Tableware International by Lema Publishing

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: May/June 2015

Issue: 2

134

Volume: 137

Empire Pearll Turquoise

Collection

AMAZONIA Discover the beauty of nature.

WWW.VILLEROY-BOCH.COM

6LJKLŋRDUD _ 520 1,$ _ RIILFH#FHVLUR FRP _ UDGXBSXSD]D#FHVLUR FRP &HVLUR 6$ 6LJKLVRDUD _ ZZZ FHVLUR UR

Make Every Day a Beautiful Day With the award-winning NON-STICK, ceramic coated cookware collection.

Casseroles, saucepans and frying pans available in black or white Suitable for all stove tops, including induction Ultra non-stick ceramic coating inside and out for easy cooking & cleaning Oven safe Even heat distribution with no hot spots Very responsive to heat changes for great cooking results Exceptionally strong yet incredibly light Easy-view toughened glass lids Dishwasher safe Frying pans can be used under a grill Non-stick coating is PTFE and PFOA free

For further information please contact Portmeirion Group UK Ltd. London Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QQ England. Tel: +44(0)1782 744721 Portmeirion Group USA Inc. 105 Progress Lane, Waterbury, CT 06705-3830 USA. Tel +1 (203) 729-8255 Portmeirion Canada Inc. 20 Voyager Court South, Toronto, Ontario, M9W 5M7 Canada. Tel: +1 (416) 675 3755 www.portmeiriongroup.com Portmeirion is a registered trademark of Portmeirion Group

Tableware Team

TableWare

EDITOR KATE BIRCH kate@lemapublishing.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHER MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

DESIGNER MARIAN MCNAMARA marian@lemapublishing.co.uk

To subscibe to the magazine email: ROBERT THOMAS robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

Published by Lema Publishing Ltd. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness Berkhamsted Herts HP4 2UB PUBLISHING

At the heart Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442 289930 of retail Fax: 00 44 (0) 1442 289950 Front cover illustration supplied by Lenox. For more information see the website www.lenox.com

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: May/June 2015

Issue: 2

134

Volume: 137

Empire Pearll Turquoise

On the retail front, we travel to Russia and interview luxury tableware retail chain Dom Farfora

hile consumer demand for tableware as a bridal gift choice has changed significantly in its focus in the past decade, the bridal business has remained buoyant for many tableware brands, with demand for more expensive gifts rising. And while formal white bone china with platinum and gold accents remains popular, collections that bridge the gap between formal and casual, that offer the delicate appeal of bone china but are contemporary and can be used every day and for all occasions, are showing significant signs of success, especially with millennials. We look into the bridal sector in our indepth feature on page 40, as well as outlining the latest bridal-worthy collections on page 44. And with millenials making up 70 per cent of weddings in the US, the millennial category is crucial. On page 48, industry experts discuss capturing the registries of millennial brides, while US guru in tabletop Jorges Perez delivers his advice for retailers on developing a bridal audience today. We also look into the millennial category here in the UK, with our new retail column courtesy of independent British tableware retailer Barry Seaman. On page 30, Barry outlines millennial demands when it comes to buying dinnerware. Retail-wise, we also travel to Russia to visit luxury tableware retail chain Dom Farfora. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the retailer has seven stores across Moscow and 50 years on, maintains its mission of uniting all the world’s best tableware and giftware brands in one place. On page 32, we talk to the retail chain’s chief buyer. One of the Russian store’s bestsellers is Lenox pattern Butterfly Meadow and this popular pattern, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, is a casual dining bestseller in multiple stores globally. On page 38, we talk to six international retailers about their sales of Butterfly Meadow and other Lenox patterns, including Empire Pearl by Marchesa for Lenox (our cover this month); while on page 36, we discuss Lenox’s global strategy, customer support and countryspecific demands with Lenox president Lester Gribetz. We also deliver all the latest news, views and reviews, from an industry report about texture in tableware on page 22, to a review

of the April edition of The New York Tabletop Show on page 66 and a preview of upcoming London-based housewares show Exclusively Housewares on page 60. Finally, we are pleased to announce that we as a publishing company have followed the path of today’s smartest and most successful retailers by expanding our expertise to include complementary categories. This month, we enter into kitchenware with the launch of our Kitchenware International supplement, a 32-page magazine highlighting the latest kitchenware news, trends and launches, plus retail interviews, industry expert advice and product- and category-specific features on everything kitchen, from coffeeware to cookware. Don’t miss it!

Kate Birch

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL Kitchenware Supplement May/June 2015

134

www.tablewareinternational.com

Don’t miss... This month’s Kitchenware International supplement

Get social with See our latest news: www.tablewareinternational.com ‘Like’ us: Facebook.com/tablewareintmag ‘Follow’ us on Twitter: @tablewareintmag ‘Pin’ us: pinterest.com/tablewareintmag

N May/June 2015 • ISSUE 2

News 10

News A round-up of international stories

Exhibition news News from the shows worldwide

Product news The latest releases and launches

Licensing news We spotlight some of the industry’s most exciting designers/licences

TableWare INTERNATIONAL

Trends 20

Product trend Inspired by the sea

Industry trend We highlight the benefits of stocking on trend textured tableware

Column: Globally inspired Tableware specialist Donna Ferrari takes a world view on design

Features 30

NEW Retail Column British independent tableware retailer Barry Seaman offers advice on capturing the millenial market

Retail: Russia We interview the chief buyer of Moscow-based multi-brand tabletop retail chain Dom Farfora

Proﬁle: Lenox We discuss global strategy, customer support and country-specific demands with Lenox's president Lester Gribetz and executive VP international, Jayson Score

40 Shows 56

Preview: Homi We outline what's new for the fourth edition of the upcoming Italian lifestyle show

Preview: NY NOW We talk to Marc Delman, sales manager of Tabletop about the Show's growth, success and expectations for the Summer Market

Retail: Lenox We ask six international retailers why they stock Lenox products

Guide: Bridal Discover what's driving growth in the bridal segment, what types of tableware are trending and the latest launches for this sector

Preview: Exclusively Housewares In its 14th edition, we outline what you need to know and see at this year's London-based show

Review: Chicago We look at what made the 76th edition of The International Home + Housewares Show such a sell-out success

Review: 41 Madison From collaborations and celebrations to geometric designs and golden accents, we outline the highlights and product launches from The New York Tabletop Show

Eye on design This month we spotlight French artist Dominique Tage, who hand-draws and handpaints tableware patterns

Retail: Bridal We speak to bridal industry expert Jorge Perez about growing your bridal business

Product focus: Serveware With community-style casual dining on the rise, we investigate the growing product sector of serveware

NEW View From The Top In the first of our group industry interviews, we ask top names in tableware to fill us in on industry performance and 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.

www.royaldoulton.co.uk

general news

Waterford targets younger consumers in US Crystal brand Waterford is targeting millenials with its latest launch, which debuted at the recently-held New York Tabletop Show. Embodying the spirit of “non-conformist cool” and using the punk stud motif as the heart of its design, the Rebel collection is a collaboration between Waterford and British designer Jo Sampson and delivers an edgy and cool line of giftware, travel accessories and even jewellery. Classic Waterford crystal shapes like martini and cocktail glasses have been used but have been given a Rebel makeover, delivering glasses with a gradient finish in purple, with rims and feet banded in gold. Also included in crystal are Rebel decanters and a decanter set, while in metal giftware there are salt and pepper shakers, napkin rings, a bottle opener and tray and travel giftware includes a lipstick case, USB flash drive and hip flask. The aim, say Waterford, is not just to attract younger consumers, but also to discover new lines of distribution, such as jewellery and travel gift stores. www.wwrd.com

Lenox acquires Reed & Barton America’s leading tableware, giftware and home entertaining business, Lenox Corporation, has announced that it was the successful bidder in the purchase of the operating assets and certain liabilities of Reed & Barton, allowing the renowned brand to build on its 190-year-old legacy of craftsmanship. Under the agreement, Reed & Barton will continue to design and market a broad assortment of unique giftware, including picture frames, children’s gifts, crystal and metal serveware, Christmas ornaments and hardwood chests. Additionally, Lenox will continue to market under other brands within the Reed & Barton umbrella, including Thomas O’Brien for Reed & Barton, Lunt, Williamsburg for Reed & Barton, and R+B Everyday. “We are thrilled to welcome Reed & Barton and its array of superb brands into the Lenox family,” states Peter Cameron, chief executive officer of Lenox Corporation. “As an American company steeped in honour and tradition, we are pleased to expand on the history, knowledge and craftsmanship of such an iconic American brand. We believe that the combination of these two prestigious brands will ensure that the next generation of American consumers elevates the experience of their guests when entertaining at home.”

Did you know…?At The New York Tabletop Market in April, Auratic introduced its new Premium Porcelain dinnerware. Boasting the characteristics of bone china with an extremely white and translucent body, the porcelain also has a special glaze giving it a silky smooth ﬁnish. In addition to this, it is extremely strong and practically chip-resistant, making it ideal for any occasion. www.auratic.com 10 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

news in brief

Ted Baker Portmeirion debuts in the US The collections from Ted Baker Portmeirion, the collaboration between British brands Portmeirion Group and fashion designer Ted Baker, launched in the US at The New York Tabletop Show. Rosie will be sold as a 5-piece place setting and The Casual Collection as a 4-piece place setting.

Lenox launches new French Chefs line Lenox has launched a new culinary line with three award-winning French USbased chefs, including one of America’s leading culinary authorities, Daniel Boulud; pioneer in French/California cuisine chef Michel Richard, and the first woman in the US to acquire a Two-Michelinstarred restaurant, Dominique Crenn. The French Chefs deliver a complete collection of dinnerware, serveware, cookware and bakeware that is designed to be accessible. We talk to Kevin O’Malley, Lenox.

cuisine deserved a fresh look and a modern take. And with Americans spending more time in their kitchens, increasingly prepping and enjoying meals at home, we thought we would bring the French experience to the home. The line was developed around the concept of taking the fear out of French cuisine and offers cookware, bakeware, dinnerware and more. The line mystifies and celebrates French cuisine and the three French chefs give a balanced view on how to Americanise French food for the home chef.

Why did Lenox launch The French Chefs? Not since Julia Child has anyone really been a champion for French cuisine in the home and we felt French

How important was it to have chefs behind the brand? The faces of the French Chef line each contributed their own voices to product development and brought

their own perspective on French cooking to the brand’s messaging. Tell us about the dinnerware, serveware and bakeware collections… The dinnerware and bakeware is made from porcelain and both lines are extensive, including dinner plates, cups, salt and pepper shakers, tart dishes, casserole pans, soufflé pans, a soup tureen, coffee pot, cake plate and more – all of which can be heated up to 500°c and is dishwasher safe. Rattan accent pieces help the cookware and bakeware pieces go from the kitchen to table in safety and in style. The line has already made its debut in select Bloomingdale’s stores. www.lenox.com

Off-price Macy’s to open Macy’s Inc. has announced it will open four pilot off-price stores in New York City in Autumn this year. To be called Macy’s Backstage, stores will include housewares and home textiles, including clearance goods from Macy’s stores. Libbey from loss to proﬁt Libbey Inc. has transformed a $3.4 million net loss from the first quarter of last year into $3.1 million of net income this year, putting the company in profit. Net sales in the first quarter of 2015, ending March 31, gained 3.2 per cent to $187.4 million. Pickard creates new White House dinnerware Pickard China was chosen to cretae new dinnerware for the White House, delivering The Obama State China Service, a simple banded pattern with blue-green rim colour, inspired by the waters of Hawaii, President Barack Obama’s native state.

“

The [trends include the] rising use of pastels, the juxtaposition of bright modern technology with classic romantic looks, the use of crowns as a traditional design motif and the continued popularity of owls, which represent whimsy and wisdom. In terms of materials, popular items (or the simulated appearance of them) include concrete, marble, ornamental studs as embellishments and metallics.

”

Lee Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute speaking of the 2016 Pantone Home + Interiors Palettes at the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show back in March. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 11

general news

Revised tableware safety guide published

Villeroy & Boch outﬁt Swedish restaurant at NK Stockholm Villeroy & Boch Hotel & Restaurant Division is renowned for delivering high quality, exclusively designed crockery to the most luxurious establishments – from the legendary Venice Simplon Orient Express to the luxurious Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. And it has done so again, recently outfitting the exclusive Bobergs Matsal restaurant in Stockholm, which was recently taken over by Michelin-starred chef Bjorn Frantzen and which is located in the famous Nordiska Kompaniet department store in Stockholm (NK Stockholm). The NK Stockholm department store was opened in 1915, the architecture of which was influenced by the Art Nouveau era. The fourth floor of NK boasts

four restaurants, including Bobergs Matsal, which has been there since the beginning and which has since been renovated by new chef Bjorn. As the primary supplier of tableware, Villeroy & Boch provided the crockery, glassware, cutlery and accessories. Chef Bjorn Frantzen worked with designer Carlo Scholtes, a longtime product developer in Villeroy & Boch’s Hotel & Restaurant Division, to create an exclusive decor on the finest Premium Bone Porcelain. The decoration uses various shades of grey and round plates from the Stella premium crockery collection and selected pieces of Anmut, Royal and Scala. Historically inspired, geometric patterns and ornaments were

playfully interpreted in a modern way. The finely coordinated decor variations, some of which were combined with delicate relief decors, were applied to various plate sizes. The glasses came from the Purismo collection and the Kreuzband cutlery was used. “In Bobergs Matsal we offer high quality business meals at brasserie prices in an elegant ambience and thus fill a real gap in the market. And the real secret is serving our guests meals on specially designed porcelain from Villeroy & Boch, with fine decor that I designed together with the porcelain manufacturer Villeroy & Boch,” says Bjorn Frantzen. The other restaurants in NK are also equipped with high quality Villeroy & Boch tableware.

The international provider of materials development, testing and assurance, Lucideon, which has offices and laboratories in the UK, the US and the Far East, has published a revised edition of its worldwide regulations and standards guide for the safe use of ceramic and glass tableware that comes into contact with food. The comprehensive handbook indexes the regulations or standards for over 80 countries and economic areas listing the relevant test methods and metal migration limits in an easy-touse table. The guide is primarily a tool for ceramic, glass and enamel ware manufacturers – however, exporters, importers, retailers, glaze or colour manufacturers and testing facilities will also find it a useful resource to ensure their products conform to international standards and regulations. You can get your electronic and/ or hard copies of the guide, which are available for £595. Email: joanne.dawson@lucideon. com. www.lucideon.com

Gien to develop growth in US French ceramic brand faiencerie de Gien has announced its intention to significantly develop its international sales. While 40 per cent of its revenue is already generated via exports, Gien wants to grow further, especially in North America. To achieve this, Gien recruited a national sales manager earlier this year to coordinate the sales team in the US. They also set up a Customer Service Department and selected a new logistics partner on the outskirts of Atlanta. They have also recently developed tableware and giftware specifically to meet American consumer expectations including Rouen 37 and Rocaille Pastel. www.gien.com

T&G celebrate 40th birthday T&G treated its staff to a day out at the races to celebrate 40 years in the Housewares industry. Everyone enjoyed a meal, a ﬂutter and judging the best-dressed horse as well as presenting the winners of each race with a bottle of champagne and a photo ﬁnish momento. A great day out at Chepstow racecourse was had by all, and it was a great opportunity for staff and friends of the company to relax. Patrick Gardner, managing director, made a speech welcoming all and thanking them for all their hard work, which set the tone of fun for the rest of the day. 12 12TABLEWARE 8 TABLEWARE TABLEWAREINTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

Bomma launches pop-up store Luxury Czech crystal brand Bomma has opened a pop-up store as part of Pop-Up: Glass, a glass programme in Prague presenting exhibitions from Czech glass brands and designers in the Ziba Modern Museum of Modern Glass, due to open in 2016. It runs until the end of June. We talk to Martina Bursikova, marketing manager of Bomma to find out more… Why a pop-up shop? This is the first time Bomma has ever had a pop-up store. We believe pop-up is a great concept, giving us the chance to create something temporary and unique. The exhibition at Prague’s future museum of modern glass Ziba presented a great opportunity to do so – it’s an amazing space and location. What exactly is Bomma showing? In collaboration with several Czech designers, we created an artistic installation in the Window Gallery right next to our pop-up store, which showcases precisely blown glass

objects that form embryo-like structures ructures growing out of the dark depths off the Earth. In the pop-up store, we aree showcasing every Bomma collection – that’s 30 in total. We have also created a new range of gifts and small objects specifically for this. What do you see as the benefits of a pop-up? This pop-up can create a base for new projects as well as new contacts with both clients and designers. Our customers have the unique opportunity to see our products in the most prominent street in Prague and it helps with publicity and with communicating that crystal remains a huge part of Czech cultural heritage and is an important part of our tradition. Will there be other pop-ups? This is only open for three months until the end of June, but Bomma is searching for a place for a more permanent showroom in Prague – we believe this location of Ziba could be the right place.

Create a mix and match tabletop with Herend Retailers can get inspiration for on trend tabletop displays in-store with Herend’s SetMyStyle custom-designed software programme. With most customers today putting their signature look on their tables by mixing patterns, Herend offers a facility – using more than 30 Herend patterns – to create looks that will inspire consumers. SetMyStyle is the online, fun, easy way to accomplish that special look right at your fingertips. Simply go to www.herendusa.com, follow the instructions for SetMyStyle.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 13

“

exhibition

Brand Licensing Europe has so much to offer; alongside the exhibition there are the free educational programmes, the only retail mentoring programme of its kind in the UK and a competition to bring new properties to market. The BLE Blog is the next step in the show’s evolution – providing an ideal platform for us to shout about what we do, but also gather together our huge network of show partners to offer valuable content to the licensing industry.

news

”

Portmeirion Group to attend Interior Lifestyle China 2015 Growing demand for lifestyle products in China’s middle and upper classes has led to a huge surge in visitors to Interior Lifestyle China, the country’s leading trade event for household products. The exhibitor portfolio for the 2015 edition, scheduled for September 17-19, is ever growing in quality and stand sizes are taking a step up due to the acceptance of increasingly mid-range to high-end brands, reflecting the Chinese market’s demand from consumers for highend homewares. Portmeirion Group has tapped into this Chinese market development and will travel to Shanghai to exhibit at the show for the first time this September. “Portmeirion Group will be showcasing its iconic British brands Portmeirion, Spode and Royal Worcester. Building on our unrivalled

success throughout the Far East, we will exhibit some of our bestselling ranges including Botanic Garden, Blue Italian, Sophie Conran for Portmeirion and Ted Baker Portmeirion.China is a key consumer market for Portmeirion Group. Its demand for high quality, well designed and historically respected brands is perfectly aligned to Portmeirion’s offering and Interior Lifestyle China provides us with the ideal opportunity to successfully launch our brands and engage with the Chinese retail market,” says Dave Wheeldon, Portmeirion Group. Interior Lifestyle China takes place September 17-19, 2015 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. www.interior-lifestyle-china. hk.messefrankfurt.com

60 millionn

BLE event director Darren Brechin on the recent launch of The BLE Blog, which will feature posts from the team on getting the most from the show as well as the latest news, initiatives and promotions.

Paola Navone to design Ambiente 2016 presentation With Italy selected as the fifth Ambiente Partner Country, Italian designer Paola Navone has been chosen to design the Partner Country presentation for the 2016 show. “Italy and Germany are linked not only by important cultural and economic relationships. Italy is also a country renowned for outstanding design. Therefore, we are delighted that Paola Navone, a personality of high standing on the international design scene, has agreed to create the Ambiente Partner Country presentation,” says Detlef Braun, member of the executive board, Messe Frankfurt. Navone has made a name for herself on the Italian design scene having worked for companies like Alessi and Egizia.

NY NOW debuts Market Planner A handy new Market Planner has debuted, enabling registrants of the NY Now Summer Market 2015 (August 15-19) to create a personalised planner, preview product images and videos, contact exhibitors and schedule meetings. “The registration portal and our new NY Now Market Planner tool is just the beginning of a great experience,” says Scot Kramer, co-director and vice president. The online registration system allows market participants to access links to register for seminars and events and NY Now’s online directory by collection, category or keyword. To register, it is free for retailers until August 14, visit www.nynow.com

The worth of orders placed by senior buyers from the housewares industry at the recently held Ideal Homex 2015 Housewares Fair, which took place April 2-5 in Istanbul, Turkey. The show welcomed 23,693 visitors, a 5.2 per cent increase on the 2014 event, who were keen to see the offerings from more than 400 exhibitors across seven different market sectors. The show also enjoyed a 24.7 per cent increase in its international visitor audience. The next Ideal Homex takes place March 24-27, 2016. www.idealhomefair.com 14 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

product news

Spotlight on…

Terracotta The natural and rustic material of terracotta is making a comeback, with manufacturers delivering terracotta collections with a contemporary makeover. “Rustic ceramics, specifically Terracotta, have been trending well recently,” says Mario Muto, vice-president of creative design for Gibson. “Consumers appreciate the endless natural patterns found on the finishes, which make each piece unique and give them a handcrafted feel. Terracotta has the unique ability to bring warmth to its surroundings while still maintaining a level of sophistication,” says Mario, pointing to Gibson’s recent launch of Starford, a white embossed terracotta range showcasing both the raw and the refined. Similarly, UK tabletop brand

Creative Tops has launched hed a white glazed terracotta range, ange, Katie Alice Rustic Lace,, inspired by a vintage bracelet Katie tie found in a Paris boutique. e. “I’ve always loved the effect of seeing a darker base colour come through a pattern when you use a fresh white glaze, so the opportunity to use embossed terracotta was quite exciting and I think it translates really well onto the new white dinnerware,” says Katie. Salt & Pepper has also launched its new w Terracotta Collection; a modern take on the traditional tional style, white or black highlights hlights give sharing and serveware are pieces a contemporary finish.

