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INTERNATIONAL

Month: November/December 2015

Issue: 5

134

Volume: 137

W W W. S A M B O N E T. I T

17—19 January 2016 Olympia, London

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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

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

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: November/December 2015

Issue: 5

134

Volume: 137

W W W. S A M B O N E T. I T

t’s been a truly international few months here at Tableware International. Having dropped in on the 40th anniversary edition of Maison & Objet, Paris, with its smart new easy-to-shop layout in September, we then legged it over to Milan to check out the offerings for tabletop in the 2nd autumn edition of Homi Milano, as well as the inspirational new concept Enjoy The Table – see the review on page 60. Next stop was the Czech Republic in early October to attend the 12th International Glass Symposium. As guests of Crystalex, the pioneer of the Symposium and a leading manufacturer of utility glass in the Czech Republic, we had the honour of visiting the many glass studios, schools and factories in Novy Bor and the Liberec region, from where so much of the world’s glass, from department stores to supermarket chains to five-star hotels, hails. Find out more on page 22. Finally, we ventured Stateside to check out all the showroom renovations and product innovations that the New York Tabletop Show had to offer. Not only did we get to see the brand new showrooms of Richard Ginori and Kiyasa, but we got to hobnob with fashion designers and royalty. The former was with Italian fashion designer Domenico Vacca in the Kiyasa showroom in celebration of his debut tableware collaboration with Prouna – see our interview with Domenico on page 20. The latter was with the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, who attended the legendary Lenox cocktail party, celebrating with the company their double-digit growth in gifting and speciality. She also hinted of a potential collaboration with both Lenox and with Reed & Barton. Watch this space. Hobnobbing aside, at 41 Madison, we discovered plenty of innovative new product. Christofle’s Mood piece and Sieger by Fuerstenberg’s Seven range are definite game-changers. We also uncovered lots of exciting new collaborations. The Dansk collaboration with South African brand Wonki Ware is amazing, not just for the handcrafted product, but for its social responsibility. And we were excited to see the highly anticipated collaborative outcome of Nambe and Robert Levien. We also discovered both continuing and emerging trends: from metals and metallics, gold and copper especially, on everything from flatware to glassware; to pastels and florals, neutral earth tones and a definite coastal feel.

During the Lenox cocktail party at The New York Tabletop Show, 41 Madison, in October. L-R: Kate Birch, Joan Naish, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, Malcolm Naish, Paul Yeomans

In the Crystalex showroom in Novy Bor at the 12th International Glass Symposium. L-R: Paul Yeomans, Kate Birch, Petr Kaplanek of Crystalex

You can find out more about the new product, collaborations and trends in our full Forty One Madison review on page 56. Finally, our annual barware guide on page 34 looks at the continuing growth of barware stories; our table accessories feature on page 44 focuses on how the Millennials and social media are changing this category; and our retail feature on page 28 points to China, with the opening of the first in a chain of tableware and home accessories retail stores, JIA PLUS. Plus, don’t miss all the latest news, views and debuts!

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

November/December 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ ISSUE 5

TableWare INTERNATIONAL

44 News & Trends 8

News A round-up of international stories

Exhibition news News from the shows worldwide

Product news The latest releases and launches

Licensing news We spotlight some of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exciting designers/licences

Symposium review We discover that Czech glass is alive at the 12th International Glass Symposium

Product trend We highlight the latest whiteware launches worldwide

Features 26

Retail column Regular columnist Barry Seaman offers advice on doing Christmas Fairs

Retail: JIA PLUS The first in a chain of multi-brand dining retail stores, JIA PLUS has opened in China. Read our interview

Expert column Tableware expert Isabelle von Boch offers advice on creating inspirational tablescapes all year round

50 34

Barware guide With barware stories continuing to do well, we investigate the category and showcase the latest launches

Trade show calendar Our definitive guide to the top tableware trade shows in 2016

Brand focus: Crystalite Bohemia With its rich Czech glassmaking heritage and comprehensive product portfolio, Crystalite Bohemia is about to open a showroom in New York. We profile them

Preview: Top Drawer With Home and Craft now categories within Top Drawer, we look at the new show branding and highlight the tabletop brands showing in January

Product focus: Tabletop accessories We investigate how social media inspiration has changed the category and deliver the latest launches

Preview: NY NOW Find out what's happening and who's showing at the next Winter edition of the design-led home and gifts fair in New York

Review: The New York Tabletop Show We highlight the celebrations and collaborations at the October show at 41 Madison and look at the latest trends and product innovations

Review: Homi Milano Discover what the Italian lifestyle show had to offer in September

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

Eye on design This month we spotlight English ceramics designer Alison Appleton

34 Shows

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.

general news

Kate’s mug for Fortnum & Mason

Kate Malone and Burleigh partner for Fortnum & Mason exclusive line Leading Ceramicist and current judge on new TV UK programme The Great British Pottery Throw Down, Kate Malone, has collaborated with Burleigh on an exclusive line for Fortnum & Mason. The line of four pieces have been designed to celebrate an exhibition of Kate’s extraordinary potting skills at the high-end UK department store. Based on her specially-commissioned drawings, pieces feature gourds, pineapples and teacups the piece saucers, mixed with mottoes, such as Hooray and sauc for Clay, Fortnum & Mason and Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Kate says: “Where better could I have dreamed Kat than Burleigh. History, tradition and quality of th rolled roll together…. as if this wasn’t enough… it is a real thrill to be asked to produce four mug designs for Fortnum & Mason. des “My objective with this little range of four mugs is to celebrate ceramics, clay and tea…. to mug the user with symbols of optimism and fun. cheer th much enjoy working with clay, and I aim to I very mu transmit this feeling through my designs.” Kate’s amazing exhibition takes place during Kate’ Kate November 2015 on the 1st floor in the Fortnum & Novembe exhibition area. Mason ex www.fortnumandmason.com www.fort

Hospitality hotspot

Villeroy & Boch The recently opened Gainsborough Hotel in Bath, UK, is using Villeroy & Boch’s premium hotel tableware for its restaurant, Johann Lafer at The Gainsborough. One of the ranges chosen derives from the elegant tableware collection La Classica Contura, which features a graphic pattern inspired by the domes and rotundas of Italian architecture, ideal for the English Spa town, which is rooted in Roman history. Villeroy & Boch has also custom-made a collection inspired by Michelin-starred chef, Johann Lafer’s book, Two Friends, One Cuisine, which boasts an exclusive floral design on the rectangular Modern Grace tableware.

Dunelm report sales growth UK homewares market leader Dunelm has reported a healthy set of figures for its first quarter trading (13 week period from July 5-October 2015), growing the total sales by 12 per cent. Williams-Sonoma opens in Mexico WilliamsSonoma Inc. is expanding its reach into Mexico, opening the first of 13 stores in the country for the first time through a partnership with leading department store chain Distribuidora Liverpool S.A. De C.V. The 13 stores will open throughout the fourth quarter, all in Mexico City. Dudson Sydney Hub opens Following strong growth in the Australian market, with sales increasing by 23 per cent in the past year, Dudson International has opened a new Hub in the heart of Alexandria, Sydney, for customers to see the latest tabletop products. Amazon in India Amazon expects India to overtake Japan, Germany and the UK to become its largest overseas market besides becoming the quickest to reach $10 billion in GMV in the company’s history.

“

The focus is on making less, not more… but growth in terms of genuine quality and product knowledge through experimentation is still of the utmost importance. Reactive glazing naturally creates one-off collectible pieces and it’s an area where we feel we can really show our commitment to excellence. The three years in Stoke-on-Trent have led us to build up a library of glazes and there are certain themes such as the Landscape range that we will continue to explore. Reiko Kaneko, owner of Reiko Kaneko, a Stoke-on-Trent-based company designing ﬁne bone china in elegant, functional shapes, including pure white china dipped in rich glazes to produce unique studio pieces. The company is experimenting in the studio with new reactive glazes. www.reikokaneko.co.uk

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8 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

news in brief

Sambonet Paderno Industrie acquires Ercuis Italian company Sambonet Paderno, which comprises brands, including Sambonet, Rosenthal, Paderno, Authur Krupp, Arzberg, Thomas and Hutschenreuther, has acquired French silverware company Ercuis, as well as a majority interest (55.25 per cent) in Limoges porcelain dinnerware brand Raynaud. This latest acquisition firmly positions Sambonet Paderno, which closed 2014 with sales of more than $180 million, as a leading producer of luxury tabletop and kitchenware. “Our objective is to be a global benchmark in the tableware and kitchenware industry, in both the private and consumer sector and the hotel sector, thanks to our ability to respond appropriately to a wide range says g of market segments,” g y CEO Pierluigi g Coppo. pp

Retail your ceramics at CoCa Shop The recently-opened Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA) in York Art Gallery, York, UK, is home not just to the largest collection of British Studio Ceramics in the UK, but also to a unique retail store offering a range of ceramics. International artists working in clay are invited to apply to sell their work here. There are slots for up to four artists at a time, with each slot lasting three months. A rolling programme, artists can apply anytime and as often as they like. Find out more and make a submission at www.curatorspace.com/opportunities/detail/coca-shop/209

The number of international design awards that Portuguese porcelain brand Vista Alegre has secured so far this year. They landed two Red Dot Design Awards with their tableware Orquestra by David Raffoul e Nicolas Mou and with the Plisse collection; one Wallpaper Design Award with Orquestra; and at the German Design Award 2016, they received an award for Printemps by Printemps Carsten Gollnick, and two honourable mentions for Caribe by Christian Lacroix and Transatlantica by Brunno Jahara. They have also been nominated for an Elle Décor International Design Award with Love Who You Want from Christian Lacroix.

5 minutes with… Laurie Gates An industry icon, Laurie Gates has been in the tabletop industry for 25 years, with expertise in design and production. Not only is Laurie Gates a successful designer with his own brand of tableware, Laurie Gates, which he has successfully marketed for decades, but he also owned and operated a ceramics factory in LA. Laurie Gates is now joining Gibson Overseas as VP of creative and merchandising, with his brand Laurie Gates also joining the Gibson list of brands. We talk to Laurie about his latest adventure... Why join Gibson Overseas and why now? Joining Gibson gives me new opportunities and challenges. Gibson is a multi-category leader in the housewares industry. As a designer, this offers me the chance to work in categories that I haven’t previously. I have worked soley as a designer, but now I have the chance to work with an extremely creative team of professionals. What can each of you bring to the table? As vice-president of creative and merchandising, I get to have an influence on a variety of product categories and brands that I didn’t previously. I get to bring to the table my design and business skills, helping to push Gibson’s creative development forward – by working collaboratively, we can continue to push Gibson’s design leadership into new areas. For the Laurie Gates brand itself, Gibson has plans to expand and elevate it in the market. I’m excited about that. Retailers like Macy’s have always known that I am more than just floral patterns and bright colours – working with Gibson will give me the resources and merchandising expertise to prove just that. What have been the highlights of your career to date? There have been many, from starting my own business back in 1992, to building my brand and business to the point that I was on a first-name basis with the biggest and best department stores in America. From where do you get your design inspiration? For me, inspiration is all around me, sometimes in the most unexpected places. I live in southern California and my designs reflect this, from the beautiful beaches and coastal gardens, to stunning floral carpets that cover the inland mountains in spring. I also keep in step with trends and incorporate them into my inspirations – it’s about taking external stimuli and transferring them to shapes, materials and colours that are popular. What are you hoping to achieve for the Laurie Gates brand in 2016? My aims are wider than just the Laurie Gates brand. I am here to grow Gibson’s design leadership. To do that, I want to better understand the wide variety of product that Gibson offers. Then I can better direct and influence the creative development of these products. For the Laurie Gates brand, in particular, Gibson and I want to expand the melamine programme by adding better quality heavyweight melamine. We also want to diversify ceramic offerings with more reactive glazes and different patterns that play well with the latest trends. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 9

general news

Store closures under threat

Royal Crown Derby and British tearoom Bettys collaborate British fine bone china manufacturer, Royal Crown Derby, has extended its reach into the hospitality market with an exciting new partnership with iconic British tearoom and craft bakery, Bettys, based in Yorkshire, England. The company, which offers a personal bespoke service to high-end brand hotels, has supplied the two tearooms, in York and in Harrogate, with an exclusive tableware collection for its reservation-only Lady Betty Afternoon Tea – think a specially commissioned collection (3,300 piece order) including two sizes

of plate, a tea cup and tea saucer, with each piece hand-embellished with a bespoke tea leaf design created by Royal Crown Derby’s creative director, Andrew Klimecki, and inspired by a tea leaf design from the company’s archives, which dates back to 1919, when Bettys was launched. “When we were looking for a British manufacturer to produce a bespoke set of fine bone china for our new Lady Betty Afternoon Tea, one name stood out: Royal Crown Derby,” says Bettys retail and catering operations director, Paula Kaye.

Millennials spending more on the home Home goods will be one of the top categories on the festive shopping list for customers of Macy’s this year, says a survey of more than 5,000 shoppers at the US department store, with 9 per cent of survey respondents saying

they will look to spend on home goods for the holidays. What was most interesting though was that the survey results found that Millennial Macy’s shoppers plan to spend more on home goods than shoppers aged 36 to 65.

The phenomenal rise of ecommerce – John Lewis has reported that sales on mobile phones soared by 68 per cent in the past year – is contributing to the closure of an increasing number of bricks and mortar stores worldwide. One in ten retail outlets in Germany is threatened with closure over the coming years, according to a study by IFH entitled Stadt, Land, Handel 2020 (Town, Country and the Retail Trade, 2020). And recent research in the UK from the British Independent Retailers Association (bira) and the Local Data Company (LDC) shows the acceleration of high street store closures in the UK. While the number of independent store openings in the UK has remained fairly consistent since the crash in 2008, at about 15,000 a year, research reveals that in the first half of 2015, more independents closed than opened for the first time in the past five years. Six out of 10 store leases in the UK are due for renewal (or not) by 2017. Shopping online now accounts for more purchases than ever before. According to a recent survey of 5,000+ shoppers at retailer Macy’s, some 47 per cent of shoppers plan to do the majority of their seasonal shopping for this Christmas online – 35 per cent on the internet and 12 per cent via a mobile device or tablet.

The percentage reduction in injuries within the UK ceramics industry from 15 years ago when the pioneering Ceramic Industry Health and Safety Pledge was launched. Organised by the British Ceramic Confederation, the pledge saw companies and organisations join forces annually to share best practice.

“

I started this project enthusiastically. It was really exciting to realise my ideas on porcelain and I am so happy about this award

”

Italian designer Serena Confalonieri, who designed the pattern for Arzberg’s Serena Dark and Light, which has just been awarded with a Special Mention at the German Design Award 2016. The awardwinning design was inspired by ﬂoral motifs of the 1920s, including the Art Nouveau style and the Tiffany leaded-glass technique. 12 12TABLEWARE 8 TABLEWARE TABLEWAREINTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 16. 2. 2016 Spot on: Ambiente 2016 offers unique insights into the international market. Find out at the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important consumer goods trade fair which changes can be expected next business year. Discover the future and be inspired by a fascinating product diversity to put together your successful portfolio. Information and tickets at ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com

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general news

Pottery gets its TV debut

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Offering global cuisine or putting an Asian twist to menu items is a great opportunity for restaurateurs to bring cultural elements to the tabletop, elevating the dining experience. Bold, eye-catching tableware can enrich chefs’ presentations of Asian-inspired foods.

”

Susan J. Dountnas, director of foodservice marketing for Libbey Inc., on Asian cuisine’s continued growth, especially among Millennials, and Libbey’s subsequent expansion of its bold World Tableware Hakone dinnerware collection to include a Sake Bottle and Cup and new World Tableware Rice Bowls in three sizes.

Hot on the highly successful heels of The Great British Bake Oﬀ comes a new UK TV programme with a similar format but a focus on pottery. The Great British Pottery Throw Down, which aired November 3, is a six-part show aimed at ﬁnding the country’s hottest pottery stars. Two of the UK’s pottery scene’s most renowned potters – Keith Brymer-Jones and Kate Malone – join presenter Sara Cox on BBC2 as judges. “I consider it a great honour and privilege to expose the wonderful experience that working with clay has, both creatively and spiritually, and potentially the enormous postive impact it would have on ceramics in Britain,” says Keith Brymer-Jones.

Help and inspiration for retailers A brand new downloadable magazine has been issued by Autumn Fair organisers i2i Events, so buyers can browse through for inspiration. The Contemporary Capsule magazine oﬀers help, support and inspiration to retailers and suppliers. In addition, the Inside Retail section on the show website includes Inspiring Indies and Open For Business reports, produced with partners such as Bira, Google and Retail Week, that can be read online or downloaded. Inspiring Indies oﬀers the views of a selection of experts on the importance of independent retailers; while Open For Business is aimed at anyone wishing to launch a retail business. www.autumnfair.com/page.cfm/Link=82/

Greggio launches new website Italian silver tableware manufacturer Greggio has unveiled its brand new website, www.greggio.com, which is easy to navigate and packed with great content and fresh and appealing graphics. The revamped portal represents a new communication strategy – to provide information, product details and company news. The Brands section presents the brands that are part of the Greggio Group (Greggio, Cesal882, Ricci, Masini, Dogale); the News and Events section delivers the latest information about the company; and the Our History section presents the Greggio story since 1948 and how it came to be the European leader in the production of silver. A brand new area Young Designers means up-and-coming artists can apply to design projects. The site also allows for downloading of catalogues. Watch out for a section dedicated to the world of silver and a blog, updated weekly, which will allow direct dialogue between brand and customer. www.greggio.com

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2.8

news in brief Fuerstenberg supplies ﬁrst Lalique hotel Tableware from Fuerstenberg has been selected for use in the recently opened Villa Rene Lalique, the hotel of luxury brand Lalique, in France. Chef Jean-Georges Klein selected Fuerstenberg’s Gourmetline Blanc and the form Aureole for the restaurant. John Lewis Click & Collect soaring The managing director of John Lewis, Andy Street, has said that Click & Collect continues to be the fastest growing channel for the UK department chain despite the introduction of £2 charge for orders under £30. “Some people are paying the charge because they like the convenience, some are trading up to make bigger orders,” Street said on the unveiling of the third annual shopping habits report. Richard Ginori opens at Gump’s Italian design brand Richard Ginori has opened a concession at San Francisco retail legend Gump’s. The shop-in-shop resembles the company’s new Milan store and its flagship store in Florence.

The percentage by which US retail sales for the November/December holiday selling season should rise over the same period last year, according to a forecast from retail analytics ﬁrm RetailNext.

Agility is the new buzzword. The Internet has made everything more transparent and faster, it gives more viability to small brands with niche offers, giving customers more choice more easily accessible than ever before. This means that retailers have to adopt a more ﬂexible and speedy buying model and be more agile to compete. Most retailers talk about ‘buying closer to the season’. However, it’s also about more frequent drops of new stock throughout the season to satisfy customers who not only shop in stores but also on their sofas, on the train, or at work, and want to see something different every week. One solution is to be more reactive, reduce supply time, and buy closer to home, accepting pressure on margin as the trade-off for agiliy. UK rtail marketing expert, Stella Hartley

12 12TABLEWARE 8 TABLEWARE TABLEWAREINTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

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www.springfair.com Espresso Cup, Bialetti, Hot Plate Products · Tree, CB Imports · Pineapple, Two’s Company by Mulhouse · Stool, Baa Stool · Foo Dogs, India Jane · Cockatoo Cushion, Bombay Duck · Patterned Cushion, CB Imports.

