1/2014
Free Spirit
Cover: New
UNBREAKABLE SPIRIT
[50 x 36 cm, 19 3/4" x 14 1/4"] Ref. 01008762
“We want our works to have elegance, to be expressive, to exude life, to have feelings. We want them to reflect the good side of life, the positive values of a human being, all that which dignifies life.”
Juan Lladró and his daughters Rosa and Ángeles.
Juan, José and Vicente, founders of Lladró
Creative drive
This latest issue of Expressions gets 2014 off to a start with creative drive. This is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese horoscope and we wanted to dedicate a few pages to this beautiful creature, by showing you some of the new pieces it has inspired, as well as some of our best-loved eternal Lladrós. Juan Lladró applies his expert eye in an article examining the importance of the horse in Lladró’s work. The same artistic restlessness that has driven our work for over sixty years and can be seen in these pieces, also underlies the variety of creations showcased in this issue of the magazine. Impressive new High Porcelain sculptures; artistic figurines handmade with loving care, inspired by traditions from the East and the West but always with our artists’ respect and admiration for the cultural wealth of the world; the more sculptural aspect of Lladró’s motherhoods and childhood scenes in pure matte white; and then our more colorful vein in profusely decorated pieces with great ornamental potential, such as the floral centerpieces. And obviously without overlooking our functional focus on home decor, with lighting designs and pieces for I’art de la table or simply to add a note of style to any interior. Spring brings with it a host of opportunities to share happy times with our loved ones surrounded by all that we like best. In this regard, Lladró creations live alongside us and become part of our lives and dreams, our tastes, a part of who we are. This much could be seen in countless events featuring our work held throughout this past fall all over the world, many celebrating our 60th anniversary. The warm public response, the unanimously positive feedback from lovers of our porcelains, the good vibes surrounding every event, tell us that Lladró’s work is still as well-loved as ever. Thanks for accompanying us on this trip down memory lane and for continuing alongside us as we head toward the future.
BRANCH OFFICES > SPAIN (HEADQUARTERS) & OTHER COUNTRIES Tel. (toll free from Spain) 900 21 10 10 · Tel. +34 96 318 7000 · customer-services@es.lladro.com > ITALY Tel. (numero verde) 800 46 39 20 · Tel. +39 02 2720 1787· servizio-clienti@it.lladro.com
> CHINA Hong Kong Tel. +852 2321 8039 · customer-services@hk.lladro.com Shanghai Tel. +86 (0) 21 6359 1177 · customer-services@cn.lladro.com
> UNITED KINGDOM Tel. (toll free) 0800 0152 413 · Tel. +44 (0) 20 7494 0407 · customer-services@uk.lladro.com
> AUSTRALIA Tel. (toll free) 1800 LLADRÓ (1800 552 376) · nchoi@au.lladro.com
> RUSSIA Tel. +7 495 645 80 86 · customer-services@es.lladro.com
> NEW ZEALAND and Pacific Islands Tel. (toll free) 0800 LLADRÓ · Tel. (+64) 9 522 2330 · nchoi@au.lladro.com
> USA/CANADA Tel. (toll free) 800 634 9088 · Tel. +1 201 807 1177 · customer-services@us.lladro.com > JAPan Tel. +81 (0) 3 3293 0802 · customer-services@jp.lladro.com
> SINGAPore Tel. +65 62 788 398 · customer-services@sg.lladro.com > INDIA Tel. +91 124 4407680 · lladroinfo@spalifestyle.in
LLADRÓ > President: Rosa Lladró Sala · Vice-president: Ángeles Lladró Sala · Expressions editorial team > Editor: María Rosaleny · Coordination & Design: Gabriel Borràs Collaborators > Photography and Styling: Manuel Artero | Rafa Fierres | Josep Gil | Xavier Mollà | Peris&Co. | Estudio Paco Sinisterra · Layout & printing: LaGráfica · Depósito legal: V-3126-2008
2 · EXPRESSIONS
eternAL lladró
JUAN LLADRÓ: “Our horses show Lladró’s sculptural and decorative ability”. Elegance, balance, speed, strength, temperament... Lladró artists have captured the spirit of the horse in a number of pieces. Coinciding with the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, Juan Lladró tells us why this beautiful creature is so intimately bound to the brand’s work.