Creative Tops Starford, Gibson

Katie Alice Rustic Lace

debuts exotic V&A collection Creative Tops has unveiled a range of stunning gift ideas, featuring exotic illustrations taken from the archives of the Victoria & Albert Museum. The patterns are adapted from Iznik plates from 16th century Turkey – Iznik pottery was highly soughtafter in the 16th and 17th century and the town of Iznik became an established centre for the production of simple earthenware pottery with an underglaze decoration. The meticulous designs combined traditional Ottoman arabesque patterns with Chinese elements. Beautiful, bright and eclectic, the gorgeous mix and match fine china tableware collection includes plates, mugs and bowls. www.creative-tops.com

Everyone’s talking about… Oversized drinkware Due to demand, manufacturers are delivering oversized or even super-sized er-sized drinkware. At the recently held New York Tabletop Show, Lenox unveiled veiled as part of its Tuscany range, the new Tuscany Grand (pictured) – four oversized stemmed glasses. Oversized glasses also took centre stage at Riedel with the recent launch of Superleggero – a taller, thinner and lighter version rsion of its Sommelier glassware, which promises to offer enhanced flavours and aromas. Supersize also hit porcelain at Dansk with the brand’s new selection of oversized mugs in its Make Conversation range. 16 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Kinto

Denby

Surge for slogans Letters, words and phrases or slogans are increasingly being used on ceramic pieces, especially highly giftable pieces, to communicate a message or sentiment. “In a world of continuous texting, it’s inevitable that letters, words and phrases will continue to literally decorate our environments as a design motif,” said Lee Eiseman, creative director of the Pantone Color Institute at the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago back in March. This spring/summer has seen Kinto launch its new stoneware mugs featuring Slow Movement-inspired slogans as part of its Slow Coffee Series, while Dansk recently revealed to buyers its new range of oversized mugs, the Make Conversation range featuring sayings and slogans. To its successful Butterfly Meadow range, Lenox has added giftable accessories featuring meaningful sayings, while Denby has launched a range of table mats and coasters inspired by the trend for inspirational phrases and quotations. Vinyl Revival is a collection of placemats, coasters, a lap tray and worktop saver featuring a record labelled with a mix of a song title and food such as Another One Bites The Crust.

Guzzini celebrates 100 years with colourful new collection Celebrating 100 years of Italian design, Fratelli Guzzini has launched the new and colourful Iris collection, which sums up the brand’s focus on Italian identity, history and design. Produced using a skillful technical alchemy called co-injection by which pieces can be moulded while simultaneously using materials different in colour and transparency, the Made in Italy Iris collection delivers mesmerising colour along with delicate transparency. Glasses, carafes, salad bowls, centrepieces, cake stands and napkin holders come in shades of Wisteria, Orange and Red and can be coordinated with other Guzzini pieces. www.guzzini.it

Burleigh commemorates royal birth Stoke-based historic pottery Burleigh has marked the birth of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge with a commemorative mug. Burleigh, whose historic home Middleport Pottery is owned by the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, one of HRH the Prince of Wales’ charities, has been making commemorative ware since Queen Victoria’s day using the same techniques. “It’s fascinating to think that the liquid clay slip we will be making to produce these mugs will be mixed using the same machinery that was used to produce royal commemoratives dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria, the great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother of the new Princess! Collectors and Royal enthusiasts alike can buy something that they know has been made by hand in England!” says managing director of Burleigh, Sebastian Lazell. The handcrafted mug is decorated in Burleigh’s iconic delicate and enchanting Asiatic Pheasant Pink and can be reserved. www.burleigh.co.uk/royalbabymug

Inspired by… A woman’s boudoir Inspired by the muted and sensual atmosphere of a woman’s boudoir, the new collection from French porcelain brand Deshoulieres expresses the delicate nature of the designer’s world, French fashion designer Chantal Thomass. Glamoureuse is a porcelain dinner service with three sizes of plate and a tea service featuring ﬂowers, bowls and medallions in pastel pinks and white and edged in platinum. www.deshoulieres.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 17

licensing news Vera Wang Organza

Jasper Conran Tisbury

Beatrix Potter silverware

new

from Wedgwood licences

Not only does Wedgwood have one of the oldest licences in the industry, with its Peter Rabbit nursery licence, held since 1949, but it boasts two licence agreements across a number of categories, including tableware, gifts and linen, with two fashion designers; one with UK designer Jasper Conran and one with US designer Vera Wang. We talk to Antony Robson, European marketing manager at WWRD. Which of your licences are proving popular right now? The Peter Rabbit collections have seen a notable resurgence in popularity of late. The enchanting world created by Beatrix Potter more than 100 years ago was inspired in part by its British heritage, which naturally chimes with Wedgwood brand values. The recent animated Peter Rabbit Emmynominated TV show has found a fresh audience for the classic tales captured within the books and so prompted us to create a refreshed oﬀering of Peter Rabbit nurseryware and new gifting lines in ceramic and silver to meet this new-found popularity.

collections. Whilst these licences enable us to expand into new and relevant categories, we also look to capitalise on the individual design DNA of our partners to bring a fresh outlook. The partnership with Jasper Conran, for example, was a key evolutionary point in modern design history; the challenge, to bring his unique contemporary aesthetic to the classicism of Wedgwood was met ably with the launch of Jasper Conran at Wedgwood ﬁne bone china dinnerware, which remains a strong favourite today.

In what ways has Wedgwood’s licences enhanced the portfolio?

Many licences in the tableware category are with fashion designers.Why do you feel the partnership translates so well?

The careful selection of creative partners is key to our strategy – to broaden the appeal of the Wedgwood brand and enhance our reputation as a destination for luxury lifestyle

Wedgwood has a long history of collaborating with the most famous artists and forward-thinking talents of the day, a tradition kept alive through our choice of creative partners

The latest licensed Wedgwood product includes a new collection of Beatrix Potter nursery giftware, a Tea for One, a children’s Tea Set in a bespoke blue suitcase and Wedgwood’s first collection of Beatrix Potter silver giftware. New from Jasper Conran for Wedgwood is Tisbury, a casual meets formal collection of porcelain dinnerware, teaware and serveware as well as glassware featuring a fluted texture; and new from Vera Wang Wedgwood is the Vera Wang Organza Collection, inspired by the Dierdre bridal gown with its sculpted folds on white fine bone china.

today. We aim to create premium, desirable products for the modern home, whilst capitalising on the strengths of designers’ aesthetics. The first Vera Wang tableware in 2002 clearly reflected the timeless nature of her bridal and ready-to-wear collections, with its subtle references to heritage despite its thoroughly modern outlook. This successful partnership has seen the launch of crystal stemware, barware, flatware and gifts, all encapsulating an instantly recognisable Vera Wang style.

Why do you believe the consumer responds so well to tableware designed with a fashion designer? Looking at our Jasper Conran designed ranges, the consumer is very much part of the thought process during the design consultation. New collections are always conscious of how the new pattern or shape can layer in with existing pieces from past

Did you know…? German brand WMF has licensed Disney’s most famous character Mickey Mouse for a colourful 4-piece children’s cutlery set made of the 18/10 stainless steel polished Cromargan and designed ergonomically for little hands, as well as a 7-piece porcelain children’s set including a cup, plate and cereal bowl and featuring scenes from the life of Mickey Mouse. www.wmf.com 18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

ranges. The consumer can build upon their collection at home, injecting accent pieces for seasonal newness with a fashionable twist, without investing in an entirely new collection for special occasions.

Finally, what are the benefits of having a licence? Wedgwood has beneﬁted by the collaboration of others for more than 250 years; this commitment to advancement in both design and technology through the injection of new talent has ensured the brand’s reputation as a leading luxury lifestyle brand. Given the commitment to craftsmanship and quality inherent in the company’s ethos, these partnerships allow creatives from other disciplines the opportunity to produce collections for the home, safe in the knowledge that their designs will be executed to the highest standards.

Isaac Mizrahi comes up roses “ Gibson’s licensing partnership with fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi continues with the launch at this year’s spring New York Tabletop Market of two stunning new collections. Inspired by Mizrahi’s design aesthetic, which is characterised by the use of bold colour and patterns, the bone china Cottage Rose collection (pictured) features four pastel-hued oversized decal roses in a contemporary style and offers dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls and mugs. www.gibsonusa.com

Working with Barber & Osgerby has been an absolute pleasure. From small sugar bowls to large serving platters, the designers’ precision and attention to detail is outstanding. As a result of this, we have created a collection that not only boasts contemporary design but also draws inspiration from Royal Doulton’s roots.

”

Dik Delaney, design director, Royal Doulton on the new Olio Collection by Royal Doulton and highly-acclaimed design London-based team Barber & Osgerby.

GERMANY

„Carbon 4.0“

„Rough!“

WWW.ZIEHER.COM facebook.com/ZieherGermany

„Solid“

HOFEX NRA

Hong Kong, CN Chicago, US

booth 1B342 booth 9231

06. - 09.05.2015 16. - 19.05.2015

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 19

trends products

OCEAN ROAD

INTO THE BLUE

Elie Tahari for Lifetime Brands

Mikasa

From global tableware provider Lifetime Brands and leading US fashion designer Elie Tahari comes a brand new collaboration and with it a collection of six Elie Tahari dinnerware patterns inspired by his homes in New York and the Hamptons. Taking inspiration from the coastal town of Bridgehampton on Long Island, Ocean Road features a handcrafted, artisanal design, a contemporary round coupe shape and the subtle blue of the seaside found there.

www.lifetimebrands.com

Creative Tops has launched its new tableware and home accessories collection from Mikasa for the UK. Celebrating the watery wonders of the sea, Into the Blue is a full and contemporary range featuring natural illustrations with sea blues and seaweed greens. The mix of diﬀerent materials from stoneware to coloured glass and ombre fabrics oﬀers an authentic, rustic feel, while the vast assortment enables mixing and matching.

TREND:

www.creative-tops.co.uk

Inspired by the sea From its thriving ﬁsh life to its many blue colour variations, the world’s oceans and seas provide the perfect inspiration for many of this season’s new launches STOCKHOLM PACIFIC

Stelton

Royal Doulton

Swedish design duo Bernadotte & Kylberg have created an iconic series of vases and bowls inspired by the sea for Danish design brand Stelton. Taking its inspiration from the Stockholm archipelago and the Baltic Sea, with its ever-changing scenery and aquatic blue colour palette, the Stockholm collection features a range of four bowls and three vases with a pattern named Aquatic – think blue graphics presented in cold enamel on organically shaped aluminium based vases and bowls, with each piece hand-ﬁnished.

Taking inﬂuence from the sea and surrounding landscapes, the new blue and white mix and match dinnerware collection from Royal Doulton delivers six distinctive prints, including the watercolour-inspired Texture, the geometric-shaped Circle Repeat, the sleek Lines pattern and the Dots. Versatility is central to this collection, which can be mixed and matched for every occasion.

www.royaldoulton.com

20 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.stelton.com

WHERE BRANDS COME TO LIFE Are you looking for new partnerships that could transform your business? BLE 2015 is the only event in Europe where you can meet hundreds of leading brand owners and discover thousands of the hottest brands, characters and images available for license. Whether you are a retailer, licensee or sales promotion professional a visit to BLE 2015 will open up a world of new opportunities and partnerships. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this chance to spot the next big thing for your business. See brands come to life at BLE 2015. Register for FREE today, visit www.brandlicensing.eu Organised by

Organisers of

Official Publication

Provider of

Sponsored by

Trends Industry

Touchy feely tableware From exposed stoneware creating a matte feel to techniques like hammering and ﬂuting, tactile surfaces and textured décor on dinnerware is everywhere

T Tisbury, Jasper Conran Wedgwood Inspired by the distinctive Tisbury jug, with its bellied silhouette and signature Jasper Conran angled handle, Tisbury tableware boasts curved lines deﬁned by ﬂuting that is applied in a variety of depths to both interior and exterior.

22 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

exture – whether in the form of a decal, raised or embossed handpainting, a raised relief, matte mica ﬁnish or exposed bisque on stoneware – has historically always had a place in ceramics, a part of its ‘aesthetic arsenal’ if you will. “From throwing ‘rings’ in studio pottery of Bernard Leach or Takeshi Yasuda to innovative cast techniques found in Annette Buganksy or Johnathan Adler’s work in tableware, such as Wedgwood’s Weekday Weekend/Night and Day or Rosenthal’s Century design by Tapio Wirkala, texture has always been part of the ceramics aesthetic,” explains award-winning designer and head of design for Loveramics, Simon Stevens. However, texture is particularly reigning tableware style supreme right now, positioning itself as paramount in modern-day aesthetics. “Texture is a trend right now due to the uncluttering of people’s lives,”

states creative director of Gibson, Robert Story, further pointing out how the ‘green’ and ‘natural elements’ movement that is trending currently is also driving the trend for texture. And, in fact, Gibsons recently unveiled several new textured collections at the New York Tabletop Market, including Hampton Gardens (raised ﬂorals) and Rowland (stoneware with exposed bisque). Another driver is the desire consumers currently have for craftlike products, with many of the textured tableware products on oﬀer today delivering such a look and feel. “Texture can add a craft element to a design and the ceramic craft look, which has been a trend for the last few years, continues to surge,” says Simon, explaining how customers today are looking for a less manufactured feel. “Texture adds a real ceramic quality to the design allowing glaze to ‘break’ on the surface,” says Simon,

Why texture matters We ask industry experts for their feedback on texture in tableware

Keith Nye, MD, Tradestock

Gilded Pearl, Marchesa by Lenox Inspired by the intricate beaded detail found on one of Marchesa’s favourite couture gowns, Gilded Pearl ﬁne bone china dinnerware boasts hand-applied white enamel dots, giving the pattern amazing dimension and a jewellery-like texture. highlighting Loveramics Weave, a line of functional forms embellished with beautiful textures inspired by nature like the soft diamond shape of a crisp newly formed leaf and watery coloured glazes. “The tactile patterns weave and ﬂow over each piece, while the watery coloured glazes break over the contours of the design, delivering a beautiful craft feel,” says Simon. Equally tactile with a craft-like feel is Sophie Conran for Portmeirion’s award-winning porcelain collection. “I think the range is so popular because it’s just so tactile,” says Sophie Conran. The design is modern yet timeless, with a ribbed texture that has an elegant yet traditional handthrown pottery feel. This tactile element of texture is much desired by consumers, adding another dimension to tabletop. “It adds a tactile element that is more crafted and intimate, giving a more emotional connection to the product and allowing the customer to interact with the product in a sensual way,” explains Simon. “A textured design not only means pieces have more personality,

Dressed, Alessi Designed by Marcel Wanders, Dressed is a white porcelain dinnerware set where textured relief decoration is applied to secluded areas, a little out of sight, but which is rich and complex – ﬂowery and a little baroque.

but they move away from a manufactured feel. Customers are looking for individuality and texture helps to achieve this.” Shoji Hosoi of Noritake concurs: “Texture in tableware may work to stimulate people’s haptic sense and make them want to touch it,” says Shoji, pointing to Noritake’s BoB & WoW (Black on Black, White on White) casual collection, which delivers a subtle textured design that sits on the body quietly, adding value to it. “It adds more depth, feeling and shades of nuance to the body and design, giving more value to the item,” explains Shoji. This desire to touch and feel the product can help with the sale of such product in-store. “Tableware has to be visually appealing, but it must also resonate with consumers from a tactile point of view as consumers like to be able to pick a piece up and feel it,” says Portmeirion Group’s marketing manager, further explaining how this actually forms a big part of the decision to purchase. “Consumers are more inclined to touch and have a physical connection

to a textured item.” Consumers also know that textured items are generally the result of a lot of hard work and careful design, meaning texture can and does create higher perceived value. “Consumers feel they are buying something in which a lot of skill, care and attention detail has been invested. They are a visual representation of the labour-intensive design and manufacture process,” say Portmeirion Group. It’s not the only thing it achieves, though. Like with the Sophie Conran for Portmeirion collection, whose rippled body and curved edges echo the potter’s hand, textured and tactile dinnerware can create a certain mood, providing people with a feeling of comfort, for example. “Texture isn’t just another element – it helps to define the specific mood that we’re trying to project. Texture can make people feel anything from whimsy to comfort,” says Robert citing Gibson’s Renaissance Eyelet as comforting… “a confluence of textures which form a pleasing visual and tactile medley invoking feelings of simple comforts.”

“As well as adding to the aesthetics of tabletop, texturing can sometimes add a practical value, like Tradestock’s non-slip FreeForm mock-croc trayscum-placemats, which boast an embossed textured surface oﬀering non-slip properties. Natural slateware, which oﬀers subtle texturing is popular at the moment with the trend towards natural, rustic products being used to embrace the growing artisan/deli food movement.”

Joan Bolick, Vietri “Adding texture can give dimension without looking cluttered and adds depth and warmth. Layering texture is huge, especially with dinnerware. White collections are most popular – our Incanto range interchanges lace, stripes, ruﬄes and baroque textures for a versatile chic look. And the handmade nature of our products in combination with these tactile embellishments remind consumers that each piece is touched by the hands of the artisan.”

Portmeirion Group “There is a definitely a trend for texture and it generally reflects what is happening in the world of fashion. It’s a very modern trend that goes hand-in-hand with the move towards more relaxed and deconstructed dining. Pieces are visually appealing, tactile, different and add a point of difference.”

Maxwell & Williams “Texture adds interest and versatility. Textured pieces in a collection gives more variety, scope and longevity. Consumers today are opting to add colour and texture in order to re-style their existing collections or to highlight or dress up pieces. It is especially important with whiteware to add layering, and adding textured pieces create interest and a new look. Cashmere Charming offers a delicate design of fluted tactile edges, offering interesting yet compatible pieces to the entire Charming range.” TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 23

Organza, Vera Wang Wedgwood Bringing the Vera Wang tableware portfolio to a more contemporary audience, Organza is inspired by the sought-after Diedre bridal gown. Beautifully sculpted white-on-white fine bone china echoes the rich textures and luxe layering of Vera’s original organza fabric. All white now Because adding texture to pieces is a way of applying artistic detail without introducing elements like colour or pattern, texture is invariably used with neutral coloured dinnerware. And this is so with white tableware in particular – as the element of texture adds individuality and personality, while maintaining the benefits of whiteware, a demand particularly popular in hospitality and by those who are professional cooks at home. “White is the most popular look in ceramics as it provides a neutral canvas to present food,” says Simon. Therefore, employing textures helps differentiate it from other white ranges and adds a higher perceived value. More importantly, explains Simon, it adds depth to a design, offering another element for the customer to engage with. “Texture is profoundly important with all-white dinnerware,” says Simon, Loveramics. 24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Marketing manager Sherri Crisenbery of Lenox agrees: “Everyone loves white dinnerware and texture is a great way to have a point of interest without adding colour or pattern,” explains Sherri. “Texture provides ‘style’ while still remaining neutral,” she says, pointing to Lenox’s Entertain 365 Collection. “Entertain 365 is a complete system for home entertaining featuring 30 versatile white porcelain shapes and sizes in three contemporary carved and textured patterns that all work together,” says Sherri, explaining how the use of shape and texture on the all-white system allows people to create different combinations. Loveramics’ Flute is another example of an all-white textured collection designed for today’s contemporary customers who wish to mix and match. “Flute is a bone china collection that is embossed with three different flutes inspired by 18th century fluted

Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Sophie’s award-winning porcelain range features a ribbed design that communicates a hand-thrown pottery feel.

silverware,” says Simon. “Mixing the various flutes gives the range another dimension, providing a design that feels modern and relevant.” Fluting is in fact a common textured design used on white to create tactile surfaces. Others include Vista Alegre’s Sagres collection, a simple yet sophisticated collection, with the fluting making this stunning white pattern shine; Maxwell & Williams’ Charming range, featuring a delicate design of fluted tactile edges in fine bone china; and the recently-launched Jasper Conran for Wedgwood Tisbury range – its curved lines defined by fluting is applied in varying depths to both the interior and exterior. This year has seen lots of new textured whiteware hit retailers. Nikko’s Washi white bone china collection, which is a mainstay of the high-end hospitality market, is now on offer at retail (Nikko presented it to buyers at the recent New York Tabletop Market in April); the ancient technique of handmade Japanese paper Washi has been cleverly adapted to the china creating an innovative textured scrunched-up paper look. Michael Aram recently launched

Palace dinnerware, Limoges pieces with carved geometric shapes reflecting the architecture of Eastern palaces; while Creative Tops this year debuted Katie Alice Rustic Lace, terracotta dinnerware with a white glaze featuring a textured vintageinspired lace décor. And because there are no other distractions, such as colour or pattern, these collections and pieces invariably highlight ‘good design’. “It communicates an appreciation for design,” says Robert at Gibson. “There’s no seduction by other elements, apart from the way the light reflects off of the surface and the way glaze pools in the design.” Petal Scratch by Gibson, for example, works with a black pallet, which means texture becomes the most important design element, allowing for the expression of geometric vitality.