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exhibition news

Vista Alegre, Christian Lacroix

Rosenthal

German Design Award 2016 winners announced Rosenthal, Thomas, Arzberg and Vista Alegre have all won awards in the prestigious German Design Award 2016, the premium prize of the German Design Council. In the category of Home Textiles and Home Accessories, Rosenthal picked up two awards, including for its interior collection made of coloured porcelain by Sebastian Herkner, which includes Meta, Mitis and Domo (pictured). Domo is a matte simple yet stylish vase collection in pastel shades of peach, mint, dove and stone. Meanwhile, Thomas’ new Kitchen collection with its skilful mix of materials picked up a design award in the category of

Tabletop. Arzberg was awarded a Special Mention in the category of Excellent Product Design for its Serena Dark and Light collection from Italian artist Serena Confalonieri. Finally, with nine of its collections nominated for awards, Vista Alegre came away with a German Design Award 2016 for its Printemps centrepiece by Carsten Gollnick, along with two honourable mentions for Caribe by Christian Lacroix (pictured) and Transatlantica by Brunno Jahara. The awards ceremony will take place on February 12, 2016, at the Ambiente Fair in Frankfurt.

An updated Homi Milano planned for January Italian lifestyle show, Homi Milano, will deliver its 5th edition at ﬁeramilano from January 29 – Februrary 1, 2016. Organised by Fiera Milano, this edition will deliver an updated version of the format that has become so popular and successful, thanks to its adaptability to trends and requests from professionals. In the Living Habits Satellite, the stars of the show will once more be Dining & Kitchen and the value of entertaining. There will be plenty of training opportunities, lots of innovation and creativity. The areas of Creazioni, Creazioni Designer and Homi Sperimenta, dedicated to artful craftsmanship and businesses, will return; as will the food/wine, hospitality and contract concept Homisphere. The January edition will also deliver the Festivity area, which is devoted to Christmas decoration and festivities. The next edition of Homi Milano takes place January 29 to February 1, 2016. www.homimilano.com

The percentage by which the Autumn edition of Home London, which took place September 13-15, grew by, with major league design brands like Alessi and LSA International exhibiting alongside debut exhibitors like Ulster Weavers, Dankotuwa Porcelain and Make International. Buyers ﬂew in from 65 countries, furthermore generating an overseas attendance increase of 16 per cent, while inﬂuential UK buyers included Anthropologie, Harrods, Heals, John Lewis, Liberty, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason.

14 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

news in brief Homi Moscow 2015 sees 19% increase The second edition of lifestyle exhibition Homi Moscow 2015, which took place alongside the I Saloni WorldWide Moscow and Moscow Design Week in October, saw a 19 per cent increase in visitor numbers. With a focus on the Home Décor, Tableware, Textiles and Home Fragrance segments, Homi Moscow catered to designers, buyers, distributors, retailers, hospitality and architects, with various offerings including two special areas, Homi Luxury Lifestyle and Homi Hospitality Design. Applications invited for Ambiente 2016 The worldleading consumer-goods fair, Ambiente, is offering a number of opportunities to super-creative and innovative businesses to show off their latest groundbreaking designs. These include the prestigious Design Plus competition, the highly informative Solutions special show and the innovative jouanlistic format Speed-Dating@Ambiente. Applications now open until January 7, 2016. Visit www. messefrankfurt.com IHA Chicago releases pre-show buyer guide In the run-up to The 2016 International Home + Housewares Show, IHA has released a magazine to help buyers plan their time in Chicago more efficiently. The guide delivers exhibitor info, show events info, suggestions for things to see and do in Chicago and restaurant suggestions. Available at www.housewares.org/ flipbooks/2016ShowSmartguide

Strong optimism about Chinese market

Maison Asia 2016 to offer more interior design solutions The 2016 edition of Maison & Objet Asia, scheduled to take place in Singapore from March 8-11, will see a greater focus on interior design and architectural solutions. With its first two editions, M&O Asia has seen a trend in its visitor profile that reflects Asia’s rapidly growing property development, real estate, and hospitality industries. “M&O Asia in its second edition brought together some of the most prestigious interior design brands as well as up-and-coming Asian designers. The show is a great place to discover new talents and consultants for residential and hospitality projects,” said Kenneth Ng, executive director, Wing Tai Properties (HK). Meanwhile, Nigel Harris, executive vice president, Onyx Hospitality, said that “as an Asian-based Hotel Operations company, we left with many useful connections and inspirations form the exhibitors and speakers”. Some 50 per cent of the visitors to the 2015 salon were from these sectors, resulting in a visitor profile that is markedly different from that of Maison & Objet, Paris. For the 2016 show, therefore, there will be targeted business and networking opportunities with leading property developers, designers and key industry players from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand; as well as first-hand knowledge and competition on the market development in the Asia-Pacific.

In August and September of this year, two major consumer goods fairs took place in China in the midst of a seemingly turbulent time for the Chinese stock market. Despite this, most exhbitors at the fairs remained optimistic that the overall economic situation wouldn’t affect their business, while there was also general agreement about the continued demand in the Chinese market for overseas brands. The leading trade fair in China for the mid-range and high-end household products and accessories market, Interior Lifestyle China, concluded September 19 with positive feedback from the record 379 exhibitors taking part, up from 235 last year. This number represents a 61 per cent increase y-o-y. “Given all the news in recent months of a slowing Chinese economy, it was perhaps no surprise that some buyers were hesitant to attend. However, we feel the quality of buyers attending have more than offset this,” says Wendy Wen, senior general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK). The China International tradeshow for home textiles and accessories, Intertextile Shanghai Home Editions, also concluded (August 28) on a high note, with exhibitors and buyers praising it as one of the most successful yet. The fair was the biggest in its 21-year history (1,402 exhibitors from 30 countries, up from 1,334 last year), though visitor figures were down slightly. “The small decrease in visitors this year can be put down to the current economic situation in China,” says Wendy Wen. “However, most overseas exhibitors explained to us that the market situation hadn’t, and wouldn’t, affect their sales in the region, and that the demand for overseas products in China still remained strong.” We talked to several exhibitors to find out if the Chinese consumer goods market is suffering or continuing to see strong potential.

“

Our products have been very popular with visitors to the booth, and retailers in particular love them. We’ve had very positive feedback from buyers. Based on what’s happened so far, we will be back next year.

”

Phil Atherton, group sales and marketing director, Portmeirion Group, on Interior Lifestyle China

“

We have made some good high-end contacts, and met two potential customers, in particular, who have 85 and 300 retail stores respectively, so they could potentially place big orders with us. We were surprised we could sell high-quality products here, and there is deﬁnitely a market for it. Price isn’t a problem for buyers in China, so we’re quite optimistic about the market.

Studio William secures two awards The design-led British cutlery brand has landed two further awards for its Mulberry Sensory Texture Spoons – the iF Home Style Award 2015, an awards competition for Interior Lifestyle China 2015 and the only one set up for the household product industry in China; and the German Design Award 2016. Designed to stimulate the sense of touch on the lips and within the mouth, the spoons enrich the dining experience. Made of 18/10 stainless steel, they have a mirror polished ﬁnish.

”

Frederic Gueury, export manager, Cessot Decoration, France, on Interior Lifestyle China

“

We thought our products would be in high demand here and it was conﬁrmed at this fair that they are. There is potential in this market as Chinese buyers are looking for branded, high-quality products, so next year we will come back for sure with a bigger booth and a special thematic design.

”

Denis Vasilenkov, Tirotex, a luxury table linen brand, Moldova, on Intertextile Shanghai

Interior Lifestyle China 2016 will take place September 20-22, www.il-china.com; while Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles Spring Edition takes place March 16-18, 2016. www.intertextilehome.com

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 15

exhibition news Connect to 2,750 manufacturers at the 41st IHGF Delhi Fair One of the world’s largest, most comprehensive sourcing events, IHGF Delhi Fair Spring, also known as the Indian Handicrafts & Gift Fair, offers an unparalleled range of Home, Lifestyle and Fashion products. Organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), India, the show is a must-attend trade platform for buyers, from store chains and specialty stores, to independents and interior designs. 2016 marks the 41st IHGF Delhi Fair spring edition, which takes place February 20-23 2016, and which will deliver some 2,750 exhibitors, along with more than 900 permanent showrooms. Neatly profiled in 12 exclusive show sectors, the fair spans an area of 1,90,000 sq-m. Buyers agree that Indian manufacturers fulfil demand for the exclusive, the handcrafted and the hand-embellished, in particular, a strength that sets IHGF Delhi apart. One UK buyer prefers to work with India as “they have strongly adapted to our style of business, and we have to theirs, so I’ve been working with manufacturers from Jodhpur, Jaipur

and Moradabad for the past 15 years”. In fact, buyers’ quest for exclusives has brought significant trade traffic to the India-based fair, while Indian artistry and traditional creative finishes have made many buyers make IHGF their prime sourcing base. The demand for handcrafted product has surged in recent years, with global market changes driving consumers to nostalgia and to dismiss mass production in favour of quality, crafted products that emotionally resonate with customers. “There is a significant shift in consumer demand towards products and experiences that meet emotional as well as functional needs. Craft is seen as personal, authentic and genuine, an object that has only been touched by a human hand,” says the spokesperson for the show organisers, EPCH. The Spring edition of IHGF Delhi Fair takes place at the India Expo Centre & Mart, New Delhi NCR, February 20-23, 2016. www.ihgfdelhifair.epch.in or email visitors@epch.com

“

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) is a great way for us to showcase our brands and artists to new and existing clients. We had a very good reaction to some of the properties, which we were showcasing for the ﬁrst time this year, including Shell Rummel, who we have recently licensed to Australian homewares manufacturer, Ashdene. They have produced a lovely tabletop and kitchen textiles line, which generated a lot of show interest. Our other properties such as Lily and Val and the Art Marketing collection were also big hits. We hope to bring on a number of new partners this year, who we met for the ﬁrst time at BLE, which will extend and strengthen our licensing programmes for our artists and brands.

”

Katie Sharp, Licensing Executive, mgl licensing on exhibiting at BLE, which took place in October in London

The percentage of exhibition spaces for the 55th edition of Home & Gift Harrogate that have already sold, and still with 9 months to go. The show will take place July 17-20. Favourite brands already signed up include Hill Interiors, Culinary Concepts, Scandi-chic UK, and many more. After a successful launch last year, Home & Gift 2016 will also see the return of the Great Northern Retail Summit, with an enhanced programme packed full of expert advice and case studies, to run across three days of the show. “I am delighted to see outstanding new brands and products coming on board faster than ever before and with must-see conference and networking events – all rolled into incredible festival, buying has never been more easy and enjoyable,” says show director, Cleere Scamell. www.homeandgift.co.uk

16 12TABLEWARE 8 TABLEWARE TABLEWAREINTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

news in brief Las Vegas Market continues housewares growth Following its successful summer launch of C11 as a permanent showroom floor for gourmet housewares, tabletop, gift and speciality food, Las Vegas Market has announced that six leading suppliers are expected to open permanent showrooms on the floor for Winter 2016 Market, January 24-28, 2016. These include well-known supplier of housewares, serveware and dinnerware, HIC Harold Import Co.; barware and tabletop manufacturer Leadingware Group; and tabletop and housewares supplier Magenta. Villeroy & Boch return to Exclusively 2016 Key companies have already signed up to participate in Exlcusively Housewares 2016, including new exhibitor World Kitchen, and returning exhibitors Brita, Fairmont & Main and Villeroy & Boch. It will run June 14-15, 2016 at the Business Design Centre in London, UK. Decorex receives sustainability award The UK’s leading design show for the luxury interiors market, Decorex International, has become the UK’s first design and interiors show to achieve ISO 20121 Standard for Sustainable Event Management. Switching to using recycled paper for all its show materials and offering guidance to all 430 exhibitors to help them adopt a more sustainable business approach are among its award-winning solutions.

products news

Stellar Sterling

Richard Brendon

Spotlight on… Art Deco Tabletop designers have recently been harking back to the 1920s, drawing inspiration from the Art Deco era. Vista Alegre’s entire 2015 collection looked to Art Deco, from Modernism to Art Nouveau, with 21 collections in porcelain, crystal and glass, paying homage to the Art Deco spirit. Stellar has recently launched an 18/10 stainless steel mirror-polished cutlery collection, Stellar Sterling, gift-boxed in 24- or 48-piece sets, with the design inspired by Art Deco; while British tableware brand Fairmont & Main has just unveiled its new fine porcelain Deco tableware. Inspired by the Art Deco period, Deco features elegant décor on the rim, which not only looks exquisite but offers exceptional quality with the fully vitrified porcelain and high-fired glaze. For London-based tableware designer Richard Brendon, Art Deco is a period of enormous inspiration. “My two favourite periods of British ceramics are Georgian and Art Deco… this is when the potteries were at their best because they were working with designers and artists to create outstanding

Fairmount & Main

and innovative collections,” says Richard, who has just launched a brand new British bone china tableware collection that is hand painted in an Art Deco-inspired design. The bold asymmetrical pattern in matte black and burnished gold delivers a graphic and contemporary vibe. “When designing Arc I drew inspiration from Art Deco ceramics designed by the likes of Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper. I was particularly inspired by the handpainting techniques they employed to create their designs, while the colour palette of matte black and gold was inspired by the decadence of the era,” says Richard, further highlighting how Arc is the starting point of more Art Deco-inspired ceramics that will be coming into his collection. “In January, we will introduce a new Deco-inspired teaware shape,” says Richard.

Did you know...? Due to popular demand, including a speciﬁc request from Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse for his refurbished restaurant Louis XV in Monaco, the Rundes Modell cutlery set designed by Josef Hoffmann in 1906 and entered into the Alessi catalogue in 2000, has this year been reintroduced. 18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Greggio launches Rain Collection Rain is a collection with a refined design, characterised by simple lines and pure shapes, making it both elegant and contemporary. Inspired by rain, light scratches, which are made by the hands of expert engravers, are present across the entire silver surface. These vertical lines of different sizes highlight the human touch in manufacturing. Pieces include a pitcher and a decanter. www.greggio.it

Introducing… Nishita Fine Dinnerware Exclusively-designed, limited edition, luxury tableware manufactured using the highest quality porcelain with 24k gold and platinum. Designed by founder and designer Nishita Thakurdas, the signature handcrafted collection boasts five distinct designs that reflect an Indian sensibility, paying tribute to India’s exceptional heritage, with an international design vocabulary. www.nishitadesign.com

Domenico Vacca

Twig New York

Yves Delarosiere

Inspired by… a vase Inspired by the vases created by the Richard Ginori Manufactory between the 18th and 19th centuries, the new Giardino dei Semplici collection from Richard Ginori sees the vase motif extended across an entire range of tableware, including dinnerware, teaware and a coffee set, in three colourways that have been reproduced to bestow an old, authentic and original feel. Pieces come in a variety of shapes – Luna, Venezia and Diagono – for a complete mix and match range, with all accessories entirely hand-decorated.

Georg Jensen celebrates Acorn’s 100th birthday In honour of the 100th Anniversary of the iconic Acorn Collection of silver flatware and serving pieces, Danish design house Georg Jensen had reissued ten pieces of Acorn, as well as introducing an elegant, limited edition champagne sabre, designed to open a bottle of champagne using the art of sabrage. With its remarkable likeness to the architectural ornamentation found in ancient Greece, Acorn has never gone out of production and continues to be a favourite.

Everyone’s talking about… exotic textures Many of the season’s latest luxury tableware decorations are taking their inspiration both in look and texture from exotic animal skins. The radial snake pattern is the inspiration for Nero, a new tableware collection designed by Yves Delarosiere and made from the renowned Limoges clay. Realised in two warm colours, the collection includes dinner and side plates, veloute and oatmeal bowls, a mug and cup and saucer. Contact sales@ apollohousewares.co.uk. Boutique brand Twig New York, meanwhile, offers a hand-decaled fine bone china collection, Charlotte and Layla, inspired by the look and texture of shagreen and alligator leather. The textured collection in rose pink and turquoise features handpainted 24k gold rims and has just been extended to include a set of four coasters, set of two espresso cups and saucers, a set of two mugs, set of two cups and saucers, a round box and a vase. www.twigny.com. Finally, Kiyasa’s collaboration with Italian fashion designer Domenico Vacca delivers a tableware collection inspired by Domenico’s iconic alligator Julie bag – think very realistic alligator prints in various colour combinations on fine bone china from Prouna. (see page 20).

The number of pieces in the brand new A/W collection from Sieger by Fuerstenberg. Seven is designed around the concept of needing just seven different pieces for dining and delivers a collection of seven pieces that are so cleverly designed they can be used in any number of different ways and combinations. The multi-functional and versatile ve range is handcrafted from ﬁne porcelain and delivers a pure white set, along with four different patterns and a combination of satin-matte surfaces or glossy-glazes, allowing for much mixing and matching. http://www.fuerstenberg-porzellan.com

“

I is a classic that is understood internationally and deals with subject It matter that is unproblematic in diverse cultures. In my opinion, a design should not be political or hurt religions or other culturally conditioned feelings. Furthermore, the quest for love and fulﬁlment is a timeless topic. The simple design of the service corresponds to the simple tastes of the children, but it also touches the child in the grown-up.

”

Renowned international designer Silke Lefﬂer on choosing Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale The Princess and the Pea, as the inspiration for her illustrative design on a children’s tableware service for Viennese Porcelain Manufactory, Augarten TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 19

licensing news

The collection

Spotlight on…

Domenico Vacca

Renowned for the design and distribution of exclusive lines of tableware, the Kiyasa Corporation, which has Prouna, Greggio and Dogale under its luxury wings, recently partnered with celebrated Italian fashion designer, Domenico Vacca, a licensing agreement for the designer’s Home Category that has given birth to a complete line of tableware and gift items. This marks Kiyasa’s ﬁrst collaboration with a fashion designer. “We’ve always been passionate about innovation and originality in design and so collaboration with a talented fashion designer like Domenico Vacca made sense to us all”, says Kiyasa co-founder Kiana Bahadorzadeh, who happened upon Domenico’s designs after seeing a crystal collection in his Miami store. “After talking with Domenico about design, we saw a very unique synergy between the two brands – Prouna and Domenico Vacca – as both stand for outstanding quality, craftsmanship and innovation in design,” says Kiana. In particular, Prouna, which Kiyasa has been exclusively representing in the US for over six years, has great expertise in developing complicated decals, “which is what the Domenico Vacca tableware collection required”, says Kiana. The unique Domenico Vacca collection features an embossed alligator print using a real alligator skin to guide the design and drawing 20 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

inspiration from Domenico’s iconic alligator Julie bag. “The quality with which Prouna developed the decals was phenomenal – I have never seen print translated on to dinnerware resembling actual leather this closely. It was a long process, but Prouna is never afraid of being pushed in exploring new boundaries and developing new technologies,” says co-founder Yasamin, adding that Domenico is a visionary. “The translation of textile patterns, textures and colours is a novel and powerful art – there are a few designers that have the vision and expertise to make the translation and only a handful of manufacturers that have the capability to re-create this. Once they ﬁnd each other, incredible things can happen,” says Yasamin, highlighting that home entertaining is the next step for this partnership. An area of Domenico’s ﬂagship store at The Domenico Vacca in New York will showcase this new collection – it will be used in its café, private club and residences. Besides Bloomingdale’s, which has been a home for Prouna for several years, Kiyasa believe the Domenico Vacca collection speaks well to customers of other prestigious US stores, including Bergdorf Goodman, Nieman Marcus and Barneys, and it will be available for international retail through Kiyasa. Contact: inquiries@kiyasa.com

Inspired by Domenico Vacca’s iconic alligator Julie bag, the fine bone china collection features an embossed alligator print. It comprises three different styles: a white alligator print on fine bone china; a white bone and handpainted 24k gold (this can also come with hand-placed Swarovski crystals, which marks the first for a fashion designer to use Swarovski crystals on tableware); and jewel-toned hues including emerald, ruby, sapphire and safari, the latter, a caramel brown that is the same colour as the classic Julie bag.

