The Robert Welch Way

Words: Jenna Campbell • Photography: © Jake Eastham (unless otherwise stated)

For more than six decades Robert Welch has been pushing the boundaries of silverware design, creating innovative collections that possess a timeless elegance and beauty.

It is often said that the greatest ideas are the simplest. Equally, the most revered designers are typically the ones who remain true to their founding principles – never deviating from the core beliefs that originally set them apart from their peers. For Robert Welch, pioneers in stainless steel, the company’s ability to resist the allure of passing trends in favour of a strong and consistent approach – built upon innovation, functionality and elegance – has earned it pride of place as one Britain’s most prestigious brands.

Founded by Royal College of Art graduate and silversmith Robert Welch in 1955, the business quickly made a name for itself by creating a variety of practical yet effortlessly stylish products, all from an unassuming space within a former silk mill in the heart of the English Cotswolds. Fast-forward more than six decades and the company, whose designs are often inspired by nature, still operates out of its original Chipping Camden location to this day.

Imbued with a resolve to build upon an iconic design legacy – which includes royal commissions, bespoke collections for worldclass cruise liners and special ranges for luxury hotel groups – Robert Welch’s children Alice and Rupert continue to emulate their late father’s passion for finding out exactly what a material can do. “Dad always looked to challenge or push the boundaries of what could be achieved with stainless steel, and today we’re still doing just that,” notes Alice. “Our Drift Champagne Buckets, for example, are made from a single piece of steel. With the curves and undulations, it wasn’t thought possible to produce, but our design and manufacturing teams came up with a very innovative set of solutions. That quest for ideas in innovation plays a central role for us.”

Creating highly functional, affordable products that possess a timeless beauty, Robert Welch’s designs span categories such as cutlery, tableware, barware, kitchenware, cookware and accessories across both commercial settings and private homes, including the multi-award-winning Signature kitchen knife range. Every collection undergoes a meticulous planning process, sometimes requiring years of development and testing before finally coming to market. “I suppose it’s that attention to detail and the constant refinement that means that by the time we’re ready to release a product into the world, it’s as good as it possibly can be,” reflects Alice, who adds that her father “had a strong interest in sculpture and architecture which gave him a tacit understanding of the negative space around a product”.

This commitment to quality, allied to Robert Welch’s strong standing in hospitality circles, perhaps helps to explain why the company has been entrusted with producing ranges for an impressive array of hotels like Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Waldorf Astoria Beverley Hills and Bellagio Las Vegas over the years. Whether it be the Baguette Vintage cutlery collection, popular with many new hotels in America, or the Bud range, used at the DiverXO restaurant in Madrid, versatility and ingenuity in design ensures that there is a solution for every setting.

Looking ahead, Robert Welch plans to launch a variety of contemporary cutlery patterns this year, offering a blend of comfort, heritage and luxury. The Contour Noir range features black and satin stainless steel, offering a dramatic addition to customers’ dining experience, while Bergen – a legacy statement of Scandinavian Modernism – reflects the importance of the company’s roots in design. Meanwhile, Skye has a slim and elegant profile, with a textured finish to the handles inspired by a silversmithing technique, and Quinton makes a bold statement, helped by the addition of soft pointed handles.

Robert Welch has come a long way since its founder hit upon the idea of producing his own collections way back in 1955, but the company’s commitment to developing innovative products that stand the test of time remains undiminished after all these years, and the business certainly seems in capable hands with his children now at the helm.

www.robertwelch.com