Tableware International by Lema Publishing

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: January/February 2016

Issue: 6

134

Volume: 137

w w w. r e e d a n d b a r t o n . c o m

Celebrating 200 years of timeless British design

Visit the Portmeirion Group stand at: Spring Fair (Hall 9, E30–F31) Ambiente (Hall 4.1, B16)

Tableware . Home Decor . Giftware . Hotelware

VISTA ALEGRE SHOWCASES ITS INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED DESIGN. AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS RECEIVED BY VISTA ALEGRE IN 2015

RED DOT DESIGN AWARD WINNER 2015 Orquestra by David Raﬀoul e Nicolas Moussallem Plissé by Diana Borges - VA Studio

GERMAN DESIGN AWARD SPECIAL MENTION 2016 Caribe by Christian Lacroix Transatlântica by Brunno Jahara

WALLPAPER DESIGN AWARDS WINNER 2015 Orquestra by David Raﬀoul e Nicolas Moussallem

GERMAN DESIGN AWARD NOMINEE 2016 Inﬁnita by Carsten Gollnick Lavish by Alda Tomás - VA Studio Marés by Carsten Gollnick Odeon by Hugo Amado - VA Studio Tecido by Gonçalo Campos Triadic by Alda Tomás - VA Studio

GERMAN DESIGN AWARD WINNER 2016 Printemps by Carsten Gollnick

VISIT US AT Ambiente Frankfurt

New York Tabletop Show

February 12-16

April 12-15

Hall 4, level 1, Booth F05A

FortyOne Madison, 9th ﬂoor

vistaalegre.com

Gazelle Vista Alegre Art Deco Collection

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

THE NEW YORK TABLETOP SHOW

2016 SHOW DATES APRIL

SEPTEMBER

12–15

27– 30

Where the most important brands and buyers meet.

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

BABELE The glorious past and the brilliant

future of the Maison Richard Ginori combine bringing to life a collection of fine porcelain distinguished by immeasurable savoir-faire. Babele, is the name of the collection that counts 65 objects, including plates of all kind, bowls, teapots and vases. Richard Ginori reinterprets the perfect mise en place in a contemporary and virtuous way. The Babele collection is presented in a selection of porcelains offered in 4 different shapes; the iconic Antico Doccia and Museo, the elegant Duchessa and the Venezia, inspired by Gariboldi’s paintings. The color palette focuses on the shades of blue and red, while the decorative methods used for the embellishment of these objects of irresistible taste recall

the most ancient craftsmanship techniques, emblem of Richard Ginori’s tradition. The design of each object recreates the fading effect of the underglaze embellishments; evoking XVIII century serial decorations obtained by using the stencil technique. Babele embodies all the characteristics that established Richard Ginori as an institution in its field, encapsulating in one single collection the perfection and know-how of the Florentine Manifattura. The possibility of setting up the table using different contrasting coordinated nuances represents the highlight of the Babele collection. Contemporary meets tradition, without abandoning the brand’s distinctive classic and sophisticated essence.

RICHARDGINORI1735.COM MANIFATTURARICHARDGINORI FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM

Celebrating a decade of making every day beautiful Visit the Portmeirion Group stand at: Spring Fair (Hall 9, E30–F31) Ambiente (Hall 4.1, B16)

CELEBR ATE

WITH US AT THE FAIRS

www.rosenthal.de

AMBIENTE FRANKFURT 12.–16. Feb 2016 Hall 4.1 | C50

w w w.ono-porzellan.de

Tableware Team

TableWare

EDITOR KATE BIRCH kate@lemapublishing.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHER MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

DESIGNER MARIAN MCNAMARA marian@lemapublishing.co.uk

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

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

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

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: January/February 2016

Issue: 6

134

Volume: 137

w w w. r e e d a n d b a r t o n . c o m

ou must have heard the good news by now: two of Germany’s most prestigious porcelain factories – Meissen and Hochst – are making their return to Ambiente this February. There’s nothing quite like hearing of highquality heritage companies returning from the financial brink to fight another day in this topsy-turvy industry. “Meissen and Hochst are two very important German companies returning to Ambiente in 2016 – it’s a great asset for the show. Both have been through tremendous developments in recent times and the whole industry is happy to have them back on board,” says Thomas Kastl, director of Dining at Messe Frankfurt. Meissen and Hochst aren’t the only tableware companies that have gone through major developments lately, however. Last year, we saw the movement and redevelopment of a number of brands: Sambonet Paderno Industrie acquired French brands Ercuis and Raynaud, while Lenox acquired the financially-struggling brand Reed & Barton. Both of these huge tableware companies – Sambonet Paderno Industrie and Lenox Corporation – have the international distribution networks and extensive resources to help take these brands to the next level, while the brands give these companies heritage names in the luxury segment. On page 76, we talk to the CEO of Sambonet Paderno, Pierluigi Coppo, to find out what benefits the acquisition of these two heritage French brands has for Sambonet; and on page 44, we talk to Reed & Barton president Tim Riddle to discover what the future holds for them under the Lenox Corporation umbrella. Reed & Barton will be at Ambiente for the first time on the Lenox stand. And in this issue – our signature Ambiente issue – you can get a sneak peek at which new brands will be showing (Gien is another) and what products new and returning exhibiors will be unveiling. See our extensive guide to Ambiente starting on page 100. Also new to Ambiente 2016 is the Ethical Style Guide, a catalogue informing buyers about the sustainable and eco-friendly consumer goods to be found at the fair. “We want to make it easier for buyers to orientate themselves in this growing market segment and to promote the trade in sustainable and fairly-produced consumer goods,” says vice-president of Ambiente, Nicolette Naumann. And this market segment is certainly

“Meissen and Hochst are two very important German companies returning to Ambiente 2016 – it is a great asset for the show” growing. According to a recent Nielsen report, 66 per cent of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable / eco-friendly products. For the first time, we’ve put together a feature on the sector (page 90) offering expert advice and showcasing the companies. Another segment showing signs of growth in the tableware industry is that of the melamine sub-category. Driven by increasing interest in casual dining and outdoor entertaining, along with the technological advances in this material, many manufacturers are delivering stunning melamine tableware. We analyse this category and look at the major players on page 52. On the retail front, we delve into the huge retailing success that is Hudson’s Bay department stores on page 58 with a focus on its speciality store Home On Seven in Toronto, Canada; while on page 62, ecommerce expert Stephen Millioti offers extensive advice on the tools and marketing fundamentals that ecommerce and independent retailers need to employ in order to achieve a competitive edge. Finally, in addition to our extensive Ambiente 2016 preview, we have included two other key trade show previews this issue: discover exactly what’s new and what exhibitors will be showcasing at Spring Fair 2016 on page 132 and what you can expect to find at The International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago on page 138. See you at the shows!

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

January/February 2016 • ISSUE 6

News & Trends 18

News A round-up of international stories

Retail news News and views from buyers/retailers

Product news The latest releases and launches

Exhibition news News from the shows worldwide

Product trend We highlight the the joys of spring

TableWare INTERNATIONAL

Features 44

Profile: Reed & Barton We interview CEO Tim Riddle

Profile: Lenox Spotlight on Marchesa by Lenox

Profle: Lenox Spotlight on Entertain 365

Feature: Melamine We analyse the category of melamine and highlight the major players

Expert column Tableware expert Isabelle von Boch pays tribute to the shade of lavender

Profile: Crystalex Discover what's new in novelties and decorations from this Czech glass producer

Retail: Hudson's Bay We profile Hudson's Bay speciality store Home On Seven in Toronto

Eye on design We spotlight Bodo Sperlein

90 62

Retail: Advice Ecommerce expert Stephen Milioti offers advice on gaining a competitive edge

Sector feature: Eco / Sustainability We discover what the future holds for this burgeoning sector

94 66

Retail column Regular columnist Barry Seaman reflects on a decade of retailing

Profile: Robert Levien We highlight Robert Levien's collaboration with Nambe

96 68

Profile: Spode Portmeirion Group celebrate 200 years of Spode pattern Blue Italian

View from the Top We talk business and trends with industry experts

Column: merchandising Visual merchandising expert Jonathan Baker offers advice

Profile: Queensberry Hunt & Dankotuwa A new collaboratioin set to launch will re-introduce fine porcelain at an affordable price Interview: Sambonet Paderno Industrie We talk to CEO Pierluigi Coppo about the company's acquisition of two French brands Trade talk We ask tableware industry insiders what the future of luxury looks like Interview: Portmeiron Group We talk to Phil Atherton about the group's continued growth

Shows 98

Interview: 41 Madison We talk to senior vicepresident Laurie Burns about tabletop and trends

100 Show preview: Ambiente Discover our in-depth preview of this Frankfurt show – the latest show information, trends and product previews 132 Show preview: Spring Fair Find out exactly what’s new and who’s showcasing in Dining at the UK's biggest trade event 138 Show preview: Chicago The International Home + Housewares Show is a hub of homeware trends. Check out what to see and find out who will be there in our extensive guide

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.

VIBR ANCE W EDGWOOD.CO.UK

general news

LSA International

celebrate 50th anniversary Celebrating 50 years of creativity and craftsmanship, LSA International will mark this landmark year with its most ambitious collection to date. The Spring/Summer 2016 collection pays homage to the ﬁve materials central to LSA International’s aesthetic over the past ﬁve decades – glass, porcelain, wood, leather and enamelled steel – delivering modern interpretations of drinkware, tableware and accessories. Designed to mark the 50th anniversary, Celebrate (pictured) is an exceptional collection of handmade drinkware that truly captures the spirit of celebration with tall hand-drawn stems and luxurious metallic accents. See LSA International’s industry-leading designs at Top Drawer, Maison & Objet and Ambiente 2016. http://trade.lsa-international.com

Alessi to reveal new packaging Following on from the success of the packaging designs for Objets-Bijoux and Super & Popular, Italian brand Alessi is set to launch Alessi Le Posate, the third visual identity project created by architect Mario Trimarchi for Alessi. More than just packaging, Trimarchi has used dinner table food scenes created by some of the world’s most renowned painters, from Gauguin and Van Gogh to Klee and Cezanne, and united the paintings with cutlery sets from each of Alessi’s 13 contributors. Designed to have the effect of a curated mini art museum, the packaging is purposely small to enable the entire range to be displayed on the shelf giving the buyer suggestions for complementary Alessi tableware. Discover the new packaging at Homi Milano in January and Ambiente 2016 in February. www.alessi.com

3.1

Lucideon help tableware and hotel manufacturers keep ahead of potential industry regulation modiﬁcations Representing some of the major tableware and hotelware manufacturers, Lucideon provides a Technology Partner service that focuses on addressing external challenges faced by the industry. Since the start of 2012, the European Commission (EC) has been re-evaluating the leaching of lead and cadmium from tableware in contact with food/drink in response to studies conducted by the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA). The EC proposed a dramatic reduction in permissible levels; by 60 times for cadmium and 400 times for lead. Lucideon works closely with the industry and has completed a series of projects to support the process of understanding the magnitude of exposure to these elements by providing scientific evidence and testing method reviews. Caroline Mullington, technology partnership manager at Lucideon, explains: “As a group, we have extensive expertise in this sector and our Technology Partners are able to be proactive on the issues that could have a considerable impact upon their businesses. “While the activities are of significant value to industry, our Technology Partners have a channel that enables an early response to warnings or change and provides an essential business outcome. “With our state-of-the-art instrumentation, expert analysis and ICP-MS (Inductively Couple Piasma-Mass Spectrometry) techniques that measure down to parts per billion, we’re in a unique position to measure against the worst case scenario for lead and cadmium.” Find out more about Lucideon’s Technology Partner packages, visit www.lucideon. com/partnership or contact caroline. mullington@lucideon.com

The percentage by which the UK domestic glassware market grew by in 2014 according to a new Glassware Market Report released by market intelligence provider Key Note. Growth of the domestic glassware market, which includes products such as tumblers, glass tableware and ovenware, decorative and ornamental glassware, has been driven by strong consumer spending, increased demand for premium quality UK brands and the growing number of households and residential property transactions. Key Note forecasts that the UK glassware market will continue to grow over the next few years, albeit at a moderate pace.

18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

N AT U R A L C A N VA S

Made in England and hand-crafted by skilled artisans, the pieces are both beautiful and functional… The timeless, neutral tones and shape design of Denby’s Natural Canvas make it a range suited to any home’s style and colour and works equally well when mixed and matched with other items.

The unique Denby glaze gives warmth as well as durability and makes every piece unique. The ‘roulette’ texture, inspired by the iconic Chevron pattern of the sixties and seventies, showcases the earthy, artisan roots of the range. Many items serve several functions – the sugar bowl as a ramekin or olive bowl, the cafetière as a pretty vase or handy large jug, the pasta bowl as a baking dish and smart design features are built in. Every item can be used in the oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave. All of these features make Natural Canvas tough enough to be loved and enjoyed from quiet Tuesday teatimes, to Friday nights with friends to Sunday lunches with the extended family, offering beautiful form but without the formality.

S P R I N G FA I R 2 0 1 6 NEC Birmingham Hall 9 Stand 9C10 - D11 9am - 6pm Sun 7th - Wed 10th February 9am - 4pm Thurs 11th February

AMBIENTE 2016 Messe Frankfurt Hall 4.1 Stand B21 9am - 6pm Fri 12th - Mon 15th February 9am - 5pm Tue 16th February

general news Royal Stafford launch new website Royal Stafford, an industry leader in the manufacture of English cream-coloured earthenware, has launched new website www.royalstafford.co.uk. The new online portal delivers an online shop for customers and showcases the manufacturing capabilities of Royal Stafford for retailers. Royal Stafford presents its Made in England products across the site with an insight into the production processes on the ‘How It’s Made’ page.

Tradestock launches Big Picture initiative Bringing enhanced bespoke design capabilities to its global customer base, Tradestock Ltd. is introducing its new design initiative – the Big Picture – to the international market. Incorporating their new specialised digital printing system, they can design and deliver bespoke designs on core products, including their award-winning FreeForm flat-to-formed, reversible tray. Tradestock will showcase this concept via some spectacular designs at Ambiente 2016 – Hall 1.2 Stand J07. www.tradestockltd.co.uk

Lenox to display HoReCa offering at Ambiente For the first time, the Lenox Corporation will present its product offering for the HoReCa sector on its stand at Ambiente 2016. Whether for fine dining, casual or traditional-style restaurants, or for cutting-edge cuisine, Lenox’s exceptional variety of smartly-styled shapes and diverse designs coordinate with virtually any décor and provide aesthetically exciting platforms on which to display a chef’s creations. Not only does Lenox offer innovative design but also lasting durability, with each bone china piece resilient enough to withstand the most arduous daily usage. Lenox is the only American company that casts its bone china with 50 per cent bone ash, resulting in dinnerware that possesses extraordinary inner strength and unsurpassed chip resistance backed by a lifetime warranty against chipping. All of Lenox’s bone china dinnerware is manufactured in the USA at the company’s Kinston plant in North Carolina, which includes a state-of-the-art laboratory testing facility. They are also able to customise patterns. Discover Lenox’s expansive and professional HoReCa offering on its stand at Ambiente – Hall 4 Stand C31. www.lenox.com

20 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

5 minutes with… Steven Moore In May 2015, BBC’s Antiques Roadshow star Steven Moore joined Burleigh as creative director. Steven brings his encyclopaedic knowledge of design and his infectious passion for ceramics to the English brand, which was established in 1851. We talked to Steven about this new role... I grew up with clay as a toy My father taught pottery, so I grew up with clay as a toy. And, at school in the seventies, we had a proper art room with a potter’s wheel and kilns. I find great joy in taking clay and making something out of it. My love of clay got me into collecting pottery. I decide what we make As the creative director at Burleigh, I select what we make – considering what we’ve made in the past, what the market trends are, what consumers are looking for, and then taking designs or ideas from the archives and representing or repositioning them in a relevant way. For example, for the Queen’s upcoming 90th birthday, we took never-seen-before archived designs, used elements from them, and have created a completely new design. I bring authenticity to the Burleigh table My personal brand is authenticity. From the Antiques Roadshow, I am a trusted voice, an authority. Plus, I am in an informed position as I have the knowledge of what Burleigh has made in the past. Burleigh is authentic Being appointed creative director of Burleigh is a dream made reality for me. Burleigh makes its wares like no one else. They are authentic. There are lots of companies out there trying to clone themselves in heritage but we have the real thing. The archives are amazing – I have a key to the store and often I just wander around the mould store. The other day, I found a mould for two turkey feet created for the American market. The product is just great – it’s all made by hand. Our large Chinese bowls are made by one man – he takes a slice of clay, spreads it and punches it into the mould. Our bowl has a weight and fluidity to it that you just can’t get when cast. We also ensure we are relevant We’re not making antiques, however; we’re making things people want. We stay true to our heritage but also ensure we are relevant. We are using copper plates and rollers to make something new. Take our recent launch of the Gentlemen’s Club Moustache Mug, a Burleigh product from the archives that was once the secret weapon of Edwardian men who didn’t want a cup of tea to dampen their bristles. We reinvented it but for the modern man. We created a Pop Up with Mr Porter in order to bring Burleigh to a new audience. There are amazing skills at Middleport There is such an incredible set of skills here – Stoke people are very modest but they do have amazing skills. I am enormously lucky to be able to draw upon such talented craftspeople, many of whom possess skills which no longer exist elsewhere. It’s an issue today – the lack of apprentices and the not passing of these skills on. We have an engraver who is in his 70s and so we found someone in their 40s, Spode’s last apprentice, but there is no apprentice after him. It’s an issue the industry has. I’m a potterholic I collect an eclectic mix of all sorts – I use Burleigh bowls all the time. I have antique pieces I use, such as a Royal Worcester dish and a Royal Crown Derby dish that is 200 years old. I have tonnes of pottery. I see stuff all the time in flea markets and charity shops. I’m a potterholic.

general news John Lewis releases Retail Report 2015 Forma House

Villeroy & Boch

Pantone announces two colours of 2016 For the ﬁrst time the Pantone Color Institute has named two tones as its 2016 Color of the Year. The two named colours are pastels: Rose Quartz, an antique pink tone; and Serenity, a clear, light sky blue. Both colours will not only be found in the fashions of 2016 but also in interior design and décor, including tabletop. Some tableware companies are already delivering product ranges in such on-trend pastels, including Villeroy & Boch. Its recently-launched Rose Cottage gift article collection features delicate roses in both rose and sky blue, while its Dressed Up glassware Bean Me Up

range offers the gentle pink incarnation. For Spring 2016, they will deliver two new colours in its Mini Vases range, Lovely Rose and Mellow Blue, which reﬂect these two pastel tones, and which will be on show at Ambiente. Top Drawer has also identiﬁed its key trends for Spring/Summer 2016, which similarly tap into the pastel pink and blue shades highlighted by Pantone. Blush Hues follows the fashion-led trend for all things pink. At Top Drawer 2016, Forma House unveiled its soft pink and baby blue collection of contemporary shaped serveware. sha

Finum wins Goo Good Design Award 2015 The newly-launched Bean Me Up coffee grinder from German brand Finum has been announced winner of the Good Design Award 2015. Finum’s new generation of manual coffee grinders grind makes the grinding process easy and smooth and Bean Me M Up offers an effortless way to achieving uncompromised flavour and irresistible freshness. Bean Me Up boasts a feeder capacity of approximately 30g, which fe is good for three th cups, and delivers three to five times faster grinding grindin compared to other grinders. It also offers continuous aadjustable coarseness of grinding, from fine to coarse. www.fi num.com w

O f d Porcelanas Oxford P l announces new factory Brazilian porcelain manufacturer Oxford Porcelanas has announced the construction of a new factory. With an investment of US$20 million, the new plant will boast 33,000 sqm with capacity for production of 30 million pieces a year, with a focus on plates and mugs. The project will be conducted in two stages generating 850 jobs. The new plant will be based in Sao Mateus in southeastern Brazil – chosen due to its infrastructure and availability of natural gas. www.oxfordporcelanas.com.br 22 12TABLEWARE 8 TABLEWARE TABLEWAREINTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

The newly-released John Lewis Retail Report 2015 from British department store chain John Lewis is a review of how customers’ shopping habits and product preferences changed during 2015. We have collated the tableware information.

• Appetite for globalinspired tableware soared The UK’s culinary tastes were inspired by travel. Bestsellers included Moroccanprinted placemats, delicate Chinese bowls and metallic plates from John Lewis’ Bombay Café range. Oriental tableware was the retailer’s bestselling range, with sales of chopsticks doubling in February, coinciding with Chinese New Year. The cast iron oriental teapot was the bestseller within the Fusion tableware range; while the tribal-inspired Da Terra Folklore range increased in popularity. Customers also took inspiration from Italy’s classical beauty, with Spode’s Blue Italian tableware range doing well.

• Serious about outdoor entertaining The UK got serious about outdoor entertaining and barbecuing. Table mats, mugs and bowls in primary shades of red, green and yellow dominated, while practical wipeclean tablecloths saw a 16 per cent increase.

• Formal showed slowdown With more informal eating trends such as bowls of pasta and sharing plates, the nation lost its appetite for formal silver tableware, while crystal stemware proved less popular for customers’ favourite tipples, although it remains reserved for special occasions, with crystal decanters, in particular, still on trend for the national’s ‘young fogeys’.

HEREND PORCELAIN

H E R E N D. C O M • F A C E B O O K . C O M / H E R E N D P O R C E L A N BUDAPEST • BERLIN • SYDNEY • LONDON • MILAN • MOSCOW • NEW YORK • TOKYO

general news

BIDKhome

is distributor of Serax in America

645 million

The amount in euros that leading international tradeshow organiser Messe Frankfurt achieved in sales in 2015, making it a record sales year. Domestic sales have grown with 57 per cent of group sales (€370 million) attributed to the company’s Frankfurt base. Operating business outside Germany has increased to €246 million. No fewer than 132 trade fairs and exhibitions were held by Messe Frankfurt worldwide in 2015, playing host to some 89,800 companies and more than 4 million visitors, more than ever before. A total of 86 events were held outside Germany, setting new records with 48,000 exhibitors and over 1.7 million visitors. Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt says: “By expanding business substantially in our relevant growth markets, we now generate 38 per cent of our sales revenue outside Germany.”

BIDKhome (formerly Barrevald International and DK Living ), a US-based importer and distributor of hospitality products, has been announced as the exclusive direct distributor of Belgian design brand Serax in America. Accessible and functional, the Serax collection includes some 4,000 interior objects, from original glassware to elegant dinnerware. With its collection of tableware lines, Serax has established itself as a trendsetter in the hospitality sector. Serax collaborates with renowned designers in the creation of its original and innovative tableware and objects. Base is a full range of highquality dinnerware, the result of Serax and designer Piet Boon; while Daily Beginnings consists of simple forms in three colours – pink, black and white – of high-quality glazed ceramics designed by Catherine Lovatt (pictured). Serax also produces a colourful Pantone service collection. Find Serax at Ambiente 2016, Hall 4 Stand A13 and Hall 8 Stand J70A. For US distribution, contact BIDKhome, email info@BIDKhome.com or visit www.bidkhome.com

Steelite partners with Bodum Steelite International, supplier of award-winning tabletop products via distributor partners, has partnered with Danish coffee and tea brewing brand Bodum to become the exclusive supplier of its coffee and tea ranges to the hospitality industry. Products include the iconic Chambord Coffee Press, the Assam Tea Press and a collection of double-walled glasses. Heather Lovatt, head of marketing at Steelite, says: “This partnership reﬂects Steelite International’s commitment to providing its customers with the latest innovative and on-trend tabletop solutions. Bodum gives operators from hotels to small coffee shops a stylish and effective way to make and present their coffee and tea offerings.” www.steelite.com/literature 24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“

This is a very important service because if someone loves one of our designs but the colour doesn’t go with their interior, it simply doesn’t work. People aren’t limited to one colour or carpet or paint, so why should they be limited to one colour for a tableware pattern. I think being able to tailor a product to ﬁt an interior gives a level of exclusivity.

”

London-based bone china specialist Richard Brendon on the launch of Richard Brendon Bespoke, a new service that allows clients to change the colour of any bone china patterns by selecting from a palette of 12 colours that the company has developed.

Q&A Michael Wainwright Celebrating 25 years in 2016, we talk to the American porcelain designer who specialises in high-end quality giftware and dinnerware. How has your work evolved yet stayed the same? I used to be known as a dinnerware maker who also did tabletop accessories. Over the last decade, I’ve tried hard to become known as a giftware designer who also creates dinnerware and all my patterns in the past two years have been only gift items. I’ve always worked with 24k gold and platinum on handmade-looking porcelain and now bone china and glass, too, and I’ve always tried to keep a balance between luxury and casual; that contrast between handmade and precious metals creates a casual dressiness like wearing jeans with a dinner jacket. My work has become more polished, though I still strive for the handmade feel. It used to be really wonky, with each piece different and, while the artist side of me loves this, the business side of me understood that some consistency is key especially when selling to larger stores and bridal registries. How did the backing of Lenox in 2012 further your business? Lenox has been an unbelievable partner, allowing me to spend more time in my studio. Previously I spent 40 per cent of my time there and now I can spend 70 per cent there. Lenox takes care of everything from sourcing and warehousing to shipping, while I have all the resources of Lenox’s customer service, sales and marketing at my fingertips. What have been the highlights of your career to date? Having the Louis Vuitton chain buy my work to adorn their stores was pretty cool; being served on my own plates by the head chef at the Versace Mansion restaurant on Miami Beach was amazing; and finding out that Lady Gaga had bought one of my bowls was exciting. Going from a one-man operation to having a staff of eight, to my partnership with Lenox, and working with talented people has been unbelievable. And being able to sell in such stellar stores as Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus. What changes have you seen in tableware? I love that a handmade look has become prevalent in the marketplace. I like to think that Alex Marshall, Alice Goldsmith and myself, among others, helped instigate this. Plus, my migration to giftware really mirrors what is happening in the industry, at least at the luxury level. What inspires your designs? Nature, architecture, art, the country and culture of Italy. So many designers are motivated by fashion – I am motivated by fine arts and studio pottery. I like to take studio pottery concepts and turn them into product we can produce and sell on a larger scale. You are now international. How is this progressing? International sales is relatively new for me and an area we are hoping to expand rapidly. For the last two years, I have displayed on the Lenox stand at Ambiente and since then we have expanded into the Middle East, Taiwan, Africa and New Zealand, among others. You just launched Dean Street to celebrate 25 years. How has that been received? Very well. When I first started my company on Dean Street in Brooklyn, I had about eight different colours and over the years I’ve ended up with just white – usually finished with gold and platinum. Dean Street is a ‘floating blue’ reactive glaze so it has depth and colour and is one of the glazes I started my career with some 25 years ago. Many of the shapes of Dean Street are also taken from my early designs, though altered slightly to fit today’s marketplace. For example, I have oval bowls that I used to cast from squashes and watermelons. When I tried to recreate this process, they didn’t sit flat and were too misshapen, so I cleaned them up. Plans for 2016? To continue to grow internationally. I am currently working on my designs for the April New York Tabletop Show – I am planning the new collection to include clay, glass, metal and maybe even wood.

BRITISH LUXURY CERAMICS

Worcestershire Chamberlain & Co Merebrook Business Park, Hanley Swan Malvern WR13 6NP Tel: +44 (0) 1684 311704 www.chamberlainco.co.uk

Find Michael Wainwright collections, Lenox stand at Ambiente, Hall 4 Stand C30. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

general news

Keith Brymer-Jones, ceramicist, head of design for Make International and judge on TV programme The Great British Pottery Thrown Down, www.keithbrymerjones.com

I think the programme will deﬁnitely make us all appreciate how difﬁcult it can be to make clay do what you want it to.

“

”

Robin Levien, product designer and founder/creative director of Studio Levien, www.studiolevien.com

“The Great British Pottery Throwdown was filmed at Burleigh’s factory Middleport in Stoke, a great thing for the Potteries and the area. Stoke has had a bad patch for the past 30-40 years but business is still alive here and this proves it. The programme was massively important for industry. I tweeted on the first night it aired that people take ceramics for granted… everyone has a teacup or mug they use all time and never think how it’s made. At Burleigh we make things – the way things have been done for 300 years; it’s all labour, hand and skill intensive. I hope this programme, at the very least, makes people pause and appreciate what they have and how much skill goes into the creation of what they have.” Steven Moore, Antiques Roadshow star and creative director of Burleigh, www.burleigh.co.uk

news in brief Alessi partners with Delta Italian brand Alessi brings design to the skies with a signature line of onboard serviceware for Delta Airlines’ Delta One and First Class. Launching in 2017, this is the first time Alessi’s designs will appear in flight with a major airline. Information on designers and products will be released this year.

We ask… What impact could BBC TV programme The Great British Pottery Throwdown have on the UK ceramics industry? Aired on BBC2 in the UK from Nov 3 to Dec 30, 2015, The Great British Pottery Throwdown was a six-part TV show aimed at finding the country’s hottest pottery stars. We ask four industry experts, including the programme’s two judges and renowned potters, Keith Brymer-Jones and Kate Malone, about the show’s expected impact

“I got involved in the programme as I wanted to show the TV-watching public the pleasures and magic of ceramics. Everyone has ceramics all around them, unaware of how much it features in their lives. My objective is to encourage people to understand their pots at home, perhaps have a go, to sense the pleasures of making things by hand. I made ceramics at school and I’m sad that most children today don’t have that chance. The programme offered a great sense of fun, while informing people about ceramics. I hope the programme opens peoples’ eyes to the sensitivity, beauty and possibilities of ceramics. More knowledge means a higher level of appreciation of the things they already have at home and hopefully to collect more and use beautiful pots to eat from and serve from.” Kate Malone, ceramicist and judge on TV programme The Great British Pottery Thrown Down www.katemaloneceramics.com 26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Alessi announces new chief executive The Alessi Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Marco Pozzo as the company’s new chief executive making it the first time they have introduced a chief executive from outside the family on to its board of directors. Marco brings extensive managerial experience on an international level. Guy Degrenne acquires Therias et L’Econome One of Europe’s leading cutlery manufacturers has announced its acquisition of family-owned French company Therias L’Econome, which has manufactured knives in Thiers since 1819. With this acquisition, the Guy Degrenne Group takes a foothold in the world of hi-tech cutlery. Lucideon release new guidance for ceramics International materials and technology company Lucideon has released a new guidance document aimed at helping industry members better understand the new standard released by BSi. It can be downloaded from the Ceramics section of www. lucideon.com

* Image; Anthony Lycett

“One of the major reasons for getting involved in the show was to generate interest in a subject I hold dear to my heart. I hope that the passion for clay, ceramics and pottery will touch people in some way to realise, entertain and inform viewers of the wonderful techniques that make up the pottery industry. And, I do feel that the show conveyed the hard work and love for pottery the contestants/potters put into the programme. It has been great receiving messages from people getting back into or starting pottery for the first time as a result of watching. I think pottery is the new baking with the potter’s wealth of imagination and I hope the programme will reignite Britain’s love of pottery. At the moment, investment is the biggest stumbling block for the ceramics industry in the UK. It would be great if the show increased awareness of the work and skill that goes into making ceramics and that it rejuvenates interest in ceramic courses throughout our universities and schools. It truly is where cognitive skills and imagination come together. Both Kate Malone and I are very passionate about it.”

retail news Retail view Gestalten Concept Stores

Store envy

Why trade shows matter...

Bernardaud New York Founded in 1863, French porcelain manufacturer and exporter Bernardaud today produces 2 million pieces a year, with 70 per cent of that exported. In addition to tableware, Bernardaud create ranges of objects, limited editions, light fittings and jewellery, all of which is displayed in their eight retail boutiques in France and two in the US. The Bernardaud store in New York is based at 499 Park Avenue and has been in this key location for four years. The US team work with the Paris team to design the window and table displays during the Tabletop Market in New York, as well as during holidays and special collection launches. They deliver regular in-store events for VIP customers, to celebrate new collaborations or collections, giving guests a first sneak-peek and a chance to enjoy the best food, drink and entertainment. www.bernardaud.fr

Retail detail Ampersand Shops on Julia Knight Each issue, we ask a retailer to highlight a supplier they love working with. This month, Ampersand Shops (www.ampersandshops.com), a premier tabletop store in Minnesota, US, and an online store, tell us why they enjoy working with Julia Knight, an American brand renowned for its handcrafted serveware and giftware in coloured enamel with mother-of-pearl finishes.

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We are thrilled to be one of the original and premier Julia Knight retailers. Having carried the Julia Knight collection for more than 10 years, we believe in the collection and it retails better today than ever. It is one of our top ﬁnancial producers – customers love the uniqueness of the product, its quality and distinctive look. There is nothing else like it! We also believe the key to its success is the irrisistable colour and the ability to mix the classic and core pieces with the ﬁgural. Each colour story takes on a life of its own and resonates with the consumer translating into sales. We carry the full collection but bestsellers include The Peony 14-inch rectangular tray, which is ideal for small appetizers, veggies or as a holder for Julia Knight serving pieces; and the petite bowls in an array of colour assortments, shapes and sizes which makes them an easy price point to sell every day. All the trays are top performers and bridal must-haves. Finally, the classic 15-inch bowl encircled in mother-of-pearl is a special and timeless item that is popular for bridal and special and occasion gift-giving year after year. Ampersand Shops 28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

”

Robert Klanten is the publisher and CEO of the Gestalten Publishing House, owner of the Gestalten Concept Stores, the Gestalten Pavilion and the Gestalten Space in Berlin. The Concept Stores present not just books, but also a striking selection of hand-picked product, much of which is homewares, and which has been created by the designers and artists presented in the publications. The products in Robert’s Concept Store tell stories, and the themes for the concepts come from the content of the books in his publishing house. In order to have the ability to assess the selection of products from more than pictures alone, consumer-goods fairs play an important role for Robert, who attends Ambiente every year. “When you’re on the spot, you can better judge the physical qualities and the feel of the products. These elements are difficult to assess from pictures. Moreover, it is always extremely interesting to see how different brands interpret and stage their own products.” For Robert, trade fairs serve as a way of putting together an initial portfolio of products. “We take advantage of visits to trade fairs to get a broad base of information and then make appropriate selections” For his selection, Robert keeps an eye out for individual young talents. “We are always on the lookout for young designers, who are keen to try new pathways in their attempts to give expression to their creativity,” says Robert, pointing to Ambiente’s young Talents programme in Hall 11.0 where the designers of tomorrow showcase their innovative ideas in interior design. “At the same time, we lay stress on the quality of the craftsmanship, the enduring nature of the product and the unusual nature of the ideas,” concludes Robert. http://news.gestalten.com

OCTAVIN New Vibe of Modern Beauty

Visit us at: ATLANTA GIFT SHOW Jan 12 – 19, 2016 230 Spring Street, Building 2 Showroom 893, Atlanta, GA 30303 Kitchen 2 Table Showroom AMBIENTE Feb 12 – 16, 2016 Messe Frankfurt, Hall 4.1 (A81)

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news in brief Retail focus

Home at Debenhams It was in 1997 that UK department store Debenhams extended its fashion range to homeware with Designers at Debenhams commissioning a number of fashion designers to translate their designs on to homeware and thereby enabling customers to be able to live the complete designer lifestyle without the price tag. With the most sought-after designers successfully branching into homeware, it is entirely possible to live the complete designer lifestyle. One can dress in a John Rocha blouse, sleep in a John Rocha bed and sip from a John Rocha brandy glass. John Rocha is just one of the British fashion designers at UK department store Debenhams who translates their fashions into homeware, including tabletop. Others include Jasper Conran, Julien Macdonald and Matthew Williamson. Offering a more affordable way to get the designer look at home, Designers at Debenhams delivers homeware, including tabletop, from these designers. “Designer products are a mark of an individual’s taste. Our designer homeware collections continue to be inspired by the individual designer’s runway hits and their unique design aesthetics,” says Sophia Ridley, head of home design at Debenhams, highlighting British designer Jasper Conran. “The J by Jasper Conran customer is interested in

premium quality and clean lines – his collection is elegant, refined and understated, and our customer wants her home to reflect that too,” says Sophia. Working with such fabulous designers means that Debenhams Home can launch new collections seasonally in tandem with the fashion calendar. High-end designs are no longer trickling down into the home ranges seasons behind, but the collections are pushing the boundaries and adopting the same fastpaced vision of the fashion world. Seeing a direct influence from his runway collection, with considerations in comfort and usability, Matthew Williamson’s Autumn/Winter collection for Debenhams Home, for example, combines detailed embellishment with print. Matthew’s elegant high tea porcelain collection is decorated with an exquisite chinoiserie print, brought up to date with a modern palette. Meanwhile, Julien Madonald’s homeware designs for Debenhams are as uncompromising as his fashion collection and are fabulously decadent. Ultimately, with the Designers at Debenhams homeware, the proof is in the pudding – in 2015, J by Jasper Conran Home is up an impressive 10 per cent on last year, proving that getting the designer look at home at a more affordable price is what consumers want. www.debenhams.com

What the designers say…

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Whether I’m designing a piece for the home or a dress, I apply the same principles. It’s about line, weight and proportion. I was trained in these basics and I return to them no matter which medium I’m working in. If you are designer, you have a point of view, whether it’s about a dress, a set of sheets or a garden. You’re always dealing with texture, colour, and proportion. Jasper Conran, designer at Debenhams

”

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“

I have a real passion for interior design as well as fashion. Designing homeware feels like such a natural extension for me and my brand. I love adding new seasonal pieces to the Butterﬂy Home Collection and seeing it evolve into a lifestyle brand so that your home can be updated and as well dressed as you are. Matthew Williamson, designer at Debenhams

”

Debenhams expands globally British multichannel department retailer Debenhams is driving its international presence further by launching in the Australian and Vietnamese markets in 2016, which sees the store enter the Southern hemisphere for the first time. Bloomindale’s and One Kings Lane team up Bloomingdale’s and online retailer One Kings Lane have teamed up, offering One Kings Lane a special curated collection on Bloomingdale’s website, with 60+ items including tabletop and giftware.

