TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com
INTERNATIONAL
Month: November/December 2023
Issue: 5
Volume: 145
THE VISION OF SIMPLICITY
With the VISION series, you intuitively choose FRESH, STRAIGHT, INTENSE or BALANCED, free from conventions. Named after the taste nuances to be emphasized, powerful wines, for example, can be presented in a more lively and fresher or more harmonious way.
WWW.ZIEHER.COM
ons.
ore
Visit us at Ambiente, Frankfurt a. M. , Germany
Horeca: hall 11.0 booth C28
OM
26.01.2024 - 30.01.2024
Retail: hall 12.1 booth C43
7DEOHZDUH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 1RY 'HF LQGG
Tableware Team EDITOR MAIREAD WILMOT mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk
INTERNATIONAL
W
PUBLISHER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk
MANAGING DIRECTOR MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk
CHAIRMAN MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk
Published by Lema Publishing Ltd. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness Berkhamsted Herts HP4 2UB Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442 289930 www.tablewareinternational.com
Front cover supplied by Steelite For more information see the website www.steelite.com
TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com
TableWare elcome to the final edition of Tableware International for 2023. A whirlwind year has gone before us but we look forward to 2024 which kicks off with Ambiente at the end of January. There we will host our annual Tableware International Awards of Excellence which we are thoroughly looking forward to. As I type, all of our entries have been compiled and are winging their way to our esteemed judging panel for deliberations. Our finalists will be announced with the January issue which will be out in time for Ambiente and the winners announced at an awards ceremony held during the trade fair. Details to follow but we hope to see you all there. Onto the task at hand, our magazine. This issue features Steelite International on the cover – turn to page 32 to see our interview with Tim Harper, senior vice president sales (UK & Ireland), who tells us about the recent revamp of the company’s London showroom. We’ve got something a little different on page 68. Oliver Towers does a super job writing about Denby’s link to Barbie-designer Jack Ryan, and in turn, his wife (for a while!) the Hollywood actress Zsa zsa Gabor. It’s a great read, particularly for Denby buffs and those who love a bit of ceramics history. Both Luzerne and Porland tell us about some of their latest collections on pages 34 and 40, respectively. We also take a quick look at Barware on pages 36 and 38, and of course, we preview the upcoming Atlanta Market, which by all accounts, is growing and growing and growing with brands such as LSA International, Reidel, Fortessa and Beatriz Ball all there – along with many more.
In terms of interviews, we catch up with the family-run Clip Quality Brands (who distribute the aforementioned Denby). Owners Björn and Ruchama Bakker tell us about their growth trajectory which has included acquiring new brands such as The Table Amsterdam – “our aim is to ensure retailers can source everything they need from us” they say. It’s an interesting read on 46 and follows on from our interview on page 42 with Melody Rose’s Melanie Roseveare. Melody Rose has enjoyed a real upswing in demand from the HoReCa sector in recent years with commissions from museums, top-tier hotels and Michelin star chefs – along with enjoying growth in the retail side of the business. It’s a great success story that is worth taking note of. “The growth of commitment from restaurants has been especially encouraging,” Melanie tells Tableware International. “There seems to be a greater willingness to work with independent brands like Melody Rose.” And not forgetting our regular features such HoReCa news, product news and of course, trends, where we look at animal-inspired pieces on page 50 and blue tabletop on page 62. We look forward to seeing you all at Ambiente – my colleague Paul and I will be there in force and in particular, I’m eager to get my hands on your latest collections so do make an appointment to see me over the course of the show.
Mairead Wilmot TableWare
INTERNATIONAL
Month: November/December 2023
Issue: 5
Volume: 145
INTERNATIONAL
DIRECTORY 2024
The A-Z of Tableware
$)B&$3$B7DEOHZDUH,QWHUQDWLRQDO'LUHFWRU\B [ PP SGI
2
Don’t miss!
The Tableware International Directory 2024 is released with this issue. The handy booklet is the perfect addition to your desktop.
134
www.tablewareinternational.com
&
0
<
&0
0<
&<
%" " +&+$ +"4 ,))" 1&,+
&0<
.
www.tablewareinternational.com Tableware International
tableware_international
@tablewareintmag
tablewareintmag
CONTENTS November/December2023
32
Regulars
Categories
12 News 14 HoReCa News 16 Product News
36 Barware
78
Columns 24 Retail Column 66 HoReCa Column
In focus 32 Cover Story – Steelite 34 Luzerne 40 Porland 60 Viewpoints 68 Jack Ryan, Denby and Zsa zsa Gabor
Interviews
Trends 50 Animal-inspired 62 Blue and white
Show previews 54 Host Review 56 Atlanta Preview
26 Retail 42 Melody Rose 46 Clip BV
50 40
68
98
46
38 The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher or Lema Publishing Ltd. Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.
Tableware International
tableware_international
60 @tablewareintmag
tablewareintmag
News General Denby has partnered with presenter Miquita Oliver to show people how to re-purpose, re-use and re-love their homeware items
Denby partners with Shelter Denby has partnered with housing and homelessness charity Shelter. The charity was recently selected as Denby’s nominated lead charity for 2023/24 and Denby employees will be undertaking several fundraising activities and events to support Shelter’s vital services, including their emergency helpline and other key support services for those in housing need. As demand for more consciously made products increases, and with two recent industry awards for sustainability behind them, this prompted Denby to partner with Shelter and launch a key campaign called ‘Denby Reloved’.
The campaign includes research recently commissioned by Denby to find out how and why so much fast homeware goes into landfill each year. The research revealed that a third of Brits throw homeware items in the bin rather than finding ways to avoid landfill, and the campaign is therefore encouraging the nation to find ways to re-use, re-purpose and re-love their homewares. To highlight the issue, Denby has also partnered with broadcaster Miquita Oliver to share tips and ideas on how to repurpose and reuse existing belongings.
A moment for…
.
the Speckle Bubble Gourd Glass Vase
Orrefors crafts fragrance bottle for Henrik Lundqvist Renowned fragrance enthusiast Morgan Madison and former NHL superstar Henrik Lundqvist recently launched a fragrance collection that merges the worlds of sports and luxury scents. And Orrefors were brought on board to design the high-end fragrance bottle. The "Next Chapter" fragrance collection is a collaboration that signifies Lundqvist's transition into the next phase of his life. Orrefors were influenced by
their "City" collection by Martti Rytkönen in the fragrance bottle's design which draws inspiration from the play of light at sunrise in New York City. Filip Trulsson, global chief commercial officer at Orrefors, says, "This venture with Henrik Lundqvist, a revered role model, aligns seamlessly with our City design. The convergence of Sweden and New York through this artistic expression captures the essence of the Next Chapter concept."
From Wellwares, the unique Speckle Bubble Gourd Glass Vase is meticulously handcrafted, its décor showcasing hundreds of miniature bubbles inside. Made from high-quality glass, this vase boasts a charming gourd shape with a small neck opening, perfect for showcasing smaller bouquets with effortless elegance. www.wws-ceramic.com
G&G Goodfellows continues to grow G&G Goodfellows continues to grow its London showroom team. The newest arrival, Sean Seon, has started as business development manager. Sean begins the role with a plethora of hospitality experience, particularly as a hotel general manager across north-eastern United States, and is eager to infuse the role with creative flair.
Did you know? Daum-Haviland has moved to the Decoration and Design Building at 979 Third Avenue, Suite 903, New York, NY 10022 from 41 Madison Avenue from November 2023. 12 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Does the colour of plates inf luence our perception of food? Celeb chef Jozef Youssef to pose question at Ambiente Ambiente – taking place from 26 Jan to 30 Jan 2024 – will play host to celebrity chef Jozef Youssef who will present the findings of an exclusive survey conducted for the trade fair. On the Monday, Hoteliers’ Day, he will share his findings on what effect colours have on our sense of taste with industry participants. Jozef Youssef, the award-winning celebrity chef and creative force behind the design studio Kitchen Theory, conducted the survey exclusively for Ambiente, entitled “The power of colour: a survey on how coloured tableware influences the perception of food”. Using an online survey, he shines a light on how the colour of plates affects the perception of desserts.
Image credit: Kitchen Theory
Goviers of Sidmouth acquires Havens Goviers of Sidmouth Limited has announced the acquisition of iconic online business Havens of Westcliff-on-Sea. Simon Willis, MD of Goviers and Nigel Havens have known each other for many years through associations at Royal Doulton and Royal Crown Derby. Both Simon and Nigel have a deep affection for the tableware and glassware industry forged over many years. Simon and Janet Willis, and the team at Goviers, look forward to developing the Havens business and building on the work that the Havens family have done over the past 122 years. Simon says: “Having worked in the tableware industry since 1985 it is exciting to be able to add the long-established Havens business to our current Goviers giftware operation. I have always had a passion for a well laid table, and I look forward once again to working with the finest tableware and glassware once again. Janet and I are really excited to have the opportunity to acquire another giant of our industry and are honoured that Nigel and Paul trust us to take on the business bearing their family name forward respecting the values that they, their father, grandfather and great grandfather established.” To contact Simon Willis, phone 07912 616297 or email simon@goviers.co.uk
WHERE THE INDUSTRY CONNECTS AROUND INNOVATION, INSIGHT AND INSPIRATION 17-19 MARCH 2024 | CHICAGO, USA
TheInspiredHomeShow.com
For more information and to register for your FREE ENTRANCE BADGE, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com
Planning is well underway for The Inspired Home Show® 2024—the IHA board of directors has listened closely to the needs of the industry and has made several changes to create the most productive experience possible. The Show will be three full days, and the three main expos—Dine + Décor, Clean + Contain, and Wired + Well—will be located within the two main halls of McCormick Place. This new format will create a trade show experience that is more productive, highly efficient and tremendously successful for the industry. We look forward to The Inspired Home Show 2024, which will showcase all of the newness and innovation that this industry offers on an annual basis. DEREK MILLER, President & CEO, International Housewares Association © 2023 International Housewares Association. All Rights Reserved.
B,+$B(QJOLVKB7DEOHZDUHB,QWOB+DOI3DJHB Y LQGG
30
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 13
News HoReCa
Vista Alegre elevates HoReCa offering with Art.Made
Vista Alegre has elevated its hospitality offering with an exquisite new line – Art.Made. Vista Alegre Hotelware – developed in partnership with prestigious designers and world-renowned chefs – already offers an extended selection of high-end pieces for discerning restauranteurs and now comes Art.Made, designed to complement the existing range.
Art.Made has been shaped by Vista Alegre’s artisan-sculptors who marry their expertise with bold, contemporary design, paired with modern manufacturing techniques. The porcelain collection is supported by a glassware line which, of course, has been created with the same principles. The transparent glass dishes are free-form and can be chosen flat or with a groove.
Velvet finish makes an impact for Amefa Amefa says its18-10 stainless steel cutlery with velvet finish is making waves, and is in hot demand in HoReCa circles. Amefa has introduced the Side velvet and Metropole velvet this year with the velvet finish mimicking the feeling of a real velvet fabric. www.amefa.com
Wilmax adds hammered serveware to offering Inspired by traditional Indian hammered metal products using a hand-hammering technique, Wilmax has added another new line to its extensive range of products – hammered serving ware. Offering the quality demanded by modern HoReCa professionals, Wilmax’s hammered serving ware – from the body and handles of the products to the smallest detail – is made entirely of 18/10 stainless steel. It allows the products to be more scratch resistant and keep their high-shine look for a long time even when heavily used in restaurant environments. The line is presented in two colour options: a silver body and golden handles and a matt bronze finish. The range includes over 100 different products in total: oval, round, rectangular and square serving pots and pans of different sizes. The universal lids, adjusted to fit different products of the same shape and diameter from the range, are also available. wilmax.uk
Narumi’s Rydges takes Meet leading hospitality center stage at Murano buyers at HRC 2024 HRC, Hotel Restaurant & Catering, will welcome the hotel, restaurant and catering community back to ExCeL London on 25-27 March. The show brings an unrivalled selection of tableware buyers and distributers, including general managers, hospitality procurement directors, owners and more from some of the largest hotel and restaurant chains across the sector looking to source tableware, interior finishes and accessories. By choosing a stand in the Design, Décor & Tableware section, organisers say exhibitors will have the opportunity to amplify their brand and product exposure and make a lasting impression on tableware buyers and distributors. Photograph by John Carey©2023
14 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Narumi’s Rydges plate is taking a starring role at chef Angela Hartnett’s superb Michelin starred London restaurant, Murano. Supplied by G&G Goodfellows, Angela’s North Italian inspired dishes are more elegant and refined whilst retaining the crucial integrity of the original cuisine. Her style of food cries out for a similarly elegant setting. “We think the plate provides the perfect setting for Angela’s beautiful culinary creations,” G&G Goodfellows tell us.
