for the global tableware industry,” says Tl’s editor Mairead Wilmot. “We were overwhelmed with entries from a fantastic selection of top-tier companies. After a trying, pandemicfilled few years, it is reassuring to see the quality and quantity of products being produced.”
And the winners are… Fine Dinnerware Hering Berlin – Evolution
Decorative Nude Glass - Ilo
Casual Dinnerware Denby – Denby Porcelain
Coffee/Teaware Glashütte Valentin Eisch GmbH – UNIK Espresso
Serveware Julia Knight – Astra Collection Barware Mepra – Stile Bar Set Cutlery/ Flatware sknife – Table knife
Metals Robert Welch Designs – Drink Stirrers Innovation Xavier Britain – Kelling Collection Hospitality Dinnerware Narumi – Nomadd
Fine Glassware Ocean Glassware – GRÀN Collection
Hospitality Glassware Stölzle Lausitz - Swing & Twist
Casual Glassware Kosta Boda - Viva
Designer of the Year Richard Brendon
Lifetime Achievement Award Manfred and Christa Zieher
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Category Sponsor
Fine Dinnerware
Hering Berlin is the winner of the Fine Dinnerware category with EVOLUTION Hering Berlin
EVOLUTION
www.heringberlin.com Stefanie Hering has so far designed a total of four porcelain objects, each in white and with four glaze colours, in this unusual form and décor. In addition to the coupe plate, there is a shallow bowl in which the ribbed structure extends right up to the rim of the vessel, a bowl with a plastically shaped exterior that feels like a hand caress and a small bowl in the shape of a biomorphic oval. The decision for this completely new approach to service design was inspired by three-star chef Christian Jürgens, with whom Hering has worked closely for many years. Jürgens asked the table culture expert for a coupe plate with a larger inner surface. A challenge because, as the designer and trained master ceramist explains, “it would be too simple to just enlarge the inner surface or make the whole plate bigger. Such an object needs its own line.” The result is nothing less than a reinvention of the plate: instead of a rounding that merges with an edge into the edge of the plate, Hering modelled this transition zone with narrower and wider depressions reminiscent of petals. It took a year of product development before this basic idea was condensed into a feasible design concept that could only be realised through pure manual craftsmanship.
“Designing a new collection is always an adventure and a challenge. To experiment and push the boundaries of what is possible with porcelain - that is what drives me and what gives me deep satisfaction in my work as a designer. I am very honoured and grateful to have won the Tableware International Award of Excellence 2022 for my EVOLUTION collection. The EVOLUTION collection breaks with the traditional shape of plates, bowls and dishes and inscribes organic structures on them. Instead of a curve that merges with an edge into the rim of the plate, I modelled this transition zone with narrower and wider depressions that are reminiscent of petals - a challenge when modelling the objects and in production, as a result of which product development took a year. So the prize is both confirmation and incentive for me.” Stefanie Hering, designer Hering Berlin and creator of EVOLUTION
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Category Sponsor
Casual Dinnerware
Denby is the winner of the Casual Dinnerware category with Denby Porcelain Denby Pottery
Denby Porcelain
www.denbypottery.com Denby has entered a new phase in its history by commencing the production of Porcelain at its Derbyshire base, building on its uniquely glazed and highly durable stoneware pottery which it pioneered over 200 years ago. Denby’s Porcelain Collection offers the ultimate in style and versatility from dinner party entertaining to laid back breakfasts. Light-weight, fine and strong, Denby’s Made in England Porcelain Collection includes a classic White, a Blue and White ‘Arc’ relief pattern and a beautifully decorated Modern Deco pattern which can be layered and blended together, used individually or sit alongside existing porcelain at home. To deliver the new porcelain facility at its original 200 year old site, Denby has drawn from its extensive ceramics expertise, alongside innovative planning and process development, and significant investment to create 18 new jobs with the potential for more as it scales. The shapes for Denby’s porcelain were designed by Denby’s design manager Gary Hawley whilst the patterns were designed by Denby designer Lisa Mynett.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive recognition from the industry and retail experts through Tableware International’s Awards of Excellence for Denby Porcelain in its first year of production. Building a new porcelain facility alongside our stoneware production was a bold move and massive undertaking but the response and the immediate success of Denby Porcelain has confirmed our vision, although ambitious, is achievable. Denby’s made in England portfolio has never had such a wide selection of designs from artisan stoneware to refined porcelain all carrying Denby’s inherent durability and sustainability credentials.” Hayley Baddiley, global marketing director
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Category Sponsor
Serveware
Julia Knight is the winner of the Serveware category with Astra Collection Julia Knight Inc.