Amara.com 2015 highlights Celebrating its 10th anniversary last year, Amara is a leading luxury home retailer. With 2015 Amara’s best year to date, we discover its highlights... With129 per cent international sales growth in 2013/2014, Amara was announced as 11th in the first Sunday Times BT Business SME Export Track 100 list released in 2015, which included 100 small/ medium companies in the UK that had exhibited the highest increase in international sales over the period. Achieving 98 per cent customer satisfaction in 2014, Amara was awarded Feefo’s Gold Trusted Merchant Award in early 2015 for the second year in a row. Amara’s longstanding relationship with Missoni Home reached its peak in 2015 when the exclusive edit was released filled with iconic Missoni Home items available only at Amara. Amara now has nine dedicated websites for customers across the globe, with last year seeing the launch of the second foreign language site for Germany. Finally, the second edition of the Amara Interior Blog awards to celebrate the best of interior blogging exceeded previous year numbers. www.amara.com

photo Davide Lovatti stylist Leandro Favaloro, Martina Lucatelli ÂŠ SAMBONET PADERNO INDUSTRIE S.P.A.

www.sambonet.it

Visit us at

MAISON & OBJET Paris - 22-26 Jan 2016 Hall 5A Stand M2O1

HOMI Milan - 29 Jan - 1 Feb 2016 Hall 2 Stand K12-L19

AMBIENTE Frankfurt - 12-16 Feb 2016 Hall 4.1 Stand C51A

retail news

news in brief

Spotlight on… Royal Selangor Renowned for its fine crafted pewter, Malaysian brand Royal Selangor celebrated 103 years of craftsmanship and heritage in 2015 with the opening of a London flagship store. Here, it showcases its timeless modern heirlooms, from decanters, tumblers, bowls, teapots and jugs, to cutlery, pitchers, vases, frames, platters and candlesticks. With five stores in five destinations, Royal Selangor’s executive director, Yong Yoon Li, gives us the lowdown on the brand’s retail mix.

Royal Selangor has stores in ﬁve destinations Royal Selangor started exporting in the late sixties, first to Singapore and then Hong Kong, Germany, Denmark, Australia and the UK. We are now in over 27 countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Canada, the US and Japan as distributors, concessions and standalone stores. We also have an online store, key for reaching the wider audience.

Flagship Store opens in Chelsea Royal Selangor has been in the UK for many years now, mainly via our network of retailers such as John Lewis, Ernest Jones, Selfridges and the Room of Luxury at Harrods. Our first store in London was at the Burlington Arcade, but we were always looking for another location, so when the opportunity arose to open our flagship store in Chelsea, we seized it. This location on the King’s Road offers proximity to, and association with, other prestigious homeware and luxury interior brands.

Barware is selling well While our newest collections are typically displayed within all stores worldwide, allowing us to showcase Royal Selangor’s design and craftsmanship, our other offerings are selected based on individual market demands. Our customers in the UK are very discerning gravitating towards the timeless. In the flagship store, our home décor and tableware collections like

Arcadia and Circa are most popular; while for occasion-gifting, our decorative and drinkware products like picture frames and wine chillers sell well. For Western markets like the UK, US, Canada and Australia, products that do well include whisky and bar items, christening gifts and picture frames.

Visual merchandising is consistent Visual merchandising within all our stores is consistent to ensure the brand message is the same globally, though we do enjoy celebrating the various festivities and seasonal differences for each market through our window and in-store displays. Royal Selangor is very proud of its Malaysian heritage and this is evident – not just in our products but also in our store designs. We incorporate Malaysian design elements, such as the ‘mengkuang weave design’, which adorns the store reception, a tribute to the popular traditional Malaysian craft. We have regular training sessions in our KL headquarters to ensure consistent brand delivery and customer service.

Store layouts showcase story Our stores are an elegant representation of the brand, a fusion of modern design and traditional craft. Last year we celebrated our 130th anniversary and used visuals and concepts to showcase the brand in a modern yet casual light, with products and displays that suggested function and utility. The layout we use within our stores is such that every collection has the space to tell its own story and showcase its inspiration. Most displays are on islands, allowing customers to browse and pick up individual pieces. It’s important that our displays communicate the story and the inspirations behind the design. We put a lot of effort into ensuring we have good lighting in all stores; different products have different surface textures and finishes and lighting plays a key role in showcasing the different design elements and craftsmanship of each product. www.royalselangor.com

Saks Off 5th to open in Canada Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) will bring four Saks Off 5th locations to Canada. The stores, the first to introduce the Saks Off 5th brand to their markets, will open in four shopping centres, from autumn 2016 to autumn 2018. HBC is the parent company. Bloomingdale’s enters Hawaii market Bloomingdale’s has opened its first store in Hawaii with the Ala Moana store in Honolulu on the island of O’ahu. The three-storey 165,000 sq-ft store delivers full-line offerings and an extensive roster of brands. Williams-Sonoma founder dies Founder of Williams-Sonoma Inc., Charles E. Williams, died of natural causes in early December 2015. He was 100 years old. His passion for cooking and entertaining inspired him to open his first store in 1956 in California. Today, the retailer operates 623 stores. John Lewis opens 12th ‘at home’ store The retailer opened its 12th ‘at home’ shop and the largest co-located John Lewis and Waitrose to date in Basingstoke, UK, in November. The 46,000 sqft store offers 16,000 home products shown through a display of room sets.

The number of shop-in-shops planned in John Lewis’ ﬁrst international venture outside of Asia. John Lewis has plans to open shop-in-shops in seven branches of Dutch department store de Bijenkorf in addition to opening seven more full-size UK outlets. The ﬁrst three shops will open in the spring in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, followed by Eindhoven, Utrecht, Amstelveen and Maastricht in 2017. The Netherland stores will focus on John Lewis’ own-brand home and lifestyle product, including its recently introduced new Croft collection, which delivers a relaxed British style with neutral shades and lots of ceramics. 32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Robin Levien Studio creates two collections for John Lewis

Robert Levien Studio has announced two new collections Social by that are due to become available in John Lewis early this Jason Atherton year. The first, Social by Jason Atherton, is a collaboration with the Michelin-Star chef, delivering a tabletop collection featuring designs that are simple, understated and perfect for sharing. “We have had the pleasure to collaborate closely with Jason Atherton on an innovative and fresh collection,” says Robin. Star items include a lazy Susan and marble insert and risers that allow you to make the best use of space on the table. The second collection from Robin Levien due to launch at John Lewis is Florrie by Bluebellgray, a collaboration with Glasgow textile designer Fiona Douglas at Bluebellgray. The fine china collection features soft, delicate flowers in signature watercolour style with painterly brushstokes. “We are thrilled to announce a new collection of delicate fine china called Florrie,” says Robin. Watch this space!

Florrie by Bluebellgray

“

Hannah [Dale] is a very Ha talented artist and her visit to Russia really helped our distributor, Dom Farfora, engage with their customers. This event is just one of the initiatives we are undertaking as part of our ongoing global strategy to work very closely with our customers to support their sales efforts and promote our iconic British brands.

”

Portmeirion Group’s head of export, Carol Clyde, on British artist Hannah Dale’s recent visit to Dom Farfora in Moscow as part of a special family day to mark the 50th anniversary of the tabletop retailer. Hannah, whose illustrations feature on Royal Worcester’s bestselling Wrendale Designs Gift Collection, was there to host painting masterclasses.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 33

Spode

Celebrate the Queen’s 90th

products news

Royal Worcester

With Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II turning 90 on April 21, 2016, there will be plenty of British companies creating commemorative products to honour the occasion. While Burleigh is currently working on its own products, Portmeirion Group has launched two stunning collections in honour of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Royal Worcester is unveiling a new, fine bone china collection, delicately finished with 20k gold, with each elegant piece featuring the Royal Arms and the four symbols of Great Britain – the rose, daffodil, thistle and shamrock in pink, yellow, blue and green. The range includes a coupe plate, tankard, trinket box and mug and each piece comes in a gift box. Spode has added collectable pieces to its iconic Blue Room collection to commemorate the occasion. Featuring unique and intricate blue and white borders in deep cobalt blue and in patterns from the Spode archives, the Blue Room dresser plate and mug is made from the highest quality earthenware. Fine bone china mug brand Dunoon has launched two fine bone china mugs to mark the occasion. On the Wessex shape comes a very traditional and classic design in royal blue and embellished with rich metallic gold (pictured); while on the Cairngorm shape is a more fun design featuring iconic images relating to Her Majesty, portrayed in a quirky Dunoon and colourful style. Find all designs on show at Spring Fair 2016.

Inspired by… The Sea

Underwater themes and coastal motifs are set to be prominent for Spring/Summer 2016 and Caskata is tapping into this trend with its Artisanal Tableware’s S/S 2016 introductions, Caskata Whites. These four new patterns on white deliver creative interpretations of botanical and sea life themes, the result of the artful use of glazes – not in tone, but in texture, with layers of white-on-white on the finest, high-fired porcelain dinnerware. There are two new floral patterns, Spring and Summer, and two sea-inspired designs, Catch and Starfish, available in placesettings and serving pieces. Made in the US and dishwasher and microwave-safe.

Gien launches Allure pattern

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People aren’t doing sit-down dinners as often anymore but they still want to entertain with style. When I have people over, I want them to see a piece of me in every part of the experience. The details I add to the table have often been the beginning of some of the best conversations. I wanted to create a series of objects that would give my customer the ability to bring that same spark and self-expression to their own entertaining moments.

”

California-based designer Nima Oberoi-Lunares, founder of home accessories brand Lunares on her collection of sleek metal objects, from sculptures to serveware, which add glamour, unexpected detail and personal expression. The primary range comes in a vibrant gold-plated ﬁnish over her signature metal alloy, though silver and graphite ﬁnishes are also available. info@lunareshome.com

32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

For French company, Faiencerie de Gien, new pattern Allure marks the return of major partnerships with artists who have made their imprint on the manufacturer’s history. Designed as a bridge between the brand’s heritage and modernity, the Allure pattern by Olivier Gagnere takes the characteristic elements of Gien and combines with bold graphic forms. The two Allure patterns, the black tulip and the coat of arms, are taken from the company archives, while the black tulip is the iconic symbol of Gien; the coat of arms, a symbol of the success of the company in the 19th century, has been reinvented. The links – in beige, orange, blue and purple – symbolise the transmission of techniques and the consistency of Gien through the ages. The range consists of dinner plates, dessert plates, canapé plates, a cake dish and a new shaped cup, with the handle taking the shape of the links. www.gien.com

Colourful extensions reign supreme There are plenty of colourful extensions to successful tableware collections this Spring Launched six years ago, Loveramics’ first tableware collection has been so successful with its East-meets-West design that four new accent plates in different colours have been launched. Designed by Dinah Body, Er-go! Cascade features hand-drawn designs – think bold brush stokes in a painterly style. Maxwell & Williams has extended its recently-launched bright and graphic Colour Bolt series with new breakfast cups and saucers. Made from prestige porcelain, they are gift-boxed and microwave/dishwasher safe. Maxwell & Williams

Loveramics

products news

Villeroy & Boch

Spotlight on...Easter

Fuerstenberg

With springtime offerings on every retailer’s shopping list, a number of brands have released their introductions for Easter. Villeroy & Boch has, as always, delivered plenty nty of Easter product with additions to Farmer’s Spring, Spring Fantasy and Mariefleur Spring. In the series Spring Fantasy there are new products for the Easter breakfast table with the Spring Awakening décor including teacups and bowls and limited Easter er annual edition eggcups and eggs for hanging. Successful décor Mariefleur Spring has turned to rabbits with its ‘It’s all about the bunny’ motto – think eggcups, plates and bowls owls decorated with a rabbit shape. Alessi delivers everything retailers need to create an Easterasterthemed table including Stefano Giovannoni’s magic bunny toothpick holder in thermoplastic oplastic resin; Marcel Wanders’ Dressed egg cup, also in thermoplastic resin (pictured right) and nd even its Alice and the White Rabbit set of two porcelain figurines. Finally, luxury porcelain celain manufacturer Fuerstenberg has released its highly collectable hare of the year. Renowned wned for its life-like appearance and made of high-quality porcelain, Benjamin comes in classic ic white in two sizes, while a limited edition large porcelain hare is delivered with either 24k gold décor (pictured) or exclusive handpainting.

Alessi

Inspired by… mathematics Globally-renowned producer of luxury crystal couture Artel has launched glassware featuring equations. The collection of limited edition (100 sets) handmade crystal DOFs is based on a portfolio of fine art prints collectively titled Concinnitas (created in 2014) that captures the most beautiful mathematical expressions of ten mathematicians and physicists. Each set is numbered and includes explanatory artist statements written by the authors. www.artelglass.com

Chamberlain presents the Black collection Chamberlain & Co, the new luxury fine bone china brand that recently made its industry debut at Maison & Objet, Paris, has unveiled its unique Chamberlain Black collection. Handmade in the heart of Worcestershire from luxuriant black ceramic, the elegant forms of the Chamberlain Black collection takes ceramics back to the days when ornamental homeware was a status symbol. Crafted and inspired by historic designs, each item in the range is beautifully handpainted with a contemporary twist. The delicate hand-painting and hand-gilding means that no two pieces are alike. The Chamberlain Black range comprises the Broadway Vase, the Elmley Bowl and the extravagant centrepiece, the magnificent 85cm tall Witley Vase; the glimmering jet black surface of each is adorned by graceful hummingbirds descending upon tantalising passion flowers so life-like that one can almost detect the exotic scent. Highlights of 23k gold bring additional lustre to these rich works of art. This collection features the highest standards of British artistry and craftsmanship with selected items within the collection taking up to 200 hours to complete. www.chamberlainco.co.uk

“

We recently introduced a series of warm neutrals in Cream and Cappuccino as an extension of our Lastra collection keeping time with trends in both the home and fashion industry. We complemented this look by layering in metallic from our Earth Glass collection and Optical Gold drinkware, and mixing textures with Whipstitch Linens and our Bugatti ﬂatware in Fuoco.

18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Joan Bolick, product development manager, Vietri Inc.

Churchill and Harlequin collaborate British tabletop manufacturer Churchill has joined forces with interiors brand Harlequin to deliver an exciting portfolio of products to be unveiled at Spring Fair 2016. Inspired by botanicals, the new Amazillia range of beautiful kitchen accessories, gifts and textiles, produced on the finest bone china and Made In England textiles, features tropical influences and exotic colours. Decorated with on-trend colours of gooseberry, lagoon and opal, this light and vibrant range is vast and shows the wealth of skills held by these two iconic British brands. The Harlequin range, meanwhiles, delivers all the attributes you would expect, including a fine bone china body that is lightweight, a pure white colour and translucency and durability. Beautifully packaged, the new Harlequin collection from Churchill comprises the Savanna range, Papillio and an array of gift-boxed mugs to complement each other. Find this at Spring Fair, Hall 9, Stand D30-E21.

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We worked closely with the team at The Dorchester throughout our bespoke programme which included a series of on-site design consultations, unique shape development and durability testing in our in-house laboratory. The partnership with The Dorchester marks a deﬁnitive move into the luxury hospitality sector for Royal Crown Derby. The Dorchester is one of the world’s foremost luxury hotels and we are honoured to have been chosen to provide a specially-designed banqueting service. The 16,000-piece order was produced at the Osmaston Road factory, Derby, using techniques largely unchanged for centuries ensuring the very highest quality. We’re delighted that The Dorchester chose to buy quality, British-made tableware.

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Christopher Oakes, sales & marketing director, Royal Crown Derby, on delivering its largest-ever order within the luxury hospitality market.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 37

exhibition news

Top Drawer

Sue Ure Ceramics

Kitchen Craft

Spring/Summer 2016 trends revealed Key trends for S/S 2016 have been identified across UK leading design-led Top Drawer’s four distinctive worlds – Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft. Lustrous Allure, a metallic trend hot on the heels of the Dulux Colour of the Year 2016 (Cherished Gold) incudes an array of metallic tones; while Blush Hues follows the fashion-led trend for all things pink with shades from Barbie through to Laduree macaroons. Those who appreciate balanced colour, shape and form will be able to submerge themselves in the Modern Geometrics trend where sharp surface pattern presents itself across a vast range of products. Finally, getting back to basics never looked so good: simple, clean lines and textural finishes distinguish the trend identified as Rustic Utilitarian. Discover the products highlighted in these trends at the January edition of Top Drawer online at www.topdrawer.co.uk

BLE announce new layout and extended opening Following on from the success of Brand Licensing Europe 2015, a new layout and longer opening hours have been announced for Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) 2016, which takes place October 11-13, 2016. The show will now feature two central aisles to encourage a free flow of visitors across the Character and Entertainment zone on the ground floor with two central staircases up to the Art, Design & Image and Brands & Lifestyle areas. “We hope that by adding another main aisle it will become easier for visitors to make their way around and find everything they need,” says Darren Brechin, BLE event director. More than 150 exhibitors are already confirmed for the event, including BBC Worldwide and The British Library. www.brandlicensing.eu

What the retailer says… “This year the buying team of Tanagra stores across the Middle East will include Ambiente in its buying programme in addition to its regular trip to Maison & Objet, Paris, in January, and Milan mid-April. Primarily, it will be to connect with our existing vendors and to get a preview on the novelties as well as to look for additional opportunities that will help us cater to our Tanagra consumers – new products that ﬁt in terms of material, price positioning and functionality. At Ambiente, for example, we will be looking for new trends, categories and brands that are different than the ones available at Maison.” Gwendoline Fontaine, general manager, Tanagra, a chain of 10 speciality multi-brand home and gift concept stores positioned in ﬁve countries across the Middle East. www.chalhoub-group.com 40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

news in brief Decorex announces 2016 dates The UK’s leading design show Decorex International has announced its 2016 dates. Returning to the historic Eyon Park, it will open The London Design Festival from September 18-21, 2016. Aimed at the high-end UK interiors industry, more than 400 exhibitors will be on show. Alessi exhibition moves to Germany The Beauty and the Mastery exhibition moved to Germany on January 19 and will run until April 3, 2016. The exhibition charts the evolution of Alessi’s Italian Design Factory from the Bombe tea and coffee service first designed by Carlo Alessi in 1945 through to the 2012 Dressed in Wood collection by Marcel Wanders. BLE 2015 up 19% Brand Licensing Europe 2015 achieved a 19 per cent rise in retailer visitation on the previous year, with 7,203 visitors attending across the three days, making it the biggest yet in its 17-year history with 300 exhibitors. This year’s Retail Mentoring Programme was also the biggest yet, including 35 buyers from 12 major UK retailers. BLE 2016 takes place October 11-13. New website for IHA The Relaunched International Housewares Association (IHA) site features a modular design and photography-focused navigation to make content easier to find. “We wanted to create a narrative about IHA as a whole. The association is the umbrella for our services, which includes the International Home + Housewares Show and Inspired Home, our consumerfocused website,” says IHA president, Phil Brandl. www. housewares.org

12 – 16. 2. 2016 Spot on: With its Dining area, Ambiente is the no. 1 international showcase for table, kitchen and household products – and a signiﬁcant platform for the Horeca sector. Enjoy an array of events and meet interesting people at the world’s most important consumer goods trade fair. Discover the future and be inspired by a fascinating product diversity. Information and tickets at ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com

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Ambiente 20

exhibition news

LSA International win two design awards for Stack The innovative Stack Collection from LSA International has secured two design awards. The first award was from Chicago’s Good Design Award 2015, which remains the oldest and most recognised programme for design excellence worldwide. The second design award was courtesy of Ambiente’s prestigious Design Plus, securing the Design Plus 2016 award for Stack. It will be on show during Ambiente 2016 in Galleria 1 and will be showcased in the Design Plus 2016 catalogue. An innovative collection of stackable vases, each piece boasts a cylindrical form, collar-shaped neck and indented base that allows the vases to be arranged in a column or individually. www.lsa-international.com

Exclusively Housewares sold out! Exclusively Housewares, the UK trade show that covers everything from tableware through to cookware and runs annually at London’s Business Design Centre, has already sold out, with all of its 120 exhibitor spaces confirmed. Companies new to the show this year include Aydya, Boska Cheesewares, Ecoegg, Luxury Housewares and Ryland Peters & Small. They are joined by Fairmont & Main, Sterck and Villeroy & Boch, all of whom are making a return to the show. The show, which is in its 15th year, also welcomes the second edition of sister show Exclusively Electrical, which will feature 25 top kitchen and home appliance suppliers. Both shows will run June 14-15, 2016, at the Business Design Centre in London. www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk

Maison announces Designer of the Year 2016 Every year Maison & Objet spotlights the most outstanding names on the international design and décor scene. And for January 2016, Catalan designer Eugeni Quitllet received the Designer of the Year award at Maison & Objet, Paris, showcasing his work in a space at the show. Based in Barcelona, Eugeni creates bestselling objects, including L’Ame, the collection of archetypal and luxurious cutlery he designed for Christoﬂe in 2014. Eugeni also designed a series of disposable plastic dinnerware and cutlery to be used on Air France ﬂights and has created several products for Kartell, including the Vase-o, which takes the shape of water droplets condensed to form a translucent vase. www.eugeniquitllet.com

Intertextile Shanghai announce returning show and add extra day Asia’s leading event for the home textiles industry Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles will add an extra day for its Autumn edition 2016, which takes place August 24-27, delivering four days instead of three. Fair organiser Messe Frankfurt announced the change due to strong feedback for an extension from exhibitors and buyers. “Over the last few years, we have had increasingly positive responses regarding a longer show period from both exhibitors and buyers,” says Wendy Wen, senior general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. “Demand in the Chinese market for overseas brands still remains strong and we expect this to continue to be the case in 2016, which gives us confidence that the extended duration of the fair will prove a success.” Messe Frankfurt has also announced the return of the Spring edition after a two-year absence. The Spring edition will return March 1618, 2016, alongside four other textile fairs. www.intertextilehome.com

L’Ame, Christofle

Don’t miss… Maison & Objet, Asia, which will return to Singapore from March 8-11, 2016 for its third edition at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center. An intelligent reﬂection of the ever-growing industry trends of the region, this show captures the spirit of a global hub where property developers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, interior designers and architects can gain deeper insight into the latest market developments. From Serax and Sempre to Costa Nova and Conﬁndustria Ceramica, some 300 brands from 26 countries will exhibit, 40 per cent of which are exclusive to M&O Asia and 30 per cent of which are Asian brands. The show will also offer a stimulating interior design and lifestyle summit with a series of conferences that analyse key market trends – speakers are not yet announced. www.maison-objet.com 42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

For the very best in housewares, tableware and small appliances ADDIS HOUSEWARES AEROLATTE AMEFA ANNIVERSARY HOUSE APOLLO HOUSEWARES ARTHUR PRICE AUTEUR AYDYA CHARLES BENTLEY & SON BERGHOFF WORLDWIDE BHL GROUP BLACK + BLUM BODUM BOSKA CHEESEWARES BRABANTIA BRITA BURTON MCCALL CHARLES VIANCIN CITY LOOK IMPORTS COOKWARE CO COUNTRY MATTERS CREATIVE PRODUCTS CROWN TRENT CULINARY CONCEPTS CURVER DAVID MASON DESIGN DENBY BRANDS DKB HOUSEHOLD DNC THE DRH COLLECTION DUBOST COLAS PRADEL EATON HOME & DINING E-CLOTH ECOEGG EDDINGTONS ELIA EMILE HENRY EUROPASONIC FAIRMONT & MAIN FALCON PRODUCTS FISKARS FOSSEWAY TRADING

GEH GILBERTS GOURMET GADGETRY GREEN PIONEER I GRUNWERG HAREWOOD INTERNATIONAL HAUS HORWOOD HOMEWARES HOT PLATE PRODUCTS LTD IC INNOVATIONS ICB ICTC IMPERIAL INTERNATIONAL JERAY JOSEPH JOSEPH JUST MUGS JWP KILNER KIS KUHN RIKON LE CHATEAU TEXTILES LE CREUSET LEKUE LURCH LUXURY HOUSEWARES MAGEFESA BY VITRINOR MAHITTI MASON CASH MASTRAD MAXWELL & WILLIAMS METALTEX MEYER MICROPLANE MY GIFTS TRADE NAVIGATE NEAT IDEAS NORDIC WARE OCTOPUS PUBLISHING OXO GOOD GRIPS PENDEFORD HOUSEWARES PHA KITCHESSENTIALS PLAN B MARKETING

PLASTICFORTE POLDER PREMIER HOUSEWARES PRICE & KENSINGTON PYREX RAVENHEAD READY STEADY COOK RKW ROBERT WELCH DESIGNS ROOT 7 ROSTI MEPAL H&L RUSSEL RYLAND PETERS & SMALL SABICHI SALTER SCOTT BROTHERS SIMPLEHUMAN SISTEMA SMASH GLOBAL SODASTREAM STERCK SWAN PRODUCTS T&G TAYLOR’S EYE WITNESS TEFAL TERRAILLON TONTARELLI TRADESTOCK TYPHOON ULTIMATE PRODUCTS VACU VIN VILLEROY & BOCH WESCO WESTERN HOUSE WHITEFURZE WHITFORD WILTON BRANDS WORLD KITCHEN ZODIAC STAINLESS PRODUCTS ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS

And don’t forget to visit Exclusively Electrical, our sister show running alongside Exclusively Housewares ARZUM ELEKTRIKLI BENROSS GROUP BEURER BRABANTIA APPLIANCES CONNECT SERVICES DUALIT EPE INTERNATIONAL EUROPASONIC

GROUPE SEB HEALTHY FOODS/ YONANAS JURA PRODUCTS KALORIK KITCHENAID MAGIMIX MEYER NUWAVE

RKW SAGE APPLIANCES SMART WORLDWIDE SMARTWARES EUROPE TEAM UKI ULTIMATE VITA-MIX EUROPE WITT

For more information on the show take a look at www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk or call 0121 237 1130

Run by the industry, for the industry

Exclusively Housewares will run alongside its sister show Exclusively Electrical, designed especially for small domestic appliance buyers

www.exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk

Profile Reed & Barton/Lenox

“It’s an exhilarating time for Reed & Barton” One of America’s foremost marketers of fine tableware and giftware, Reed & Barton was recently acquired by the Lenox Corporation. We talk to the President of Reed & Barton, Tim Riddle, to find out what the future holds for this iconic American brand Back in May 2015, America’s leading tableware, gift and home entertaining business, Lenox Corporation, announced that it had successfully acquired Reed & Barton, an iconic 190-year-old American brand renowned for its distinctive high-end tableware and giftware. Under the agreement, Reed & Barton will continue to design and market a broad assortment of unique giftware, including its highly successfully baby giftware, picture frames and serveware. With both companies rich in history and renowned for their craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail, the agreement has given rise to a natural partnership that promises success on both sides. “As an American company steeped in honour and tradition, we are pleased to expand on the history, knowledge and craftsmanship of such an iconic American brand. We believe that the combination of these two prestigious brands will ensure that the next generation of American consumers elevates the experience of their guests when entertaining at home,” said Lenox CEO Peter Cameron of the acquisition. Tim Riddle, who has been at the helm of the Reed & Barton brand 44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

for 14 years and will continue to be the company president, was equally enthusiastic: “We are extremely happy with the outcome. Reed & Barton is a perfect fit amongst the other prestigious brands of the Lenox family.” We talk to Tim to find out what plans are in the pipeline for Reed & Barton now it is under the Lenox umbrella.

Why is the purchase of Reed & Barton by Lenox so important and what does each company bring to the table? It has been challenging for Reed & Barton in recent years. We had a fairly significant pension issue that created a financial hardship for the company and prevented any real investment in new products. As well as being America’s leading tabletop and giftware brand, Lenox is financially strong and provides that much-needed financial backing for Reed & Barton. The Lenox leadership – Peter Cameron, CEO, and Lester Gribetz, President – believe in the Reed & Barton brand and are prepared to invest in the business. While Reed & Barton is internationally recognised, the brand has limited distribution outside of the US. Lenox has a much larger international presence with distribution and relationships throughout the

world. This well-established distribution network will certainly facilitate Reed & Barton’s global expansion initiatives. Meanwhile, Reed & Barton brings to the Lenox table an extraordinary product offering and distribution in the higher-end luxury gift stores. Both Lenox and Reed & Barton share similar histories that are rich in tradition and commitment to excellence, which makes for an ideal partnership.

There are other heritage silverware manufacturers in the market. What makes Reed & Barton stand out? Reed & Barton has a heritage dating back to 1824 when it was founded by Henry Reed and Charles Barton. Throughout those 191 years the company has maintained an uncompromising commitment to design, quality and customer service. Some companies speak of such commitment; Reed & Barton and Lenox live by such commitment.

How key is the brand heritage in the communication of Reed & Barton moving forward? It will play a pivotal role. There aren’t too many companies that have a heritage dating back to 1824 and we

plan to tell that story. Reed & Barton has marketed the finest tableware and giftware for almost 200 years. Our products have graced the tables of presidents, diplomats and dignitaries throughout the world. We are a prestige brand, we are aspirational, and that is certainly central to the marketing plan going forward.

And is this what consumers today are demanding? Millennials are bringing back a level of taste and sophistication that has been somewhat dormant. They are truly aspirational in a way that is as individual as they are. This generation wants the real thing, not something pre-packaged to look like the real thing. With our heritage and commitment to quality, the Reed & Barton brand is perfectly aligned with this savvy consumer.

Silverware can be a tough sell. How can Reed & Barton counter this moving forward and make the product relevant? Traditional silverware is still a very tough market in the US. The cost of sterling silver flatware is prohibitive for many and the required polishing undesirable for most. We are not seeing much of a rebound in sterling flatware, but

A picture frame bearing the Reed & Barton name makes a favourite photo stand out in any decor. The choice of frames is large and the display possibilities are endless. Add a personal touch by engraving a frame with a name or special message, to be treasured for a lifetime. our sterling picture frames and baby assortments remain extremely strong. We are finding sterling items to be very desirable for gift-giving and home décor. But, while our origins are as a silverware manufacturer, our product offering now includes a full assortment of tableware and giftware product in a multitude of materials. In recent years, our lines have transitioned in directions that are relevant to the way people live and entertain today. Expansion of the brand in new directions will continue to be a key strategic initiative. Going forward we will draw from Lenox’s expertise and expand in new categories and new materials, taking full advantage of the wealth of experience Lenox brings to the table.

Will the brand maintain its position in the luxury segment and with prestige distribution? Yes – Reed & Barton will continue to be positioned as a premium brand with distribution to luxury stores. That was one of the things Lenox found so desirable about the company and certainly one of the things we plan to maintain. The brand and the product are aspirational but still affordable to the Millennial who understands luxury and is very willing to pay for something a bit more special.

Any designer collaborations in the works? Reed & Barton has worked with designers in the past and will continue to do so. For nearly a decade we have collaborated with the very gifted Thomas O’Brien and we plan to continue and grow this relationship, as well as consider similar collaborative arrangements moving forward.

Is Reed & Barton planning to expand its product categories? Reed & Barton is known for different products in different places. Our baby assortment, for example, does very well everywhere it is sold… we really enjoy the category and that comes through in the creative collections we bring to market. We are also known for our extraordinary picture frames, jewellery chests, the breadth of our metal serveware, and our fine stainless steel flatware. In each category, we strive to create something that’s a bit unique and offer something special to the consumer. In the next 12 to 18 months Reed & Barton will expand within our existing categories. We are planning to branch out into new categories and our distribution will certainly expand

Today, Reed & Barton is creating modern interpretations of essential tableware and accessories, all inspired by classic vintage pieces. They are making tradition modern by blending timeless designs, distinctive quality and unique heritage into a warm, liveable style for the contemporary home. globally. Opportunities are unfolding everywhere, it’s an exhilarating time for the brand.

Product focus

So what can we expect from Reed & Barton in 2016? Our major product launches generally centre around the April and October New York Tabletop Shows, so there will certainly be a great deal of new product unveiled at these markets. At the April 2016 New York Tabletop Show, Reed & Barton will be in a newly remodelled showroom in a new location on the 9th floor of Forty One Madison. In February, Reed & Barton will exhibit for the first time at Frankfurt fair, Ambiente – we will be on the Lenox stand in Hall 4 Stand C30-C31. There are many other initiatives in the works but it’s too early to disclose.

Finally, at the recent October 2016 New York Tabletop Show, there was an implication that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, might collaborate with Reed & Barton on something? The Duchess is an extremely creative individual with many ideas to share. While we talk on a regular basis, there is nothing to share at this point.

Did you know...? Reed & Barton has the Lunt brand, delivering a small assortment of baby items and picture frames under this brand. Positioned at a slight premium to the Reed & Barton line, Lunt is sold at high-end channels such as Neiman Marcus. “We’re giving new thought to this brand and positioning going forward, but those plans are very much in their infancy right now,” says Tim Riddle.

Since 1824 Reed & Barton has created premier tableware and giftware products with distinctive designs, outstanding quality and unparalleled service and they offer prestigious distribution within the US, everywhere from Bloomingdale’s to Geary’s and Ross Simons. Reed & Barton baby giftware, which includes cups, frames, carousels and flatware in silver and pewter, is consistently the top seller in baby giftware at independent retailers. Other core categories in the Reed & Barton product portfolio includes picture frames, which comprises of sterling, silver plate and pewter, among others; flatware, Christmas and ornaments, as well as jewellery boxes, crystal barware and serveware in a range of materials, including sterling silver, crystal, wood and pewter. www.reedandbarton.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 45

Profile Lenox

Lenox

High fashion meets high function The ultimate in casual luxury, the new and versatile Shades collection from Marchesa by Lenox delivers a fine dining look with the everyday convenience of being dishwasher-safe and providing microwave-safe gold banding

aunched in April last year, where it was unveiled at The New York Tabletop Show, and subsequently hitting stores in October 2015, Shades is a dinnerware collection from Marchesa by Lenox that delivers casual luxury at its most versatile. Designed by haute couture fashion designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, who are renowned for their head-turning, show-stopping style, the collection comes in four colourways, Marchesa Shades of Blue, Grey, Teal and White. Not only do the four colourways deliver extensive versatility but each colourway offers different shades within that colourway. This not only brings a stunning designer elegance to the table but also offers increased versatility, allowing consumers to create different tablescapes for any occasion. The combination of the collection’s elegance, which is communicated via its graduated shades, romantic scalloped shapes and gold banding, and convenience, with its dishwasher and

microwave-safe stamp, takes Shades to new versatility heights, delivering a collection that is chic and glamorous but that can be used every day. “Marchesa Shades is the perfect dinnerware collection for someone who wants a beautiful, chic style for entertaining that also offers everyday care convenience,” says vice-president for the Lenox brand Sherri Crisenbery. It is the revolutionary microwavesafe gold banding that has really made a difference, however. The gold banding on each piece adds a sophisticated elegance that you would traditionally only find on fine dinnerware. Yet, these microwavesafe gold accents are able to provide a more transitional option with everyday casual care convenience. “The collection is perfect for every day, providing microwave-safe gold banding for warming up a meal or heating leftovers; while the easy care, dishwasher-safe convenience at the end of the meal makes clean-up so simple,” explains Sherri. The stunning scalloped shapes

and graduated shades of the collection are straight from the catwalk, inspired by Marchesa’s haute couture signature style. “All our Marchesa designs are based on their elegant red-carpet gowns and some of their most beautiful looks include soft, scallop shapes in graduated colours. Translating these fabulous designs were a must for the collection,” says Sherri. As with all the Marchesa by Lenox collections, Marchesa’s expertise at dressing red-carpet celebrities has been successfully translated to dressing the table. Those who appreciate fine fashion will be drawn to the high-end look of this collection combined with the unparalleled quality from Lenox. Having hit stores in October 2015, Shades is getting lots of attention. “Brides especially are drawn to the beautiful colours and shapes and are always intrigued by what Marchesa has to offer in fashion for the table,” concludes Sherri.