England
ThE LIFESTYLE MOvEmENT NEW Hotelier’s Day Monday, 29. 1. 2024
The most wide-ranging hospitality solutions – Ambiente is the hotspot of this constantly renewing sector. At the HoReCa Academy, high-calibre experts give their take on global trends, innovative furnishings and the latest hotel and catering concepts. Your industry, your community: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com/horeca info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 84
DU: 23.11.2023
FRANKFURT / MAIN
75163-028_AM_AZ_HoReCa_Tableware_International_210x297 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • cd |
26.–30. 1. 2024
News Products
Spode introduces
Blue Italian Steccato
New for 2024, Spode’s Blue Italian Steccato tableware collection, has been specifically designed to elevate consumers’ homes through distinctive design. Adorned with Spode’s illustrious cobalt blue, Steccato blends great British craftmanship with timeless style for a modern take on a classic thanks to its eye-catching statement blue and white stripes that pay homage to a rich heritage of ceramic mastery and innovation. Full of personality, the collection also seamlessly pairs with Spode’s iconic Blue Italian range, which is known for its timeless design in the home. Made in Stoke-on-Trent, the new products in Spode’s Blue Italian Steccato tableware collection include dinner plates, side plates, a salad plate, bowls, teacups and saucers and espresso cups and saucers, a teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug and mugs. The range will be available to purchase from early February 2024 with RRPs starting from £11.
Beatriz Ball launches new bowls as part of Sierra Modern collection
Beatriz Ball is celebrating all things gold with the introduction of new Sierra Modern Lissa bowls. With their brilliant goldtone surfaces, and gently curving shapes perched above three ball feet, the bowls have been handmade by skilled artisans in the company’s own foundry. Available in two sizes, these original Beatriz Ball designs are sustainably handmade of a top quality, dishwasher safe, aluminium alloy. Wholesale.beatrizball.com
Design prowess From the Ćmielów Design Studio, the Limbo set is a super cool range of mugs featuring a coloured matte porcelain exterior with a glazed inside. Along with mugs, there is also a tea set with an equally impressive teapot, and a jug.
www.porcelana.com.pl
Vista Alegre’s Winter Garden
gives meaning to glassware
From Vista Alegre – the new Winter Garden glassware collection is a sight to behold. Consisting of a set of pieces which respond to the most diverse current needs – think decanter, pitcher, flute, highball, old fashioned, wine goblet and cup – the collection has been inspired by neoclassical architectural elements. Note the vertical matte cut suggesting pleats and draping “held in place” by a gold thread. An organic component of Vista Alegre’s new The Meaning collection, the Winter Garden set strikes a perfect balance between traditional distinction and contemporary simplicity.
www.vistaalegre.com
16 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
&
0
<
&0
0<
&<
0<
.
%" " +&+$ +"4 ,))" 1&,+
News Products
A first from Costa Nova – porcelain!
Globally recognised for its stoneware offering, Costa Nova has launched its first-ever porcelain collection. Resonance, designed by Carsten Gollnick, marries stoneware with porcelain – offering both a diverse range of porcelain pieces that can be used independently on the table – as well as a selection of stoneware pieces that can also be used either on their own or combined with the porcelain. “Resonance goes beyond the boundaries of conventional design and tabletop décor, inviting chefs and restaurateurs to explore a variety of stoneware and porcelain combinations. This blend elevates the guest experience to new levels of sophistication,” says designer Carsten Gollnick. The launch marks a pivotal moment in the history of Costa Nova and its manufacturer Grestel, reaffirming the company’s innovation DNA in the professional world. The brand says Resonance showcases the culmination of ceramic expertise, meticulous craftmanship, cutting-edge design and the company’s strong commitment to presenting the market with a completely new concept.
LAV showcase new lines Glassware company LAV has launched their latest lines encompassing several on-trend themes. Crafted digital, evocative landscapes, faded romanticism, fluid softness, round, odin and Helen (pictured) are all new concepts for the Turkish brand. The Helen glass combines a retro style with a touch of modernity, while the new petite Odin line brings a new way to offer shot servings or a creative way to offer small treats and sweets. Round, meanwhile, has been designed for the kitchen with various sizes of glass bowls which are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The remainder of LAV’s new offering is a mix of modern lines, cool colours and on-trend but practical pieces. www.lav-us.com
Meet Riedel’s Mosel Magnum Decanter The Mosel Magnum decanter is a new introduction to Riedel’s M Series, which is defined by simplicity and functionality, making it ideal for both new and experienced wine enthusiasts. The collection features traditional shapes that cater to wine lovers who desire an easy-to-use decanter without fuss. The decanter is designed for everyday use and its simple design accommodates both young and old wines of any variety. With a striking optic design, the Mosel’s slender shape fits perfectly in the door of a refrigerator. The decanter is designed to hold a magnum bottle of wine. It is machinemade and dishwasher safe.
New statement mug from Rosenthal
Burleigh adds to Green Regal Peacock and Green Asiatic Pheasants collections
Rosenthal has introduced a new must-have porcelain mug – The Mug+. Available exclusively in the brand’s online shop, The Mug+ boasts sleek lines and a smooth, silky surface with a matt exterior and glazed interior. Colourways include Comfort Blue and Gentle Grey, as well as contrasting versions of black and white, making them a stylish everyday companion. The Mugs+ became available online from 2 November online for a limited time at rosenthal.de.
Burleigh has added new pieces to its Green Regal Peacock and Green Asiatic Pheasants collections – just in time for autumn/winter. Discussing the latest consumer buying trends, Jim Norman, MD at Burleigh says: “We see customers buying multiple patterns and colours in one go, suggesting they’re mixing and matching their favourite pieces and having fun creating their own unique set of luxury tableware and/or teaware. Sales of breakfast cups and saucers over the past few months have been higher than teacups and mugs, so people are wanting a larger hot drink to last them longer. Consumers seem to choose smaller plates over the larger dinner plates. pasta bowls, pudding bowls and our cute little butter pats are also in high-demand.”
18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
www.portmeiriongroup.com For Inquiries: IntlSales@portmeiriongroup.com
TableWare INTERNATIONAL
“At the heart of the global tableware community”
2024 www.tablewareinternationalawards.com
Tableware International’s Awards of Excellence 2024 See you at Ambiente!
This is for the collections that matter…
Contact mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk
www.tablewareinternationalawards.com
',%B B$1=B/XPHQB [ B7DEOHZDUH LQGG
Retail Column
In the second part of a two-part exploration into brand awareness, our columnist Michele Trzuskowski from T is for Table, looks at managing relationships and how to say goodbye to brands no longer serving you well
Saying bye bye
to brands I
n my last article I focused on how to best introduce new brands into your store and what to look for in the brand-retail relationship. In this article I want to focus on how to manage that relationship, as well as how to determine when to say goodbye to a brand – whether old or new. Often, retailers will have a group of core vendors/brands in their store at all times that contribute to the blend of their product categories. For example, as a tabletop store, my core vendors are comprised of dinnerware, stemware, flatware, linens, etc. Some of my core brands only represent dinnerware, while others may represent each of those categories. When I purchase those items, I am doing so with the intention of a longer vendor relationship. I am not going to bring in Versace on a whim.
inventory, it’s important to regularly evaluate how each of those brands and their categories within your store is doing. You should look at each vendor you carry and evaluate their margin, the space allocation they have in your store, how often they turn, and their all-around profitability. Much of that information can be derived from your database or point of sale reports. Space allocation is a little different in terms of asking yourself if those three shelves you’ve given to one brand is generating your financial projection versus giving that space to another brand (this could be a whole column in and of itself!). There is often, however, intrinsic stages that products and brands go through that don’t show up in reports and should be considered. Here are just a few.
“I’ve had to make some tough decisions when a core brand or smaller brands stop doing well” I already know it isn’t going to turn in my inventory as fast as a set of martini glasses might, but I am investing in the brand as well as the category because I know it’s right for a certain segment of my customer base. I also have several secondary brands that I am purposely bringing in for a short period of time due to a trend or their seasonality. When I purchase from these types of vendors, I know going in they will be short term and are only meant to supplement an existing collection. After more than twenty years, I’m lucky enough to have long-term relationships with many vendors. But I’ve had to make some tough decisions. Because, as a retailer, one of the most important roles is managing your 24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Delivery and quality control We all know when Covid hit the supply chain issues came with it. We all took a hit when we couldn’t get the products we needed. But that was an unusual circumstance and one I hesitate to use in an example of why you might consider losing a vendor. In my case, for example, you can have a great product from a brand that meets your financial objectives, but if you can’t get it in stock on a regular basis – what’s the point? I once carried a brand (which shall remain nameless) that was different and I really liked, they had an assortment of ice buckets and cocktail shakers that were unique. I wasn’t alone in my thinking however; many other retailers liked them as well and good for the vendor they were
having a huge growth spurt. But along with that spurt came many growing pains and soon they were always out of stock with the products I needed. Then when I did get the products, their quality control declined, and I would have to send product back. So, regardless that they met my margin and sell through rates, if I couldn’t get the product, it didn’t do me any good. I decided to drop the brand and look for some other alternatives.
Trends Other times I have chosen to drop a vendor when that category becomes outdated. That can sometime happen due to a trend. For example, when home décor becomes more contemporary, and the dinnerware they are seeking is more streamlined and modern, it’s important I can meet that need. It’s not so much that a more traditional place setting won’t sell – there is always a person out there that is traditional. But when more people are looking for a different category due to a recent trend, it’s up to me to make sure I can fill that need. I don’t eliminate my traditional category but if I have several vendors that fill that need, I look at eliminating the least profitable. Italian ceramics is a good example of this. Right now, for me at least, Tuscan dinnerware patterns are trending down. I believe this reflects the push towards transitional or more modern decorating in home décor. I have several vendors that represent this category in the store, and since I want this as an offer in my store, I am reducing my selection down to two or three basic patterns. I’ll see which performs the best and eliminate the other. Brand direction Just like retailers, brands can sometimes change their approach to the marketplace. They may see a segment
About T is for Table T is for Table is a luxury independent boutique, with a focus on tabletop, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Open more than 20 years, it offers an experiential and inspirational space dedicated to helping customers tell stories, create traditions and celebrate life. The boutique offers everything from fine pottery, china, glass, serveware and table accessories, to home décor, jewellery and body products, and delivers a custom service with its custom engraving, home visits and gift registries.
www.tisfortable.com of their business going in a direction that is profitable for them. For you though, it may not make sense. I had that happen with one vendor. They were a beautiful, high quality luxury dinnerware brand from Europe. Their owner had visited me at my store when they were just starting out (many years ago). They had wonderful collections that came from both Portugal and France. As they grew, their collection changed from a focus on dinnerware to a focus on very high end “curiosities” in the home décor area. For me, this didn’t make sense for my store or my customer – both in product selection and in this case, price. When new introductions from a brand no longer fit your customer in terms of age or demographic, it’s time to make a change and stop investing in products that don’t sell just because it’s a tried-and-true brand. The retail and vendor relationship are critical to the success of any business. Saying goodbye to brands that once served you well is always difficult but change often proves profitable in your store and keeps your customers coming back.
Retail Q&A As US retailers face into a busy holiday season, Tableware International partnered with trade fair organisers AndMore to uncover where they source brands, how they adapt business practices to suit demand, and we hear about some key issues facing store owners...