Astra Collection
www.juliaknightcollection.com The Astra Collection is the perfect blend of Julia Knight style with the simplicity of line and design for every day, modern living. This collection is inspired by celestial bodies and their sweeping arcs in the night sky. The sand cast aluminium border and sides of each bowl echo this arcing grace with panels that meet and sweep together towards the base. Each piece is finished with mother or pearl infused enamel. The Astra Collection is built for entertaining and collecting! Each colour comes in graduated sizing so you can have every option within arm’s reach (and they store beautifully nested in a minimal footprint). This collection will soon be your new go-to - your favourite piece in the pantry - as you use Astra for years to come.
“It is an incredible honour to receive this award in the Serveware category - it means a lot to me to be in such good company with all of the other amazing brands. I love Tableware International - it truly represents the best of the best. I am so proud of the Astra Collection and thankful to my team for helping bring it to life.” Julia Knight, owner & designer
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Barware
Mepra is the winner of the Barware category with Stile by Pininfarina Bar Set Oro MEPRA S.P.A.
Stile by Pininfarina Bar Set Oro www.mepra.it
Mepra and Pininfarina have created Stile, a refined collection for the lovers of Italian beauty. An unmistakable design in which pure lines harmoniously find their place in everyday life. The set comprises of a shaker, ice tongs, jigger and round service tray in 18/10 stainless steel, gold colour.
“We are very proud and grateful for the award. Mepra and Pininfarina have worked hard to put together this collection which we believe expresses the best of Italian style’s timeless values: beauty, purity, innovation. We already see increasing demand and we can’t wait to see the collection in all the best retailers around the world.”
Luca Prandelli, Mepra S.p.A.
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Category Sponsor
Cutlery/Flatware
Sknife is the winner of the Cutlery/Flatware category with Table knife
sknife Ltd
sknife Tableknife Cutlery www.sknife.com
Six years ago, sknife delivered its first steak knife. The knife was developed in close collaboration with top chefs who were looking for a Swiss product in highest quality and perfection. The sknife cutlery made of novel surgical steel has a four times higher corrosion resistance and high hardness of 58 HRC. The knives as well as the steak forks are forged in Emmental and manufactured entirely by hand in the sknife knife manufactory in Biel. The steak cutlery comes with handles made of stabilized walnut or ash wood. These days the 20,000th sknife knife was produced in the manufactory in Biel. The company is particularly proud that many of the knives are endorsed in the world’s best restaurants with over 70 Michelin Stars and were awarded with three international design prizes.
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“We are very proud having received, as a young company, such an international prize.” Sknife founder & CEO Michael Bach
Fine Glassware
Ocean Glass is the winner of the Fine Glassware category with The GRÀN Collection
Ocean Glass PLC
The GRÀN Collection www.oceanglass.com
Not all whiskies are the same and one glass will not suit all whiskies equally . The GRÀN Collection is the first whisky glass collection with more than one ‘universal’ tasting glass, and was co-designed by Matthew Fergusson-Stewart, a multi-award-winning whisky regional brand ambassador and whisky consultant in Singapore. With four handmade crystal tasting glasses (The Classic, The Delicate, The Sherried, The Peated) optimized for four different keys of whisky styles (balanced, light and delicate, rich, smokey), segmented by flavour in aroma in a way that would be simple and natural to whisky consumers.