Did you know…? The Marchesa by Lenox brand delivers the complete couture tabletop, including dinnerware, ﬂatware and glassware, as well as a range of giftware. Elegant red-carpet eveningwear and exquisite bridal growns deﬁne their collections. 46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Passionate

ABOUT HOUSEWARES

Inspiring BUYING ACROSS INDONESIA Table & Home is Indonesia’s most signiﬁcant housewares retail trade event, fostering new trade relationships, inspiring buying and supporting business across Indonesia and the Asia Paciﬁc. With over 500 exhibiting companies showcasing thousands of housewares and interiors products, Table & Home 2016 offers something for every trade professional involved in retailing, distribution and supply of glassware, ceramics, tableware, kitchenware, lighting, home textiles, and accessories.

23 - 25

JAKARTA CONVENTION CENTRE (JCC) INDONESIA To exhibit or for further information please contact: Lucy@tableandhomeindonesia.com or call: +44 (0) 20 8846 2768

W W W.TA B L E A N D H O M E I N D O N E S I A . C O M

NOVEMBER Organised by:

2016

Profile Lenox

Lenox

Entertain in colour A complete system for home entertaining, Lenox’s super-versatile and highly successful textured white range Entertain 365 gets its first introduction of colour with the brand-new Sculpture Blue and Green

olour has been introduced into Lenox’s white range Entertain 365, a complete system for home entertaining that has proven highly successful since its launch back in 2014. Designed for the way we live and dine today, Entertain 365 was unveiled at the April 2014 New York Tabletop Market – a 30-piece highly versatile and stackable porcelain range featuring three contemporary white carved patterns on a variety of shapes, providing the ultimate in versatility. “Entertain 365 has been really well received because it provides a solution to every dining need, whether it’s an intimate breakfast in bed, a lunch with your gal pals, cocktails with couples, a grand event and everything in between,” says Sherri Crisenbery, vice-president of the Lenox brand. The success of this entertaining system comes down to its ultraversatility and this begins with the variety of dinnerware shapes and the variety of textures, which allow for endless combinations to take you from breakfast to brunch, lunch to afternoon tea, dinner to supper. “The success starts with the white versatile dinnerware shapes

in beautiful textures and then builds with unique serving pieces that mix and match to provide all the essentials you need to entertain or dine every day,” explains Sherri. This highly versatile collection, which delivers a wide range of shapes and sizes, was always one Lenox knew would grow with any number of extensions – from product types and further shapes to the introduction of colour and new materials. The recent October New York Tabletop Show saw the introduction of both a new material, wood – think multi-functional storage and serveware pieces with bamboo wooded lids that can also be used as boards to present food – and the introduction of colour. The bright new colourful update is Sculpture Blue and Green, a colour block 2D pattern, the design of which was inspired by the prismatic texture design of the carved white version. “Blues and greens remain a popular colour trend for dinnerware and the contemporary, prismatic design, which was inspired by Carved White, provides a cool, coordinating update,” explains Sherri. A way of brightening the table or mood, Sculpture Blue and Green can be used as accents to the all-

white collection or to change in and out of everyday settings, allowing consumers to create even more tablescapes for whatever look or feel they wish to create. “Sculpture Blue and Green affords numerous ways of layering in colour in either an impactful or subtle way,” says Sherri. “Simple accents include

adding coloured salad plates to a white setting or just introducing colour for dessert time. An even bigger impact can be made by using the colourful dinner plates with white salad plates. Either way, the blending of carved white pieces with colour provides a more interesting feast for the eyes and for the table.”

Did you know…? Entertain 365 delivers a wide range of shapes, sizes and textures for the ultimate in versatility. The Shape pattern is smooth faceted, the Sculpture pattern features a woven dimension on the rim and the Surface pattern is textural and tactile; while the shapes are octagonal, rectangular, square and round. 48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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technology

For travel arrangements contact: onPeak, Housewares Official Housing Partner, Tel: +1 312 5277300, Email: housewares@onpeak.co

style

trends products OUINSAI GARDEN COLLECTION Villeroy & Boch Villeroy & Boch, the Kings of modern florals, has not only extended Mariefleur and Provencal Lavender to include cookware (their first cookware with decoration) and giftware items for spring, but they debuted a brand new floral bone china range. Inspired by Marco Polo’s journey to China, the Ouinsai Garden Collection delivers four Asian-influenced blossoms, including peony, magnolia, chrysanthemum and camellia, with a gentle beige paisley pattern on the successful form Modern Grace in finest premium bone porcelain.

www.villeroy-boch.com

ITALIAN POIS COLLECTION ITAL Richard Ginori Ri W strawberries, vermilion ladybirds and Wild ssmall polka dots embellish exquisite Richard Ginori porcelain in the Italian Pois collection. The new design p is hand-decorated on the iconic Antico Doccia, Vecchio Ginori and Murat shapes whose elegant profiles are accentuated by black edging. The Italian Pois sh collection stands out for its refined sophistication, creating a delicately romantic colle setting. The collection, meant for the daily table, is available in a complete assortment setting of tableware tablew and tea and coffee settings and is complemented with matching accessories aand serving pieces, such as coffee mugs and a butter dish.

www.richardginori1735.com www. www.ric i

FLORAL EDEN Wedgwood Wedgwood has introduced Floral Eden, a new hand-painted Made In England bone china collection that celebrates botanical motifs and expressive design. The contemporary collection effortlessly unites the traditional with the modern and celebrates Wedgwood’s famed craftsmanship and passion for expressive design. Inspired by John Wedgwood’s (grandson of founder Josiah Wedgwood) passion for exotic plants – he was a founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society, which is dedicated to the research and education of horticulture within the UK – it takes its inspiration from botanicals and flowers found within the RHS Botanical Gardens, with blooms like periwinkle, freesia and germanium. Pieces include a teapot, creamer and sugar, teacups, tea saucer and plate sets, featuring floral motifs with gold highjlights, all hand-painted. An assortment of six designs in a 21-piece tea set is available.

www.wwrd.com 50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

KIM PARKER FOR GOURMET BASICS BY MIKASA Lifetime Brands Floral artist Kim Parker’s collaboration with Lifetime Brands for the Gourmet Basics by Mikasa range is proving so successful that it has been recently extended to include five more floral decorations. While Zinnia Garden was inspired by Long Island fields of brilliant coloured zinnias, Meadow Violets took its inspiration from walks along the edge of woods where sweet violets grow and features a pastel palette of delicate sprigs. Provence Garden delivers a burst of vibrant florals like a French countryside garden; Tulips features a brilliant shock of colour tulips; and Woodland Floral offers richly detailed flower prints that look like they’ve fallen from the sky. The 16-piece dinnerware sets are made from high-quality porcelain.

www.lifetimebrands.com

NEW COUNTRY ROSES Royal Albert Royal Albert has expanded its existing afternoon tea and breakfast range with new vintage-style shapes inspired by the English country rose garden, the extensions are made up of signature Royal Albert patterns from the New Country Roses collection. Timeless and charming, the new range showcases Royal Albert’s longstanding tradition of floral patterns, with pretty polka dots and scalloped edging. The new covered butter dish mixes Polka Blue and Rose Confetti prints, while the two condiment pots and mini covered sugar and cream set feature bold colours and the classic rose design.

TREND: Spring awakenings www.wwrd.com

Spring wouldn’t be spring without ﬂora and fauna and the October New York Tabletop Market delivered them in abundance for Spring/Summer 2016 ENCHANTED GARDEN Michael Aram Renowned for his nature-inspired tabletop, Michael Aram’s big launch for S/S 2016 is Enchanted Garden, a new tabletop collection featuring mixed metals and precious stones, that communicates via very clever design, spring awakenings. Sculpts of intertwined vines and stems gracefully emerge from a fantasy garden adorned with snails and semi-precious stones (hand-carved Lapiz stones, for example), while a clever technique on stainless steel, along with Austrian crystals, resemble the morning dew. Pieces include everything from a pitcher and cheeseboard to cake pedestal and servers.

www.michaelaram.com

ECO COLLECTION Nambe New from Nambe is the nature-inspired Eco Collection designed by Neil Cohen. The collection features a champagne satin finish for a soft golden hue. The leaf design is brilliantly captured and the alloy pieces can be chilled before serving. Made of Nambé Alloy with champagne gold plating, pieces include a leaf-shaped serving bowl, a glass centerpiece bowl with leaf-inspired alloy stand and a wooden cheeseboard with leaf-inspired alloy handles and cheese knife.

www.nambe.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 51

FEATURE

Melamine

Q Squared NYC In 2011, Q Squared NYC recognised that there was a gap in the market for a high-quality consumer-friendly melamine and became one of the first companies to release melamine with the appearance of porcelain and ceramic to retail, delivering an alternative to delicate ceramics and under-designed unbreakable dinnerware. Q Squared stands out for its fresh designs and superior quality. Products are 100 per cent melamine, hand-polished and hospitality grade, meaning great food safety and durability. The products also feature a higher heat resistance than most consumer melamine. Design is key and creative director and designer Alaina Young hand-draws all the artwork with every design communicating her love of the classics and of her travels. Q Squared also offer a robust selection of textured whiteware, uncommonly seen in consumer melamine. In 2016, Q Squared will release its largest collection yet. “Our goal is to have a beautiful selection of patterns and colours suitable for every home,” says Shannon McAlpine, VP of sales. www.qsquarednyc.com

Melamine rising

The growth of casual dining, including outdoor entertaining, and the improved quality of heavyweight melamine, giving it the appearance of ceramics, has given rise to the rapid growth of the melamine category. We analyse this segment and look at the major players

s consumer lifestyles continue to become increasingly casual, with formal dining shifting to a more relaxed take on entertaining, and as outdoor dining becomes more popular, the material of melamine is in increasing demand. Not only has the pioneer of superior quality melamine tableware for retail, Q Squared NYC, experienced great international business growth over the past few years, but many renowned ceramic tableware brands – Lenox, Gibson, Portmeirion – are expanding their melamine programmes. “Over the last 10 years, melamine has experienced stable incremental growth every year,” says VP of marketing for Gibson, Grace Saari, pointing out that Gibson is expanding its melamine programme due to such growth. Portmeirion Group say its melamine programme has been a huge success to date and it has also announced big melamine launches in 2016. 52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Shannon McAlpine, VP of sales at luxury melamine brand Q Squared NYC, says it's fantastic to see ceramic brands introducing melamine. "We've had a number of ceramic brands come to us for guidance prior to releasing a melamine programme," says Shannon, pointing out that it is both a reaction to current consumer trends and Q Squared’s influence. “We were one of the first to release melamine boasting the appearance of porcelain and ceramic and this started to change the perception of melamine. People began to realise that melamine can look sophisticated,” says Shannon, further explaining how wonderful it is to see what was originally thought to be a niche product now in mass demand. That melamine today can be so beautiful and look just like porcelain is one of the main reasons the material is being taken more seriously both by consumers and hospitality providers. “It’s very important for our melamine products to resemble ceramics,” says Heather Lovatt, head of marketing, Steelite

International, which manufactures tableware for the HoReCa industry. Heather continues: "Our customers aren't just looking for high performance from melamine but also attractiveness, and for it to have the same attributes as its ceramic counterparts. "The patterns we’ve developed in melamine translate well and, from a distance, you wouldn’t know the difference between our ceramics and our melamine.” And this is certainly true too of the melamine collections produced by retail-focused tableware manufacturers like Q Squared NYC, Lenox and Portmeirion Group. A more casual dining lifestyle, including an increase in outdoor entertaining, is further driving demand for melamine. According to The John Lewis Retail Report 2015, John Lewis department stores have seen an increase of 25 per cent in outdoor living in the past year. Portmeirion Group has noticed

this trend too. “We have seen a big increase in outdoor dining – driven by gardening TV programmes as well as by retailers driving sales of outdoor furniture and outdoor living,” says Phil Atherton, group sales & marketing director, Portmeirion Group, which delivers a variety of melamine products across all its brands. “With the increase in popularity of al fresco dining, melamine is perfect for outdoor use,” says Phil. The Lenox Corporation in the US has also seen demand for melamine driven, they say, by an increase in outdoor entertaining, and they have subsequently introduced melamine across its Lenox and Dansk brands. “The outdoor entertaining trend is still going strong and Lenox responded recently to such demand with the introduction of melamine across our most beloved casual pattern Butterfly Meadow,” says Sherri Crisenbery, VP, Lenox. The fact that the consumer lifestyle is becoming increasingly casual is also driving demand

Melamine in hospitality Spotlight on…APS Germany Due to its practical nature, melamine is popular in HoReCa. We talk to one of the market leaders of foodservice equipment in Europe, APS Germany.

as consumers seek practical dinnerware that is attractive and unfussy, explains Shannon at Q Squared NYC, pointing out that Millennials, in particular, are demanding such product. “Millennials have embraced the concept of casual luxury. They are always on the go and frequently moving between apartments and cities and, as a result, this generation has become more pragmatic about homeware purchases. "Millennials who are settling down are opting for melamine as their primary dinnerware and each year our products increasingly grow in bridal registries across the US,” says Shannon. Grace Saari at Gibson concurs: “Consumers want something that is casual and functional; they also want more durability and don’t want to worry about their ceramics chipping and breaking.” Gibson’s medium and heavyweight melamine meets such demands, while its heavyweight melamine “looks like quality ceramics and looks good on the table”, says Grace. And certainly this is the main benefit of melamine; that it is virtually unbreakable. “Melamine is a logical step for consumers who want style but, are reluctant to risk their ceramic tableware in certain environments or settings,” says Phil.. "It’s practical, lightweight and multi-purpose. And importantly, it is robust – perfect for the fast pace of

our lives today and also suitable to give to children.” Shannon at Q Squared agrees: “Melamine is a highly resilient material and a melamine dinnerware set will last decades longer than a ceramic set. Consumers don’t need to worry about replacing broken dinner and serveware.” An organic industrial compound created by combining melamine resin with strengthening materials, melamine “can stand up to the rigours of everyday use and is perfect for outdoors, patio and pool dining and entertaining”, says Sherri. “Plus, it’s relatively resistant to scratch marks – it makes entertaining outdoors effortless and carefree.” But there are other benefits, too. “Melamine is lighter in weight, so the serveware is significantly easier to manage than ceramic,” says Shannon, pointing out that Q Squared NYC melamine is also extremely easy to clean as it is non-porous. “Food and sauces are unable to stick or stain so, after use, one can simply wipe clean." To be marketable, however, Grace at Gibson says that melamine needs to be colourful and bright. “Ceramics are important in introducing melamine. This makes it ideal to take designs from handpainted ceramics and transfer them to melamine. "Melamine is an ideally suited material to hold the colour and intricacies of handpainted

designs," says Grace, explaining how Gibson takes ceramic designs and transfers them to melamine. For 2016, Q Squared will release their largest collection yet, while Portmeirion Group, which currently boasts complementary melamine items in various patterns, including Portmeirion’s Botanic Garden and Spode’s Blue Italian, will be expanding its melamine offering, with the launch of the first Sophie Conran for Portmeirion and Botanic Garden collections. “As you would expect from Portmeirion, these new ranges are incredibly high quality and very closely aligned with our ceramicware, allowing the style-conscious consumer to enjoy our great designs in any outdoor event,” says Phil. Jay Companies also recently launched a deep assortment of melamine dinnerware and serveware; while Lenox plans to expand its Butterfly Meadow melamine collection in 2016 to include additional serving pieces and acrylic drinkware. “We are also open to developing new collections in melamine as we assess consumer interests,” says Sherri. Finally, Gibson has plans to expand its melamine in a big way this year. “For the Laurie Gates brand, in particular, Gibson wants to expand the melamine programme by adding better quality heavyweight melamine,” says Laurie Gates, VP of creative, Gibson Overseas.

The percentage by which the outdoor living category was up at John Lewis department stores in the UK over the past year, according to the John Lewis Retail Report 2015, “Britain got serious about outdoor entertaining. Tablemats, mugs and bowls in primary shades of red, green and yellow dominated, while practical wipe-clean tablecloths also saw a 16 per cent increase."

What are the benefits of melamine? The surface and look today is similar to porcelain, but it's cheaper and more durable. Also, you can add various patterns / surfaces to the base to achieve a variety of decors and mixed designs, which fit a more natural look. Ultimately, the benefits are high levels of durability, so almost no breakages; low-noise levels during usage; a more favourable pricing, especially with bigger pieces; improved tolerance levels; food-safe and scratch-proof. What melamine does APS offer? By 2016, we will offer more than 35 different melamine ranges with 800+ items. Our latest development is the multi-functional APS Plus system (pictured), which delivers endless presentation options. Bowls can double as bases for other items, culinary creations can be presented at different heights, and it can all be stacked for practicality. Glossy on the inside, matt on the outside, the universal bowls enable highly varied presentations; and in various shapes, with wood décor or colours, they add stylish flair. We offer the standard Gastronorm (GN) trays and bowls in different colours, patterns and shapes. How does APS melamine stand out? Founded in 1933, APS is now run by the 4th generation of the same family and has become a market leader of foodservice in Europe. We have long-term market knowledge with a focus on useability and design. We test each melamine shipment and make frequent tests with independent agencies of the EU to ensure quality. We work with gastronomy professionals and expert designers to create highly functional, attractive and unique designs. HoReCa clients demand durability, stackability and high quality and we deliver all of this. www.aps-germany.de TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 53

FEATURE

Melamine

LENOX Lenox offers an extensive collection of melamine in its number one-selling casual pattern Butterfly Meadow, with its depiction of a summertime garden in bloom featuring butterflies, dragonflies, bumble bees and ladybugs. The collection consists of dinnerware, as well as essential serving pieces like platters, trays and bowls featuring the same grace and beauty of Butterfly Meadow complete with scalloped rims and colourful butterflies. Shatter-proof and safe for outdoor dining. Lenox is expanding the Butterfly Meadow melamine collection for 2016 to include additional serving pieces, including butterfly-shaped serving trays and acrylic drinkware, and depending on consumer interest, may develop melamine for other collections in the future.

www.lenox.com

STEELITE INTERNATIONAL Global tableware manufacturer for the hospitality industry, Steelite International first launched its melamine collection in February 2012 partnering with Elite Global Solutions to provide an exclusive collection – heavyweight melamine that’s highly durable and can withstand heat up to 100°C. “We’ve since seen demand and growth for these ranges year-on-year and over the last three years the range has grown in size as we’ve added more innovative products to meet customer demand,” says Heather Lovatt, head of marketing, highlighting how melamine is a growth sector for the company. Steelite’s faux wood collection Driftwood has proved especially popular “because our customers are looking for the look and feel of wood but want the benefits of melamine, which is easy-to-clean, stain-resistant and suitable for hot and cold food”, says Heather. The Gastronorm Collection is also popular and was recently extended to include platters that match its Craft design, allowing operators to mix and match. Its melamine pieces are generally larger than ceramic alternative alternatives and are available in different colours, effects and shapes.

www.steelite.com

DANSK Danish brand Dansk, part of the Lenox Corporation, offers melamine in its recently-launched mix and match casual tableware range, The Burbs. Melamine in The Burbs comes in three colour palettes of dinnerware, along with sets of four party bowls and party plates, three different-sized platters and Triton barware. All pieces feature whimsical geometric accents that mix and match perfectly, with the bestsellers including the stemless wine glass and the large party platter. “The demand for melamine dinnerware and acrylic drinkware has increased greatly due to the updated PBA-free and dishwasher-safe attributes, further helped by dotcom sites, which have made melamine a year-round demand,” says Joan Petersen, senior product development and marketing manager, Dansk.

www.lenox.com

54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

PORTMEIR PORTMEIRION GROUP

GIBSON OVERSEAS

Portmeirion Group currently offer a number of differentlypatterned melamine products through Pimpernel, including patterns from Portmeirion, Spode and Royal Worcester brands. They also offer complementary melamine items in Portmeirion’s Botanic Garden, Crazy Daisy, Botanic Blue and Water Garden ranges; in Spode’s Blue Italian and Christian Jubilee collections; and for Royal Worcester’s Wrendale Designs gift range. Furthermore, they offer a variety of exclusive Pimpernel designs as trays and as mug and tray sets; and melamine in their licensed children’s collections Thomas And Friends and Peppa Pig. For 2016, Portmeirion has some exciting new melamine launches for Botanic Garden and the first-ever melamine for Sophie Conran for Portmeirion. Both ranges will offer a dinner plate, side plate and bowl and will be high quality and aligned aesthetically with the ceramic-ware.

Gibson offers a wide range of melamine items, from tumblers to dinner plates in good, better, best assortments. Gibson’s licensed Coca-Cola and Peanuts melamine is fun and functional, while the Laurie Gates melamine range brings fashion to the table with vibrant patterns. Gibson’s medium and heavyweight melamine is durable and doesn’t break, with the heavyweight option boasting the appearance of quality ceramics. Gibson takes designs meant for ceramics and transfers them on to melamine as “melamine is an ideally-suited material to hold the colour and intricacies of handpainted designs”, says Grace Saari, VP of marketing. Gibson is expanding its melamine programme due to growth in this category and, in particular, focussing on the Laurie Gates brand.

www.portmeiriongroup.com

www.gibsonusa.com

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Expert Column

Meet Isabelle von Boch An eighth generation member of the Villeroy & Boch family, Isabelle grew up on a farm in Germany near the French border. Isabelle inherited her family’s passion for dinnerware and is an ardent advocate for using your good china every day. Today, Isabelle lives in California and is a spokesperson for the company her ancestors founded and enjoys sharing her knowledge about the latest trends in dinnerware as the editor of the Villeroy & Boch On The Table blog and through her Fashion of Tableware tour. www.villeroyandboch-blog.com

Isabelle von Boch This issue Isabelle pays tribute to the stately, sophisticated and oft forgotten shadee of lavender and the Villeroy & Boch collection that brings it beautifully to life

aven’t thought much about lavender lately? Well, it’s time to give it a little attention again. Actually, more than a little; because it’s way more versatile than you think. This refreshing hue is a design chameleon; its more pink and plumleaning versions are expressive of nature’s bounty and fit beautifully into a verdant country manor. On the other hand, the greyed-down versions are entirely at home in a chic urban loft. Interestingly, a lot of people have the misconception that lavender is ultra feminine and frilly. But it’s not that necessarily. I see it working extremely well in a modern environment, set against a minimalist background, because it speaks so strongly on its own. It also just happens to work great with traditional décor too. I think it works extremely well as a subtle counterpoint or complement to warm neutrals like sophisticated greys and sand. But beyond that, it also works beautifully next to muted colours like soft sea foam green and I suggest pairing it alongside natural elements like stone, wood and cement. Lavender fascinates me in 56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

porcelain. It is softly sophisticated, such an intoxicating hue to look at – it makes me want to breathe it in. This season-less, inspiring colour is in full effect in Villeroy & Boch’s Artesano Provencal Lavender line. Designed by renowned Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave, it blends the colour lavender with classic floral patterns, making it entirely timeless yet freshlooking all at once. I particularly love the depth of colour and shading in the petals. At the same time, it is clearly Provence-inspired, evident if you look at the florals as well as the colours: lavender, rosemary and beige. To me, it is also inspired by Japonism, a term for the influence of Japanese arts, fashion and material culture on European art – specifically the Impressionist and post-Impressionist eras. Monet, Klimt, Gauguin and Van Gogh were all inspired by Japanese work as well. The designer Isabelle de Borchgrave aligns so beautifully with our brand as she’s able to combine these art-historical references flawlessly. The collection screams ‘art’ and I adore that. These designs have an emotional quality, a fluid line, with a depth of colour that makes you want to ‘drink’ them. The shape itself is warm and sculptural; its prounounced

rim gives it an artisanal feel. Some of my favourite pieces are the pasta plates – they’re so practical and generous in size. I love setting a table with a white serving bowl in the middle and a pasta plate at each setting, adding a charger and wood serving utensils for a mix of textures. I suggest combining these lavender pieces with wood, cork and slate, to give the look warmth and bring out the collection’s handcrafted artisanal quality – try Villeroy & Boch’s three-tier étagère made of acacia wood and slate; it makes for a combination of urbanity and sophistication. The collection fits into all kinds of homes, from a country home to a modern loft, where it brings an element of nature onto the table. In elegant homes, it adds casual European chic. And imagine a table setting with the collection on a rooftop, a terrace or in a garden? It is made for both indoors and outdoors – simply minimise the décor around it when outdoors. Pair it with neutral grass and lavenders, sage and muted greens – remember, sea foam, not emerald – so as not to overpower the motif. And skip the bright flowers.

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Retail Canada

Home away from home With its stylish design, helpful directives and entertaining presentations, Home On Seven, the speciality store within one of Hudson’s Bay department stores in Canada, delivers a relaxing home environment packed with plenty of ideas for a stress-free and inspiring experience

or most Canadians, Hudson’s Bay is a name that has been a part of their lives for as long as they can remember. The company, which is Canada’s longest continuallyrunning department store and comes under the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), was established in 1670. Since that day two and a half centuries ago, the Hudson’s Bay store has continued to expand and fine-tune its innovative operations, firmly establishing itself as a brand that its millions of customers love and trust. Today, there are 90 Hudson’s Bay stores, two outlet stores, and thebay.com under the HBC umbrella, alongside the Home Outfitters brand in Canada, the

58 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Lord & Taylor and Saks brands in the US and the Galeria Kaufhof, Sportarena and Galeria Inno brands in Europe. Home is Hudson’s Bay homewares department, and it was an uptick in home department sales last year that saw Hudson’s Bay transform an estimated US$9.5 million loss to a net income of approximately US$730,000 in its fiscal third quarter of 2015. A Hudson’s Bay statement said home products were one of the retailer’s growth areas; and part of such growth can be attributed to its innovative presentation of Home. In 2014, Hudson’s Bay opened a newly-designed space called Home On Seven, on the 7th floor of its Toronto Queen Street premises, that became one of five Global Honorees in the 2015 IHA Global

Innovation Awards (gia). The gia jury found Home On Seven to stand out from others, not only due to its exceptional use of attention-grabbing graphics and signage, but also for its inspiring visual merchandising, which has become synonymous with the company’s overall brand. As the senior vice-president of Home, Alison Coville says the aim of Home On Seven was to “build upon our strength in the market as a home and leading gift registry destination and enhance the bridal experience by grouping all relevant and related businesses on the one floor, including china, housewares, small electrical, cookware and bakeware, décor, giftware, gift registry, the Birks and Godiva shops and concierge, creating a one-stop shop for brides-to-be”.

From the outset, the store’s mission was to make the experience of organising a wedding stress-free and enjoyable. To enhance the enjoyment factor and give the chosen warehouse space a residential loftlike feel, it first had to be turned into a calming haven, so windows were created to let in natural light. From there, the finest of details for each space in the store was considered. The gift registry space, for example, is pivotal at Home On Seven, so it has become a stylish, welcoming space with a large consultation table and four private suites divided by glass walls. The design created a shopwithin-a-shop feel for casual dining and, after it was enclosed with a metal cage and dark distressed

“

The aim of Home On Seven was to build upon our strength in the market as a home and leading gift registry destination and enhance the bridal experience by grouping all relevant and related businesses on the one ﬂoor, including china, housewares, small electrical, cookware and bakeware, décor, giftware, gift registry, the Birks and Godiva shops and concierge, creating a one-stop shop for brides-to-be Alison Coville, senior VP of Home

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wood panel bases, a classic store front feel was achieved. All sections of Home On Seven, which is a speciality store within a department store, had to have their own distinct character to make customers feel less overwhelmed, which can often be part and parcel of a large department store experience. The housewares section, for instance, is decked out with dark metals and woods and veined counter tops, while light metals and white lacquer wood were applied in the china and gift registry section. Concrete-finish vinyl tiles were used in the store aisles, and warm vinyl wood planks were used in the casual dining area. Everything about Home On

Seven is about achieving warmth, relaxation and the welcoming feel people have when they enter the home of a friend or family member. In the gift registry area, a whitewash wood composite floor was laid, and accents of powder blue were applied to the walls to bring out the original blacktrimmed warehouse windows. The meticulous planning regarding the store’s design was something that impressed all of the judges, with special note being made of the fully-equipped, modernised demonstration kitchen imbued with an old-world European feel: the suspended, distressed pine wood slat ceiling; the placement of interesting pieces of furniture oozing character to create a residential feel; and the

smattering of inspiration boards to highlight home fashions from across the world. Home On Seven is all about making it easy for the customer to explore the store’s different areas and find new products, while being continually inspired, so Trend Zones have been mapped out to ensure cohesive flow. And first impressions do count, so as soon as customers step out of the elevator or arrive at the top of the escalator, they are visually stimulated and led from one exhibit of products to the next. One of the many stimulating set-ups in the store is the streetlike zone that resembles a market running down the middle of the casual dining department. “This allows for strong

Did you know...? With the recent completion of its acquisition of Galeria Kaufhof Group (September 2015), HBC’s portfolio today includes eight banners in formats ranging from luxury to better department stores to off price with more than 460 stores and 65,000 employees around the world. In North America, HBC’s leading banners include Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH, along with Home Outﬁtters. In Europe, its banners include Galeria Kaufhof, the largest department store group in Germany, Belgium’s only department store group Galeria Inno, as well as Sportarena. “With the addition of HBC Europe during our third quarter of last year, we now generate the majority of our sales outside the US, and we have a signiﬁcant European retail platform from which we can explore additional growth opportunities,” says executive chairman Richard Baker. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 59

Retail Canada

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Feature display tables within both the casual and formal dining departments provide a blank canvas for our visual merchandising teams to create inspiring entertainment presentations for customers to mimic in their own homes when entertaining Alison Coville, senior VP of Home

Hudson’s Bay BY NUMBERS

100

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trend, seasonal and occasion merchandise stories to be highlighted,” explains Alison. “And feature display tables within both the casual and formal dining departments provide a blank canvas for our visual merchandising teams to create inspiring entertainment presentations for customers to mimic in their own homes when entertaining.” The fun use of colourful graphics and funky signage – often incorporating plays on words – throughout Home On Seven adds artistic flourishes while also giving customers something to ponder upon as they locate everything they need. From lit-up vintage signs to graphics created by an artist to emulate blackboard scribblings, directives are relaxing and helpful, 60 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

again adding to the stress-free environment. Betsy, the muchloved life-sized red cow, for instance, standing by the entrance with a helpful floor plan painted on her side, has become the store’s icon, and her figure on canvas – Andy Warhol-style – can also be found throughout the store. Within this speciality floor there is a stunning demo kitchen, fully kitted out with the latest appliances – here, chefs and product ambassadors from the brands on the showroom floor host cooking demonstrations for customers. Each year, Hudson’s Bay publishes four Home catalogues that are high-quality magazinestyle publications. Fans of the company love them, and they are styled, shot and written by some of Canada’s best publishing

talent. Products from Home On Seven are regularly featured in the catalogues, sending the Hudson’s Bay Company message further afield, filling Canadians with endless inspiration. That message is a clear and strong one: Hudson’s Bay Company makes shopping a wonderful, stress-free experience, with some fun and frivolity thrown in for good measure.

About gia For more information about the gia (IHA Global Innovation Awards) programme, or participating in 2015-2016, contact Piritta Törrö at piritta.torro@inspiredconnection. fi. Find more information on IHA’s gia Awards programme at www. housewares.org/gia.

The number of brands in cookware, tableware and giftware represented on the showroom floor, including Pols Potten, Kate Spade New York and Orrefors Kosta Boda.

28,500

The space in square footage dedicated to this speciality floor, Home On Seven.

The number of Hudson’s Bay Company stores in Canada

345 The number of years that Hudson’s Bay Company has been operating, which makes it the oldest company in North America.

attimo

Ambiente 2016 | 12. - 16. 2. 2016 | Stand 4. 2. - J 81

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Retail Expert Advice

Broaden your bandwidth, boost your business Using tools such as digital analytics to leverage an electronic storefront’s success, producing engaging website and social media content and balancing an independent store’s online image with consumers’ in-store experiences are all essentials to building and retaining a customer base. We speak with e-commerce expert Stephen Milioti about these and other strategic marketing fundamentals e-commerce and independent retailers need to employ to achieve a competitive edge. Hosted by Forty One Madison, home of the New York Tabletop Market, and presented in the elegant Lenox showroom during the August 2015 Gift Market, Stephen Milioti, editorial director of Gilt Home, part of the online shopping website, gilt.com, and formerly a regular contributor to prominent publications such as the The New York Times Home section, was invited to speak on the topic: Broadening Your Bandwidth. The seminar focused on the importance of developing compelling website and social media content and tools and tips to support the content’s success. Following the seminar Donna Ferrari, contributing columnist for Tableware International, interviewed Stephen to get his insights on other ways e-commerce and independent retailers can further empower their businesses.

How do digital analytics help to maximise the potential of your electronic storefront? Stephen explains that digital tools like Google Analytics or Omniture measure traffic to vendors’ e-commerce or retail store website. "These tools track things like where viewers came in from, the devices they used and the words they searched to come to the site, how they got to a certain page, and whether they typically stop at only the product pages or click through to the blog, videos, hyperlinks; and it measures how many clicks to get to a purchase," says Stephen. “My best advice is to find out what people are looking at on your site and play up those strengths. If the analytics reveal no one is clicking into your blog, for 62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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There is a huge push for storytelling initiatives when developing website content but providing facts about the products is equally important example, then don’t dedicate too much of your time and resources constantly writing posts – maybe just post something twice a month at regular intervals. That said, even if your blog space is not the most trafficked, it still can be important as a relationship builder with your business partners. A blog space can post news and features about a store or a vendor, perhaps a notice about an upcoming trunk show, a spotlight with lifestyle images to debut a new collection, or an interview with an owner or designer. In turn, your business partner might post your blog piece on their site, thereby giving it added value!”

Content is the big buzzword today; what are smart ways to develop content? “There is a huge push for storytelling initiatives when developing website content but providing facts about the products is equally important," says Stephen. By content Stephen is referring to things like title tags which preview the information that will follow, merchandise themes, sale names, product descriptions and blogs. To be creative in writing this content Stephen recommends, “Keep in touch with what’s going on in trends but don’t just use the same information that’s all over the digital universe – you need to have your own fresh take on things and be mindful of what’s relevant to your customers. Write with authority but also authenticity. For example, saying ‘I scoured the world

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to find the best tableware,’ sounds vague and unrealistic, but to say, ’The way my parents raised us to prepare food, share meals and buy products with long-lasting qualities is my inspiration when selecting products for my store’, is a statement that sends a personal, credible message.” As for the importance of providing the facts along with the creative content, Stephen cautions, “Don’t send potential customers to other sites; if you don’t include detailed product information along with the creative content, viewers might not return to your site if they need to go elsewhere to do research.”