Texturing trends Recent trends in texture, which continue to be popular include the country chic craft-like vintage feel achieved with embossed reliefs and watery glazes. Collections like Creative Tops’ new Katie Alice Rustic Lace dinnerware and Lenox’s French

Loveramics Bone china collection Flute is embossed with three different flutes and mixing the flutes delivers even more dimension and variety.

Barber & Osgerby for Royal Doulton

Noritake The BoB (black on black) and WoW (white on white) casual collections oﬀer a subtle texture design adding depth and value and they mix together for even more variety.

Perle – think a beautiful beaded motif found on embroidered fabrics embossed on to a stoneware body – are good examples of this. Hammered effect textures continue to be popular too – think Mikasa’s Hammersmith Slate dinnerware featuring a full-coverage metallic hammered decal on a porcelain body, and Gibson Home’s Hammered Shades range with its handwashed finish. And then there are textures replicating exotic animal skins – like Twig New York’s textured canapé dishes in pastel shades. Layla and Charlotte are so popular, they have this season been extended to include vases and cups and saucers; and Tradestock’s Freeform placematscum-trays, which feature textures inspired by luxury skins. The latest texture trend to hit the shows is the rough matte exposed stoneware feel, offering as it does a luxury craft feel (see right). Whether the texture is fluting, pebbled, hammered or embossed, and whether it is full-on or simply an accent to certain pieces, texture can add variety, a point of difference and importantly for retailers, a higher perceived price point.

Gibson

Trend: exposed stoneware The exposed stoneware look and feel is on trend now, with a number of new stoneware dinnerware collections featuring exposed areas – whether just the rim or larger parts – that deliver a matte look and textured feel adding a sense of craftsmanship. Known for its early history in manufacturing stoneware, and the salt-glazed clay pipes, in particular, iconic British brand Royal Doulton has returned to this look with its new Olio collection. Degrenne Paris A new partnership with London-based designers Barber & Osgerby, Olio is a range inspired by handmade ceramic pieces and features exposed stoneware, providing a natural variation of colour in each piece, whether in white, blue or red and black. Meanwhile, Vera Wang’s latest casual collection for Autumn 2015 – Vera Gradients – not only features three trending organic colourways – Linen, Clay and Mist – but a soft grey matte band on the rims, delivering texture like that of exposed stoneware. Similarly, French brand Degrenne Paris’ brand new Terra range delivers a mix of textures. The result of combining classic enamelling with matte enamelling, it juxtaposes a more natural rough material with the delicate luxury of a shiny surface. The Terra range comes in a palette of colours inspired by spices, including poppy, cumin and sesame. Finally, Gibson unveiled a new stoneware collection at the recent New York Tabletop Market. Rowland is a collection of stoneware dinnerware boasting a reactive high glaze and featuring exposed bisque for that contemporary handcrafted look. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

Neptune â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fine beauty

41 Madison â&#x20AC;˘ 14th floor 212-684-8888

www.auratic.com

Trends Column

Tableware Trend Analyst Donna Ferrari

Donna Ferrari has worked in magazine publishing for over thirty years. As a consumer magazine editor she specialised in the tableware, homeware and bridal markets, and styled and produced stories related to bridal gift registry, wedding reception design and at-home entertaining. Personally, she has eleven diﬀerent sets of dinnerware and closets dedicated just to tabletop accessories; she says she loves not ever having to set her table the same way twice.

Doron Merdinger

Michael Aram

Decorative motifs

Designs with roots reflecting an array off global styles is a leading trend in today’s’s tableware bazaar. Here, tableware specialist Donna Ferrari takes a world view on tabletop design Decorative motifs The ornamental arabesque motif with its intertwined lines is trending on a number of tableware products. Artěl transforms the motif into a bold repeat on its Arabesque collection of non-lead crystal offered in assorted semi-precious colours. Alain Saint-Joanis’s Arabesque silver plate flatware takes a cursive approach to the design on a dual mirrored and matte finish. Doron Merdinger focused on the profound mathematical codes upon which arabesque designs are based to design his Arabesque fine bone china dinnerware with12k gold decals. The decorative decals are scaled to each plate’s size so when layered in a place setting the design flows from one plate to the next. To shape the Palace collection Michael Aram took insight from the ornamental balusters, finials and intricate carving on India’s Moghul and grand palace architecture. The collection includes non-lead crystal glassware, stainless steel flatware and Limoges porcelain dinnerware; the china is matte glazed to create an interplay of light and shadows on the pattern’s surface. Fürstenberg’s Rajasthan porcelain dinnerware, with a décor by Peter Kempe, takes an exuberant approach to fashioning a pattern inspired by India’s gold decorated temples, ubiquitous latticework, and colorful textiles and spices. The result is a design that references a culture yet is so stylised it would fit in on any table in the world.

Textile and tile

Fürstenberg

Artěl

28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIO INTERNATIONAL

Globally inspired

Alain Saint-Joanis is

Designers traversing the globe for inspirational ideas are adapting old art forms to new products, among them ideas based on textiles and tile work. Rendered in hues of ruby, emerald and sapphire, with 24k

matte gold accents, the pattern of Hermès’s Voyage en Ikat porcelain dinnerware is designed to emulate ikat fabric’s tie-dyed woven threads. For all its luxe quality the pattern strikes a prepossessing informal tone consistent with ikat’s handworked heritage and today’s taste for easygoing elegance. Named for the Hindu principle of divine energy, Kim Seybert’s Shakti collection has five (including the Ikat pattern) different, but interchangeable, porcelain dinnerware patterns. Across the range the crackled glazes and the sensuous overtones of the designs are again examples of patterns that address consumer’s interest in tableware with a sophisticated yet relaxed feel. An ikat style design is also seen on Hampton Forge Signature’s stainless steel Regal flatware. The dinnerware patterns in dbO Home’s Mahru Collaboration With John Robshaw Textiles incorporate stamping techniques, similar to the ones India’s artisans use for woodblock printed fabrics, to emboss designs into the hand-cut and hand-formed porcelain. At Vista Alegre the Calçada Portuguesa set-of-four porcelain coffee cups and saucers, designed by Manoela Medeiros, reference the tile work and ornamental cobblestones used to pave Portuguese streets. Q Squared Design’s blue and white Talavera melamine tableware takes inspiration from the traditional tile designs of Mexico’s world famous Talavera workshops, and from Images d’Orient the Safra porcelain dinnerware pattern echoes the intricate S-shaped ogees, decorative corbels and zellige tile designs that are so familiar in Islamic ic cultures.

Looking East Chinoiserie was one ne of the ﬁrst design movements to have a global

L’Objet Mikasa

Looking East Celestial Diesel Living With Seletti

Deshoulières

Alberto Pinto

Vista Alegre impact following its introduction in 17th-century Europe. Recent takes on this trend are as follows: Alberto Pinto’s Shanghai Limoges porcelain dinnerware evokes classic blue and white Chinese export porcelain but the dynamic scale of the dinnerware’s hand-painted lantern-like globes, replete with lotus, peony and chrysanthemum ﬂowers, gives it a 21st century point of view; L’Objet’s Han dinnerware (available in white, gold and platinum) in Limoges porcelain is modelled on a Chinese Han Dynasty design as iconographic as the Greek key is in the West; and Scalamandre by Lenox’s Toile Tale white china collection (available in ﬁve colourways) turns picturesque toile de Jouy pagodas and Chinese scenery into a pattern of everyday dinnerware. More patterns that speak to the market for crossroads in aesthetics are Deshoulières’s Vigne Limoges porcelain dinnerware (available in white and blue) which has a vine motif suggestive of Persian style design, and Mikasa’s Antonia pattern (available in Gold or Blanc) which appears to combine the intricacy of Persian calligraphy and the endless thread of a Celtic Knot.

Taste for the exotic Not long ago dinnerware decorated with leopard or zebra prints was about as exotic as consumers were willing to go when buying tableware. Now customers embrace tableware with a full-on sense of fantasy and adventurous style oﬀ the beaten t track track. Villeroy & Boch Boch’ss

Bernardaud rdaud

Samarkand premium porcelain series of dinnerware (Samarkand Mandarin pictured), named for the city at the centre of the Silk Road, is decorated with designs inspired by the tribal and nomadic cultures trading opulent goods along the famed caravan route. Journeying imaginary creatures and landscapes from a mythical paradise onto tableware describes Jacqueline Cambata’s Shangri-La pattern in Limoges porcelain. On-trend with the market for coloured tumblers, Royale de Champagne’s Marco Polo gold-rimmed crystal glasses have the shape of traditional tea glasses but will do just as well for wine or water; the glasses are sold individually or in a set of six colours. Hering Berlin calls its Alif porcelain range a collection of Oriental dishes; the designs are based on protective symbols sourced from the ancient court of the Caliph of Baghdad and the shapes and sizes in the collection are designed for those with a taste for everything from mezze and pide to pasta.

Tribal and folkloric The designs on the Aboro Limoges porcelain dinnerware collection, designed by Sarah Lavoine for Bernardaud, reﬂect the cycle of life, elements of nature, and the world of dreams expressed in the art of the Aborigine people. Tribal designs also appear on Deviehl’s Arusha espresso cup with chassis; the porcelain body has a PVD ﬁnish which is decorated with multiple m ultiple colours and metallic m etallic gold and silver

undertones hand-painted by Gail Klevan. Wedgwood’ss Mythical Creatures by Kit Kemp is a bone china dinnerware warre collection with designs based d on n an embroidered fabric Kemp designed sign ned with her own fanciful folkloricc an and nd imaginative imagery.

We may be thinking globally but interstellar style is already at hand. Diesel Living With Seletti tti has a porcelain Moon plate in its Cosmic osmic Diner collection; Theresienthal’s resienthal’s Planet Earth h collection has a crystal stal tumbler with an astronaut ﬂoating ng in spacee and tenberg’s Fürstenberg’s Clair de Lune décor,r, on the Auréole ole shape designed gned by Kap-Sun Sun Hwang, presents ents the phases of thee moon, which — transposed posed onto o porcelain in black, k, white and d 24k gold – takee on a who whole ole new light.

Images d’Orient

Hermès

Villeroy & Boch

Royale de Champagne

Taste for the exotic

Wedgwood

Tribal and folkloric

Textile and tile

Celestial

Hering Berlin Deviehl

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 29

Retail

Column

Barry Seaman

Plate Tableware

What millenials want

Plate Tableware opened 10 years ago in Fulham, London, and stocks a contemporary range of tabletop, cookware, accessories and giftware for those with a passion for cooking and entertaining at home. Owner, Barry Seaman, sees dining as a great artistic opportunity and selects products from British and European brands for their quality, design and functionality. www.platetableware.co.uk

In our new and regular column, British independent tableware retailer Barry Seaman delivers his perspective on the retail scene

here are a set of key principals in modern day retailing that I have always adhered to in order to make my shop successful. Knowing your core customer is fundamental. I like to understand my customers... ‘my tribe’. By appreciating their lifestyle, knowing what motivates them and what makes them feel good I am able to appeal to their every need. In return, they come to love my shop and form an emotional connection with it. They buy into my dream, my image and my brand. However, things are changing. There is a new core customer in town – the most important customer my business has ever seen. They are about to move into their prime spending years and are poised to make a huge impact in reshaping the economy. Who are they? They are Generation Y – better known as ‘millennials’ – birth years ranging from early 1980s to early 2000s. A demographic cohort reaching adulthood by the turn of the 21st century, the millennials have grown up during a time of rapid change – technological advancement, globalisation and economic disruption – giving them a set of priorities and expectations sharply diﬀerent from previous generations. Knowing their traits will tell me how best to interact with them and create a millennial-friendly customer

30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

experience and approach. They are certainly going to change how I buy and sell and how I do business for some years to come. Millennials are savvy with technology. They have grown up with it, they embrace it and adopt new forms of it – especially mobile technology. It has shaped the way they shop. They research online before they shop and while they shop as instant access allows them to be more informed by researching product information, reading peer reviews and comparing prices. They are a very social group, love adventure, enjoy experimental and unique experiences and often shop, dine and travel in groups and are eager to connect and inform us of what they are doing – as shown through their Facebook and other online identities. Collaboration, co-operation and the community is of utmost importance. They are passionate about values and causes they care about and integrate their beliefs into the choice of companies to support. They see no boundary between customer and brand. Companies only start the brand; millennials want to co-create it. They have a reluctance to move out on their own, to enter the housing market and spend money on luxury products. Instead, they have turned to services that provide access to products without the burden of

ownership and so have helped spawn a ‘sharing economy’. A dedication to wellness and devoting time and money to exercising and eating well, millennials are serious about food, dine out regularly and love to cook and entertain at home. Dining out usually involves experiencing new cuisines in unusual venues. Millennials embrace relaxed and informal dining at home, favouring a more ‘touchy-feely’ Jamie Oliverinspired intimate gathering with friends. Dinner party hosts no longer lay an immaculate table and ‘wait on’ their passive guests. Diners are expected to be more active in helping themselves. This tribe prides itself on individuality and putting together a mix and match style in order to create a unique identity. Accordingly, we need to curate a product offering with care by selecting unique and eclectic items with a back story that are as visually engaging as they are functional, allowing hosts to express themselves and wow their guests with their discriminate taste – bowls, plates, boards, paddles and platters made from eco-friendly materials that are conducive to finger food, tasting plates, sharing menus and designed to serve specific cuisines. Due to a high design ethic, products now make perfect gifts and are not purchased for personal use only. Current bestsellers include LSA’s

Paddle and Stilt ranges; Collectively Artisan’s earthy bowls with their bold colours and tribal feel; and Zuperzozial’s bowls, which are made from bamboo ﬁbre and corn powder. As retailers we are now forced to re-think our in-store merchandising and marketing to cater for the needs of this new tribe; to create an environment that people want to be in, with an ordered, logical and enticing layout. Displays that are interactive, that inspire and that oﬀer information, back stories and price comparisons. Treat your shop like a fashion boutique by mixing and matching products that are currently on trend in order to entice. A great product range needs to be supported by a multitude of other service channels with an emphasis on technology. An inviting, informative e-commerce website is only the start. Millennials now expect easy payment systems and click and collect services. A social media presence is crucial, not just posting and tweeting but connecting through other channels, allowing customers to co-create and have input in steering your brand. Economic turbulence often encourages greater creativity. Our new core millennial customer is certainly geared to advance that. As architect and interior designer Frank Lloyd-Wright once said, “Dining is and always was a great artistic opportunity”, a quote that appears on my shop wall – just as a reminder!

Concerto Collection VETRERIE RIUNITE SpA BUSINESS UNIT VETRI DELLE VENEZIE

info@vetridellevenezie.it www.vetridellevenezie.com

Retail

Russia

From Russia with luxury

Elena Sokolova

Moscow-based multi-brand tabletop retail chain Dom Farfora has retained not just its name and location but its unique product specialisation of luxury high quality tableware for the past 50 years. We talk to its chief buyer about what makes it stand out from the crowd

nown in English as The House of Porcelain, Dom Farfora is a multi-brand retail chain with eight stores located in key points throughout Moscow in Russia, and dedicated to luxury and premium level tableware.

A rich past The ﬂagship store, located right in the centre of Moscow on the famed Gagarinskaya Square, was founded in 1965 within the framework of the Soviet retail development at a time (the Sixties, known as the thaw period) when consumers were being given the chance to enjoy more opportunities and services within a retail environment. One of the approaches was the establishment of specialised retail stores, each selling groups of specialised product – think Dom Mebeli (The House of Furniture) and Dom Tkani (The House of Textiles) – and operating not just as retail 32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

stores, but as points of culture and high-level client services. Occupying the ground floor of a dwelling house with a 120m-long front, the store originally consisted of six separate halls forming a suite of rooms, with each hall bearing the name of one of the Soviet porcelain factories – Dmitrov porcelain, Riga porcelain – as the only porcelain, glass, crystal and silver tableware sold back then was that which was made in the USSR. And despite the country’s unstable times and economic problems after the fall of the Soviet Union, the store continued to stay true to its original product profile. Dom Farfora was then purchased in 2001 by a group of shareholders willing to develop its unique profile, including reconstruction of the building – the store occupies the ground floor of a dwelling house. Its prolonged rectangular layout demanded highly-skilled architects and taking up the challenge, British architectural bureau JHP in London

split the space into smaller sections.

True to its roots Today, the now 50-year-old flagship store consists of five main rooms and four ante rooms and continues to focus on the luxury segment, offering only tableware and giftware, including porcelain, crystal and silverware, and with a focus on dinnerware, stemware, flatware, giftware and textiles. Each room is dedicated to a different product category or a brand or group of brands. One main room houses French luxury brands and silver brands like Odiot, Puiforcat, Saint-Louis, Lalique, Christofle, Daum and Robbe & Berking. Another delivers only Moser crystal and Meissen porcelain, while another features casual and formal brands like Lenox, Portmeirion, Villeroy & Boch and Eisch. Meanwhile, the ante rooms, located between rooms, are themed in category – contemporary dinnerware in one room (think

Sieger by Fuerstenberg) and handpainted luxury dinnerware (Herend, Royal Crown Derby, Haviland, JL Coquet) in another. Far from being just a standalone store, however, Dom Farfora has since set up six other boutiques in different prestige parts of Moscow: one is at street level; the others are located in shopping malls, the format of each depending upon the profile of the location or shopping centre. One boutique sells only luxury product, two others deliver a mix of luxury and higher-end casual products. And while one offers both dinnerware and household, another is dedicated to casual, and yet another focuses on giftware. In addition, Dom Farfora has an exclusive distribution contract with GUM, a well-known large department store based in the heart of Moscow. With its windows facing the Kremlin, GUM is in a prestigious location and Dom Farfora not only supplies the boutique with its luxury

tableware, but is responsible for merchandising and product training.

Luxury offerings Offering product in both the everyday and formal dining categories, chief buyer Elena Sokolova says Dom Farfora’s positioning is very much upper casual and luxury and that the high quality of the product and its origin from the best possible brands in each category is the most important criteria in the selection of product. “The mission of the store is to unite all of the world’s best tableware and giftware brands into one area,” says Elena, pointing to brands such as Meissen, Moser, Herend, Royal Crown Derby, Haviland, Royal Copenhagen, Christofle, Daum, Puiforcat, Fuerstenberg, JL Coquet, L’Objet, Rosenthal, Portmeirion, Lenox, Noritake, Dibbern, Villeroy & Boch, Michael Aram and Gien, to name but a few. Offering unique or exclusive product – Dom Farfora is the exclusive distributors of Meissen, Moser and Lenox in Russia – is also key for the store.

Already standing as an arbiter of good taste and great quality in tableware and giftware, the store believes it has a duty to introduce to its clients the best new brands in each of its categories. “Dom Farfora sees its mission in developing the taste of its clients, opening doors to the best new products and explaining the main tendencies in design,” explains Elena. And to achieve this, Dom Farfora’s buyers visit shows such as Maison & Objet in Paris, Ambiente in Frankfurt and The New York Tabletop Market in New York in order to source such new product and discover new and relevant brands. “We are keen to introduce and build up brands that are not currently known in the Russian market and to help these achieve brand awareness,” says Elena, pointing to the store’s recentlyformed relationships with L’Objet, Puiforcat and Duccio di Segna, all of which were selected for their strength in giftware and tableware. “Last year we started to work with L’Objet, a brand we feel is artistic, growing well and particularly strong in giftware,” says Elena, pointing

“The mission of the store is to unite all of the world’s best tableware and giftware brands into one area.” Chief Buyer, Elena Sokolova out how this introduction was met positively by the store’s clients. “We are now ﬁnding L’Obet giftware, such as candles, napkin rings, photo frames, packs of teaspoons and the swan bowls are really popular among our clients.” Another recent acquisition by the store was Italian crystal brand Duccio di Segna, with its artistic approach and balanced prices. And just last month, April 2015, Dom Farfora oﬃcially launched Puiforcat, with a special event for loyal clients. “We have started collaborating with Puiforcat, a renowned French silversmiths with a great history, strong artistic traditions and classical and Art Deco style, as well as a strong link to Russian history – Russian Tsars once received Puiforcat masterpieces as diplomatic gifts from the French,” explains Elena, who heads up a team of buying analysts, each analysing the rotation of goods and responsible for re-assortment.