“Winning the Tableware International Awards of Excellence 2022 is a wonderful recognition for LUCARIS and we sincerely thank Matthew Fergusson-Stewart – our design collaborator and the Son of Whisky for his initiatives to uplift the whisky appreciation to new heights. We would also like to thank all the judges who perceived fine distinctions of The GRAN with delicate and refined details and promise to continue developing newness into the world’s tableware industry.”
Veeranuch Trangtrakul, marketing director, Ocean Glass Public Company Limited TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 79
Category Sponsor
Casual Glassware
Kosta Boda is the winner of the Casual Glassware category with Viva Kosta Boda
Viva
www.kostaboda.com Viva from Kosta Boda brings old traditions into the modern lifestyle where having less can make us feel richer - by creating space for more. It’s a small collection consisting of a few pieces that are designed to dissolve boundaries and combine functions in new ways. Because why not have only a few glasses that can bring out the best of any kind of drink? It’s kind of like multitasking, but captured in glass. Perfect if you want fewer things, but always want to be prepared for everyday festivities. Today, tomorrow, or whenever. Designed by Matti Klenell.
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Decorative
Nude Glass is the winner of the Decorative category with Ilo Nude Glass
Ilo
www.nudeglassware.com As a result of the pandemic that has been affecting the world for two years, the time spent at home has increased. Ilo candle holders are designed in this context, to increase the quality of the time spent during isolation and to make people feel better. The set is developed in three sizes, for different usage scenarios and candle types. Medium and large versions are hurricane candle holders which are suitable for outdoor use. These two sizes come together with a glass dome and a copper plate. Meanwhile, the third and the smallest version is designed as a tealight candle holder for tabletop presentations as a standalone glass.
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Category Sponsor
Coffee/Teaware
Glashütte Valentin Eisch GmbH is the winner of the Coffee/Teaware category with UNIK Espresso Glashütte Valentin Eisch GmbH
UNIK Espresso eisch.de
As a traditional glass brand, family-run since 1946, EISCH Germany stands for the design of glass as a creative element of tableware at the highest level. Together with her cousin Eberhard Eisch, the designer Julia Eisch is the third generation to run the glassworks. Julia Eisch was looking for a vessel for coffee enjoyment that has as many parallels as possible to fine and sophisticated espresso in terms of production and appearance. Thanks to the long tradition of the Eisch family in the glass trade, familiar with the sensitivity of glass as a material, similarities were quickly found in the properties of coffee and glass. Each Eisch Unik espresso glass is freely formed by hand in front of an open flame from heat-resistant glass, which makes it unique and individual. Due to the organic shape, the glass lies very comfortably in the hand. The gold painters at Glashütte Eisch refine the glasses with 24-carat gold or platinum, which gives the glasses a singular value that makes espresso enjoyment a very special sensory experience. The hazelnut brown crema of the espresso is reflected in the shiny gold inside the glass. Deviations in shape due to the respective handwriting of the glassblower are characteristics of Unik and give the glasses their special beauty. The saucer is finished by hand in a black stone look.
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“The UNIK espresso glass is a very individual, freely formed glass. The free form and noticeable, individual expression of the glassmaker has a long tradition at Eisch. In the 1950s, the cofounder of the company, the glass artist Erwin Eisch, liberated glass from its functionality and turned it into a means of artistic expression. This free design is firmly anchored in Glashütte Eisch and can also be felt in UNIK. The fact that such a typical Eisch product has been awarded the top-class Tabelware International Award of Excellence confirms the strength of our long tradition and is a great honour for us.” Julia Eisch
Category Sponsor
Metals
Robert Welch Designs is the winner of the Metals category with Drink Stirrers Robert Welch Designs Ltd
Robert Welch Drinks Stirrers www.robertwelch.com
A new addition to the Robert Welch collections, the stylish drink stirrers come in three different sizes and four designs. Available in large (200mm), medium (135mm) or small (105mm) in the bestselling collections, Radford, Honeybourne, Skye and Sandstone. The stirrers can be re-used, are fully dishwasher safe and are therefore long lasting. Made from the finest 18/10 stainless steel all with a mirror finish. 25-year guarantee and fully dishwasher safe. Designed in house by the Robert Welch design team.