A
summary glance at the brand’s catalogue is enough to reveal that horses and Lladró have always gone hand in hand. Its artists have modeled it in all shapes and forms: galloping, leaping, trotting, or simply at rest. Juan Lladró gives us some clues as to this symbiosis: “the horse has qualities that one could say are perfect for porcelain. Its beauty, elegance, movements, balance, anatomy and lively expression are the same qualities that underpin Lladró’s work and that are materialized in their entire splendor in creations we have dedicated to this wonderful creature.” For Juan Lladró, “each one of our horses has a soul, and that’s why I like to see them in motion and I like to see them at rest, posing majestically for the artist, as if they were aware of their own beauty and were proud of it.” As the elder of the three founding brothers explains, if it is difficult to achieve the balance on a horse in mid race or making a pirouette or courbette movement, it is equally difficult to make an elegant Arabian pure breed stand on such fine slender legs without being crushed by the weight of the body during the firing in the kiln. And decoratively speaking, Lladró has deployed its full potential, creating simple unadorned horses or steeds with intricate harnesses and saddles which are jewels in themselves. That is why we can find in the catalogue horses ranging from white matte porcelains like the Gallop group or Unbreakable spirit to pieces painted with sophisticated enamels, such as
Oriental horse, not forgetting Lladró’s more functional aspect in lamps, bottle stoppers and bookends. As Juan Lladró sustains, “similarly to our overall body of work, Lladró absorbs influences from different cultures, from their customs and iconography, and transfers their particularities to porcelain, in this case of different breeds and kinds of horse.” Finally, it would be impossible not to ask him for his favorite horse. And this is when, with his eyes half closed, he talks of the marvelous composition Horses’ group, “such a beautiful and at once complex and balanced piece, whose first version in white was made by the master sculptor Fulgencio García. An eternal Lladró which we have now also created in a beautiful satin black version.” At this point in time, the team of sculptors includes a fanatical horse lover, Ernest Massuet, the artist behind the Arabian pure breed, At the derby and Horse race. Well versed in the anatomy and all other aspects related with horses, Massuet, in Juan Lladró’s words, “goes beyond the call of duty in his study of this animal, reaching surprising levels of realism in the execution of pieces with incalculable artistic merit.” After all, one can only capture these creatures with such truthfulness from a deeply-felt passion for porcelain and for horses. Whether it is the untamed freedom of the wild steed or the studied elegance of the thoroughbred, Lladró’s horses are a tribute to creatures which are as free as creativity and as noble as porcelain.
New
GALLOPING HERD
[23 x 81 cm, 9" x 32"] Ref. 01009086 Base included EXPRESSIONS · 3
THE YEAR OF THE HORSE
Lladró’s horses pay tribute to creatures which are as free as creativity and as noble as porcelain
horse on courbette - lamp [53 x 30 cm, 20 3/4" x 11 3/4"] Ref. 01023064 CE Ref. 01023065 UK Ref. 01023066 US
horse on pirouette - lamp [53 x 30 cm, 20 3/4" x 11 3/4"] Ref. 01023060 CE Ref. 01023061 UK Ref. 01023062 US
HORSES' GROUP [45 x 52 cm, 17 3/4" x 20 1/2"] Ref. 01008618 Limited edition of 1,000 pieces
4 · EXPRESSIONS
at the derby [35 x 100 cm, 13 ¾" x 39 ¼"] Ref. 01001967 Limited edition of 1,500 pieces Base included
ORIENTAL HORSE [57 x 66 cm, 22 ½" x 26"] Ref. 01001943 Limited edition of 1,000 pieces Base included
EXPRESSIONS · 5
HIGH PORCELAIN
HIGH PORCELAIN
A
n ancient Bedouin legend tells how God wanted to give the Southerly wind the shape of a creature that flies without wings. And so the Arabian pure breed, widely considered the most beautiful horse in the world, was born. The artists at the Lladr贸 High Porcelain workshops took on the technical and creative challenge to faithfully reproduce it in a new version of Arabian pure breed in black, particularly highly prized by connoisseurs. If the balance of this horse on such slender legs is a technical accomplishment, artistically
6 路 EXPRESSIONS
speaking, achieving the specific tone of black that enhances each muscle of this animal is only within the reach of the best artists. The piece is culminated by the expressive face, reproducing the special twinkle of its eyes, while the minute ornamentation of the saddle in a striking red tone and the subtle combination of golden and platinum lusters produce magical damask effects. All the details are hand painted with the steady hand of our artists, bringing to life a piece worthy of the most demanding collectors.