We talk directly to designer Domenico Vacca… Why a tableware collection and why now? It is part of a desire to keep developing our luxury brand into a lifestyle brand. We’ve found that our fashion clients love our aesthetic so much they want to see it translated in all the objects that are part of their lives – Domenico Vacca watches, eyewear, fragrance, jewellery, furniture. Homewares seems a very natural brand extension for us. We will soon open our ﬂagship concept building in New York on 55th Street and 5th Avenue, a 10-storey building renamed The Domenico Vacca, which will be the showcase of our fashion house and brand, including our new ﬂagship store, private club, luxury residences, café, beauty salon and barber shop.

How translatable is the fashion world in homewares? Very! Some of the material used in the fashion world works very well in homewares – fabric, leather, crystal. I’m really having a lot of fun dressing the house, it’s very much like dressing the woman or man who lives in it.

Why Kiyasa and Prouna? Kiyasa is very focused on the US market and has a great distribution network, and Prouna is one of the best manufacturers of ﬁne bone china in the world. We brought

the designs and the brand to the table, Kiyasa brought the marketing and distribution and, of course, the relationship with Prouna.

Why the iconic alligator Julie bag as inspiration? I designed the Julie bag 13 years ago and it’s been a big hit every season since – it’s a unique design and can be translated across many objects. A few years ago, it became a crystal vase – we literally reproduced the alligator pattern of the skin of the bag on to the crystal, as well as every cut of the bag. This time, we recreated the exact pattern of a real alligator skin carved in the bone china. It was pretty challenging. Also challenging was to recreate colours that would exactly match the shades of the Julie bag.

What do you love most about the debut line? I love the elegance of the white collection, the luxury of the gold collection, and the fun of the coloured collections.

What further plans do you have? We are planning to decorate the home from A to Z – as we are doing for the new residences at The Domenico Vacca. We are currently expanding our homewares collection in crystal, ﬂatware, home accessories, giftware and furniture.

Gordon Ramsey adds to Royal Doulton ranges New for Spring 2016 is a brand new mix and match collection from Gordon Ramsey by Royal Doulton. Building on his successful Royal Doulton ranges (Maze, Bread Street) and named after his London-based street cafĂŠ, the Union Street cafĂŠ collection is a down-to-earth rustic design that is casual yet striking. Featuring a speckled glaze incorporated in either cream or blue, pieces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; plates, cereal and pasta bowls, mugs, serving platters and bowls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are retro-looking with an enamel-ware vibe. www.wwrd.com

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The number of new ďŹ&#x201A;oral patterns that were introduced at the October Market by Kim Parker for the Gourmet Basics by Mikasa range at Lifetime Brands. Zinnia Garden is inspired by Long Island ďŹ elds of brilliant coloured zinnias; Meadow Violet delivers white dinnerware with a feminine, pastel palette of delicate sprigs and embossed ďŹ&#x201A;owers; Provence Garden celebrates a French countyside garden; Tulips features a brilliant shock of coloured tulips in a vivid palette; and Woodland Floral offers detailed ďŹ&#x201A;ower prints that appear to have fallen from the sky. All come in high quality porcelain in 16-piece dinnerware sets. www.lifetimebrands.com

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Review IGS

Czech glass is alive Renowned for being the Crystal Valley since 1724, the region of Liberec in the Czech Republic last month hosted the 12th International Glass Symposium. We were there to witness it

zech glass is alive. That was the message – loud and crystal clear – from the 12th International Glass Symposium, which took place from October 1-4 in the town of Novy Bor in the Czech Republic. Renowned for its production of some of the best glass in the world and rich in glass expertise that has been handed down from generation to generation, the region of Liberec, of which Novy Bor is the main town, is a global centre for glass production. Liberec delivers dozens of glassworks, factories, companies, studios and schools, producing glass in every incarnation, from crystal chandeliers and glass sculptures to stained glass windows and stemware suites. These humble yet expert companies not only supply to the some of the world’s top hotels, restaurants and residences (Crystalex supplies stemware to The Dorchester in London), but also to palaces, government buildings and public spaces (Koletiv Ateliers produce pieces for The Hague Tower). And it is this rich-in-glassware region that has been celebrating its heritage and expertise via a tri-annual event for the past 33 years. “This is the last region in the world still undertaking all the glass techniques and with all the masters and if we don’t take care of it, it will be gone,” says Jaromir Dvorak, IGS director and mayor of the town of Novy Bor. It was in 1982 that the International Glass Symposium was born, ﬁrst organisd by Novy Bor-based glass 22 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

manufacturer, Crystalex. When the crisis hit in 2009, however, the Symposium was cancelled with many of the regional glassworks under threat. The Symposium returned in 2012, and this year, returned once more, even bigger and better, proving the industry has recovered. This year’s event was curated by the director of art at the Academy of Arts, Architecture, Design in Prague, one of the world’s largest glass organisations. A collaboration between the town of Novy Bor and the many glassworks, studios and organisations – from family business TGK, considered the glass problem solver of the region, to Presiosa, one of the foremost manufacturers of crystal chandeliers worldwide – some 70 artists from 22 diﬀerent countries were invited to attend the four-day event in order to visit workshops and create artistic glass designs with local glassmakers. “While many of the glass companies and factories in this region are in competition in the market, this event brings them together to celebrate the unique and expert glass techniques and materials found here,” said mayor Dvorak at the opening ceremony. In addition to glass designers and makers like Tora Urup and Jeﬀ Zimmer, invited artists included nonglass artists, everyone from Czech sculptor David Cerny and American watercolour artist Amy Schwartz to Czech actress Chantal Poullain. “We invited all artists, not just those in glass,” says Dvorak.

“All artists are driven by their imaginations – we thought this would be very interesting transformed into glass. We like challenges so we invite diﬀerent types of artists,” explains Dvorak. This year, they invited Finnish artist Riikka Latva-Sompii to paint glass at Crystalex despite the fact that in Finland they don’t paint glass. “I like to do things that I’ve never done before,” said Riikka on attending the Symposium. Each of the 70 artists were placed within one of the factories or studios involved in order to expand their skills and bring their own artistic licence to glass. “The glassmakers and artists push the boundaries of glass to create totally unique designs,” says Dvorak. Finnish artist Rikka and Dutch artist Jenny Ritzenhoﬀ were placed at Crystalex. Jenny brought her Dutch roots to Czech glass creating a vase in the shape of three Edam cheeses atop each other, featuring holes for Dutch tulips, designed to give the impression of abundant foliage. Meanwhile, inspired by the concept of universal national pride, Rikka created glass lungs (“Our national pride and traditions are in the air we all breathe,” she explained). There is no doubt the Symposium has helped with company survival. “Just a month after the 11th International Glass Symposium, held in 2012 post-recession, the world got the message that Czech Glass was truly alive,” concludes Dvorak. The next IGS will be held in October 2018. www.igsymposium.cz

Who’s who in Liberec Crystalex The top manufacturer of utility glass – from stemware and tumblers to vases and decanters – in the Czech Republic, Crystalex offers automatic production and hand decorative skills utilising the best glass production traditions from the 13th century. They produce 15 million pieces per year, with 25 per cent exported to some 65 countries worldwide. Crystalex has launched 15 new designs in the past five years. www.crystalex.cz Presiosa Although officially incorporated in 1948, the tradition of Preciosa’s crystal craftsmanship dates back to 1376 when the first glassmaking furnace was fired up. Presiosa is now one of the foremost manufacturers of classical crystal chandeliers and modern innovative lighting creations, with 5,000 employees and seven offices globally. In addition to residential lighting fixtures and projects, they deliver crystal jewellery, gifts and trophies, decorative and technical glass products, and machine-cut crystal components. Preciosa chandeliers adorn private palaces, villas, 5-star hotels, theatres and parliament buildings. www.preciosa.com

Kolektiv Ateliers A collective of six studios with expert craftsmen and artists, Kolektiv delivers a variety of glass skills and techniques, from sculpture to stamping, fusing to painting. The studios work on worldwide projects, from delivering 20 antique mirrors connected by painted glass butterﬂies to a high-end residential in Cairo, to reconstructing 18th century glass serveware for the Danish Queen. One studio has the exclusive contract to paint Moser’s most exquisite and complicated glass pieces. www.kolektiv.cz

trends products SKYE Robin Levien for Nambe A collaboration with European designer Robert Levien, this is Nambe’s ﬁrst-ever bone china collection. Inspired by the Scottish Isle of Skye, the 25-sku line, which includes a four-piece placesetting, plus drinkware, ﬂatware and serveware, features a peak design reminiscent of the landscape of Skye. The bone china is very creamy and translucent, while the handle designs are ergonomic and design-led and pieces are designed to be stacked. The collection includes acacia wood accent pieces.

www.nambe.com

TREND: Whiteware TRISH RICHMAN WHITEWARE Gibson Overseas Gibson has announced a new line of whiteware from respected industry designer Trish Richman, who has extensive experience designing home goods for everyone from Starbucks to Connecticut-based dinnerware producer, Tienshan, and is renowned for her casual design style. Inspired by simple yet elegant fabric patterns, the new whiteware features four sets – Dotted Swiss, Ticking Stripe, Seersucker and Raw Silk. While Dotted Swiss is embellished with embossed dots copied from traditional sheer cotton fabric, Raw Silk features embossed crisscross patterns, inspired from raw woven silk. Designs come in 12-piece sets.

Whether alone or with wooden accents, featuring organic shapes or textured designs, white dinnerware collections come in many shapes and sizes. We look at some of the latest debuts

www.gibsonusa.com

BLAKE Mikasa, Lifetime Brands Lifetime Brands introduced a number of new whiteware ranges under its Mikasa brand at the recent New York Tabletop Show. Mikasa Blake dinnerware features an oversized, modern basket weave design on the rim, outlined with embossed dots on white stoneware. Dishwasher and microwave safe, it comes as 40-piece, 16-piece and 4-piece sets. Mikasa Bonaire delivers simple sophistication in an all-white bone china with scalloped edges; Mikasa Palazzo features an embossed rectangular design on white bone china; and Mikasa Mya features a debossed, geometric design on white bone china.

www.lifetimebrands.com 24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

DINE COLLECTION LSA International The Dine Collection from design-led brand LSA International presents a comprehensive and versatile combination of white porcelain with sustainably sourced, 100 per cent approved European oak. Pairing the clean, smooth ﬁnish of porcelain with the depth and warmth of natural wood gives this mixed-material collection its unique charm. LSA International oﬀers an extensive range of porcelain in the brand’s signature style. LSA International’s collection of originally-designed tableware and serveware is presented in high quality gift packaging.

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

CIARA COLLECTION Canvas Home Renowned for its artisan-made interiors, including ceramics, that are inspired by the beauty of handcrafted objects, US brand Canvas Home has unveiled the new Ciara dinnerware collection, a limited edition tableware range designed in collaboration with one of the US’s leading ceramists, Barbara Eigen. The designs are fresh and organic in a contemporary style and feture Canvas Home’s understated glaze texture and colour.

www.canvashomestore.com YVES DELAROSIERE Prisme Introducing the brand new porcelain dinnerware range made from the renowned Limoges clay and designed by Yves Delarosiere. The six designs oﬀer a stylish option for all tastes, with product families including a mug, cup and saucer, dinner and side plates and veloute and oatmeal bowls. Two of the designs are whiteware. Prism is a delicate take on the popular diamond shape for the lovers of geometric patterns, while Epinaux Blanc is a sophisticated white-on-white pattern that works well with its black sibling, Epinaux Noir.

sales@apollohousewares.co.uk

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

Retail

Column

Barry Seaman

Plate Tableware

Setting the seasonal stage

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 outlines the advantages of taking his product to local and national Christmas Fairs

have just endured what must rank as the most demanding and challenging week of my retail year. You would think after several years of experience, I would be better organised and more prepared for it – but, unfortunately, it still never fails to creep up on me and take me by surprise. It’s that week when Christmas really does begin! I begin thinking ‘Christmas’ in the summer with Home & Gift Harrogate acting as my starting gun. This tends to be when suppliers first show what goodies they have to offer for the upcoming festive season. I have completed the bulk of my ordering by mid-September and I usually find that most stock has arrived by the end of October. However, I don’t like to start Christmas in the shop too early. Half-term week, Halloween and Bonfire Night need to be out of the way before I unveil all the glitter and sparkle of the season. Thus, my nightmare week usually begins at 6pm, after closing, on the first Saturday after Bonfire Night. My autumnal window display is swept away leaving a blank canvas ready for Sunday morning when we begin creating our Christmas window display and transforming the shop into a magical grotto.

26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Materials are purchased well in advance (usually, courtesy of a wellknown Swedish superstore). Needless to say, with the help of ‘the team’ and my box of accessories, we end up with the basic structure for the window in place. Monday and Tuesday are long days as we work late into the evening merchandising the window and unpacking, pricing and displaying endless boxes of Christmas stock. This takes forever and each year I declare that I am going to buy less stock or relocate to a bigger shop next year. Of course, I never do either! The week gets even more frantic as it coincides with taking Plate Tableware out on the road and attending my ﬁrst two Christmas Fairs of the season. The rest of the week involves packing crates, loading them in the car, setting up a stall, selling (Wednesday and Thursday), dismantling, taking it all back to the shop and unloading. Then, I have to go through it all again for another Fair on Saturday afternoon. I have exhibited at Christmas Fairs for some time now, attending about ﬁve or six of them each year, usually in the second half of November before it starts to get busy at the shop. Apart from generating extra income there are other advantages to doing such shows. They introduce you to a new audience, they are are a great opportunity to promote

your shop, they enable you to meet a whole new circle of traders and often to make contact with new products and suppliers. Christmas Fairs do tend to vary in terms of organisation, cost, size, venue and success. The bigger organisations and charities tend to generate better attendance and are more successful as they’re wellknown, have numerous contacts and spend much more on advertising. In the UK, exhibitor costs can be as low as £30 for a table in a school hall and run up to a few hundred pounds at a bigger event in a more prestigious location. Some expect a percentage of your takings. There is often some kind of vetting process in operation, especially for the bigger shows. However, you are often invited to consider other Fairs by scouts who are sent out by organisations in search of new and interesting vendors. If you have an attractive stall and unusual products you’re bound to get noticed. Christmas Fairs can work for some and not for others but until you try you’ll never know! My crazy week is at an end. My legs hurt, my muscles ache and I could sleep for a week but I’m happy knowing that we are now prepared and ready to go and that Christmas is oﬀ to a positive start.

Christmas Fairs Top retailer tips If you are considering embarking on exhibiting at some Christmas Fairs, here are a few tips... • Start small by trying a fair at a local school or church. Move onto something bigger when you are more confident. • Decide on your product range well in advance and vary your offering according to the show. Take more expensive items when you know there will be more affluent customers. • Make your stall attractive with a nice tablecloth and festive accessories. Lay out the stock neatly and put out price labels. • Promote your shop at every opportunity. I hang a nameplate at the back of the stall, use printed carrier bags and put a flyer with a 10 per cent discount sticker in every bag. You can then see if it generates any future business. • Take a ‘box of tricks’ with you containing tape, pins, scissors, pens, calculator etc. • Work out the costs and your overall profit. If a particular Fair is not successful, don’t do it again and replace it with a different one next year.

Retail China

All the world’s a stage JIA PLUS Store

The first in a chain of multi-brand dining retail stores JIA PLUS has just opened its doors in the Chinese city of Suzhou. Featuring international tableware brands within an experiential setting, the store offers an east meets west platform of different dining lifestyles

he highly anticipated JIA PLUS retail store opened its designfriendly doors this summer at Shin Kong Place, Suzhou, in China. An extension of JIA, a Taiwanborn brand that delivers tableware and kitchenware with an east meets west aesthetic, the debut store of JIA PLUS is a platform to showcase the JIA product, along with other complementary brands. “JIA PLUS is a platform to create shared values with others. We wanted to elevate ourselves from a brand providing products into a stage that oﬀers versatile experiences of all the senses and delivers the fondest memories of home,” says brand executive marketing, Jacqueline

Shen, pointing out that JIA translates as ‘Home’ in Chinese. “We curate products from the categories of kitchenware, tableware and home accessories to complement our product and complete the homey atmosphere of ‘Home’,” she adds. With the tagline ‘Guide to Better Life’, the JIA PLUS store showcases unique products for the kitchen, dining table and living room, with multiple brands hailing from all over the world, from Germany and France, to the US and Hong Kong. “JIA embraces the spirit of diversity and, as such, we partner with lifestyle brands in the sectors of food, entertainment, living, clothing, transportation and education, who believe in the same values of

‘making living better’… to enrich the experience of home via the six senses and build a new experience for our audience,” says Jacqueline of the cross-ﬁeld retail cooperation. Curated thus far are a variety of prestigious lifestyle brands that best represent JIA’s core east meets west philosophy: Scandinavian design brand Menu from Denmark; glass brand Italesse from France; German cutlery brand mono; American textile brand Chilewich; design-led British brand Black+Blum; Indian tableware/ barware brand Mukul Goyal; US wine tool company Metrokane; and Finnish tableware brand Muurla, to name but a few. “The brands we curate complement each other, together delivering a more diverse offering

for customers. For example, Menu from Denmark, which is known for its simple and soft design and clever solutions for modern living, is a perfect match to our own JIA designs,” explains Jacqueline. The team regularly attends international fairs like Maison & Objet, Paris, Ambiente Frankfurt and IHA Chicago, as well as other local design and creative shows, in order to curate the product, as well as connect with international brands and broaden their horizons. The aim for JIA PLUS as it develops into a chain is to build partnerships with different brands for different locations, making the offerings relevant and unique. “Different partners, different locations is the aim, to hold

Tableware Brands... JIA Inc., Menu, Chilewich, ArchitectMade, Italesse, L’Atelier du Vin, Metrokane, mono, QisDesign, Mukul Goyal, Black+Blum, Muurla, Tavola 28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

JIA

JIA PLUS Store exclusive events with selected products,” says Jacqueline, pointing out that two more new stores will open by year end. The location of the debut store in Shin Kong Place in Suzhou was carefully selected for its east meets west aesthetic, a place where Chinese culture joins hands with Scandinavian minimalist design. “Shin Kong Place has a modern Chinese garden on the ground floor, inspired by the journey on the Silk Road and interpreting the concept of east meets west with Suzhou traditional roof tiles and white walls,” says Jacqueline. “It is the perfect example of east/west fusion, creating a contemporary retail space that is perfect for our showcase of both oriental and western brands.