“The team at Robert Welch were honoured to be shortlisted with some amazing brands and thrilled to be awarded as winner in the Metals Category with our new Drink Stirrers. These unique designs provide a sustainable and re-usable option for hotels and restaurants or, in a retail context, an apt gift for the environmentally mindful homeowner.”
Kit deBretton Gordon, head of design
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Category Sponsor
Innovation
Xavier Britain was the winner in the Innovation category with Kelling Collection Xavier Britain
Kelling Collection
www.xavierbritain.com The Kelling Collection is Xavier China’s latest collection of bone china tableware, developed in collaboration with British interior designer Kelling Designs. Each piece is handcrafted in Stoke-on-Trent using traditional methods. Instead of traditional gold, platinum or silver banding, we have created a designed based on 6 complementary colours where a full colour border is banded in a contrast colour, inspired by contrast piping on upholstery. The aim was to create a range that is not only visually striking but also truly practical for dishwashers, microwaves and daily use. Bone china has been tucked away in the ‘special occasion’ cupboard for too long. The minimum 50% bone ash content in the pieces means that is brilliantly chip resistant as well as beautiful, and so they created a design that will take busy households from breakfast to banquets all via the dishwasher! Both the main colour and the banding colour is silk screen printed before the banding colour is over painted by hand in the same shade to provide a rolled edge and hand-finish. This means that each piece is fired four times and is truly handmade. Despite this they have kept the range affordable and accessible for those who want stylish tableware without breaking the bank. There are six colour schemes, which can be bought individually, in sets of 2 or 3, or mixed to create a fabulous rainbow table.
“As a new business we are over the moon to receive this recognition for our first collection of bone china tableware.We are extremely proud of the collection and continue to receive rave reviews from customers across the world who love the vibrant colours as much as us.” Charlotte Baly 84 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Hospitality Dinnerware Narumi is the winner of the Hospitality Dinnerware category with Nomadd Narumi Corporation
nomadd
www.narumi.co.jp nomadd - Narumi’s new bone china collection. The name comes from a free traveller “nomad”, moving from place to place, and ADD, all day dining. The inspiration behind the design is all-day dining allowing you to enjoy quality dining anytime, anywhere. There are three features that make nomadd outstanding from any other solutions for the new normal: Covered and Stacked: Each nomadd plate can be used as a lid for bowls of the same size. It keeps the food covered and hygienically clean. It also saves space and makes the display look neat and clean. Lighter Weight: nomadd is made of bone china and lighter than ordinary porcelain. The light weight is especially beneficial when it is used as a bento box.
“When we were selected as a finalist, we read a comment from one of the judges that said “a versatile collection that can be seasonably updated with colour and pattern.” We were thrilled by it because it was exactly what we aimed for. With nomadd, we wanted to propose a practical, yet stylish solution to the changing dining environment in the new normal. We took advantage of our expertise as a Japanese brand: calming colour scheme, strict dimensional control, and service efficiency of our bento-box food culture. We are even more excited now as we have been awarded as WINNER! It became a great encouragement for us to keep seeking new ideas that will surprise and satisfy our customers.”
Masahiro Taguchi, manager, marketing & planning
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Hospitality Glassware
Stölzle Lausitz is the winner of the Hospitality Glassware category with Swing & Twist
Stölzle Lausitz
Swing & Twist
www.stoelzle-lausitz.com Suitable for champagne, other sparkling wines, cocktails and desserts, this is a machine-made, highquality, 100 per cent lead-free crystal glass collection. Dishwasher safe, Swing & Twist offers optimum durability and elegance with a light weight feel, similar to mouth-blown glasses. It also boasts high breakage resistance and is especially made for the event and catering industry; and of course, for end consumers. Designed and made in Germany.
“We are proud to be awarded winner in the Hospitality Glassware category for our new Swing & Twist Champagne glasses! It is a great achievement for our company which provides us even more confidence to continue developing new products based on our credo “form follows function”.