New
ARABIAN PURE BREED
[49 x 46 cm, 19 录" x 18"] Ref. 01001919 Limited edition of 300 pieces Base included
EXPRESSIONS 路 7
HIGH PORCELAIN
The Lord of the Dragons According to ancient Oriental tradition, five dragons ruled over the seasons and the divisions of the world, protecting the cardinal points. The yellow or golden dragon lived in the Center and is associated with the final month of summer. Known as K’uh Yuen or the Dragon King, it rules over all the others.
T
he most powerful among the mythological creatures in ancient Oriental tradition, dragons were able to turn into water or into fire, make themselves invisible or glow in the dark, make themselves so small that they almost disappeared or grow to the size of the whole universe, and fly among the clouds … ever since, they are believed to be a sign of good luck and protective figures watching over man’s fate. Their immense power and tremendous strength are captured in this striking creation from the High Porcelain workshop. With elegant, agile and at once energetic movements, this magical being is represented as an animal with a long and twisted body. Great Dragon faithfully reproduces these features, while its five claws, according to the traditional representation, tell us that this is an imperial dragon. The Lladró artists have managed to depict the defiant gaze of such an imposing creature. Following the versions in red, blue and golden, and blue with
8 · EXPRESSIONS
enamels, this new depiction of Great Dragon symbolizes the achievement of new goals. The main feature in the decoration is the golden luster, applied using a complex decorative technique that requires the skill and dexterity of the best artists. The golden tone is set off by red and turquoise enamels and an iridescent metallic effect that reflects a variety of tones depending on the lighting on the piece. In Oriental tradition, the dragon is believed to be a supreme being among all creatures. Related to the yin/yang duality, Long, the Chinese dragon, is one of the four magical animals, the others being the unicorn, the phoenix and the tortoise. Given its divine condition, this mythical animal has the power to ward off evil spirits, protect the innocent and look after all those bearing its emblem. In the feng-shui philosophy the dragon is the essence of life, for its breath contains the cosmic chi.
New
GREAT DRAGON [74 x 70 cm, 29 1/4" x 27 1/2"] Ref. 01001973 Limited edition of 300 pieces Base included
EXPRESSIONS 路 9
Character and style Lladró’s new issues for this spring come charged with plenty of personality. Sculptures with a great deal of character, like those inspired by bullfighting and flamenco, lead the way in a new introduction of pieces that are as varied as the whole of Lladró’s work. The new matador in porcelain, with his “suit of lights” painstakingly painted in red and gold, his pose and his expression, ushers in new issues with a great deal of flair.
New
MATADOR [46 x 43 cm, 18" x 17"] Ref. 01008729 Limited edition of 250 pieces
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pure Flamenco Moving the train on a flamenco dress, the so-called bata de cola, is an art dominated by only the best dancers. The artists at Lladró have pulled out all the stops to capture in porcelain this impressive dancer’s energetic arm and hand movements, her haughty gesture and the swing of the train, which is also presented with a red and black decoration on the back cover of this issue.