What consumers want In addition to introducing new brands and collections, Elena sets a commercial trend and this year, despite a negative economic trend in Russia, will continue to introduce novelty products in diﬀerent segments, as well as developing, together with the manufacturers, a special product for Dom Farfora. “Dom Farfora wants to be distinctive in its assortment in all product niches, from luxury to everyday. It has no interest in selling a mass open-access product,” explains Elena. “During springtime, we develop and agree upon a special product for New Year and Christmas sales,” says Elena, explaining how in Russia, the New Year holiday is the most popular family festive time. “Our customers buy a lot of gifts for family and friends and love presents that reﬂect their best wishes. One popular present is an

Did you know…? The 50-year-old Dom Farfora – also known as The House of Porcelain – boasts seven boutiques across Moscow including the ﬂagship store located right in the centre of Moscow, a further store on the street, and ﬁve more within shopping centres, each delivering a slightly different focus depending upon its exact location, from a focus on casual dining to a focus on giftware. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 33

Retail

Russia

annual Chinese zodiac, so we always work in advance with manufacturers to create porcelain or crystal giftware based on the zodiac.” Dom Farfora’s clients are loyal and multiple buyers, with a passion for luxury brands and high quality high-value product with history and craftsmanship, explains Elena. “They are interested in capitalising their money and so investing in product with value,” says Elena, highlighting how in the last two months of last year, the store had a surge in sales of hand-painted dinnerware, mouth-blown crystal drinkware and silverware. The approach in terms of sales of tableware at Dom Farfora is highly personalised, with dinnerware sold as separate pieces, rather than in sets. “Traditionally, Russian consumers tend to buy dinnerware for six to 12 people, but in our store, they buy it piece by piece, so they can choose individual pieces they like and can aﬀord, putting less pressure on them and helping them plan their budget,” explains Elena. Elena further explains that for Russians choosing dinnerware is not an easy decision-making process. “Sometimes the client comes to the store several times before making a decision,” says Elena. One of things clients appreciate is the provision of inspiration that Dom Farfora oﬀers via table displays. “Many consumers like to have a ready-to-implement choice in their decision over dinnerware, which we 34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“Dom Farfora sees its mission in developing the taste of its clients, opening doors to the best new products and explaining the main tendencies in design.” Chief Buyer, Elena Sokolova

offer via our decorated tables,” says Elena. “It showcases a mix and match of porcelain, glass, cutlery, textiles and accessories, all from different brands, and we have found that an impressive display can influence decisions, with the consumer wanting to replicate this at home. “The tables are individual and eye-catching and are regularly redressed and the exposition in casual product reflects the seasonal and colour preferences,” says Elena. Aside from such centrallyplaced tables and pedestals, which showcase inspiration and mix up brands, product at Dom Farfora is displayed brand by brand, with the 1,000 sqm floor space of the store split into brand corners, which occupy the perimeter walls. “The space is split into areas – luxury, luxury contemporary style, luxury handpainted, giftware, casual porcelain dinnerware, country style dinnerware, kitchenware and gadgets, offering easy guidance to the consumer when they enter the store,” explains Elena. So what sort of product or type of dinnerware is in demand in Russia? Formal dinnerware remains popular, it seems. “Our clients are building new houses, buying new flats, and they like to show their homes to their friends – dinnerware demonstrates their social status,” says Elena, pointing to brands like Meissen, Herend, Royal Crown Derby and

Fuerstenberg as those most popular on the formal dining front. “With casual dinnerware, Lenox, Noritake and Portmeirion products sell really well,” says Elena. While individual tastes and preferences do of course diﬀer, Elena says that in general Russians like white dinnerware with a relief pattern; in shades of ivory and beige, pastel hues and gold or platinum décor on the rim. And when it comes to key products, teapots and decanters are among two products much soughtafter. “Tea is one of the most popular drinks in Russia and people love to brew high-quality leaf tea in a proper teapot,” says Elena, also highlighting that Russian consumers love big cups, from 250-330ml.

Not just selling Far from acting just as a showcase for luxury tableware and giftware, however, Dom Farfora delivers additional interactive experiences to engage with and educate its loyal clients, including in-store events and experiences. “We hold in-store events dedicated to individual brands two to three times a year,” says Elena, pointing out how last year they welcomed designer Michael Aram whose luxury product is sold throughout the store. “The clients enjoyed talking with Michael, learning more about his creative plans and had the chance to get his signature on the product

purchased in the store, further helping with sales.” The store also oﬀers exclusive events that engage the services of a silver or crystal engraver or porcelain hand painter from a selected manufacturer oﬀering clients free engravings on certain product. Previous events have included a collaboration with renowned crystal manufacturer Moser. This year, the year of its 50th birthday, Dom Farfora has already delivered one big event in April, launching French silverware brand Puiforcat, which attracted 200 clients. Hosted by head of Hermes Maison Helen Dubrule, the event included a special exposition of Puiforcat museum replicas specially imported for the party (the prototypes belong to the Russian Tsarina Catherine II, Anna of Austria, French King Louis IVI), an engraving masterclass from a specialist engraver, and a champagne tasting held by a champagne sommelier and using a Puiforcat special-design silver goblet. The retail chain will be planning other client events this year, one dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the store, others will be focused on delivering specialist engravers. Further plans for the year ahead include the introduction of new brands, the amelioration of client services and the growth of its online business; while the brand currently has an e-commerce facility, its share in business is small, though growing. www.domfarfora.ru

Bestsellers at…

Dom Farfora Lenox In the casual dinnerware category the 15-year-old Butterfly Meadow pattern from Lenox flies off the shelves.

AWARD WINNING DESIGN

Robbe & Berking There are three very popular and in-demand flatware collections in the store: the silver-plated Martele flatware from Robbe & Berking (pictured), the sterling silver Demidoff flatware from Odiot and the Palladio collection from Wilkens.

RIDGE COFFEE POD C AROUSEL

by Alvaro Ur ibe

Moser On the glassware front, it is Czech crystal brand Moser that appeals to Dom Farfora clients, with the Lady Hamilton range (pictured) favourite.

CURVO ALL-PURPOSE TONGS

by Steve Cozzolino

www.nambe .com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 35

Profile LENOX

Going global Available in just 25 countries outside of the US in 2010, Lenox’s international growth has been phenomenal in the past five years with delivery of its high quality high-design product now reaching 80 countries. We discussed global strategy, customer support and country-specific demands with Lenox’s President Lester Gribetz and Lenox’s Executive Vice-President, International Jayson Score Lenox has been selling its product outside of the US since the nineties. How did such growth begin and subsequently develop? We began selling internationally in the 1990s, with some of our early customers hailing from South Korea, Japan and some of the Caribbean islands. However, it was ‘opportunistic’, whereby if the opportunity presented itself, Lenox would sell overseas. The primary driver to expand internationally with a focused strategy only came with the current ownership and management team. We began our international initiative in 2010. We started moving into Europe, opening an office in Germany, and then hiring people to work in Asia to grow sales there. Today, we are deliberate with our expansion and set higher expectations for our international partners.

And has Lenox’s international growth strategy worked? Absolutely. Just before we began the initiative in 2009 we were in about 25 countries. Today, we are in 76

countries and by the end of this year our expectation is to expand to at least 80. International is one of our growth strategies where we have experienced double digit percentage gains since 2010 and we expect that to continue into the foreseeable future.

Why do you think that Lenox is so sought-after all over the world? Retailers throughout the globe are seeking Lenox out because they want to bring to market products that no one else in their market offers. It is true that Lenox was for many years USAcentric and so less known than other brands in other countries. However, the fact that we are the premier high quality fine dinnerware manufacturer in the US holding the number one position in almost all categories in the US market has very high appeal globally. Lenox has a long history of supplying products to The White House and to other dignitaries and govenors’ mansions and this appeals to the international customer – they could be eating off dinnerware that comes from the same factory as the

US President. Crucially though, they like Lenox because of the impeccable quality of the ﬁne bone china that is made in the United States and its technical capabilities. We have an incredible design team producing designs and patterns that can be described as artistry on dinnerware and all of which have the ability to translate globally.

With so many different tastes, styles and demands worldwide, how is it that Lenox patterns have such international appeal? Not all patterns appeal to consumers in all countries but we have so many patterns that several will always appeal. However, the classic Lenox patterns that are 50 or 100 years old continue to have the widest appeal globally, such as Westchester, which is 100 years old this year, as well as Republic, Eternal, Solitaire. They appeal to various cultures and are some of the bestsellers internationally. Butterﬂy Meadow is the market leader in casual dinnerware, while in ﬁne dinnerware, Autumn, Westchester, Republic, Tuxedo, Eternal,

Solitaire and Opal Innocence are bestsellers. In recent years several of the Marchesa by Lenox patterns like Empire Pearl have gained popularity overseas. Marchesa patterns have Asian ﬂair, so in Asia the patterns are popular.

And do you create customised patterns or pieces for other markets? We don’t create patterns specific to other markets – the Lenox patterns have such great appeal anyway and we offer so many patterns that we have something for every culture. However, in many countries we will collaborate to build product – shapes and types of product – exclusive to that market, which will differentiate the local offering. For example, a rice bowl in China is different than a rice bowl in South Korea. Additionally, we know that countries like Italy and Brazil require an espresso cup to sell products. Lenox does many marketspecific development projects each year. The number one markets we do this in is South Korea, which has very specific bowl shapes and where we now have some eight sizes of

Did you know…? Lenox is particularly strong in a number of countries including South Korea, Philippines, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Poland and Azerbaijan; while its Dansk brand is very strong in Asia, with Japan leading the way. 36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Global bestsellers What the retailers have to say…

Lenox Butterﬂy Meadow Trellis

“Lenox is among our bestselling brands and we can’t imagine our shops without the brand. Butterﬂy Meadow and Opal Innocence are bestsellers in Lenox’s casual line, while the Pearl Innocence and Spring Vista lines sell best in formal. Among designer lines, Marchesa Rose is a bridal and giftware bestseller.”

Elena Sokolova, chief buyer, Dom Farfora, Moscow, Russia “We have been selling Lenox for the past nine years and though we oﬀer both casual and formal, we mainly sell casual collections, with Butterﬂy Meadow the bestseller. In fact, Lenox is among our total bestsellers due to its quality and great name.”

Mary Saraﬁdis, executive buyer, Parousiasi, Greece

Lenox Westchester

bowls. We are currently working on new development projects for Brazil, China, South Korea and Taiwan. Our country-speciﬁc development is not only centered around dinnerware – we have also developed several items related to our Disney classics for speciﬁc customers including Japan.

How do you keep in tune with such country-specific demands? The Lenox sales model is not a direct to consumer model but a partner model and because of this, we are able to learn a lot from our customers. They are our ears and eyes of the market and they know what sells and what doesn’t, so we work closely with them.

And what about your designer brands? Do they help with global brand awareness? Kate Spade New York is the largest designer lifestyle brand in our market worldwide – the brand is known in several international markets including the UK, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil and Mexico. And then there are the co-brands: Marchesa, Donna Karan and DKNY, which help Lenox extend its reach to consumers who associate themselves with these brands. Each brand views its customers

Marchesa by Lenox Shades of Teal

in a slightly diﬀerent demographic and Lenox oﬀers products that have wide consumer appeal.

signs, Plano grams, along with a wide array of silo and feature shot images and copy.

What do you offer international retailers in terms of educating the consumer on the brand and also in terms of support?

So moving forward, what is Lenox’s short-term and long-term aims and goals for its international growth?

When we open in new countries we provide our customers with plenty of historical literature as well as a training deck for the staff. In many cases we have delivered training to the sales staff in countries upon request. We always communicate our main brand values – that Lenox boasts the finest design expertise in the industry and offers the highest quality dinnerware available. From our international sales team to our customer service team, we are available to support our accounts with selling our products on all aspects. We have placed professional Lenox sales people within various territories, such as someone in Hong Kong servicing Asia, in order to look after that area. We have an assortment of materials available such as brochures on our brands, fixture design guidelines, shelf

Looking at our global footprint, we still have countries and territories to enter and our short-term objective is to enter countries like India, Israel, Uruguay and Paraguay. Concurrently, we are looking to drive deeper within each country and to expand our presence in the countries we are already in, with the short-term focus being on doing this in China and Russia, in particular. We are also excited about Eastern European countries like Azerbaijan and the Middle East region, where we are starting in Israel right now. There are no hometown brands in such countries, so we’re on a level playing ﬁeld, gaining our deserved shelf space more easily. Our ultimate goal is to proudly share shelf space with our peers in every market we participate in. For more information, email Jayson_ Score@Lenox.com

“Lenox is one of my bestselling brands. Among the many casual and formal Lenox patterns we sell, Republic, Pearl Platinum, Solitaire, Westchester and Eternal sell best in formal; Butterﬂy Meadow, Opal Innocence Carved and Chirp are bestsellers in casual.”

Suna Genceren, owner, Monev, Turkey “Butterﬂy Meadow is the leading pattern in the casual collections and conventional ivory bone china like Eternal and Autumn are most popular in the formal patterns. From all our brands, Butterﬂy Meadow is the bestseller.”

D.M Han, president, H&G, South Korea “We have sold Dansk collections, including chinaware, glassware, cookware and cutlery for 20 years and Dansk is Sato’s top-selling brand in chinaware and glassware. Our bestselling Dansk collections are Kobenstyle for cookware and Bubble Confetti and Spectra for glassware.”

Hideki Fujino, Dansk section manager and buyer, Sato-Shoji, one of Dansk’s largest and oldest retailers

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 37

Retail Lenox

What Lenox retailers have to say… We talked to six international retailers selling the Lenox brand to ﬁnd out what sells well and why Maboli, Taiwan

Vanessa Tseng, Merchandising Manager, Maboli Enterprise

Maboli is a tableware and giftware retailer in Taipei, Taiwan, which has been selling Lenox products for some 18 months – both casual and formal collections. What are the success factors of Lenox that make you successful in selling its products? The wide and diversified product range as well as the flexibility for new product development. What are the key attributes of the Lenox products; why do your consumers purchase Lenox? For Butterfly Meadow, the price is competitive in terms of its quality. Also, the fact that Lenox has collaborations with well-known designers and fabric brands, which diversifies its product offerings even further. Lenox has expanded its global reach in recent years to almost 80 countries. Why do you think they have been successful in selling to so many markets? Lenox stands for American tableware. The wide and diversified product range is also one of its key success factors.

Dom Farfora, Russia Elena Sokolova, Chief Buyer, Dom Farfora Dom Farfora (The House of Porcelain) is a multi-brand tableware and gift store with seven boutiques across Moscow. It started its relationship with Lenox in 2011, delivering a big launch of the Lenox collections in six Dom Farfora shops. It oﬀers both the formal and casual collections of Lenox. What are the success factors of Lenox that make you successful in selling its products? The wide range of assortment – from dinnerware to glassware to barware – Lenox oﬀers across its many patterns/designs as well as the fact the product is such high quality. What are the key attributes of the Lenox products; why do your consumers purchase Lenox? Our customers usually notice the classy mix of elegant forms and watercolours in the decoration, which allows them to mix and match one dinner set in casual and in formal. Also, the fact they can actually put such high-quality products in the microwave and dishwasher. Lenox has expanded its global reach in recent years to almost 80 countries. Why do you think they have been successful in selling to so many markets? We all know about the three points of sales success – product, place and personnel. Lenox has the quality and design of product and they seem to choose only the best points of sale – we are proud to be among their key accounts. Finally, they are professionals, it’s a great team to work with.

H&G, South Korea Mr Han, President, H&G H&G is a South Korean partner for tableware and has sold Lenox products for more than 20 years. They offer both formal and casual collections mainly through department stores. What are the success factors of Lenox that make you successful in selling its products? Lenox makes it easy to sell their product: they offer the best quality with attractive designs, offering the customer complete confidence. We have been building brand awareness about the brand along with Lenox in the Korean market and it’s helpful as they understand the market and create exclusive Korean 38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

shapes and designs that contribute to the growth of Lenox in the market. What are the key attributes of the Lenox products; why do your consumers purchase Lenox? The reliable quality and the really beautiful designs. Lenox has expanded its global reach in recent years to almost 80 countries. Why do you think they have been successful in selling to so many markets? Lenox clearly understand the diﬀerences of each market and they listen carefully to the demands of the market.

Rustan’s, Philippines Kara Francesca P. Legasto, Merchandise Manager, Home Division, Rustan Commercial Corporation Rustan’s is a chain of high-end department stores in Manila and Cebu that has been selling Lenox for 10 years and launched its Lenox shop-in-shop in June 2014. They sell formal and casual collections, carrying mainly formal. What are the success factors of Lenox that make you successful in selling its products? The amount of support we get from our principal and how communication lines are always open. It’s important that we know what is being developed, what products are available to sell, and if there are any promotional items we can sell. Also, the fact that Lenox always has something new to offer is important because our customers are always looking for new things/items. What are the key attributes of the Lenox products; why do your consumers purchase Lenox? Lenox is a respected brand known for quality. Our customers know this. Also, Lenox is able to offer different price points across their brands. If a customer is looking for something not as expensive as, say, a Marchesa French Lace, we can always direct them to a Butterfly Meadow set or even a Gorham dinnerware set.

Monev, Turkey

Lenox has expanded its global reach in recent years to almost 80 countries. Why do you think they have been successful in selling to so many markets? Aside from being a brand synonymous with quality and craftsmanship, Lenox is always in tune with the needs of the market. They adapt and they innovate.

Suna Genceren, Owner, Monev Monev is a high-end tableware retailer in Istanbul, Turkey, and has been selling Lenox products since 1997, with Lenox one of the retailer’s bestselling brands. What are the success factors of Lenox that make you successful in selling its products? The quality of the product, the variety of patterns they oﬀer that are able to address our varying consumer base needs, and the fact that it is the only brand with so many formal patterns that are all so saleable. What are the key attributes of the Lenox products; why do your consumers purchase Lenox? The quality of the product and the designs, the fact it is a US brand produced in the US and that it has a strong and prestigious brand image. The special colour of the ivory bone china makes it very saleable to our consumers, too. Finally, the fact that the gold and platinum products are dishwasher safe, something you cannot claim among many other brands.

Lenox has expanded its global reach in recent years to almost 80 countries. Why do you think they have been successful in selling to so many markets? Lenox has a unique style, with perfect patterns for bridal and formal settings. The management team is also key, reﬂecting as it does warmth and sincerity and the casual appeal of American society. Ultimately, the company is very supportive and the products are great quality. We never have consumer complaints and Lenox’s value for money is top too.

Sato-Shoji, Japan Hideki Fujino, Dansk Section Manager and Buyer, Sato-Shoji Corporation Sato oﬀers tableware and cookware to the hospitality industry, as well as to the company’s online stores and bricks and mortar Sato stores. They have been selling Dansk products – chinaware, glassware, cookware, ﬂatware – for 20 years and are Dansk’s oldest and largest partner.

What are the success factors of Lenox that make you successful in selling its products? The abundance of legacy designs that Lenox has maintained since the establishment of the Dansk brand. We especially appreciate Lenox’s eﬀorts to revive these legacy designs for the Japanese market. What are the key attributes of the Lenox products; why do your consumers purchase Lenox? Japanese consumers purchase Dansk products for their Scandinavian

designs. In terms of chinaware and glassware, for example, this centres around patterns that are distinctly Scandinavian. Lenox has expanded its global reach in recent years to almost 80 countries. Why do you think they have been successful in selling to so many markets? In Japan, Lenox has increased its sales of Dansk products through the enhancement of consumer awareness of the Dansk brand – from exhibitions, magazine articles and

advertising – and the introduction of products reflecting Scandinavian tastes; not through the sale of a large number of random products, but rather by selecting Dansk products that reflect a strong Scandinavian image. We think the enhancement of the brand in Japan has created a spillover effect in neighbouring Asian countries. We believe that through its long-term brand-building strategy, Lenox will be able to steadily increase the number of countries where it does business.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 39

Sector Bridal

Rosenthal With demand for accents in gold, platinum and copper still going strong, Rosenthal recently delivered TAC Skin Gold, an extension of its bestselling tableware series TAC. A sophisticated multiple finishing technique gives the flat pieces a fine relief structure, while top-quality screen-printed decoration gives hollowpieces like the teapot a smooth, matte surface. Small overlapping leaves form a golden mosaic that sometimes extends across the entire surface of the plate and other times appears just as a contour adorning the edges. www.rosenthal.de

40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

What a bride wants With many retailers reporting that tableware and accompanying giftware as a bridal registry choice is back on the table, we report on what direction this all-important segment is taking

hough in the past few decades the demand for formal tableware as bridal gifts has slowed, the category of tableware and extended giftware continues to be an important part of bridal for many tableware manufacturers. “While there are many opinions about the bridal registry market slowing down, we still feel guests buy tableware as bridal gifts, including that of formal dinnerware,” states Jackie Kim, international sales team, Prouna/Hankook Chinaware. US tabletop brand Caskata, which entered the bridal market in a big way last year with the launch of its formal yet contemporary bone china Insignia C by Caskata brand, as well as with the launch of its bridal registry, has also seen an increase in its bridal gift purchases. “There seems to be a return to tradition in the sense of a return to a lifestyle that includes entertaining and putting out a lovely spread for friends and family whether in a formal or informal setting – a lifestyle where brides and grooms want to express their own personalities and are planning for that when they register for the gifts they hope to receive,” explains Francine Shannon, director of marketing, Caskata, a brand that features on bridal registries at US retailers including Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus. The bridal business remains buoyant for Rosenthal too. “While demand for tableware like classical tableware, flatware and glassware as bridal gifts is lower than it was 20 years ago, bridal is still a good category for us,” says Gianluca Colonna, chief operating and sales officer of Rosenthal. “We offer wedding lists at our

Ellington, Caskata Opal Innocence Dove Grey, Lenox Lenox’s most popular bridal pattern Opal Innocence, which has sold more than a million place settings since its 2002 launch, has further expanded once more this season, offering a sophisticated grey version called Dove Grey. retailers as well as within our Rosenthal online shop, including the service of a wedding table as an online tool that is always up to date and assures no duplicate purchase,” says Gianluca. “And in our portfolio we have varying tableware series like TAC and Nendoo, as well as gifts like vases, all of which appeal to brides.” For Lenox, the bridal business accounts for around 50 per cent of its business in the US and globally. And for global luxury lifestyle brand Wedgwood, the bridal category is not just important but also seeing growth, with classic and elegant dining a popular trend once more. Meanwhile, bridal is becoming once more an important category for Portmeirion Group, with a resurgence in gift lists of late.