Jan Zschiesche, export manager 86 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
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Business-to-business is still person-to-person, and Las Vegas Market is where partnerships between buyers and sellers are formed and nurtured, all against the backdrop of a world-class West Coast destination. Join us and see why thousands of furniture, gift, and home décor resources are only part of the story at Las Vegas Market!
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Designer of the Year Richard Brendon has been named Designer of the Year 2022 This last year has seen Richard Brendon release three collections grounded in his mission to make the everyday exceptional with beautifully crafted tableware showcasing quality, integrity and longevity. Starting with The Cocktail Collection, a nine-piece set of mouth-blown crystal that has been specifically designed to enhance every part of the cocktail experience, from preparing and serving to drinking and enjoying. Featuring all glassware required to make any classic or avant-garde cocktail, The Cocktail Collection is the complete set for the mixology enthusiast, from world class professionals to those simply looking to elevate the everyday G&T. Inspired by the beautiful mouth-blown glassware from the turn of the 20th century and today’s modern cocktail culture, the collection celebrates creative skill both past and present. Next, the V&A Series. Richard Brendon collaborated with the V&A this year to create a range of exquisite bone china, shining a light on the golden era of Georgian ceramics. The V&A range consists of four striking saucers to pair with his signature gold and platinum reflective teacups, as well as four decorated mugs. The teacups and saucers are a development of Richard’s first collection, Reflect, which propelled his brand forward when it launched in 2013. The original collection breathes life into ‘orphaned’ antique saucers, which have lost their matching teacups over time. When the reflective cups are placed onto the patterned antique saucer, they perfectly mirror the design below, making it seem as though the pattern appears on the cups and the pair have always belonged together. For the first instalment of the collaboration
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Richard has selected four of his favourite patterns from the V&A’s vast archives to re-imagine with playful, whimsical and contemporary twists. Finally, for London Craft Week 2021, Richard created London, 1650, a limited and very special collection of bottles and tumblers, which have been skillfully mouth blown in England, by master glassblower Simon Moore. The inspiration for this collection came to Richard when he first discovered several unusual yet strikingly beautiful antique bottles, dark green in colour, organic in form and with a seal impressed into the glass. They piqued Richard’s curiosity and after some research he learnt that bottles of this kind were first made in London c.1650. The collection soon followed, comprising of three globe-shaped bottles and a tumbler, in a sophisticated deep green that boasts organic, unique silhouettes reminiscent of the original bottles found in London. The pieces are finished with an impressed RB seal, which has been designed especially for this collection. Inspired by the expert craftsmanship honed over centuries in places such as Stoke-on-Trent and Slovenia, Richard Brendon’s pieces show an appreciation for both the past and the future. Each collection seeks to bridge the gap between traditional crafting techniques and contemporary design, whilst using only the finest materials to create a product that will be enjoyed by the generations to come. The brand launched in 2013 because of Richard’s fascination for the history of British porcelain and its home in Stoke-on-Trent, after discovering a surplus of antique saucers on Portobello Road in London. He wanted to
breathe life back into these saucers which had lost their cups overtime, and designed Reflect; a collection of mirrored teacups in platinum and gold in order to reflect the beautiful patterns on these antique pieces and provide a place for them in the modern world. His bone china collections have expanded over the years to include Details from Willow, Line and Superstripe (a collaboration with PATTERNITY), which also appears at Corinthia London in a bespoke colour range. The brand has since grown to develop cut crystal collections, including Diamond and Fluted, as well as the Jancis Robinson collection. Richard worked with the globallyrenowned wine expert to create a mouthblown wine glass, specifically designed to elevate the drinking experience of all wines from Champagne to sherry, complete with water glasses and decanters for both mature and young wine. However, it is with the addition of The Cocktail Collection, The V&A Series and London, 1650 that Richard’s continued dedication to craftsmanship and timeless design is most apparent. All three collections weave a rich narrative of heritage and skill, celebrating often forgotten arts and craft techniques in a contemporary setting with the hope that these pieces can be enjoyed and treasured for generations to come. We believe that these skills and craftspeople are worth celebrating, as we hope you will feel that Richard and his designs are worth celebrating.