New
FLAMENCO Flair
[47 x 40 cm, 18 1/2" x 15 3/4"] Ref. 01008766 Limited edition of 250 pieces
EXPRESSIONS · 11
Nudes in Lladr贸 Ethereal goddesses of timeless beauty and sculptures with sensuous volumes. Pieces decorated in light subtle tones and matte porcelain, underscoring the strength of the modeling, the perfection in sculpting the anatomy and the expression of each gesture. These new classics have all the decorative potential of great Lladr贸 creations.
New
venus
[59 x 39 cm, 23 1/4" x 15 1/4"] Ref. 01008754
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New
DISCOVERING THE WORLD
[59 x 54 cm, 23 1/4" x 21 1/4"] Ref. 01008755 Limited edition of 3,000 pieces
princess of the waves [47 x 32 cm, 18 1/2" x 12 1/2"] Ref. 01008713 Limited edition of 3,000 pieces
EXPRESSIONS 路 13
SPIRITUAL CREATURES COLLECTION
The Call of Nature Born anew from its ashes, the Rise of the Phoenix makes a majestic appearance and completes our Spiritual Creatures collection, comprising five symbolic animals from the feng-shui philosophy. The intense red decoration signifies fire, coexisting harmoniously alongside the white of the Tiger, symbolizing metal, the green Dragon standing for wood, the black Tortoise representing water and the yellow Snake that connects with earth. Natural symbols opening up new opportunities.
MYTHOLOGICAL TIGER [31 x 39 cm, 12 ¼" x 15 ¼"] Ref. 01008562 Limited edition of 1,500 pieces Base included
New
RISE OF THE PHOENIX
[49 x 37 cm, 19 1/4" x 14 1/2"] Ref. 01008565 Limited edition of 1,500 pieces Base included
14 · EXPRESSIONS
MYSTERIOUS SNAKE AND TURTLE [31 x 37 cm, 12 ¼" x 14 ½"] Ref. 01008564 Limited edition of 1,500 pieces Base included
AUSPICIOUS DRAGON [50 x 58 cm, 19 ¾" x 22 ¾"] Ref. 01008563 Limited edition of 1,500 pieces Base included
EXPRESSIONS · 15
Maternal Instinct
New
blossoming of life
[28 x 35 cm, 11" x 13 3/4"] Ref. 01008782 Base included
Some of the brand’s classic themes, like motherhood, are reinvented as they adopt a new aesthetic focus in pieces with meanings that go beyond the strictly decorative.
16 · EXPRESSIONS
The Gift of Life Celebrating life, the greatest of all hopes… The deepest emotions take on all their meaning in the hands of Lladró artists. Hands that give birth to pieces that will share with us the most important moments in life and summon up the sweetest of memories. Gifts of life that stay with us forever.
the essence of life [23 x 29 cm, 9" x 11 1/2"] Ref. 01008589
New
a new life
[30 x 18 cm, 11 3/4" x 7"] Ref. 01008753
EXPRESSIONS · 17
Surrounding ourselves with our dreams, connecting with our tastes… That is the challenge of Lladró porcelain.
yoga ii - lamp [54 x 38 cm, 21 1/4" x 15"] Ref. 01023004 CE Ref. 01023005 UK Ref. 01023006 US
New
meditation
[55 x 31 cm, 21 3/4" x 12 1/4"] Ref. 01008772
18 · EXPRESSIONS
Celebrating Springtime The air is filled with scents and the earth brims over with color… few themes awaken our senses as much as the arrival of spring. Lladró captures the moment in a new feminine and evocative composition that combines the canons of classical sculpture with a sweet romantic aesthetic. This balanced sculpture is suffused with energy and throbbing with life. New
celebration of spring
[75 x 53 cm, 29 1/2" x 20 3/4"] Ref. 01008773 Limited edition of 1,000 pieces Base included
EXPRESSIONS · 19
HER SPECIAL DAY Today is her day. And Lladró wishes to share it with her. A graduation, proms, a debutante ball… life offers us so many occasions to celebrate. Within a few years, when she looks back on this piece, it will probably conjure up
a feeling of nostalgia for those youthful days. But if there is one thing about fond memories it is their timelessness, just like porcelain and just like the flowers that adorned her dress that day.