Talking shop
Name: Bridget Johns, founder and CEO, To & From toandfrom.com What are the key issues you are facing as a retailer currently? The slowing consumer, particularly online, is definitely one of the things we are paying attention to – as well as the level of promotional activity we expect as we head towards the holidays. The good news is supply-chain problems seem to be mostly resolved and there are a lot of great products coming to market!
“The good news is supplychain problems seem to be mostly resolved” Do you tend to source from US brands, or are you open to suppliers from Europe/ Asia etc? We focus on mission-driven brands - primarily brands that have underrepresented founders, a focus on sustainability and/or companies that have the B Corp designation. We have a lot of made-in-the-US brands but also have brands that produce globally. What tabletop items/collections/brands are popular with your customers currently? We are doing very well with products that bring joy to the table – current best brands are Atelier Saucier, JK Adams, Furbish Studio and Verve Culture. Have you noticed any emerging trends in tabletop? A trend that we’ve seen across all categories that certainly extends to the home is with personalisation – this can be custom engraved cheese boards, monogrammed dinner napkins, or even personalized whisky glasses. Finally, which trade shows do you personally find most useful to attend and why? Of course, we love Shoppe Object; it’s a perfect fit for our site and the types of brands we like to include. We also really appreciate Field & Supply.
26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Name: Bob Brourman, owner, Fragile (Atlanta. GA) www.fragilegifts.com What are the key issues you are facing as a retailer currently? I think Amazon is a threat to all retail. Some people think that Amazon has the best price. Younger consumers go to Amazon because it’s easy and that is what they like. They just don’t want to take the time to look in person, to feel and to touch. They just do what is quick and easy for them. Our customers, who have shopped with us over the years, still love coming into the store, seeing the selection, and know that we will gift wrap and ship if needed. They like the customer service! You do not get that from Amazon.
We have seen brides are Do you tend to source from US brands, or are you getting back open to suppliers from Europe/Asia etc? all of our suppliers have US distribution – that is to registering Almost most important to us. for formal Have you noticed any emerging trends in tabletop? Covid we have seen brides are getting back to dinnerware” Since registering for formal dinnerware. They realise that this
is their chance to get dinnerware that they can use forever. Gold rimmed is dominating. Finally, which tradeshows do you personally find most useful to attend and why? Atlanta - it has become the best show. You can find pretty much anything there. We used to go to NY twice a year but no more.
Name: Art and Martha Nading, owners, The Extra Ingredient, Inc. (Greensboro, NC) www.extraingredient.com What are the key issues you are facing as a retailer currently? Retailers are always facing pricing issues, supply issues and growing a customer base. Pricing continues to be a concern as freight is getting more expensive… and we hope we are seeing some stabilisation in this area. This has been a better year regarding supply availability as Pandemic issues have waned. We have seen an increase in sales for all our product categories and which has been quite encouraging. We have been able to increase our customer base with our on-line e-commerce and social media. Do you tend to source from US brands, or are you open to suppliers from Europe/ Asia etc? We are always looking for good suppliers who make quality merchandise. In looking for high-end, quality-driven suppliers, we are aware that our customers always appreciate the bonus of a US manufacturer. The most important fact regarding Bbands: We look for suppliers who appreciate our channel of trade which is independent store and high-end. We shy away from products sold in mass market (and chain) channels. Many of our suppliers offer exclusivity that can only be found in the established, well-regarded independent store channel.
Name: Kay Timm and Jane Wegand, owners Grand Fête, (Hudson, Wisconsin) What are the key issues you are facing as a retailer currently? Some of the challenges include rising operating costs; rent, labour, shipping costs, business supplies have all increased dramatically in the past two years. E-commerce and online competition – national brand availability from online giants like Amazon has provided the customer the ease of shopping at home and shopping for price while in our store. Some of our suppliers are also selling direct to consumer, gaining our consumer base through warranties or direct sales which allow them to directly contact and sell to our customers. Inventory management - continued supply chain challenges require accessibility to same product with several suppliers. Many times we have to “overbuy” when available because being understocked can affect profitability the same as being overstocked. Differentiation in the marketplace - we are always working on how to differentiate ourselves and create a business model that sets us apart from others (both large and small) to create an experience for our customers that is fulfilling. With the challenges we face, our strength is focused on events, service, and creating an environment that is inspirational from the use of great ingredients to great kitchen tools and entertaining at home. Do you tend to source from US brands, or are you open to suppliers from Europe/Asia/etc.? We support our locally produced products and consumables and include them whenever possible in doing demos or training in our store. We source from US companies when we can and while many import products, we often promote “made in the USA” as our customer base is interested in this and will tend to buy local or US made products
Name: Paul Denoly, owner, Hawkins New York (New York, NY) www.hawkinsnewyork.com What are the key issues you are facing as a retailer currently? As a retailer dedicated to the home industry, we’re not alone in adjusting to the post pandemic boom and emphasis on supporting small business we experienced in 2020 and 2021. As a small online retailer, we have also been affected by the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, led by necessary regulatory changes that have made it more challenging to reach our customers and compete with the larger retailers and DTC brands. As a wholesaler to independent retailers across the US, these challenges seem to be felt by many. What tabletop items/collections/brands are popular with your customers currently? We are doing very well with our Essential Dinnerware collection. Our customers are drawn to the colours and its price point and versatility. Available in six colours and seven silhouettes, customers love the chance to mix and match to make it more personal. It can be dressed up for more formal gatherings or casual for every day. We also encourage our customers to mix and match our dinnerware with their heirloom or vintage pieces they may already have. Our corresponding essential table linens and glassware have also done very well and offered in the same tonal six colorways.
“There also seems to be a resurgence of patterned handpainted dinnerware”
Have you noticed any emerging trends in tabletop? Colour is being embraced much more frequently and not just with accessories or seasonal novelty items. There also seems to be a resurgence of patterned hand-painted dinnerware, both with formal and informal settings.
if possible. However, we also source from Europe for textiles and home décor. With that said, products must be evaluated for price, quality and design no matter where they come from. What tabletop items/collections/ brands are popular with your customers currently? Visual merchandising is important in our store as it creates the ambiance for our customers. We tend to work with tabletop collections that have complete themes that include textiles, dinnerware, glassware, decor and then we mix cookware and gadgets with it to create an entire kitchen concept. We use resources such as Now Designs/ Danica, Tag, BIA. Have you noticed any emerging trends in tabletop? Mix and match tableware - customers are not looking to replace full place setting, they are looking to augment what they have to give a completely different feel. They are looking to personalise their entertaining experience mixing colours, patterns and textures. We teach them how to “layer” their table! minimalist, clean lines, simple shapes, functionality . While kitchens have grown in size and become the primary focus of the home, the consumer still wants items that have multiple functionality. Tabletop follows fashion trends with a resurgence of retro designs and colours, and blue continues to make a strong comeback. Finally, mixing materials – metallic and copper finishes are important year around. Mixing materials adds depth and interest.
Name: Mary S. Moore, founder and CEO The Cook’s Warehouse (Atlanta, GA) cookswarehouse.com What are the key issues you are facing as a retailer currently? There is increasing pressure from other online retailers, 3P marketplaces, and direct sales marketing by the brands we carry. More suppliers are developing robust direct sales operations and spend significant money on marketing directto-consumer opposed to partnering the same with independent retailers who have historically been the brand builders in community. Margin erosion from increased costs on freight, shipping, and labour. It’s challenging to manage all the current accounts we have and still find time to discover new vendors – a specific challenge related to tabletop. Also tabletop requires a significant investment to have a successful assortment and then time to work through what does/doesn’t work and reassort. Have you noticed any emerging trends in tabletop?
“It’s challenging to manage all the current accounts we have and still find time to discover new vendors – a specific challenge related to tabletop”
There is a strong trend away from fine china/porcelain patterns toward dinnerware with a more natural aesthetic that can be dressed both up for a soirée or down for a Tuesday night dinner after work.
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 27
Retail Material Possessions
“There are just not that many stores like us out there” Material Possessions – a store with nearly 50 years behind it – is run by Jessica McDermott and Peggy Swartchild. Now entertaining a clientele of third generation buyers who are looking to outfit their homes, Material Possessions is a place customers come back to. Hugely keen on supporting American brands, they tell us bridal registries are back in business! TI learns more about this established retail business… Tell us a little about Material Possessions, how did the store come to be? Peggy, and her original partner, were helping friends put together their homes, picking out cool pieces and accessorising. They were finding great artists and artisans they were not seeing anywhere else. They started curating their own section of an existing store and soon Material Possessions was born. They created a store where every visit was an exploration. A feast for the eyes where beautiful tables are set with a mix of interesting dish collections, colourful glassware, and exquisitely made table linens. Where spaces are curated to help
customers imagine how items could enhance their spaces. Tell us about the store itself? Material Possessions opened in 1979 and is located in the Hubbard Woods on the north side of
28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Who is the typical Material Possessions customer? Our customers are sophisticated,
“Annieglass, Match Pewter, and Michael Wainwright have been an important part of our business for years” Winnetka on the edge of Glencoe. We are in an area dubbed “The Hubbard Woods Design District” filled with retail stores, interior designers, as well as restaurants, and coffee shops. The floor of the
Where to find Material Possessions… 954 Green Bay Rd , Winnetka IL, 60093. United States
store is approximately 1,500 sq ft with the offices and storage all totalling 3,000sq ft.
well-travelled and fun. They are well versed in trends and have their own style. They are looking for quality goods that look put together rather than matchymatchy. Going into our 46th year we are now helping a third generation register or set-up their new home. We are outfitting second homes and reimagining spaces with empty nesters.
Timelessly elegant, simple and beautiful.
nudeglass.com
Retail Material Possessions We are particularly interested in the tableware and accessories – give us some insight into the brands you stock? We have had the pleasure of working with some tabletop artists since their earliest days in business. Annieglass, Match Pewter, and Michael Wainwright have been an important part of our business for years. Simon Pearce, Juliska, L’Objet and Skyros are great favourites with our customers for quality everyday dishes. In recent years, Bodrum linens has done a wonderful job, making beautiful easy care linens. We have always counted on Kim Seybert and Julian Mejia designs for linens and napkin rings that will wow customers. What tabletop items are popular/ trending with your customers currently? We have been seeing a resurgence of some of our more handmade feeling tableware. Our customers are loving the irregular edges of Simon Pearce’s Burlington dinnerware. We have quite a waiting list for Romulus Craft’s handthrown black and white collections. And do they want to buy an entire “look” from one brand or are they more interested in mixing and matching? Our customers often create an “entire look” made of three or four vendors. Dishes from one or two vendors, linens from one or two vendors, flatware from another. And similarly with glassware and flatware, what brands are
proving popular for you? Blue Pheasant has some fun but usable patterns which do well. Simon Pearce, Juliska and Michael Wainwright are among our most popular. Is online an important part of your retail offering? Online is important particularly because of bridal registries. People shop for our brides from all over the world, 24 hours a day. Is bridal still a big part of your business? Yes, it is also an interesting
sales forecast. The quantity and extensiveness of registries we create this year is a good indicator for next year’s sales as those registries get fulfilled.
Offering experienced top level customer service and having a brick and mortar while competing with online only “stores” is increasingly difficult.
Do your customers tend to prefer to come into the store to see product or do they buy online? The majority still like to come in. We hear more and more that there are just not that many stores like us out there. People often comment that they purchased something online and were disappointed or surprised due to the size or quality not being what they expected. But they often
Do you tend to source from US brands, or are you open to suppliers from Europe/Asia? We love some of our overseas vendors but we try to find brands that have stock in the states to keep our lead times short and shipping costs down. Have you noticed any emerging trends in tabletop? We are seeing more colour going
“The quantity and extensiveness of (bridal) registries we create this year is a good indicator for next year’s sales as those registries get fulfilled.” pre-shop our website before coming in to see what our selection looks like. Merchandising your store – how important is that to your overall branding and how much time do you invest in it? Creating an inviting and inspiring environment is very important to us. We are always moving things around and creating new vignettes. What are the key issues you are facing as a retailer currently? 30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
into winter. Even if it is just in accents like linens people are “warming up” the whites and greys from the last few years. Finally, which trade shows do you personally find most useful to attend and why? We find the Atlanta Gift Market important because it covers the largest area of categories. NY Now and Shoppe Objet are where we find great gift items and new smaller artists.