Classic still popular The traditional classic style for brides has always been white bone china, with platinum or gold accents and this look remains popular. “White bone china with gold and platinum remains the most popular china at bridal registries,” says Francine, Caskata. This is true too for ﬁne dining specialist Prouna. “The traditional white bone china with a platinum

or gold rim remains popular as it is classic and timeless,” explains Jackie, pointing to its top-selling bridal pattern globally, Satin Stitch, which boasts a white lace design and handpainted 24k gold rim. “This collection delivers a very good price point for bridal gifts and translates well to a wide variety of countries.” Being affordable is not the only requirement of elegant bone china. Brides today want it to be durable, contemporary and to be able to use it every day. This explains why Lenox’s fine dining pattern Opal Innocence remains one of the most popular bridal registry patterns in the US. Not only does it offer the traditional white-on-white pattern banded in precious platinum or with 24k gold accents, equalling the finest of the fine, but it is durable and dishwasher and microwave safe. Wedgwood too continues to do well on bridal lists with its classic and timeless design Wedgwood White. “White and platinum or gold banded fine bone china patterns remain a popular bridal gift as this is often the one time in a couple’s life where they can ask people to help them invest in a quality dinner service, something they can keep, love and enjoy for many years,” comments Laura, pointing out that fine bone china is durable and elegant, while also making a statement. “This doesn’t mean it

Caskata’s latest Isignia C pattern delivers the finest bone china and most lavish precious metals. Inspired by the music of American jazz legend Duke Ellington, the pattern is a bold and rich design featuring a random pattern of dots and rings. “There is nothing unsophisticated or informal about it,” says Francine, Caskata. can’t be used everyday though – it is versatile and should be enjoyed for any occasion,” says Laura Denby says that brides today still look for ranges that will stand the test of time, but they have seen a move away from very formal white or cream bone china and into more premium casual ranges in neutrals or classic colours. The Portmeirion Group is experiencing the same. “We are seeing demand for tableware that can be both formal and casual and whether mixing and matching or sticking exclusively to one collection, brides continue to favour classic pieces that will stand the test of time,” says Phil Atherton, sales & marketing director, Portmeirion Group, pointing to the Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Collection which is a very popular choice of brides globally and in the UK remains the leading bridal range. And this appears to be a sign of the times for millenial brides – a category that makes up 70 per cent of weddings in the US now – who are demanding collections that bridge the gap between formal and casual; that offer the delicate appeal of bone china, but boast a more contemporary design and can be used every day and for all occasions. “Millenials are a mature group with refined tastes who demand convenience, good value and collections with large choice that

they can personalise,” explains Amanda Allen, founder of online gift registry service NewlyWish.

Versatility and design key Caskata’s Francine agrees, explaining that bridal gift registration today extends beyond brides simply registering for a traditional china pattern, with demand for china that is more ‘them’, something more expressive of their contemporary outlook and something extending far beyond the formal tabletop. “We ﬁnd brides today like to express their personalities or lifestyles beyond formal settings and register not just for their formal dinnerware and sometimes casual place settings, but for boldly designed accent and serving pieces,” says Francine. “Brides today have more modern options in formal dinnerware and they want and can get more contemporary, even hip, designs that are destined to become classics,” says Francine, pointing to Caskata’s new Ellington pattern, a rich design lavished with gold and platinum. Prouna is also seeing such a trend. “We are seeing many young brides opt for bold shades and prints as well as mixing and matching patterned plates with more simple rimmed pieces,” says Jackie, pointing to Prouna’s Jewelry collections with Swarovski crystals, which sell well on bridal registries as they are great at adding a glam touch to the table.

What the retailer says… “We are ﬁnding that the bridal table is getting popular again. Porcelain remains the heart of wishing lists, with pure white designs the bestsellers, especially in bone china and with clear and functional forms. Hermann Hutter, managing director, department store abt, Germany TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 41

Sector Bridal

Roses, Leander

Lucille Gold, Denby

Vera Wang Wedgwood Grosgrain

Sophie Conran for Portmeirion

42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“In the US, the Golden Leaves and Princess ranges are top sellers on bridal lists as both boast Swarovski crystals, offering the perfect way of dressing up more simple or casual pieces,” explains Jackie. Versatility is key too with the most successful bridal patterns part of an extensive collection, offering not just the entire tabletop, but additional accent pieces and a variety of patterns, decors or colourways, allowing brides to build a collection over time, to mix and match to create their own tablescapes, and to dress up or down for every possible occasion. “Mix and match isn’t new but it’s a trend that’s here to stay and particularly popular in bridal, and sspecifically so with millennials as it spec not only offers them lots of choice but enables them to put their own stamp and twist on a look, which stam is so important for this key bridal market,” says Amanda Allen mar NewlyWish. of N Caskata’s Artisanal line is a C collection designed to be mixed colle aand matched and brides love it. “Our brides gravitate towards tthe elegant, at times whimsical, aand unique mix and match designs of our Caskata Artisanal de Tableware line. Our blue pieces, soft Tab black and creamy white collection blac

Delivering a sweet but chic style with its decoration of roses, scalloped edges and gold accents, Leander’s Roses Collection is a popular wedding list choice. Fusing Victorian and Classical styles, this timeless collection offers the comfort of nostalgia but with a contemporary edge. www.en.leander.cz

and our gold and platinum pieces are all meant to work together and brides love to punctuate their collections with serving pieces and accessories like platters, bowls and our popular canapé sets,” says Francine, highlighting how most of the pieces are gift-boxed. Similarly, Opal Innocence from Lenox is also loved by brides, not just because of its incredible yet subtle bone china beauty and classic elegance, but because the collection is now so large, offering not just the entire tabletop (stemware, flatware, serveware and accent pieces) but an extended range of mix and match patterns and colourways, from Stripe and Scroll and Silver to the more casual Carved as well as new colourways, Dune, Blue and Dove Grey. Similarly, the popular-withbrides fine bone china dinnerware range Grosgrain from Vera Wang Wedgwood has recently been extended to include crystal stemware and giftware, featuring the same deep horizontal cuts and platinum banding; while Rosenthal’s casual mix and match collection Mesh, which is seeing great popularity on bridal registries, has this year been extended to include three new on-trend colourways (aqua, cream and walnut) as well

as new shapes and pieces for even more versatility.

What sells well So what brands and/or patterns sell well and where? Contemporary yet traditional collaborations – think fashion designer meets heritage and high quality tabletop brands – do well for many retailers, especially in the Western markets. “On wedding registries, Vera Wang and Jasper Conran are the clear favourites for us,” says Donne Black, sales director for bridal etailer, Wedding Gifts Direct. Fashion-focused names are also top sellers for fast-growing luxury home etailer Amara.com, which offers a wedding list service online that is very successful and that counts Missoni Home, Roberto Cavalli and Ralph Lauren among its top five bestselling bridal brands. As one would expect, direct bridal associations – Vera Wang (for Wedgwood) and Monique Huillier (for Waterford) – do well, too. Not only is the product doubly branded and appropriately so but it offers the entire tabletop, making it highly collectable and giftable. Denby says that while its more classic Made in England ranges such as Linen and Imperial Blue do well in the UK and Imperial and

Brands on bridal

“ Wedgwood White

Heritage do well in export markets, it is seeing increased demand for its licensed fashion-inspired Monsoon ranges, which are aimed at a younger demographic. “Lucille Gold and the newlylaunched Filigree Silver are doing particularly well,” says Hayley. In more traditional markets, like the Middle East and Russia, more classically styled tableware from heritage brands with high levels of craftsmanship excel. At Russia’s leading tableware retailer Dom Farfora, high-end porcelain brands Meissen, Herend, Noritake and Lenox are top, while in glassware, crystal brand Moser is a bestseller. In Asia, meanwhile, Rosenthal says its extravagant and elegant collections of Rosenthal Meets Versace, like Medusa Gala and Gala Gold, do best on bridal registries.

Beyond the tabletop What has changed in recent years in the bridal category is that demand for more expensive gifts has risen, illustrating a definite return to the appreciation for luxury, handcrafted, high quality products. “Recent years have seen the value of gift lists rising, with consumers choosing to add more premium items to their lists,” comments Laura at WWRD. “This reflects a wider consumer shift towards products that are both quality and longlasting, which is where such premium brands like Wedgwood have benefited,” she adds. What has also changed is that brides are not only demanding tableware but are wanting to shop the ‘complete look’, with giftware like jewellery boxes or candles popular. As a result, tabletop manufacturers are extending increasingly into the giftware category. “Tableware remains a popular option for gift lists, however we are also seeing a huge demand and

trend towards giftware and teaware whether it be ceramic or silver,” says Laura, pointing to Wedgwood’s new complete collectable story, Arris, which features dinnerware, teaware, unique gifts and statement pieces like the Treasure Box. Prouna is also seeing a rise in demand, especially in the US, for gifting items like jewellery boxes, mugs or dessert plates that are extensions of its collections; as is Nambe – the brand recently extended its Dazzle line (it has had lots of success with its Dazzle champagne flutes and napkin rings in the bridal category) to include giftable pieces like a double photo frame and ring holder. Denby is finding the same. “We find that the broader ranges do well on wedding lists, in particular, those with more serving and gifting, such as platters and afternoon tea items,” says Hayley. “Couples seem to use this opportunity to build a fuller collection rather than just buy the essential dining pieces – it’s a chance to have items they wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves.” In fact one of Caskata’s most popular wedding gifts is its canapé sets, a product seeing great sales in stores other than tablewareonly ones. “The canape sets are popular with retailers beyond strictly tabletop/houseware merchants to include high-end gift stores, jewellery stores, museums and more,” says Francine, pointing out how the brand’s dessert sets, vases and serving pieces like bowls and platters are also popular bridal gifts. By offering gift-worthy extensions to its successful dinnerware patterns or creating complete tabletop and gifting solutions like Wedgwood’s Arris, brands are able to not just appeal to the highly collectable bridal registry sector, but to retailers outside of the realm of just tableware or housewares.

The bridal business is an important category for Denby and remains steady, though the nature of it has changed.We ﬁnd today that many brides prefer to choose their tableware personally and so ask for gift vouchers to make their purchase. And while some consumers still like to list individual items on a traditional wedding list for guests to buy, we have seen fewer stores across the UK holding wedding lists, though Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and London stand out regionally as areas that do particularly well for wedding lists. Hayley Baddiley, senior brand manager, Denby

“

”

The bridal business as a category for Lenox is at least 50 per cent of its US and international business. Opal Innocence is our bestselling bridal pattern and the Opal Innocence franchise is kept fresh with exciting pattern extensions like our new Blue and Dune colourways. We recognise the importance of casual in the bridal market now and have taken a new spin on formal to make it more functional and casual at entry level pricing – Lenox 3-piece place settings feature a dinner plate, salad plate and all-purpose bowl. Katrina Crews, bridal director, Lenox

”

“

As a well-established and highly trusted producer of formal ﬁne bone china tableware, crystal stemware and silver giftware, Wedgwood remains a top choice for gift lists around the world. We are seeing increased demand for elegant dinnerware – classic and elegant dining is deﬁnitely a popular trend with our consumers and more and more we are seeing individuals want to entertain at home and really create a unique restaurant-standard experience. Laura Jones, brand manager EMEA, WWRD

”

“

The bridal market has certainly changed in the last 10 years. However, there seems to be a resurgence in gift lists of late, with tableware forming an important part of this as brides like to upgrade their tableware set to a better model. We are ﬁnding that bridal is once again becoming an important category for Portmeirion Group across the globe. In India, for example, we’re seeing a dramatic increase in sales of wedding guest gifts where Botanic Garden is a true favourite of many brides. Phil Atherton, group sales & marketing director, Portmeirion Group

”

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 43

Sector Bridal

PROUNA

WATERFORD

Inspired by the tapestry weaving technique, Tapestry features delicate gold chains on the rim created from hand-painted 24k gold. Created from the ﬁnest bone china, the collection includes full dinnerware and tea sets and accent pieces, such as the pearl-textured bold coral coloured chargers adding a fresh touch and allowing it to be dressed up for a diﬀerent look or occasion.

Waterford has a wide selection of gifting ideas for the 21st Century bridal couple, from its four sets of paired champagne ﬂutes to its Illuminology collection of crystal candle holders with scented candles. Waterford’s Mixology collection of tumblers, decanters, coupes, shot glasses and bar accessories are also bridal-perfect, having been crafted in four colours and cuts. Finally, the successful Waterford Giftology Collection provides inspiration for a variety of gifting occasions with a selection, including vases, bowls, glasses and barware, each exquisitely crafted and delivered in a beautiful package accented with gold. This season’s new packaging colour is soft pink (pictured).

www.prouna.com

DENBY

www.wwrd.com

While Denby’s Linen and Imperial Blue lines are highly successful on wedding lists in the UK, export markets love the brand’s Heritage and Imperial Blue ranges for weddings. However, its Monsoon Home Dinnerware Collections are proving very popular for wedding lists now, including Lucille Gold and the recently launched Filgree Silver. Filigree (pictured right) is a delicate pattern with soft modern curves adorned in silver scrolls and inspired by traditional ornaments on ﬁne cream china.

www.denby.co.uk

RUDOLF KAMPF An artistic collaboration with luxury Italian furniture manufacturer Savio Firmino, the Rose & Ribbons collection is a popular choice on wedding registries. Boasting pure lines and a light design with gold or platinum decoration, the collection is both celebratory and ergonomic. The entire range is available, including dinner service, teaware and coﬀeeware.

www.rudolfkampf.eu

VERA WANG WEDGWOOD Vera Wang continues to captivate with fashion-forward contemporary tabletop. The Vera Wang Wedgwood Collection has launched Vera Organza Dinnerware inspired by the Diedre bridal gown, a sought-after design coveted by stylish brides. The designer recalls the folds and flanges of her gowns in beautifully sculpted white on white fine bone china – a first for Vera Wang Wedgwood – which echoes the rich textures and luxe layering of her organza fabric, an emblem of the designer’s iconic aesthetic. 44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.wwrd.com

NORITAKE Ideal for formal dining and afternoon tea, Princess Bouquet features a delicate whiteon-white application of ethereal ﬂowers and lace. Paired with a white porcelain body and featuring a distinctive scalloped edge, the collection is elegant and understated, set oﬀ with a thin metallic band available in either gold or platinum.

www.noritakechina.com

PORTME EIRION GROUP

Sector Bridal

While Botanic Garden is Portmeirion Group’s most popular bridal design outside of the UK, especiially in the Far East and India, the Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Collectio on is the brand’s leading bridal range in the UK. “It is a collection that can n be both formal and casual,” says Phil Atherton, sales and marketing director, Portmeirion Group. Boasting a hand-thrown pottery feel with its ribbe ed and tactile design, it includes everything form dinnerware, serveware and glassware to bakeware and cookware.

www.portmeirion n-group.co.uk

NAMBE

Marchesa by Lenox has introduced the new Gilded Pearl Collection. Designed by fashion icons Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, the design is inspired by the intricate beaded detail found on one of their favourite couture gowns. Made in America of ﬁne bone china, banded in 24k gold and with hand-applied white enamel dots, the dinnerware has a jewellery-like texture.

Designed by Scott and Torrie Morrison, Nambe’s Dazzle Collection blends the modern sensibility of the Nambe design aesthetic with a touch of sparkle, making it appealing to brides. The Dazzle Toasting Flutes deliver polished silver-plate bases emblazoned with the shimmering dazzle design, creating an elegant eﬀect reminiscent of champagne bubbles. New extensions to the line for autumn include a double photo frame and a ring holder. “Frames always make a great bridal gift item because they hold mementoes of that special day,” say Nambe. The Dazzle Ring Holders make a great bridesmaids ‘thank you’ gift.

www.lenox.com

www.nambe.com

MARCHESA BY LENOX

AURATIC Auratic unveiled its new collection at The New York Tabletop Show in April, including five bridal patterns. “We want to offer to the US bridal market high quality, all with a great price point,” says Sara Han, creative director. Auratic believe brides are looking for more casual lines, so they have used mainly porcelain in the line. “There is still a niche customer who desires formal dinnerware, so we offer formal as well as more casual lines and gifting items for the US market,” says Sara. The new lines take inspiration from Asian door panels, featuring geometric and graphic decor. Its everyday bridal collection Chantilly features a traditional yet ontrend gold honeycomb pattern and a 5-piece place setting on porcelain.

www.auratic.com

LSA INTERNATIONAL LSA International features an extensive gift-boxed selection of handmade celebratory drinkware, dinner sets, vases, cake stands and more. From timeless classics to high-fashion design, you’re sure to find the perfect collection of wedding gifts. Innovating without compromising function, aesthetic or quality, LSA International’s extensive collection features traditionally crafted mouthblown glass, mixed material ranges that include FSC certified oak, ash and beech, as well as vitrified porcelain of the highest quality. 46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.lsa-international.com

soul ...serving professionals

www.crystalex.cz

Retail Bridal

Growing your bridal business Bridal industry expert Jorges Pérez delivers his advice on developing a bridal audience for your tableware store

he Bridal Gift Registry landscape has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, and retailers and manufacturers that used to rely on bridal registry dollars as a big chunk of their business are working harder than ever to try to reclaim some of it. The Gift Registry pie isn’t growing, so the new name of the game is to fight for a bigger slice. What was once a given business for the fine tabletop retailers and vendors is now a sliver of what is was, with brides almost rebelling against this traditional formal category in exchange for their more casual style of living. While department stores and china vendors keep pushing a fine bone china 5-piece place setting, the more casual lower-end retailers and vendors are enjoying the rewards by offering the couple complete big boxed dinnerware sets at a value and mix and match colour options that don’t break the bank. She can afford the entire look there, while fine tabletop retailers are still trying to sell a $34 salad plate and $250 teapot. Tip: Disassociate the words Fine and Formal from your china, and offer Build Your Own sets of 4 configurations, adding trending pieces like Tapas and Sushi products in fun packaging (include celebrity chef recipes or table setting tips). In the dinnerware world, the casual, no name white plate set (I just can’t get myself to call that a pattern) is sadly now King. It gets worse. Who of us would have ever thought that couples would be registering at Walmart, Home Depot, Target, Mortgage companies, Travel agencies, fancy 48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Jorge Pérez Jorge Pérez is a global fashion designer, bridal industry expert and guru in tabletop and giftware. He is the US Spokesperson for Waterford Crystal, as well as the on-air luxury lifestyle expert for the EVIVE Live Shopping Channel in the US. www.JorgePerezdelaHabana.com

food shops, and even charities? Many of you have been asleep at the wheel for years. Wake up! There are many ways that retailers can reclaim some of that bridal registry business. Here is what I recommend to get that bride and groom back, and more importantly, their registry dollars.

• If you’re a department store with a bridal registry arm that has a national reach, be sure that both your online and in-store experiences are dynamic and ﬁlled with inspiring visuals, as well as enlightening information and tips. The right assortment is also critical to maintain their interest. Become the go-to headquarters for the brands that you represent and oﬀer a full range of categories to help them maximise their registry in one place. Constantly challenge yourself to evolve and keep on top of growing trends. Great service and knowledgeable associates are paramount, and a good online presence with great content is key. And sorry to bash the golden girls, but young sexy brides don’t want registry advice from 65+-year-old bridal consultants. •

If you’re an Independent retailer without a national reach, don’t waste your time, real estate and money on setting up a wedding gift registry. Focus your energy on fulﬁlling your customer’s existing

registries from other stores in the vendors that you carry. Simply print out their registries and sell. Your new bridal registry advertising tag line should be: ‘We fulﬁll all stores’ bridal registries and match all prices and promotions!’ You’ve worked way too long to let this business just slip away. Going local is in and small retailers should take advantage of this movement. Family members and local customers may like to give their business to a local store they trust to service them. Do all the things that the major department stores can’t like joining with other non-competing retailers in your area to create a map of all there is to oﬀer in your community.