The east meets west offering is key as these are the demands of consumers. “Besides local Chinese, there are lots of western people living in Suzhou and other Chinese cities, with most consumers demanding fusion product that fits both eastern and western dining styles,” says Jacqueline, highlighting how JIA PLUS is aimed at consumers with medium-to-high income, who are open to change and appreciate contemporary design. Visual merchandising-wise, the 80 sq-m store is an open space segmented by category – cookware, tableware, drinkware and home décor – as this makes it “easier for consumer communication and navigation”, says Jacqueline, highlighting how the entire store space is connected

aesthetically via shared store design elements – think intertwined metal bars and earth-toned wooden materials for a contemporary, slick space. The multi-brand product, of which there are hundreds of pieces, is displayed by collection for consumers’ easy selection, and also via the brand’s monthly promotion theme, designed to create a particular mood and oﬀer inspiration. “The mood display is eye-catching and easier to arouse consumers’ imagination towards a special season or theme,” says Jacqueline, pointing out that they change the visual merchandising display at least once a month.

Mono

Did you know...? Telling stories and creating experiences via events and exhibits is crucial to the JIA PLUS philosophy. To inaugurate the ofﬁcial grand opening of the ﬁrst JIA PLUS, the store was invited to create an exhibition within the complex. My JIA My Bowl & Chopsticks Exhibit Bowl & Chopsticks showcased the essence of Chinese gastronomic culture with exhibits from ancient China to the present day. On show was the Ding Bowl inspired by the oldest cookware bronze Ding in ancient China; the Rice Bowl, crafted with traditional Chinese porcelain technique dating back to the Ding Dynasty; the modern and multi-functional Tableaux Bowl; Fudo, a lacquer bowl designed by Japanese master Masayuki Kurokawa; and Kkini, inspired by the traditional Korean Dolsot stone bowl. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 35

JIA PLUS Store

Retail China

Italesse

Brand breakdown We look at ﬁve of the brands on oﬀer at the JIA PLUS store in Suzhou.

JIA Inc “We find that consumers like to ‘eat the season’, so they look for dining tools for eating crab in autumn, glass drinkware in summer and tea sets in winter,” explains Jacqueline. Events will also be held regularly, with a focus on seasonal themes in order to enable JIA PLUS customers to engage with the product and experience different types of lifestyles. One event being planned in the lead-up to Christmas is a chef demonstration, showing the preparation of bread pudding using JIA’s steamer set with poacher. “Consumers get to see how products can be utilised, how they can fit them into their own lives and understand more about the story and the design, while we also learn from our consumers what they want or need,” explains Jacqueline. “Events bring people together. Here, we dine, we drink, we exchange, and we grow together. Creating shared value is our aim.” The entire JIA PLUS experience, from the product choice, to the display of product, to the events

held here, is what makes JIA PLUS unique, an experiential space that engages consumers in various lifestyles. “People are tired of simply seeing product stand on the shelf lifelessly, so we have created a stage to tell stories about the product and the lifestyle it creates – to tell the details through the experience, to best showcase the product via presentation with food and beverage,” says Jacqueline. “In this venue, the consumer is able to cocreate the moment with us, and the Shin Kong Place venue here in Suzhou is just the beginning.” A second JIA PLUS store is scheduled to open in Shanghai this autumn, while a further store will open in Suzhou, in eslite bookstore, by year end. JIA PLUS also hope to build an ecommerce platform to complement the store. JIA PLUS is on the 1st floor of Shin Kong Place in Suzhou, the Jiangsu Provence of China. www.jiaplus.com.cn

Infusing Chinese culture and creative craftsmanship into gastronomy and tableware, JIA uses various materials to create tableware, cookware and home accessories for the international market. www.jia-inc.com

Menu Clean and calm Scandinavian design takes centrestage for this Danish brand – tableware and cookware is ergonomic, simple, streamlined and comfortable, delivering soft lines and exquisite craftsmanship. www.menu.as/en/

Italesse A front-runner in the ‘beverage and design-oriented tableware’ market, Italian design company Italesse is renowned for providing its expert glass stemware, glasses, carafes and decanters to hotels and restaurants globally. www.italesse.com

Mono Established in 1896 in German, mono has a long history of providing stainless steel premium cutlery in timeless designs, as well as other contemporary stainless steel products from teapots to serveware to utensils. www.mono.de

Black+Blum A British award-winning design brand of homeware product, Black+Blum deliver beautiful, original designs underpinned with functionality and with a distinct aesthetic, everything from fruit bowls and candlesticks to food storage jars and lunchboxes. www.black-blum.com

Did you know...? While chopsticks are very popular in China and often bought as a bridal gift, cutlery is a growth category in China, especially for the middle classes. “Chinese consumers like to buy cutlery with exquisite designs, which has made our JIA Calligraphy Cutlery collection, which combines Western cutlery design with Chinese Calligraphy lines, a bestselling item,” says Jacqueline. 30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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

style

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

In her column this issue, tableware expert Isabelle von Boch oﬀers her advice on capturing the customer’s attention with innovative and inspirational tablescapes whatever time of the year

have a deep conviction that there is nothing more boring than a boring store. As a retailer, ask yourself, what does the end consumer look for when they enter a store? They look for inspiration, ideas, and even advice. To get their attention, retailers should spend time and creativity in the presentation of tablescapes. When done well, table displays allow customers to imagine how they could style their own tables for diﬀerent occasions and seasons – whether cosy family events like Christmas, celebratory ones with friends like New Year’s Eve, or romantic gatherings like Valentine’s Day. Create a seasonal calendar and change table displays accordingly. Accessorising is a must. As a retailer, use accessories and props – add string lights, candle holders, textiles, decorative food, to make the look complete. With autumn upon us, look to nature to inspire your store tablescape, with warm rust and earth tones. It’s the perfect time to layer elements and create interest with contrasting textures – like a luxury deep olive green velvet table runner set against a rustic wooden table. Personally, I love to use glass chargers on the table, they add sparkle, colour and a further textural 32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

element to the placesetting. I usually opt for a patterned dinnerware collection for an autumn setting and unify the entire table with a tall but colourful stem. As a centrepiece, use a trio of clear glass hurricanes set with a simple pillar candle and surrounded by acorns, miniature pumpkins or fallen leaves. The winter season creates many opportunities for festive tablescapes – Thanksgiving in the US and Canada, followed by Christmas, and ending with New Year’s Eve celebrations in Russia and Asia in January and February respectively. The traditional colour palette of ruby red and forest green continues its reign, while metals create the celebratory ambiance – make good use of the many gold-plated or copper-coloured flatware collections on the market, use proper table linen, add decorative chargers and crystal candle holders, and finish with mini vases in jewel tones. Consumers continue to be charmed by traditional and nostalgic decoration. I love to see figural elements at each placesetting, something whimsical that guests can take away as a memory of the day – an ornament or a small trinket box that does double duty in holding the place card.. Such a set-up can be an inspiring way to invite customers to make multiple purchases for the table.

Outside of seasonal and festive events, and with the formal sit-down dinner now relegated to just a few times a year, casual entertaining tablescapes should dominate – this is what the Millennial customer is all about. They prefer to entertain with more contemporary flair, so use classic white porcelain in a contemporary shape. As a blank canvas, white can be easily combined with bright fashion colours like hot pink, citrus green and silver. Consumers gravitate toward things they can relate to. For example, when presenting our Pasta Passion collections in our showrooms, we deliver a tablescape with universal appeal, one reminiscent of a casual Italian restaurant. Think crisp white porcelain pasta plates atop red checked linens, bottles filled with rich red wine, string lights to illuminate the tables, baskets overflowing with crusty bread, even potted basil plans to add aroma. At Villeroy & Boch, we believe in creating products that fit into the way people actually live and believe retailers should dress their tables accordingly. Think in multi-functional ways, to help Millennial consumers see the many uses they can get from a single product: a cream jug can function as a vase, while espresso mugs can present desserts.

As the weather warms into spring and then summer, look at creating an outdoor set-up – a casual barbecue atmosphere, perhaps, that communicates casual get-togethers with friends on a warm day. Casually dress a long wooden buffet table with textural elements – use a yard or two of burlap fabric as a table runner, pile high with soft and light-coloured napkins, use a material mix of porcelain, wood and metals, fill watering cans with sunflowers and a garden tool box with cutlery. Make it eye-catching and relevant. Recently, one of our retail partners encouraged their urban-dwelling customer to throw a rooftop bash with their inspirational tablescape. The industrial designed wood and metal table was suspended from the ceiling and filled with acacia wood salad bowls, marble cheese boards, porcelain tapas plates and gleaming stainless steel serveware. It was a party everyone would want to attend. The key to maximising your store tablescapes is to have key pieces ready to pick up and take away. Why not create a tower of attractively priced serving pieces or hostess gifts? Pre-wrap these items in your stores’ signature paper or add a simple ribbon to the gift box. Customers are always pressed for time and will appreciate the convenience.

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 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 Philippe Deshoulières Prima Design Prouna Puiforcat Q Squared Design LLC Ralph Lauren Home Reed & Barton Ricci Argentieri Richard Ginori 1735 Riedel Crystal of America Robinson Home Products Rosenthal USA Royal Crown Derby Royal Copenhagen Royal Doulton Royal Limoges Royal Worcester Saint Louis Sambonet Sango America 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

Guide Barware

Raising the bar

With consumers increasingly desiring a home bar, barware continues to see a surge in sales

ith retailers reporting barware story success in the past few years, the barware category continues to soar. Not only has it been driven by the rise in craft distilleries and by consumer popularity for creating and serving specialist drinks at home, but also by the highly giftable nature of the category. “Customers today are more sophisticated and are looking for products that enable them to replicate the bar experience at home – product that can create an entertaining atmosphere,” says Eric Holzinger, CEO of EK France, which owns tableware retail chain, Ambiance & Styles, with 100 stores across France. Richard Halliday, creative director, Dartington, concurs, “Consumers want the same

34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

experiences at home as you would get at a good bar”. And as such, “retail partners are devoting more space to the category as their businesses grow”, says Jim Mylonas, vicepresident of crystal and metals at Lenox, highlighting how the barware category is Lenox’s fastest growing business. Cumbria Crystal is receiving more enquiries for barware; Libbey is finding high demand for barware; and Richard Brendon recently launched his first-ever barware collection due to such category potential. “The market for high-end barware seems to be growing and is highly giftable,” says Richard.

Varietal matters Varietal and expert glassware is a sector ﬁnding particular favour at retail (“Our customers are becoming

Lenox With its barware category currently its fastest growing business, Lenox continues to expand the category. Its latest launches, unveiled at the recent Tabletop Market, show a commitment to growth of this category with extensions to its bestselling Tuscany Classics Collection, the Number One pattern in better glassware, according to NPD. The Tuscany Classics Multipurpose Glass is a clever yet simple stem designed for any drink or desserts. The Tuscany Classics Assorted Champagne Flutes come in four great designs; and the Tuscany Classics Pitcher with Stirrer, created from fine European crystal, is for cocktail creations at home. The new Tuscany Classics Whisky Decanter features a beautiful, sleek silhouette and large capacity. “The clean and contemporary styling of the Tuscany Classics Collection appeals to multiple generations of consumers,” says Lenox’s vice-president of crystal and metals, Jim Mylonas. At the Market, monogramming was also introduced on Tuscany glassware; while Lenox's Entertain 365 story was extended to inlcude barware. www.lenox.com experts in oenology,” says Eric of French retail chain Ambiance & Styles) as consumers become increasingly knowledgeable about, and expert in, the creation and service of beverages at home, from wine to craft beer, whisky to cocktails. “The consumer is looking for more options mainly driven by the recent success of speciality wine, beer and spirits marketers especially in the craft segment,” says Jim at Lenox, which oﬀers varietal in wine, beer and whisky with its wine varietal series in its Tuscany Classics Collection, the mainstay of its assortment.

Villeroy & Boch is also seeing expert barware in growth. "So many consumers experience diﬀerent whiskys when they go out and then want to celebrate their expertise at home with friends. And to do so, they need the right glasses and accessories," says product manager of glassware, Kurosch Afchani, further highlighting how the rise of emerging markets like India and China are driving demand for specialist drinkware. Libbey is also ﬁnding speciality barware interesting right now. “Consumers are looking for the perfect glass for the perfect drink

LIFETIME BRANDS At the recently held Tabletop Market, Lifetime Brands delivered plenty of new glassware ranges and extensions. Under the Mikasa brand, they extended the popular Italian Countryside Collection to include a line of barware (pictured) – think gem-tone colours and a vintage textured design. They added craft beer glasses to their popular Cheers range for the first time – varietal packs of four featuring a different Cheers design on a different beer type glass (Pint, Tulip. Pilsner, Flute); and launched a craft beer varietal set under its Laura line too, as well as a Laura line of coloured stemware. Extensions to the popular and casual Revel barware collection include a 9-ounce goblet; and to the Cheers Metallic Ombre collection, which is doing really well, especially in Macy’s, comes a decanter and shot glasses. Finally, designed with fashion and function in mind, Mikasa has launched two new textured barware sets: Ballard Braid and Harding.

www.lifetimebrands.com and there continues to be a lot of innovation in mixology, from craft cocktails to chemistry barware, with consumers looking to replicate this at home,” says corporate communications manager, Lisa Fell. Libbey is especially excited about the increase in the consumption of wine, and in response to recent research done regarding consumers’ wine enjoyment, they recently launched at the Tabletop Show their new Perfect Signature stemware for wine connoisseurs. “The popularity of wine continues to grow – and consumers continue to seek out beautifully designed, well-balanced stemware that enhances the wine-drinking experience,” says Lisa. But it’s not just wine where varietal matters. “Just as consumers have become used to using good wine glasses to enjoy wine, they want the same quality experience with spirits,” says Richard Halliday, creative director, Dartington. Spirits, cocktails and beer are getting the varietal makeover. “Selecting the perfect glass vessel in which to present the perfect cocktail is increasingly popular,” says Lisa, Libbey. "We are seeing greater interest

in speciality glassware in the bar segments than in wine”.

Craft beer boom Beer continues to see speciality success, fuelled in particular by the craft manufacturers. “Craft beer is the strongest segment for us driven by consumer interest in the growing variety of craft beers available in the US,” says Jim at Lenox, pointing to its Tuscany Craft Beer glasses, which offer the same speciality application of shape as its wine assortment. The craft beer boom has seen plenty of glassware manufacturers catering to consumer demand. Crystalex has developed three varietalspecific beer glasses “due to the incredible rise of newly emerging microbreweries currently seeping into the Czech Republic”, says marketing manager Petr Kaplanek. Rona offers 10 different shaped beer glasses, “the shapes helping to capture the foam and aid the release of carbonation”, explains marketing manager, Ludek Vyskovsky. Sempli secured an Accent on Design Award at NY NOW for the clever technology in its new Monti Taste Collection of

5 minutes with…

Richard Brendon Renowned for his fine bone chinaware, London-based designer Richard Brendon has entered the barware category for the first time with his first-ever glassware, Diamond, a contemporary cut crystal barware collection. We talk to Richard about why he’s introducing crystal barware, what he’s offering that’s unique, and what the retail reactions have been like so far. Diamond is your barware and crystal debut. Why this category and why lead crystal? We introduced lead crystal barware into our collection because the material has wonderful heritage. It was first developed in England some 400 years ago, and when designed, it is exceptionally beautiful. I have come across a lot of beautiful antique lead crystal decanters while trawling antique markets and they have inspired this collection. The rise in recent years of craft distilleries means people want to create and serve drinks at home in beautiful barware. Barware is also very giftable. How has it been working with lead crystal as a material? It’s been wonderful. We are working with master craftsmen in Bohemia – for centuries Bohemia has been the centre of all things glass and in recent times it has established itself as the world-leading centre for lead crystal production. I’ve been blown away by how handmade the product is – every piece is mouthblown and hand-cut, even the moulds they blow glass into are cut by hand. Because the moulds are wooden and the craftsmen so skilled it is relatively inexpensive to create a new collection and there aren’t too many limiting factors. What was your inspiration for the collection? Antique lead crystal has been the main influence. I’ve been buying interesting pieces for a few years now and I’ve always been drawn to the diamond cut. This was one of the first cuts to become prevalent once lead crystal had been perfected. We’ve taken this traditional cut and traditional craftsmen and made it contemporary by designing simple forms and applying a tight diamond cut to the lower third and bottom of each piece. What pieces have you chosen and why? The Diamond collection delivers a decanter, ice bucket, hiball, DOF and shot glass. For me, the DOF and hiball are the most important barware shapes as they are versatile, plus these are the shapes our retailers are currently requesting. How has the reaction been to Diamond? We’ve had a really strong reaction to Diamond from a number of great retailers, as well as from interior designers and clients that work on residential, hotel and F&B projects. March in San Francisco was the first retailer to place an order and all our customers in London are looking at the collection with a view to introducing it in time for Christmas. Expect to see more introductions to Diamond next summer. www.richardbrendon.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 35

Guide Barware

DENBY Denby’s glassware offering is designed to complement its main tableware collections, with ranges designed for ‘living’ – its capacities have always been generous, in line with contemporary trends and its space in the American market. All handmade, Denby offers finely-etched, patterned, premium-coloured and everyday glassware. Denby’s bestselling glasses are wine glasses with coloured stems, which bring out the colour of its complementary tableware. New glassware launched this year includes The Monsoon Home Dinnerware Collection by Denby, which features three stunning designs, alongside its already popular Lucille Gold, inspired by Monsoon’s eclectic pattern designs. Cosmic is deep purple featuring a classic paisley pattern, Chrysanthemum is glossy black with a striking white chrysanthemum bloom, and Filigree features a decliate scroll pattern. Included in the range are wine and champagne glasses, along with tall tumblers.

www.denby.co.uk

LSA International Mouthblown glassware from LSA International delivers a quality and finish that can only be achieved by leading glass artisans. The brand offers an extensive and comprehensive barware collection, designed by the company’s creative director, Monika Lubkowska-Jonas. Classic and contemporary designs in timeless and trend-focused collections all feature. Practical and versatile, each piece can be mixed with the brand’s Wine, Dine and Serve collections for a coordinated tabletop and serveware setting. For this A/W season, LSA International has launched new specialist whisky drinkware in assorted shapes. The collection, which has been expertly mouthblown, includes gift-boxed sets for connoisseurs – decanters, tumblers, mixer and nosing glasses accompanied by solid walnut accessories.

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

DARTINGTON CRYSTAL Dartington Crystal has been flying the flag for great British design and glassmaking since 1967. Today, they remain the only brand still making 24 per cent lead crystal in the UK and also offer award-winning clear and coloured glassware from European sources. Dartington fuse a simple and clean design style in stemware and gifts and hand-making skills in classic premium crystal, as well as affordable machine-made crystal glass and coloured glass drinkware. Dartington believe that enhancing the experience for wine and spirit drinking is a combination of both ‘shaped for' flavour (the correct glass shape for the chosen drink) and the aesthetic pleasure of using a well-made crystal glass. They deliver on both with shapes designed for function, but with a quality, weight and balance that makes the glasses a pleasure to use. Its whisky gift set Connoisseur in handmade premium crystal is a bestseller, offering a tasting glass and an elegant small water jug, but the brand is seeing that “the spirit of the moment is definitely in Gin”, says creative director Richard Halliday. Its recent launch, Gintuition, is a giftable set endorsed by leading premium natural mixer brand Fever-Tree, and includes three glasses, a mixing guide and gin recipe suggestions.

www.dartington.co.uk

four varietal beer glasses – a font bottom enhances the carbonation of each beer. Beer speciality glass is key for Orrefors, whose range of three craft beer glasses are so successful among global beer connoisseurs that this year they have added an IPA glass, a “short tulip-shaped tumbler to bring out the rich maltiness and aromatic hop aromas”, explains designer Erika Lagerbielke, whose philosophy that the glass must accentuate the drink, have excellent balance, and be a feast for the eyes, is what makes Orrefors so successful. And for spring 2016, Waterford has elevated the humble beer glass to crystal heights, extending its popular Waterford Lismore Connoisseur Series, designed for the enjoyment of top shelf whiskys, to include a Connoisseur Beer Mug,

in lead crystal and featuring the signature Lismore cutting pattern. Finally, Luigi Bormioli has launched a new craft beer glass collection; Birrateque has six shapes.