Given that trends can be good lead-ins, are there right and wrong ways to present them? “While you may be doing your best to keep up on all the trends related to your business – home style, lifestyle, fashion, travel, entertainment, and trendsetting people, it’s still good to do a reality check. An independent retailer can talk to shoppers in their store to learn where they’re getting their trend information; the trends your shoppers are seeing may be different from the ones showing up in the media that you’re referencing. Digital analytics of your site also gives you insight into what viewers are responding to. 'Gold' might be a big trend but, if you have a young customer base, they may not care; if you have a wide range of customers you can take more risks. But don’t try to hit every trend, you can’t have 20 trends going on; hitting about five

is enough. If you overcomplicate things it messes with your brand’s image.” As an experienced editor Stephen suggests, “Don’t position product in a silo, relate it to a specific trend, instead of saying: 'This small chair is very comfortable', say, 'this comfortable chair is a perfect example of the modernist movement and scaled on-trend with furnishings designed for urban spaces.' You need to show people how a trend can work for them.”

What role do keywords play when writing content? “SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) drives traffic to a site; utilising keywords in the content is a critical part of doing this, when you include the keywords people are searching for your site will come up. You can hire a SEO consultant to help identify the keywords that are right for your business or use Google Ad-Words to generate keywords for the products you sell. But don’t load your content with too many keywords or it will come across as trying too hard and appear phony. Stick to a balance, come up with a list of the right words and then organically work the best ones into your tagline and others into title tags and product descriptions.”

What are the essentials when designing a website and creating a brand identity across different digital platforms? “A visual cohesiveness for your brand is very important – whatever your store and merchandise look like your website should look the same. Say you have a store in a coastal community with atmosphere and merchandise that has beach-chic style, then your

grace www.crystalex.cz Ambiente 2016 | 12. - 16. 2. 2016 | Stand 4. 2. - J 81

Top tips

“

Make sure you’re doing something innovative all the time but don’t lose track of what your roots are, your challenge is to capture new customers without alienating existing ones

website’s design and font should project the same image.” For setting up an e-commerce website and to optimising content for different digital channels and platforms, Stephen advocates working with a User Experience designer. “A UX designer understands how users interface with sites, they can tell you the best place to put things — site merchandising is almost like store merchandising, things have to be in the right place. They can also work with you to be sure your content is viewable on every type of device: desktop, tablet and mobile.” Because social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram each have their own format Stephen recommends, “ You have to be really solid in your identity, try to keep your logo and tone of your message consistent for all your social media, if you make too many shifts across different platforms people will get confused as to who you are.”

Managing social media is a time-intensive job; how do you decide which social networking platforms would be the best ﬁt? “First, do qualitative, not just quantitative, research. Find out where your customers are going instead of relying on where the social media platforms say they’re going. Retail businesses have the advantage of being able to talk to customers and ask them what their shopping habits are, who is influencing them, and if they even use social media. A 10 per cent off coupon for liking you on Facebook is ineffective if a customer isn’t going there, it would be much better if you showed your appreciation for their business by inviting that customer to a wine and cheese party at your store.” Stephen goes on to explain that each social media platform is different and an audience on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc., cannot be simply characterised. Furthermore, these platforms themselves go in and out of fashion with users. For this reason, at Gilt.com, Stephen works with a team of social media specialists who are continuously leveraging its presence on the platforms that are trending with their audience. For smaller businesses Stephen proposes, 64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

”

“If you want to use social media to grow your business you may want to hire someone to help you. From a service like Mediabistro you can find vetted professionals to manage the content you post and best skew it to each platform, they also know how to evaluate what platforms are and aren’t pulling for you.” Stephen adds, “If you’re struggling to manage social media, it’s better to shut down one platform rather than do it all halfway.”

The latest mantra in advice for expanding a business is to think like a start-up; in what ways could long-established independent retailers beneﬁt from this concept? “You have to remember there are always new core competitors, you have to pretend that someone just opened next door to you so you have to be on your toes. Make sure you’re doing something innovative all the time but don’t lose track of what your roots are, your challenge is to capture new customers without alienating existing ones.” With this goal in mind Stephen says, “You can use part of your website to aim for a younger customer, that’s one of the things about a site —you can use it to try out start-up ideas before you bring them to the store.” He gives the example of adding an “influencer” section to your site — a place to collaborate with someone who can talk about fashion trends, ideas for making the most of a small living space, or whatever topics would attract your next target audience. Stephen also says, “Keep on top of ways that marketing is changing, the local newspaper may no longer be the best place to advertise, you may need to consider pay-per-click marketing online. "In addition, Stephen adds time-tested advice, “Re-evaluate your merchandising style and store design — the same goes for your site — make sure they look up-to-date.”

When it comes to attracting male shoppers is there any special MO for getting their attention? “It’s so old-school to think men are hapless when it comes to designing their own homes. I find a straight-forward approach to discussing design is a good way to communicate with guys. Men are generally less interested in trends

and the whole 'lifestyle' message so focus on basics like how to mix contemporary and classic items — vignettes are great for showing this, and organise accessories into clear-cut lists.”

What are some proactive steps to take to get editorial coverage in print and online media? “Media people typically have favourite sites and stores they trawl for product news, but, without hiring a PR person, there are a lot of steps you can take yourself to get their attention. A great thing about the Internet is the contact tab, don’t hesitate to reach out to the managing editor or use info@, and pitch a story about an unusual product you carry that no one else has, your store’s unique features, a profile about the owner and something special they’re doing – anything that merits attention. You can also research publication mastheads and contact market editors directly. In either case, make sure you’re pitching something worthwhile; don’t waste an editor’s time or burn a bridge by contacting them about something mediocre. Ditto for bloggers. You could also have a media event at your store.”

What are your best practice recommendations for managing negative comments and reviews? “Don’t remove them too often, overly removing comments damages your credibility, you need to keep those reviews up, especially well-written ones. If the complainer is legitimate don’t ignore them, you need to respond with sincerity and humility, saying, ’We’re so sorry, we know your wedding is important to you and we can’t believe one of your gifts arrived broken. Please contact us, we want to do something nice for you.’, adds to your goodwill.” Stephen says it is worthwhile keeping track of sites like Yelp that have local online communities. “There are definite trends in reviews; something like, ’their hamburgers are terrific but the service is the worst,’ may show up again and again. If you see negative comments related to your store or vendors you deal with pay attention, a group of people can’t be wrong.”

Stephen Milioti offers his advice

Utilise tools Use digital analytic and keyword creation tools to help build and grow your e-commerce site; some, like Google Analytics, and other service AdWords, are mostly free. Have a point of view Content needs to feel like it was written by a person, not an algorithm. Keywords are critical in developing content but you must also have a point of view. Beef up your product pages with an editorial voice instead of using standard copy supplied by the manufacturers – write title tags that are exciting, include trends that reflect your customers’ interests. Reach the right customer You need to build a younger customer base but don’t take away from the core that has helped build your business by alienating an older customer. Boomers have the biggest spending ability of any demographic.

Communicate correctly Instruct your employees to communicate why they’re asking for a customer's email and the benefits: ’May we have your email so we can notify you of upcoming sales, promotions coupons and special events.’ Learn about your customers' buying habits; open a dialogue by asking questions beyond 'Can I help you?' and when a customer makes a purchase, ask why they chose it.

Optimise Ensure your site is optimised for all digital platforms; 4050% of all sales today are on mobile. Post with care Don’t post too many sales messages; balance what you post on social media between information and self-promotion. If you make the customer care about your industry, and engage with the material you share, you can capture their interest. 'Engagement’ posts that ask questions like, ‘We used white vinegar to clean our crystal, how do you clean yours?’ are old-school, it’s better to make a declarative statement. Pick a trending topic like Betsy Johnson painting her kitchen pink – post ‘It’s time to rethink pink, Betsy Johnson did.’ What's key is consistency, don’t do too much and then too little. Keep current You can’t have a ‘set it and forget it’ mentality, you have to constantly be assessing your digital presence, try new things and be flexible about making changes. Tech makes life easier and harder; it works best for you if you stay up on things.

HoReCa ...serving professionals

www.crystalex.cz Ambiente 2016 | 12.-16. 2. 2016 | Stand 4.2. - J 91

siesta

Retail

Column

Barry Seaman

Plate Tableware

Happy birthday to me!

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

This issue, British independent tableware retailer Barry Seaman reflects on the challenges and opportunities that the last decade of tableware trading in London has thrown up

ack in November, 2015, I celebrated the tenth birthday of my shop, Plate Tableware in Fulham, London. How quickly time has flown, so many things have happened and so much has changed in the world of retail. This rollercoaster ride we call retail has its highs and lows, successes and failures. Ten years on – and at the start of a new year – it’s time to review and reflect, take stock and look forward with new ideas and plans. There have certainly been many successes and achievements over the last decade. In what has been a strange economic climate, one could argue that it’s an achievement just to have lasted as an independen when so many others have disappeared. I put the shop’s success down to staying true to my initial concept of colourful, design-led, functional products. Having a clear point of view meant customers got to know and appreciate my style and came to trust my judgement, They knew they could always find something new, exciting and unique; a place where they could get ideas and could be inspired. To survive this long, I’ve had to work hard and put constant effort into key areas; continually devising marketing strategies in order to attract customers into the store has been a priority. 66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Holding special events and inviting customers to promotional evenings has paid dividends. Central to my store success, however, has been the offer of merchandise that customers demand, like and aspire to own. The curation of product is not only key but, has always been the most enjoyable aspect of my work and one of our greatest success stories. Identifying the next bestseller is a skill. I’ve always worked on the policy that I will only sell something I myself like and would have in my home. Recognising and adapting to new fashions and key trends has been essential in getting my business noticed. In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of the Millennials, a new social demographic who are moving into their prime spending years and are poised to make a huge impact in reshaping the economy. They have certainly changed how I buy and sell and how I’ll do business in the future. In addition, the convergence of homeware and giftware products has increased – making everything in my shop acceptable as a gift was probably one of the wisest decisions I made. Furthermore, in the past decade, we’ve seen a huge rise in the popularity of food, cooking, cookery programmes and celebrity chefs who introduce us to new cuisines, kitchen gadgets and entertaining styles. The formal dinner party has declined in favour of a more informal

sharing experience – this has, in turn, led to increased sales in platters, boards and bowls. All these changes have forced me to diversify, resulting in successful ventures into cookware and giftware accessories. A further diversification into attending Christmas fairs away from the shop has been worthwhile too. Effective visual merchandising has highlighted my unique personality as a retailer and has developed, delivered and communicated the store’s concept and product knowledge. At the same time, the interior shop display and environment has been equally important. I like to think I’ve created a space where customers want to be and want to return to. As a retailer of tableware it’s been essential to be a purveyor of a lifestyle rather than simply showcasing products. It’s been important to create stories in the store and the window. Having a social media presence has been the biggest change for me. The importance of posting and tweeting as a marketing tool – to reach target markets and promote your business – cannot be underestimated. Offering impeccable service and going that extra mile has reaped rewards. A gift-wrapping service, free local delivery and a wedding/gift list service have undoubtedly added value. Since opening my doors, I’ve been faced with numerous challenges. Apart from the

economy being in almost permanent recession and the increasing competition from other retailers jumping on the ‘let’s sell tableware’ bandwagon, there have been significant challenges. Today’s shoppers are now more informed and savvy than ever before, giving them a set of priorities and expectations sharply different from previous generations. By appreciating their lifestyle and knowing what motivates them and makes them feel good, however, I’ve been able to appeal to their every need. The decline of the high street has continued as more and more choose to shop online. The ‘shop local’ message is still an area too many people are yet to acknowledge. Probably the biggest change in the last ten years has been the impact of technological advances in retail. Online selling, click and collect, a social media presence and new payment methods are accessible to independents but, we find it more difficult to keep up with the more advanced in-store technology that only the bigger retailers can offer. Regardless of the challenges, the rewards and benefits make it all worthwhile. This is a very sociable industry. I love the unpredictability and the pace of change. Ten years old and I’m still here – still going strong – still moving forward – still life in the old dog yet!

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Profile Spode

Spode’s Blue Italian celebrates 200 years

Quintessentially English and recognised as one of the most enduring British designs of all time, the Blue Italian pattern by Spode celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. We delve into the heritage of one of the world’s oldest and most successful patterns and discover why it is still so popular today and what the future has in store for it

f there is one style of ceramic that is able to transcend both cultures and time – to continue to be popular no matter the place or era – it is that of blue and white ceramics. And Spode’s famed Blue Italian pattern is testament to this. This stunning blue and white pattern featuring an Italianate scene has been in continuous production since 1816, making it one of the oldest surviving dinnerware patterns. “Over the past 200 years, we have seen endless new fashions, tastes and trends. However, Blue Italian has always remained popular, an incredible feat in today’s fast-paced environment,” says Phil Atherton, group sales & marketing director of Portmeirion Group, which acquired English Spode, the nearly 250-year-old owners of the pattern, back in 2009. “Blue Italian has a very special ‘je ne sais quoi’. Thanks to the endeavours of the Spode dynasty, craftsmanship and quality were instilled into the range from the moment it was launched in 1816,” explains Phil. In fact, the design of Blue Italian, which was so iconic of its era, captivated the hearts of the nation in the 1800s and beyond. It became a timeless classic, so

68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

much so that it has transcended both time and borders, and this Great British design icon continues to be revered across the globe. Blue Italian is sold in more than 40 countries, with its biggest markets that of the US, UK, Australia, Sweden, Norway and Canada. “We find that, no matter where our trade customers are based, they have a real affinity and warmth for the range. Not only is it a bestseller for them, but it has a charm that feels familiar and homely,” says Phil. Blue Italian was created in 1816 by Josiah Spode II at the Spode factory using the under-glaze blue transfer printing technique that was perfected by his father Josiah Spode I in the late 1700s. Josiah Spode I, a master potter, had been eager to produce the popular blue and white ware that up until then had been flooding out of China. His technique involved engraving a design on to a copper plate, transferring that design on to ware using a cobalt blue colour and thin pottery tissue, and finally glazing and firing. Along with many other blue and white patterns, from Chinese designs to designs featuring rural scenes,

exotic places and literary themes, the Blue Italian pattern – a mix of Italianate rural scenes and a floral chinoiserie border – was originally produced on earthenware at Spode’s factory in Stoke-on-Trent. Today, the same Blue Italian pattern continues to be produced on the finest English earthenware at Portmeirion Group’s factory in Stokeon-Trent. The body used is of top quality lending itself to a long-lasting durable piece. “When Portmeirion Group acquired Spode in 2009, we brought much of the manufacture of Blue Italian back to its home in Stoke-on-Trent, to our factory. This ensured that the blue colour was consistent and that the earthenware body colour could return to its former creamy white colour,” says Phil, further explaining that, as well as ensuring the high quality of the ware, this manufacturing decision also led to the creation of more jobs and better production efficiencies. Restoring Spode quality to its former glory and returning the Made In England backstamp has certainly improved sales, with Blue Italian performing strongly across the globe in the six years that the Portmeirion Group has owned the brand.

“Sales have certainly increased and we expect them to continue unabated, especially as we are producing such quality products,” says Phil. As a timeless classic that is both elegant and charming, blue and white ceramics have, of course, always been in high demand but, in the UK right now, Blue Italian has become very on trend, says Phil. “Key serving pieces are being used at top, trendy restaurants and it is the tableware of choice for a certain member of the Made In Chelsea cast, which highlights its appeal to younger audiences”, says Phil. “It’s even appeared on TV programme Downton Abbey where it looked particularly striking,” says Phil, confirming that these appearances were born of a genuine desire to use the range and not product placement. Blue Italian features a comprehensive portfolio of products covering many categories, from tableware through giftware to cutlery and, each year, new and exciting items are added to the collection to ensure it meets the demands of today’s modern customer. “The Blue Italian tableware items and serving pieces, in particular, are most in demand, with younger

The history & mystery of Blue Italian The origin of the Blue Italian design, which features Italianate rural scenes and a chinoiserie border, remains a mystery, one that continues to intrigue collectors and historians even today. Both Josiah Spode I and II were diligent record keepers so Spode’s bank of blue and white patterns can normally be traced to the original artwork. But no archives have ever been found for Blue Italian. In the 1800s blue and white ware was immensely popular and the majority imported from China. But as these imports slowed, due to an auction ring that lowered the profits for the Chinese exporters, Spode embarked on a project to recreate them.

200th Anniversary Collections Launching this year is Blue Italian’s 200th Anniversary Collection (pictured right) which includes a range of pieces, including a biscuit barrel, hot beverage pot, 2-piece fruit strainer, 4-piece entertaining set, platter, and bowl, each of which is presented in anniversary packaging and accompanied by a certificate. Also launching to celebrate the anniversary is a brand-new design, Giallo (pictured left) – a modern reinterpretation of Blue Italian which features a watercolour version of the iconic Italianate scene with a complementary yellow and blue border. customers tending to purchase a few key pieces to mix and match with their other tableware sets,” says Phil. “Amongst a plain white dinner service, Blue Italian really packs a punch and makes an eye-catching statement. “As Josiah Spode I and II did, we always ensure we are listening to our customers so we can guarantee that Blue Italian has the same relevance today as it did back in 1816. The Spode family left a great legacy and it is essential that we follow in their footsteps. “We realise that having the type of heritage that Spode brings is a fantastic benefit to our business and something that the consumer and trade customers understand and appreciate.”

In 2016, Portmeirion Group is launching a special 200th Anniversary Collection of Spode Blue Italian, which features a variety of pieces, each accompanied by a certificate; as well as a new design, Giallo – a watercolour version of Blue Italian’s iconic design with a complementary yellow and blue border. “This range has wide appeal and attracts a new audience to the brand,” says Phil. And for the retailers, Portmeirion Group can offer some stunning brochures and innovative point-ofsale material so retailers can make a really big impact in-store. “We feel it’s important to communicate Spode’s rich heritage to as many people across the globe

as possible, so a fabulous new film is being produced that will tell Spode’s history in an engaging yet informative way. “We are also supporting retailers worldwide to host Blue Italian birthday celebrations in their stores and we’ll be running window display competitions so our customers can get really absorbed in the 200th anniversary,” concludes Phil. Discover the new collections on the Portmeirion Group stand at Scotland’s Trade Fair (Stand G33) from January 24-26; at Spring Fair (Hall 9, Stand E30-F31) from February 7-11 and at Ambiente (Hall 4.1 Stand B16) from February 12-16. www.portmeiriongroup.com

Did you know...? Spode Blue Italian is one of the most important ranges in British ceramic history and antique pieces of historical importance can be found in The Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum and the British Museum, both in London, as well as at The Potteries Museum and The Spode Museum, both in Stoke-on-Trent.

This was no easy task because British pottery factories at the time didn’t have the capabilities to produce replica ware. A master in his field, Josiah Spode I perfected the technique – known as under-glaze blue transfer printing – to manufacture quality blue and white ceramics. This redefined the pottery industry and was a game changer as, not only was it the first step in mass producing blue and white ceramics, it was also the first step in making ceramic design affordable and accessible. Hundreds of blue and white designs were produced at Spode’s Stoke-on-Trent factory as a result. Josiah Spode I died suddenly in 1797 but his son, Josiah Spode II, was established in the industry so could drive the business forward. His customers would provide him with pictures to reproduce on to pottery, many of which came from the Grand Tours of Europe, which were incredibly popular at the time. This fascination with all things Continental would have been the inspiration for the Italianate design while the border was a copy of a Chinese design. It was Josiah Spode II who shrewdly blended the two to create Blue Italian in 1816 – a design that is now considered iconic and continues to be in production. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 69

Retail Expert Advice

About Jonathan Baker Jonathan Baker is course director of the BA Fashion Visual Merchandising and Branding course at the London College of Fashion working with brands such as Fortnum & Mason and Anthropologie. Jonathan previously worked within the retail and visual merchandising industry across 18 high street brands, including Topshop, and has taught for 15 years at several international universities and presented as a guest speaker at conferences worldwide. He is also a freelance industry consultant and visual researcher for global retail brands such as Timberland (USA), Dubai Duty Free (UAE) and Wanda Department Stores (China). He is also a writer and blogger (www.retailstorewindows.com) regularly writing for publications such as Retail Focus magazines. Jonathan’s first book Fashion Visual Merchandising is published by Bloomsbury Press. Jonathan offers visual merchandising design consultancy, staff development and concept to completion and you can email him at londonart@hotmail.com or see his blog at www.retailstorewindows.com

Visual merchandising SOS With the retail landscape proving ever more competitive, visual merchandising is playing an increasingly important part in a store’s success. Visual merchandising expert Jonathan Baker explains why it is so critical today and offers advice for getting it right What is visual merchandising? Visual merchandising puts the art, design and theatre back into retail. Within an ever faster-growing competitive retail market it is essential for anyone working in the retail business to fully engage with the principles of visual merchandising in order to strengthen any visual retail brand proposition in the market place. Visual merchandising adds enormous value to the business of retail and is often underestimated and overlooked by many retailers yet, it is a vital part of the business itself.

Why do bricks-and-mortar stores need visual merchandising? Visual merchandising incorporates the relationship between the brand, customer, product and environment, with consideration for other factors determined by the retailer which need to be reinforced. Like any business, a visual merchandising strategy should help to generate sales for the retailer. While I’m in favour of localised creativity as opposed to mass global schemes or shop fits that we find at global brands (and there are plenty of examples on the high street that manage this well), the quality of installation into any retail space is critical in order to prevent brand damage or deter customers from entering, looking and spending. The complexities of retail spatial design, manipulation of shopper orientation and assessment of space hierarchy should contribute to any retailer’s overall strategy; however, it is the attraction and enticement of creating the ultimate visual retail experience that is crucial. The business of visual merchandising should be viewed as a

process from concept to completion and produced to clearly identify a brand, maintain brand values, entertain, and entice the customer into the commercial space while keeping them there. This can be done through the identification and application of various things including applying creative, consumer and brand theories in design; creating visual impact and a ‘wow’ factor; carefully considered lighting within windows and interior spaces; aesthetics of merchandise presentation and application of product handling dynamics; understanding the customer journey into and through a space; creating narratives within the space; understanding consumer orientation; and digital technology used within a retail space where affordable.

Why is visual mechandising more important than ever in today's world? Visual merchandising encompasses everything within a commercial space. Not only should it entice the customer into the space, entertain and show a customer how to use or wear a product, it also includes staff appearance, high retail standards like a clean and safe environment, graphic packages where appropriate, and the use of auditory and olfactory stimulants in order to create a pleasant space. Good visual merchandising should communicate the brand identity of the retailer. Windows should also communicate product width and product depth and contain the latest products the retailer has to offer. Within so many commercial spaces, there is a tendency to maximise the space to full capacity. In the words of Jack Cohen, founder of Tesco, “pile ‘em

high and sell ‘em cheap” is still applied today, particularly within mid-range and value retailers. However, space that is considered and used well will give merchandise far more emphasis as well as focusing the customers’ view. Therefore, a free-flow store layout is often employed giving the customer a wider perspective of the space.

The ‘dos’ of visual merchandising Jonathan outlines the mustdos when creating a visual merchandising strategy…

Do talk to your customers and find out why they came to your boutique or store – were you responding to their needs with your offering or window display or did they just happen to be walking by? Do have a look and see what other retailers are doing; what are they doing better and what can you do to make your business also better?

Do respond to seasonal changes

What should you consider when creating a visually stimulating environment?

with product placed within your store. If for example, it rains, move umbrellas to the front of the store.

Creating visually stimulating environments is critical in order to entice the customer into the commercial space, engage them, and encourage them to spend money. As design continues to have an enormous influence on our daily lives, whether via architecture, art, furniture, materials or fabrics, we have a vast amount of resources on which to draw inspiration. Any retailer should consider the following when creating a visual merchandising strategy: • Does it communicate a brand identity? • Does it increase the profile of the store? • Does it add visual excitement and impact inside the space? • Does it create atmosphere and a pleasant environment within which to shop? • Does it show product service / service width of a store? • Does it increase sales? • Does it attract and draw customers into the store? • Does it maximise space and product effectively? • Does it make it easy to shop within the commercial space?

Do have an understanding of floor layouts and fixtures in order to maximise your space without piling everything high; is the space shoppable? For example, fashion merchandise should be set apart so that you can place at least three fingers in between each hanger. The more luxurious the brand the further apart the merchandise is positioned.

Do maintain retail standards at all times. Think about your store as if it were your home; would you invite someone in if it was unclean or untidy? Do consider the atmosphere of your retail space and ask for feedback from your customers.

Do build relationships with your customers.

Do ask your customers about what they would like you to stock; is your merchandise what they are looking for and if not, why not?

Do change window schemes and interior visual merchandising on a regular basis. If you are unsure how to do this effectively then hire a professional.

Did you know…? Research tells us that it takes between 3-5 seconds in which to draw a customer into a space 70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.rosenthal.de

Silk and Satin, Queensberry Hunt for Dankotuwa Porcelain

Profile Dankotuwa & Queensberry Hunt

Martin Hunt (left); David Queensberry (right)

“We are re-introducing ﬁne porcelain but at an affordable price” Celebrating 50 years of award-winning tableware design, Queensberry Hunt is set to debut a brand-new concept with renowned factory Dankotuwa Porcelain that puts finely-made porcelain back in the spotlight

ombining the design expertise of David Queensberry, the once Professor of Ceramics at the Royal College of Art, and Martin Hunt, Royal Designer for Industry, Queensberry Hunt has been at the forefront of international tableware creation for an incredible 50 years, designing and marketing some of the world’s most stylish tableware. Acclaimed for pioneering whiteware and tableware shapes that address what people are actually eating, Queensberry Hunt has designed some of the industry’s bestselling products – their Loft Collection for Thomas is successfully sold in 80 countries. They have also scooped a number of design awards, including the prestigious 50th Premio, and 72 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

created designs for the world’s most well-known brands, from Jamie Oliver and Portmeirion in the UK to Rosenthal in Germany and Oneida in the US; and for retailers, including John Lewis in the UK and Crate & Barrel in the US. In celebration of 50 years of partnership, Queensberry Hunt is set to unveil a brand-new and exciting concept at Ambiente 2016 in February – a collaboration with renowned Sri Lankan porcelain factory Dankotuwa Porcelain – that aims to bring finely-made porcelain back into the limelight and to the mass market. “For some time now, we have been working very closely with Dankotuwa Porcelain and Royal Fernwood in Sri Lanka to develop a tableware collection in finely-made porcelain,” says David Queensberry,

pointing out that he and Martin consider porcelain to be the finest and most beautiful ceramic material ever made. “We believe there are magical qualities to porcelain that are not achievable in any other ceramic material; this is because of the very high temperature of glaze firing and the hardness of the porcelain body,” says David, highlighting how in recent years porcelain has become dumbed-down and massproduced. “Today, the upper end of the tableware market, certainly in the UK, is dominated by bone china; and porcelain manufacture, with certain exceptions, is no longer made with the same delicacy and refinement. In fact, with many of the key retailers, porcelain has become the standard ‘workhorse’

for dinnerware and cookware and has generally become heavy with delicacy and translucency sadly becoming a part of history.” To counter this, Queensberry Hunt, whose design philosophy is founded on principles of good design at affordable prices, want to deliver thin, delicate and very translucent porcelain – similar to the quality produced by the great European porcelain manufacturers such as Meissen and Sevres – but, at an affordable price to consumers. “We have always believed in good design at affordable prices and our aim with this concept is to re-introduce fine porcelain to be made at exceptional value to our customers,” says David. He continues: “The first collection, Silk and Satin, will be positioned at a higher price point

Silk and Satin, Queensberry Hunt for Dankotuwa Porcelain

The case for ﬁne porcelain David Queensberry argues the case for fine porcelain.

Silk and Satin

Queensberry Hunt on… ‘good design’

“

In the early days of our partnership, we worked closely with Terence Conran and his Habitat shops and share his belief in good design at affordable prices. We have aspired through the years to prove that there is no conﬂict between good design and the mass market. We want our designs to be affordable – and the test is for young people setting up home on a budget. We are designers of ceramics for daily use. We are happy to occupy a medium that has 16,500 years of recorded history, from the Jomon people of Japan and their ﬁrst crockpots. We have a passion for functional pottery of all kinds!

than standard porcelain but below that of bone china. There is no competition at the prices and in the markets in which the collection will be sold.” The challenge, admits David, will be to re-establish the best qualities of porcelain, which have been undermined in recent years, in the retail environment. So how has the combined expertise of Queensberry Hunt and Dankotuwa Porcelain managed to produce such fine porcelain at such an affordable price? “Dankotuwa has the skills that enable them to make very fine,

”

thin and beautifully translucent porcelain. The recent merger with Royal Fernwood expanded Dankotuwa’s range of techniques on offer; this meant we were able to work on brand-new and very transparent coloured glazes, which have reinforced the idea of delicacy on the porcelain,” explains Martin. Queensberry Hunt has in fact combined the fine porcelain with these new pale coloured glazes. Dubbed The Colours of Water, the delicate colour glazes wash over the thin porcelain without hiding the essential ‘porcelain look’. “Pale colours keep the feeling of

the whiteness and translucency of the porcelain and do not hide its qualities,” says Martin. He goes on to explain how some of the delicate glazes have a satin surface that further seduces the fingers and the lips, while the rims of the bowls and drinkware are unglazed and polished delivering a fine white line that contrasts beautifully with the soft colours. There are no footrings, just silky flat bases on all the items, and all are decorated with a contrasting colour incorporating the backstamp logo. “The high temperature glazed fire and the soft-coloured transparent

“I believe that porcelain is the finest and most beautiful ceramic material ever made. I’m not the only one to believe this. In 2014, a small porcelain bowl from the Chinese Ming dynasty fetched $US 36 million at auction. Porcelain was first developed in China in the Tang Dynasty, some 1,200 years ago. It was unlike any other ceramic material previously made, being both white and translucent. Exported in large quantities to Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, it became known as White Gold and wasn’t produced in Europe until the early 18th century when Meissen created the first true porcelain in Germany; while England’s achievement came in the development of bone china in the mid 18th century. Today, the upper end of the tableware market, certainly in the UK, is dominated by bone china; and porcelain manufacture, with certain exceptions of upmarket manufacturers like Rosenthal and the French Limoges factories, is no longer made with the same delicacy and refinement as it once was. Over the years, porcelain has become dumbed-down and mass-produced. Thick, heavy, unrefined and hardly translucent tableware now represents ‘porcelain’ in retail stores. We want to bring it back, to reintroduce finely-made porcelain but at a more affordable level; to be positioned at a higher price point than standard porcelain but lower than bone china. We believe there are magical qualities to porcelain that are not achievable in any other ceramic material – due to its very high temperature glaze firing and to the hardness of porcelain body. Fine porcelain is thin, delicate and very translucent, allowing shadows and light to glow through.” TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 73

Queensberry Hunt for Monno Porcelain

glazes on the Silk and Satin collection, lined with the cleanedoff, polished rims, would just not be possible in bone china,” explains David. “Customers will be able to see the shadows and light glowing through the thin walls of the pieces, while their lips on the fine rims of the cups and mugs will be the final pleasure.” The Silk and Satin collection covers basic dinnerware but, in this debut collection, Queensberry Hunt has focused in particular on different-sized drinking vessels. “The growing market in espresso machines that make different types of coffee and the availability of a variety of fine teas and infusions has created demand for drinking vessels

Loft Collection from Thomas by Queensberry Hunt

of different capacities,” says David, pointing out that Silk and Satin will be the first range to offer customers a tailor-made cup or mug for all drinking requirements. “For Ambiente 2016, we have made seven cups and mugs to fulfil demand for the popular coffees, teas and delicious infusions that consumers demand today, from small espresso cups to oriental tea bowls to the generous tea mug,” says David. This debut tabletop concept has been designed to be collectable and giftable, allowing for small collections to be purchased within the range to be mixed and matched with others; and at Ambiente 2016, Queensberry Hunt will introduce three different

versions of the very thin porcelain. “The select few retailers that have already had access to the collection are very enthusiastic about this new look,” says David, highlighting how Queensberry Hunt and Dankotuwa see this new concept as particularly suitable for department stores and specialist stores all over the world including the many cookshops that have emerged in recent years. “We are excited to unveil this in Frankfurt,” concludes David. Find Queensberry Hunt’s new finely-made porcelain collection on the Dankotuwa stand at Ambiente, Hall 6, Stand D72.

About Dankotuwa Porcelain The factory

The lifestyle brand

Dankotuwa Porcelain is a factory that fuses with technology delivering quality product along with exquisite designs. This gives the Sri Lankan-based factory a diverse customer base that includes Macy’s department stores, British Home Stores, John Lewis, Jashanmal, El Corte Ingles, Berghoff and Galeria Kaufhof, among many others. Characterised by individual artistry, innovative shapes and superior glazes, Dankotuwa produces state-of-theart designs and shapes. With their new graphic design software technologies, they are able to develop a new decoration in less than 48 hours. Dankotuwa’s gold and platinum ranges deliver an air of elegance to any table and their superior decorative design means they are recognised as not only the best in Asia but one of the best globally. Being the first tableware manufacturer in Sri Lanka to obtain ISO 9001/2008 certification, quality continues to be their focus.

With more than 30 years experience, the Dankotuwa Porcelain brand offers timeless tableware that embodies elegance and precision craftsmanship. They deliver a diverse product line giving them reach into the robust retail consumer industry as well as the global hospitality industry. Forged with the finest and ethically sourced raw materials from around the world, Dankotuwa is renowned for uncompromised and consistent quality. The science behind their designs emphasises the amalgamation of ergonomic designs and global trends, which sees them pushing the boundaries of porcelain-ware. Dankotuwa’s Couture range of fine tableware features the use of 24k gold and pure platinum in intricate and decadent designs, a speciality range that speaks to the discerning connoisseur of designer tableware. www.dankotuwa.com

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Queensberry Hunt

FAST FACTS •

The work of Queensberry Hunt is in the collections of many museums including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

•

Martin Hunt is a Royal Designer for Industry. He has been the visiting Professor at the Royal College of Art and is a Senior Fellow. He is a past Master of the Royal Designers Faculty.

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David Queensberry was Professor of Ceramics at the Royal College of Art and is a Senior Fellow of the College. He is also a Doctor of the University of Staffordshire.

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Queensberry Hunt has had a close working relationship with Sri Lanka factory Royal Fernwood for more than 10 years and they have sold Queensberry Hunt designs to leading retailers including Crate & Barrel in the US and John Lewis in the UK.

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Queensberry Hunt’s Loft design for Rosenthal/Thomas is sold in 80 countries around the world.

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Designs from Queensberry Hunt currently include John Lewis’ bone china collection and Crate & Barrel’s famous Roulette and Bennet designs. Their clients have included Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Portmeirion, Rosenthal, Guzzini, Le Creuset, Oneida, Hornsea Pottery, Tognana and Monno.

Rogaška 1665® and Rogaška Crystal® are registered trademarks, property of STEKLARNA ROGAŠKA d.o.o., Ulica talcev 1, SI-3250 Rogaška Slatina, SLOVENIA.

Our exceptional crystal meets new demands of the market, in either contemporary or traditional design. Rogaška has been the leader in the highest quality crystal and is determined to maintain this exclusive status in the future.

We are looking forward to seeing you during the days from February 12 to February 16, 2016 at our exciting new exhibition booth in hall 4.1. E13. info@stek-rogaska.si • www.steklarna-rogaska.si/en

Ercuis

Interview Sambonet Paderno

Sambonet

Raynaud

“Our objective is to be a global benchmark in the tableware and The brands kitchenware industry” Following the recent acquisition of French brands Ercuis and Raynaud by Italian group Sambonet Paderno Industrie, we talk to CEO Pierluigi Coppo about the group’s plans Italian tableware and kitchenware group Sambonet Paderno Industrie recently acquired French silverware brand Ercuis as well as a majority shareholding – 55.25 per cent - in Limgoes porcelain brand Raynaud. This continues the Italian group’s consolidation strategy launched in 1979, which saw the acquisition of Paderno followed by Sambonet in 1997, Rosenthal in 2009, and Arzberg in 2013. Today, the group operates in the hospitality, interior design and retail markets in over 60 countries through the brands Sambonet, Paderno, Rosenthal meets Versace, Arthur Krupp, Rosenthal, Thomas, Arzberg and Hutschenreuther, alongside new brands Ercuis and Raynaud. We talk to the group’s CEO, Pierluigi Coppo about the acquisition.