New
her special day
[36 x 20 cm, 14 1/4" x 7 3/4"] Ref. 01008784
20 · EXPRESSIONS
The new pieces from the Naturofantastic collection are perfect for setting the table for special occasions. Available with different decorations, like the collection itself, these candleholders also serve as stylish centerpieces. In elegant or vibrant, sober or festive colors, the exuberant vegetal forms decorating these practical and at once beautiful objects find a place on our table and turn each get-together into a special occasion.
New
single candleholder
[20 x 12 cm, 7 3/4" x 4 3/4"] Ref. 01007956 Black Ref. 01007957 White Ref. 01007958 Multicolor Ref. 01007959 White/Gold
EXPRESSIONS 路 21
T
oday jazz is often considered to be high-brow music, more for listening to than for dancing. But that was not always the case. There was a time when the big bands of the likes of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Count Basie filled dance floors with young people who thrilled to the exciting sound. This was the golden era of swing. Following the success of Passionate Tango and Elegant Foxtrot, the series now brings us another invitation to dance. Let's Swing transmits all the energy and fun of the time, the decades of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, when the whole world swung to the virtuoso sounds of the original kings of rhythm. The sculptor’s consummate talent can be seen in the gestures, the ability to capture the sense of movement and the full skirt, and we can almost hear the music and the clicking of fingers.
New
let's swing
[33 x 32 cm, 13" x 12 1/2"] Ref. 01008752 Limited edition of 3,000 pieces
22 · EXPRESSIONS
elegant foxtrot [37 x 36 cm, 14 3/4" x 14 1/2"] Ref. 01008638 Limited edition of 3,000 pieces
23 EXPRESSIONS 路 23
A passion for detail T
he originality, refinement and attention to detail underlying traditional Japanese culture are an endless source of inspiration for Lladró artists. And the love for beauty and for work well done create such strong bonds that they break down borders. The maiko or apprentice geisha is one of the maximum expressions of traditional female beauty in Japan, and a perfect theme for Lladró artists to demonstrate all their talent in ornamentation, precious decoration and elaborate floral compositions. Everything in this piece has been finely treated and handworked with love
and care: the girl’s delicate white face, the hairdo finely dressed with ribbons and flowers, the richly embroidered kimono and, finally, the pai-pai fan painted with a typical Japanese theme of cherry blossoms. The spectacular floral cascade in her hairdo is composed of wisteria, a flower symbolizing love and representing the feminine in Japanese culture. The kimono boasts intricate ornamentation, reflecting the opulence of a maiko’s costume, traditionally more ostentatious that those worn by a geisha.
New
maiko
[37 x 30 cm, 14 1/2" x 11 3/4"] Ref. 01008757 Limited edition of 3,500 pieces Base included 24 · EXPRESSIONS
New
kintaro and the bear
[30 x 31 cm, 11 3/4" x 12 1/4"] Ref. 01008687 Limited edition of 3,500 pieces
Childhood heroes In Japanese legend Kintaro is a young boy with enormous strength who was brought up in the forest among the animals. Lladró borrowed inspiration from this character to create Kintaro and the bear, a hero of Japanese folklore with which the Land of the Rising Sun celebrates Tango no Sekku or Boy’s Day. Riding on the back of a bear and carrying a big battle axe, symbolizing thunder, Lladró artists have embellished his red tunic with a richly decorated vest with traditional Japanese embroidery. Momotaro is another childhood hero used in Japan to celebrate this annual festival held every May 5th to wish health and fortune for boys. Momotaro is a brave young boy, a symbol of courage and decision, who sets off on a grand adventure to fight against a band of demons. Finally, Happy Boy’s Day is another festive piece in which a boy is mounted on the back of a huge brightly-colored carp, in reference to the traditional carp-shaped banners with which Japanese people decorate their homes so that their sons will grow up strong and healthy. These are little masterpieces to be handed down from parents to children and used to celebrate the Tango no Sekku festival.