Champagne rising But while beer has been brewing for a while, it is the sector of whisky where hospitality providers, retailers, and manufacturers, are ﬁnding the most recent great growth; and like with craft beer, it is the whisky craft manufacturers driving such growth. “There’s a big boom in the scotch and bourbon culture,” says Alex Renshaw, head bartender at Drumbar in Chicago. “Whisky is the most recent fastgrowth segment and this is fuelled by the interest generated by the craft manufacturers,” says Jim at Lenox, pointing to its new whisky decanter addition to the Tuscany

What the retailer says… “Interest in barware has grown exponentially and we designed our Manhattan store in 2012 with this mind. We havee expanded our selection to offer professional barware – Japanese mixing glasses and Bittermilk cocktail mixes. Cocktails are extremely pouplar, and with the resurgence of classic cocktails in New York, our customers are interested in tackling them at home.” Natasha Arnott, owner of Cookshop and tableware store, Whisk NYC 36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

What the retailer says… "Our customers are becoming experts in cooking, drinking and even in oenology, so we need to provide products that allow them to live and express this.” Eric Holzinger, CEO of EK France, the leading cooperative retail group in Europe, which owns tableware retail chain, Ambiance & Styles, which has 100 stores across France and delivers expert speciality barware from Chef & Sommelier and Leonardo. Classics Collection. Libbey too is seeing “continued high demand for whisky and brown spirits glasses", says Lisa. Seeing such potential, designer Richard Brendon, who is renowned for his fine bone china dinnerware, has recently entered the barware category with a lead crystal collection. “Over recent years craft distilleries have really taken off – whisky has become popular again and mixologists are progressing the art of cocktail-making to new heights,” explains Richard. Rona, this year, presented a selection of varietal whisky and spirits glasses – superior quality, fine, cold-cut rimmed glasses for every kind of whisky, from a single malt to a Canadian rye. At Maison & Objet, Paris, this September, Peugeot Saveurs launched a genius whisky set. With leading-edge technology, the glass features curves that help release all fragrances, a central dome that tames the fire of the alcohol, and a metal cooling base that delivers the perfect temperature. Echoing the time-honoured traditions of whisky distillation, LSA International has just launched a collection of specialist drinkware and decanters for whisky connoisseurs, including decanters, tumblers, mixer and nosing glasses, all of which are expertly mouthblown using centuries-old techniques and which come gift-boxed. The next emerging category is Champagne. Cumbria Crystal says that along with demand for whisky product, they are seeing high demand for champagne glassware. “Whisky and champagne have been very popular recently, with Grasmere, our range that features on TV show Downton Abbey, continuing to be a bestseller,” says managing director, Chris Blade. Libbey is also seeing such demand: “Stemmed cocktail glasses, particularly coupes and flutes, are very popular, which goes along with

the bubbly cocktail trend – Proseccos and Champagne,” says Lisa.

Other trends But just as varietal glassware is performing well, so too is the allpurpose glass – used for everything from spirits to cocktails to food. In hospitality, this is particularly prevalent. German hospitality brand Zieher has just launched stemware series Vision – while predestined for wine, the glasses also offer an extraordinary platform for small delicacies, the depression in its centre providing space for Amuse Bouche. The multi-purpose glass is finding favour too at retail. At the recent Tabletop Market, Lenox introduced the Tuscany Classics Multipurpose Glass, a simple but cleverly designed stem that is as relevant for the serving of desserts as for after-dinner drinks. Italian glassware brand Vidivi offers a multi-functional tumbler, for wine, water or spirits, in its geometricdesigned Concerto Collection and its beehive-inspired Honey Collection. As for other categories, styles and designs showing traction, Jim at Lenox says gift sets including an assortment of shapes are popular right now, with Lenox offering assorted sets in craft beer glasses, whisky glasses and champagne flutes. Richard at Dartington agrees, pointing out Dartington’s new gin glass gift set, Gintuition. Celebrating the UK’s current renaissance of gin, the set includes three glasses, a mixing guide, gin recipes and Fever-Tree tonic in a presentation gift box, designed “to help customers learn about and explore the world of gin", explains Richard. Barware is a category predicted to continue in its strong growth into 2016 and 2017. Lenox say barware continues to be a strong growth category and therefore one it plans to extend as it did heavily this Tabletop Market, with plenty of Tuscany Classics barware extensions. Watch this space for more introductions in the New Year.

5 minutes with…

Zieher Renowned for its innovative high quality product, the German hospitality brand has just launched its new Vision series of wine glasses, each glass unique, created from lead-free crystalline, and using a traditional, handblown method, the design guaranteeing maximum aroma and optimal of development of the wine. We talk to Zieher about the new collection. How did the new glassware series, Vision, come about? The vision to develop a new series of glasses was born more than five years ago. It arose from a creative collaboration and long-standing friendship between Manfred Zieher, head of Zieher, and Silvio Nitzsche (pictured above), sommelier and owner of the Weinkul Turbar in Dresden. Silvio’s experience was essential in helping to develop the philosophy. An insight we have at the moment is that more and more people are realising how strong the perception of a wine is influenced by the glass in which it is served and thus, that there is no such thing as one ideal glass for a certain wine. Choosing a glass and a wine is, to a certain extent, a matter of individual taste. Consumers are becoming more and more opinionated on wine, encouraging a more playful and democratic attitude towards wine. We see the Vision series and its story playing a pioneering role in this. Many glassware manufacturers differentiate glasses by wine type, but with this series, Zieher has based it on character. Why is that? Differentiating wine glasses by type is unending as there are so many different varieties within just one type. Distinguishing the glasses by character encourages the consumer to trust his/her own taste. No distinction is made between red wine or white wine glasses – all are simply theme-based or character-based. The names of the glasses (fresh / straight / intense / balanced / rich / nostalgic) clearly explain what they are used for, so you intuitively reach for the glass which presents the flavours of the wine you particularly wish to emphasise. If you want a powerful wine to be more harmonious or livelier, you pick a glass with the relevant designation. Also, if glasses are distinguished by character, it means you don’t need to be a wine expert to choose the right glass. Who is the series aimed at? High-class restaurants and five-star hotels globally, especially those seeking innovative high-quality products. We’re convinced the Vision series will also be successful in the retail sector and we’re working on making it available for retail clients internationally. www.zieher.com/en/products/vision.html TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 37

Guide Barware

CHEF & SOMMELIER Part of the Arc International Group, Chef & Sommelier delivers professional glasses in France made from a revolutionary material, Kwarx, which delivers absolute transparency. A bestselling brand across French retail chain Ambiance & Style’s 100 French stores, Chef & Sommelier has recently launched a new line, Reveal’Up, of 11 glasses. The large oxygenation surface encourages the wines to breathe and express the characteristics of the grapes, while the tapered shape of the upper part dampens the release of alcohol from young wines, instead revealing their full aromas. The angle of the bowl creates a natural gauge for pouring the perfect amount of wine.

www.chefsommelier.com

VIDIVI Italian glassware manufacturer Vetrerie Riunite Spa delivers a variety of glass barware via its Vidivi brand. The Concerto Collection is a complete range, including shot glasses, DOFs, hiballs, wine tumblers, a jug and an ice bucket, that is made unique by its modern geometric design, which creates unexpected sparkles in the glass. The same range of items minus the ice bucket is offered in the Honey Collection – the perfect geometry of the hexagonal pattern draws on the beehive delivering reflections of intense luminosity. The company offers complete customisation for its glassware, including advanced decorative techniques to enhance the colour with iridescent and sparkling nuances; spray-on pantone colours; customised colour logos; and even use of pure gold and platinum varnishes that are food-safe.

www.vetridellevenezie.com

VISTA ALEGRE

For 2016, Vista Alegre has unveiled a bold and brilliant barware collection, including one-of-a-kind collectible pieces and signifcant ant barware upgrade upgrades. es. Its two new versatile crystal barware collections ns are inspired by nature: natur Meandros (pictured) iss inspired by the cour course and bends of a river; and Wind, by the movement mo ng of wind. Swinging by Henrique Serbana is an opulent showsstopper topper of a decanter; decanter and d Hobby is a range of m H men'ss giftable decanters an g ld and Old FFashioneds featuring gold d ssilhouettes that celebrate celeb e a rrange of sports, from golff to te ennis to sailing. tennis

ORREFORS Swedish design company Orrefors Kosta Boda designs highquality utility glassware and art glass, developing, producing and selling a wide range for retail and hospitality. Erika Lagerbielke, professor in glass design, is at the helm of design here, having designed its award-winning Diﬀerence range of wine glasses, used by the world’s best restaurant, Noma in Copenhagen. She also created design classic Intermezzo with its signiﬁcant drop, which turns 30 this year. Paying tribute to this, Orrefors has recently launched Intermezzo Air, a mouthblown and handpainted series, featuring a platinum-gilded base and translucent drop and includes a champagne glass, balance glass and wine glass. The Beer range of glasses, which are successful among the world’s beer connoisseurs, and include a Pilsner, Lager and Taster, has recently been extended to include a unique glass for IPA.

www.orrefors.com

RIEDEL CRYSTAL The 300-year-old global leader in varietal-specific glassware, Riedel Crystal, boasts the finest and lightest machine-blown glasses on the market. The Veritas Series, launched last year, offers 10 wine-specific glasses incorporating ground-breaking technology that results in unsurpassed thinness and lightness. This year, Riedel has released the latest addition to its collection of innovative mouthblown lead decanters. The striking Riedel Bacchus mouthbl decanter, named after the Roman god of wine, is a handformed golden horn decanter design. “With the Riedel Bacchus decanter, I strove to create a functional and powerful wine tool that tells a story of the mischievous and cheerful Roman god, translated to a sophisticated and unique decanter,” said decanter designer and company CEO, Maximilian J. Riedel.

www.riedel.com

www.vistaalegre.com www.vistaalegre w m

Did you know. know...? ...? Spiegelau, wwhich is Libbey Libbey’s partner brand, is dedicated to producing the pooossible. Described d as ‘The class of glass’ Spiegelau is the brand of choice for very best wine glasses possible. 3 restaurantts around the w nine of the 12 Michelin 3-star restaurants world. www.spiegelau.com 38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

ZIEHER

Guide Barware

Fusing filigree craftsmanship with innovative design, German hospitality band Zieher has unveiled a series of wine glasses designed to enhance consumption. Created from lead-free crystalline glass using a traditional handblown method, the new Vision range offers maximum aroma and optimum development of the wine. “Zieher glasses are all about top quality craftsmanship, created in one of the most innovative and best glass blowing workshops in the world,” says designer and sommelier Silvio Nitzsche. The glasses are theme- or character-based, with no distinction made between red wine or white wine. Instead, they are named Fresh, Straight, Intense, Balanced, Rich and Nostalgic. “You intuitively reach for the glass which presents the flavours of the wine you particular wish to emphasise in the best way,” says Silvio.

www.zieher.com

WATERFORD Waterford has a sparkling roster of new collections and line extensions for 2016. New are Essentially Waterford Stemware Pairs in two patterns, Dungarvan and Wave. Boasting modernist intersecting cuts and linear chevrons, Dungarvan Barware brings a classic 1950s crystal pattern into a contemporary collection, including a decanter set, carafe and hiball pair. Introduced in 2015, the Waterford Lismore Connoisseur Series was designed for maximum enjoyment of top shelf whiskys – this has now been expanded for beer enthusiasts with a Connoisseur Beer Mug and Pint Glass Pair. The Waterford Elegance collection is also enhanced for spring with two dramatic decanters, Accent and Tempo, and a Long Drinks Pair.

CRYSTALEX

www.wwrd.com

LIBBEY

Crystalex’s product portfolio covers every beverage from a shape perspective – stemware for white, red and sparkling wines, glasses for brandies, liquors, and three specific shaped glasses for cocktails and for beers (lager, semidark beer and dark beer). They also offer a wide range of decanting and other carafes, jugs and pitchers. This year, they have extended their stemware assortment, with three new lines. Grace is a contemporary line, Rebecca delivers smooth contours and Kate offers an open cup with different stem heights. Its new line of decanting carafes come with a diagonal rim and bevelled neck, while its new line of bowls and vases, Gondola, boasts crimped rims resembling gondolas, which comes in a variety of colours.

According to Libbey, consumers today are curating the home bar according to the types of drinks they want to serve and the look and experience they want to create. The brand’s Modern Bar concept delivers plenty of entertaining sets, including Modern Bar Chemistry, which delivers mixologist pieces. They also offer the recently launched Tiki Bar. According to Libbey, Tiki drinks are not just a flash in the pan trend, but they have gone mainstream, with places like The Oak Bar at The Plaza now offering Tiki drinks on the menu. Tiki Bar includes everything from neon bamboo glasses to the Tiki God glassware.

www.libbey.com

www.crystalex.cz

VILLEROY & BOCH

The barware segment is a growing one for Villeroy & Boch. They offer specific glassware for both whisky and wine. “We offer a special glass for each red wine, while for whisky we offer varietal glasses for American straight bourbon, Irish whisky and for Scotch,” says product manager glassware, Kurosch Afchani. Trend-wise, Kurosch says the brand is seeing, and therefore promoting, the lifestyle concept in terms of wine, where each wine glass matches a particular lifestyle; for example, the country look. On the casual side, they are seeing mixing and matching of glassware styles; and they continue to see an increase in the use of coloured glassware. At the recent Tabletop Market, they unveiled new barware extensions: new in Purismo is the module Bar, six different glasses for cocktails, inlcluding exotic cocktail, martini shot glass. In modern series Entree, extensions include a cognac snifter, a grappa/shery glass and a beer glass. For 2016, successful series Boston Coloured and Colour Concept are updated with new on-trend colours.

www.villeroy-boch.com

Trend... Laboratory look While Villeroy & Boch’s product manager glassware, Kurosch Afchani, says they are seeing a “trend for the laboratory look with items reminiscent of professional laboratories,” at the recently-held Tabletop Market, Libbey showcased its new Modern Bar Chemistry sets – mixologist pieces designed like chemistry set pieces. “Chemistry is trending in décor,” say Libbey.

NEW!

INTERMEZZO AIR

Design: Erika Lagerbielke

The Orrefors Intermezzo range of glasses, with its blue drop, is celebrating thirty years anniversary. We are celebrating this 30th anniversary with Intermezzo Air, a new glass series featuring a platinumgilded base and a translucent drop in tribute to the clarity of the crystal glass. Intermezzo Air is mouth-blown and hand-painted at the Kosta Glassworks in Sweden.

www.orrefors.com

Brand Focus Crystalite Bohemia

Spotlight on…

Crystalite Bohemia Company history While records of glass production in the area of Svetla nad Sazavou in the Czech Republic date back to the 16th century, the foundation of Czech glassworks Crystalite Bohemia (formerly known as Sklo Bohemia) was in 1967 with the construction of a modern glassworks. Utilising the glassmaking expertise of the region, production officially began in 1970 with a range of mainly handmade products. The company was revolutionised in 1975 with the introduction of automatic production allowing the company to create machine-blown stemware, and again in 1998, allowing for production of unique product specifications up to 43cm in size and weighing up to 6kg. Purchased by a new Czech owner and renamed Crystalite Bohemia in 2009, the company now operates five smelting aggregates with a daily smelting capacity of 96 tons of molten glass.

What they offer Crystalite Bohemia is able to oﬀer almost the complete range of products, from giftware, stemware and tumblers, to barware, candlesticks and even handmade pieces. They produce 30 million pieces of machine-blown stemware and 5.5 million gift items using ecologically-clean molten glass known as crystallite (crystalline), which is equivalent to 24 per cent leaded crystal and, in many ways, surpasses crystal. This glassware is exported to more than 70 countries around the world, with key clients in the Middle East, Russia, Brazil, the US, Canada, Spain, Italy, France, the UK, Japan and China. Thanks to the company’s modern designs and reasonable pricing, they are seeing signiﬁcant growth in France, Italy, Spain, Brazil and the US, and due to the economic stabilisation of Iran, they are seeing 42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

good growth here. While once the company distributed 80 per cent of its glass to retail and 20 per cent to hospitality, an investment in new stemware production technologies has meant a bigger focus on the hospitality and OEM markets. Its retail customers worldwide include everyone from Costco, Walmart and TK Maxx, to Macy’s Debenhams and Krocus, while its hospitality clients include Sahm, Sam’s Club and Vetro Plus, among others. The company also works on OEM business, especially in the US.

Glassware options Crystalite Bohemia produces crystal unleaded utility glasses in a wide range of shapes and colours, from light blue and grey smoke to amber and dark green. In 2005, they began collaborating with key Czech designers, such as Rony Plesl and Bara Skorpilova, to create unique designs annually. They offer more than 60 giftware, barware and candlestick collections, mainly to the retail sector, and more than 20 stemware and tumbler collections, to both retail and hospitality, with the Quadro collection its most successful. New designs are launched each year. They also produce handmade products, traditional mouthblown product, including real coloured glass. The company has a specialism in creating bespoke, tailoring products to suit customers’ needs in different markets, whether in terms of design, shape or decoration. They offer a wide variety of different decoration techniques, which are especially popular in certain markets like Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Pantograph, etching, engraving, platinum and gold painting, spraying and decal application are just some of the techniques on offer.

Brand benefi efits The high quality off the h glassware l Left: Quadro uadro Above:: Oval produced at Crystalite Bohemia Right: Wave is historically linked to tradition, a combination of expert artisan skills of the region, along with the company’s implementation of the latest production technologies. This has resulted in a unique formula, featuring more than 11 per cent The number of metal oxides, which delivers a of people very high quality of glass. The glass currently employed at formula now features titanium, Crystalite Bohemia’s resulting not only in a much two production plants, improved reflection, clarity and brilliance, but also in greater durability in Svetla and Kvetna and resistance against abrasion, Glassworks, in the Czech which is especially important in the Republic, generating an hospitality sector. The company also annual turnover of 40 offers the option of tempered glass million euros. on some pieces within the hospitality sector. It is Crystalite Bohemia’s highThe number quality glass, along with its unique modern designs, and its reasonable in millions pricing, that makes the company so of machine-blown successful.

Crystalite Bohemia

BY NUMBERS

800

Looking to the future Crystalite Bohemia has a lot happening over the coming year, with the opening up of a new office and showroom in New York City, whose aim it is to deliver the brand to a new market and attract new customers. The company will be building a new furnace in order to instal a further even more modern stemware production line. Next year, Crystalite Bohemia will be exhibiting at Ambiente 2016 in Frankfurt in February.

Contact them Contact Crystalite Bohemia in the Czech Republic on +420 775 583605, email them at firt@crystalite.org or visit www.crystalite.org for more information.

stemware pieces that Crystalite Bohemia produces annually. They also produce 5.5 million giftware items.

The number of countries where Bohemia Crystalite glassware products are now distributed.

The approximate number of giftware, barware and candlestick collections in Crystalite Bohemia’s portfolio. They also oﬀer more than 20 stemware and tumbler collections.