Cover Story Steelite
London
Steelite International recently opened its newly revamped London showroom addressing the needs of its key partners in the UK and Ireland. Tim Harper, senior vice president sales (UK & Ireland) at Steelite International & William Edwards Ltd tells Tableware International more…
London, a buzzing epicentre for culinary creativity, is an obvious choice for Steelite International to have a central showroom. Home to some of the world’s best restaurants, London has long been bursting with flavour. It makes sense, then, that Steelite has revamped its base in the English capital to match the exciting surrounds. The London showroom overhaul follows on the back of a big year for Steelite who also opened a new European warehouse in in Schiphol Logistics Park in Rozenburg, The Netherlands. Chosen for its strategic location – close to Schiphol Airport
32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
calling
and with direct access routes to the rest of The Netherlands – the new warehouse spans 10,000 square meters with capacity to stock more than 1,400 SKUs with 600,000+ pieces of stock. At the time of the announcement, Steelite explained they were now able to have multiple shipments per week between the UK and EU warehouses, as well as multiple shipping dates per week to partners in mainland Europe, thus improving delivery times. Steelite is all about doing things better, which ties in nicely with the company’s major revamp of their central London hub.
In fact, Steelite has been steadily revamping their suite of global showrooms – starting with a hugely successful Chicago overhaul. “We were prompted to review other showrooms with a renewed customer experience in mind. The realisation that we were not utilising the space to the best of our ability for an ever growing and diversifying product offering, which has grown massively since the inauguration of the Steelite London Showroom, made us hungry to revamp and give our customers the right tools to build their perfect hospitality solutions, including tabletop buffet, and lighting,”
says Tim Harper, senior vice president sales (UK & Ireland) at Steelite International & William Edwards Ltd. The London showroom is similar in size to Steelite’s base in NYC, but smaller than Chicago and Madrid which are “notable spaces” – but that doesn’t mean stock selection suffers, quite the opposite, with a thorough collection of products and solutions for all types of hospitality concepts. A top-tier London base is always key for Steelite given the amount of meetings and specifications which take place in the showroom. But more than that, Tim says it’s “a hub for creativity, and we always welcome
“London really is a hub of hospitality activity where a vast majority of our key UKI partners have a presence” and encourage people to come and ‘play’ with our products. Tableware and buffetware is very interactive when in use, and we believe it should be considered as such when creating a solution.” Of course, you’ll find a full catalogue of brands for the UK and Ireland market from Steelite Core products made in Stokeon-Trent, to other notable brands such as William Edwards, Robert Gordon, Maham Studio, RCR Glassware, D.W. Haber buffet, and much more. It’s all about presenting the best foot forward in terms of providing solutions for venues. So, with that in mind, the product mix is reviewed periodically with new products introduced around key launches, coinciding with international trade shows as Ambiente Frankfurt, NRA Chicago, and HOST Milan. In short, Steelite take a holistic global approach to their showroom presentations – all bases are covered. “London really is a hub of hospitality activity where a vast majority of our key UKI partners have a presence. The fantastic transport links in London also
opens us up to the UK, along with the rest of the world,” Tim enthuses. With space for operators to create their own bespoke tabletop concepts, and a live demo kitchen, the London showroom is cutting-edge. “The newly refurbished space has been designed for specifying, with experimentation encouraged,” Tim explains. “Steelite solutions offer a tactile value, so they should be tested as such. Chefs, operators, owners can experiment with tabletop settings in a ‘live’ situation, with the introduction of a demo kitchen opening the possibilities to prepare their own food and test the aesthetic and functional benefits of our offerings.” As for the demo kitchen, that has proven a success. “We’ve already had several events featuring top chefs, with the feedback all-round being that of resounding success. Our hope is to encourage chefs to get creative, allowing us to better understand their needs and provide the right solution for them.” The last two years have not been without challenges, Tim
admits, not just for Steelite but for the entire industry. The trajectory, however, is on an upward swing. “We’re pleased to report Steelite is thriving! We’ve seen growth in the UK, Ireland, and the rest of the world, with significant gains
in the USA, Canada and South America. “All this positivity is pushing us on further to provide better and more innovative solutions for the marketplace, just as Steelite has become known for.”
About the London showroom Open from 8:45AM through to 16:45PM, you can schedule an appointment by reaching out via email to london@steelite.com or call +44 (0)1782 249 599. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 33
In focus Luzerne
New from
Luzerne
Luzerne introduces two new collections – the stylish Oasis and MOD, one of the brand’s first collections in their new stoneware category…
MOD – where
stone meets ceramic MOD enters the stage as one of Luzerne’s first collections in the brand’s new stoneware category. Inspired by a minimalist mood board where home gardening and organic food are part of everyday life, MOD is made with a generous weight of stone. This collection is discretely charming with new alluring colours such as Frosted Blue and Roasted Sesame. MOD is ideal for use in the home – in fact, it can be popped directly into the microwave or fridge – the collection featuring thermal-shock resistance quality that’s so important, especially for industrial kitchens. Of course, MOD contains no animal bone residue from its production, so this lovely collection can be part of the dining table for all communities.
34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Oasis – where aesthetics
meets functionality
Whiteware may be the most commonly used tableware to provide contrast to colourful food presentations, but it can also be one of the most difficult to assemble on the dining table because of its lack of colour. That’s why Luzerne’s artisans proposed a design for Oasis that cleverly blends aesthetics and functionality, with a distinctive soft ivory colour. This design philosophy extends from the drawing board to the collection’s outline – a simple silhouette that allows food to take centre stage. It also features a rim which is thicker and more robust than most tableware, making it sturdy against the occasional knock. Apart from its glossy finish which makes Oasis easy to clean and maintain, it also bears all the signature hallmarks Luzerne’s HoReCa customers expect – such as high resistance to extreme temperatures, zero water absorption, resistance to scratches and chipping and absence of lead and cadmium.
Visit
www.Luzerne.com to learn more about Oasis and MOD.
Speckle Bubble Gourd Glass Vase Content: Indulge in the exquisite beauty of our Speckle Bubble Gourd Glass Vase, meticulously handcrafted with hundreds of miniature bubbles inside, creating a unique and captivating effect. Made from high-quality glass, this vase boasts a charming gourd shape with a small neck opening, perfect for showcasing smaller bouquets with effortless elegance.
www.wws-ceramic.com | chloecui@wellwares.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 35
Category Barware
Barware, but make it brilliant
From the classic martini glass through to a specialised glass created just for Brazil’s national drink… we highlight the best in barware
Paderno’s barware One hundred and fifty – that’s the number of items in Paderno’s barware collection! From the Moscow mule mug to the martini glasses and Champagne flutes, from the spectacular pumpkin and pineapple-shaped goblets to a line of original, exciting straws and stirrers, Paderno offers a wide range of hygienic, reusable and ecofriendly stainless steel items - the perfect and stylish alternative to plastic. The brand’s extensive range focuses on adding value to all types of cocktails, through perfectly coordinated accessories in elegant gold, copper and black hues. www.paderno.it
Vista Alegre honours Brazil’s national drink Vista Alegre has partnered with Academia da Cachaça to develop a glass with the perfect characteristics for tasting cachaça. This partnership gives Brazil's national drink the perfect glass, just like wine, whisky, champagne. In order to develop this aesthetically appealing piece capable of maximising flavours – Vista Alegre, Academia da Cachaça and the respected gastronomy journalist Luciana Froes – worked with a group of experts, including producers, distributors and a masterblender. After much deliberations, Vista Alegre's designers began work on the prototypes. To create the final version, they considered aspects such as the height of the glass, which is lower so as not to disperse the aromas, the rounded shape of the bowl, enhancing the colour or transparency and, above all, exalting the bouquet, and the thin diameter of the border, so as to act on the concentration and diffusion of the aromas. This premium piece, handcrafted from superior crystal and brush-painted with 20.6 carat gold, is sure to be the perfect complement to the most celebrated Brazilian drink in the world.
www.vistaalegre.com
The evolution of a glass The RiedeL Drink SpecificGlasswar e Collection Sour Optic Glass is an evolution of the brand's original Sour Glass introduced in 2019. It features an optic design and slightly thicker proportions for increased durability. This glass is equipped with an outward flar ed lip essential for the traditional sour, and delivers silky smoothness to the entire palate for balance of fla vour. Created in collaboration with spirits specialist Zane Harris, the Riedel Bar Drink SpecificGlasswar e Collection answers the need for cocktail-specificglasswar e, and has been perfected to cater to thousands of variations of cocktails and mocktails. This piece is machine-made and dishwasher safe.
www.riedel.com 36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Expert opinion… Zane Harris, mixologist, spirits specialist, and codesigner of the Riedel Bar Drink Specific Glassware Collection gives his opinion what’s hot and talks about his collaboration with Riedel Is there a rise in popularity in any types of drinks, thus filtering down to the barware sector and influencing purchases? The Martini and its many variations are making a serious comeback. Both the traditional Gin or Vodka Martinis and modern classics like the Espresso Martini. The Espresso Martini is a classic serve that first became popular in the U.S. in the early 1980s. While it disappeared for a few years, we’ve seen a major resurgence of the cocktail and mixologists have stepped up the game using high quality espresso and spirits and reducing the sugar content. It’s since become a trending order across the country, and because of that, more restaurants and bars want to order cocktail glasses like Nick & Noras and Sour glasses! Within the barware segment, what products are trending/popular? We’re seeing a ton of brands starting to produce variations of the coup style martini glass to cater to the rise in popularity of the category. With versions available for both consumers and the restaurant industry, Riedel’s Drink Specific Glassware Nick & Nora and Sour glasses caters to the trending martini category with an innovative design. Riedel uses real industry experts to co-design their bar line. Unlike traditional martini glasses which are easy to spill, the shape of Riedel’s designs fit cocktails perfectly, and helps to keep the velvety foam head in your glass and not in your lap. Is barware for the home still a buoyant category? During the pandemic, many home bartenders educated themselves on cocktail creation. With this came the realisation that most people simply don’t have the proper glassware. Fortunately for them we designed, along with a lot of industry feedback, Riedel’s Drink Specific Glassware Collection, or the DSG collection for short. This collection was designed to offer every glass a home mixologist would need to make every drink they come across. Riedel’s DSG collection remains a bestselling series in the US.
Category Barware Nude
RCR’s Tiki Collection The new RCR Tiki glasses boast true Italian credentials being 100 per cent Made in Italy and designed with industry experts. The glasses offer the ideal capacity for Tiki cocktails and much more. RCR’s products are 100 per cent recyclable while the RCR factory uses geothermal energy through photovoltaic panels and is considered a biomass plant. www.steelite.com
Orrefors
Zieher’s eclectic bar collection
RCR
Utopia
The Pill, The Vikings, The Knobbed and Eddy – dash! are an eclectic series of glasses which make up Zieher’s Bar Collection. Made of particularly break-proof and temperature-resistant borosilicate glass, all glasses not only offer an extravagant outer shell, but with a capacity of up to 500 ml, also provide plenty of space for extraordinary experiments and countless recipes. Despite their differences, all glasses are easy to combine and create possibilities that go far beyond serving a drink. Visit www.zieher.com to see more.