HOME OF CONSUMER GOODS
the show
3. – 7. 2. 2023 FRANKFURT / MAIN
Moving the future Before success, an overview is necessary. Ambiente showcases the panorama of the consumer goods market. It provides a platform for table, kitchen and household products – and highlights the latest designs, trends and future opportunities. ambiente.messefrankfurt.com
Lifetime Achievement Award Manfred and Christa Zieher
(l-r) Dominik Zieher (now CEO), Manfred Zieher (Founder, Ex-CEO), Christa Zieher (Founder Ex-CFO), Jennifer Hübsch (CFO), Oliver Zieher (CMO)
The background... The Zieher company was founded in 1986 by Christa and Manfred Zieher, at first under a different name. The key to success was the decision to change the international trading company to a manufacturer and creator of luxury design products. The first release of products originally designed by Zieher
towards buffet systems and up to today is still quite strong in that sector
Zieher today...
The brand ZIEHER stands for innovative design, both in the tabletop and in the buffet section. At this, the main target audience are five star
“Receiving this prestigious award makes us proud and gives great satisfaction. After all, an award is a confirmation from a neutral side that our efforts in terms of quality, design, applications and practiceoriented product solutions have paid off” was in 2006. The success of those was so impressive that the development and realization of exclusively designed products became the new main activity field. In 2010 “Skyline” was developed, until today a highly requested product and the first buffet system with an extremely high grade of flexibility. This is how Zieher initiated the trend
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hotels and top class restaurants and also the innovative gastronomy where dedicated professional chefs create new trends, as well as the high class retail market that insists on exclusive products. Products made out of different materials such as glass, stainless steel, slate, porcelain etc. and the
combination of materials give birth to high-quality and modern tableware and buffet-systems. This is why ZIEHER is internationally well known by its target audiences as a modern and innovative company with the strength to realize new products with an outstanding design and high quality craftsmanship. Meanwhile ZIEHER is well known throughout the world for branded and self-designed products for 5*Hotels and top-classrestaurants and is active in more than 90 countries. With the unique VISION wine glass series, the foundation stone was laid in 2015 for a collection for discerning wine lovers. In addition to high-quality wine glasses, the FOR WINE LOVERS range also offers extraordinary decanters and other functional accessories for vinophile enjoyment and is directly available from selected specialist retailers for the end customer.
CHICAGO
In Conversation Zieher
Casual Glassware
Kosta Boda was the winner in the Casual Glassware category with Viva
Power
couple
Meet Manfred and Christa Zieher – founders of the innovative Zieher – and winners of Tableware International’s Lifetime Achievement Award 2022. They talk about how their drive, passion and vision helped forged a successful company which has transformed from supplier to design leader
“We focused on the best and most successful people in the tableware industry – star chefs”
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Vision
Did you know?
Christa and Manfred Zieher established Zieher in 1986. What has been the key to Zieher’s success? When we founded the company in 1986, the market with comparable tableware products in Europe and worldwide was well covered with suppliers. We realised it did not bring Zieher forward to orient ourselves on existing manufacturers and product ideas. In order to get the necessary attention and acceptance on the market as a young and up-and-coming company at the time, we needed extravagant products with extraordinary design in top quality to inspire highly demanding customers. This target group is small but very liquid. In order to win them over worldwide, we had to invest in design, marketing and sophisticated craftsmanship production. As a result, in addition to good sales, we were also able to achieve an aboveaverage price level and thus higher margins, which helped us to invest even more in the awareness of the Zieher brand.
How has the industry changed since you established the business? The moment we decided to establish Zieher as a brand, it was all about generating “Zieher fans” from the aforementioned target group and stimulating them with extravagant products. We were only marginally interested in the existing industry and competitors and what they offered. Zieher is a hugely innovative company in terms of the products it brings to market, is that something that – as founders – was very important to you both? Our son Oliver joined our company in 2005 as chief designer. He developed new products, coordinated product ideas and suggestions from several external designers with whom we have been working successfully for many years.