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL

Your industry guide to all things kitchen The industry publication from the publishers of

Tableware International • Kitchenware International delivers all the latest news, views and reviews on everything from cookware and storage products to utensils and appliances • Kitchenware International features retail interviews, industry expert advice and spotlights the latest gourmet and kitchenware trends

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL 2

Kitchenware Supplement September/October 2015

134

www.tablewareinternational.com

design for function

ZZZ WKRPDV NLWFKHQ GH

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Next issue Kitchen Preparation Tools ● Multi-functionality Copper Kitchenware ● Ambiente Show Preview ● Chicago Show Preview OUT January 2016 www.tablewareinternational.com

Feature Accessories

Affordable versatility at heart of accessories growth Social media inspiration has given rise to an ‘anything goes’ philosophy when it comes to accessorising tables, with aﬀordability, personalisation and mixing and matching key factors today

W Denby Accessories form an important part of Denby’s collections, whether it’s a Sunday dinner with family or a fish supper with friends. “The traditional Denby consumer likes to have the full collection of matching tableware, glassware and placemats – busy people appreciate that we offer this easy solution,” say Denby. All of Denby’s new tableware ranges are designed with complementary accessories in mixed materials in line with contemporary trends, and all new ranges are designed to include placemats and coasters. Denby is launching a new range of tableware accessories at Spring Fair next February, which will include new textiles in both slate and glass. www.denby.co.uk

44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

ith entertaining at home continuing its popularity, tabletop accessories – placemats, runners, napkins and napkin rings – that create a story are doing well at retail. Not only do such tabletop accessories create a sense of occasion, allowing consumers to personalise the dining experience according to their own tastes, ideas, and the theme or occasion they want to create, but they provide affordable ways of doing so. “Our customers tend to be more willing to add tabletop pieces each year, rather than invest in a brand new china pattern,” says Kim Seybert, an American designer who launched a fresh perspective into the world of tabletop accessories by introducing a refined fashion sensibility. Kim highlights how the Kim Seybert brand offers lots of choice in terms of style and price point, making

it easy – and aﬀordable – for customers to layer new, on-trend pieces into existing tableware. “People don’t change their dinnerware every year, but they do give their table a fresh new look every so often with accessories that are seasonal, trending or fashion-driven,” says Kiana Bahadorzadeh, cofounder of Kiyasa, a boutique design, distribution and sourcing company specialised in exclusive and luxurious lines of tableware and home decoration. Accessories are in fact a key part of the Kiyasa business, especially since the company recently launched its own in-house brand, Kiyasa Signature, which focuses on highquality, fashion-driven bath and home entertaining accessories. “This category has become a core part of our business,” says Kiana. And although there is certainly an increased interest from

CREATIVE TOPS Creative Tops has introduced a new luxury collection of mats and coasters which are not just stylish but perfect for everyday use. Featuring fabulous designs the collection boasts a luxury lacquered surface finish meaning they are scratch and scuff resistant, easy to wipe clean, with a smooth silky texture, that is able to withstand temperatures of up to 120°C. The lacquered edge finish adds more durability and prevents moisture damage to the surface design. The 5mm thickness and cork back makes them slip-resistant ensuring they service a table for many years.

www.creative-tops.com

the Millennial generation in entertaining at home, tabletop accessories’ demands today are for a less extravagant table. “Millennials are opting for contemporary and simple pieces in the creation of a ﬁnished clean look,” says Kim Seybert. Tableware manufacturers are therefore updating tabletop accessories to appeal to this generation. “While the tablecloth may seem to appeal to an older generation, we are reviving it with a twist, so anyone can use it to dress their tables or easily add a few more people in without the worry of stains,” say the owners of Mode Living, a well-curated collection of easy-care luxury table linens. All of Denby’s new tableware ranges are designed with complementary accessories in mixed materials in line with contemporary trends, and all new ranges are designed to include placemats and coasters. At Spring Fair in February, its accessories will include new textiles in slate and glass. In terms of trends, Kiyasa is seeing a desire for animal print and animal-inspired textures, as well as neutral colours, which are always popular. The Homi Trend Report for Spring/Summer 2016 points to both natural materials – linen, cotton, hemp, wood – and neutral earth tones with understated prints. Kim Seybert says that in this category she is seeing a lot of the mixing of materials and

metals, which may come from the influences in the jewellery market”, says Kim. Kim continues: “There are no rules anymore about designing a table with both silvers and golds, or copper and bronze,” says Kim, highlighting that this is certainly something she’s always liked to do in her own tablescapes. In fact, due to the social media inﬂuences – Pinterest and Instagram, in particular – Millennials are throwing out the formal rules and being experimental and adventurous with their tabletop choices and combinations. Today, anything pretty much goes. “With so much access to style inspiration from social media and more traditional media such as HGTV, people who enjoy entertaining are more sophisticated than ever and they are looking for ways to always keep their tables fresh and exciting. And so are learning how even the simplest accessories, from napkin rings to ﬂowers, give them a way to express their personal style and make their guests feel special,” says Kim. Sandy at Chilewich concurs: “This generation are the avid users of social media and we are amazed at how many images of our placemats and runners are posted each day. This generation wants to share and they are proud of their creations. Creating an ambience that is personal and unique is the current movement… being creative about presentation ensures that this experience is complete.”

KIM SEYBERT Kim Seybert offers stylish tabletop accessories, from placemats, chargers and coasters, to tablemats, napkins and napkin rings that are beautiful and boast great attention to detail. The Kim Seybert approach is about offering customers a lot to choose from, both in terms of style and price point, which makes it easy for customers to layer new, on-trend pieces into their existing tableware and linens to create whole new looks. This Autumn, in addition to Kim’s namesake opulent beaded tabletop pieces, she has experimented with new materials, including hide, enamel and reflective surfaces such as mirror. Casablanca features placemats made of hide and metallic leather; Fete is a reversible PVC runner in silver and gold; Moroccan Tile is a wooden napkin ring; Hamsa is a beaded placemat; and Pearl are napkin rings in three colours, including ivory, Champagne and grey.

www.kimseybert.com

Textile trends... “Manufacturers have looked to tradition, both in terms of the choice of natural materials, from linen and cotton to hemp and wood, as well as in terms of the use of neutral earth tones or light nuances that create a uniform background with understated prints or prints in delicate hues like antique pink or Byzantine blue.” Homi Trend Report Autumn 2016 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 45

On dressing a table…

Feature Accessories

MODE LIVING Mode Living, which launched earlier this year, is a well-curated collection of easy-care luxury table linens, combining timeless designs and premium quality with easy-care nanotechnology. They oﬀer a variety of designs and fabrics, both elegant and contemporary, and the products are manufactured with the highest quality yarns and Turkish workmanship. All linens deliver an ecofriendly easy-care ﬁnishing that prevents wine and liquids from staining, which makes them easy to use and launder. The collection includes a variety of tablecloths and napkins, with runners and placemats being added to the spring/summer 2016 collection.

www.mode-living.com

KIYASA CORPORATION Kiyasa is a boutique design, distribution and sourcing company specialising in exclusive and luxurious lines of table and home décor. In addi addition itio to oﬀering tabletop accessories under its Prouna brand, Kiyasa has recently launched its own Kiyasa SSig Signature brand, focused on high quality fashion-driven Bath and Home Entertaining Accessories, inclu including udin tabletop accessories like placemats and coasters. Kiyasa Signature’s Silk collection, handcrafted hand dcra in Europe, is a new introduction into the fashion-forward line of tableware table ew accessories. These are faux silk pattern placemats in deep sea and gold go shades and decorated with crystals around the edges – they are non-absorbent and easy to care for. In terms of product type, pl placemats, trays and coasters are very strong.

www.kiyasa.com w

POSH TRADING COMPANY Top-end homewares and accessories specialist Posh Trading Company, the brainchild of award-winning interior designer Sarah West, has launched a unique concept that blends practicality with beautiful design. Matbox is a collection of three serving mats, eight placemats and eight double coasters encased in either a beautiful lacquered or striking acrylic clear box. Manufactured using engineered wood, the statement design piece comes in a silver leaf and lacquer ﬁnish, in a spectrum of en vogue hues, from pearlised rouge to iridescent anthracite, with the option of eggshell inserts and bespoke Shagreen ﬁnishes with various stitching options.

www.postradingcompany.com

CHILEWICH Each season, from her NYC studio, Sandy Chilewich creates a new textile collection for table and floor that reflects her distinctive aesthetic. Continually stretching the boundaries of what to expect from a textile, Chilewich designs are renowned worldwide for their durability, ease of care and inventive design. For autumn/winter 2016, a new collection “pushes the boundaries of what a textile can be by creating colour, texture and graphics that have never really been seen before”, says Sandy. Each colourway for the Colour Tempo design embodies five tonal colour stories, with each placemat presenting a carefully considered spectrum of colour, from light to dark in block configuration. Faded Floral is Chilewich’s first digital print and Drift is a bold new design with intricate cut-outs inspired by traditional Japanese woodblock prints, that embodies the movement of water.

www.chilewich.com 46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

We ask three tabletop experts about the importance of dressing a table today....

“You can’t set a table without accessorising it – it’s like dressing up but wearing no shoes.” Co-founder Kiana Bahadorzadeh, Kiyasa

“I have always felt that dressing a table is much more fun than dressing myself. It takes very little to elevate a dining experience, whether it be for a bowl of cereal or a four-course dinner party – the textile on the table acts as both a foundation for the plate and can enhance the mood of the occasion through texture and colour.” Sandy Chilewich, owner and founder, Chilewich

“Even the simplest of accessories, from napkin rings to ﬂowers, gives consumers a way of expressing their personal style and is a way of making their guests feel very special.” Kim Seybert, owner, Kim Seybert

Comment Industry Experts

View from the top We ask the industry experts to fill us in on tabletop performance and trends Scott Bial, president, Luxury Tabletop & Metals, Lifetime Brands, Inc. Thoughtful consumption has returned, with Millennials demanding product with value and a story. How key is the story? Millennials are savvy – they know what they want and expect value from all purchases. We create lifestyle statements with our products across multiple categories to address the way today’s younger consumer is cooking, eating, and entertaining. For the tabletop category, we are mixing materials, colours, textures and finishes to help consumers create the desired look. We are also trying to make the shopping experience easier, so with our White Box Programme, we’ve created a coordinated statement of high-quality dinnerware, glassware and flatware targeted specifically at Millennials. According to the 2015 Insight Survey, only 16 per cent of housewares brands are fully invested in social media. What do you offer? Lifetime Brands uses Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to showcase our products and spur conversations surrounding our Mikasa and Pfaltzgraff brands. On these channels we share lifestyle photography, entertaining tips and recipes. Our fans regularly share with us photos of their patterns. We also work with several bloggers in the home design space. Through these partnerships, we’re able to reach a wider audience, and ultimately attract new fans and consumers. How has the tableware industry fared in 2015? We are always aggressive; 2015 looks to be a good year for the tabletop division. What is Lifetime Brands’ plans for 2016? Our product launches are always extensive and we take a leadership role in the marketplace. To keep our leadership role, we stay ahead of the curve in trends – we have a dedicated team of people who identify market trends. www.lifetimebrands.com

Charlie Breslin, sales director, Nikko Thoughtful consumption has returned, with Millennials demanding product with value and a story. How key is the story? The story has become the most important selling feature. Customers today want to have a personal connection with their purchases. We recently introduced Washi, which has texture resulting from actual Japanese washi paper that has been inserted into the mould – retailers and customers alike are excited by this fact, this story.

48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Sebastian Lazell, managing director, Denby Holdings Ltd Thoughtful consumption has returned, with Millennials demanding product with value and a story. How key is the story? The telling of a brand’s ‘story’ has become an expectation of the communication mix as consumers become increasingly brand literate and commercially savvy. Technology and the digital arena has clearly facilitated the sharing of these stories and brands must be astute at knowing which bits of their stories are of interest to their target audience and ensure they are always genuine. For Denby’s heritage brands, the story is especially important as Denby, Burleigh and Poole Pottery all have fascinating histories and still use traditional processes. With more than 200 years of history, Denby’s Made in England stoneware, iconic designs and a ‘designed for living’ ethos produces great content; as does its eco story – Denby was the first pottery to claim zero to landfill. Burleigh, meanwhile, is the only pottery in the world to continue the centuries-old craft of tissue transfer printing, a skill that takes seven years to master. All great stories. According to the 2015 Insight Survey, only 16 per cent of housewares brands are fully invested in social media. What do you offer? As a brand we see social media as a key part of our marketing mix. As well as engaging with consumers on key platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, we love Instagram, Pinterest and You Tube as these media tools are very visual, which suits our sector well, and we get really good levels of engagement with consumers, as well as bloggers and journalists using these platforms. How has the tableware industry fared in 2015? The outlook is positive for tableware given the macro factors, such as the rise in interest in interiors, cooking and home entertaining. We do have an ambitious programme for the rest of the year and into 2016, but we know that to continue to achieve growth we must launch ranges which are grounded in consumer insight and which work for our retailers. As a category leader in tableware, we’re also continuing to look for ways to better understand the category and deliver overall category growth for our trading partners by using this insight to drive activity. What is Denby Brands’ plans for 2016? Denby is working on an exciting new collection for launch at the end of the year, but all will be revealed at Spring Fair 2016. Our website is regularly updated, but we are adding a Heritage section – this will provide a good reference tool and we are currently working on a digital image library. www.denby.co.uk

How has the tableware industry fared in 2015? As tableware moves towards innovation rather than just decals and patterns, we will see growth. We say the consumer doesn’t want our products but we have to ask ourselves, are we making things that they ‘have to have’? Nikko has been the example of growth through new technologies. What is Nikko’s plans for 2016? You will see many new introductions incorporating shapes and textures through innovative technical advancement. Stay tuned!

Stephanie Saalfeld, managing director, Porzellanmanufacktur Fuerstenberg Thoughtful consumption has returned, with Millennials demanding product with value and a story. How key is the story? Fuerstenberg has always stood for long-term values and our customers have always appreciated traditional values like Made in Germany craftsmanship. As the second-oldest porcelain manufacturer in Germany, with more than 260 years of tradition and craft experience, we have a particular brand essence. Stories are really important and our collections talk of history and of stories. We worked on our Aureole design together with Korean ceramist Kap-Sun Hwang for more than two years; Aureole tells the neverending story of the interplay between the sun and the moon, with the well of the plate designed as a raised platform, thus turning the rim of the plate into a halo of light. According to the 2015 Insight Survey, only 16 per cent of housewares brands are fully invested in social media. What do you oﬀer? On the one hand we work closely with our specialist dealers – they present our products and our brand history to customers. On the other hand, we recently launched the new website (http://www.fuerstenberg-porzellan. com/en/home/) which attractively presents information on our products, so customers all over the world can purchase Fuerstenberg products via the new webshop. How has the tableware industry fared in 2015? We see a slight upward trend for the industry.

CUSTOMERSERVICE@OXFORDPORCELANAS.COM.BR

WWW. OXFORDPORCELANAS. COM.BR/ EN

What is Fuerstenberg’s plans for 2016? Fuerstenberg will participate in international trade fairs such as Maison & Objet, Paris, and The New York Tabletop Show and we will continue to use and expand the possibilities of the new website and also start using selected social media channels in the future. www.fuerstenberg-porzellan.com

THE BRAZILIAN TABLEWARE MADE IN BRAZIL

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 49

Tradeshow Calendar

February Feb 4-7

Formland 2016 MCH Messe Center Herning, Denmark Scandinavian home for design, interiors and accessories – Spring edition www.formland.com

Feb 7-11

Spring Fair 2016 NEC Birmingham, UK The biggest UK tradeshow of the year including Kitchen, Dining and Housewares. Volume opens Feb 6 www.springfair.com

Feb 12-16

Ambiente Frankfurt am Main, Germany The world’s largest consumer-goods fair, with nearly 50 per cent of it making up the Dining category www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

Feb 20-23

Buyer’s Guide to 2016 Shows Tableware International’s deﬁnitive guide to the top Tableware tradeshows in 2016

January Jan 12-19

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai Asia’s leading home textiles and accessories show spring edition organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) and featuring 1,400 exhibitors www.intertextilehome.com

April April 12-15

The New York Tabletop Show 41 Madison, New York, USA Tabletop-speciﬁc showrooms from more than 160 international brands www.41madison.com

April 16-18

Home Expo India 2014 India New Expo Center and Mart, Greater Noida, New Delhi, India Wide range of tableware, kitchenware and housewares with three-in-one shows www.epch.in/homexpo

Global Sources Gift & Home

Jan 24-28

The UK’s largest show for the food service and hospitality industry, including tabletop www.hotelympia.com

Las Vegas Market World Market Center, Las Vegas

Top Drawer

HOMI Milano

Olympia, London, UK

Fiera Milano, Rho, Milan, Italy

The Spring/Summer edition of this recently rebranded design-led home accessories, gifts, fashion and contemporary craft and design event for discerning retailers www.topdrawer.co.uk

The home and lifestyle trade fair with a focus on Italian-made product www.homimilano.com

Jan 22-26

The leading design-led US market for home and lifestyle co-located with Artisan Resource. Handmade opens on Jan 30 www.nynow.com

50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles

April 18-21

Jan 29 – Feb 1

Second edition of the new layout of

March 16-18

Hotelympia 2016

Jan 17-19

Paris-Nord Villepinte, France

Among Asia’s largest gifts, housewares and handicrafts fair held biannually with 2,400 exhibitors from handmade manufacturers in India www.epch.in

The third edition of this famed Paris home design show speciﬁcally for Asia with a greater focus this year on interior design and architectural solutions www.maison-objet.com/en/asia

Feb 29 – Mar 3

US hub of gift and home buying in Atlanta, with the largest collection of home, gift and apparel product www.americasmart.com

Maison & Objet, Paris

Greater Noida Expo Centre & Mart, Delhi, India

Maison & Objet Asia Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center

leading international design-led home and interiors show with a luxury focus www.maison-objet.com

The most comprehensive furniture, home décor and gift market in the Western US with a unique crosssection of 2,200+ resources and new staggered show hours www.lasvegasmarket.com

Atlanta Convention Center, Atlanta, USA

Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair

Mar 8-11

Jan 31 – Feb 3

NY NOW Javits Center, New York, USA

ExCeL Exhibition Centre, UK

March Mar 2-4

Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market Atlanta Convention Center, Atlanta, USA The latest products and trends for Gift and Home www.americasmart.com

Mar 5-8

IHA International Home + Housewares Show McCormick Place, Chicago, USA The largest home goods and housewares marketplace in the US www.housewares.org

Asia World Expo, Hong Kong Thousands of gift/home products, including kitchenware and tableware www.chinasourcingfair.com

April 20-23

Hong Kong Housewares Fair Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Asia’s largest housewares show with 2,110 exhibitors and 28,000+ buyers, held alongside the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair www.hkhousewarefair.hktdc.com

May May 10-13

Maison & Objet Americas Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, US

The second edition of this design-led upscale show in the US www.maison-objet.com/en/americas

The biggest housewares and gift show in Eurasia, a regional trading hub attracting buyers from Turkey, Eurasia, CIS, the Balkans, Middle East and North Africa www.zuchex.com

May 14-17

Homi New York Jacob K. Javits Center, New York

Sept 22-25

The second edition of this Italianﬂavoured home and gift show for the US market, running alongside ICFF www.homimilano.com

Tent London Old Truman Brewery, London

May 15-17

Pulse London Olympia, London, UK One-stop-show for innovative design-led products, including a Home section of tableware, wall art and soft furnishings www.pulse-london.com