What does this recent purchase offer the group? This acquisition allows us to expand and enrich the group’s product portfolio and commercial offering. The goal is to further strengthen our leadership position in the tableware sector by intensifying our presence in the luxury sector with two universally recognised and appreciated Made in France brands. Thanks to this operation, the group, which prides itself on being a strong presence in international markets, is emerging more prominently in the global tableware and kitchenware scene. With sales of €13 million in 2014, Ercuis and Raynaud will give the group a strong positioning in the French retail market. This acquisition enables the group to increase its visibility and 76 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

critical mass, a strategic variable in determining commercial relationships with department stores.

How do the brands complement the group’s current offerings? Ercuis and Raynaud allow the group to develop their targets in the interior design and architecture worlds, as well as in the luxury hotel sector. The presence of Ercuis and Raynaud both in the retail market – most notably its flagship store on Rue Boissy d’Anglas in Paris’ Madeleine district – and in the hotel industry go hand-in-hand with the mission of Sambonet in both sectors, and will help us achieve significant cost synergies and distribution. The product offerings are also perfectly in sync – Ercuis produces flatware and table articles in steel, silverplated steel and sterling silver, while Raynaud produces Limoges porcelain. These are two brands that symbolise the Made in France elegance and tradition. When we show at international exhibitions, the Made in France trademark delivers a certain appeal within the luxury market, especially in emerging countries.

we are growing by expanding our offering to new segments that have not yet been exploited. This can be done internally with the launch or expansion of new lines, as with the introduction of Sambonet Luxury. It can also be achieved through external means by acquiring brands complementary to our offering, as with Ercuis and Raynaud.

How is the tableware industry faring at present? It is a mature sector, which by definition presents contained growth rates. The sharp drop in wedding lists – in some countries – and a cultural change, which pays less attention to the value of a set table, are two important challenges to which the entire sector is called to answer, searching to cater to new consumer lifestyles. The acquisition of Ercuis and Raynaud represents, in a way, an answer to these since luxury remains a leading sector with good growth in respect to the mid-market segment.

Finally, is the group looking for further acquisitions in 2016?

Which market segments is the group currently finding growth in?

Being a financially solid company, new acquisitions are possible. Currently, we don’t have any prospects, but we are always keeping an eye out for possible opportunities, which could enrich and expand our offering and product. Ultimately, our goal is to be a global benchmark in the tableware and kitchenware industry in both consumer and hotel sectors through a proposal that is tied to European quality and deeply rooted cultural values.

We focus on our core markets – table and kitchen. Within these two sectors,

www.paderno.it/en

What does the group look for when purchasing a new company/brand? We narrow it down to four key criteria – good product quality, a well-known and established brand in the market, a brand that is complementary to our own portfolio, and lastly, a proper fit.

CEO Pierluigi Coppo delivers the lowdown on the group’s two new French brands, Ercuis and Raynaud

Ercuis Backed by years of experience and expertise, which has been passed down from generation to generation since 1867, Ercuis was the leading brand in French tableware elegance until the end of the 19th century thanks to its solid silver products. Represented since the ‘30s in grand hotels and legendary places, such as onboard the ocean liners Ile-de-France and Normandie and the Orient Express, Ercuis can still be found today on the tables of top chefs at the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris or in the restaurants of Joel Robuchon. Since 1978, it has been recognised as a luxury brand and a member of the Comite Colbert, which comprises 75 of the most prestigious French luxury brands. The Ercuis range includes solid silver and silverplated collections steeped in the heritage of French decorative arts but, also more timeless and contemporary collections.

Raynaud One of the longest standing manufacturing companies in Limoges, with a history dating back over 150 years, Raynaud is renowned for its prestigious porcelain tea services, which can be found in the White House and more important residences in Europe and Asia. Raynaud is also highly esteemed for its collaborations with famous artists like Dali, Cocteau and Raymond Loewy. Raynaud is considered a unique and modern porcelain brand thanks to its focus on new lifestyles and the avantgarde as well as its collaborations with designers like Christian Tortu and Alberto Pinto. It also collaborates with Michelinstar chefs, Thierry Marx to Thomas Keller.

TRADE TALK

Robin Levien, European product designer and founder of Robin Levien Studio

“

Some 25 per cent of 25-34 year-olds live with their parents and most have yet to find secure salaried employment. Luxury for the Millennials will be less about objects and more about experiences and travelling, which they can record and share on social media. The Millennial generation are tech-savvy which means they often purchase online. This generation values independent shops and individual sellers as well as craft and artisan; they have an interest in the stories behind objects and their provenance – luxury for them is often more about wellcrafted original pieces than about brands or labels. And as the health of the planet becomes more of an issue, luxury will be defined as guilt-free self-indulgence. As the Tech Generation, luxury for them will increasingly mean the bespoke tailoring of products. For tabletop we now have the fascinating possibility of printing ceramics. Rapid prototyping is evolving into rapid manufacturing, this offers the ultimate in the individualisation of ceramic products. What will your tableware look like?

”

David Queensberry, co-founder, Queensberry Hunt and Professor of Ceramics at the Royal College of Art for 24 years

Luxury for the younger generation – the Millennials – is about good design, which includes sustainability. It’s about design you feel totally at ease with... functionally, aesthetically and ergonomically.

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What does the future of luxury look like? The notion of luxury is constantly being redefined. Today, luxury doesn’t necessarily mean the price, status or even the brand name; but instead, in many markets, it is about personalisation, quality and sustainability. We ask ten experts in the luxury tableware segment from around the world to explain what they think the Millennial generation want from their product and what luxury will look like in the future.

Kiana Bahadorzadeh, founder of Kiyasa, which distributes luxury tableware brands including Prouna and Dogale as well as designing its own line “Luxury used to be all about status and image – logos, price tags and ‘Made In…’ – labels were enough for a premium brand to maintain its status. Today, luxury is still somewhat about status, but combined with product knowledge and quality – luxury is about having an appreciation for quality product. Going forward, premium and luxury will be more about genuine appreciation of quality, design and craftsmanship. Future premium consumers will be less concerned about what others think and about brands and more concerned with exclusivity and creating their own one-of-a-kind tablescape – it’s all about mixing and matching and reﬂecting individual taste and uniqueness, with mixing and matching now a core part of the buying experience.” 54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Richard Brendon, product designer and owner of luxury tableware company Richard Brendon “The Millennial generation is changing the face of luxury – this is clearly visible in the most progressive cities where new design stores are opening, like March and Garde in California. An increasing percentage of the Millennial generation is looking for a more refined and casual style of luxury, while at the same time caring more about the provenance and craftsmanship behind the products. They want high-quality luxury goods they can use every day. Luxury today, therefore, is about the celebration of quality – less is more in design; quality is becoming more key than exclusivity. When quality, craftsmanship and good design come together, they result in products that are timeless and therefore, sustainable. Luxury today and in the future is also about tailoring and customising unique product. Demand for this is high, which is why I’ve just launched a new service, Richard Brendon Bespoke.”

Thomas Kastl, director of Dining, Ambiente, Messe Frankfurt, who has been responsible for the Dining section at Ambiente for 22 years

“

Luxury today is much less traditional, meaning that to define and position luxury has become more difficult. Quality and exclusivity are key today – consumers want something that is desirable, but something they wouldn’t buy every day. High quality, handmade production using materials like platinum, gold and precious materials remains key. Generally speaking, the market for products of a superior quality is in growth, with growing demand for product in the premium/luxury segment. The focus is increasingly on traditional manufacture, classic designs, high-quality materials and sustainability in production.

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Simon Willis, owner of Global Luxury Brands and industry expert for 30 years

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Luxury has become an over-used word – the supermarket sector has us convinced that luxury just means the ‘premium’ range, but it is far more than that. I suspect that to the younger generation, who have been exposed to the worst of the growth of so-called luxury goods, the whole thing has become very confusing. Luxury does not always mean unattainable, but it should mean aspirational. It is always – or should be – a treat, something very special. That, I believe, has got lost. Luxury in tabletop means the very best, the highest quality and the most superb level of skill and I don’t think that has changed. In the heady days of the ΄90s, the clients in the Middle East demanded the very best and the most opulent to show the world they had the money. Tableware from companies like Minton was encrusted with 22k gold, hand-applied raised paste and the most superb decoration. Today, it is not just about covering every surface of the finest bone china with as much gold and colour as possible; it is so much more about subtlety, design and the skilled use of pattern. Luxury is most certainly about quality and authenticity. Clients like to know where the products are made and that there are real people behind them. Companies with a history and a control over their own production have an in-built advantage. Finally, luxury will always be about exclusivity – at the very top, it is about owning something that only you have. Technology has made personalisation easier than it was and so it is open to far more customers; it has also allowed us to consider totally bespoke designs for clients in porcelain, crystal and cutlery. A tableware pattern that is unique to the consumer, that the consumer feels they have had an involvement in. The car industry has understood this desire and many car companies have divisions specialising in offering the client whatever they want, however unusual the colour combinations might be. The tabletop businesses have been slower to react to this, but I’ve been lucky enough to work with many who have recognised the need to make this type of service available. Luxury is also about the entire ‘buying experience’ – the service, the environment and the attention to detail. It is as much about the experience as the product.

”

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 79

TRADE talk

Isabelle von Boch, 8th generation of the Villeroy & Boch family and tabletop expert “The Millennial generation is redefining luxury by shifting their priorities to experiencing, rather than accumulating. They value craftsmanship, beauty, sustainability, quality, good design, all in the context of how it affects the quality of their life. Luxury is different depending upon the culture, but the common factor is the emotional attachment to value. True luxury expresses timeless elegance and quality that lasts for generations. Like with fashion, customisation is a key factor of luxury in tableware today and is especially seen in the hospitality sector, with a demand by luxury hotels and restaurants for bespoke designs. Consumers can personalise their tablescapes today without personalised design, which is why mixing and matching is so popular.”

Laurie Gates, tabletop designer and VP of creative and merchandising, Gibson “Right now, we are in the midst of a significant shift in our industry. The largest consumer segment we’ve seen – the Millennials – are not only entering their higher earning years, but have challenged values on what luxury is. For instance, now Volkswagen and Honda are identified as luxury to Millennials. That shift is huge and is impacting all segments of retail. Millennials do not buy products to show off their status and are the most socially-conscious of all market segments. They support companies that make them feel better about themselves in relation to the environment. They like companies that make a positive change for our planet such as recycling or minimising waste.”

Bodo Sperlein, London-based designer and brand consultant

Consumers are changing. They are far more educated these days. The younger audience is much more investment portfolio-driven and for me, that’s the key word – investment. We’re going into an era where the younger audience is thinking about luxury differently. Before, things were bought for an emotional purchase, now it is also becoming a very calculated purchase. If you’re spending £5,000 on a teapot you want to ensure it’s going to keep its value, or increase in the future. I believe skill and craft definitely define luxury. Luxury today is in the nature of the materials, natural materials, like really high-end porcelain. When people buy a loaf of bread, for example, they want to know where it’s from, who has baked it, that it has a story. It tastes better for it and it is romantic. I think this is where we are going next in our discussions around luxury, to the return of the romantic. I think there will definitely be a change in the luxury market, whereby smaller luxury brands will come up. In the past, tableware was an heirloom – it would have little marks from previous generations, which was lovely as it provided a talking point, like a diary of the past. Those are the things we’re missing, but I do think that younger generations are now really keen on exploring those things.

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“The younger generation, they want something that’s them. They don’t want to be a copycat like everyone else. Versatility and modularity is therefore key, so consumers can customise expressing exactly who they are. Perhaps, in the future, we might see luxury brands playing on this idea that’s already permeating the culture, of people investing in fewer but better things.” Kristen Dillman, The O Group 80 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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22 - 26 January Hall 7 - Stand K172

12 - 16 February Hall 4.2 - Stand G81

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Interview Portmeirion Group

Dandelion Clocks, Sanderson for Portmeirion

Wrendale Designs, Royal Worcester

“We will continue to invest in our brands” Now in their 6th consecutive year of record sales and with a brand-new kiln set to fire up in the UK soon, Portmeirion Group is a company taking international markets by storm. We talk to group sales & marketing director Phil Atherton Portmeirion Group has achieved record sales for six consecutive years and continues to employ and expand. How is the company achieving such growth? Underpinned by good old-fashioned hard work and a strong set of values, Portmeirion Group’s multi-faceted strategy maximises all the resources we have available. Our iconic British brands – Portmeirion, Spode, Royal Worcester and Pimpernel – have global appeal, and we continue to strengthen these brands with new introductions that are attractive to new segments of the market like the Ted Baker Portmeirion, Spode Giallo and Wrendale Designs collections. Our people are the real key to our success and we continue to recruit the very best people as well as developing and training our existing workforce. Portmeirion Group’s commitment to its staff has been officially recognised with an Investor In People accreditation at silver level. And, recognising the value that young people can bring to the business, we were also the first UK company to be presented with an Investment In Young People Award. At the heart of our business is a focus on customer service, which we continually look to improve upon. We work very closely with our customers and continue to develop these relationships to make sure we 82 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

are driving their businesses, as well as leveraging our iconic British brands. And, with our 6th consecutive year of record sales, we continue to invest for future growth demonstrated by our new kiln installation, which will allow us to maintain our drive into new territories around the world.

How key are international markets for Portmeirion Group and what is the international growth strategy? The international market is very important to Portmeirion Group. In 2014 our export sales accounted for 74 per cent of our total sales. We will publish our 2015 financial results in March but, based on the group’s half-year results, we expect to see a similar picture. The USA is our largest market, the UK remains a key market, and our brands have a strong presence in South Korea, Canada and Australia, as well as India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Thailand. It’s important for us to continue to nurture the close relationships we’ve developed with our export partners. Portmeirion Group’s knowledgeable and skilled export team is extremely proficient at developing bespoke solutions to suit particular markets – that includes products, support services and marketing materials. This has been recognised with many international trade awards. Aside from this, the team will be

focussing efforts on developing mutually-beneficial relationships with trade partners in new markets where we know our Great British brands will have a real resonance with consumers.

Does the fact your product is Made In England carry a lot of weight in international markets? In 2014 the demand for UK-made product increased dramatically and this trend continued into 2015. Portmeirion’s Botanic Garden range continues to grow across the world with its typically British feel, and the high quality of our ware has a real resonance with consumers in all our markets. That’s why we have invested in our factory and continue to invest to make improvements to our business. Our factory produces approximately 160,000 pieces per week and, when the new kiln is fired up, our capacity will increase to 250,000, which is great news for our customers and for the local economy. China is a particularly promising market, where the Made In England backstamp carries a lot of value. We recently began exhibiting at Interior Lifestyle China, which was a success for us. Our impressive stand attracted a variety of leading buyers who we are working with to build our presence in the Chinese market. Many of our designs and products are particularly relevant to that market.

What else is it about Portmeirion Group brands and products that makes them so appealing to all international markets? The Portmeirion, Spode, Royal Worcester and Pimpernel brands are iconic and renowned across the globe thanks to the group’s historical export strategy of getting us as close to our customers as possible. This way, we get to understand the markets deeply so we are able to tailor our brand/ range/product offering accordingly. Generally, the classic designs such as Botanic Garden and Blue Italian work in all territories due to their quintessential English design, which is very much sought-after. But, with such strong relationships with our distribution partners, we are able to develop products to suit the lifestyles of the specific markets. Then, of course, we have the modern classic ranges such as Sophie Conran for Portmeirion or Ted Baker Portmeirion. Designs like these transcend territorial borders because they are practical and simply beautiful.

Portmeirion has been consistently associated with licences – Sophie Conran, Ted Baker, Wrendale Designs. Why is this key for growth? A well-placed, exciting licence can bring a lot of value to a product range when it is designed well. The

Ted Baker Portmeirion Casual Collection Sophie Conran for Portmeirion

“

In 2014 the demand for UK-made product increased dramatically amatically and this Xxxxxx trend continued into 2015. Portmeirion’s Botanic Garden range ge continues to grow across the world with its typically British feel, and the high quality uality of our Xxxxxx ware has a real resonance with consumers in all our marketss association can bring each brand to a new audience. At Portmeirion Group we always ensure that any collaboration or partnership not only fits with the brand but also adds value in terms of design, new customers and brand exposure. All our licensed product ranges have delivered great sales. For example, Royal Worcester’s Wrendale Designs collection is now sold in more than 700 shops in the UK and is one of our bestselling ranges. We have launched a new Vintage Kellogg’s collection this year and we will continue building on the success of our current licences and introducing new ones to our portfolio.

The Ted Baker and Portmeirion collaboration recently won a licensing award. How do you see this collaboration developing? The partnership has been a great success so far. Both the Rosie Lee and Casual ranges have been extended this year on the basis of this performance. At the Spring 2016 shows we will be showcasing new serving pieces in the Casual Collection and we’ve also launched some limited edition gift items that feature Ted Baker’s seasonal fashion prints.

Portmeirion Group has a mix of heritage brands like Spode and

modern collaborations like Ted Baker Portmeirion. Is this part of the company’s overall success? All brands have to evolve if they want to remain relevant but they must remain true to their heritage. Portmeirion Group ensures that its brands innovate and adapt to new lifestyles and trends while also ensuring that they maintain their core values. We nurture our existing customer base while also opening our brands up to new audiences. We always leverage our brands to their full potential.

What can we expect to see from Portmeirion Group in 2016? This year – 2016 – is a very exciting year for Portmeirion Group. Firstly, we have the 200th anniversary of Spode’s Blue Italian (see page 64). We are re celebrating this incredible one with a stunning anniversary milestone on inspired by archive collection pieces as well as a brand-new range named Giallo, which is a modern pretation of the design. reinterpretation We also celebrate the 10-year rsary of the Sophie Conran for anniversary eirion collection. Launched Portmeirion 6, this range has become a in 2006, n classic and continues to go modern rength to strength. In honour from strength of this milestone, a special anniversary mug collection ollection has been developed that features atures new shapes and surface pattern n designs – the perfect mug

”

cupboard ard additions additions. New introductions troductions also centre on the enduring trend of baking. ng. In addition ddition to some exciting g line extensions for our bestselling tselling collections, new designss include Enchanted Tree – a magical gical and heartwarming tableware are collection from Portmeirion; irion; Dandelion Clocks – an exclusive clusive Sanderson for Portmeirion irion tableware design; and a new ew licensed Vintage Kellogg’s g’s design for Portmeirion. We will continue to invest in our brands as well as our customers ers ensuring that they have thee support they need to sell our products. As part of this, we havee comprehensive trade and con consumer nsumer marketing k plans, l which will w be revealed throughout the yea year.r. Portmeirion eirion Group will present their new product and ranges at Scotland’s Trade Fair (Stand G33) from January 24-26; at Spring Fair (Hall 9 Stand E30-F31) from February 7-11; and at Ambiente Frankfurt 2016 (Hall 4.1 Stand B16) from February 12-16. For more information, visit www.portmeiriongroup.com

Enchanted Tree, Portmeirion

Botanic Garden, Portmeirion

Decorative techniques

Profile Crystalex

Pantograph

Best in glass At Ambiente 2016, Czech glass producer Crystalex will unveil a brand-new series of glassware as well as dozens of exciting new decorations

s one of the largest glass manufacturers, Czech company Crystalex ranks alongside the world’s leading producers in the glass industry. The company, whose headquarters are in Novy Bor – the heart of Czech glassmaking – specialises in the production of stemware, tumblers, vases and decanting carafes. In addition to its production of plain glass, Crystalex offers a variety of decorative techniques, including pantograph etching, diamond engraving, spraying, painting, screen printing, decals and sandblasting. Crystalex exports its products to more than 70 countries worldwide, with its renowned trademarks of Bohemia Crystal® and Bohemia Glass®, showcasing the highest quality of Czech glassmaking. As in previous years, Crystalex will unveil its new novelties and decorations at Ambiente in February in Frankfurt. Here are just some of the new products and decorative

84 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

launches for 2016.

Attimo Suite The main novelty for 2016 is Attimo, a suite of glasses that Crystalex says is “a delicate touch of the slimmest stem, the gentle sound of clinking, and concerted contact of lips with exceptionally thin glass”. The aim of the Attimo Suite is to highlight the uniqueness of the moment, which is achieved with its strangely-shaped cup and extremely thin stem, which delivers a unique look to the table. In addition to the stemware, the Attimo series also offers two exclusive tumblers for serving of water or wine.

Decorations In addition to the assortment of plain glass, Crystalex is also exceptionally successful in the field of decorations so it’s no surprise that they are delivering dozens of new decorations for 2016 in line with the latest trends. The pantograph technology, which is more than 150 years old, has been experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years with interest from customers globally. The process of pantographing delivers the most

Coloured pantograph

delicate of decorations, which can be realised both in traditional and modern interpretations. The latest pantograph designs from Crystalex have been realised on last year’s novelty Grace, which is part of the traditional stemware family, and on the suites of Kate and Sandra, more contemporary stemware shapes, allowing the more modern decors to excel.

Other techniques Crystalex is also launching more than 20 completely new decorations in the technique of diamond engraving, with everything from very simple and contemporary décors, to more complicated classic décors, which historically use gold or colours. Other decors that will be on show have been realised via other techniques, from screen printing to decals to spraying. The production range contains not only decorated stemware and tumblers, but also decorated vases – both traditional and modern shapes. Discover these new products and decorations, along with a vast range of Crystalex glassware on the Crystalex stand at Ambiente, Hall 4.2 Stand J81-J91. www.crystalex.cz

Engraving Colour

DESIGN INTERVIEW

Lotus & Atlas

EYE ON DESIGN

Bodo Sperlein

Bodo Sperlein for Nikko

Each issue we cast a spotlight on a designer in tableware. Having collaborated with luxury brands worldwide, from Lladro to Nikko, Dibbern to Tane, London-based designer and brand consultant Bodo Sperlein talks to Tableware International London-based designer Bodo Sperlein is renowned for helping to preserve traditional skills – for taking raw materials such as wood, porcelain and silver, and through his clever and contemporary tableware designs, making product created from such materials relevant again. And his latest collaboration with Mexican heritage silverware leader Tane is testimony to this. Bodo Sperlein for Tane, an extensive collection that includes everything from tea sets to lighting, takes an innovative approach to silver’s symbolism and properties as a contemporary, luxury craft material. The collection, which was introduced to the UK market at Decorex 2015 during London Design Festival in August 2015, delivers pure silver items as well as unexpected, elemental materials like Mexican recinto (a volcanic stone), as well as wood and porcelain, which are incorporated into the designs, highlighting further the precious but earthy essence of silver. Designs include Voliere, which pays homage to Tane’s iconic cockerel that appears throughout

its heritage designs – think a feather motif in fine vermeil detailing on a solid silver teapot. Pomona is a fine porcelain range, Tane’s first-ever porcelain collection; and Pearl is a collection of sterling silver spoons with nano-ceramic detailing in iridescent colours. We talk to Bodo Sperlein about this recent collaboration, about working with silver, and about what makes good design in tableware.

While your designs are broad, tabletop is key. Why tableware, in particular? Yes, I've collaborated with everyone from Nymphenburg Porcelain, Nikko Ceramics and Churchill China to Dibbern, Lladro and Tane. I am fascinated by food culture – it is such an essential part of everybody’s life and chefs are such a great inspiration. Also, I ﬁnd that a lot of tableware designs out there have not been thought through well. Through my collaborations and designs, I want to prove to the market that the tableware industry is alive and that it can survive if good design comes into play.

Calling all designers – would you like to be featured in a future ‘Eye on Design’? If so, email our Editor, kate@lempublishing.co.uk 86 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

What do you see as good design in tableware? Form and function are essential elements of design that enhance any object enormously, whether plate, cup or fork. I'm quite concerned when I see tableware being produced that is gimmicky and over-designed as this really adds nothing to the table – tableware should be a canvas for the food. Cutlery needs to be ergonomic in design and again, a lot of cutlery today is designed for pure aesthetics and so feels very cumbersome and uncomfortable when used. Practicality should be at the heart of product development. Form and function, originality, timeless appeal, skill and history are all ingredients for successful tableware designs that tell a story.

You have worked with everyone from Nikko to Dibbern. How do you decide who to work with? I love a challenge. Many companies come to me when they have problems – if they are losing market share, for example, or have an issue with their brand image. I enjoy helping those brands achieve validity in the 21st century. I believe it is the duty of designers to help traditional companies survive. It is fascinating

how much history and skill is to be found in such companies and it feels so great to rejuvenate a brand’s DNA through my work. I always design quite a substantial collaborative collection as it is important to show the market that the company is taking a new direction.

Can you provide examples of previous collaborations? The design work undertaken for Nikko Ceramics produced an exciting collection of tableware uniting Japanese restraint and respect for nature with a formal modern European aesthetic. I designed a wide variety of shapes that can be used to both accessorise and fully dress the table. With my collection for Lladro, I took existing classic Lladro elements – that’s why it's called Recyclos – and combined them with my speciallydesigned forms to create unique contemporary pieces, delivering both a strong Bodo Sperlein and Lladro DNA.

What is your own design philosophy? The Bodo Sperlein design philosophy is about taking a material that possesses inherent value and rich historical links and making it relevant again. My key interest is in helping to preserve

GERMANY

ZIEHER NEWS 2016

WWW.ZIEHER.COM

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Pearl Spoons

Bodo Sperlein says… From describing his design aesthetic to expanding on his daily work, Bodo Sperlein tells us more about his design life...

“

My design aesthetic is minimal meets blomorphic

Voliere

traditional skills whilst continuing a legacy of exceptional craftsmanship.

Is this why you chose to collaborate with Mexican heritage silverware company, Tane? Yes. Tane has been a part of a signiﬁcant exchange of skills in silversmithing in Europe for some time – few know but, their specialist academies in Mexico and Brittany are hubs of excellence that have trained silversmiths for some of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world. Their emphasis is on keeping traditional skills alive for future generations. I really appreciate Tane’s approach to its workforce, to recognising and furthering skilled labour, and to training apprentices from scratch for many years until they are able to produce pieces for the company. This sense of excellence and education really appealed to me, and their quality of work is quite simply exceptional.

What was it like to work with silver? And what did you want to communicate? I had worked with silver on previous projects for Swarovski alongside fashion designers like Armani and Valentino. When Tane contacted me, 88 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“

Dune

I felt we could achieve an amazing story together. Silver is such a fascinating and versatile material, which has long been neglected. I really like the challenge of taking on materials that are perceived as being a bit old-fashioned. Silver was used to fashion tableware in the Middle Ages and Roman times. I enjoy the fact that we are looking to the past to ﬁnd solutions for today. I felt it was the right time to re-introduce silver into the home. It used to be that the value of silver was universally known and appreciated. I would really like to bring some of that cache back. I want to bring silver back into the home and make it sexy again, as well as educate a younger audience as to its beauty and importance. I feel we need to educate people about the true value of materials. These pieces are contemporary heirlooms and I hope that they will be treasured by a new generation interested in longevity and authenticity.

When I work with brands, I get carte blanche for design and marketing strategies and all my clients have so far beneﬁted greatly from my in-depth market knowledge. My company is very unique in designing with its analytic approach, which includes marketing and advising roles, as well as having heaps of passion for tabletop culture.

You’ve been involved in many collaborations. What do you enjoy about them?

What is so exciting about design today?

The knowledge exchange is very exciting and every collaboration introduces me to skills, traditions and techniques that other companies might not use – this enriches me enormously.

”

I’m not a big fan of plastics or synthetics. I like natural materials, raw materials, like really high-end porcelain

From where and whom do you draw inspiration? From living in London and its fast cultural aspects. Also, I ﬁnd the companies I work with and their archives provide me with a lot of food for thought when starting projects.

Which designs or designers are you impressed by? I’m a big fan of the architecture of Oscar Niemayer and Mexican architect Baragan. I also like French furniture and accessories designer Christoph Delcourt and Londonbased Michael Anastasias.

I’m very excited about high-tech meets low-tech – the combination of traditional skills with the latest in innovation opens up a wide variety of previously impossible situations. www.bodosperlein.com

”

“

I spend a lot of my time on research, whether on materials or of an historical nature

”

“

I wish there were more people like the late Philip Rosenthal, who was such a passionate and knowledgeable man, and who made Rosenthal into a global iconic brand

“

”

I’m not a trend follower but, a lot of people regard me as a trendsetter

“

”

One of my most used plates is a deep plate from Dibbern, which features the black forest pattern

”

Sector Eco-friendly

Buying green

Ambiente

Ambiente has just introduced its Ethical Style Guide, an increasing number of manufacturers are creating green product, and Millennials view socially responsible design as a given. We ask trade fairs, tableware manufacturers and retailers what the future holds for this burgeoning sector

andmade, fairtrade, sustainable, environmentally responsible. Many consumers today – Millennials in particular – are seeking sustainable product characteristics and, as a result, have a more discerning and demanding attitude towards the purchase of consumer goods. “Millennials want to protect the environment and they are driving demand for eco-friendly and organic product,” says Laurie Gates, VP merchandising, Gibson Overseas. According to a recent Nielsen report 66 per cent of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable / eco-friendly products and retailers and buyers are, in turn, sourcing such product. “Many reliable sources report statistics of growing interest and demand by consumers for sustainable products. And more

and more manufacturers and suppliers are producing sustainable products,” says Ilene Shaw, principal, Shaw & Co. Productions and curator of NY NOW's SustainAbility exhibit. Tradeshows, such as NY NOW and Ambiente, offer displays and guides to help buyers find product that as well as possessing great functionality and design also adhere to eco-friendly or sustainable practices. For the past nine years, NY NOW has offered several programmes aimed at supporting and encouraging sustainability. SustainAbility: design for a better world was born in 2007 due to increased demand from retailers and buyers for such product. “We felt it was NY NOW’s duty as the industry’s most expansive marketplace to address the needs of our industry,” says Ilene. This Winter 2016 edition of NY NOW (Jan 30 – Feb 3) had an unprecedented 115 exhibitors apply

for the SustainAbility display – and that’s just a small representation of the exhibitors with sustainable products at the show. Alongside this exhibit is a seminar session dedicated to sustainability, the Winter edition of which will take place on February 1. Once a year, NY NOW also delivers the Eco Choice Awards with categories including Most Sellable and Most Sensitive Use of Materials. “The popularity of the Eco Choice Awards and the increasingly stiff competition for top honours reflects the ongoing vitality of ecofriendly and socially-responsible products and production processes,” says Scott Kramer, NY NOW show director. As the world’s largest consumergoods fair, Ambiente offers a wide array of manufacturers delivering sustainable / eco-friendly product and continues to see increasing interest from buyers for such product.

What makes 'green' tableware... “For the growing number of socially and environmentally responsible retailers, sustainable tabletop products should not only be made of the right materials but be durable and of timeless design to remain relevant. Biodegradable, non-toxic, organic, recycled, recyclable, repurposed and renewable materials can include recycled glass and metals, bamboo and fast-growing renewable woods. Great alternatives to plastic are aluminium, wood, ceramic, glass and stainless steel. Ecologically sound materials used in the manufacture of sustainable tableware include organically-grown bamboo, food-safe water-based adhesives, natural oils and lacquers derived from rubber and cashew trees. Locally-manufactured and handmade goods by fairtrade are available for purchase directly from artisans. Recyclable silicone is great for food storage.” Ilene Shaw, curator of NOW’s SustainAbility exhibit 90 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Charity Nichols is sales director of Green Pioneer, a UK-based distribution company focused on delivering stylish, ethical products to the European retail market. Exhibiting at Ambiente for the first time in 2015, she said: "The standard of customer at Ambiente was good – a combination of eco-oriented and traditional retailers who are realising that consumers understand the importance of sustainability.” Due to such demand, Ambiente has this year created the Ethical Style Guide to inform buyers about the sustainable goods to be found at the fair, helping buyers and retailers find their way around what is a highly complex global product segment. Using categories such as EcoFriendly Materials, Sustainable Innovation, Fair & Social Production, Handmade Manufacturing and Re/ Upcycling Design, the guide offers buyers details about the exhibitors in these categories, which have been

Are you seeing increased demand for green / eco?

Dudson

Dudson holds the BS EN ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Standard, which represents a certain level of care taken when manufacturing products to ensure the impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. They recycle any damaged or sub-standard products and recycle water from the clay manufacturing processes to clean the factory floor. They use Therm-ECO glazes on products, resulting in a temperature and energy reduction throughout the firing process. They reuse waste heat from the kilns to heat areas of the factory. Dudson will continue to work with suppliers to introduce new technologies that allow them to make further reductions in energy consumption. www.dudson.com selected by an independent jury including Rudi Dalvai of the World Trade Fair Organisation. Nicolette Naumann, vice-president, Ambiente, says: “With the Ethical Style Guide we want to make it easier for buyers to orientate themselves in this growing market segment and to promote the trade in sustainable and fairly-produced consumer goods. "So far the reception on the exhibitor’s side is very encouraging – the interest is there and the offering from the companies too.” Manufacturers and companies, big and small, from Schott Zwiesel, Dudson, Bauscher and Gibson, to LSA International, Denby, Koziol and Kahla are all successfully exploring ways of reducing waste, reusing materials and saving energy. Villeroy & Boch reuses excess raw materials; Dudson recycles water from the clay manufacturing processes to clean the factory floor; Bauscher has managed to lower its energy consumption by a third due to its new firing technologies; and Denby recycles everything from its clay to its water to its glazes. And products created from natural, renewable or recycled materials are available from a number of brands. Core Bamboo uses the eco-friendly renewable raw material of bamboo to create many of its products; while high-end tabletop company ModernTwist has pioneered an innovative

sustainable-based material with 100 per cent pure food-grade hand-silk screened silicone – from which its tabletop products are made. Green Pioneer brings stylish, ethical products to the European retail market, from sustainable materials like bamboo, cork and hemp, to products made from recycled materials and products designed to reduce waster. Other companies doing their bit in this sector include LSA International, which offers Mia, a range of glassware mouthblown from 100 per cent recyled glass made up of disused bottles; T&G Woodware, which uses only FSC-certified wood in its collection of wooden products; and Gibson Overseas, which offers Eco-Friendly Home, a range that has proven so successful that it is being expanded for 2016. “Our expansion of Eco-Friendly Home uses carefully-sourced, renewable materials to create a safe product that doesn’t damage the Earth. The acacia wood and natural fibre products are harvested from renewable sources and are naturally durable," says Gibson’s Laurie Gates. "Consumers seek a stronger connection to the earth and desire products that offer healthy, natural choices for themselves and for the environment. Gibson's Eco-Friendly Home lets retailers deliver this connection with healthy,

environmentally-conscious products across multiple categories." None of this 'saving the planet' whether in company practice or product production is without its challenges, however. “The main challenges have been in finding non-landfill uses for waste streams and, in some cases, increased cost to segregate and treat waste streams separately,” explains Dean Barlow, head of manufacturing, Denby, the first UK tableware manufacturer to be ‘zero to landfill’ for all process-related waste, saving 600 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. And cost is certainly an issue. However, Ambiente's Nicolette explains that "even if there is investment necessary to improve the production facilities, companies will ultimately realise savings by reducing their energy bill or waste of material". Katie Dudson, group marketing manager at Dudson, a tableware manufacturer that recycles, reuses waste and conserves energy, concludes: “Sometimes being an eco-friendly company can be more expensive but this can be offset by monetary gains: reducing energy costs; effective recycling can reduce raw material costs; waste costs can be lowered through effective waste streaming and pro-active selling of ‘useful’ waste products. More business can actually be gained today through possession of ISO 14001 certification.”

“The green agenda is the most important agenda of our time. It's not about fashion, but survival. More manufacturers are producing sustainable products with post-consumer recycled materials and no VOCs or toxic chemicals. More companies are dedicated to fairtrade standards. For Millennials, a sustainable and socially-conscious design approach is a given.” Ilene Shaw, curator of NY NOW’s SustainAbility “Retailers are starting to stock eco products. There is more transparency and the end consumer wants to know where the products they buy come from and the impact they have. Millennials have raised the bar, making it more key than ever before. The demand will grow.” Paula Martinez, marketing manager, Living Eco Dining “We've seen growth over the last four years when submitting tenders for crockery supply to large multinational chains of hotels and restaurants, of the number of customers asking for our environmental credentials – whether we have BS EN ISO 140012004 Environmental Management Standard, which we do. Also, more distributors within hospitality now require suppliers to carry this standard. Katie Dudson, group marketing manager, Dudson “Along with quality and aesthetic appeal, sustainability is on its way to becoming a critical criterion for determining product choice." Nicolette Naumann, vice-president, Ambiente TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 91

Sector Eco-friendly

DENBY Retail focus...