momotaro
New
[28 x 22 cm, 11" x 8 3/4"] Ref. 01008641 Limited edition of 3,500 pieces Base included
[27 x 22 cm, 10 3/4" x 8 3/4"] Ref. 01008775 Limited edition of 3,500 pieces
happy boy's day
EXPRESSIONS · 25
Fly me to the moon Lovebirds form strong inseparable pairs and these beautiful birds are said to be capable of dying for love. Lladr贸 has captured them on their own particular honeymoon with all the wealth of their fantastic plumage, in a piece to be viewed from all angles.
New
fly me to the moon
[16 x 15 cm, 6 1/4" x 6"] Ref. 01008788 golden anniversary Ref. 01008789 silver anniversary
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Birds are the central element running through The Parrot Party collection by Lladró Atelier, the brand’s laboratory of ideas. It includes a series of objects that stand out for the contrast between the pure forms and the minute decoration of the feathers of the parrots, budgies, cockatoos and lovebirds perched on improvised branches. Here nature and design go hand in hand to add a fun-loving natural touch to any corner of the home.
parrot parade [41 x 25 cm,16 ¼" x 9 ¾"] Ref. 01007850
parrot light [19 x 14 cm, 7 ½" x 5 ½"] Ref. 01007855
parrot star [30 x 17 cm, 11 ¾" x 6 ¾"] Ref. 01007858
EXPRESSIONS · 27
Lights that decorate
Evocative and suggestive, classic sculptures that take on a new function and add a touch of distinction to interiors. These original lamps maintain all the decorative power of Lladr贸 figurines.
meditating woman I & II - lamps [57 x 30 cm, 22 1/2" x 11 3/4"] Ref. 01008551 CE Ref. 01008552 CE Ref. 01008553 US Ref. 01008554 US Ref. 01008555 UK Ref. 01008556 UK
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MAGIC FOREST CHANDELIER [155 x Ø 60 cm, 61" x Ø 23 1/2"] Ref. 01017159 CE Ref. 01017160 US
Lladró continues its focus on lighting fixtures with chandeliers, tabletop and wall lamps transmitting all the warmth of porcelain. Its star collection, Belle de Nuit, unique in the lighting sector, will soon be adding new tabletop and floor lamps to its already existing models. An explosion of light and color, with original and completely contemporary designs to transform any room into a welcoming inviting space.
belle de nuit table lamps [55 x 20 cm, 21 3/4" x 7 3/4"] Colors: white, gold, multicolor, black, blue, pink.
EXPRESSIONS · 29
Lasting beauty
New
wild orchids centerpiece
[28 x 25 cm, 11" x 9 3/4"] Ref. 01008654 Limited edition of 500 pieces Base and glass dome included
Lladr贸 floral arrangements preserve the ephemeral beauty of nature in delicate compositions of flowers charged with symbolism, such as orchids, camellias and irises.
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Detail of WILD ORCHIDS CENTERPIECE
Detail of CAMELLIA CENTERPIECE
F
lowers are one of nature’s most unique and perfect creations, though, as often happens with beautiful things, they are also ephemeral. But one of art’s primary goals is to capture fleeting beauty and this little miracle is produced every day in the Lladró workshops. Patiently, petal by petal, its artists recreate a variety of forms and colors only comparable to the original models and almost with identical delicacy, subtlety and transparency. And while flowers have been one of Lladró’s signature features ever since it first started, they reach new heights of expression in compositions like the one now being presented. Wild orchids centerpiece is a new creation joining the camellia and iris centerpieces introduced last spring. In this series of highly elaborate complex compositions, a main flower is surrounded by other varieties that serve to set it off to best effect. Each
Detail of IRIS CENTERPIECE
floral arrangement is set in a vase, in turn sitting on a wooden base and the whole composition is then covered by a glass dome. In ancient times wild orchids were attributed with curative and aphrodisiacal properties. For a long time they were viewed as the epitome of exotic flowers and as a status symbol by well-off classes. In the symbolism of flowers, the camellia stands for perfect beauty and pure thoughts, and this is why it is considered a romantic flower. In Christian symbolism, the iris represents purity, chastity and innocence. In ancient Greece and Rome irises were included in the bride’s crown for marriage ceremonies. In Oriental tradition, in China, the iris, which means “forever in love”, is a sign of motherhood, while dreaming of irises in spring is a sure sign of marriage, happiness and prosperity.