•

Host informative events and experiences utilising your vendors as partners like a quarterly Meet the Experts week where manufacturer representatives, local bloggers and partner retailers are on-hand to share information about their brands and help sell Oﬀer Services like free giftwrap or informative seminars every ﬁrst Monday of the month. Create compelling reasons for your couples, and more importantly, the guests going to their wedding to come into your store or visit your website. Finally, ask yourself, would you register or shop at your store if you were a young bride? Say ‘I Do’ to your bridal business all over again.

Capturing the registries of millenial brides Amanda Allen, founder of online gift registry service NewlyWish (pictured above), Anne Chertoﬀ, wedding expert and journalist and Amy Wilkins, veteran group publisher of Martha Stewart Weddings, gave advice for capturing bridal business from today’s modern couples during a seminar at The New York Tabletop Show in April. We sum up their tips for retailers, brands, bridal registries.

Curation is critical Beyond a certain point, consumers get overwhelmed so accurate curation is key. Customisation is key Millenials demand customisation to separate their wedding from the masses, so personalised registry home pages are recommended. On NewlyWish guests can customise with photos, notes to guests and a unique URL. Inspiration is key It is important to create an experience online, for example, thematically by colour or trend. “At NewlyWish, we offer Style Profiles as one of our merchandising programmes, delivering a handful of styles, with each offering a curation of 50-70 pieces. Some 50 per cent of NewlyWish users go through it to get started, to help inspire and guide them,” says Amanda.

Communicate versatility Amanda says her registry NewlyWish uses a further inspirational merchandising programme of exclusively mixing and matching tabletop ranges to provide inspiration as millennials not only love choice but also being able to put their own stamp on a look.

Tap into industry experts Partner with bridal professionals to curate bespoke collections or to endorse existing ranges or even to provide talks. By talking to and tapping into the experts – whether photographers, TV personalities or editors – that are inﬂuencing the weddings market, you can leverage your own brand or store.

siesta ...serving professionals

www.crystalex.cz

Category Serveware

Are you being served? Community-style casual dining is creating increased demand for serveware – everything from cheese boards to deli platters. We investigate

T&G Woodware In addition to its licensed board collection with Sophie Conran (pictured), T&G Woodware delivers an extensive range of contemporary serveware pieces in wood, marble, cork, glass and ceramics. There are multiple prep and serveware boards in a variety of woods and shapes and a serveware-only range Be Proud To Serve, featuring rich, warm grain of acacia wood including printed and non-printed boards for serving of cheese, bread, cakes and deli foods with accompanying glass domes. New for 2015 are three salad bowls in the Tuscany acacia range. www.tg-woodware.com 50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

ith sharing of food and community dining taking centrestage due to more people entertaining casually at home and the rise in deli-style dining, tableware brands are increasingly expanding their tabletop collections to include sharing-inspired serveware like tapas and mezze platters as well as launching complete collections that embrace this gourmet trend. “As a product category, serveware is becoming increasingly popular due to the rise of community, relaxed casual dining, with everyone sitting in the kitchen whilst the meal is being prepared,” says Jenny Handley, head of marketing for British brand T&G, which delivers an extensive range of contemporary serveware pieces in wood, marble, cork, glass and ceramics and boasts a serveware-specific collection Be Proud To Serve. “Entertainment around food has taken centrestage in recent years,” says Rich Brinkman, VP of sales and marketing for Homer Laughlin, pointing to the ongoing expansion of its Entertaining Collection. “The new additions to the Entertaining Collection are functional, versatile and can be used just as easily for brunch with a large group of friends or an intimate family gathering. By expanding our colour and product offerings, entertaining from home will deliver even more options for the casual as well as Fiesta enthusiasts,” he says, pointing to the recent launch of its casserole serving dish, large bistro bowl and chip and dip with spreader. British tableware brand Tradestock is also seeing such demand and in particular for serveware created from natural materials with a rustic feel to fit in with the relaxed artisan style of dining that millenials in particular

are demanding, with woods, slate, porcelain and glass, and a mix thereof, proving dominant. “There is a growing trend for artisan and deli-style foods and our natural slate tabletop accessories and serving pieces are very in keeping with this and perfect for serving and presenting the likes of antipasti, cheeses etc.,” says Tradestock’s MD, Keith Nye. Known for its statement-making highly giftable design-led serveware pieces, which feature mixed materials including wood, metal alloy, glass and porcelain, Nambe has this season introduced a number of serveware pieces to its successful Braid and Harmony collections – a salad bowl, chip and dip dish and a bread board server. Boards and platters in diﬀerent shapes and sizes and in wood and slate are in fact becoming increasingly popular. Not only do they feed into the casual deli-style artisan gourmet trend, allowing consumers to serve any number of diﬀerent dishes, but they are multi-purpose and can be used to prep and serve, further feeding into demand for multi-functionality. “Functionality is very important today – sharing platters and bowls for example being more important than say, candlesticks. Purchases are more considered and have multiuses such as platters doubling up as trays for afternoon tea,” says Denby’s design director, Richard Eaton. Denby and celebrity chef James Martin have in fact collaborated to create a range of versatile modern style kits, perfect for easy entertaining, adaptable and handcrafted from mixed materials of ceramic, wood, bamboo and glass, with pieces including a cheese board set and dipping dishes. Alessi has this year launched an entire serveware collection

Ethos Housewares Bringing leading names and good design to the kitchens and tables of the style and price-conscious consumer, Ethos introduces the Bistro & Co collection, which has been designed to accentuate modern dining, taking cues from classic Scandinavian design and European artisanal tradition. www.ethoshousewares.com by designer Marcel Wanders that features a mix of wood, porcelain and glass and includes everything from trays and cheese boards to serving boards and cake stands. ASA Selection has also launched wooden serveware boards; Arzberg has unveiled its fruit-shaped wooden boards, which double up as chopping and serveware boards; and Japanese brand Kinto has for the first time launched wooden serveware, two differently-sized boards for chopping and serving. This year from Sophie Conran for T&G comes the Board Collection, a stunning range of multi-functional wooden boards. Doubling up as both prep and serveware, the range offers medium round-handled boards, elegant long-handled rectangular boards and vintageinspired boards with coloured rims. “I have collected some lovely boards over the years and they have become my tools and my friends. I use them for serving all sorts of

The Just Slate Company This brand has two new ranges, both with a focus on serveware. The Stoneware Classics collection combines handmade stoneware with slate, delivering minimalist serveware pieces like a condiment set and tapas set. The Studio Collection offers serving pieces in mixed materials including a chip and dip set and deli platter set. www.justslate.co.uk

lovely things and of course for chopping, slicing and general prep,” says Sophie Conran. Umbra has jumped on the mixed material casual dining serveware bandwagon too, with its serveware range. Inspired by communal familystyle dining set-ups in different cuisines, with everything from a Lazy Susan, popular in Asia, to a chip and dip set, popular in North America, Umbra offers pieces made of stainless steel, ceramics and wood. “In today’s economy where many consumers have less income, we are seeing a lot more people cooking and entertaining at home rather than eating out and so we saw the need to provide people with beautiful serveware pieces to make their inhouse dining experience reflective of a night out in a restaurant,” says Umbra’s Laurence Grisel. Then there are the brands launching entire collections based around the concept of sharing and community dining, delivering

Portmeirion Group Created in response to the casual dining movement, with pieces inspired by the textures and curves of nature, Portmeirion’s mixed material collection Ambiance celebrates communal dining with its rustic feel and extensive entertaining and serveware pieces, from platters to paddle servers. www.portmeiriongroup.com

lots of serveware and entertaining accessories such as crudite/ chip holders, handled paddle serving dishes, bowls, platters and condiment sets. Take Portmeirion’s Ambiance range, with its mix of materials and extensive serveware pieces. “Our Ambiance range is typical of this trend as the range really epitomises everything about serving and sharing, creating lively foodie get togethers with friends,” say Portmeirion Group. “Ambiance features an eclectic blend of pure porcelain, acacia wood and glass, with each material perfectly complementing the others and helping to create an enticing display of foods.” Known for bringing leading names and good designs to the kitchens and tables of style and priceconscious consumers, British brand Ethos has launched a collection dedicated to communal sharing serveware. Bistro & Co features mixed

material serveware pieces – wooden and slate platters and boards with porcelain dip dishes and cheese boards; while Scottish brand The Just Slate Company is renowned for its minimalist rustic-inspired natural material serveware pieces, including in stone, porcelain and rosewood as well as its signature slate. The brand launched two new ranges this year, featuring on-trend serveware pieces like a tapas set, pinch pot set, deli platter set, bowl & paddle set, chip and dip set and salad server set. Finally, Villeroy & Boch has this year unveiled the Ultimate BBQ Collection, which not only speaks to the casual dining trend but also to the hot barbecuing trend. The premium porcelain and wood range includes plates, platters and serveware accessories for the serving of barbecue meals al fresco – think meat platters, a condiment dish and wooden carrier for standard-size sauce bottles.

What the retailer says… “Ramen bowls, tagines, pasta bowls and small Indian dishes for spices and condiments are all popular. My pretty small bowls for salt and condiments are a bestseller. More people are cooking at home and want to present their dishes in something nice – not just for dinner parties but for every day. Serving dishes and dinner plates tend to sell better in solid colours – the food doesn’t compete with a solid surface. Natalie Smith, owner, Global Table, New York TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 51

Category Serveware

LSA INTERNATIONAL ONAL LSA International oﬀers an extensive array of contemporary orary mixed material serving pieces and this season, it has launched Stilt, a buﬀet-style serveware collection spanning wood (untreated ash) porcelain and nd glass. glass Elevated on wooden stilts, this original stackable collection presents sents an innovative d condiments con approach to serving food, from the serving of toast and in a rack, to cheese and fruit, to deli-style or tapas selections. ns.

www.lsa-international.com

ALESSI Design brand Alessi has collaborated with Marcel Wanders to deliver a new wooden serveware collection Dressed In Wood. Playing with detail, Wanders combines elegant, yet simple shapes with subtle decoration, delivering beech wood pieces with relief decoration. Pieces include a cheese board with glass dome, two trays, a cake stand with glass dome, a serving board, breakfast board and centrepiece bowl.

www.alessi.com

DENBY Celebr eb brity br t ch ty chef ef Jam James es Mar es Martin tin n haas coll o aborat abo borat a ed at e wit w h Denb by to to delive er sty stty tyl y ish h an and d prac ractic ticcal ent en ert en e ain a ing ai g ki k ts t for orr pr prep epa ep e parin riing i g and serv rvi rv ving ng De ng. Desig s ned sig ed by e b De Denby nby, tthe nby he kit he kits are kits are re han handcr andcr dcraft afted aft from spec ecial ec cial iaally allyy sel al select se e ted ect ed mat ma eri rials als lilike like bamboo, wood, glass and ceram mics css and and delivers an lili serveware like a cheese board set and a 4-piece p bamboo stacking g set.

www.denby.co.uk

RCR C R CRYSTAL Italian crystal brand d RCR Cristalleria Italiana has this seasson launched d a range of multi-functional and stackkable entertaining and serving pieces for the millenial consum merr. Designed by Manola ola De Del Testa, Happy (pictu ure ed) features diﬀerren entt siized e z d glass bowls and disshes and a ﬁnge er foo oo od se ett et.

www.rcrcrystal.com

ASHDENE Inspired by the artist Daniella Germain’s love of nature, Ashdene’s new Into the Woods Collection features cheeky animals, wild mushrooms and fragrant blossoms hand-drawn in pencil with watercolour highlights on select serveware pieces including a platter, water pitcher, salad bowls and dipping bowls set.

www.ashdene.com.au 52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

STELTON Launching in three new colours inspired by the colour nuancess in the Scandinavian forests – moss-coated granite stones and refreshing eshing rivers – Stelton’s Embrace Bread Basket features a stainless steel tray and a practical cotton bread bag ensuring the breadcrumbs stay in i the tray. Multi-functional, the bread tray is also ideal to serve and store fruits and vegetables.

www.stelton.com

GLOBAL KNIVES Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Global Knives has launched an Anniversary range of key kitchen and tableware pieces, including an innovative new serveware piece. The Global GS-80 Appetiser Spoon is designed to deliver small gourmet m morsels in style. Featuring a handle th that boasts the Global dots along the side, the spoon is shaped to sit steady on a tray or plate. sid

www.grunverg.co.uk

FIESTA This season, eas Fiesta has added to its po opu pular Entert ert rtain rtain a ing n Collection with three key pie p ces: a d p set with sp dip sprea reader rea d , a laarge g co cove vered ver d cassserrole ole and an exttra-large large la ge Bi g Bistr tro bowl owl. TTh he dip set delivers an 8-ounce 8 ounce ramekin with spreader in ﬁve ﬁve shades. shades

www.hlcdinnerware.com

ASA SELECTION UMBRA Inspired by communal family-style dining set-ups in various cultural cuisines, Umbra has recently launched its Casual Serveware Collection (pictured) which features a combination of materials including acacia wood, ceramics and stainless steel. There is the Lazy Susan with its spinning acacia wood base and ﬁve removable ceramic dishes; the multi-functional Plato bread board with its acacia wood tray and two removable ceramic bowls for the serving of breads and spreads, sushi and dips; and the Chipster chip & dip set, a large ceramic bowl with a removeable stainless steel bowl for easy, party-style ﬁnger food serving.

www.umbra.com

ASA Selection’s iconic cooking and indulgence ceramic series has been expanded to include serving pieces with a focus on savouring fish. New releases include a small wooden board, sectioned snack bowl, pitcher and three different sized serving plates for the specific serving of fish dishes (pictured).

www.asa-selection.com

NAMBE From Nambe this year are a number of ne ew sserrvew ve eware ar pieces in its Harmony collectio ar on: a new ch chip hip & di d p – wo woode oden bowl and alloy dip b od bowl (pictured) tur tu ed) ed), d), a tw two o-p ece o-piec e che ch hee he ee ese s board and a saalad bowl. Two ne Tw new piec new eces ec es were ere adde dd d de ed to Nambe’s ssuccessful B id Bra d lin line, e, inc nclud lud ud uding din ing ing g glass ss sa salad bowls see eing the int in ntro ntrod nt rod od o duct ucct u ction ion of gllass a in nto o thi th s line and mixing beauti t ful fu lyy with wit ith the oth her Braid serveware pieces in n alloy oy and n in nd n wood. A bread board/serve er was also adde dd d d to to Brai r d with an alloy and glasss mix.

ww ww.namb be.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 53

Comment Industry Experts

View from the top In the ﬁrst of our regular group industry interviews, we ask experts of some of the world’s leading tableware brands to ﬁll us in on tabletop performance and trends Nuno Barra, marketing & external department director, Vista Alegre

Jackie Kim, international sales, Prouna The casual dining category is in growth. What changes have you made to keep up? We believe casual dining is trending in retail as well as in hospitality, with consumers seeking a simple and efficient lifestyle. However, we are still very aware that in some countries there remains demand for formal dining. Therefore, we aim to bridge the gap between both – we keep our collection formal but tone down on the decor and add casual items, such as mugs and dessert plates. Our recent range My Collection is a good example of casual dining as it can still deliver formal dining by interchanging some items. How are you seeing the tableware industry perform so far in 2015? We all know that tableware is something that everyone uses in their everyday lives and with the trending of gifting and tabletop converging, we are seeing that 2015 will be a great year for us. During Ambiente 2015, we met lots of new buyers from many different countries – this will give us an opportunity to enter new markets. 2015 will be a year of working with new buyers and getting used to the new dinnerware culture that different buyers have in their own countries.

54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

The casual dining category is in growth. What changes have you made to keep up? Yes, the casual dining category has been growing for Vista Alegre for some time. In order to respond to this specific trend, three years ago we launched the Casa Alegre by Vista Alegre brand, which is inspired by the Mediterranean culture, a lifestyle in which people enjoy the sun and sea, socialising with friends, and a relaxed and easy-going approach to life. The range of products are divided in to three sub-categories, including Pure & Simple for everyday use; Country South, for outdoor enthusiasts; and Urban Trendy, for those who like to mix cosmopolitanism with simplicity. Casa Alegre also offers a variety of complementary products, from Cook & Serve (ovenware) and glasses and jugs, to decorative pieces and cutlery. Depending on the market demand and trends, Casa Alegre can adapt, offering new collections, models and even shapes. How are you seeing the tableware industry perform so far in 2015? Vista Alegre has registered an increase in sales this year due to increased demand, as well as the official launch of our online store. First available in Portugal and Spain, the Vista Alegre online store (www.myvistaalegre.com)

is now available to the other countries of the European Union. At end of 2015 the site will be launched with online retail capabilities in Brazil and the United States, followed by all other countries in early 2016. What are Vista Alegre’s plans? Vista Alegre intends to continue to invest in and focus on design, while launching new collections with prestigious international designers and young talent. Our focus on brand innovation, design and art has recently been rewarded with prestigious global awards. The Orquestra and Plissé collections were both awarded the Red Dot Design Award 2015, the most desired award in the industry. Additionally, our Orquestra collection won the Wallpaper Design Award 2015. This year Vista Alegre is launching an exciting new tableware collection developed with Oscar de La Renta (called Coralina), a new line developed with Christian Lacroix Maison, and several Art Deco collections. In January 2016 at Maison & Objet in Paris, Vista Alegre will present new collections developed in partnership with the Dutch artist Marcel Wanders, which will unite his contemporary design with the classic roots of Vista Alegre, thereby enhancing the creative character of the brand.

Nicolas Villeroy, head of tableware, Villeroy & Boch The casual dining category is in growth. What changes have you made to keep up? Today, we see that casual and modern elegance is increasingly preferred to uptight formality. People use several collections for different occasions rather than buying an entire set of just one collection. This is a development influenced by urbanisation and globalisation, which has also had a great influence on consumer needs and global food and beverage trends. Worldwide casual dining trends include coffee and tea, pizza and pasta, as well as the top trend topic of the moment, barbecuing. We have, for example, recently launched Ultimate BBQ, a casual series with articles specifically designed to serve the needs of barbecuing. Whether indoor or al fresco, the modular product range allows a flexible dining atmosphere and mixes different materials, such as porcelain and wood. How are you seeing the tableware industry perform so far in 2015? The ceramic industry is a very traditional yet simultaneously exciting, innovative and future-oriented market. Ceramic pieces will always be in demand as they accompany us every day. It is very important to observe and to identify the customers’ needs, so we are able to create valuable products. We are always aiming to meet the international trends in food, design etc. and trying to initiate new trends. In general 2014 was a good year for Villeroy & Boch – we increased our revenue. For 2015 we are aiming to maintain this steady growth. We have launched new collections and concepts serving popular trends worldwide and have had positive feedback for our product launches so far.

Bill Robedee, CEO & president, Nambe The casual dining category is in growth. What changes have you made to keep up? The growth in the casual dining category reflects broader social trends in Western markets towards more casual lifestyles that will likely accelerate in the coming years. As a brand with a casual contemporary DNA we have grown with the trend over the past few years with a particularly strong performance in our gourmet and home entertaining offerings. Casual for Nambé is about flexible functionality and beautiful modern design that captures the essence of the modern lifestyle but is also still about the core legacy values of craftsmanship, quality and beauty that transcends trends. Launching later this year is a casual dinnerware line designed by Robin Levien. How are you seeing the tableware industry perform so far in 2015? We have seen strengthening in the industry overall this year, with an improved economic outlook in the USA, stronger consumer spending in key Asian markets, sales growth in Canada and AU/NZ, and increased activity for our company in Latin America. While Europe and Russia still face macroeconomic challenges, the

Antony Robson, European marketing manager, WWRD

outlook in our industry in these key markets has been steadily improving. 2015/16 should be a period of modest expansion that will greatly benefit the companies best positioned to take advantage of current trends. What are Nambe’s plans? With the May 2015 opening of our new Irish distribution centre, recently completed upgrades to our US distribution centre, and ‘go live’ for www.nambeinternational. com set for June 1, 2015, we will, for the first time in our history, be able to offer simplified, full service, rapid turnaround operations to retailers and consumers around the world. This will include a global web portal for international retailers and global direct to consumer e-commerce capability. We have also added top shelf expertise in digital marketing and social media to our team to fully leverage the opportunity presented by digital media to raise brand awareness and drive sales growth around the world.