Denby is the first UK tableware manufacturer to be able to claim ‘zero to landfill’ for all process-related waste saving some 600 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, the equivalent of all 300+ production employees’ car journeys in a year being carbon neutral. They recycle all clayware into new product saving 2,500 tonnes of raw clay a year, the equivalent of 350 fully loaded double decker buses. All moulds are made from plaster of paris, recycled to make plasterboard; every year they recycle 300 tonnes of plaster of paris. Denby recycles over 100,000 litres of glaze, enough to glaze nearly one million pots. They reuse eight million litres of water and recycle over 300 tonnes of packaging. They continually improve in all aspects of production to minimise raw materials, energy, water and fuel waste, and have plans to implement ISO 14001 certification. They are also looking into the possibilities of creating products from 100 per cent recycled materials and carbon neutral energy, thereby creating a ‘green’ pot.

www.denby.co.uk

BAUSCHER Bauscher continuously optimises all processes and follows the principle of environmentally sound operations. The extremely robust Bauscher tableware is manufactured using energy-efficient and resourceconserving processes. New firing technologies have lowered energy consumption by a third of its previous level and thus reduced CO2 emissions. The sustainable success of the Bauscher Environmental Management System has also been underscored by Bauscher’s certification according to the strictest of international standards, ISO 14001. In addition, Bauscher is the first company in the global porcelain industry whose energy management system is certified according to ISO 50001.

www.bauscher.com/about-bauscher/ responsibility.html

VILLEROY & BOCH For years, the Villeroy & Boch factories in Germany have not only focused on state-of-the-art production technology but also on sustainability and environmental friendliness. The factories in Saarland and in Saxony, both in Germany, meet the highest environmental standards and are certified to comply with the EMAS environment standards based on strict European criteria. The kilns are among the most efficient and eco-friendly in the ceramics industry. Villeroy & Boch also focus on recycling and reusing – the heat from the furnaces is used to dry the raw shards and to heat the production halls, while excess raw materials produced during the process are reused.

www.villeroy-boch.com

LIVING ECO DINING The Living Eco Dining product range is made from sustainable sources including bamboo and corn starch. All products are sustainable as they will bio-degrade within two year – once thrown away or land-filled. They also work very closely with their factory to ensure workers are treated fairly and are ISSO 9001 approved. This year, they are using the technology they have to expand into more tableware and homeware categories with design-led products that deliver functionality and practicality while meeting consumer demands for sustainability and quality.

www.eco-dining.co.uk

T&G WOODWARE Celebrating 40 years of business last year, T&G Woodware is a brand leader in the housewares industry designing and manufacturing tableware and kitchenware with wood as the core material. With wood a precious resource, T&G recognise the importance of sustainable practices. They have held FSC certification since 1999 with the FSC logo on all its products, providing customers with an independent guarantee that the forest is managed to agreed social, environmental and economic standards. T&G’s woodware ranges continue to grow with the introduction of raw oak as a new wood variety to the 2015 collection. The company’s recent collaboration with designer Sophie Conran is furthermore a commitment to sustainability with the Sophie Conran for T&G range being FSC-certified natural beech.

www.tg-woodware.com

Life Without Plastic In 2006, Jay Sinha launched online store Life Without Plastic, which practices ethical product sourcing and offers only products that are safe, high quality, ethically-sourced, eco-friendly and made from high-quality natural materials including glass, wood, stainless steel and bamboo. We talk to Jay Sinha about the sector. How is business right now? Business is great. More and more people are looking for product that is truly safe, high quality, ethically sourced and eco-friendly. There is a lot of greenwashing out there, so as a trusted source, our customers are relieved we do the research for them. Furthermore, we are finding that consumers today increasingly desire handcrafted products as they generally equate them to higher quality, durability and craftsmanship. What are the challenges of this particular sector? It is challenging because we are not just looking at the product but also at the manufacturer and their production processes; we want to be sure they are following responsible environmental and labour practices. Where do you find your product? Shows such as Ambiente, BioFach, Green festivals, Expo East and some of the large tradeshows in Hong Kong and Taiwan. We do a lot of research online and often hear about interesting products from customers. What sells well for you? We sell many of our own private label products as well as other brands including Klean Kanteen, whose line of stainless steel products are popular due to their quality and design. Bestsellers include stainless steel tableware and range of glass and stainless steel airtight food containers.

S H A PE OF YOU R BUSI N ESS + 420 224 494 442

w w w.rudolf kampf.eu See You at Ambiente

4.1 A80

Profile Nambe

Spotlight on... Robin Levien for Nambe Why collaborate with Nambe? Nambe is all about contemporary shapes and I have long held an ambition to design for the brand; after all, Studio Levien is a shape house too. I have ‘knocked on the door’ a couple of times over the past 15 years so you can imagine how happy I was when Lou Scala, a tabletop legend and the now EVP of sales at Nambe, called me up within weeks of joining Nambe to ask if I would like to design tableware. We combined our extensive knowledge of tableware design and production with Nambe’s understanding of the market to develop the collection in under a year.

How did the collection materialise? The brief from Nambe was comprehensive – to design a white range but to make it fresh, something special – and to include movement in the profiles and sections. There are so many good white ranges on the market, it’s a big challenge to add another that is distinctive and earns its place. The key to achieving this is in the cross sections through the pieces; they are very complex, though may not look it. We always need specific inspiration and Nambe’s suggestion of ‘movement’ led us to landscape. We sketched profiles and sections that were inspired by hard and soft elements found in landscape. The Isle of Skye came to mind as a landscape that combines the hardness of its craggy outcrops of rock and soft screes and sandy beaches. The section through the dinner plate has a sharp peak complemented by soft convex and concave curves. Close inspection 94 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Making its international debut at Ambiente 2016 in February, the Skye Collection – a collaboration with European product designer Robin Levien – is Nambe’s first dinnerware collection in a decade and first-ever bone china collection. We caught up with Robin at the October New York Tabletop Show to find out more

will reveal that the section through the spoon and fork has the same elements as the section through the dinner plate. It doesn’t matter that people won’t notice that but, it is the design glue that holds all the disparate products together and makes a credible collection.

to eat a meal there are many materials on the table. With our landscape theme, it was very enjoyable to translate the hard and soft features into different materials.

What’s the philosophy of Skye?

The beautiful quality and richness of the materials; the bone china has a soft creaminess that blends beautifully with the Acacia wood – both set off by the crispness of the glass and polished stainless steel.

As a child of the 1960s, I love the idea of FAB – Functional, Affordable and Beautiful. Our Skye design for Nambe fits this design philosophy perfectly. If I was asked for a shorter definition of what we have achieved with Skye, I would say Everyday Special.

How does Skye fit the way consumers entertain today? Dining and entertaining is much less formal today but, we need products that we can ‘dress up’ for entertaining and that can also deliver a night on the sofa in front of the TV. The simple easy-to-livewith shapes, made in the most durable of all tableware materials, bone china, provides multi-purpose functionality combined with elegance that really fits how we live today. The diverse combination of items also makes it truly multi-functional and versatile.

You worked with more than just bone china. How was that? Nambe is known for metal and wood, not ceramics, so to really express the Nambe brand we decided from the start that there should be wood, and also flatware and glassware. Retailers are getting better at offering their customers a full tabletop line and we wanted to push that. After all, when we sit down

What are its unique characteristics?

Bowls have been given precedence in the range. Why? How we eat and what we eat is continually evolving and over recent years the West has been increasingly influenced by Asia where bowls are the main vessel from which food is consumed. Combine this with the influence of Middle Eastern and southern European cuisines where bowls are widely used and we are moving towards a ‘bowl food’ culture, which can be expressed through the simple core bowls in Skye or the wide-rim gourmet bowl that ‘brings the restaurant home’.

What were the main challenges? Skye is a large collection in a variety of materials; getting everything right and making that happen quickly was a big challenge. I always draw an analogy between designing and the circus trick of keeping six plates spinning on sticks. We always have a number of projects with different deadlines in the studio. The Skye plate wobbed a bit on occasion but we managed to keep it spinning.

What are your favourite pieces? The dinner plate. It has everything – distinctive, elegant, functional, robust.

What’s been the response so far? The response to Skye at the New York Tabletop Show in October was everything we could have hoped for, and more. There was excitement to see Nambe, who aren’t known for tableware, to bring Skye to market. It brought the well-respected heritage for modern sculptural design and delivered a very fresh statement in a new material for Nambe. I was in the showroom for two days and every customer said they loved it.

Any additions for Ambiente? We are adding a tea cup and saucer and an espresso cup and saucer for Ambiente. If things go as well as we hope in Frankfurt, then there will no doubt be further additions. I always say that if the item list for a range has got down to napkin rings then you know it must be successful. Look out for Skye napkin rings in the future. The Skye Collection will take centrestage on Nambe’s stand at Ambiente 2016 Hall 4 Stand A81 www.robinlevien.co.uk www.nambe.com

Comment Industry Experts

View from the top We ask the industry experts to fill us in on tabletop performance and trends

Gibson Overseas Laurie Gates, VP of creative and merchandising, Gibson Overseas What consumer trends are leading product development for Gibson right now? Gibson is dedicated to finding out what customers want and incorporating this into our product development so we can help our retail partners reach success. Some things Millennials are influencing now include eco-friendly, organic looks; colourful everyday melamine and pottery-style dinnerware. What role do trends – interiors, colour, consumer, fashion – play in the creation of Gibson Overseas’ product and how do you stay ahead of trends? From Gibson’s perspective, it is about who is driving the trends, rather than the trends themselves, and right now, Millennials are driving trends in the industry. Gibson is putting every effort into understanding Millennials. They are truly a diverse group but, there are some common threads that hold them together. They seek an urban experience, are likely to live in apartments, put off having families, are more socially open, love to entertain, desire personal connections with those around them, and want to protect the environment. Gibson uses this knowledge to develop products to meet their needs. For example, our latest addition to our bestselling Gibson Home Stanza line includes banded dinnerware that reflects the urban experience of a Paris bistro. Gibson’s new Laurie Gates melamine is not only durable but, it also creates an inviting table; and our upcoming expansion of Gibson’s Eco-Friendly Home uses carefully sourced, renewable materials to create a safe product that doesn’t damage the earth. How did the tableware industry fare in 2015? We have had to become smarter. We can’t just throw a product out into the market; we need to know how different segments of the market will react to it. Gibson breaks the market into segments and uses market surveys to find out what particular segments want. We combine this with the latest trends to develop product. Recently, Gibson conducted a Hispanic survey, which provided us with vital information about the preferences of the Hispanic population in the US when it comes to buying dinnerware and cookware. We are using this information to develop product Hispanics want, especially with our Oster® Tradición line. In future the Internet will play a huge role. Retail stores will act as more of a showroom as online sales increase. Things are becoming more transparent because Millennials want more information about products. Gibson is not just creating a product, we are creating a connection with the customer so we must make sure there is enough information and understanding to create this connection. What are Gibson’s plans for 2016? Gibson plans on launching its Crock-Pot and Pioneer Woman brands in the UK in 2016, both of which will be showcased at Ambiente 2016. Crock-pot is one of the most well-recognised houseware brands in the US and Gibson is excited to bring non-electrical Crock-Pot cookware to the UK. Gibson will introduce products such as cast iron dutch ovens and stoneware soup bowls. Pioneer Woman is selling well in the US and features a wide range of products from dinnerware to cookware and Gibson is excited at the possibilities the expansion to the UK offers.

96 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Creative Tops Katrina Lawton, marketing and public relations manager, Creative Tops What consumer trends are leading product development for Creative Tops right now? Home comforts, healthy foods, hydration and entertaining at home are leading our product development at Creative Tops. What role do trends – interiors, colour, consumer, fashion – play in the creation of Creative Tops’ product and how do you stay ahead of trends? We have an experienced team of designers who, between them, have many years’ experience in analysing market trends and delivering strong commercial surface patterns within strict timelines. We continually review market data and monitor trend websites along with attending influential international tradeshows. Our trend research is not just gathering from the world of design, we take a broader view and look at current socio-economic issues affecting consumers so that we know what they are interested in and their changing buying patterns. From all this data, we then create our own trend boards, which become the basis of our designs. How important is innovation in product design today? Innovation is very important to us, our strengths would definitely be with the innovation of product shapes, sourcing trend materials and packaging. What are Creative Tops’ plans for 2016? We will be launching our new trade website shortly and will be exhibiting at more shows, such as Maison & Objet, Paris, along with Home & Gift Harrogate. Finally, how important is Ambiente to the Creative Tops business? Ambiente is very important as it gives us the opportunity to meet international distributors and buyers from around the globe. We are excited about our new location in Hall 1.1 and we will have a new stand.

Vietri Joan Bolick, product development manager, Vietri Inc. What consumer trends are leading product development for Vietri right now? Mix and match is a huge trend at the moment and we love it! Mix and match has been a part of the Vietri brand since we began in 1983 with our first collection, Campagna. The concept of creating a unique tablescape and interior is important to all of our customers, and with the styles we offer, the looks are infinite. What role do trends – interiors, colour, consumer, fashion – play in the creation of Vietri’s product and how do you stay ahead of trends? Trends often play a role in our design decisions at Vietri. Our product team works closely with some of the most skilled artisans in the world, travelling to international shows while keeping up with current home décor, fashion and travel trends through magazines, blogs and articles worldwide. We are always interested in the up-and-coming trends, while maintaining a classic and timeless presence. How important is innovation in product design today? Innovation is a driving factor in design across all industries today. Vietri customers are looking for products that work in their lifestyle. You can see the latest innovation in materials and technology with Forma, our strongest stoneware collection yet. The collection took years of experimentation and testing in a new type of kiln and the outcome is both functional and beautiful. How did the tableware industry fare in 2015? The tableware industry remained strong as it continued to evolve. We continue to adapt to the marketplace and implement designs based on consumers’ buying behaviour. Thus, the traditional tablescape, as well as gifting and home décor, will be important in the 2016 market. What are Vietri’s plans for 2016? We are looking forward to an exciting 2016 with new colour launches in both our Lastra and Forma collections, as well as more Limited Edition pieces and a Collector’s Club in our favourite holiday collection, Old St. Nick.

Finally, how important is Ambiente to the Vietri business? Ambiente remains an important resource for the Vietri business and is a show our product team will not miss. We love to see what is happening globally, while staying true to our irresistibly Italian style. The sheer size of this show and the eclectic mix of design is unparalleled by any other show in our industry. Seeing how styles evolve and converge is truly an inspiration to our product team.

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Show Preview 41 Madison

“Continual investment in this industry is a positive sign” In anticipation of show season and a new year in tabletop, we discuss tableware industry highlights, challenges and trends with senior vice-president of Forty One Madison Laurie Burns and discover what the home of tabletop Forty One Madison has in store for us in 2016 How has the past year been for Forty One Madison? The past year has been a great one for Forty One Madison. Many companies from around the world looked to the US and its stable marketplace as a target for export growth in 2015. Many tell me their sales have surpassed 2014, some even in double-digit percentages. The value of the dollar internationally was also of topic. The partnership of the brands, our owners, and our team here is unparalleled. The nature of Forty One Madison, offering longterm leases, is what makes The New York Tabletop Market stand out from other shows around the world. The brands and factories represented here provide core lines for the retailers in the largest consumer market in the world; they invest in the North American marketplace when a lease is signed here. For retailers, there is always an abundance of new product each and every season.

What have been the highlights of 2015? For Forty One Madison the past year marked our entry into a fifth decade of doing business as The New York Tabletop Market. We’ve seen additional full-floor renovations completed on the 16th floor, and then truly transformational renovations for nearly a half dozen showrooms along with the Director’s office. And then there was the entire conversion of the 27th floor from traditional leased offices to showrooms housing a new arrival to the building, The Godinger Group. 98 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

In terms of industry highlights, mergers and acquisitions were the big story of 2015 impacting our industry: Fiskars’s purchase of Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton and their colossal portfolio of other brands including Royal Albert and Rogaska, while already owning iittala and Royal Copenhagen. Lenox Corporation’s purchase of Reed & Barton and Sambonet’s purchase of Ercuis, which includes shares in Raynaud.

How did the tableware industry perform in 2015? Sales in the industry are predicted to be up over 2014. Both luxury and the lower-end price points have had a strong year. Continual investment in this industry is a positive sign; certainly a refreshing sign on the heels of the consolidation we witnessed in 2009/10. When brands invest by building new showrooms and renovated space, coupled with our investment in upgraded facilities, this continues to keep it fresh for buyers. We have been at full capacity for the past few years and I see that continuing for the foreseeable future. Worldwide brands, as well as US brands, find that having a showroom here is the most convenient to their customers enabling them to meet and see product year-round as well as during market weeks.

And how do you see the tableware industry faring in 2016? 2016 will be exciting, but tough. The ever-changing buying habits for home products, including tabletop,

“

Continual investment in this industry is a positive sign; certainly a refreshing sign on the heels of the consolidation we witnessed in 2009/10. When brands invest by building new showrooms and renovated space, coupled with our investment in upgraded facilities, this continues to keep it fresh for buyers is challenging but this industry is very forward-thinking and creative and will meet 2016’s challenges. Bridal, which is a large percentage of this industry’s business, is alive and well. Bridal registries are vibrant and meeting consumer needs both in-store and online. It is clear this segment will remain very important to the tabletop industry.

What tabletop trends do you believe will take centrestage in 2016? Chefs on TV will continue to play an inspirational role in tableware sales. Great design is always in style. Artists, design teams at major brands, and licensed celebrity products will most likely continue to be introduced. Millennial purchasing habits will drive design and offerings as well as investment in distribution channels and marketing focus. Artisanal items are back in vogue in ceramics, metals and glassware. As entertaining and the open kitchen concept continue to be the standard, consumers are demanding unique serveware, in particular platters, pitchers and decanters.

”

Moving into 2016, what can audiences expect from 41 Madison and The New York Tabletop Show? We have an exciting Breakfast Seminar in the works for the April Show with the guest appearance of Nicholas Dawes. He is the lead appraiser on PBS-TV’s Antiques Roadshow for all things china, glass and silver and has been with the show since its arrival here in America in 1997 from the UK and the BBC network. In addition to sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the show and his experiences with the ﬁnds that the public brings in, Nick will also provide some on-the-spot appraisals for those who bring a small tabletop treasure of their own to the session. We’re expecting this to be a full house so market attendees should RSVP immediately to ensure they have a seat for this Wednesday, April 13 programme. The Spring edition of The New York Tabletop Show will take place April 12-15, 2016; while the Autumn edition is scheduled for September 27-30, 2016. Both take place at Forty One Madison. www.41madison.com

JANUARY 22-26, 2016 PA R I S N O R D V I L L E PI N T E

HALL 5A

N45 / N47 / M480

FEBRUARY 13-17, 2016 F R A N K F U RT

A330

HALL 4.1 H03

Show Preview Ambiente

Roll on Ambiente With the return of two of Germany’s most prestigious porcelain factories and a Dining segment that covers 16 halls and showcases some 2,200 exhibitors, the world’s leading international consumer-goods fair is the place to be to source tabletop product

s a barometer of current trends and a platform for ordering and for design, Ambiente continues to be one of the major highlights of the year, delivering more than 4,800 exhibitors from 95 countries. For five days, from February 12-16, 2016, and across 328,400-sqm of floor space at Frankfurt am Main, exhibitors will once more showcase their new products and innovations to more than 135,000 visitors from 152 countries – buyers from furnishings stores, boutiques, galleries and lifestyle shops. Divided into three main product areas – Dining, Living and Giving – Ambiente spans the entire range of consumer goods that relate to dining, kitchen, housewares, luxury foods and gifts. “Ambiente is unique, not only because of its size but also because it is a platform of inspiration and ideas for trends and design, and sets the tone for the whole sector – and, indeed, on a world scale,” says Thomas Kastl, director of Dining. “The clear layout of the product groups at Ambiente keeps distances short and makes it very easy to find your way around,” The Dining segment is the biggest you will find anywhere with the entire eastern part of the exhibition centre reserved for this sector. Across 16 halls, Dining represents the entire market for table, kitchen and housewares showcasing 2,200 exhibitors, covering everything from the premium segment up to volume business. The Table section of Ambiente delivers everything from factory-based manufacturers to design-oriented companies, from branded items to specialists in the HoReCa market. Prestigious companies such 72 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“

Meissen and Hochst are two very important German companies returning to Ambiente in 2016… it’s a great asset for the show. Both companies have been through tremendous developments in recent times and the whole industry is happy to have them back on board

”

Thomas Kastl, director of Dining, Ambiente

as Herend, Lladro, Moser, Lenox, Rosenthal, Wedgwood and Richard Ginori can be found in Table Prestige in Hall 4.1, which offers the finest porcelain and ceramics; Table Contemporary, also in Hall 4.1, delivers design-led suppliers such as Alessi, Asa Selection, Eva Solo, Georg Jensen, Stelton and LSA International; while Table Daily Life in Halls 4.2 and 6.2 showcase companies such as Arc International, Bormioli Rocco, Bonna, Libbey, Pasabahce and Rak Porcelain. Finally, bulk buyers will find glass, porcelain and ceramic-ware in the Table Top Trade product group in Halls 6.2 and 6.3 with suppliers including Gibson Overseas, Wrzesniak Glassworks and Arda Cam.

What’s new This year in Dining sees new and returning exhibitors. French porcelain brand Faiencerie de Gien will be exhibiting for the first time; while Ambiente 2016 sees the return of two prestigious German porcelain factories, Meissen and Hochst, both exhibiting at Ambiente for the first time in more than a decade. “Meissen and Hochst Porcelain are two very important German companies returning to Ambiente in 2016 – it’s a great asset for the show. Both companies have been through tremendous developments in recent times and the whole industry is happy to have them back on board,” says Thomas. Also new this year is the Ethical Style Guide, a directory aimed at helping visitors find suppliers who operate in accordance with ethical and/or ecological criteria with categories including eco-friendly materials, fair and social production and handmade manufacturing.

5 minutes with… Thomas Kastl, director of Dining We speak with Thomas Kastl, the director for the Dining segment for Ambiente at Messe Frankfurt.

How is the tabletop industry faring at present? Tabletop is stable. On the one hand, the surrounding conditions for this industry, especially at the point of sale, can sometimes be quite challenging but, on the other hand, we have a very well-performing HoReCa business… these ﬂuctuations can be balanced out. So altogether, the industry is in pretty good shape.

What is new for the Dining segment this year? New exhibitors – we have the return of two of Germany’s most well-known porcelain factories, Meissen and Hochst, which is a great asset for the show and the entire industry is happy to have them back again. We also have new exhibitors in the HoReCa programme. We are finding that HoReCa continues on the up though very few exhibitors are exclusively busy in this segment. We find, however, that many exhibitors, who haven’t been in HoReCa before, are discovering this very interesting and profitable business segment. On the visitors’ side too, we are seeing an increase in numbers looking for HoReCa product and this is confirmed by the companies taking part in the Contract Business Programme.

What trends in tabletop will dominate in 2016? Consumers continue to want to become even more professional at home in the dining sense with new culinary trends adopted. Small dishes for sauces and side dishes and small bites are popular. Mix and match continues its popularity – natural colours and materials are being mixed with hard artiﬁcial materials and forms, which create interesting combinations on the table. Soft forms, ﬂowers and all shades of white are also key. Barware – be it for wine or cocktails – is also big right now.

Which product categories in tabletop are performing well? We are ﬁnding that many of our tabletop exhibitors are merging kitchen and table, developing product that can deliver in both; like cooking utensils that can stay on the table once preparation is over and the serving of food has started.

What growth sectors are you seeing at Ambiente? In tabletop, we are seeing success stories based on technical innovations… ceramics that can imitate the qualities of ﬁne bone china perfectly, for example.

Why should Ambiente be a must-visit for buyers in 2016? With 4,818 exhibitors from 95 countries this year and visitor numbers of more than 135,000, Ambiente is the biggest, grandest and, above all, most international consumer goods fair. Every second visitor comes from overseas representing 152 countries in total. Here, the whole industry meets, mingles, presents their innovations and ideas. It is simply an event not to be missed. If you want to know what the industry will be talking about in the next 12 months, be here. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 101

Ambiente BY NUMBERS

Show Preview Ambiente

4,814 The number of exhibitors who showcased their new products and innovations at Ambiente 2015, arriving from 95 countries

135,000

“With the new Ethical Style Guide, we want to encourage companies in this direction and give orientation to the buyers. The interest from visitors and the oﬀering from companies is there,” says Nicolette Naumann, vicepresident Ambiente, on the guide. This year, Italy is the partner country; an extensive presentation of products with especially high-quality design features will be on show. The exhibition has been curated by Italian designer Paola Navone, who has made a name for herself with her creations on Italy’s design scene and has previously designed special presentations for Messe Frankfurt.

Other opportunities Since the introduction of the Contract Business package in 2012, the number of exhibitors showcasing their tailor-made solutions in the ﬁeld of commercial contract furnishings and the HoReCa trade has grown. This year sees 270 exhibitors showcase this side of their business, with Lenox Corporation presenting its

hospitality offering at Ambiente for the first time this year. Ambiente is also the most important platform outside China for high-volume trade, with 1,600 exhibitors presenting a broad range of product across six halls, and exhibitors hailing from China, India and Taiwan. The Passage sourcing areas offer an opportunity to search out specific, appropriate contacts and to order directly from the manufacturers, with the range spanning industrially produced goods, volume hand-crafted items and solutions for customisation.

The extras Ambiente is also the place to attend for events, trend presentations, awards ceremonies and promotional programmes for young designers. The main trends will be presented for dining, kitchen and the home in a large show (see overleaf ). The work of young and up-andcoming product designers will be presented in the Talents and Next displays, while the special Solutions

display, curated by Sebastian Bergne in collaboration with Tableware International editor Kate Birch, showcases a range of creative solutions from Ambiente exhibitors in Dining and Kitchen (see below). In 2016, Ambiente also provides the backdrop for numerous well-known award ceremonies. Products that skilfully combine aesthetics and function are honoured by the Design Plus Award and showcased in a dedicated exhibition. Winning products this year include the ultra-light and ultra-thin Superleggero series of 10 wine glasses by Riedel; and the stainless steel Opus table centrepiece from Alessi. The German Design Award, meanwhile, takes place on the ﬁrst day of the show, with visitors able to see the prize-winning products, including tableware from Vista Alegre and Arzberg, in an impressive display. Ambiente 2016 will take place at Frankfurt am Main from February 12-16, 2016. Visit www.ambiente. messefrankfurt.com

The number of visitors who attended Ambiente 2015 from 152 countries. 53 per cent came from outside Germany, more than ever before. The top 10 nations after Germany were Italy, France, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, Switzerland, the USA, China, Turkey and Poland.

270 The number of specialist exhibitors on the HoReCa and contract side, who will deliver solutions to professionals. Look out for the Contract Business Guide, which points you to exhibitors who offer professional solutions.

The number of countries that have so far been selected for Ambiente’s partner country programme, which includes an extensive presentation of products from that country. Countries chosen have included Denmark, France, Japan, the USA, and, this year, Italy.

Don’t miss... Solutions The Solutions display, in its 5th year at Ambiente 2016, celebrates problem solvers for kitchen and household. “Each is designed around its central function,” explains curator of the show Sebastian Bergne. “These household utensils are focused on the user and their form, material, colour and overall apperance is developed around this focus.” Sebastian was advised in his curation of product by our very own editor Kate Birch and Claus Tormohlen, category manager for household goods for the Galeria Kaufhof department store. Selected products for Solutions 2016 include the Pulcina espresso can from Alessi and a forged steel chef’s knife from Franz Gude, among many others. All 25 products selected will be on show, along with descriptions and short video clips highlighting particular features, in the Solutions display in the foyer of Hall 4.0. On February 13, Sebastian will conduct a guided tour through the show. 102 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Alessi

CARAT 2.0 SWEDISH LUXURY

Visit us at Ambiente Messe Frankfurt the 12th-16th of February at Hall 4 Stand A08

orrefors.com

Ambiente

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trends 2016

Inspired by recent directions in design, art, fashion and architecture, the latest consumer goods trends will be on show at Ambiente 2016

Simple and high quality, this reductionist design throws the focus on outstanding workmanship maximising the product functionality. Products utilise a monochrome colour palette in white and grey tones and are inspired by the applications of materials in sport and architecture… the use of glass, stainless steel, marble, concrete and rubber underline the durability of the products and contribute to a sporty and unisex look. Clean lines, basic geometric forms, net materials and micro textures deﬁne this high-calibre minimalism.

t Ambiente 2016, the Ambiente Trend Show will showcase a spectacular presentation of the latest trends in four themed scenarios including Artisanal Gardening, Futuristic Couture, Functional Simplicity and Composing Freedom. To create these thematic scenarios, trend consultants Stilburo bora-herke. palmisano selected products from Ambiente exhibitors in Living, Giving and Dining that they felt would allow visitors to experience the trends of the future ﬁrst hand. This year’s leitmotif focuses on the notion of established products to be ‘preserved and developed’ illuminating the idea that there doesn’t necessarily have to be a complete new approach every time; that successful products and bestsellers are often developments of tried and tested things that we have known and loved for some time. “Every manufacturer has one or even a few long-selling products, some of these products do not even change colour or form for years… these are design classics,” explains the director for Dining Thomas Kastl. “However, with most of them, small adjustments are made

Trend 3: Futuristic couture

Trend 4: Composing freedom

The combination of innovative manufacturing technologies and traditional production methods make it possible to turn plastic, Perspex, rhinestones, metal and neoprene into decorative and recyclable products. Sophisticated molecular patterns, shadows and delicate ﬁligree textures lend an air of science ﬁction to products like glassware. Shades of light green and blue, nickel and pink meet sparkly elements creating futuristic designs.

Unconventionality without inhibitions defines this trend, with its strong, saturated colours and bright colour mix. Contrasting features are brought together in surprising combinations. Different textiles, artificial animal skins, highly polished metals and spray-painted visual effects fuse with embossed reptile images, animal prints and soft-definition jacquards. Experimentation and combination makes for a design spectrum that’s full of contrast, delivering colourful chaos.

Trend 1: Artisanal gardening With warm shades of late summer and original materials, this trend brings nature into the home, dissolving the boundaries between indoor and outdoor. Inspired by the hippie tradition and folklore, it communicates authenticity and originality, with a palette of strong colours combined with natural materials like clay and ceramic, wood, bamboo, linen, denim and wild leather. Traditional processes like embroidery, carving, engraving and enamelling all set the materials in natural contexts.

Trend 2: Functional simplicity

over the years, which are only recognisable over time. But, of course, manufacturers must deliver real innovation too, especially as buyers want to see innovation and discover new products, which enable them to increase their sales. Both preservation and development are necessary to be successful.” This overall theme of ‘preserve and develop’ runs through all four thematic scenarios and underlines the increasingly high demands that designers, manufacturers and consumers make on consumer goods. Especially popular are products that are produced in environmentally and socially acceptable ways. In combination with the opportunities aﬀorded by modern materials, manufacturer and processing, there emerges solutions which are extremely successful in both their intelligence and creative feel. “The search for new forms of expression in design leads, on the one hand, to painstaking, serious and profound attempts to grapple with the issues and, on the other hand, gives people the courage to experiment with forms and materials,” says Annetta Palmisano from the Stilburo bora.herke.palmisano.

Show Preview Ambiente

Cesiro Hall 6.2 Stand A56 Founded in 1957, Cesiro is the largest ceramic tableware producer in Europe. Situated in Sighisoara in Romania, Cesiro has 1,300 employees and boasts an annual production capacity of 5 million pieces monthly. Cesiro is specialised in casual, simple and coloured ceramic tableware mass production with its strongest area (90 per cent of business) in plates, mugs and bowls; the remaining 10 per cent in accessories, teaware and decorative objects. Focused on retail, Cesiro supplies to supermarkets, hypermarkets and chain stores in Europe including Ikea, Tesco, Carrefour, Cora and Auchan with new business beginning in the US, Japan and Brazil. Cesiro launches new collections for Ambiente and shows at Maison & Objet, Paris, in September.

Alessi

www.cesiro.ro

Hall 4.0 Stand B11 Italian design brand Alessi will unveil its entire collection for Spring/Summer 2016, a range of design-led products for the table and kitchen. These include several display and serving bowls made of 18/10 stainless steel or steel coloured but in epoxy resin: the Tutti Frutti fruit bowl is designed by Giulio Iaccheti, while the Broken Bowl is designed by Maximilian Schmahl.

www.alessi.com

Kosta Boda Hall 4.0 Stand A08

Swedish art glass brand Kosta Boda will present a new everyday lifestyle series, new art glass and new limited editions. They will introduce new glass designer Mattias Stenberg via brand-new handmade glass vase series Septum, the most advanced glass piece ever made. The outer forms of the vases are smooth but inside there is an irregularity that makes every vase unique. The Septum range consists of three diﬀerent vases in diﬀerent sizes; the vases work well on their own or grouped. The shades are natural and inspired by Nordic glass art of the ‘60s and ‘70s and pieces are limited edition. Kosta Boda’s sister company Orrefors will be on the same stand unveiling a luxurious vase and a stylish bowl in the Carat crystal glass series, Nordic Romance.

www.kostaboda.com; www.orrefors.com

Carrara

Vista Alegre Hall 4.1 Stand F05A The new Vista Alegre porcelain and crystal collections for 2016 stand out for their diversity and aesthetic innovation, combining classic inspiration with recent design trends. In some collections, themes and shapes have been reinvented: decorative collection Olhar o Brasil by Chico Gouveia; Love Who You Want, in collaboration with Christian Lacroix Maison; and Piet. In others, the highlight goes to the aesthetic elements from different cultures, which are embedded in the collections’ artistic design: Fiji, Potto, Timeless, Izmir and Zahara. The organic elements were also a relevant trait in the conception of some collections, represented with more emphasis in Carrara and Vostok. Vista Alegre’s proposals for 2016 unveil unexpected fusions from a spectrum of influences. In the porcelain category, there are four new tableware collections, Timeless, Carrara, Blue Ming and Paco Real; and two decorative collections, Mouraria and Olhar o Brasil. A collaboration with Marcel Wanders, Blue Ming is a modern re-interpretation of traditional Delft Blue on white. Created by French designer Coline le Corre, Carrara is inspired by the fusion between porcelain and the noble Carrara marble and based on a refined geometric approach, creating the illusion that each piece is interchangeable. Paco Real is a collaboration between Vista Alegre and The Ajuda National Palace and is inspired by an emblazoned dinner set from the XIX century. In crystal, Vista Alegre will unveil its utilitarian crystal pieces: Jardim, featuring engraved vines on 30 per cent crystal; and the Adao Decanter, which features an Adao Decanter organic and stripped-back form; as well as its decorative crystal collections, Dorian vases and Zahara mini vases.

Blue Ming

www.vistaalegre.com

5 DECADES, 5 MATERIALS Celebrating 50 years of creativity and craftsmanship with new collections Utility and Circle trade.lsa-international.com

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APS Germany Hall 3.0 Stand D40 Established in 1933, today APS Germany is a market leader of foodservice equipment in Europe with a focus on offering Made in Germany buffet servingware in melamine and stainless steel. Adventurous and innovative product development is at the heart of the company, which boasts the highest standards for both design and quality –working with gastronomy designers and professionals to create highquality product that combines great functionality with great design. At Ambiente, APS will showcase its entire assortment including its melamine as well as items made of stainless steel, everything from trays and cereal dispensers to placemats and bar items. APS offers some 35 different melamine ranges with more than 800 different items. APS Plus is the company’s biggest initiative, a mix and match multi-functional buffet system that delivers endless options for food presentation, with pieces doubling up. The mix of forms, materials and surfaces also allow for great versatility. The Lotus collection, meanwhile, delivers a melamine mosaic inspired by the leaves of the lotus flower, allowing for creative and unique presentations.

www.aps-germany.de

Bauscher Hall 4.2 Stand E42 At Ambiente 2016 porcelain specialist Bauscher will present its fashionable forms and tasteful patterns, introducing new elegant and functional tabletop ideas with attractive design accents. A special highlight on the Bauscher stand will be the new elegant patterns for Come4table as well as new additions and patterns for the successful Purity collection.