Utopia elevates the basics Utopia’s bulb jiggers come in three distinctive metal finishes – gold, copper and polished stainless steel – and their classic curves grace the bar. At the same time, their rounded design (with 25ml and 50ml bowls) fits comfortably in the hand, combining ergonomics and style. With cocktail mixing jars, Utopia has taken the classic proportions and size and added a twist, by reinventing them in stainless steel. The 58cl jars are also double walled and so help keep the drink cool. Bitters bottles are cocktail bar essentials and Utopia’s latest range focuses on design as well as practicality. The bitters bottles are available with a silver, gold or copper top and hold 10cl (3.5oz). www.utopia-tableware.com
Cocktail classics “Absolutely, there has been a noticeable surge in the popularity of certain drinks in recent years, and this trend has significantly impacted the barware sector. Two notable examples are the Pornstar Martini and Espresso Martini,” Fine Dining and Living tells us. “The Pornstar Martini is traditionally served in a distinct type of glass BonBistro - a stemmed glass with a sidecar shot. This demand for the specific glassware required for serving the Pornstar Martini has led to a notable increase in sales of these specialised glasses. Similarly, the Espresso Martini has also seen a surge in popularity. The unique shape and design of the glassware, typically a stemmed martini glass, have been in higher demand due to the growing preference for this drink.” The Prior Glass from Fine Dining and Living’s BonBistro brand is a great option for serving these on-trend cocktails.
www.finediningandliving.eu
The stylish option The Nick & Nora Glass is inspired by the stylish fictional detective and his wealthy wife - Nick and Nora Charles, written by American writer Dashiell Hammett. Famous bartender Dale DeGroff, the King of Cocktails, was searching for a small cocktail glass and found this elegant style displayed in the movie “Thin Man”. He picked it up and began to call the glass Nick & Nora. Orrefors is launching the elegant old-school martini glass as part of the More collection. This popular model holds 5.7 oz and goes well with drinks such as Martini, Cosmopolitan, and Manhattan. Designed by Erika Lagerbielke.
www.orrefors.com
On-trend whiskey
Zieher 38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
At once simple and striking, this set of four NUDE Rock & Pop Artist collection glasses stands out with a series of bold decorative motifs created by the graphic designer and illustrator Umut Karaman. Matching highball glasses and water jugs are also available.
eu.nudeglass.com
In focus Porland
Collection
dissection
We look at Porland’s Danshari collection – a striking mix of blue, terracotta and green. Notable for its elegance and simplicity, Danshari was created by Porland as an ode to nature on the back of the global pandemic... Collection name? In the heart of Danshari, we find the elegance of Japanese minimalism, a graceful dance of decluttering and purpose. This collection is sculpted by the three eternal truths of our existence, mirrored in the hues of the endless sky, the nurturing earth, and the whispering forest. Enveloped in shades of azure blue, grounding brown, and verdant green—colours plucked from nature’s purest palette—they infuse every setting with serenity. Each piece is not just tableware, but a poetic echo of nature’s tranquillity, crafted for the discerning eye.
How did the idea for the collection come about? In the aftermath of a challenging period where the world largely remained indoors, we at Porland felt a profound calling to reconnect with the natural world around us. Our new collection, Danshari, is more than just tableware; it’s an ode to the fundamental elements that shape our existence - the sky, the earth, and the forests. As the pandemic reshaped our perspectives, we sought to remind ourselves of the beauty and serenity of nature, often taken for granted. Danshari is our tribute to these untouched, pure elements and a call for a deeper appreciation for the world outside our doors.
When did Danshari launch? In 2021, right after the pandemic, international fairs weren’t fully operational and there were doubts about continuing them. It was a time when we realized how much we’d taken nature for granted and wanted to show our appreciation.
Did you know?
40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Tell us about Danshari’s colourways? Quite straightforward, actually: a velvet skycoloured blue, a matte terracotta brown, and a deep forest green. Is the collection available in all global sales territories? Yes, just like all our collections, the Danshari collection is available worldwide. What has reaction to Danshari been like? Very well received, to be honest the terracotta brown is their favourite, but customers do like to combine it with the velvet sky, it makes for a striking contrast on the table.
This is Porland’s 18th coloured glaze which is being produced simultaneously. The collection offers both durable shapes suited to the HORECA industry, as well as ultra-thin shapes catering to fine dining clientele.
www.porland.com
Interview Melody Rose
Known for its unique style of dinnerware, Melody Rose has made a successful transition from selling to retail to supplying HoReCa, attracting the attention of Michelin starred chefs such as Bjorn Frantzen. With a new commission for the Mandarin Oriental in Zurich, it’s been a busy number of years for designer Melanie Roseveare. Tableware International’s Mairead Wilmot caught up with the talented creator to learn more about the move into HoReCa…
In tune with Melody Rose Melanie, the Melody Rose brand has enjoyed a bit of an upward trajectory in recent years, is that fair to say? It is fair to say, it really has been a good couple of years. We’ve had some great commissions from museums and restaurants and the retail side of the business has been strong with the launch of our newest collections and product extensions.
We’ve been able to successfully broaden our customer base without having to compromise on any of our company values – such as our commitment to supporting high quality British craftsmanship by partnering with a third-generation pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. While the brand started selling to retail customers, you’ve
really seen an explosion in interest in your products from the hospitality sector – tell us a little more about that. We were very excited when we began finding our feet in the hospitality sector. Our first hospitality commission, with the hotel M House in Mallorca, used a mix of both our upcycled and fine bone china ranges and gave us a chance to see the potential.
to work with independent brands like Melody Rose. Where in the past restaurant groups may have tended to ‘play safe’ with tableware, they are now being more adventurous, which can make their offer more distinctive – something they see becoming increasingly important. Just to give a flavour of your work you have collaborations
“We’ve had some great commissions from museums and restaurants and the retail side of the business has been strong with the launch of our newest collections and product extensions” The growth of commitment from restaurants has been especially encouraging. There seems to be a greater willingness 64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
with Michelin star chef Bjorn Frantzen at Studio Frantzen London and Brasserie Astoria in Stockholm and Singapore,
¤§¡ ¤§¡
bybone.innovation
www.bybone.com
info@bybone.com.tr
Interview Melody Rose
M House Hotel, Mister French New York and now, coming in 2024, Melody Rose will be in the Mandarin Oriental in Zurich. How did the Mandarin Oriental come about? Before I talk about Mandarin Oriental, I wanted to tell you about The Frantzen Group which you just mentioned. I was in Stockholm a few weeks ago and called in at Frantzen’s Brasserie Astoria. It was so exciting to see again the whole range of our tableware being used so creatively in the restaurant. The chefs and service staff love working with the plates – they can use them to add their own unique presentational arrangements. And the quality coming from our pottery partners in Stoke-on-Trent is regularly commented on by customers. They’ve even put our tableware designs onto the walls of one of the dining rooms! Mandarin Oriental approached us in the Spring of 2022 to discuss
a project for their new Zurich hotel. To be honest it was completely out of the blue – but we could immediately see it was an exciting project. They loved the Melody
for us was a change to using 22kt best burnished gold for all our collections. It meant that our fine bone china range has become more robust and durable, while remaining
“Mandarin Oriental approached us in the Spring of 2022… to be honest it was completely out of the blue – but we could immediately see it was an exciting project” Rose aesthetic and were happy to go with our suggestions for a mix and match of designs. They’re open for bookings available from February 2024 and we cannot wait to share images when they open. Have you had to change or adapt anything for the hospitality industry? One of the biggest breakthroughs
luxurious. That has proven a real interest to both our retail customers and the hospitality sector. Seeing hundreds of plates being used in Frantzen’s fast-paced Brasserie Astoria in Stockholm recently reminded me just how well English pottery stands up to the demands of modern restaurants. Did the interest from HoReCa take you by surprise or was it something you, as a brand, chased? When we began Melody Rose it did seem that partnerships and collaborations within the hospitality sector would be the right direction to go in. But our commissions have all come from customers who are searching for something unusual, rather than us chasing them. They’ve been attracted to our design aesthetic and can see how it could work in their settings. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the uptake in not only our bespoke designs
but our core designs. It is a great validation to both the quality of the English fine bone china Melody Rose uses and our creative designs. The motifs and decals you use are so fun and so particular to the Melody Rose brand, do you find it a challenge to come up with new inspiration? The challenge has always been to ensure the motifs and designs not only work both for us and for our customers, but that work together so that a design can stand alone or mix into the collection and fit. Finding inspiration can come from so many places and as our projects have grown, our imagination has grown with it. We have made sure that new designs fit into our ‘pillars of design’ ensuring new motifs are fun, timeless, quirky but always elegant. What can we expect from Melody Rose in 2024? We’re planning to extend our range in the coming year with a few new products to add to our collections. As we started with the ethos of Mix and Match and have designed all of our pieces to be used that way, we think the new products will be interesting to both new customers and for our current customers to add to their collections. We also have a very exciting commission launching in April/May 2024 with a major UK Museum to mark a special anniversary. For now we are keeping that under our hat!
Watch this space! Melody Rose has an exciting commission launching in April/May 2024 with a major UK Museum to mark a special anniversary. Watch this space to learn more. 44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
AU T UM N/ W IN TER 23
KI L N ACCENTS
Discover how Denby’s new Autumn 2023 launches can offer newness and interest in small capsule collections for the key selling period and beyond. Visit our virtual showroom www.denbypottery.com/trade or contact us at TradeB2BAdmin@denby.co.uk
E L E M E N TS STONE W H I T E
7DEOHZDUH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO $GYHUWLVHPHQW $ LQGG
PORCE LAIN STA RS GIFTING
Interview Clip Quality Brands
Paving the path for
growth
From developing its own brands such as Bunzlau Castle, growing its cache with some new acquisitions, through to distributing Denby Pottery in mainland Europe, family-run Clip Quality Brands tells Tableware International about how it is paving the path for growth
“We believe that people are happiest in a place where they feel completely at home”. A powerful motivation which drives owners Björn and Ruchama Bakker of Clip Quality Brands in everything they do. Clip Quality Brands has experienced impressive
growth in recent years thanks to a strategic expansion of new activities. This includes continuing to innovate with its own Bunzlau Castle brand, the recent acquisition of Fairtrade brand The Table Amsterdam and continued investment in the company’s distribution arm,
which distributes products for Denby Pottery, among others, in mainland Europe. Distribution with Denby Pottery As a family business, Clip Quality Brands has two divisions. In addition to developing their own brands, they have been a distributor for Denby Pottery since September 2021. “Next year we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary as a company. Having been in the tableware industry
in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and France,” says owners Björn and Ruchama Bakker. Bunzlau Castle With a passion for business, Clip Quality Brands now has six quality brands, including its own brand, Bunzlau Castle. This has been a beacon of quality and craftsmanship in European handmade tableware for 35 years. The brand’s strong visual
“We have ambitious plans for the future. After a very successful start at Maison & Objet, we want to continue to reach out to new customers at Ambiente”
Did you know? Bunzlau Castle has been in existence for 35 years and most recently collaborated with the Van Gogh Museum. Together they have designed a new collection of ceramics and textiles inspired by the works of Vincent van Gogh. 46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
for all this time, we have come across many brands, including Denby Pottery, an established brand that fits well with our core values. They were looking for a strong partner with a good retail network in Europe and they came to us. Since then, we have been developing the brand
identity ensures high recognition across generations. “The highquality ceramics are handstamped in up to 40 different decors, which can be combined with each other. They range from floral to graphic but are all recognisable by the distinctive blue border,” they tell us.
Interview Clip Quality Brands
Fact!
All of Clip Quality Brands’ kitchen textiles are GOTS certified.