June June 1-3

Interior Lifestyle Tokyo 2016

Ambiente, Messe Frankfurt

London-based design tradeshow Tent is held alongside Super Brands London – two floors of pure design, 450 designers from 29 countries www.tentlondon.co.uk

July 31 – Aug 4

Sept 4-7

Sept 27-30

Las Vegas Market

Autumn Fair International

The New York Tabletop Show

NEC, Birmingham, UK

Showrooms featuring more than 160 brands specifically for the tabletop market www.41madison.com

World Market Center, Las Vegas The Summer Market edition of this comprehensive furniture, home décor and gift show www.lasvegasmarket.com

August

Tokyo Big Sight, West Hall

Aug 18-21

Annual international trade fair for consumer goods in interior design, organised by Messe Frankfurt www.interior-lifestyle.com

Formland 2016

The season’s number one gift and home trade event for the UK www.autumnfair.com

Sept 11-13

Top Drawer Olympia, London, UK

41 Madison, New York, USA

October October 11-13

Brand Licensing Europe 2016 Olympia, London, UK

Exclusively Housewares

Autumn edition of this Nordic tradeshow for design, interiors and accessories www.formland.com

The Autumn/Winter edition of the UK’s leading design-led event featuring products within the carefully curated categories of Home, Craft, GIft and Fashion www.topdrawer.co.uk

Business Design Centre, London

Aug 20-24

Sept 21-23

Oct (TBC)

NY NOW

Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market and The Atlanta Gourmet Market

HOMI Moscow Crocus Expo Center, Moscow, Russia

June 14-15

Be inspired by great housewares and tabletop product, plus second edition of sister show Exclusively Electrical www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk

MCH Messe Center Herning, Denmark

Javits Center, New York, USA

Ambiente India

The leading design-led US market for home and lifestyle co-located with Artisan Resource www.nynow.com

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India

Aug 24-26

The premier trade fair for homeware and the interior décor industry targeting business visitors across India www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles

June 22-24

July July 12-19

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market Atlanta Convention Center, Atlanta, USA US hub of gift and home buying in Atlanta www.americasmart.com

July 17-20

Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center The latest products and trends for Gift and Home, along with gourmet food offerings www.americasmart.com

National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai

Sept (TBC)

Autumn edition of Asia’s leading home textiles and accessories show www.intertextilehome.com

Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy

Aug 27-30

Tendence Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany International trade fair for consumer goods with a focus on gifts www.tendence.messefrankfurt.com

September

HOMI Milano A lifestyle show that is trend-led, style-focused and puts Italian-made product ﬁrst www.homimilano.com

Sept 20-22

Interior Lifestyle China Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai Chinese consumer goods market with sectors on dining, living and giving www.messefrankfurt.com.hk

Home & Gift Harrogate

Sept 2-6

Sept 22-25

Harrogate Int’l Centre, UK

Maison & Objet, Paris

Tens of thousands of homeware products in this UK show, with a sneak peek at the Spring/Summer 2017 ranges www.homeandgift.co.uk

Paris-Nord Villepinte, Paris, France

Zuchex Housewares Fair 2016

Leading international design-led home/gift show www.maison-objet.com

TUYAP Fair Convention and Congress Centre, Istanbul, Turkey

The event for licensing and brand extension www.brandlicensing.eu

The second edition of this innovative Italian-flavoured home and gift trade fair, co-located with I Saloni Worldwide Moscow and Moscow Design Week www.homirussia.ru

October (TBC)

Mega Show Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre At the centre of Asian sourcing, this huge show features an Asian Kitchen & Dining Show and a Glasswares Trends Show www.mega-show.com

November Nov 25-27

IFFT/Interior Lifestyle Living Tokyo Big Sight High-end show for furniture, textiles, tableware and gift, the leading tradeshow for the Japanese high-end interior market www.iﬀt-interiorlifestyleliving.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 51

Show Preview Top Drawer

Home, Top Drawer and Craft evolve

Introducing… Elleffe Design Popular Italian design brand Elleffe Design will make its debut in Home at Top Drawer, launching its brand into the UK. Elleffe offers elegant and contemporary products, from coffee and tea sets (pictured) to bread baskets, bottle holders and condiment sets, for both retail and hospitality. All products are made of 18/10 stainless steel, which appears soft and ethereal, and which is sometimes combined with warm materials like wood and cloth. Innovative in shape and styling, and with both functional and decorative purpose, the polished finish highlights the food and creates a striking optical effect. Find them on the Belle Creation stand on Stand K13.

Don’t miss...

The innovative design-led brands showing in the Home section at Top Drawer, 2016.

Top Drawer, Home and Craft have evolved from three events to one event with four beautifully curated worlds, including Home

ince 1984, Top Drawer in London has been synonymous with topquality products and innovative design. In 2012, the Home event was introduced alongside Top Drawer, and in 2014 the Craft event was delivered, creating three co-located events at one time and in one space. This combination cemented the show’s unique position as the UK’s leading design-led buying event for multiple buying categories. Spring 2016 sees the event’s latest evolution, as organisers Clarion present four distinctive worlds – Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft – under one united Top Drawer brand, delivering one major destination for design-led products and buyers from all over the world. “Our dedicated team spends the year cherry-picking the best in class across home, gift, fashion and craft. The result is a curated, exciting and inspiring event that presents the up and coming trends, and showcases the very best of each sector,” says new event director, Alejandra Campos. “The new look is fresh, premium and contemporary. By simplifying the brand architecture, we are able to focus more on relevant content and engage fundamentally with each of the communities we represent.” Hosting a record number of exhibitors, the next edition of Top Drawer will take place at Olympia London January 17-19 2016, and will bring together an inspirational showcase of thousands of selected British and international brands and designers. Home will present a carefully edited, global cross-section of products from more than 200 of the ﬁnest brands and

designers in Interior Accessories, Kitchen & Dining, Furniture & Lighting and Outdoor Living for the Spring/Summer season. On the dining front, brands in attendance include Alessi, Black + Blum, Forma House, Joseph Joseph, LSA International, Make International, Robert Welch, Seletti, Skandium, Umbra, Elleffe Design, Studio William, Repeat Repeat, Marimekko, Cubic, Arteum and Sue Ure, among others. “Home at Top Drawer has developed tremendously since its launch in 2012. Buyers can now find an unrivalled homeware selection from leading international brands of the highest quality – a selection that won’t be found at any other event in the UK,” says development director, Ian Rudge. New this year is the Food Emporium, which will introduce the best speciality and fine foods from leading artisans, producers and brands – big and small – to add foodie faves to any retail space. Top Drawer has a proud history of discovering and nurturing new talent. For 2016, Spotted will expand to become the all-encompassing hub for new and emerging brands across the shows and will include the popular confessions of a design geek bursary award. The beautifully curated world of Craft will also return for its third year with an impressive selection of carefully curated handmade products from over 150 of the finest contemporary makers. Buyers are now invited to register online to experience the new, beautifully curated worlds of Top Drawer – Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft. Top Drawer takes place at Olympia London, January 17-19, 2016. You can now register for Home on revamped website www.topdrawer.co.uk

SUE URE Stand K18

O.W. LONDON Stand C-D23

CREAM CORNWALL Stand A41

What the retailer says… “Home at Top Drawer has ﬁrmly established itself as a must-see show in my diary. It’s incredibly inspiring and great for new ideas” Matthew Canwell Director of Buying, Lakeland 52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

ARTEUM Stand K42

Show Preview NY Now

NY NOW readies for Winter Market 2016 100,000 products and endless educational and networking opportunities will create a unique industry experience this January

inter in the Big Apple is about to get a lot hotter thanks to the return of NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift. Attracting some of the best buyers in the industry – from Crate & Barrel, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Michael C. Fina, to Sur La Table, Williams-Sonoma, Geary’s and Pottery Barn – the Winter 2016 edition of the industry’s most expansive marketplace event will feature an exciting line-up of new and returning exhibitors, as well as a comprehensive agenda jam-packed with seminars and one-of-a-kind networking opportunities that will provide Market attendees with an unrivalled shopping and sourcing experience.

Experience engaging exhibitors NY NOW will deliver more than 100,000 products within three collections that touch every aspect of home, lifestyle and handmade gifts. HOME (level 3 of Javits) will encompass Accent on Design, Home Furnishings + Textiles and Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares . LIFESTYLE (level 1 of Javits) will include Baby + Child, Gift, Personal Accessories and Personal Care + Wellness. HANDMADE will incorporate Handmade Designer Maker (Javits Center North) and Handmade Global Design (Javits Center’s Level 4 River Pavilion) which will both be open from January 30 through February 2. In addition, Artisan Resource (Jan 31 – Feb 3, level 3 of Javits) is a production-sourcing opportunity for overseas artisan enterprise that connects US-based volume importers, direct import retailers 54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

and wholesalers with juried overseas artisan enterprises offering handmade production resources and products. The Tabletop + Gourmet Hosuewares section, which is in the Home Collection on level 3 of the Javits Center, delivers a stunning collection of resources for home entertaining, gourmet kitchenware and speciality tabletop resources, including product categories such as glassware, serveware, dinnerware, cutlery/flatware, table linens, gourmet kitchenware and barware. Tabletop brands that have already signed on to participate include Caskata, Vietri, Beatriz Ball Collection, Blue Pheasant, Michael Aram, Mariposa, Rolf Glass, Q Squared NYC, Simon Pearce, Match, to name but a few. A full list of exhibitors and booth numbers will be available online at www.nynow.com in early November. Explore what’s off the exhibit floor NY NOW attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of educational programming and industry events. Seminars and sessions – each hosted by a leading trade or consumer publication, or by an industry association – address compelling and timely topics including colour and design trends, sustainability, digital media and retail strategies. NY NOW also offers a number of networking events and award programnes for attendees and exhibitors to take advantage of and maximise their overall experience. After hours, NY NOW attendees will enjoy ‘Only in New York’ activities, such as ‘A Night on Broadway,’ allowing them to experience everything that the

Dansk (Lenox) Booth 3220 On the Lenox stand but under the Dansk brand comes the new Northern Indigo dinnerware collection, featuring a contemporary scroll design displayed in a painterly eﬀect on white porcelain. Accents of coral and green make this blue and white pattern come alive. The collection also includes laser-etched wood serveware mirroring the pattern used in the dinnerware, coordinating barware with coloured rims in indigo or pearl white, and an enamel-coated trivet featuring the scroll design.

www.lenox.com

Alex Marshall Studios Booth 3145 Alex Marshall Studios ceramics are made by hand in northern California. They will present their new sphere cake plate, which features their sienna on matte white glaze created by pouring the sienna glaze horizontally across the ceramic form creating a band and then pouring a smaller band of the sienna glaze perpendicularly while still allowing for small random drips. It is also available in over 25 other colours.

www.alexmarshallstudios.com Market – and New York City – have to oﬀer. Information and registration for all NY NOW seminars and events will be available at www.nynow.com/ programmes in November. Plan your market attendance After a successful launch at the summer 2015 edition of NY NOW, attendees will once again be able to prepare and plan for with the help of NY NOW Market Planner. This robust matchmaking tool is easy-to-use and helps attendees ﬁnd companies and resources central

to their stated category interests. Registrants can create a personalised planner for the Market that includes the ability to contact exhibitors and schedule on-site appointments; search networking opportunities; preview product images, videos and information; and more. The winter 2016 edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift, will run from Sunday, January 31, through Wednesday, February 3, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center www.nynow.com

Gorky Pottery Booth 3357

Abbiamo Tutto Booth 3612 From this 100 per cent Made in Italy ceramic brand comes two brand new collections for 2016, Stripes and Vineyard. While Stripes delivers a red, white and blue collection that includes placesettings and serveware, Vineyard delivers handpainted serving pieces in fun geometric shapes featuring red and purple grapes and includes various platters, a bowl, carafe and wine bottle holder. They have also added mugs to their Sea Creature and Lake Fish collections and increased the number of designs available in their small pitcher collection.

Gorky Pottery, a handmade pottery workshop based in Guanajuato in Mexico has been hand-wheeling and hand-painting majolica pieces for 56 years and its owner Gorky Gonzalez is considered the ‘rescuer’ of Traditional Majolica from Guanajuato, with his work shown in galleries globally. At NY NOW, he will present his handcrafted traditional majolica.

www.e-abbiamotutto.com

www.gorkypottery.com

Dynasty Gallery Booth 2862

Since 1951, Dynasty Gallery, a third-generation family business founded in San Francisco, has been creating glass art for the gift market and, more recently, for the home furnishings market. All of its glassware is handmade by expert artisans and 25 per cent of each piece uses recycled glass. Inspired by the colours and shapes of nature, the latest handcrafted works epitomise the marriage of form and function. Realistic glass sculpting provides these food-safe serving pieces with their distinctive character. There are leaf plates and bowls, maple leaf plates and a banana leaf plate.

www.dynastygallery.com

Modern-twist Booth 3859

Arbiter Booth 3618

High-end tabletop brand Modern-twist is designing a plastic-free planet with innovative, quality products made of pure silicone. Pioneers in bringing elegance to silicone, each piece is handprinted with designs made in collaboration with independent artists. Their Cocoon placemat line reveals the natural grain of a tabletop with this simple, clean design. The non-intrusive graphics are intended to enhance the beauty of the table while providing subtle visual interest that doesn’t interfere with dishes. Made from hand silk-screened, food-grade silicone, the Modern-twist placemat is available in botanical, nature-inspired and other patterns. With a minimalist aesthetic, it’s easy to clean, non-porous, germ-free.

www.modern-twist.com

Lunares

Arbiter will unveil several unique products and collections, including its latest collaboration with designer Paola Navone and Egizia, a versatile collection of barware, serveware and decorative glassware featuring Egizia’s trademark process of hand-screen printing pure silver on to glass and crystal. They will also unveil the Sedimenti Vase. Part of the brand’s design-oriented collection that is produced in Tuscany by IVV Glass, a cooperative of glassblowers, the elemental pieces begin as sand and recycled glass, melted and blown into shape and then slumped over gnarled grape vines from Montepulciano.

http://www.arbitercollection.com

Booth 3320 Home accessories brand Lunares brings new life to the luxury table with sculptural objects that add glamour and are guaranteed to spark conversation. “With the advent of non-formal entertaining as the goto format for contemporary gatherings, the style quotient continues to rise in even the most casual setting,” says founder, Nima Oberoi. Oberoi’s collection features a series of sleek metal objects, from sculptures to candlesticks, along with more traditional serveware. The primary range comes in a vibrant gold-plated ﬁnish over her signature metal alloy, though silver and graphite ﬁnishes are also available.

www.lunaresthome.com

Tableware Brands... Caskata, Vietri, Beatriz Ball Collection, Blue Pheasant, Michael Aram, Mariposa, Rolf Glass, Q Squared NYC, Simon Pearce, Match, Julia Knight, Farmhouse Pottery, Godinger, Guzzini, Kim Seybert, Lenox, Lifetime Brands, Lunares, Mary Jurek Design, Michael Wainwright, Rosanna, Vagabond House TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 55

Show Review 41 Madison

Peter Cameron, CEO, Lenox, announcing Wonki Ware partnership

Left to right: Eric Rudin; Laurie Burns, senior VP, 41 Madison; Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York; Peter Cameron, CEO, Lenox, in the Lenox showroow

Celebrations & collaborations at Forty One Madison From fashion designers to royalty to master painters, the October edition of The New York Tabletop Show was abuzz with exciting celebrations and collaborations

Kate Birch, editor TI; Domenico Vacca, fashion designer in the Kiyasa showroom

Miranda Kerr for Royal Albert

New Domenico Vacca tabletop collection

Paul Yeomans, sales manager, TI; Kate Birch, editor, TI; Sara Han, creative director, Auratic; Lewis Wong president, Auratic

Royal Copenhagen

t the recently-held New York Tabletop Show, there was cause for a number of celebrations in a number of showrooms. Lenox celebrated its amazing business success, with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, in attendance. “Last year [2014] was the single best year in the history of Lenox and this year, to date, is already significantly ahead of where it was this time last year,” announced Lenox CEO, Peter Cameron, before hinting that a collaboration between Sarah Ferguson and both Lenox and Reed & Barton might be on the cards. During the last year, Lenox has experienced double-digit growth in gifting and d speciality, in particular, Master painter from Richard Ginori Manufactory in Florence

both nationally and internationally, with research in the US suggesting that 41 per cent of Millennials have bought Lenox in the last two years. Celebrations continued at Richard Ginori, with the Italian company’s rebranding clearly visible in its new enlarged and renovated showroom. Mirroring the company’s Italian stores, the showroom echoes the cosy environment of a home, including Damier floors, chests of drawers, wardrobes and armchairs, which communicate the Italian way of life. Eighteenth-century prints depict parrots, while small canvases portray grasshoppers, scarabs and cicadas, evoking the world of nature, which is a source of inspiration for Richard Ginori collections. A master

Richard Ginori

Spotlight on… giftware

Villeroy & Boch

Richard Ginori

Vista Alegre

Miranda Kerr, Royal Albert painter from the Ginori factory (Richard Ginori has 180 artisans at its factory in Florence) was in situ, demonstrating to showroom visitors exactly how their pieces are painstakingly hand-painted. And Royal Copenhagen celebrated its 240th anniversary by adding three new pieces to its historic signature design, the Blue Fluted Plain collection – a small covered tureen, delicate footed bowl and classic mug, all of which highlights the continued relevance of Royal Copenhagen’s seminal pattern. On the collaborative front, Italian designer Domenico Vacca was in attendance at Forty One Madison, showcasing the result of his collaboration with Kiyasa. With The Domenico Vacca, the designer’s 10-storey flagship concept building about to open in New York (on 55th St and 5th Ave), the timing of this collaboration couldn’t be better timed. And Domenico was in the Kiyasa showroom, a new space that is triple its previous size, previewing his new collection of tableware and gift items that take inspiration from his iconic Julie bag and that feature an embossed alligator print on fine bone china from Prouna (see page 20). Lenox also announced an exciting collaboration. Its sister company, Dansk, has partnered company with South Sou African artisan brand, Wonki W Ware, which produces handmade organic pottery, on handma eclectic, handmade ultraan ecle light stoneware st mix and match collection. The bonus? An collect incredible 75 per cent of sales incred will go to help young people in South Africa.