The casual dining category is in growth. What changes have you made to keep up? Yes, we are seeing increased demand for casual tableware in line with social trends. We are responding accordingly across all WWRD brands particularly under our Royal Doulton brand. The 1815 collection continues to be a huge success for us and the new coastal-inspired Paciﬁc collection has been extremely well received, due to its versatility. To ensure we respond to all tastes, we have teamed up with renowned designers Barber & Osgerby to launch the Royal Doulton Olio collection; while the recently launched Jasper Conran for Wedgwood Tisbury collection, which bridges the gap between formal and casual dining, is performing well. How are you seeing the tableware industry perform so far in 2015? Whilst gifting is key, tableware remains strong for WWRD as across the brands we are able to span the full range of customer requirements. The luxury market remains robust and at the premium casual end of the market we are rapidly establishing a strong portfolio through in-house design

and our design partnerships both new and established. In design terms, informality will be the dominant trend for tableware, from luxury to everyday. What are Royal Doulton’s plans? 2015 continues to be an exciting year for Royal Doulton as we are celebrating 200 years. In addition to the limited edition pieces designed by Charlene Mullen, Barber & Osgerby, Nick Walker and Pure Evil, we have worked with Hemingway Design to launch a bright new range that’s perfect for summer. The Barber & Osgerby Olio tableware collection has just launched, which in contrast boasts earthy, mutual tones, so we cater for all tastes. For 2016, further collections across both tableware and gift will be launched and we will continue working with our design partners and our in-house design resource to create collections for every occasion. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 55

Show Preview

Homi Milano to return alongside Expo 2015 Now in its fourth edition the Italian lifestyle show Homi will present concurrent to the World Fair, Expo 2015, in September in Milan

ow in its fourth engagement, Italian lifestyle show Homi will run from September 12-15, and will fall during Expo 2015, the World’s Fair, that is being hosted in Milan from May to October and whose venue is just around the corner from Homi at Fiera Milano. Good news for visitors to Homi, who will also have access to Expo 2015, whose themes include The Language of Hospitality. This will oﬀer another chance for Homi professionals to make contact with international buyers, thanks to Expo Business Matching, a web platform of business meetings, created especially to encourage and facilitate the globalisation of the companies during the six months of Expo. Homi 2015 will deliver a vibrant edition, brimming with ideas, delivering the division of product categories into satellites, including Living Habits, Home Wellness, Fragrances & Personal Care, Fashion & Jewels, Gifts & Events, Garden & Outdoor, Kid Style, Home Textiles and Hobby & Work. Alongside the satellites, the show oﬀers category sections such as Homi Sperimenta and Homi Special, both dedicated to research and experimentation with ideas

56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

and concepts by young designers and artists, which offer visitors a place to discover innovative new ideas and exciting revivals. With the same philosophy, but bolstering the avant-garde side of creativity, Homi also includes areas dedicated to young people and emerging talents, who have the chance to debut their skills. There is also space at Homi for shows and initiatives that combine design and artistic craftsmanship, research and tradition, together with the concept of manual expertise applied to advanced techniques and materials: a truly unique feature of Homi. Also, in the area Negozio Incontro, Homi offers further opportunities for exchange, dialogue and blending of styles, in particular for the Tableware and Kitchenware segments. The La Magnifica Forma area, meanwhile, is inspired by the commingling of design and artistic heritage illustrating the unique style of Italian living via new formulas. Finally, Homisphere is a Homi concept that defines the new lifestyles through food and wine, hospitality and contract. Homisphere launches new formats with the aim of bringing taste and elegance that is typical of Italian style to the visitor.

Homi is more than just the chance to meet during the editions held in Italy (in January and September) however; as Homi also boasts an extensive international project. The Homi lifestyle exhibition debuted in Russia last October during Moscow Design Week, where it played host to 100 companies and 8,000+ visitors. Homi Moscow will take place again this October 14-17; while the first American edition of Homi has just debuted, taking place from May 16-19, 2015, in New York, concurrent with ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair), one of the most important events in North America in home décor. In addition to these dates, the process of promoting the new concepts of Homi also moves through presentations in the region where operators and opinion makers will meet. Thanks to the partnerships with local chambers of commerce and with the ITA – the Italian Trade Agency – the meetings will be effective and targeted. The first took place in Egypt and Turkey earlier this year, while the next ones will be in the Scandinavian countries, England, Portugal and Hungary. Homi Milano takes place September 12-15, 2015. www.homimilano.com

Don’t miss... ENJOY ENJOY THE THE TABLE TABLE This year, as part of Homi’s Kitchen & Dining sector, Homi is launching a new space titled Enjoy The Table. Featuring displays and events, this new and exciting format will focus on four speciﬁc themes – festivals, tradition, wellness and street food – one for each day of the show. Four action-packed days will be devoted to these four individual areas of focus: from healthy eating to healthy, sustainable food and prime food products grown with respect for the land and biodiversity; and from the type of street food that is just waiting to be improved and renewed, to tables decorated for festivals and moments of bonhomie and sociability. Enjoy The Table will deliver an interesting journey based on the close alliance between food, the tools used to transform it, and the art of setting the table, with the aim of helping people rediscover the culture of dining and the revival of old traditions. The programme includes cookery displays by chefs and bartenders, as well as tastings, workshops and training sessions with experts from the sector.

MADE IN THE USA • DISHWASHER SAFE • CHIP RESISTANT • LIFETIME BREAK AGE REPLACEMENT

lenox.com

AUDREY DINNERWARE, TIMELESS GOLD STEMWARE, ETERNAL GOLD FLATWARE

SHOW PREVIEW NY NOW

“We are expecting an outstanding summer market” With four editions of NY NOW successfully delivered, we talk to Marc Delman, sales manager for Tabletop about its development, successes and expectations for summer What does NY NOW offer tabletop buyers/retailers that other shows don’t? NY NOW is the leading fashion-driven marketplace in the USA and features the widest selection of top-branded tabletop resources. Retailers enjoy the ease and flow of its layout, which allows them to see a large variety of exhibitors efficiently – the HOME Collection showcases 1,100+ exhibitors on one floor of Javits. The Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares section is focused on the best brands, showcasing industry-leading tabletop companies reflecting both design and functionality. NY NOW also affords speciality retailers the opportunity to speak with senior management from industry-leading suppliers. It offers access to a wide selection of vendors and competitively priced travel and hotel, all presented against the backdrop of New York’s unique retail, restaurant and entertainment scene.

NY NOW was recently ranked NYC’s top trade show as part of BizBash’s NY Top 100 Events. What does this mean for you? NY NOW is a well-established marketplace that was re-branded two years ago to better reﬂect the show’s emphasis on fashion-forward products, and reorganised to better suit retailers’ shopping needs. These strategic changes have been noticed and embraced by our retail customers. To be recognised illustrates that our vision and platform is spot-on. Vendors from the US, and globally, can tap into this unique marketing opportunity to launch or enhance current marketing and sales endeavours.

58 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

You had 400+ new or returning exhibitors last market. Are you expecting the same for summer? While our exhibitor retention rate is high, new vendors are important and we welcome about 400 new companies to each market. Although the heaviest concentration of new tabletop brands are positioned in Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares, there are a number of innovative new tabletop brands showcased within our other sections. We are looking forward to another strong and vibrant summer market – with many new resources for buyers. Some newcomers to the recent Winter market in tabletop included Farmhouse Pottery from the USA, Typhoon Homewares from the UK and Rice from Denmark. These new exhibitors had really good feedback to the show.

Also, new for Winter was the NEW! Area. How important is the concept of ‘Newness’? Newness is the lifeblood of all organisations in every industry. At NY NOW we are constantly seeking out the newest and best brands. We are selective in our search, identifying cutting-edge designs and fashionforward home – and in particular tabletop – products.

time, the industry relies on NY NOW to achieve a signiﬁcant part of their business growth and sustainability, and much of the buzz comes from the business that is transacted as well as the relationships that are forged on our exhibit ﬂoor.

For tabletop retailers, what will the upcoming edition offer them? The Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares section will feature some brilliant new companies with extraordinary designs, such as Progressive International, Babel USA, Carrol Boyes, Kenny Mack Designs, Nashi Home, Rolser and others. Additionally, some key exhibitors, including Beatriz Ball, Harman and The French Farm will be expanding their presentations to showcase products for the home as well as for the table. Beyond this, NY NOW will offer the best in exhibits, events and education to round-out the show experience and this August show will present two special exhibits – SustainAbility: design for a better world® showcasing eco-friendly and socially-responsible products, producers and business practices; and Open House, an annual colour and trend forecast with first-time partner Pantone; our seminar slate will offer some 30+ sessions addressing key issues and opportunities for today’s retailer.

Many buyers and exhibitors talk about the ‘energy’ and ‘buzz’ of NY NOW. How do you achieve this?

How important are the many Award programmes NY NOW offers?

NY NOW is exhilarating – there is a vibrancy and energy in New York City – and within NY NOW – that is like no other market in the world. At the same

The award programmes we present identify brands for their dedication to design and functionality. The selection of winners is done by independent

judges who are editors of consumer and trade magazines, as well as by popular voting. This gives buyers an idea of new products which will have the greatest trade recognition, as well as consumer appeal. Winners receive incredible media exposure, which provides visibility in the press and positively impacts their order-writing at market.

How do you see the Housewares industry faring so far in 2015? The housewares industry is very large and diverse. The levels of distribution can vary from very wide to very narrow. NY NOW is focused on select housewares distribution. Our strength lies with better specialty stores and department stores, and we specialise in presenting companies with categories/products that are not in the mass market. The feedback we receive from the retail community has been very positive in this regard.

What are your expectations for the Summer Market? We are expecting an outstanding market in August. Worldwide, the economy has improved and interest rates remain low in the USA. Positive optimism has been reported by the business media with regard to home furnishings purchases for 2015. We’re excited and optimistic about the summer market and look forward to the incredible new products our exhibitors will be launching. The next edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home + Lifestyle will run August 15-19, 2015 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. www.nynow.com

THE BRAZILIAN TABLEWARE

MADE IN BRAZIL

CUSTOMERSERVICE@OXFORDPORCELANAS.COM.BR

WWW. OXFORDPORCELANAS. COM.BR/ EN

Show Preview Exclusively

A big year for… Exclusively Housewares Not only does 2015 mark the 14th edition of the successful Londonbased housewares show, it also marks the debut of its sister show, Exclusively Electrical

ondon-based Exclusively Housewares is widely acknowledged to be one of the key events within the housewares industry. Taking place in London each June, the show is attended by key buyers from across the UK and across all types of retail channels, including the leading independent cook shops, high street, grocery, out of town and department stores, along with garden centres, e-commerce sites and TV and catalogue retailers. In recent years it has also attracted a growing licensing audience keen to team up with housewares suppliers. Through its close links with BHETA housewares members, Exclusively Housewares has been able to respond to growth in certain product areas and retail channels and adapt its marketing strategy and product mix for the show accordingly. The ongoing levels of interest in the small electrical product sector from both suppliers and buyers has this year led Exclusively to create a dedicated hall for this product area at the 14th edition of the show, which is scheduled to take place June 9-10 at the Business Design Centre, London. Enter Exclusively Electrical, which will present SDAs like coﬀee machines, juicers and blenders in its sold-out launch. The introduction of the show also means that Exclusively Housewares has seen its largest inﬂux of new exhibitors for many years, as new

60 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

tabletop and housewares suppliers have ﬁlled the gaps left as SDA suppliers transfer to the new show. “Eﬀectively 20 per cent of our housewares exhibitors are new to the show this year, which is the biggest change for many years. It’s been great to add new brands to the line-up,” says show director Simon Boyd. New suppliers exhibiting this year include BergHOFF, Country Matters, Creative Products, Crown Trent, Dexam, Harewood International, Kinetico, Kis, Ladelle, Lekue, Mahitti, Unikia, Wilton and Xystos. In addition, visitors will be able to see show regulars Maxwell & Williams, which will be presenting Brightlights, a pretty festive serveware collection. Visitors will also be able to view the new Denby, Burleigh and Poole collections, while Taylor’s Eye Witness will be introducing a porcelain Made for Sharing range. Tableware will also be featured by Apollo Housewares, Eaton Dining, Eddingtons, Ethos, Gilberts, Green Pioneer, Haus, Make International, Price & Kensington, Premier Housewares, T&G and Typhoon. The shows are also introducing two new visitor trails – a Do your Christmas shopping at Exclusively promotion, to encourage buyers to think ahead and top up their Christmas ranges with some great seasonal gift and festive product ideas; as well as a new On Trend trail and display. The On Trend trail is being curated

Arrthur Pricce Stand 144 Arthur P A Price will be showcasing a braand new ran nge for the home and export marketss that’s perfect for best of Britiish celebr cel e attions. An ideal gift, Vintage is a range off new tableware gifts in amazzing ra ran packaging that rejoices in yesteryear. Vintage consists of eight items includ ding a cake se erver, cheese knife, teaspoons and pasttry forks to help create the perfect British B vintage tea party.

www.arthurprice.com

“

Effectively 20 per cent of our housewares exhibitors are new to the show this year, which is the biggest change for many years. It’s been great to add new names and brands to the line-up.

”

Simon Boyd, show director, Exclusively Housewares by trend forecasting agency Scarlet Opus, who will be helping visitors attending both shows by identifying products they feel are good examples of forthcoming trends. “Mid-way through the year is a good time for retailers to take a fresh look at their stores, start thinking ahead to the busy Christmas sales period and get their eye in on what trends will be dominating the coming seasons,” says Simon Boyd. “We’ve asked the Scarlet Opus team to review all the products our exhibitors are putting forward for the Show Preview, and all the gift ideas they’ve come up with for our Christmas Shopping promotion, to identify the products they think are good examples of On Trend items. Their selection will be highlighted by our new On Trend icon, so visitors can share their view,” says Simon. Scarlet Opus has already shared some tips with exhibitors to get them thinking. For example, their tips for S/S 2016 include a timely reminder that it’s going to be an Olympic Summer. As such, they are encouraging suppliers to explore the ﬂavours of Rio – it’s a melting pot of cultural inﬂuences – Copacabana beach scene, the carnival spirit and the lush Amazonian rainforests of Brazil. Colours should be used in upbeat, lively combinations – a colour rush like rich red and hot pink or Amazon green and toucan yellow!

The Scarlet Opus team is also creating a display of speciallyprepared trend mood boards incorporating relevant product shots from the show. Visitors will be able to view the display, talk to the team about how they work, and sit in on their trends presentation, which will take place at 11am on Wednesday June 10, the second day of the shows. This will be complemented by a presentation from Anthony Williams, housewares account director from leading market research company GfK. Anthony will be providing a brieﬁng session titled, ’The changing face of food preparation and dining’, which will cover developments in the housewares, tablewares and small electricals market. Anthony’s presentation will take place at 10.30am on Wednesday, June 10.

Elia International Stand 294 Always sharply focused on product devel ellopm p ent,, Elia In pm nter t nation te onal on nall will reveal two new ranges to their collection n at the sho ho ow – th t e 18/10 Stainless Steel Effra Cutlery and Orientix Pe Pebb b e Chin bbl bb hinawa hin inawa w re, wa both delicate and timeless designs based on naturall orrg gan a icc sha s ape es. With waved edges and a smooth clean surface, the Orien ntix i Pe ebbl b e range is inspired by natural, organic shapes and comes with a clean white glaze. Plates are available in three sizes and bowls in four sizes. Also on show will be the distinctive and eye-catching design of the Effra cutlery range. Offering sleek curves and an ergonomic design, this pattern is crafted from the highest quality 18/10 stainless steel and comes with a generous gauge.

www.elia.co.uk

Black + B Blum lu um Stand 315 Pas assio sionat nate abo abo out creating beautiful, original desig gns tha h t char harm m and and entertain,, Blac Blackk + Blum willl reve reveal al new range Forminimal at the show. A new contem mporaryy kiitch tchenw e are collection designed d in-house and sold worldwide e, the e inaugur i gural pro p duct range consist stss of preparation, serving and sto orag rage e solu soluttions for everyday kitchen n usa u ge, with each piece oﬀered in n neuttral colours combined wit ith natu ith tu ura ral ba bam mboo and stainless steel. Visit the stand to meet fou under Da Dan n Blac Bl ck. k

www.blackk blum.com m Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical 2015 will run Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 June at the Business Design Centre in London. The shows are free to visit for bona fide trade buyers. All visitors are very well looked after, with free refreshments, including a two course lunch and free coffee from Jura Products on offer. Buyers interested in visiting either show can browse the full exhibitor lists and register their interest online via www.exclusivelyhousewares. co.uk or www.exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk or by calling 0121 237 1130. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 61

Show Preview Exclusively

Denby Stands 4 412 and 352 The Monsoo on Home Dinnerware Collection by Denby is set to introduce itss new glassware collection, featuring three stunning designs, alon ngside the already-popular Lucille Gold. Inspired by Monsoon’s exclusive and eclectic pattern designs and designed to compleme ent the dinnerware, the new glassware features contemporary, bespoke shapes. Glassware patterns include Cosmic Cos mic,, a de mic eep purple glass featuring an original take on the classi cla cl s c paisle ssi aisle ey pattern; Chrysanthemum, a glossy black, with e a striiki king white h chrysanthemum bloom; Filigree, featuring a delicate scr scro oll pattern for an etched glass effect; and Lucille Gold, o a subt btle b le lace lac -inspired pattern lac n with a gold lustre finish. All designs are r available e in a red wine glaass, white wine glass, champagne flute t and larg ge tumbler and come c presented in beautiful newlyde igned packaging. Available from September 2015. des de

www.den nby.co.uk

Dartington Crystall D Sttand a 316 Dartington Crystal return to Exclusively Housewares with a host of new functional gift and tabletop options for their gro ow wing UK account base including the new Shine On range of drrinkware. Developed as the ultimate in dishwasher-safe glaasssware, each set of four crystal glasses includes a free pack o of Finissh Quantum dishwasher tablets. Working with dishwasher exp perts e Finish has enabled Dartington to conduct rigorous pro oduct d testing and all products can be registered for the uni niique Lifetime Shine Guarantee, providing free replacement and d peace of mind should any item suﬀer clouding during use.. The em machine-made crystal is not only resistant to corrosion butt iss constructed and scaled to be less likely to suﬀer mechanical dam da mage or chipping during dishwasher use. The range includes a re ed and white wine plus all-purpose tumbler.

ww ww.dartington.co.uk w

Vitamix Stand 08

Vitamix, a world leader in profe esssional al-grade al e bl blend ending end ing n eq quipmen uipme uip ment, will introduce its S30 mode el att sistter sho ow Exclusivelyy Electrical. The newest model to its range of high-performance blenders, the S30 is a versatile, portable maachine that redeﬁnes the personal blender. It combines Vitamix mix’s ’s tr trusted sted performance le levels els and durability with a sleek, compactt design that allows users to easily create smaller batches and individual servings servings. Available in a range of colours including Black, White, Brushed Stainless, Red, Cream, Daybreak Blue, Cranberry and Sour Apple Green.

www.vitamix.co.uk

Maxwell a & Williams Stan nd 299 The brrand will launch new mug sets and cup and saucer ranges at the show. The Co olour Bolt mug sets and cups and saucers are bright and graphic and made frrom prestige porcelain. The Metallic Bomb mugs and cups and saucers (picture ed) are generously sized and full of sparkle. Both designs are available as mug setts (four mugs) or a cup and saucer set and each comes in a boxed set. Maxwelll & Williams is distributed in the UK by Valerie Graham Ltd.

sale sa less@valerie-graham.co.uk @ 62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

The Cookw ware Company Stand 142

Recognised for their ability to design, source, develop and supply branded products to major retailers worldwide, UP Global Sourcing will be showcasing its latest range of products, featuring housewares brands Salter and Russell Hobbs as well as stylish ceramics from Portobello and the latest in placemats and coaster designs courtesy of Indulje and Inspire. The new Salter Marblestone collection (pictured left) will be a highlight.