The collaboration with Van Gogh museum includes ceramics and textiles
Partly because of this recognisability, Bunzlau Castle has now been able to secure several major collaborations, including most recently with the Van Gogh Museum. Together they
also manufactured in Europe, mostly by family-owned companies committed to producing products of the highest quality. As a company, Clip Quality Brands is GOTS certified, and
“Our aim is to ensure retailers can source everything they need from us” have designed a new collection of ceramics and textiles inspired by the works of Vincent van Gogh. In addition to the ceramics collection, the brand has seen strong growth in recent years in products such as textiles, glassware, cutlery and home accessories. These products are
The Table is a recently acquired brand
48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
for sustainability reasons they are working to have their entire textile collection GOTS certified as soon as possible. The Table Amsterdam With an eye on the future, Clip Quality Brands continues to grow and has recently acquired The
Table Amsterdam brand. “This brand fits seamlessly with our values of sustainability and fair production,” Björn says. “The brand embraces fair trade principles such as climate-friendly, plastic-free and handmade products.” Organic shapes and natural colours make The Table tableware a great success. Because the different styles mix and match, the tableware is timeless and therefore a sustainable choice. In addition to the current collections, the brand continues to innovate and look for new developments. “Because of our confidence in the brand, we have ambitious plans for the future. After a very successful start at Maison & Objet, we want to continue to reach out to new customers at Ambiente. This is with the aim of expanding our European retail network and finding distributors outside Europe who want to carry our various brands. We
are already in talks with several partners in Asia and hope to do the same in the Americas.” Challenges and opportunities Clip Quality Brands is aware of the challenges of the current economic climate and is anticipating them by applying economies of scale: “By expanding our offering, we are creating a broad guarantee of quality and simplifying the sourcing process for our customers. This is made possible by our brand new retailer portal, where retailers can source and combine the different brands,” Björn explains. As for the future, Clip Quality Brands sees itself as the destination for quality brands, with continued growth and a dedicated, customer-focused team. “Our aim is to ensure retailers can source everything they need from us. Together with our brands and distribution, we will continue to innovate”.
Trends Animal Magic BonBistro
Spode
Inspirational
beings
Chic animal-inspired motifs on dinnerware need not be old-fashioned, in fact, it can be downright stylish. We take a closer look at some trending tabletop…
Narumi
Haviland’s Le Brésil (left), Océan Bleu (right)
Occasionally, but not always, when you think “animal print” – you think Bet Lynch, maybe even Vera Duckworth (iconic characters from the British soap Coronation Street). Unfortunately – with a few notable exceptions – one of fashion’s favourite prints hasn’t always successfully translated to tabletop. Never to be deterred, the industry has adapted, and made animals, animal-inspired motifs and even animal print itself… chic! Which is useful because the spring/summer ‘24 catwalk shows has lots of animal print and where fashion leads, trending tabletop tries to follow. Now, way back in 2021, the clever folks over at Spode foresaw this was about to happen and got ahead of the curve, launching Creatures of Curiosity.
Did you know?
Haviland partnered with La Manufacture Zuber to bring the Le Brésil (left) collection to life. 50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
This full-frontal commitment to animal print started as a tea story and homewares collection, with the tabletop range welcomed in 2023. Inspired by Spode’s illustrious design archive from the Victorian era, Creatures of Curiosity – which includes dessert plates, trays, mugs, sugar bowl, cake stand, wine glasses, cushions, candles and diffusers – features imposing floral patterns layered with leopard print pieces, scalloped edges and gold embellishments. Spode tells us the range “allows interiors enthusiasts to embrace the eclectic whilst also giving a nod to Spode’s heritage and 250-year legacy through its design details.” Staying with Spode and animals – albeit with a different source of inspiration – the Zoological Gardens collection is, as the brand puts it, “a fusion of maximalism, exotic wildlife and wild palms that blend with vibrant hues”. Incorporating pinks, greens and white – Zoological Gardens features a reimagining of three Spode patterns unearthed from
Trends Animal Magic
Fact!
Spode dug into their design archive from the Victorian era when creating Creatures of Curiosity.
Kosta Boda
the archive. The collection includes tableware sets, dinner plates, mugs and teacups, cake stand, teapot, cream jug and sugar pot. Staying on theme, Haviland’s breath-taking Le Brésil by La Manufacture Zuber is an absolutely glorious celebration of the animal kingdom. Haviland partnered with the Zuber wallpaper factory and successfully marries the
mastery of Haviland porcelain with the exotic landscapes of Zuber wallpapers. The design chosen for this collection was created in 1862 by the Zuber manufacturer and is a triumphant interpretation of the beauty of Brazil. Another triumph from Haviland
Narumi
Did you know?
The bluebird featured on Narumi’s Ramage collection is thought to bring happiness in many cultures. 52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Spode – this time an ode to the ocean – is Océan Bleu which uses no less than four shades of blue to recreate the movement of the sea, illuminated by marine animals such as a mantra ray and jellyfish in matt gold. Note how each piece of the service is a unique painting designed by the manufacturer’s creative workshop. A remarkable ode to craftsmanship. Narumi, meanwhile, brings us Ramage (pronounced RAM-aj), a collection which celebrates the true beauty of birds. The collection features a bluebird, which has been admired for bringing happiness in many cultures. The entire collection is designed in the image of a garden filled with flowers, where birds and butterflies fly in to play. The bird can be found in each item, sometimes hiding among flowers and sometimes perching on a branch, posing like the main character of the scene. It is, Narumi tells us, “a poetic, artistic, and optimistic collection that has been designed to suit various cuisines nurtured by the richness of Asian food culture”. Interpreting the animal world for tabletop can be frivolous
and fun too, as proven by Kosta Boda with New Friends, designed by Ernst Billgren. An animal – think fox, bear, deer, duck – can be found in every piece of the collection, brought to life by Kosta Boda’s skilled glassworkers. You’ll find them at the bottom of each piece of glassware! Finally, from the BonBistro brand out of the Fine Dining and Living stable, Resto is an ode to animal print in its truest form. Embracing the elegant pattern of leopard print, the tableware set is a strikingly chic ode to the popular motif. The brand adds: “With a sturdy and robust design, this collection can withstand even the most intensive use. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe for your convenience. Crafted with a reactive glaze on durable porcelain, Resto seamlessly combines style and practicality.” The beauty of embracing the trend – whether you favour a bold approach with straight up animal print, or more refined and subtle approach with motifs and decals, is that both options are available and worthy of investing in – you just have to find the right clientele!
7$%/(:$5( ,17(51$7,21$/ 63,5,76 LQGG
Review HOST
Host wraps up on a successful show
Host, the biennial trade show aimed at the hospitality sector, took place in Milan during October. A key date in the tabletop diary, we take a look at how the event went down… In excess of 2,000 exhibitors packed the halls of Fiera Milano as the Host trade show opened its doors for the first time since 2021. Italian exhibitors mixed with those from 50 other countries – and in addition to Italy, exhibitors from Germany, Spain, France and the United States made up the top five. All of whom see HostMilano as an opportunity to do “world on world” business. Switzerland, the Netherlands and Portugal followed, joined by Turkey and China, organisers tell us. Host was certainly the place to be in terms of trend forecasting – in recent years trends identified at the show which are now fueling sector demand include the development of fast food, partly in response to the return to in-person work, and increasingly blurred eating opportunities -
Did you know?
Of the 2,000+ exhibitors, 40 per cent were international from 50 countries. In addition to Italy, the most represented countries at Host were Germany, Spain, France and the United States. 54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
brunch during the week, salads and bowls as snacks - and the room for expansion in high-end and fusion cuisine, with consumers wanting increasingly multisensory and lifestyle experiences. This year was no less inventive, with those in attendance proclaiming the show a must-visit. “We did attend Host and thought the show was great,” Josh Rammell, marketing manager, Utopia Tableware tells Tableware International. “It is a good melting pot for hospitality, with new launches and great chances for networking. It’s one of the key dates in the hospitality calendar.” Similarly, Matthias Van den Eynde, international key account manager, Fine Living & Dining described the show as going “really well”. “It was a successful fair with lots of new contacts as well as visits from our long-time clients,” Matthias told us. Damla ÖNEN, CEO, Ardacam also attended Host. “We attended with our partner FSG Italia S.R.L. and were very
much pleased with the attention we received. We had a productive fair where we met with our current and potential customers and observed trends and competitors. With the outputs we obtained from the fair, we will focus on the areas where we can further improve.” To give a hint of the caliber of visitors to the show, LinkedIn (USA), with its global corporate hospitality programs; Royal Caribbean Cruise (Norway), which boasts a 26.5 per cent share of the world cruise market thanks to a fleet of 42 ships; Sodexo (France), which offers services to 100 million consumers in 53 countries and Minor International Co. (Thailand), a multinational hospitality company that operates more than 3,000 facilities in 62 countries were all at the Host.
The next Host will take place 17-21 October 2025. Visit host. fieramilano.it to learn more.
Preview Atlanta Market Fast becoming one of the more popular trade fairs in the US, Atlanta Market has set itself up as a retailfocused event with top-tier connections to buyers across the states. We highlight a few exhibitors who will showcase their collections at the bi-annual home and gift event…
Great gifting
What? Atlanta Market | When? Tuesday, 16 January – Monday, 22 January | Web? www.atlantamarket.com
Beatriz Ball 1101, Building 2
Beatriz Ball’s exhibit space in the Ivystone Showroom in Atlanta is nearly double the size that it was last year. Featuring new custom fixtures and new and different colourful graphics, the enlarged space has been put to good use, showcasing the company’s latest introductions in glass, ceramics, linens, luxury melamine, and its signature handmade metalware. Standouts include vibrant glass pieces in fun and unexpected colour combinations, and innovative designs in metal. wholesale.beatrizball.com
L’Objet
Suite 919, Building 2 Visit L’Objet at Atlanta to see the brand’s on-trend pieces including the Haas Mojave - Matcha Dinnerware which is a fresh shade in tableware. Mojave Matcha offers a soothing and earthy green, selected for its associations with healing and renewal. The intricate and organic pattern is reminiscent of endless stars in the desert sky. www.l-objet.com
LSA International B2, 8-834A-857B
Vibrantly coloured stripes are borrowed from traditional Polish costumes and decoration in the FOLK Collection. Visit them at Atlanta to see staggered bands of alternating colour mimic Łowicki fabrics, and the exaggerated silhouettes of layered, billowing skirts are seen in the wide, undulating vase shapes. Coloured glass rods are heated and applied to the glass gather before being mouth blown into a bespoke mould. The skilled, handmade process produces distinctive folk inspired patterns and playful forms, with no two vessels ever being the same. www.lsa-international.com
Vietri
Suite 909, Building 2 Vietri’s Pompidou collection is characterised by an array of vibrant colors within each piece. The deep yellows, blues, reds, and greens create a stunning statement on your table. Made in Campania, the collection is handwash. www.vietri.com
Did you know?
Building 2 is home to the tabletop section 56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Preview Atlanta Market
Blue Pheasant B1, 9th Floor, C12-C18
Selbrae House
Blue Pheasant will showcase their latest introductions at Atlanta. You’ll find lots of options for creating eye-catching table settings with lively accents. www.bluepheasant.com
B2, 12-1200
The Selbrae House glass, pourer and jigger set is the perfect gift for any whisky or spirits enthusiast! The stag pourer allows for easy and precise pouring, while the stag engraved measurer ensures that the perfect amount is poured every time. The glass is perfect for enjoying favourite spirits, with the stag engraving adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. The set comes in a beautifully designed gift box with magnetic lid fastening and retails at $50.00, making it an ideal gifting option, especially as we transition into the festive season. www.selbraehouse.co.uk
Get connected
Fortessa Tableware Solutions Suite 893, Building 2
Riedel
A trip to Fortessa Tableware Solutions at Atlanta Market will see you come face to face with Zwiesel Glas’s Echo Glassware. This eye-catching line of barware plays off the idea of turning up the volume with its sonic pattern on the base. This textural element also casts a dramatic light display for those enjoying a drink or two. www.fortessa.com
Riedel, the 267-year-old heritage glassware brand will once again exhibit at the Atlanta Home & Gift Market. This year, the brand will feature the latest introduction to its portfolio of grape varietal specific glassware, RIEDEL Superleggero, which introduces the largest, lightest, thinnest, and most functional machine made glass on the market today. Additional highlights include new introductions to RIEDEL’s Drink Specific Glassware collection,
including larger and optically blown Nick & Nora and Sour cocktail glasses, and an all-new Coffee Glass. RIEDEL will also showcase its full range of both hand blown and machine-made decanters, including its new machine-made Mosel Magnum Decanter, which features a simple design for everyday use and accommodates both young and old wines of any varietal. www.riedel.com
Download the @MARKET ANDMORE App before Market for access to up-to-date information.