Capdeco Hall 4.0 Stand D03 French family-owned company Capdeco designs and manufactures cutlery and today delivers some 30 collections. They are renowned for their high-quality 18/10 stainless steel cutlery, which features the best possible thickness, and for their imaginative and innovative mix of materials from acrylic to wood. The latest collection Conty is an elegant design, which comes in both acrylic and in wood and will be on display at Ambiente.

www.capdeco-france.com

www.bauscher.com

Schoenwald Hall 4.2 Stand C20

First introduced in early 2014, the Pottery décor has proved so successful in restaurants and hotels worldwide that Schoenwald has developed Pottery into a full range and added a new colour, Pottery Unique White, to offer even more combinations. Being unveiled at Ambiente, the full range consists of some 50 pieces – the existing plates, platters, dishes and bowls are joined by new coffee pots, creamers, mugs and cups. The handmade look and delicate speckling of the Pottery Unique décor is the result of a decoration technique invented by the porcelain specialist, which makes every piece unique. The Pottery décor focuses on individuality, with a free approach to the mix and match concept – the interplay of Pottery Unique’s different colourways – White, Light, Grey and Dark Grey – producing contrast-rich combinations. Despite its handmade look, the entire range features the Made In Germany quality of Schoenwald hard porcelain, inclusive of dishwasher-safe underglaze décor.

www.schoenwald.com

Did you know…? For the ﬁrst time, the Lenox Corporation will present its product offering for the HoReCa sector on its stand at Ambiente 2016. Lenox offer a diverse array of innovative shapes and designs on bone china, cast with 50 per cent bone ash, that boasts great durability, strength and chip resistance backed by a lifetime warranty against chipping. See Lenox’s HoReCa offering on its stand – Hall 4 Stand C31. www.lenox.com 108 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Elia International Hall 4.1 Stand A74 At Ambiente, Elia International will present its Essence Premier Bone China Gift Box Set, an ideal ﬁrst home or wedding present. The subtle concentric circles provide a simplistic and appealing frame, while the creamy white glaze adds to this patterns warm, rustic feel. The set consists of four dinner plates, four side plates, four oatmeal bowls and four mugs. All pieces in this range are fully vitriﬁed making them freezer, dishwasher and microwave-safe. The rolled edges and bone ash content make these plates chip-resistant and perfect for use in the home. There is a full range of matching dinnerware items available.

www.elia.co.uk

Bonna Hall 4.2 Stand E62 Based in Turkey, Bonna has been a leading porcelain manufacturer since 1981 and is rapidly becoming known as an international hospitality supplier and a global brand. Bonna specialises in the manufacture of extremely robust yet delicate products, which deliver lifetime edge chip warranty in versatile and innovative collections. With understanding of the importance of service and quality and positioned in a strategic part of the world, where Asia and Europe meet, they are able to oﬀer fast delivery and extensive item availability. The aim of Bonna is to craft beautiful tableware for busy dining environments and they deliver the ‘wow’ factor in food presentation with their Aura collection. Aura features a handcrafted appearance in mass production – think unique pieces that deliver the beauty of imperfection.

www.bonna.com.tr

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Gibson Oversea Overseas Hall 6.2 Stand A10

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Gibson Overseas will showcase its multi-category multistrength with a wide selection of new whiteware, mixed materials and fashion-forward Laurie Gates dinnerware. Gibson’s fashion theme for the show will be ‘shades of white’. From F the white to the bright-awake feel of eggshell whit Laurie Gates swirling drark undertones of marb marble, Gibson’s whiteware offers classic shapes alo along with entangled ceramics and embossed designs highlighted with metallic. Gibson w will also reveal its latest melamine and ceramic dinn dinnerware from Laurie Gates. From classic florals to bo bold geometric patterns, Laurie Gates offers a high-end fashion feel that’s casual and fun. Gibson will also launc launch its Pioneer Woman brand, one of the fastest growing housewares hou brands in the US, to the European market.

Pioneer Woman

www.gibsonusa.com

Ashdene Hall 1.1 Stand A85

Zieher

Australian tableware company Ashdene will present its new Harvest Stoneware and Kitchen Textile Collection. This large collectable range includes an oval platter, salsa bowl and spoon, salad bowl, mini tapas bowls, jug, salt dish and spoon and ladle alongside kitchen baking dishes and textiles; and features fresh vegetables and herbs in vibrant watercolour illustrations and detailed line work. With its organic illustrations and rustic style packaging, Harvest brings the countryside to you. All Stoneware Pieces are packed into beautiful coordinated gift boxes.

www.ashdene.com.au

Hall 4.2 Stand B23

Vidivi

Innovative German hospitality brand Zieher will deliver three new collections. The Ice series is a range of stunning plates made of glass chips, which are coalesced and compressed, allowing white and transparent materials to form a charming pattern. The horizontal look of ice floes paired with the layered structure at the edges brings to mind an ice plate freshly cut from a frozen lake. Bevelled edges offer an elegant look and easy handling. Zieher will present its new stoneware series Pueblo (pictured) delivering the appearance of handmade pieces with its filigree body, organic shapes and contrast between matt and shiny. There are round and leafshaped bowls with a dark glazed inside and plates and mini dishes in pure white. Shine is a series of double-walled stainless steel bowls. Boasting an isolating effect, they avoid generating condensed water even at elevated temperatures so cold food stays cold and warm food stays warm longer. The bowl insides come in three variations, fine brushed stainless steel, and two food-safe coatings in ivory and taupe. Shine comes in three sizes.

Italian glassware brand Vidivi will present new collections, Accademia and Barena. Thanks to its delicate grooving, the Accademia collection, which includes tumblers and bowls, is defined by its slender design. A modern interpretation of the traditional grinding effect, it offers an all-new shine and elegance to the shape. The Barena collection delivers a sinuous and irregular design, the thick rim defining its bowls and trays, making it perfect for an impressive buffet. Vidivi will also present its new 4-in-1 Rialto cake plate (pictured above), an innovative and multi-tasking product with two completely different uses. The reversible plate presents on one side a 32cm cake plate, but if you turn it upside down you can use it as a 5-part dish. It boasts helpful handles making the plate easier to use. Presented in a gift box, it also comes with a bowl and a spoon that matches so it can be used as a sauce boat. To complete the set, a dome covers and preserves the food – the dome can also be used on the cake plate side, reversed and used as a stand for the plate. Find them on the Italian glassware factory Vetrerie Riunite S.P.A. stand.

www.zieher.com

Hall 4.1 Stand D81

www.vetridellevenezie.com

Arta Broch IVV

Hall 6.3 Stand D87

Italian glassware company IVV will be unveiling its new brand Everyday at Ambiente 2016. Aimed at those who like to immerse themselves in contemporary, functional and trendy concepts, Everyday is a range of practical, fresh and original designs that everyone can afford. The young and dynamic spirit of IVV has given birth to several new ranges for Spring/Summer 2016. Colors Break is a collection of handmade coffee and tea cups made from double-walled borosilicate glass so the liquid looks like it’s floating and it won’t burn your fingers. Also made of doubled-walled borosilicate glass is Dots (pictured), a range of glasses that fuse confetti with glass. Denim is a line of drinkware that comes in an explosion of colours and delivers the unmistakeable texture of denim on glass. Finally, Easy is a line of mouthblown solid coloured glassware in clean shapes with minimalist design and captivating colours.

Arta Broch, manufacturer of fine bone china, will present a few new collections at Ambiente. The top-quality, handcrafted lines of fine bone china produced at the company’s brand-new state-of-the-art facility include the delicate but immensely durable fine bone china, which features teacups with walls less than 1mm thin and the translucent Chroma Collection with its infusions of luminous colour. Arta Broch will also display its fine bone china mugs across a delicate and varied colour palette of pastels. The muted, gentle shades play against the clean, pure bone china white to create a subtle, elegant contrast. In another range, the brand’s teacups put a strong focus on the very fine with wafer-thin walls of less than 1mm rather than the regular thickness of 2-2.5mm. Arta Broch has spent the past few years focusing on ensuring its fine bone china maintains an undisputed level of the highest quality. Here, some of the most skilled craftsmen meet 21st-century cutting-edge innovation. Arta Broch offers an unerring eye for detail resulting in the finest products along with a remarkable level of customisation, with clients able to create their own range of fine bone china with their own design stamp.

www.ivveveryday.it

www.artabroch.com

Hall 4.0 Stand F80

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Porcel Hall 4.1 Stand H03 This season, Porcel will deliver three new collections with full sets that include dinner, tea and coffee pieces – Imperio and Vivian in gold and Allegro in silver. One of the first designs developed by Porcel, dating back to 1986, Imperio Gold uses an innovative technique, laying gold on to an embossed texture, adding delicate details. Presenting a new porcelain base, with white textured pieces, Vivian (pictured left) is a delicate porcelain set with just the right amount of gold. To complement the gold and texture, Porcel offers a selection of pieces with coloured glaze, in rose and mint, for fun mixing and matching. For silver connoisseurs, modern line Allegro (pictured above) boasts a geometric inspiration translated into thin platinum lines. Porcel will also showcase a curated collection of complements and decorative pieces, Exclusive Premium Gold. Entirely handpainted, this luxury-inspired collection celebrates gold offering delicate items that bring the luxury and refinement of high-quality porcelain to any setting. Oval

www.porcel.pt

Crystalite Bohemia

Diamond

Hall 4.2 Stand B20 Czech glass producer Crystalite Bohemia offers a complete range of products from giftware, stemware and tumblers to barware, candlesticks and even handmade pieces. They produce some 30 million pieces of machineblown stemware and 5.5 million gift items using ecologically-clean molten glass known as crystallite (crystalline), equivalent to 24 per cent leaded crystal. The latest offering from Crystalite is their brand-new glass composition, which comes with the addition of Titanium. This means that all its glassware this year will boast Titanium making the glass even stronger and more abrasion-resistant than ever before. It will also mean the glasses will be able to withstand even more cycles in the dishwasher without fading and that the reflective nature of the glass will be more outstanding.

www.crystalite.org

Julia Knight Hall 4.1 Stand G54 American brand Julia Knight will introduce a first for the company at Ambiente – new high-fire ceramics that are microwave and dishwasher-safe. The Bloom Collection (pictured) includes a range of floral and foliage-inspired serving bowls, cake plates and platter. Think a gorgeous ensemble of blooms handcrafted and handpainted by artisans in Portugal and decorated with signature colours and layered designs. Knight elaborates: “I have always wanted to create a line of easy-to-use ceramics that integrate natural design inspiration and high style. Ceramics are a natural extension for me – I revel in turning things we use every day into beautiful and effortless lifestyle statements.” The new Eclipse Collection is the epitome of authenticity, meanwhile, with its one-of-a-kind pieces delivering imperfect shapes. A nested bowl series, platter and tray, each piece is decorated in texture stonelike enamel finishes in four nature-inspired colours and complemented by a distressed metallic sheen.

www.juliaknightcollection.com

Nambe Hall 4.0 Stand A81 Nambé will introduce its 24-sku bone china dinnerware collection to the international market. A collaboration with acclaimed European product designer Robin Levien, Skye includes a 4-piece placesetting – dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl and mug– each of which are also available open stock. Skye also inlcudes drinkware, flatware and a wide assortment of complementary serving pieces. In addition, Nambé will debut new items for Christmas 2016 including an expanded figurine assortment for the miniature nativity, four new holiday ornaments, plus a set of mini star ornaments as well as a snow globe with continuous blowing snow. Holiday-themed serveware, such as a wooden reindeer bowl and snowman cheese board with top hat spreader, will also be presented – both offered at giftable price points. Nambé will also introduce a nature-inspired Eco Collection (pictured). Resembling a leaf motif, the seven-piece collection will feature a champagne-gold satin finish. A glass centerpiece bowl on a metal leaf base and a granite cheese board with knife are among the new items.

www.nambe.com

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Bomma Crystal Hall 4.0 Stand B88 The legend of Czech crystal manufacturing, the author of masterpieces, the inspiration for art and industry. It would be hard to define Frantisek Vízner differently. His work is represented in prestigious collections worldwide. At Ambiente, Bomma will introduce a new and limited collection of vases and bowls created according to the designs elaborated in the last year of author‘s life. During the last year of his life, Vízner painted. That’s how this unique collection of a dozen designs of drinking and decorative glass for the newly emerging glass factory Bohemia Machine was born. In 2010, the newly-established crystal manufacturer and designer Bomma introduced these designs as the author‘s first and very successful collection of drinkware. Vízner‘s daughter, Ida Víznerová, artistically supervised the new limited collection of horizontal and vertical crystal vases and bowls according to author’s original designs, who would have turned 80 this year. The limited collection is worked in two materials – glass and golden-brown amber – and decorated with a fine diamond-cut finish. There are only 50 pieces with each piece numbered and accompanied by a certificate of originality. Bomma will also have an upgraded stand at the show.

www.bomma.cz

Royal Albert rt Hall 4.1 Stand D05 Internationally renowned for its modern take ake on vintage china, Royal Albert announces a refresh to its popular 100 Years Collection with three new, vibrant nt patterns, Mint Deco, Rose Blush and Bouquet. The brandnew designs, inspired by pattern archives from the 1930s to 1990s, bring a fresh look to the range, nge, while echoing Royal Albert’s signature look. k. Each of the three new designs finds inspiration from different decades. Building on the success of her popular fine china range, international supermodel permodel Miranda Kerr has helped to create exciting new collections for Royal Albert in 2016, furtherr bringing the brand to a fashion-led audience. The gorgeous orgeous and ultra-feminine new stemware collection incorporates corporates beautifully etched peonies and butterflies,, the exquisite pink blush finish on the Champagne flutess adding an elegant twist. The new collection of giftware – vases, es, roses bowl and votive – has been styled with Miranda Kerr’ r’s signature designs and comes in blush pink or classically clear.r.

www.wwrd.com

Don’t miss… Sabichi abichi Houseware Housewares es Sabichi will be exhibiting at Ambiente for the very ﬁrst time. They will be showcasing several new dining collections including celebratory dinnerware with metallic decals, stoneware sets in soft versatile colours and those in icecream pastels. Hall 1.1 Stand C84 114 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Sambonet S Hall 4.1 Stand C51A Sam Sambonet will be at Ambiente 2016 wi with a brand-new mood expressed above all by the new Le Tavole ccatalogue, which will be unveiled for the ﬁrst time. An array of new no novelties will be on show at the fair bu but one of the main focuses will be on th the special nano-ceramic painting tha that has been applied to the classics of SSambonet designs such as the Gio Pon Ponti Centrepiece and Tray as well as the Domus Candlelabra.

www.sambonet.it

Rudolf Kampf Hall 4 Stand A80 The 107-year-old Czech company Rudolf Kampf produces luxury handmade tableware, gifts and home accessories, delivering to more than 15 countries. All product is 100 per cent manufactured in the Czech Republic and created from exklusive premium-class porcelain. Renowned for its custom-made production and unique piece creation, Rudolf Kampf plans to dedicate its space to handmade products. THey are planning to show its unique piece prodctuion, alongside some of its bestselling collections, which include Kelt, 105th Anniversary, Egypt, and National Traditions. They will present the brand new dinnerware line of its newest bestseller 105th Anniversary, but its main focus will be on showcasing its unique piece portfolio, targeting in particular the Middle East and USA markets.

www.rudolfkampf.com

Leander Hall 4.1 Stand A80 A brand of Rudolf Kampf porcelain manufactory in the Czech Republic, Leander offers tableware in the mid-range market segment exporting to some 20 countries. All product is handmade and all in the Czech Republic. The display of product at Ambiente will be focused on the US market. European bestsellers on show will be Goose, Cobalt and Gold and Hunting, which will be presented in a refreshed way specifically for the US market. Leander will also present some new collections in the floral theme. With its extensive range of shapes and decors, Leander will also show several mix and match collections, both in terms of decoration and shape.

www.rudolfkampf.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 115

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Creative Tops Hall 1.1 Stand A33 Creative Tops will showcase the striking La Cafetière collection and its newest additions at Ambiente 2016. La Cafetière has offered exceptional drinkware for over 50 years and is a connoisseur of coffee. Combining traditional techniques with sleek models, their stunning pieces bring authentic café culture to the contemporary home. Timeless cafetières, traditional stove tops, classic teapots, hot chocolate pots and contemporary drinkware are featured with new additions introducing new sizes, improved functionality as well as new innovations. Being presented for the first time at Ambiente is the Pretty Retro collection from British designer Katie Alice, which styles geo patterns with retro Scandinavian influence and 1950s pastels. Hand-drawn geo florals decorate each piece with a stunning signature aquamarine colour. Two new additions to the Mikasa collection will be showcased offering two very different styles: M by Mikasa and Gourmet Basics. Gourmet Basics is ideal for new homes offering stoneware dining essentials in a gorgeous blend of softened shapes and neutral tones with highlights of sage green. M by Mikasa (pictured) features elegant pieces in superior strengthened materials such as vitrified porcelain, making it perfect for those who desire a classic look with durability. Also new and on show are the rustic Stir It Up British bakeware and tableware collection, and the Vintage Indigo collection from British designer Katie Alice.

www.creative-tops.co.uk

Royal Doulton Hall 4.1 Stand D05 Celebrating 200 years of manufacturing in 2015, Royal Doulton continues to create contemporary, accessible ranges. Launching for Spring 2016, Royal Doulton adds a splash of colour and a fresh, bright design to kitchens with the brand-new Pastels collection. Soft colours mix together to give a relaxed, uplifting look. Inspired by delicate block printing and an artisanal aesthetic, the collection, which includes bowls, mugs, plates and a rectangular serving tray, is a casual canvas for everyday dining. Royal Doulton also takes a modern twist on its traditional figurine offering with the charming Top Dog collection. With six different figurines, each made from the finest china and boasting their very own special personality, Top Dog allows you to pick your favourite character. Launching in Autumn 2016 is Helix, a brand-new collection of contemporary styled drinking glasses. Made from Crystalline, the collection comprises of red and white wine glasses, tumblers, hiballs and flutes. The range takes its name from the striking decoration of a helix – a 3D curve that’s been cut into every piece. Each Helix sparkling Crystalline wine glass shape is available as a set of four.

www.wwrd.com

Twig New York Hall 4.1 Stand G03 Boutique brand Twig New York will showcase its full range of the Blue Bird collection. Twig New York collaborated with ceramist Molly Hatch to expand her famous Heritage collection beyond plates and mugs and the complete dinnerware and tea set will be on show. Inspired by the look of the historic teacups in 18th-century European factories, Molly wanted the Heritage Collection to reﬂect not only the traditional but also the contemporary and functional lifestyle. She considered the blank pot like a blank piece of paper, drawing on to all surfaces of the mugs. Thus, what makes this collection so unique is that she chose to decorate the backs of plates and bases of cups to explore as many surfaces as possible. Imagine seeing the decoration on the base peek out when having the last sip of tea, or having the pleasure in seeing the illustrations on the back of plates in a dish rack. It is traditional with a twist.

www.twigny.com

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Villeroy & Boch Hall 4.1 Stand A01 Villeroy & Boch will unveil its latest products at Ambiente 2016. With its emphasis on gifts, they will deliver the Gift Collection Classic in new décor patterns La Classica Contura and Samarkand Mandarin. The Gift Collection Country will also be expanded with floral décor Artesano Provençal Verdure. For vases, the new design Oronda, designed for generous untied bouquets, will come in two sizes and six colours. In addition, the mini vases in the shapes Nek, Numa and Tiko will come in the two new Pantone colours, Lovely Rose and Mellow Blue. Two new food concepts, Soup Passion and Pizza Passion, have been developed. Soup Passion covers the three most-wanted soup clusters in the world: bouillon and potage, braised soups and Asian soups. Pizza Passion offers two pizza plates with a notch on the rim, which simplifies slicing your pizza as well as two special slice plates (round and rectangular). For the classically-set table, the collection Quinsai Garden is made of the finest premium bone porcelain with a clear form and featuring opulent florals and delicate paisleys. The collection Casale Blu made of premium porcelain appears in bright blue and brings together the typical Majolica style and the pure Artesano shape. Villeroy & Boch will also introduce a luxurious partially gold-plated flatware series, La Classica Partially Gold-Plated, which is manufactured from stainless steel 18/10 and possesses a linear design. Seasonal products for Christmas 2016 will be presented too.

Casale Blue

www.villeroy-boch.com

Quinsai Garden

Tognana Porcellane Hall 4.1 Stand C15

Royal Porcelain Hall 4.2 Stand B81 Originally established in 1983, Royal Porcelain is Southeast Asia’s largest and one of Asia’s leading ﬁne ceramic tableware manufacturers. The company places particular emphasis on the selection of the ﬁnest raw materials incorporating the latest cutting-edge technology, machinery and expertise. Royal Porcelain will present its brand-new Chinese-style collection Sino, which is produced from its high-quality Porcelain Maxadura material. Designed for both retail and for the hospitality industry, the range is both functional and design-led.

www.royalporcelain.co.th; info@royalporcelain.co.th

Italian porcelain manufacturer Porcellane Tognana will present its brand new coloured range. Made of ﬁne porcelain, Charme is aimed at both restaurants and households. The colours reﬂect the Italian manufacturing tradition and are ideal for customers who care about creating a cosy interior. The company will also present its new and contemporary porcelain shape, Resort.

www.tognanaporcellane.it

Waterford Hall 4.1 Stand D05

Half and Half is the latest contemporary offer designed by Jo Sampson and Waterford. The collection is full of informal eclectic shapes with both decorative and functional objects. The items are half coloured and half clear with colours ranging from ginger, teal and deep magenta, to rose and canary yellow. There are contemporary cuttings on a selection of the pieces. Reflecting the popularity of coloured crystal the collection contains jugs, bowls, bottles, creamers and decanters. Also on display is the newest offers from Essentially Waterford – from the sleek new silhouette to the enticing cutting – these emanate a modernised approach to luxurious home entertaining. The collections consist of two distinctive patterns. Suggesting the city of tomorrow as seen from a mid-century perspective, Essentially Dungarvan recalls a motif originally created by Waterford Crystal’s chief designer, Miroslav Havel. Essentially Wave includes a fine diamond cut with dramatic diagonal flares suggesting the ripple of Irish seas. Every year the House of Waterford Crystal creates a series of beautifully handcrafted pieces, each piece an individual work of art. This year’s collection features a completely unique design aesthetic: the Annual Artesian Piece b by Matt Kehoe, another artisan piece from the Tom Brennan Collection and House of Waterford Atlantic Way with its cuttings reflecting Ireland’s Wild Atlantic way, a 1,553 mile route that winds through nine counties along Ireland’s scenic and historic Western coastline. House of Waterford’s Flora and Fauna, a floral-inspired range includes two striking centrepieces in the image of sunflowers and pumpkins. The House of Waterford’s Wicker Collection by head designer John Connolly will display three new pieces. 118 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.wwrd.com

Essentially Dungarvan

Spal Hall 4.1 Stand A15 Always new and innovative, expect no less than 15 surprising designs from Spal at Ambiente 2016. Developing its work alongside some of the world’s most prestigious brands, Spal has been inspired by valuable insights and trend studies that it will now show in a rich and unique portfolio, from handcrafted reinterpretations and textile inﬂuences to very elegant dinnerware. At the core of the entire collection is a mood board inspired by aspects of life including indoor, outdoor, travelling or feeling comfortable at home. Spal’s purpose is to provide remarkable pieces of everyday life, to make each moment count. Having a decal unit within the group of companies, Spal has achieved very detailed and intricate patterns, eye-catching and involving such as the Harbour collection (pictured) which features soft pastel tones with a very real sense of every brushstroke brought to decal. Also of note is the fact that Spal has been chosen for the Ethical Style Guide, a distinction based on the sustainable and eco-responsible practices followed throughout diﬀerent stages of Spal’s industrial process.

www.spal.pt

Herend Hall 4.1 Stand G20 Home decoration and the style of tablesetting around the world are becoming ever more global. While many companies are searching hard to find the variety of styles necessary to suit today’s global customer, Herend only has to look to its historic archives. With its 190 years of rich history, the Hungarian brand has already created a wide variety of decorative elements and manufacturing techniques, from the lacelike decoration of a bonbonniere and a 2-metre tall monumental vase with Arabian horses racing around it, to a three-dimensional realistic application of flowers and fruits on a teapot. Herend will introduce its new collection of European forest animals decorated with Herend’s hallmark VH fish-scale design and highlighting naturalistic facial expressions, or an eclectic combination of both. In 2016, Herend inspires its customers to be creative – to mix and match its patterns and colours.

www.herend.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 119

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Rosenthal Hall 4 Stand C50A Rosenthal GmbH will showcase the latest trend products of its brands Rosenthal, Rosenthal Meets Versace, Hutschenreuther, Thomas, Arzberg and Sambonet, delivering a wide variety of articles and objects for the table and interior. The focus for Rosenthal this Ambiente will be the 100th birthday of Philip Rosenthal, which the company will celebrate with design collections and concepts of young and established designers such as Sebastian Herkner, Hanna Kruger, Charlotte von der Lancken and Cedric Ragot (Squall vase from Cedric Ragot pictured). Rosenthal meets Versace present a brand-new luxury table collection with a very pure and modern pattern in light grey and ivory colours, while Hutschenreuther will present seasonal gifts and Christmas inspirations.

www.rosenthal.de

Ulster Weavers Hall 4.2 Stand A43 Ulster Weavers is a home giftware, tableware and kitchenware manufacturer based in Northern Ireland. Holding a Royal Warrant of Supply to Queen Elizabeth II since 1995, quality of service and quality of product is the core focus. Ulster Weavers now manufacture a range of tea towels and bags directly out of its own factory. The company will preview its new range of bright and bold products including the new Curious Cows range of tableware and textiles. They will also launch their new range of straight-sided mugs and expand on the existing tableware Dotty Sheep collection. These are two of the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most vibrant designs and additional tableware will extend the ranges. They will also expand on some of their more traditional collections including the classic British Isles collection by artist Kelly Hall.

http://trade.ulsterweavers.com 120 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Maleras Glassworks Hall 4.0 Stand A22 Målerås Glassworks celebrates Spring 2016 with handmade crystal in bright colours and artistic shapes. Mats Jonasson greets spring with new colourful handpainted flowers in his series Floral Fantasy. Among the flowers you will find a soft blue Harebell and a creamy white Lily of the Valley. For the table, Mats has designed a new series of stemware, Strix. The glasses come in both black and clear and the shape is the wise owl. Artist Ludvig Löfgren has created elegant handmade stemware as an addition to his series Into the Woods (pictured). The clear crystal cup boasts references to the life-giving spruce cone and features a classic grey stem and black base. In the series, there is a charming single vase. Morgan Persson is a skilled craftsman and in his Crystal Marble he has found inspiration from the iconic marble stone. The handicraft is evident in the vases, bowls and sculptures, with each piece delivering a significant marble look and luxurious feel. Inspired by the Asian Ginkgo leaf, Robert Ljubez has made a handcast and handpainted sheer leaf in soft green. In bright colours and harmonic shapes, artist Lina Lundberg has created Night Flower, which are handcast sculptures designed to decorate the contemporary home.

www.maleras.se/en/

Luigi Bormioli Hall 4.2 Stand E23 Luigi Bormioli will unveil Vinea, a collection of machine-blown stemware, which is elegant, sophisticated and highly transparent. The lightweight stemglasses boast features typical of mouthblown glass but are sturdier and precise, manufactured in high-tech blown lead-free crystal glass SON.hyx® with stems Titanium reinforced®. This collection is dedicated to the most important native (autochthonous) Italian vine varietals. The shapes of all items differ from all other stemware on the market as the wine contained releases an explosion of all the characteristic flavours of the territory of origin, while also lessening the alcoholic elements in the aroma. Due to the unique design of the bowl, the aromas’ diffusion has a ‘ring’ effect; the alcoholic elements concentrate outwards while the wine-specific aromas develop in the central part of the bowl. This all enhances the wine’s aromas and flavours without interference with gaseous ethanol.

www.luigibormioli.com

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LSA International Hall 4.0 Stand E51 Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016, LSA International will unveil its most ambitious collection to date – the Spring/ Summer 2016 designs reflecting and respecting the brand’s design heritage. Paying homage to the five materials central to the brand’s aesthetic over the past five decades – glass, porcelain, wood, leather and enamelled steel – the new collections offer modern interpretations of drinkware, tableware and accessories. Celebrating the integration of form and function, the Utility Collection features enamelled steel and mouthblown glass combined with natural wood and leather to create dual purpose designs for serving food or displaying flowers. The Circle Collection features new mixed material designs, offering a modern interpretation of traditional tableware. Mouthblown glass and vitrified porcelain are paired with natural ash creating original serving pieces and versatile containers. Finally, designed to mark the 50th anniversary, Celebrate is a range of handmade drinkware capturing the spirit of celebration with tall hand-drawn stems and luxurious metallic accents.

http://trade.lsa-international.com/

Krosno Hall 4 Stand E57 Krosno is a glassworks producing both handmade and automatic domestic glassware from its factory in Krosno, Poland, both for retail under its Krosno brand and for private projects, including glass for other brands. The company distributes its Krosno brand to nine countries and delivers private label glassware to 80 countries. Krosno produces drinkware, barware, serveware and giftware and is renowned for its traditional glass forming. They oﬀer a full range of services, from creating the design to the ﬁnal product. Under the Krosno brand, they will be presenting their new collections at Ambiente 2016.

www.krosno.com.pl

Crystalex Hall 4.2 Stand J81-J91 Czech glass producer Crystalex is set to unveil a brand-new series of glassware. Attimo is a suite of glasses that is characterised by an exceptionally slim stem and thin glass. The unusual shape of cup and very thin stem deliver a unique look to the table. As well as stemware, Attimo oﬀers two exclusive tumblers for the serving of water or wine. In addition, Crystalex will unveil dozens of exciting new decorations in line with the latest trends. Its latest pantograph designs, both traditional and contemporary, have been realised on last year’s novelty Grace and on the suites of Kate and Sandra. They will also launch more than 20 completely new decora-

La Opala Hall 6.3 Stand D02 La Opala Rg Ltd, the manufacturers of the Number One tableware brand in India, leads the category with products made of tempered opal glassware and more than 24 per cent handcrafted lead crystal. The company has pioneered both categories in India. Its tempered opal glass offers comprehensive compositions of dinner, tea and coffee sets, along with various combination sets, under premium umbrella brand Diva from La Opala. Two sub brands, Ivory and Classique, have also been created under Diva from La Opala. The quality of the handcrafted crystal is reflected in the brand name Solitaire Crystal, with each product handcrafted. The range offers barware items like whisky glasses, tumblers, beer mugs and stemware, and vases and gift items. At Ambiente, La Opala will present its entire range of tempered opal glass tableware and its more than 24 per cent handcrafted lead crystal. 122 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.laopala.in

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Axa Porcelaine Hall 6.2 Stand D51 Axa Porcelaine’s story began 25 years ago in Alba Iulia, Romania. A family business, Axa presents more than 1.000 different products, mainly tableware and promotional items such as coffee cups & saucers, bowls and plates, distributing 50 per cent for export. Clients include global hotels like Ibis, Ramada and Intercontinental as well as producing branded promotional items and items for retail chains such as TKMaxx (UK), HomeSense(Canada) and Home Goods (USA). Thanks to high-quality raw materials, a unique recipe and a team of specialists, Axa produce very high-quality products with superiorr whiteness and functional yet contemporary design. Axa offers customers complete and integrated tableware solutions as well as a bespoke service. Their portfolio for porcelain joins the extensive range of glasses, crystal glasses and stainless steel cutlery through strategic partnership with the French company Guy Degrenne and Sola cutlery in the Netherlands.