The Cookware Company is a global cookware manufacturer and with the GreenPan brand became the ﬁrst to introduce ceramic coated non-stick cookware into the market in 2007. On show will be the new GreenPan Rome Induction cookware collection ion (pictured) and 3D bakeware alongside new additions to the bestselling GreenPan Venice range. Also new will be on-tre end collections from Vita Verde in metallic tone es and stone eﬀects. They will also reveal the UK K premiere of the two new OXO GoodGrips cookware collections, featuring tho oughtful, innovative design featu ures throughout.

sales@upgs.com; www.upgs.com

www.greeen-pan.co.uk

UP Global Sourcing Stand 267

Ethos Housewa ares Stand 282 Established in 1998, Ethos supplies a wide variety of customers from independents to high street stores as well as major mail-order retailers with home and garden products. The show will be previewing its new MyBento lunch boxes, designed to help consumers maintain a healthy lifestyle and save money on bought lunches. Stylish, reusable and durable, it contains t i no bisphenol bi h l A (BPA) and d comes in i four f colours. l

www.ethoshousewares.com

T&G Stand 263 T&G will unveil some inspiring Christmas gifts for 2015, with the introduction of Gift Crates to the T&G range (pictured above), perfect for making and giving something special and unique this Christmas. Each crate is made from rustic acacia with diﬀerent text printed on the front from “jams, preserves and pickles” to “home made, home grown, home picked”. Also new for Christmas 2015 will be some exciting new glass jars with copper lids, mini boards in a variety of new shapes, new tablet stands for recipes and the essential spiked carving board.

www.tg-woodware.com

Tradestock Stand 327 Tradestock will introduce its latest brands Lav and Durobor, which oﬀer unique style across clear and coloured glassware, beautifully designed multifunctional glasses suited to presenting food and drinks and striking serving pieces such as this Bamboo Stacking Dish Set from Durobor (pictured). FreeForm® products will also feature, along with Royal Mail and Howard Shooter designs, and in an exciting move, the company will launch the Academy project, a new design and development concept oﬀering customers short design, development and lead times for bespoke designs on core products.

www.tradestockltd.co.uk TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 63

Show Review Chicago

Chicago is sell-out success

he 2015 International Home + Housewares Show Chicago is generating many rave reviews and after our first-ever visit, we’re not surprised. The Windy City may well deliver cold weather in March, but it didn’t stop buyers and retailers from all over the world flocking to this soldshow. In fact, this 2015 show sold out faster than at any other time in its 76-year history, clearly showing that manufacturers and retail buyers are seeing the Show as the place to be. Not surprising considering there were 2,115-plus exhibitors from 46 countries presenting their product, everything from Cookware to Tabletop to Electricals; and some 442 brand new exhibitors took part this year, displaying more than 10,000 exciting new products. What struck us most though was the internationality of the show. Even walking through the doors of McCormick Place on the first day, we found ourselves talking to retailers from Jordan who told us this trade show is an annual must-visit for them. David Elliott, general manager, KitchenAid Small Appliances also noticed such internationality. “Increased attendance by both senior US retail executives and global retailers has significantly improved the productivity and impact of the Show,” said Elliott. And the mood was positive right the way through Saturday until Tuesday, with many exhibitors

With attendance high and exhibitors happy, the 76th edition of The International Home + Housewares Show was a roaring success. Tableware International made its debut trip to the show to check it out stressing to us that they were delighted with both the quantity and quality of visitors they saw – buyers out in force creating a buzz around the exhibit halls. “The Show kicked off with high attendance on Saturday and the positive buzz continued throughout the exhibit halls through Tuesday,” said Phil Brandl, president/CEO of the International Housewares Association, which owns and operates the show. The organisation of the show was flawless and we were particularly impressed by the New Exhibitor Preview event on the Saturday morning. This event offered 60 new exhibitors the chance to meet with buyers and media before the show’s official 10am opening. Events like this show the commitment of the IHA when it comes to supporting new exhibitors and innovative products. In addition, a series of educational sessions were delivered including an overview of consumer trends presented by Tom Mirabile of Lifetime Brands, in which he delivered the trends and opportunities that brands and retailers alike can grab hold of. Other sessions included a presentation by Lee Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute on the major colour families and how they are perceived by consumers; while former Republican Presidential

candidate Mitt Romney spoke at the annual industry breakfast. Meanwhile, the Innovation Theatre oﬀered some 21 presentations, including on social technologies, retail design, branding, intellectual property protection and global lifestyle trends, ensuring there was something for everyone. Away from McCormick Place the Global Innovation Awards (gia) took place on the Sunday evening and honoured the many innovative and forward-thinking retailers from all over the world. The 2015 gia winners included John Lewis in the UK, Koskela in Australia, Presentes Rodriguez in Brazil, Hudson’s Bay in Cananda and Jumbo in Turkey; while the prestigious Martin M. Pegler Award for excellence in Visual Merchandising went to Organizza of Argentina. The evening was a great success with retailers and exhibitors socialising throughout the proceedings. The gia awards also recognised great design and exhibitors’ products were presented in the Discover Design Gallery. Global Honoree winners included Joseph Joseph, Eva Solo, THAT!, David Rasmussen Design and PO: Select. The US and international press were out in force and it was great to see so many industry colleagues

WHAT THE RETAILER SAYS… “This year we visited The International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago and I must highlight the very high level of organisation of the show. At Chicago, we were sourcing innovations and we mainly found them with a small company we discovered called That’s Inventions – a heat-conducted butter knife and a defrost tray that speeds up the de-frosting of frozen foods.” Eric Holzinger, CEO of EK France, a retail group which owns Culinarion, a chain of 30 kitchenware stores across France 64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

from all over the world. The show was also covered by NBC’s Today Show, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, Xinhua News Agency, Sinovision, home-focused You Tube Channels and live remotes by Chicago TV stations. It is estimated the show will generate in excess of £350 million consumer impressions through broadcast, print and Internet coverage. Judging by such media response, the number of buyers and the fact this show sold out faster than at any other time, The International Home + Housewares Show is growing evermore popular, it seems. David Sabin, CEO of the Fuller Brush Company summed it up: “The Show continues to provide a worldclass environment for both suppliers and retailers. It’s gone beyond just being a showplace for product and has become a centrepiece for information and communication in all areas of the housewares business that helps the industry grow.” The Tableware International team will certainly be visiting again in 2016. The 2016 International Home + Housewares Show will be held March 5-8 at McCormick Place, Chicago. 2016. Attendee registration and additional show information are available at www.housewares.org

Creativity and Beauty Made in Poland

WrzeĹ&#x203A;niak

G L A S S W O R K S

www.glassworks.pl

Top of the tables at 41 Madison

Show Review 41 Madison

Waterford

The latest edition of The New Yorkk Tabletop Market closed its doors on April 17 having delivered a number of huge launches and plenty of exciting new product The New York Tabletop Market, which ran April 14-17, delivered plenty of brand new big launches, collaboration announcements and celebrations, with a number of buzzing bashes taking place.

Vietri

Rogaska

COLLABORATIONS & CELEBRATIONS

Barware

Kate Spade Lenox

Global tableware brand Lifetime Brands announced its collaboration with fashion designer Elie Tahari, delivering six dinnerware and three glassware patterns inspired by Tahari’s love of architecture, nature and The Hamptons, his homes in New York and his fashion collections. To toast the launch, a party was held at the Lifetime Brands showroom on 45 Madison, with Elie Tahari himself putting in an appearance. Food, rather than fashion, was the focus of a further collaboration, which came courtesy of Hampton Forge. Renowned for its multibranded ﬂatware, the brand introduced its new entertaining collection – cookware, serveware and ﬂatware, the result of a

Marquis by Waterford Mikasa

66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

collaboration with celebrity chef Maria Loi. Maria put in an appearance at the show, introducing her Mediterranean-inspired colourful collection – Loi is a Greek chef – to retailers and buyers. Another major launch and party came courtesy of WWRD and Waterford, in particular, with the debut of the brand new US-only Rebel collection, a range of punkinspired crystal and metal giftware targeting younger consumers. And a suitably rebellious party at a mannequin showroom in New York City was held – think mannequins wearing Vera Wang designs sat against a street art backdrop. After much anticipation, Auratic, the US subsidiary of Chinese-based ceramic producer Yong Feng Yuan, unveiled multiple dinnerware collections at the show. Not only did these deliver contemporary designs, but they were delivered on the brand’s new Premium Porcelain, hailing a new direction for the Chinese brand. In addition to ﬁve new fun and festive 16-piece dinnerware sets, Auratic introduced three new formal dinnerware patterns, sold in 5-piece place settings, and its Everyday Bridal Collection featuring ﬁve patterns.

Vista Alegre Mikasa

Nikko

Geometrics Auratic

Gold accents BARWARE SURGES Barware was a story that continued to shine at the show. “Barware is still trending well in stores and we continue to deliver on this score,” said Michelle Richards, director of PR, WWRD, pointing to Waterford’s new Lismore extension, Lismore Encore, which is more feminine and rounded. Lenox delivered a number of launches and extensions to its Tuscany ranges. In Tuscany Classics, it launched Whiskey 101, a set of four specialist whiskey glasses, each for a different type of whiskey. Meanwhile, Mikasa delivered a set of five new wheat beer glasses with coasters in its Cheers range and added stemware to Serenity – glasses mirroring the look of its giftware pieces. Vietri delivered a new holiday drinkware line, adding a hiball and dof in platinum and in gold to its Optical Drinkware line. In addition, Rogaska, for the first time present in the WWRD showroom, re-introduced the Fan Club Collection with its deep horizontal and vertical cuts and presented the Maison and Reflection collections, introducing exquisite crystal ice buckets; while the Nambe line revealed braided barware, including decanters.

A retro barware story was unveiled at Marquis by Waterford. W The Vim & Vigor Collection is an homage to oldschool mixology and includes goldrimmed dofs, hiball recipe glasses, plus stainless steel barware pieces with a burnished gold finish. Fun and giftable barware pieces were prolific like Kate Spade’s Two of a Kind line extensions, including barware trays resembling old vinyl, a diamante bottle stopper and personalised his and her beer glasses. Coloured glassware was all the rage too: Lenox launched Tuscany Cool Colours, stemless wine glasses in fun new colours and sets of six. Kate Spade’s Charlotte Street was extended to include coordinating glassware – think textured spiral blue hiballs and dofs. And Moser delivered a selection of differently cut glass dessert bowls as well as dofs and hiballs in the Mozart series – think bright shades, from green to orange.

GOLD ACCENTS Gold highlights continued to reign supreme. Lenox delivered a number of ﬁne dining patterns with golden accents: inspired by the 1920s, Royal Grandeur features the sophisticated combination of royal blue and gold,

while Prismatic Gold features a honeycomb design in gold. Hampton Forge’s luxury brand Argent Orfevres delivered plenty of gold along with complementary metallics (copper, bronze) on flatware, including Belvoir Gold, which features jewellery-inspired handles of 24k gold plated 18/10 stainless steel, and Brocade Titanium Gold, delivering a hammered effect gold titanium plated 18/0 stainless steel. Mikasa revealed formal dining pattern Dawn Gold, a starburst effect with coordinating stemware, and Raylinn, a new Gold line with 4 and 5-piece place settings. At Nikko, gold rocked the tabletop – Villa Gold delivered large contemporary florals in striking matte gold and black; while matte gold featured heavily as an accent, along with dark greens, on Vista Alegre’s Art Deco-inspired Emerald dinnerware collection. During this golden era, metals and precious stones were often paired with geometric patterns, reflecting the opulence of the age. Finally, gold gilded a number of new barware and drinkware ranges for sophisticated and retro appeal:

Wedgwood

Mikasa

WHAT THE EXHIBITOR SAYS… “Nikko has been making giant steps in solidifying a luxury consumer base. The introductions of Villa Gold, Central Park and Washi at the recent New York Tabletop Show proved that we are on track for exponential growth. Nikko was among the ﬁrst seven tenants of 41 Madison and every year we are not only impressed by the quantity of visitors here, but also the quality. We were very pleased to have even more visitors this April since our Fortune pattern was included on the Martha Stewart table in the lobby. I could hardly imagine a tabletop industry without 41 Madison.” Charlie Breslin, Howard Charles Inc., looking after sales for Nikko TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 67

Texture Nikko

Gibson

Vietri delivered Optical dofs and hiballs in handcrafted crystal trimmed in gold bands; while at Marquis by Waterford, there were gold stripes on its new vintage glassware range Vim & Vigor.

GEOMETRICS RULE On the pattern front, the geometric honeycomb design was prominent. Wedgwood unveiled its latest concept Arris – with its hexagonal honeycomb pattern of gold on black or white – to the US market; Lenox unveiled Prismatic Gold, a honeycomb design in gold; and Auratic’s new patterns were honeycomb-heavy: everyday bridal pattern Chantilly featured a gold honeycomb pattern, while Octarvin delivered a raised platinum and black honeycomb design that looks diﬀerent in diﬀerent lights. In fact, geometric patterns reigned supreme, featuring heavily on Auratic’s three new formal dinnerware patterns, Empire, Neptune and Vargas, the latter a navy and platinum pattern featuring an airy and contemporary geometric border. Geometrics also reigned supreme at Mikasa – while casual dinnerware line Jax featured a black and white Art Deco-inspired geometric design, formal line Azara

delivered a modern geometric design with a unique textured effect with platinum banding. The ombre design also reared its beautiful head: Auratic’s collection by British designer Nick Munroe – the Aladdin Bone China Dinnerware Collection – features a colourful graduated ombre design that comes in three distinct colours of red, grey and sky blue and which complement Nick Munroe’s Aladdin teaware collection introduced last year. At Mikasa, Joelle dinnerware delivered an ombre effect from slate to saffron, taking it from casual to formal; while Ombre in metallics also featured with Mikasa’s Metallica Ombre joining the successful Cheers range, delivering barware such as decanters and an ice bucket.

TOP FOR TEXTURE Touchy feely tableware is becoming popular once more (see page 22) and this was apparent at the show, with organic textures of matte exposed stoneware particulary proliﬁc. Gibson’s 16-piece dinnerware Rowland collection is debossed with concentric circles and lightly glazed in a range of rich agrarian shades – the light but glossy glaze is set against the exposed raw bisque and creates

the impression that beneath h these urban textures lie raw w and natural cores. Pzaltzgraff ff offered the same unfinished d stone feel on its new May Charcoal dinnerware line, while Mikasa delivered an organic mica finish for a raw w textured look and feel on itss formal set Alessa. Fluting was also popular,, with several brands delivering dinnerware with this ribbed texture: Gibson’s new 16-piece Starford collection delivers white glazed terracotta organically fluted pieces, while Wedgwood’s new Jasper Conran collection Tisbury features curved lines defined by fluting in a variety of depths. Finally, Nikko introduced some of its most successful hospitality collections to the retail market. This included Washi, a collection of white pieces with highly textured rims inspired by Japanese paper with its scrunched-up feel. Texture also made its presence felt on glass. There were interesting textures like bubbles and grids on a number of new barware sets at Mikasa, while at Moser, texture reigned supreme – both grid-like and bubble-like – on vases, dessert bowls and drinkware. Finally, Nachtman

WHAT THE RETAILER SAYS… “Our visit to 41 Madison for the April 2015 edition of The New York Tabletop Show was very successful. We met our long-term partners and saw their latest launches. With Michael Aram, we established a simultaneous launch in American and Russian markets of the new collections for Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 – this means Russian consumers will see it in Dom Farfora the same time American consumers see it in Bloomingdale’s. We loved the appealing and fresh Palm Collection, which will be popular in our market, especially for holiday season. We also admired all the new lines from Lenox, especially Marchesa – colourful, fresh and artistic, Marchesa is popular with our clients. In conclusion, we received many great impressions, arranged necessary meetings and met our partners.” Elena Sokolova, chief buyer, Dom Farfora, Moscow 68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Mikasa

Wedgwood Jasper Conran

(under the Riedel umbrella) revealed its Next Generation collaboration with one of the leading design schools. The Sphere Collection features a textured design that looks like the blowing of bubbles on glass bowls, vases and drinkware. Finally, texture on ﬂatware featured on Argent Orfevres’ new Paris Hammered range, with rich textures and a distinctive hammered ﬁnish on 18/0 stainless steel pieces in either Gunmetal, Copper or Gold plating.

Name: Do minique Ta ge Job: Creat ive directo r and foun Dominiqu der of e Tage Des ign Website: www. dominiqu etagedesig n.com Email: do minique.ta ge@ worldonlin e.fr About: Aft er her deg ree, Dominiqu e specialis ed in text design at ile Esm in Paris bef od Fashion School ore workin g as a textile des ign began in 19 er. Her freelance des ig 84, first in gn career th tableware industry, h e textile industry, th and-draw en from 19 designs. Sh ing and h 90 in the e then set and-p up her ow Tage Desig n design co ainting unique n and she mpany Do continues company m to be crea today. Do tive directo inique minique st porcelain arted out r of the manufact d es u re ign Noblat, Gu rs, such as y Degrenn Bernardau ing for French e and faie d, Medard internatio nceries de de nal brand Gien befo s to her po for everyo re add rtfolio ne Noritake an from Villeroy & Boch . She has created d ing esigns and Porcel d in a num ber of vary and glass to Wedgw to melam o in g m ed iu ine and ev ms, from ce od and cover a nu en paper. ramic mb Her hand-d more form er of styles includin rawn desig al styles an g ns d across th floral, ethnic, geom dessert pla et e co-ordin tes, cups an ated servic ric and tabletop fa d saucers. e – Dominiqu irs to show e travels to plates, her portfo Clients: B most of th lio and sh ernardaud e e w o rk s , to order. Medard d faienceries e No de Gien, P hilippe Des blat, Guy Degrenn Clement, e, Arc houlieres, Lu Ritzenhoff International, Viller oy & Boch neville-Saint , Porcel, R oyal Staffo , Hutschen Mikasa, Pi rd,Wedgw reuther, ckar ood, Leno Tabletop U d China, Fitz and Fl x, PTS, On oyd, Norita nlimited, Z eida, ke, World ak Design Kitchen, s.

Last Word

EYE ON DESIGN

Dominique Tage Each issue we cast a spotlight on a designer in the tabletop industry. Here, we chat with French artist Dominique Tage who hand-draws and hand-paints tableware patterns What exactly do you do? I create and design – using various mediums and by hand – rich and sophisticated patterns for tableware. I use my experience, my French heritage and culture and my sense of colour to serve the tableware industry, creating mix and match collections, telling stories and delivering emotional dinnerware patterns. I draw my inspiration from various elements from my travels like landscape, nature, culture and food, from where I live in Paris and from shops, exhibitions and museums, interpreting such inspirations through my personality and sensibility. It is my job as a designer to educate the consumer, to develop their taste, to make the moment of sharing an exceptional one. I propose some 200 new designs each year.

What are the main elements of good design? First and foremost, good design

should be made with passion, something that oﬀers emotional value that can be transmitted to the consumer. It should also be timeless, reﬁned and should give meaning to everyday objects.

Also, I have been licensed by Hutschenreuther in the past and also by Ritzenhoﬀ. I am alwayss really happy when I go to a shop hop or restaurant and discover a decoration that I have created. d.

Describe a typical day in your design life.

From a creative perspective, what are your views on the tableware industry?

I start by answering emails from my clients. Then I will begin the search for new ideas or elaborate on ideas, – drawing and colouring. It is a real pleasure to do it by hand using a brush and diﬀerent mediums like watercolours, ink or gouache. I believe that hand-drawn technique delivers soul.

What have been the highlights of your career? The fact that some of my edited creations have been bestsellers, such as the Cherish pattern for Corelle, which is the Number Oneselling pattern in the department store channel in North America.

Calling all designers – would you like to be featured in a future ‘Eye on Design’? If so, email our Editor, kate@lempublishing.co.uk 70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Even if we may think that everything has already been created or designed, there are e always new ideas and areas to o explore. We must draw inspiration ation as and from our cultures and past eras re-interpret and update. And while the acquisition of a complete dinner iority service may no longer be a priority for young couples today, designers must inspire consumers with product and designs whereby they can express their own sensibility and tastes through interesting decorative objects. The tableware industry is in constant evolution, developing with e-commerce, TV cooking shows and new materials and that's why it’s so exciting to be in the industry today.

Whi h d Which designs i or collections are particular favourites? I love all Rosenthal collections – including Versace for its rich and sophisticated design. I also love Wedgwood for its reﬁned porcelain, Missoni and Desigual for their colour universes. My favourite age for decoration is the Art Nouveau period and Renaissance ornaments.

THE NEW YORK TABLETOP SHOW ®

OCTOBER 13 –16, 2015 Where the most important brands and buyers meet.

41 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 • 212.686.1203 • 41madison.com • A Rudin Building

American Silk Anchor Hocking Arc International Arthur Court Designs Artland Auratic USA B.I.A. Cordon Bleu Bormioli Rocco Glass Cambridge Silversmiths Certified International Christofle Circle Glass Crystal House International Dansk Denby USA DeVine Corp. Euro Ceramica, Inc. Fisher Home Products Fitz & Floyd Fürstenberg Gibson Overseas Godinger Group Gourmet Settings Guy Degrenne Hampton Forge Hankook Chinaware Herend Hering-Berlin Hermès Home Essentials and Beyond Homer Laughlin China Co. iittala Jay Import John Jenkins Joseph Joseph Julia Watts LLC Juliska Kavalier Glass L’OBJET Lee’s Group International Lenox Corporation Libbey Glass Lifetime Brands Lladró Luigi Bormioli Maxwell & Williams Meyer Corporation Michael Aram Michael Wainwright Moser Mottahedeh Mr. Christmas Nambe Nikko Ceramics Noritake Odiot Oneida Ltd. Orrefors Kosta Boda Over & Back Pasabahce USA Pickard China Portmeirion Philippe Deshoulières Prima Design Prouna Puiforcat Q Squared Design LLC Ralph Lauren Home Reed & Barton Ricci Argentieri Richard Ginori 1735 Riedel Crystal of America Robinson Home Products Rosenthal USA Royal Crown Derby Royal Copenhagen Royal Doulton Royal Limoges Royal Worcester Saint Louis Sambonet Sango America Scafati & Company Shinepukur Ceramics Signature Housewares Inc. Spode Steve Dolce Marketing 10 Strawberry Street TarHong Direct Tervis Tzeng Shyng Vietri Villeroy & Boch Vista Alegre Waterford Wedgwood William Yeoward Crystal WMF Yamazaki Tableware Zak Designs Zwilling J.A. Henckels