B2, 933A
58 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
two together makes one of a kind. The new Fusion.
zwiesel-glas.com/professional
Opinion
As we wrap up 2023, we talk to some of our regular panellists about how the year was for them…
The year
Beatriz Ball
that was... Meet the panellists
owner, Beatriz Ball Which collection has been a best seller for you? Our VIDA Collection of luxury melamine continues to sell phenomenally well. We’ve added new subcollections featuring clean, smart, and fresh designs with exciting new textures. Made of dishwasher safe melamine for everyday enjoyment, the pieces are ideally suited for indoor and outdoor entertainment. What would you say is the biggest obstacle you’ve encountered as a business in 2023? Global economic conditions and the adjustment of interest rates by national banks have created certain obstacles. For instance, over the past year and a half, the Mexican peso has appreciated 15 per cent relative to the American dollar. Since our company’s foundry is located in Mexico this has a real effect on my bottom line. How are you feeling about 2024? I am feeling confident. The success of my dinnerware offerings in luxury melamine nudged me to explore and build new dinnerware collections in stoneware, and to deepen our offerings in other materials and categories. I’m really inspired by the possibilities to build new and compelling stories across categories, and eager to show the pieces at 2024 markets.
Damla ÖNEN CEO, Ardacam
What was your company’s biggest success of the year? In a short period of 10 months, by establishing the right business partnerships, we started to work with 30 countries with the ARDA HoReCa brand.
Anand Baldawa
Damla ÖNEN
Beatriz Ball
Josh Rammell
CEO, thinKitchen
CEO, Ardacam
owner, Beatriz Ball
marketing manager, Utopia
Anan Baldawa CEO, thinKitchen
What was your company’s biggest success of the year? How are you feeling about 2024? Our biggest success of the year has been marked by significant YoY growth in our business. In the Contract Manufacturing side of the business we have capitalised the emergence of India as a thriving manufacturing hub. This strategic move enabled us to attract new customers and encouraged our existing customers to provide us with new product lines and designs. In addition to this, in the Agency side of the business we proudly welcomed 4 renowned brands from around the world into our portfolio. Dreamfarm from Australia, KitchenAid and Rosanna from the USA, and Final Touch from Canada, are all leaders in their respective categories within the kitchen and home space. These partnerships have not only expanded our product offerings but have also strengthened our presence in the market across
12 categories and 45 subcategories. Furthermore, we introduced our own inhouse brand, Culinex, which offers a range of simple, classic, and functional kitchenware. Culinex is committed to providing high-quality products, offering a comprehensive selection of items, including cutlery, mixing bowls, bottles, mugs, and crockery, to meet the diverse needs of the Indian customers. Moreover, we had the honour of representing India at the International Business Council (IBC) Global Forum hosted by the International Housewares Association (IHA). During this event, we presented an overview of India as a burgeoning retail market for kitchenware and houseware products, further solidifying our presence on the international stage. Additionally, we actively participated in various trade shows and consumer exhibitions, further strengthening our brand presence and fostering connections with potential customers.
Which collection has been a bestseller for you? All of our Chef Collections including Halo, Ola, Gusto, Aria. What would you say is the biggest obstacle you’ve encountered as a business in 2023?
Josh Rammell
As industrialists, the price increases in energy (gas, electricity, etc.) and labour force has affected us, as well as others all over the world. Global political and economic changes have also been the biggest obstacles this year.
What was your company’s biggest success of the year?
How are you feeling about 2024? Our biggest priority is to grow our brand by maintaining our hope and creating the necessary strategic moves.
60 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
marketing manager, Utopia Tableware We are continuing to expand our range, working with designers and manufacturers globally, while always being aware of the carbon footprint of the products we are sourcing. In 2023, we have had our largest launch of new products in over 12 years, and moved into a new vertical of cordless LED lamps. We see a huge market potential for these in hospitality. Being cordless, they are very convenient and provide elegant illumination wherever it’s needed.
7$%/(:$5( ,17(51$7,21$/ 9$62 3,&$/2 LQGG
Trends Blue
Burleigh The last pottery of its kind, where the best of British ceramic design and craft manufacturing is protected and celebrated Burleigh produces authentic, individual, and timeless tableware in its famed blue hues. The brand’s traditional blue and white floral patterns provide a modern interpretation of the much-loved dinnerware décor, case and point the Blue Arden pattern.
www.burleigh.co.uk.
Amefa One of Amefa’s evergreen models, Eclat, now features a new colourway – sky blue. The “all you need” outdoor edition set is specifically composed to include everything for eating outdoors for four persons: from a picknick in the park to a family BBQ in the garden. The handle has a sky-blue colour and a matt finishing, giving the cutlery a contemporary look and feel.
www.amefa.com
Beautiful blue
After years of taking a backseat to the likes of terracotta, pink and grey – blue is making a comeback. But this time, it has partnered with white; its core colour cousin – evoking summers in Greece, giving you all the trappings for gorgeously impactful table setting Denby’s Design Director, Richard Eaton, pictured with the now iconic Craftsman’s Mug he designed to suit the Imperial Blue curved shape pattern. “Whether it’s delft or earlier Chinese porcelain – blue and white has played a huge part the history of ceramic design over the centuries, still inspiring designers today. Denby has an amazing rich history in blue and white ceramics which stretches back well over 130 years as the pottery moved away from salt glazing to decorative richly glazed wares. Today, Denby’s longest standing range is Imperial Blue which was launched in 1989 and is as popular as ever – a modern but timeless blue and white classic.”
Spode Spode’s legendary Blue Italian design has been bringing timeless style to homes across the globe since 1816. Now considered an iconic English design, the Blue Italian collection features a finely detailed 18th century Imari Oriental border encompassing a scene inspired by the memories of international travellers. Over 200 years later, Blue Italian’s tableware, serveware and textiles have been at the centre of those special family moments, and elegant dinner parties serving as essential accent pieces in the home. www.spode.co.uk
62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Fine 2 Dine
The world has been an incredible source of inspiration for the creation of this Atlas collection. It’s durable porcelain tableware with clear references to natural elements such as blossoms, shell shapes, waves and other abstract structures that can be found in nature. Each element is characterised by a well-shaped rounded rim that creates a refreshing culinary perception. Atlas literally elevates the food that is served on it. The exceptional thing about Atlas is that no two items are precisely the same. The reactive glaze creates small imperfections that fit completely into the imperfect world it refers to.
www.fine2dine.com
thinkQuality ,RAN UA=NO KB ATLANPEOA EJ I=JQB=?PQNEJC BKN CHK>=H >N=J@O =J@ PN=JOBKNIEJC PDAEN OQLLHU ?D=EJO =J@ >QOEJAOOAO
4A =NA ?KIIEPPA@ PK @AHERANEJC MQ=HEPU LNKRE@EJC PN=JOL=NAJ?U =J@ KBBANEJC NAHE=>EHEPU 4A =NA 1=>HAS=NA 1A= KBBAA -NALS=NA 0ANRAS=NA KKGS=NA 0PKN=CAS=NA SDKHAO=HAĤOAA>=CNKQL ?KI
(+,4 *,/"
Trends Blue Atlantico
Utopia
Porcel Porcel does blue beautifully! Take Atlantico, for example, a dinner, tea, and coffee set featuring a striking blue and white pattern that captures the essence of the sea. Adorned with aqua lines and glistening droplets of high fire cobalt blue, the addition of golden details provides a touch of refinement and luxury to each piece. Blue Legacy, meanwhile, was inspired by Portuguese tiles and its rich historical legacy, it features the well desired cobalt blue applied over the elegant white porcelain pieces. Through a meticulous firing process at 1400°C, this cobalt blue shade takes center stage, gracefully decorating both tableware and decorative items.
www.porcel.com
Blue Legacy
Fjord
Circus Chambray
Homestead
Blue and white is one of the timeless colour combinations for tableware, with the first known blue glaze having been created in ancient Mesopotamia. It’s been a key part in countless different styles down the centuries, and it remains a popular choice for many businesses. Utopia offers a selection of tableware that use blue and white in ways that combine modern styles with subtle classic touches. The Fjord collection features a stunning contemporary design, made from white stoneware and featuring vivid cobalt blue glaze cut through with concentric circles and peppered with organic flurries of white that recall both the sea and the sky. The design of Fjord would work perfectly with another of Utopia’s collections, Circus Chambray. This is a comprehensive range of tableware consisting of walled plates in four different diameters, bowls and presentation bowls, a chip pot, ramekins and two rectangular platters. Homestead Royal, meanwhile, is a collection that recalls classic blue and white enamelware, combining simple forms with bright white glaze and deep blue highlights around the rims and edges of each piece. Consisting of four plates, four presentation bowls, three conical bowls as well as a dip jug and a dip pot.
www.utopia-tableware.com
Narumi The Milano collection, which debuted in 1972 as a dinnerware collection for home use, features a refined dynasty-style form with a graceful blue pattern. The plum flower, which has long been cherished as auspicious in Japan, is expressed in shades of indigo blue. It has become a standard of Western tableware in Japan and combines elegance and luxury.
Did you know?
To date, Narumi has released a wide range of products as part of the Milano collection that fit into contemporary lifestyles while also being beautiful. Since launching, in excess of 14 million pieces have been produced for the Milano collection. It has gained a strong fan base not only in Japan, but also overseas, including in Europe, the United States, and other parts of Asia.
Originally launched as western tableware for Japanese households, Milano is designed to accommodate both western and Asian cuisines. Asian food has become popular and has begun to be served in more hotels around the world: Milano is the perfect vessel for presenting multicultural cuisine in a home-like atmosphere.
www.narumi.co.jp
Since launching in 1972, Narumi has produced more than 14 million pieces of its Milano collection. The collection was originally launched as western tableware for Japanese households, Milano is designed to accommodate both western and Asian cuisines. 64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Column HoReCa
Serax
Serax
Beware the
copycat While some of the industry strives for individuality, others are quicker to jump on the bandwagon – but we need to be driven by creative brands who champion new thought, says Valda Goodfellow…
F
About G & G Founded by Paul and Valda Goodfellow, G & G Goodfellows is a creative design & distribution company with a showroom in Little Portland Street. Offering a truly hands-on service, Goodfellows passion is to bring new and exciting, bespoke food presentation concepts to the UK’s culinary scene. As well as offering a wide variety of the world’s best branded tableware and more.