Royal Crown Derby Hall 4.2 Stand G81 English fine bone china perfectionists, Royal Crown Derby, will once again join forces with parent company and leading ceramics manufacturer, Steelite International at Ambiente, to exhibit its exemplary global hospitality offering. Providing a handcrafted, luxury option across hospitality, retail and interior design, Royal Crown Derby will reveal new and innovative patterns from its core collection, applied to beautifully-modelled coupe shapes. The iconic English brand will also showcase its fully bespoke service, which offers stunning, tailored tableware to the world’s leading hotels, restaurants and luxury venues including The Dorchester, The Waldorf and Betty’s Tearooms. Unlike Steelite, Royal Crown Derby also supplies to the retail and interior design markets, enabling it to enhance its bespoke offering even further for both public and private occasions.

www.royalcrownderby.co.uk enquiries@royalcrownderby.co.uk

Auratic Hall 4.1 Stand A81

In addition to showcasing some of its sister company YFY collections, Auratic will mainly focus on delivering its own collections. Having launched a wide range of brand-new collections in Spring and Autumn last year to the US market, Auratic will now bring these stunning ranges to an international audience at Ambiente. Defined by its whiteness, elegance and delicacy, the collections span formal, casual, transitional and bridal, with four high-end transitional/ casual lines and two formal lines. Formal line Athena is a five-piece placesetting in an unusual gold and dark red that is festive; the pattern comes in platinum and cobalt blue too and accessory pieces include small sets of four canape plates and dipping dishes. Acca is another high-end transitional line that’s been fired four times; a four-piece placesetting, it has been designed to be mixed and matched and comes with canapé plates; while Golden Stitch is a casual line; a 3three-piece placesetting that offers dishwasher-safe gold, a coupe shape, different sizes of salad plates and various accessories. Other casual lines include Foresta, a three-piece placesetting, with different-sized coupe shapes, that is inspired by nature with its luxurious blooms and rich hues; and Colour Therapy, coloured-rimmed plates including Scarlet, Evergreen and Aubergine in dinner/salad sizes to mix and match. Its Bridal Everyday collection boasts a durable dishwasher-safe gold and platinum pattern and they have launched accessory extensions such as a two-tier cake plate and tea caddy.

www.auratic.com 124 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

ofﬁce@axaporcelaine.ro Foresta and Colour Theory

Dunoon Hall 4.2 Stand B22 Renowned for its fine bone china mugs, Dunoon will deliver a number of shapes and designs. Sheikh (pictured) is an eye-catching set of three designs on Dunoon’s Lomond fine bone china mug shape. These are a development of a previous range called Dubai, which proved to be very popular. The designs, from Dunoon’s popular artist David Broadhurst, are inspired by iconic shapes and colours from Arabian countries and are made special by the addition of rich metallic gold enhancing the intricate patterns. Extravaganza is a colourful set of three mugs on Dunoon’s new large size Argyll fine bone china mug shape. Designed by Dunoon’s popular artist Jane Brookshaw, it delivers bold and graphic modern art-style patterns in bright colours and all embellished with real metallic gold. Finally, Family Tree from artist Kate Mawdsley is a set of two designs on Dunoon Dunoon’s new Argyll shape. It features families of cats sitting on branc branches of a tree, one with bright red apples, the other with white flowers on a subtle blue background. The cats are accompan accompanied by chirping birds and pretty butterflies and bees. All mugs are made in the heart of Staffordshire, En England.

www.dunoonmugs.co.uk www.dunoonmugs.c sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk sales@dunoonmugs.c

Finum Hall 1.2 Stand A07 Finum offers a unique product range of award-winning and patented accessories for tea, coffee and spices. Its recently-launched Bean Me Up coffee grinder has just been awarded with the 2015 Good Design Award and this, along with other products, will be on show at Ambiente 2016. Part of the new generation of manual coffee grinders, Bean Me Up delivers three to five times faster grinding that others, offering continuous adjustable coarseness of grinding, from fine to coarse. Boasting a ceramic grinder, which means no metal taste in coffee, and a stainless steel shaft, Bean Me Up has a feeder capacity of 30g and is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.

www.ﬁnum.com

Resort

new shape

HOMI Milano Hall 4 Stand H22 - H30 - H21 AMBIENTE Frankfurt am Main, Hall 4.1, Stand C15

E-mail: info@tognanaporcellane.it http://www.tognanaporcellane.it

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Show Preview Ambiente

Orrefors Hall 4.0 Stand A08 Crystal manufacturer Orrefors will unveil a luxurious vase and stylish bowl in its Carat crystal glass series (pictured). Finding inspiration from jewels and gemstones, designer Lena Bergstrom has renewed the cut crystal with Carat, the sharp and unique asymmetrical grinding reﬂects modern times with a scent of Nordic romance. Orrefors will also present new art glass Plants and one of its best line-ups of new collections in decades. Orrefors’ sister company Kosta Boda will present new and colourful art glass, a new everyday lifestyle series from new designer Mattias Stenberg.

www.orrefors.se

Rogaska Hall 4.1 Stand E13 Rogaska has been a leader in the delivery of the highest quality crystal since 1665 and is determined to maintain such a status well into the future. Rogaska’s exceptional crystal meets the demands of the market in either contemporary or traditional design. They create a ﬁne assortment of full-lead crystal and crystalline products and will deliver their new crystal collections here at Ambiente. They also have a brand-new stand in Hall 4.1.

www.steklarna-rogaska.si/en info@stek-rogaska.si

Portmeirion Group Denby Hall 4.1 Stand B21 Denby will unveil its brand-new collection Natural Canvas. Made in England and handcrafted by skilled artisans, Natural Canvas is both beautiful and functional. The timeless, neutral tones and shape design of the collection make it a range suited to any home’s style and colour and works equally well when mixed and matched with other items. The ‘roulette’ texture featured on some of the pieces was inspired by the iconic ‘Chevron’ pattern of the 1960s and the unique Denby glaze gives warmth as well as durability making every piece unique. Many items in the range can serve several functions – the sugar bowl as a ramekin or olive bowl, the cafetière as a pretty vase or large jug, and the pasta bowl as a baking dish. Every item can be used in the oven, dishwasher, freezer and microwave. All of these features make Natural Canvas tough enough to be loved and enjoyed from quiet teatimes, Friday nights with friends to Sunday family lunches, oﬀering beautiful form but without the formality.

www.denby.co.uk

Hall 4.1 Stand B16 2016 is a special year for Portmeirion Group as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of Spode’s Blue Italian range and the 10th anniversary of the Sophie Conran for Portmeirion collection. Alongside the celebrations, some inspired new tableware designs will join the portfolio. The iconic Blue Italian range from Spode reaches a landmark anniversary as it celebrates 200 years of production. The anniversary year will bring a Signature Collection inspired by archive pieces as well as a modern reinterpretation of the Blue Italian design, named Giallo, featuring a geometric yellow and blue border. The Group also celebrates the 10th anniversary of the multi-awardwinning Sophie Conran for Portmeirion range. With its signature hand-thrown style, the collection is stunningly beautiful and brilliantly practical with its freezer-to-ovento-table status. Portmeirion will launch an anniversary collection of mugs, a melamine collection, tote bag and a variety of new line extensions. Exciting new introductions will join Royal Worcester’s Wrendale Designs collection including a stunning Christmas Collection and new captivating animal illustrations from Hannah Dale. Also showcased will be three exciting new designs – Sanderson for Portmeirion Dandelion Clocks, Enchanted Tree and Vintage Kellogg’s Sunrise. Exclusive new placemat, coaster and tray designs will also be added to Pimpernel’s wide-ranging tabletop accessories collection.

www.portmeiriongroup.com homesales@portmeiriongroup.com

Lenox Hall 4.1 Stand C31 Lenox Corporation will have plenty of new offerings on its huge stand. Delivering a coastal theme, Lenox’s new British Colonial Carved collection (pictured left) is inspired by bamboo patterning with a cross hatch design carved on sets of four dessert plates, mugs and bowls and glazed in a crisp white or cool aqua colour. This is accompanied by figural pieces such as pineapple and fish serving accessories. They have also extended their Number One selling casual pattern Butterfly Meadow: firstly with enamel-handled stainless steel serving accessories including a cake server and salad spoon (pictured); secondly, by extending its melamine programme in this design to include butterfly-shaped serving trays and acrylic drinkware. In the crystals and metals category, Lenox will showcase a number of new collections including Organics Copper, three differently sized bowls with a copper finish; Hive, a collection of three crystal giftware pieces featuring a geometric design reminiscent of a honeycomb hive with a rich plum ombre hue; Cordova, a collection of metal serveware with a sleek Anthracite finish and contemporary shapes; and Lace Vases, hand-dipped real lace on ivory porcelain banded in pure 24k gold. Finally, Lenox Seasonal will present two themes in their 2016 seasonal assortment: Home for the Holidays feature sentimental song phrases in custom typography; while Golden Holidays highlight the classic colour combination for Lenox – Ivory and Gold.

www.lenox.com

Richard Ginori Hall 4.1 Stand G62 The glorious past and brilliant future of Maison Richard Ginori combine with a new collection of fine porcelain. Babele is a collection of 65 objects including plates, bowls, teapots and vases offered in four different shapes – the iconic Antico Doccia and Museo, the elegant Duchessa and the Venezia, inspired by Garibaldi’s paintings. The colour palette focuses on the shades of blue and red, while the decorative methods recall ancient craftsmanship techniques. Babele captures in one single collection the perfection and know-how of the Florentine manufactory.

www.richardginori1735.com

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Visit us at Ambiente Hall 6.2 Booth A56

Rona

Show Preview Ambiente

Hall 4.2 Stand G01-G02 At Ambiente 2016, Rona glassworks will introduce its 2016 range of novelties expanding its extensive machine-made, handmade and decoration portfolio. All new machine-made stemware ranges will now be launched in an upgraded gift-boxed packaging concept with a modern graphic layout and colours. Rona will present its new suite, Medium Stemware, produced by its cutting-edge double-blown pulled stemware technology. Designed for the enjoyment of wine and available in five sizes, Medium Stemware is a modern design with a geometric shape. Rona will also unveil its new Spirit Stemware – a launch from Rona’s non-lead crystal machine-made portfolio. This very fine stemware pattern is also created from Rona’s machine-made pulled stemware technology. Aimed at both everyday use and entertaining, this stemware suite is well balanced in design, comes in five sizes and in gift-boxed sets of six. Rona will further launch a range of new semi machine-made pitchers with a modern and elegant design, the shape enhanced with a tall body and impressive handle. Rona offers an unlimited variety of decorating techniques, from pantograph etching, diamond cutting and hand-painting of rims in metallic to spraying of organic colours, sandblasting, screen printing and application of decals. Rona designers can create unique solutions and at Ambiente 2016, they will present their latest collection of decorations within themes, which celebrate and combine Classic, Transitional and Contemporary designs. In addition to machine-made novelties, Rona will present many novelties in its handmade glass and accessories. From Rona’s famed Muslin Stemware portfolio, they will present a new and beautiful collection of fine thinwalled stemware with a well-balanced shape and capacity in a variety of sizes.

www.rona.sk

Noritake Hall 4.1 Stand D51 At this year’s Ambiente, Noritake will introduce additional items to its popular collection Ayaminamo. Introduced in 2005 on Noritake’s 101st anniversary, Ayaminamo embodies the heart of the Japanese people with its celebration of the four seasons alongside its aesthetic of quiet simplicity. The new extensions include Japanese tea items (a teapot, tea cup and square cake plate) as well as Western-style items such as a dinner plate and salad plate. The design of cherry blossom in full bloom against the background of a ﬂowing river is expressed on classically-designed tableware. In addition, the collection demonstrates two special Noritake ceramic techniques: one is the application of a dome-shaped pigment at the centre of a cherry blossom and another that gives a convex look on gold and silver decoration. A digniﬁed and tranquil world of Japanese culture that depicts the colourful scenery of the four seasons in Japan provides stunning art for your home.

www.noritakechina.com

Wedgwood Hall 4.1 Stand D05

130 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Wedgwood will pay tribute to timeless expression with the launch of Vibrance, a fusion of style and functional design for the contemporary living space. Reflecting current interior trends, the collection pays tribute to past, present and future through colourful tableware and unique giftware. Designs are directly inspired by the Wedgwood archive, with floral elements re-drawn and updated from the impressive 250-year library contrasted with modern, directional stripes. Skilfully engaging a riot of different hues, colour is key in this collection as turquoise contrasts with black, white and gold. The accessories collection comes in four hues – deep magenta, canary yellow, rich tangerine and turquoise blue – all highlighted by gold mica detailing and finished with hand-gilded banding. The fine bone china and lacquer giftware range, from picture frames and lidded boxes to trays and vases, combines striking geometric designs, luxurious gold, and bold blocks of colour on pared-back, functional shapes. Also in 2016, Wedgwood celebrates fruit tea with four loose leaf blends released in support of the new Tea Garden teaware collection – think delicate floral designs against bright colour backgrounds on tea cup & saucer sets and mugs as well as a glass teapot and ceramic serving tray. The Gilded Muse collection takes cues from the fashion world with striking tableware and ornamental pieces, all embellished with contemporary graphic versions of iconic Wedgwood designs in gold and white. Also on display will be the Blue Bird relaxed dining collection, understated chic in shades of blue with intricate floral decoration and its namesake, the bluebird. The collection features tea and tableware.

www.wwrd.com

Prouna Hall 4.1 Stand G03 Prouna will unveil the new dinnerware items of its recently recently-launched Marble Collection, which was launched in 2015 with giftware. Offered in four different shades including Marble Chianti, Marble Verde, Marble Azure and Marble Venice Fog, the collection is inspired by natural Italian Carrera marble. Made of fine bone china, it offers marblelike streaks of blue, green, burgundy and grey. All pieces are also decorated with 24k gold strokes delivering a fun and luxurious look. New dinnerware items will be showcased along with the existing giftware pieces.

www.prouna.com

Q Squared NYC Hall 4.0 Stand D67 Renowned for its luxury and stylish melamine, Q Squared NYC will present four new collections at Ambiente. Daring and lovely, the Bella Donna collection features a warm and rich design of pink and yellow, while Lima (pictured) oﬀers lively greens and fresh blues. The nautical-inspired Portsmouth range delivers an ode to memories at sea, and Talavera in Natural is subtle and sophisticated, perfect for the al fresco table. Made of high-quality heavyweight 100 per cent melamine, all pieces have the appearance of porcelain, are BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.

www.qsquarednyc.com

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Show Preview Spring Fair

Dine out at Spring Fair Creative Tops Hall 1 Stand A33 Creative Tops will be exhibiting a number of new collections including Stir It Up, a bakeware, tableware and textiles range, which mixes stoneware, acacia wood and cast iron and features quirky slogans and labels. They will also launch a stunning new Vintage Indigo collection from British designer Katie Alice. Inspired by the heritage delftware of Amsterdam, Vintage Indigo (pictured) breathes new life into traditional blue and white porcelain. The collection scatters dark blue roses on a bed of woven gingham, laced with Katie Alice’s trademark polka dots across a variety of tableware and homeware pieces. The company’s couture-inspired Mikasa brand will also showcase two new additions with different dining styles and to celebrate Creative Tops’ 20th anniversary, there will be a collection featuring five of the bestselling designs from the company archives, relaunched on placemats and coasters.

www.creative-tops.co.uk

This year’s Kitchen, Dining & Housewares show-within-a-show at Spring Fair sees the return of Villeroy & Boch, a new Seasons Club and a brand-new express registration desk

pring Fair 2016, an i2i Events Group exhibition, and the UK’s leading gift and home trade show, will get 2016 trading off to a flying start with a raft of new developments and hundreds of thousands of new product launches. The show, which is set to take place February 7-11 2016, will deliver some 3,000 of the best British and international suppliers presenting up to 300,000 new products across 14 categories that include Contemporary Gift, Christmas Gift, Volume Gift &

Home, The Summerhouse, Licensed Gift and the all-important Kitchen, Dining & Housewares. As the largest retail event taking place in the UK buying calendar, each sector of Spring Fair forms a specialised show-within-a-show, while also offering the best cross-over buying opportunities. One key show-within-a-show is that of Kitchen, Dining & Housewares in Hall 9, which has become an essential category over the past few years and which is set to host hundreds of brands this year.

Did you know…? To help serve the online community, this year sees the introduction of The Wish List at www.springfair.com, a 24/7, year-round product sourcing platform. The new Wish List functionality gives buyers the chance to save and print ‘shopping lists’ of their favourite items from a comprehensive database of Spring Fair exhibitors’ products. The powerful search and select mechanism also provides great insight into trends as the hottest products rise through the ranks. Some of the most-viewed products to date in Dining include Denby’s Heritage Pavilion, London Trolley’s Traditional Collection Cobalt and Royal Worcester’s Wrendale Designs Gift Collection. 132 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Kitchen, Dining & Housewares – formerly Table + Kitchen – is perfectly pitched for specialist sector buyers, cookshops and gift retailers seeking the most covetable new products and brands, along with leading department stores and multiple retail chains. Highlighting both the importance of this sector to Spring Fair and the huge cross-over buying opportunities it offers to retailers, the VIP Season’s Club, sponsored by Sunrise Bag Company, will be located in Hall 9. An express registration area in Hall 9 will further encourage footfall to this part of the show, while the linking area between Halls 9 and 8 will feature kitchen, dining and housewares suppliers who have a strong focus on gifting including Meredith England, Stow Green and Cornishware. There is also a seamless link between Kitchen, Dining & Housewares in Hall 9 and The Summerhouse in Hall 8, which will feature 31 carefully selected home and gift brands available at Spring Fair. And for buyers in search of even more household products and gadgets, a huge presentation of Volume Gift & Home can be found

nearby in Halls 10, 11 and 12. Joining major regular suppliers such as Portmeirion, Denby, Churchill China, Arthur Price, Meyer, Creative Tops, Sabichi and Ulster Weavers will be an array of cool new companies and brands as well as the return of industry giant Villeroy & Boch, who will exhibit at Spring Fair 2016 for the first time in several years. Various special events and exclusive launches will take place within Kitchen, Dining & Housewares, with the Housewares Awards scheduled to be held at Resorts World within The NEC complex on Monday February 8. However, not only is Spring Fair great for sourcing, it also offers unrivalled networking opportunities, cutting-edge trend insights and business content, while serving as the ideal export hub for overseas trade. Don’t miss the New Product Showcase – a must-see hotbed of inspiration for visitors – in Hall 3. Spring Fair 2016 takes place February 7-11, 2016 at The NEC, Birmingham, UK. www.springfair.com

T&G Woodware Hall 9 Stand F30 / G11 Established in 1975, T&G is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of everyday kitchen essentials and gifts with all products designed in the UK. New for Spring 2016 is the vibrant colour range Colour by Numbers (pictured). Created with home storage and entertaining in mind, the line of kitchen/ tableware accessories is crafted using a mix of materials – ceramic, wood and FSC-certified cork. Boasting an on-trend 70s vibe, it is ideal for mixing and matching with existing T&G woodware collections. To add to the colour spectrum will be the introduction of the brightly-coloured Sola and Luna CrushGrind® salt, pepper and spice mills. T&G has also extended its popular Sophie Conran for T&G range with new gift-boxed cooking tools and serving boards in FSC-certified natural beech. Also on show will be new additions to other popular ranges including rustic acacia crates, Food Glorious Food, FSC-certified cork utensils, and more.

www.tg-woodware.com

Tableware Brands Roy Kirkham, Villeroy & Boch, Creative Tops, Portmeirion Group, Denby Brands, Churchill China, Arthur Price, Sabichi, Ulster Weavers, ABS Pottery, Navigate, Charles Viancin, English Pewter Company, Fifty One Percent, Boho & Co, London Trolley

CRYSTALITE BOHEMIA We would kindly like to invite you to our booth no.

4.2.B20.

You are warmly welcome.

ambiente

the show

12.–16. 2. 2016, Frankfurt am Main

To set up an appointment, please contact our sales managers at .

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 133

Show Preview Spring Fair

Global Luxury Brands Hall 4 Stand G89 Global Luxury Brands (GLB) was set up in late 2013 after Simon Willis, having left Royal Crown Derby after almost 30 years, was looking for a new challenge. With a focus on the high-end and bespoke sector, GLB now operates as an agent for key brands such as Herend Porcelain, Varga Crystal, Villeroy & Boch, Noritake, Okura, William Edwards, Chamberlain & Co, Grant Macdonald, De Rosa and, most recently, Wilkens Silver. Many of these brands specialise in producing bespoke ranges. After a successful first show at Home & Gift Harrogate in July, GLB is exhibiting for the first time at Spring Fair. Here, GLB will showcase two brands; De Rosa, a hand-carved and handpainted ceramic product from Uruguay that’s proving a hit in Australia and the US; and Herend Porcelain from Hungary. While these are two very different brands, they are both masters in the art of handpainting. De Rosa is a hand-carved ceramic product, which is then fired, handpainted and gilded. The range covers many of the key collectable subjects and has a low starting point with a cute range of miniatures but stretches through to large centrepieces. Herend porcelain is known the world over for the quality and variety of its handpainting. With more than 1,800 patterns in the archive, all of which can still be produced today, the options are endless. New more contemporary tableware designs have been added over recent years.

www.globalluxurybrands.co.uk

Ulster Weavers Hall 9 Stand C28 / D29 Ulster Weavers is a home giftware, tableware and kitchenware manufacturer based in Northern Ireland. Holding a Royal Warrant of Supply to Queen Elizabeth II since 1995, quality of service and quality of product take centrestage. Ulster Weavers will preview its 2016 catalogue including the new range of bone china tableware from the company’s extremely popular Dotty Sheep collection. They will also expand their existing Kelly Hall range to include mugs, trays and napkins as well as adding a new extended range of straight-sided bone china mugs and tableware in their new Curious Cows range.

www.trade.ulsterweavers.com

Dunoon

Fairmont & Main The Summerhouse Hall 8 Stand A01

FFrom British Brit tableware brand Fairmont & Main comes some breathtaking br breathtak launches this spring, including the unveiling of The Steel R Rooms Collection, a striking new range of fine bone china mugs exclusive to Fairmont & Main that feature beautiful c designs created by Julie Steel from The Steel Rooms Design Studios. Eac Each mug design is innovatively individual and a work o right –together they form a truly eye-catching of art in its own s collection. A selection of stylised animals, some in subtle natural othe in zesty vibrant shades, form the subject matter, tones, others ea design contrasting beautifully against the crisp with each fine bone china backdrop.

www.fairmont.co.uk; sales@fairmont.co.uk www

Hall 9 Stand 01 Renowned for its fine bone china mugs, Dunoon will present its new collections for 2016 at Spring Fair. On Dunoon’s new fine bone china Argyll shape are four very striking designs of a crab and lobster, a puffin, an oystercatcher and a mackerel (pictured). Designed by Jane Brookshaw in a very bold and graphic style, each subject is drawn very simply in an etched style with bright accompanying colours on a white background. The simple portraits really suit the sleek new mug shape and are sure to be very popular. Within their vast range of fine bone china mugs for 2016, Dunoon has produced a set of three designs on their Bute shape called Little Birdies. Designed by Angela Rozelaar, a new artist for Dunoon, these feature the artist’s impression of blue tits, nuthatches and wrens on branches full of blossom. Each mug has either a pink, soft blue or pale green coloured background.

www.dunoonmugs.co.uk; sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk

E Elia Internation International Hall 9 Stand B40 / C41 Elia International is pleased to introduce its latest range of cutlery, Palladio. Designed by Nick Holland, Palladio combines modern lines, classic elements and a distinctive hexagonal shape influenced by Palladian architecture. This pattern includes a full dinner setting with a choice of solid or hollow-handle knives and co-ordinating steak and serving items. Made from the highest grade 18/10 stainless steel, Palladio is a striking pattern for any tablesetting.

www.elia.co.uk; sales@elia.co.uk

Show Preview Spring Fair

Dartington Crystal The Summerhouse Hall 8 Stand C7 / C11 Dartington Crystal will unveil new gift and tabletop ideas. Handmade in Devon, items include the new Soren decanters, handsome crystal vessels with stainless steel neck collars and the Made In England Bijou gift collection, featuring small, elegant, functional gift pieces – each crafted in clear, amethyst or ink blue coloured crystal. A colour theme has also been added to the Wibble collection of glass bowls and vases. Dartington’s favourites are refreshed with further options in Glitz and a new prosecco glass in its Wine & Bar drink range. Also on show are Dartington’s stable of other brands. Royal Brierley Crystal has a new crystal colour element with Harris barware. Mouthblown and hand-cut in England, Harris comes in both sparkling clear and ink blue crystal. Caithness Glass extends its Made In Scotland offer of colourful paperweights and art glass; and there are ceramics from John Beswick and Top Choice with new animal sculptures and vases added to the Beswick line-up.

sales@dartington.co.uk; www.dartington.co.uk

Churchill Hall 9 Stand D30 / E31 Churchill has collaborated with internationallyrenowned interiors brand Harlequin in the creation of the Harlequin Collection from Churchill, a botanical range called Amazilia that features tropical influences, exotic colours and opulent hues. Amazilia delivers the Savanna range, Papilio range and an array of gift-boxed mugs and comprises kitchen accessories, gifts and textiles and is produced on the finest bone china that is lightweight, pure white and with translucency and durability. It is decorated with the on-trend colours of gooseberry, lagoon and opal.

www.churchill1795.com

Denby

London Trolley

Hall 9 Stand C10-D11

Hall 9 Stand D13

Taking inspiration from Gastro Pub food and classic British cuisine, Denby and celebrity chef James Martin have created the new Gastro range, a collection of serving kits designed to showcase food in style. Although James cannot be present at Spring Fair to dazzle guests, his Gastro range will help to serve and present food in a way which is both fun and professional. Crafted from specially-selected materials the Gastro range by James Martin includes kits such as Mini Fry Baskets, Ramekin Sets and Burger/Pate Kits. The entire range is presented in premium packaging making them eminently suitable as gifts. Adaptable, practical and stylish, the range can make even the simplest foods look special.

London Trolley is the official distributor of Imperial Porcelain Russia in the UK. Imperial Porcelain Russia produce 4,000 types of products in a wide range, from tea and coffee sets to dinner services. They will present the Traditional Collection, which represents the very best of Russian designs in porcelain. The cobalt range (pictured) has for many years been the trademark design of the manufactory. The classic colours of blue, white and gold perfectly enhance the elegant form and the shapes of the porcelain itself.

www.ipm.ru

www.denby.co.uk

Portmeirion Group Hall 9 Stand E30 / F31 This year is a special one for Portmeirion Group as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of Spode’s Blue Italian range (page 68) and the 10th anniversary of the Sophie Conran for Portmeirion collection. Alongside these celebrations, some inspired new tableware designs will join the portfolio. With its signature hand-thrown style, the stunningly beautiful and brilliantly practical multi-award-winning Sophie Conran for Portmeirion collection launches an anniversary collection of mugs, a melamine collection (pictured), tote bag and some new line extensions. The iconic Blue Italian range from Spode also reaches a landmark anniversary as it celebrates its 200th anniversary with a Signature Collection inspired by archive pieces and a new range, Giallo, a modern re-interpretation of the design. Exciting new introductions will join Royal Worcester’s Wrendale Designs collection including a stunning Christmas Collection and new captivating animal illustrations from Hannah Dale. Portmeirion is also launching three exciting new designs. The Sanderson for Portmeirion Dandelion Clocks tableware

Show Preview Chicago

Design in focus at

Chicago New branding, b d re-jigged d categories, a brand-new b d expo, an extensive educational programme and lots of exciting new exhibitors. The 119th edition of the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago promises to deliver innovation and inspiration at every possible level

he 119th edition of the International Home + Housewares Show, which takes place in Chicago from March 3-8, will deliver more than 2,100 exhibitors from over 40 countries within five unique expos including Dine + Décor, Discover Design, Clean + Contain, Wired + Well and international sourcing. While Discover Design is a brandnew expo, the previously titled Dine

+ Design expo has now changed to Dine + Décor. The renamed Dine + Décor expo in the South Building will feature product from categories including tabletop, kitchen accessories and accents, cook and bakeware, gourmet foods and products and home decor. “With the move of the Discover Design expo to the North Building for 2016, we had the opportunity to add décor to the South Building.

“Over the past several years, the show’s décor offerings have grown rapidly and this name change gave us the perfect opportunity to spotlight that growth,” explains Perry Reynolds, vice-president, global trade development, IHA. First-time and well-known suppliers returning to this expo after an absence include Denby, Luigi Bormioli and Rosti Mepal. Meanwhile, the new Discover

Design expo in the North Building will encompass design-focused exhibitors, which have been reviewed by a jury of retailers and designers and will deliver the bestof-the-best in design, function and innovation. “Discover Design is the premier design destination at the show and features some of the world’s finest design and trend leaders offering high-end products and collections,”

Don’t miss… New Exhibitor Preview On the first day of the show, March 5, from 8.30am-10am, just before the show officially opens, the New Exhibitor Preview will feature 60 new-to-the-show exhibitors from all show categories, offering retailers and buyers a great opportunity to find clever new products and meet new suppliers before the show officially opens. Also, don’t miss The Discover Design Cocktail Party for buyers and Discover Design exhibitors, which will be held on Sunday evening, March 6, in the Lounge. For more information, visit www.housewares.org/show 138 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Brand-new expo Discover Design is the premier design destination at the show and features some of the world’s ﬁnest design and trend leaders offering high-end products and collections

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IHA president, Phil Brandl says IHA president, Phil Brandl. Almost sold out, Discover Design features 200 well-known brands and market leaders from around the globe with returning exhibitors including Alessi, Nambe and Eva Solo; while firsttime or returning exhibitors include Chilewich, Orrefors and Kosta Boda. That’s not the only change. The show has this year been given a branding makeover. With a focus on creativity and innovation, the new ‘smART’ theme combines “smart decisions directly with the art used to design, create and market products”, explains Phil. “Over the years as design and innovation have become important to the products the consumer wants, this trend has been reflected through special displays and programmes to help attendees find new and innovative products. “The new look with ‘smART’ innovation and ‘ARTistic’ design tells our story very directly,” explains Phil, highlighting how visitors will see this in the signage and visuals. IHA continues its commitment to developing design innovation with the incubator programme Design Debut, which allows 10 new-tothe-show exhibitors whose product demonstrates high design and innovation to experience the show without having to create an entire display. In addition to sourcing for innovative new product, visitors can learn directly from the trend experts – discovering the key consumer and lifestyle trends for 2016/17. There are plenty of displays and exhibitions in the Hall of Global Innovation providing buyers with

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inspiration and education. Pantone ColorWatch delivers the world premier of the 2017 colour and material trends; while the IHA Global Innovation Awards features displays of the most innovative product and retail design. Visitors have access to a wide programme of educational sessions aimed at helping retailers grow their business. For 2016, buyers can gain strategic insight on key developments and attend seminars on topics such as the Internet of Things and Global Food Trends. As always, IHA’s trend expert Tom Mirabile will deliver the looming consumer trends that are set to have an impact on business in the next few years, while Lee Eiseman, director of the Pantone Color Institute, will deliver two keynote presentations including one on the most directional colour and design trends. Other seminars will take place including one on addressing the new Millennial consumer. Perry suggests international attendees check out the services offered in the International Business Center, newly relocated to the South Building, as well as visiting the Buyers Clubs in each building to see the nearly 500 new products cramming the New Product Showcase. “Lastly, a stop at our premier networking event, Networking After Dark, on Monday evening, which features a Rock ‘n Roll theme, free entertainment, food and drink, is an absolute must,” concludes Perry. The Show takes place March 3-8, Chicago. www.housewares.org

Plan your show... Chicago’s search and planning tool Housewares Connect 365 allows you to search for new products, companies and ﬂoorplans before you visit. You can also save and sync searches to your briefcase and access these on your phone using the Show’s app.

Chicago retailers to visit Chicago is the pulse point of the strong US housewares market. Benchmark with Chicago retailers while you are there and learn innovative retail concepts, inspirational merchandising and exceptional branding. International retailers and buyers (nonUS attendees) can also register free of charge to take part in the Chicago Retail Tour 2016 on Wednesday, March 9, with visits to Crate & Barrel, Target, WalMart, Best Buy and The Container Store. Below, we highlight some key stores to visit...

P.O.S.H. Heralded for its ability to offer customers tableware combinations they cannot find anywhere else, P.O.S.H. is an inspiration for retailers seeking differentiation from the competition. Balancing vintage products sourced globally with new merchandise, this imaginative retailer offers customers tabletop settings that ‘tell a story’.

Crate & Barrel With more than 170 stores worldwide, this contemporary home furnishings store has a unique point of view to home products and they carefully select products to be sold based on how they read the trends for home. Each store and its product assortment represents the brand’s interpretation on colour, material and functionality trends. Also, visit the company’s younger and funkier sister CB2, which is aimed at a younger target group at a slightly lower price point and slightly more functional. Jayson Home Offering sophisticated and unique furnishings, this store is a fusion of an antique shop, a stylish furniture showroom, a flea market and a home décor boutique – old and new products and exciting accents arranged in stylish combinations for an inspiring environment. Bloomingdale’s Home Renowned for its exclusive, upscale housewares selections, this trendsetting higher price point store sets itself apart by regularly being the first to market with new concepts and products and sets the standard for elegant displays and high-quality merchandise assortment. It is located in a historical landmark building. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 139

What the retailers say…

Show Preview Chicago

“ Euroceramica Booth S1521 Euroceramica originated as a small brand venturing the international housewares market; designing beautifully manufactured products from countries in Europe and Asia. Established in 1994, its main objective has remained – to create and offer a variety of products that meet the expectations of current trends. Euroceramica prides itself on delivering products of the highest quality. They are inspired by a deep understanding of various cultures from around the world, enabling them to only choose and create designs that will adapt to the different markets across the globe. At Chicago they will present a number of collections including the Duomo Collection (pictured) and the Fez Design range in grey.

www.euroceramicainc.com

Veritas Crystal

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Booth N8119 (Discover Design)

Veritas Crystal is a supplier and distributor of handmade leadfree mouthblown crystal wine glasses, wine decanters, spirits tumblers and champagne flutes. Veritas will present its new line of 12-inch stemware, 12Obsession. Handmade to perfection, this glassware has 12 shapes, which are handblown with oversized bowls, perfectly proportionate to the height of the stem and therefore delivering a balanced look and feel. The bowl sizes bring out the very best a wine has to offer as a result of the aeration achieved through the very deep bowls and the sheer volume that the wine’s aroma fills the bowl with. Veritas Crystal glassware is blown very thinly and to very specific weights, which brings out an ultra-fine feeling of elegance. 12Obsession leadfree crystal glasses are bold, beautiful, sensual and voluptuous and come packaged in a faux leather box. Find Veritas on the Classic Housewares Distribution Inc. stand.

Corkcicle are the inventors and manufacturers of the world’s first in-bottle wine chilling cork – the Corkcicle – and have since created more innovative drinkware. For the first time, they will present the Corkcicle Canteen and Corkcicle Tumblers at IHA Chicago. The Canteen is a revolutionary new bottle boasting triple-insulated stainless steel, a no-slip bottom and easy-grip flat sides that keeps drinks ice cold for 25 hours and hot for 12 without freezing or sweating. It comes in three different sizes and 14 colours. Also crafted from triple-insulated stainless steel, the Tumbler keeps drinks cold for 9+ hours or hot for three without freezing or sweating. Also comes with easy-grip sides and no-slip bottom. Available in two sizes.

www.12obsession.com

www.corkcicle.com

140 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

For more then 20 years, I have been a regular visitor to the Housewares Show in Chicago. For our company, it is one of the most important shows in the industry and we consider this trip and visit a very good investment to our business.

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Pavel Stanek, owner, Potten & Pannen, Stanek Group, Czech Republic

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What a show! What an experience! What hospitality! In over 40 years of going to trade shows all over Europe, the IHA show was by far the best show I have ever visited. The mix of exhibitors and the focus and care given to promoting exciting products was exemplary. Nowhere was this better showcased than in the generous allocation of space for the newer and smaller companies, exhibiting them right alongside established market leaders. The IHA show was one I will certainly be revisiting!

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Brendan Fagan, managing director, Stock Design Store, Ireland

Laurie Gates ceramics

Gibson Overseas Booths S103 / 110 / 201 / 210 At the International Home + Housewares Show, Gibson Overseas will showcase its design and multi-category leadership with beautiful and quality products in all housewares categories. In addition to its expanded Eco-Friendly Home ceramic non-stick cookware and bakeware, Gibson also plans to reveal an expansion of the Laurie Gates® brand into multiple housewares categories including cookware and accessories. In tabletop, Gibson will make a fashion statement with its new Shades of White whiteware and mixed materials. Variations of the classic clean colour will be matched with various materials and matching colours to turn any table into a canvas of expression. Imagine bright, awake eggshell-white mixed with earthy, eco-friendly wood or the swirling dark undertones of marble paired with cream white ceramics. Gibson aims to make a statement with entertaining pieces.

Shades of White

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www.gibsonusa.com

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Show Preview Chicago

Kinto Booth N8319 (Discover Design) In addition to unveiling its new Hibi collection, a versatile series of glass tumblers, Kinto will showcase the collection Ceramic Lab â&#x20AC;&#x201C; created to deliver the artisanship of Japanese potters. Developed in collaboration with potters in Hasami in Nagasaki prefecture in Japan, where the traditions of ceramic and porcelain production dates back over 400 years, the pieces combine a sense of roughness and delicacy in their shapes and forms. For example, the series of mugs boast a humble yet dignified presence, the rough texture of the clay peeking out at the bottom under the calm colour glazing and the edges of the mug giving a sharp impression reminiscent of quarried stone. The handle is designed to fit fingers comfortably and its shape reminds you of the softness of the material.

www.kinto.co.jp/en

Alessi Booth N7908 (Discover Design) The Italian design brand will present its Spring/Summer 2016 Collection at the show including its two new fruit bowls, Tutti Frutti and Broken Bowl. Designed by young Berlin-based designer Maximilian Schmahl, Broken Bowl (pictured) is a reinterpretation of one of the classic items in the Alessi catalogue, the Fruit Holder. Breaking the shape into two halves, the designer has created an alternative vision of an everyday object, with the emphasis on both functional and emotional aspects. A slight oscillation created by the line of the base recalls the branch of a tree swaying as fruit is picked. Created in stainless steel with a mirrored finish or in steel coloured with Super Black epoxy resin, the bowl emphasises the craftsmanship of the cut and folded steel plate, a manufacturing process which is intrinsically linked with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

www.alessi.com

Nambe Booth N7919 (Discover Design) At the upcoming International Home + Housewares Ho Show in Chicago, Nambe will present pre its recently launched 24-sku bone china dinnerware collection, a collaboration with Eu European product designer Robin Levien (see ( page 94). The extensive line will include a 4-piece placesetting containing a dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl and mug, each of which are also available for purchase open stock. The collection, which is a mix of materials including fine bone china and acacia wood, will include drinkware, flatware and a wide assortment of complementary serving pieces.

www.nambe.com

Maxwell & Williams Booth N7924 (Discover Design) Maxwell & Williams will deliver various new tableware collections. White Basics Diamonds is a classic white dinnerware range with a touch of glamour. Created from prestige porcelain, each piece features a unique textured surface like the facets of a diamond. Inspired by the Far East and created by Claire Chilcott, Orient features a combination of sumptuous floral patterns and traditional geometric designs for an eclectic, exotic feel. Finally, inspired by the Mediterranean, is Blue Antico serveware (pictured), a selection of platters in round and square shapes, which bring to mind the white sands and sapphire seas of Italy and Greece.

www.maxwellandwilliams.com

Tableware Brands Orrefors Kosta Boda, Chilewich, Luigi Bormioli, Modern-Twist, Denby, Alessi, Nambe, Anchor Hocking Glass, ARC International, Bormioli Rocco, Creative Tops, Circle Glass, Core Home, Duralex, Jean Dubost, Gibson Overseas, Gorham, Kinto, Wade Ceramics, Riedel, Revol, Pasabahce 142 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

AMBIENTE UNWRAPPED!

12th – 16th February It’s deﬁnitely something to look forward to: Villeroy&Boch, Hall 4.1, Stand A01.

ALSO VISIT US AT HOMI MILANO: Fiera Milano Rho, Hall 2, Stand G02/H10, 29th January – 1st February

VILLEROY-BOCH.COM