But that’s not all. The highly anticipated collaboration of Nambe and European product designer, Robin Levien, was finally unveiled at the Market, re marking Nambe’s first dinnerware collection for a decade. And it didn’t disappoint. Inspired by the Scottish isle off the same name and created from m bone china (the first time Nambee has offered bone china), Skye is an all-white line featuring a peakk design inspired by the landscape of Skye. This peak design is carried throughout, including on glassware, cutlery and acacia wood accent pieces. Another collaboration that took our breath away was that of Sieger and Fuerstenberg, a partnership that always comes up tabletop trumps. Celebrating their 10-year collaborative anniversary, Sieger by Fuerstenberg unveiled Seven, a 7-piece collection for everyday use that delivers the ultimate in luxury functionality. The successful collaboration between international supermodel Miranda Kerr and Royal Albert has also been taken to new heights. Building on her popular fine china range, Miranda has designed a brand new glass stemware range, featuring the model’s signature butterfly detail. Finally, Lenox highlighted the re-launch of Donna Karan with three new designs – one inspired by chain mail, one that delivers the look of burnished copper, and a final one that has been inspired by the clamshell. The next New York Tabletop Show will take place April 12-15, 2016. www.41madison.com

Lenox

Lenox Mikasa, Lifetime Brands There off giftware introductions, with h were plenty l f d h many brands b d llike k Villeroy & Boch stating intention to increase their emphasis on gifts for 2016. Villeroy & Boch unveiled new décorative options to their exclusive gift lines: La Classica Contura and Samarkand Mandarin (pictured) was added to Gift Collection Classic; and Artesano Provencal Verdure to the Gift Collection Country. Wedgwood unveiled a new concept of gifting with a prestige collection of teaware gifts, introducing some of their most loved patterns to a new, gifting consumer. The collection will see teaware items in six classic patterns boxed in Wedgwood’s inimitable blue packaging, with teapots, sugars, creamers and teacup/saucer sets individually gift-boxed to allow consumers to create their own gift configuration. All are fine bone china made in England by expert artisans, with classic patterns including Wild Strawberry and Imperial. Vera Wang for Wedgwood introduced new metal giftware for 2016. With Love Nouveau is a collection of silver-plated creations – a cake knife, server set, toasting flute pair – inspired by fine jewellery with spring-tone colour enamel accents. Vista Alegre’s giftware offerings were prolific. In addition to its highly giftable barware offerings, including a men’s collection of Hobby decanters and glasses designed with the sports enthusiast in mind (think gold etchings of tennis, sailing, golf etc.), they launched everything from miniature sculptures to trinket boxes. Capuleto (pictured) is a series of black and gold decorative items inspired by the glamour of the 1950s and includes catchall trays and a card box. Under the Mikasa brand, Lifetime Brands extrended its successful gifting programme: Irresistible Hearts ceramic giftware features silver, gold and a red heart; Paris porcelain giftware delivers contemporary illustrations of the city; and Love Letters Ceramics (pictured) is stamped and signed with a signature of love. Lenox extended its popular French Perle pattern into giftware, with sentiments on mugs (pictured); and its successful Organics range of vases and bowls to include new shapes and shades of pink and blue. They also launched Gold Coast, glass vases featuring Art Deco-inspired designs in gold; and Lace, vases with a lace design (pictured). Miranda Kerr has created a new crystal giftware line – vases, bowls, votives – for Royal Albert, featuring Miranda’s signature peonies and butterfly designs. Richard Ginori’s Voliere dinnerware pattern was extended to include four giftware pieces (pictured); and the Monique Lhuillier’s inspired and intimate collection of Waterford Crystal giftware – My Favourite Things – has been extended with four more pieces, with signature gift packaging in framboise pink.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 57

Show Review 41 Madison

Gordon Ramsey for Royal Doulton

Mix & match

Mikasa Italian Countryside, Lifetime Brands

Sieger by Fuerstenberg

Millenials Christoﬂe

Top of the tables Speciality barware stories and mixed metals, brass and copper especially, continue to reign tabletop supreme, but what of the other trends spotted at the recent October show? We highlight the innovative product debuts putting Millennials centrestage, the bold mix and match options and the spring themes of ﬂorals, pastels and coastal VERSATILITY FOR MILLENNIALS

MIXING AND MATCHING

There were plenty of collections and pieces designed specifically for the Millennial segment at Market, with multi-functionality, versatility and mixing and matching taking centrestage as dining philosophies. Sieger by Fuerstenberg unveiled Seven, a 7-piece multi-functional collection for everyday use that is specifically designed with the Millennial in mind. “Today, consumers have smaller homes, yet still have large disposable incomes and enjoy luxury. Seven fits Florian Marquardt, director this,” says Flo international sales, Fuerstenberg. for internatio traditional heritage companies Even trad luxury brand Christofle are like French lu turning out iinnovative product, keen to “introduce the brand to Millennials”, Nightingale, executive director, says Liz Nigh Christofle in the US. marketing, C Though aalready in-store at Harrods, new product Christofle’s ingenious in unveiled at Market. Mood is Mood was u a 24-piece (6 settings of 4) silver-plated collection housed in a stainless cutlery colle steel capsule with a walnut casing that ste doubles do oubles as aan art object. “This is wh what entertaining looks like today. tod day. It’s cle clean and contemporary and cuts generations. It saves space, cu ts across g doubles do oubles up, yet is a luxury item, an informal inf formal way of being formal,” says Liz. Multi-functionality is of course Multi-func at the core o of Millennial dining and Kosta KKo t B Boda’s d ’ clever new design, Bruk, feeds into this. Bruk is a full glassware fee collection with a genius design on the co backs of plates, bowls and drinkware ba that not only looks stylish but also tha allows water to easily run off during allo dishwasher time. Various sizes and five dis colourways deliver an extensive mix co and match glass collection. an

With versatility key for Millennials, broad collections and entertaining solutions that oﬀer lots of mix and match options are doing well and the Market introduced and extended plenty, many of them eclectic and colourful, with lots of mixes of materials, including glass and wood accents. Aiming to appeal to a younger audience, Lifetime Brands reinvented its 20-year-old Mikasa Italian Countryside design, delivering a modern mix and match range that is focused on layering. It features four new colours, glass additions and relevant pieces like small appetizer bowls, with bakeware pieces like casseroles to be added later. The layering concept always takes centrestage at Vietri, and this Market was no exception, with an array of complements, perfect for layering, added to its core collections. To Forma, Vietri added a new colour Sunset; and to Lustre, they added new colour, Cappucino, perfect for layering with neutrals. “We are always looking at our core collection to see how we can layer and accent with new pieces,” say Vietri. Royal Doulton’s new Gordon Ramsey range is based on the casual and Millennial-inspired concept of his London restaurant Union Street. The Union Street Café collection, which features a speckled glaze, is made up of plates, cereal and pasta bowls, mugs, serving platters and bowls in two colourways (cream and blue) for a versatile, laidback approach to dining. And Waterford also went for laid-back versatility with its ﬁrst complete mix Royal Doulton and match entertaining solution, which can be dressed up or down

Kim Parker, Lifetime Brands

Florals

Villeroy & Boch

Michael Aram

for any occasion. The Town & Country collection of barware, drinkware, giftware and serveware, which comes in both crystal and metal, is quietly retro yet modern in attitude. Launched several Markets ago, Lenox’s super-versatile 365 Entertain has seen such success that this Market it was extended to include colour – three colourways as a graphic pattern on various pieces – as well as multifunctional bowls and canisters, and a bar story, including small bowls and plates for entertaining.

PASTELS & FLORALS With spring collections come plenty of ﬂorals and pastels, and this year was no exception. Royal Doulton unveiled its brand new Pastels tableware collection. Inspired by delicate block printing in soft shades, the new range is designed for mixing and matching. The core pattern is a herringbone design in a pastel blue, with other prints and colours – green daisies, lilac dots, orange chevrons and red diamonds – delivering plenty of opportunities for layering and changing looks. For spring/summer 2016, Vista Alegre has launched new tableware line, Avalon, a 5-piece placesetting, also available open stock, that comes in four pastel colourways and with gold edging; while Lenox’s popular French Perle Groove has been extended d to els, include three spring-ready pastels, en and including pale yellow, light green pale pink.

Donna Karan for Lenox

On the spring front, Wedgwood unveiled Floral Eden, a new fine bone china Made in England collection, which celebrates botanical motifs; Villeroy & Boch previewed the Ouinsai Garden Collection, an Asianinfluenced floral design inspired by Marco Polo’s journey to China; and Michael Aram’s big tabletop launch for S/S ‘16 is Enchanted Garden. Inspired by spring renewal, fantasy gardens and intertwined vines are created from semi-precious stones and metals. Floral artist Kim Parker’s collaboration with Lifetime Brands continues with five more floral decorations added to the successful range; and Laurie Gates, who has recently joined Gibson as VP of creative & merchandising, showcased several new collections under his Laurie Gates brand, which feature a mix of the bold, colourful florals for which he is known.

COASTAL CALLINGS Coastal is very much on trend for next year and unveilings from the show for spring communicated this. Lenox launched two new dinnerware patterns with coastal tones: Oceanside features bright blue and red sea creatures, including seahorses; while Sandy Point oﬀers four pieces in turquoise. Having seen its British Colonial pattern, which was launched a few years ago, pick up sales recently, Lenox introduced new colourways, including includ white and turquoise, as well as coastal pieces like a ﬁsh-shaped sh-shap ped bowl and a pineapple platter.

The re-launched Donna Karan collection from Lenox included a new range with a coastal feel inspired by the clamshell. Hampton delivers handpainted mango wood accessories with a grey wash. This clamshell effect is translatd on to matching chinaware and also on to flatware. Spring sees Juliska’s Sea Life Collection launch. With its coastal feel – fish platters, shell server, crab and net serving bowl and a scallop dish – all pieces boast a crackle glaze in delft blue, while the brand’s Arabella glassware has also been launched in delft blue to complement this coastal story. Royal Doulton has added striking coastal-themed additions to its popular Pacific Collection. Drawing inspiration from the coast and surrounding areas by blending blue patterning on a crisp white background, the new products boast the popular Splash design, inspired by the ocean’s spray; the Lines print, which captures the natural tides of the coastline; and a combination of different indigo patterns across tapas set. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its core range, the Incanto Collection, Vietri has added accent pieces inspired by the sea – fish-shaped platters and sea glass decorative turquoise bowls. Another celebration of the sea is La Mer by Fuerstenb Fuerstenberg – inspired by the fish and waves, tthis double-walled porcelain collection (you don’t get burned and the liquid liqui stays warmer for longer) delivers a tactile design of beside-the-sea motif motifs.

Coastal Fuerstenberg

Lenox

Wedgwood

Royal Doulton

Pastels Lenox

No place like Homi

Review Homi

With an increase in international visitors and a focus on tabletop, Homi Milano in September was top of the tables

Mario Luca Giusti

Bugatti

Tognana

he second autumn edition of Homi, the Lifestyles Show, took place at Fiera Milano from September 12-15. The show, which is a key event for Italian companies looking to break into new markets and for international companies looking to access European and Mediterranean markets, witnessed a significant increase of 16 per cent in international visitation. Some 105 countries were represented, with China, Russia and France leading the way, and with a significant increase in visitors from Spain, up 50 per cent, and from Japan, up 28 per cent. “The buyers at the show came from 71 countries, a result of Fiera Milano’s collaboration with ICE-ITA,” said CEO of Fiera Milano, Corrado Peraboni, highlighting the current international interest in Italian design, with Homi maintaining its large focus on Made in Italy product. “Homi has established itself as a fundamental tool for bringing visibility to our products of excellence. It is a key event dedicated to people and lifestyles and a showcase for the Made in Italy lifestyle,” says Corrado, pointing out that there were “100 more participating exhibitors this edition compared to September 2014”. Corrado explains how Fiera Milano has carried out specific scouting initiatives overseas in partnership with the ICE (the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade) to seek out the top buyers and expand markets and key areas. “For this edition, we focused on

collaboration with China, Canada, Mexico and Qatar, countries interested in offerings from the lifestyle world,” explains Corrado. Corrado continues: “With Homi, we brought an exciting world to Milan – with 1,400 exhibiting companies, 25 per cent of which are foreign and represent 39 countries, as well as established brands and new start-ups. With such diverse companies, we managed to pair global tastes with the culture of each individual country.” The numbers, increases in both exhibitors and buyers, is proof that Fiera Milano’s out-of-the-box show concept can, and does, work. Different from other shows, Homi changes each season in order to reflect a market that is continually in change, with new, unique and experimental events and initiatives, designed to offer inspiration, highlight certain brands, and explain the trends. “In terms of what we offer, we have made the show ever more characteristic, enriching it with innovations and events and expanding the merchandise,” explains Corrado. Homi delivers various Satellites, including Home Textiles, Living Habits, Garden & Outdoor, with Living Habits the centre of tabletop, featuring everyone from the Brandini Gift Group, tabletop and cookware brand Tognana and knife brand Alto Artiglamato, to design-led brands such as Alessi and Bugatti. In addition to being a place to display product, Homi is an ideas incubator bringing together meetings between all visitors,

Did you know...? To facilitate and make meetings between buyers and exhibiting companies more effective, Homi has put the EMP – Expo Matching Programme – initiative into place. This boasts participation from 85 per cent of exhibitors. Just a few days pre-show, there were 4,000 appointments already generated. 60 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Alessi

Industrie Vetraria Valdarnese

Magniﬁca Forma

The percentage increase in international buyers at lifestyle show Homi Milano, which was held in October

from design professionals and retailers, to decorators. In this edition, a great focus was placed on meetings for architects. To host the multiplicity of themes and projects, the fair offers many themed areas and opportunities where products are enhanced, not just in material terms, but by the value they derive from research and as potential drivers of trends. Ad hoc spaces for Creations, Designer Creations and Homi Experiments focuses on the creativity of artistic craftsbased output, delivering groundbreaking ideas and reinterpretations that applies manual expertise to new developments in techniques and materials. Thanks to Homi’s many partnerships with industry

associations from Art and Fashion and with big names in design, it is able to offer numerous events, displays and initiatives. A new initiative from Confartigianato Imprese and Ulaola, for example, aims to support excellence in craftsmanship in various industries in digitalisation and internationalisation projects. This year, though, the focus was very much on The Table. La Magnifica Forma, which aimed to raise awareness of Italian artistic heritage, this year delivered an experimental workshop using the table to mark time throughout history. It showcased the evolution of objects and told a story of style and design. Located at the Leonardo Hub in Milan, products of famous Italian brands and designers, such as Carlo Rampazzi and Martina

KnIndustrie Meluzzi, were used to dress seven tables inspired by the Historic Banquet, including Ancient Rome, the Renaissance and Baroque period, showing the evolution of objects and telling a story of Italian design. Enjoy The Table with its daylong themes of Celebration, Tradition and Street Food was another new area, with demos, product training and show cooking, as well as tablescapes showcasing various product in themes. A Breakfast display used Villeroy & Boch and Magimix; whilst a Happy Hour display mixed LSA and Bugatti. The next edition of Homi Milano will take place from January 29 – February 1, 2016, at Fiera Milano in Milan, Italy. www.homimilano.com

Tabletop trends Copper continued to shine, with copper pots and pans from Royal Shefﬁeld and mini copper pots from Ballarini. There were also copper-coated coﬀee pots at Stelton, copper-coloured angular-shaped candlesticks at Mascagnicasa; and at Italian brand Argenes, coppercoloured/coated glassware, from bowls to decanters. Pastel retro shade mint mattered too – we found a mint paisley pattern on ceramics on the Galileo stand, while mini kitchen appliances stood out at Brandini Gift Group. Natural materials, linen, cotton and hemp in neutral earth tones were popular on table textiles, while wood continued its prominence in tableware settings. Alessi’s Dressed in Wood collection featured on the Enjoy The Table Breakfast display, while the Brandini Gift Group previewed a wood/porcelain serveware collection, including porcelain dip dishes with wooden elements. TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 61

Last Word

EYE ON DESIGN

Alison Appleton

Name: Alis on Appleto n Job: Direct or of Alison Appleton Lt d. Email: info Darcy @alisonapp collection le ton.com Website: w ww.alisonap pleton.com About: Aft er undertak ing a degree printed text in ile in a number design, Alison worke d of print de sign studio throughout s Europe, firs t German st udio, and th in a small en with Ratti near M ila motherhoo n. After six years of d, Alison se t he designer, w orking from rself up as a freelanc e her home st furnishing textiles. Alis ud o design on exhibite diio ing home and Surtex d at sh and her de hows such signs were including on us ed for all ho as Heimtextil ceramics. “I me textiles, t demand fo r designs in soon became clear to me that th ceramics w lots of cont e as high,” sa acts in the ys Alison. Sh industry an and Asian e made d worked w manufactu ith re rs b regularly an . “I worked oth Portug with the Po uese d gradually rtuguese fa began to w to create ne ctory ork with th w shapes,” e mould m says Alison Ceramic D akers . After esta esign Stud blishing he io in 1998, and coffee r British Alison wor collections ked on high for major de Lewis to Cra quality par te & Barrel, in the UK, Eu tment stores, from Jo tea 2004-2014, hn rope and th she also wor e US. Betw ked as a co creating th een nsul em her own bra ajority of their design tant for La Cafetiere, s. Alison beg nded colle ctions, whi an creating lovers firm ch she now ly at the he retails, put ar t of her desi practical p ting tea roducts in gorgeous p gn process with eleg ant, Clients: Tw ackaging. inings, Wh ittard, Joh Sonoma, M n Lewis, C arks & Spen rate & Barr cer, Zara H Harrods, D el, William ome, Anth ebenhams. s ropologie,

Each issue we cast a spotlight on a designer in tableware. This month, it's English ceramics designer Alison Appleton What exactly do you do? I own and run my own business Alison Appleton Ltd – we design and manufacture exquisite teapots; not only beautiful but also supremely functional and presented in luxury packaging. I design all the ceramics and packaging and I am also responsible for the direction of the company, how it grows, what we develop, who makes it. We are also opening a Tea House this month – this will be a ceramic shop and tearoom. We are creating all the tableware, including a new afternoon tea collection for use in our shop.

How would you describe your design aesthetic? I enjoy experimenting with form and texture. I like the unexpected and enjoy mixing contrasting materials. I am particularly inspired by Oriental tea culture and like to use ﬁne ﬁnishes and bespoke glazes via an expert in ancient ceramics, Mr Liu from Dehua in the Fujian Province. One of my favourite collections is Nagoya. A celebration of east meets west drinking culture and inspired by the

book In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, I’ve used a black clay and contrasting Prussian blue sand glaze. It took 12 months of experimentation to be happy with the aesthetic eﬀect and I’m thrilled that chef Judy Joo of Jinjuu chose to use it in her ﬁrst London restaurant and in her new establishment in Hong Kong.

you can imagine, one uses a diﬀerent part of the brain. It takes some time to drift into the ﬂow.

What, in your opinion, are the main elements of ‘good design’?

I have now worked with many major tea merchants around the world, including Twinings, Whittard, T2, Teavana, Davids Tea and Fortnum & Mason, who stock my collections. I am passionate about tea – good tea and teaware should be a gift, either to oneself, or to others and, whenever possible, your teapot should always match your dress. As someone who puts much care and deliberation into creating my designs, I am very happy to know that such attention to detail has been recognised.

Good design should be as simple as possible – balance and harmony are everything. A form should be simple, distinct, strong, and always functionally excellent. These elements are especially applicable to tableware.

Describe a typical day in your design life... When you have your own small business, every day is different. An average day includes checking emails and checking up on new design development, as well as financial forecasting, and finally, the best part – designing. I do design almost every day although, as

Calling all designers – would you like to be featured in a future Eye on Design? If so, email our Editor, kate@lempublishing.co.uk 62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

What have been the highlights of your career to date?

From a creative perspective, what are your views on the tableware industry? I think it’s incredibly exciting – there are lots of beautiful collections out there. I know there is a decline in sales of formal dining sets, but people in general are dining at home in a more casual way. I think there is more

Nagoya collection

eclecticism in the varying ranges of ceramics that people buy and use. I like the idea that a certain teapot, cup or bowl can conjure up just the atmosphere you want.

Which designs or designers do you consider personal favourites? I love the work of Reiko Kaneko, the collection for Serax by Beatrice Bruneteau, and the beautiful surface pattern designs created for Marimekko by Aino-Maija Metsola – all these are very well considered and very beautifully made.

What is so exciting about being in tableware today? Anything goes… I'm also interested to see how 3D printing might lead to the creation of some wonderful pieces.

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