66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
licking through the fashion pages in any magazine, you can’t escape designer collaborations, where brands pick up on hot designers, celebrities, or even big names from different industries, to produce new designs which they hope will sell big. This approach has been used in the tableware industry for many years, more often in retail than HoReCa; but we have had our moments – particularly with chef collaborations. From Thomas Keller to Gordon Ramsay, there have been tie-ups with ceramics manufacturers, innovative presentation gadgets and kitchen tools. Yes, most have been aimed at retail sales but there has undoubtedly been a crossover to hospitality, such as the Grant Aschatz designs for Crucial Detail. I think of my visit to HOST in Milan where you could see why there is a need for some
manufacturers to pep things up with some new design blood. When you can move from booth to booth and see, at best, the influence some designers have had on a number of manufacturers’ direction of development, and, at worst, a touch of plagiarism. Well, they say imitation is the
have made the comment in this column previously that tableware is much like the fashion industry with our own equivalents of couture and high street brands; and just like the fashion industry, design influences from the couture level are now quickly replicated at a cheaper price. Thankfully for the amazing designers in our industry,
“Brands need to keep ahead of those who imitate” sincerest form of flattery, and even we have not escaped this, with one competitor telling customers their aim is to imitate what we do. Flattery indeed, but a little sad don’t you think? The brands we work with stand out with their own distinctive styles and have always been the first with their signature pieces. I
it is still not as swift a process for unique shapes to be reproduced immediately, but patterns and colour influences certainly can be produced much more quickly with digital print techniques. So, brands need to keep ahead of those who imitate, hence even more incentive to collaborate with new and exciting designers. It takes a lot
of investment and courage to keep developing new ranges but this is what makes our sector so interesting. Thankfully, we will always move forward because of these amazing brands. As the last major show of the year, there were indeed some stand-out booths at HOST who prove this is still the case; including Serax, which exemplifies the principle of designer collaboration. In fact, their brand is immersed in working with exciting designers to create must-have ranges. Their launch of the new Midnight Flowers products in collaboration with the fashion brand Marni; and the Kelly Wearstler ranges certainly made a huge stir at the show. The incredibly pretty Midnight Flowers fine bone china range comprises 120 pieces
and was designed by Marni’s creative director Francesco Risso. Delicate and confidently patterned in an almost free-hand manner, I can see this appealing to the hospitality sector as a beautiful option for afternoon tea. The collaboration with Kelly Wearstler seems to come at a time when you simply can’t avoid the designer’s influence on almost every aspect of modern living. The LA-based designer seems to have exploded onto the UK market after building a global lifestyle and design brand that combines architecture, interior design, creative direction and brand identity across residential, hospitality, commercial and retail projects. Perhaps more aimed at high-end residential sales, the range in collaboration with Serax is superbly designed to combine
Costa Nova
art with functionality. Another brand showing at HOST, and which never disappoints on the design front, is Costa Nova who launched its first range of fine porcelain by renowned designer Carsten Gollnick. Costa Nova, one of our favourite brands, has previously only produced stoneware items, so this is an entirely new direction for Grestel, the manufacturer. The
other pieces including porcelain. That is why this is so clever. It recognises the way its products are used and innovates precisely for that purpose. For me, this is where Grestel’s development of Costa Nova is incredibly important. Grestel listens to its customers and the market; and is assured in its aim to continue to grow the Costa Nova brand into – not only a major retail brand – but increase its
“I think of my visit to HOST in Milan where you could see why there is a need for some manufacturers to pep things up with some new design blood” really clever aspect to this range is that the porcelain items have been designed to be used with stoneware items from the same range. The aim is not to depart from its roots in stoneware but combine the two materials intentionally, so they can be used together seamlessly. Of course, the porcelain items can be used separately, but Costa Nova has gained a huge following in the hospitality sector and it is obvious that its products are used all the time with
BE MORE COLORFUL
spread within the hospitality sector. We should know, we were one of the first distributors to spot the potential of this truly inspirational brand. The success of any design collaboration will be judged by how it is received in the market but I think these two brands have more than enough experience and feel for the market to know they have selected collaborators who add real substance to the potential for success and not just mere celebrity.
THE ULTIMATE WHOLESALE MARKETPLACE TO DISCOVER MORE FOR YOUR STORE.
SHOWROOMS: January 16–22, 2024 TEMPORARIES: January 17–21, 2024
Learn More and Register to Attend at Atlantamarket.com/Housewares @AmericasMartATL | #AtlMkt PRODUCT SOURCED FROM AESTHETIC MOVEMENT, IV YSTONE, TE ASPRES SA TO THE TR ADE | ©ANDMORE License SPE, LLC
TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 67
The Long Read Denby, Barbie and Zsa Zsa Gabor
Famed Hollywood actress Zsa zsa Gabor with husband Jack Ryan who had links to Denby
The day Barbiedesigner Jack Ryan visited Denby Pottery What have Denby, Hollywood actress Zsa zsa Gabor and Barbie got in common? The answer? A man by the name of Jack Ryan. Oliver Towers looks at the curious connection between Denby and Hollywood, and recounts the day Zsa zsa Gabor nearly (but not quite) made it to Stoke… In the mid-1970s the fortunes of London-born Lionel Simons were riding high. At the age of 40 by April 1975, he was the managing director and largest shareholder of Denbyware Ltd, with homes in St Albans and Beverley Hills and a flat in New York. He was happily married to Montreal-born Barbara with a son Jonathan
Lionel Simons with his wife Barbara
and a daughter Kimberly. In his job, Lionel was always on the lookout for new products to add to and complement Denby’s core stoneware lines. After being introduced to Jack Ryan during a visit to his home in California, Lionel commissioned Jack’s design company to produce prototypes for a new range of houseware that Lionel was considering adding to Denby Pottery’s product lines. The author of this short article has had the good fortune to talk to Lionel Simons and hear about his dealings with Jack Ryan and his wife at the time, Zsa Zsa Gabor. As you will read, these dealings were a lot more prosaic than the recent lurid articles about Jack Ryan’s private life would suggest. Lionel Simons background In the early 1960s Lionel had joined the fledgling import company Millard-Norman in Cincinnati as their marketing director after completing a MBA at Columbia in one year rather than the usual two. The salary wasn’t
The key players ■ Denby Pottery and Lionel Simons ■ Jack Ryan, Barbie and Zsa zsa Gabor 68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
the attraction. He negotiated a deal to buy the company at an agreed price if future sales met agreed targets. He was convinced that Millard-Norman could substantially increase its sales of the hand-made stoneware made by the Denby Pottery. Millard-Norman had exclusive US distribution rights for the Denby Pottery’s products, and Lionel visited a number of major retailers to support his view that the products had the right attributes to sell well but needed better marketing to support the premium prices relative to cheap, mass-produced crockery. Sure enough, by focusing on the aspirations of newly married graduates supported by innovative designs from Denby Pottery (notably Gill Pemberton’s Chevron and Arabesque patterns, or Camelot and Samarkand as they were called in the US) the targets were met, and by the late 1960s Lionel was the president and sole owner of Milnor (as Millard-Norman had been rebranded). US sales had become so
significant to Denby Pottery by the late 1960s it was decided to absorb Milnor into the group prior to launching a listing on the UK stockmarket in 1970. Lionel’s reward for selling Milnor to the pottery was a 25 per cent shareholding in the resulting Denbyware Ltd stock options based on future sales targets and a seven-year contract at an agreed salary. Meanwhile he remained president of Denbyware’s US operation. He moved with his family from their main home in Cincinnati to England, and the pottery’s decorating department led by designer Glyn Colledge welcomed Lionel and Barbara to the UK with ‘his and her’ psychedelic plates. Initially Lionel
Denby designer Glyn Colledge welcomed Lionel and Barbara to the UK with ‘his and her’ psychedelic plates
18-22 JAN. 2024
CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY & BUSINESS
#MAISON ETOBJET
WWW.MAISON-OBJET.COM
The Long Read Denby, Barbie and Zsa Zsa Gabor became the director of marketing for Denbyware Ltd before becoming managing director in 1973. As Lionel would freely admit, however, he remained focused on the customer facing aspects of the business, relying particularly on key individuals and notably the veteran Norman Wood to keep an eye on the factory and the day-to-day operations. Jack Ryan Born in 1926, and a graduate from Yale University, Jack initially worked as an engineer at the Raytheon company helping to design missile systems. He then moved to the fledging Los Angeles toy company Mattel which, by the 1950s, was owned and run by the husband-and-wife team of Elliot and Ruth Handler. Jack was reputedly recruited for being “space-age savvy” and for his knowledge of materials. In 1956 Ruth Handler had bought a Bild Lilli doll in Germany and based on this she worked with Jack Ryan to create the Barbie doll for the US market. Barbie was launched in 1959, and while it may be disputed which of Ruth or Jack was mainly responsible for Barbie’s design, the key point in terms of Jack’s future prosperity was that he negotiated a deal to receive a share in Barbie’s sales. He went on to become Mattel’s VP for research and development, leading the development of many new products, and continued to act as a consultant to the company until the relationship came to an end by 1980. On a personal front, in 1971 Jack and first wife of 20 years Barbara divorced, and in January 1975 he married Zsa Zsa Gabor. They lived in a castle-like house in Bel Air. Despite his wealth, however, Jack maintained his engineering activities through his design company. Lionel Simons’ connection to Jack Ryan and Zsa Zsa Gabor By 1975, Barbara Simons had had enough of living in England, and the Simons bought a house (941 North Alpine Drive) in Beverley Hills to fulfil a long-held ambition to live in the area. Barbara and Lionel had
70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
decided that they would eventually settle in California in the early 1960s when Barbara had accompanied Lionel on a whirlwind tour of the USA for Milnor, and the importance of the Californian market to Denbyware was also an influential factor. Barbara moved to Beverly Hills with the children, who were now 12 (Jonathan) and 10 (Kimberly), respectively. Sometime after the Beverley Hills house purchase Lionel contacted Jack Ryan. This was presumably in 1975 or early 1976 because Jack Ryan was married to Zsa Zsa Gabor at the time, and the marriage only lasted from January 1975
Lionel arranged a visit to the pottery for Jack and his then wife Zsa Zsa Gabor. On the day of the visit, to the great disappointment of the Denby Pottery workforce, Zsa Zsa cried off due to sickness so Jack came on his own. Sadly, the author has been unable to find photos taken during the visit, but fortuitously Brian Harper, a technical development manager at Denby Pottery at the time recalls a specific conversation with Jack Ryan during the visit. Brian, who now runs his own ceramics consultancy, remembers Jack suggesting Denby should explore using Murray-Curvex machines
Lionel and his wife Barbara were welcomed to the UK with ‘his and her’ psychedelic plates from Denby
until they divorced in August 1976. Lionel was considering the potential to develop a Denby houseware line of metal and/or ceramic items to sell in a different part of existing customers’ stores to the Denby stoneware. He approached Jack Ryan, knowing about Jack’s design business. Jack Ryan’s visit to the Denby Pottery Lionel briefed Jack’s design team on what he was looking for, and Jack asked to visit the Denby Pottery to get a feel for the company and its current products.
to print glaze decorations on their ceramics in the same way that Barbie’s eyes were printed. Brian was unusual in that he had joined the Denby Pottery from the Wedgwood Group in January 1974 (which was novel because Denby did not generally recruit from Stoke because of concerns with leakage of trade secrets). He was able to tell Jack that the UK pottery industry in Stoke had been using Murray-Curvex machines for this purpose for many years and anyway, it wouldn’t work for Denby stoneware because the printing would have to be applied to the
ceramic at the biscuit stage and for stoneware the biscuit would be too soft for this to be effective. The veteran Denby executive Norman Wood was listening in and agreed with Brian. (After all, Norman had given a lecture in 1939, published in the March 1939 edition of the Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review, the forerunner of Tableware International, in which he had explained that Stoke’s earthenware was fired at a much higher temperature than stoneware at the biscuit stage, creating a much harder interim product before the glaze firing). After Jack’s visit to the Denby Pottery, he returned to the USA and his design business duly produced drawings for a new houseware line and Lionel applied his established approach to market testing to the line. It didn’t attract interest in the tests, and Lionel dropped the idea. Lionel’s other dealings with Jack and Zsa Zsa This wasn’t Lionel’s only contact with Jack Ryan and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Lionel accompanied Zsa Zsa Gabor to the Sawdust Festival of Arts and Crafts at Laguna Beach. They arrived in Zsa Zsa’s white convertible Rolls-Royce Corniche, and everywhere they went they were surrounded by a group of about 30 people, who circled them at a respectful distance. Zsa Zsa apparently loved the attention. On another occasion, Lionel arrived at Jack Ryan and Zsa Zsa Gabor’s house in Bel Air before a planned lunch with the two of them at The Bistro in Beverley Hills. Zsa Zsa was reportedly sick but asked to see Lionel. Lionel accordingly went into Zsa Zsa’s sumptuous bedroom (with spectacular views) and at her request sat on her bed. They then had a one-hour, wide-ranging discussion before Lionel went to lunch with Jack Ryan. On another occasion Zsa Zsa spoke to Lionel’s wife Barbara – she asked Barbara for a reference when the Simons’ ex housekeeper applied for a job (the housekeeper having abruptly left the Simons earlier to deal with a family emergency). She got the job, but three days later the exhousekeeper was ringing Barbara and Lionel asking for her job back!
A NEW GLASS A NEW SENSA TION
PARTY TIME
Some like it 'plain'
TIME TO CELEBRATE Merry moments www.lav-us.com /LAV-US
THE INSPIRED HOME SHOW 2024 17 - 19 March 2024 Chicago, IL Mc Cormick Place, South Building, Booth No: S636 AMBIENTE 2024 MESSE FRANKFURT 26-30 January 2024 Booth: B 80 Hall Floor: 12.0 41 Madison Avenue, Floor 7 New York, NY 10010
info@lav-us.com