Our own unmistakable design makes us independent of the competition and creates satisfied customers. What, in both your experiences, are the cornerstones to running a profitable tabletop business? We focused on the best and most successful people in the tableware industry – star chefs. They have the highest demands and creative ideas for new products. This applies both nationally and internationally. We also learned by close observation who has the best bar, bistro or restaurant. The guests of these establishments, who pay a higher price than the industry average guests, also want more. These guests, in turn, are our target group in the retail sector. Is there one Zieher product that you are most proud of, or perhaps one that you feel really launched the brand? In addition to the very successful and multi-awardwinning wine glass series VISION, Skyline is to be highlighted
as the first flexible buffet system worldwide as a milestone in the professional sector. Is there any moment over the course of your time with Zieher that really stands out as memorable? In Dubai in 2006, the first design products were exhibited at a hotel fair, the best in the industry came and were enthusiastic, which surprised us very much at the time. What does receiving an award such as this mean to you? Receiving this prestigious award makes us proud and gives great satisfaction. After all, an award is a confirmation from a neutral side that our efforts in terms of quality, design, applications and practice-oriented product solutions have paid off. Finally, what words of advice would you have to someone looking to establish their own business? Do you have an idea? Dare to be a doer. Formulate your goals. Go your way, step by step. Face the criticism. Be ready for change. Be authentic.
Fact! The company is now run by Christa and Manfred’s children – Jennifer Hübsch (CFO), Oliver Zieher (CMO), Dominik Zieher (CEO)
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Denby
Category Japandi Trends
Arzberg
The art Utopia
of fusion TI’s Mairead Wilmot looks at the growing inclination towards Japandi – a purposeful fusion of Scandi chic with Japanese minimalism, a shared aesthetic which just works…
Beatriz Ball
Porcel
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As a trend, Japandi has captured the zeitgeist. A fusion blend of the clean, simple lines often associated with Japan now artfully twinned with the minimalist (but comforting) chic which has become so ingrained with Scandinavian style (will we ever forget hygge?). Form really does meet function with this formidible blend of cosy cool which, thankfully, is easily achievable when it comes to tablescaping. Colourways are kept neutral with soft blends and occasional pops of tonal vibrancy. Textures are present in furnishings but everything has a purpose, a place and a reason. Luckily for buyers, there are plenty of collections befitting of the trend already on the market. Arzberg’s Joyn Stoneware collection – designed by Robin Levien – is a beautiful representation of the trend – coloured inner glazes bring warmth to earthy tones of cream beige, matt brick red and
Villeroy & Boch
shimmering anthracite grey. The overall collection has a roughened outer side similar to the feeling of pebbles which gives it a handmade touch and fits Japandi’s textured brief nicely. By their own admission, Denby’s new Kiln collection is perhaps the best representation of Japandi in the Denby portfolio. Richard Eaton, design director says: “Kiln is a deliberately pared-back collection, that doesn’t overwhelm with choice, just considered pieces that sit together with ease.” Beatriz Ball’s Thanni Oaska bowl is a timeless piece, its black exterior contrasting against a luxe gold interior, seamlessly blends into the Japandi aesthetic. “The pieces are as beautiful as they are practical,” Beatriz tells us. “I start all designs having use and practicality in mind and I create them for the way our customers live and entertain.” Meanwhile, Porcel’s beautiful Saturn collection takes the Japanese inclination towards
black as a core colourway and pairs it with the comfort of Scandinavian style, specifically the tea set adding that sought-after hygge element. The collection’s black reactive glaze allows for an incredible organic effect over each piece, making them one of a kind. In keeping with Japandi’s chic but understated vibe, Villeroy & Boch’s Manufacture Rock is very much on brand as an accent piece, while the new La Boule colourway pure beige fits the aesthetic beautifully too. For the hospitality sector, Utopia’s Ink collection now benefits from the addition of walled plates and straight sided bowls. These simple shapes combine with a cool blue glaze to create a pared-back feel. Easy to style and incredibly on-trend, Japandi takes the very best from both Scandinavian and Japanese orientations and merges them into a beautifully chic curated feast for the eyes – one which tabletop can easily adapt to.