CAMELLIA CENTERPIECE
IRIS CENTERPIECE
[28 x 25 cm, 11" x 9 3/4"] Ref. 01008653 Limited edition of 500 pieces Base and glass dome included
[23 x 21 cm, 9" x 8 1/4"] Ref. 01008652 Limited edition of 500 pieces Base and glass dome included EXPRESSIONS · 31
New
my little family
[22 x 13 cm, 8 3/4" x 5"] Ref. 01008689
Affectionate, daring, daydreamers‌ children star in some of the cutest new issues for this spring. Pieces whose innocence reminds us of the greatness of the little things in life.
New
New
[18 x 12 cm, 7" x 4 3/4"] Ref. 01008771
[14 x 14 cm, 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"] Ref. 01008770
my debut dress
32 ¡ EXPRESSIONS
thinking of my debut
Elegant Poise The creative restlessness of Lladr贸 artists is behind this bright colorful version of a lady from the Spanish court. The piece transports us to the sumptuous setting of the Spanish Golden Age, a period when the painterly genius of Vel谩zquez is associated forever with the elegant poise and the serene yet haughty expression of the Infantas.
New
sweet menina
[25 x 23 cm, 9 3/4" x 9"] Ref. 01008779
EXPRESSIONS 路 33
Lladró Universe
Ángeles Lladró celebrates the brand’s 60th anniversary in India Events celebrating Lladró’s 60th anniversary were held all over the world last fall. In addition to the many retrospective exhibitions of the brand’s work, we also had the annual signing tours by Rosa and Ángeles Lladró, which were met with a doubly emotive response from the public, for the privilege of being able to share with them firsthand the passion for Lladró
in such a special year for the brand. Ángeles Lladró went on a tour of India in September that took her to the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and New Delhi where she presented the new limited edition Lakshman and Hanuman, as well as the 60th anniversary retrospective exhibition.
When Ángeles Lladró took part in the traditional "Lighting of the lamp" ceremony, which is held in India before any important undertaking, it proved to be an auspicious sign of the success of the launch in India of the new limited edition Lakshman and Hanuman, now joining Rama and Sita to complete the much-loved scene of Rama Darbar. Ángeles visited the cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and New Delhi in September for a week of signing events in the run-up to Diwali, the Festival of Lights. The company’s vice-president spoke of the great complexity involved in decorating the two characters in this story of love, devotion and faithfulness, and she especially underscored "the evolution of our designs and themes inspired by the traditions and rich cultural legacy of India". Once again Lladró porcelain built bridges
between cultures during emotive events with lovers of the brand who had an opportunity to take home their favorite pieces signed by Ángeles Lladró. The tour of the brand’s vice-president included several stops which also featured the travelling exhibition 60 Years at the Vanguard of Porcelain. In New Delhi, the gallery at the Cervantes Institute hosted the exhibition of historic pieces. Organized in conjunction with the Spanish Embassy in India, the event was attended by the Ambassador Gustavo Manuel de Arístegui and attracted a highly diverse audience who came to see the past and present of the brand. The show then traveled to Bangalore, where the many visitors to the Sublime Galleria were able to view unique creations on the eighth floor of this high-rise gallery in the luxurious UB City Mall. Moment from the traditional “Lighting of the lamp” ceremony in Mumbai.
Spectacular presentation of the Rama Darbar pieces in Bangalore. The vice-president poses with a customer and the Rama Darbar scene in the event held in Hyderabad.
34 · EXPRESSIONS
Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, was another of the favorite pieces during the event in Hyderabad.
Lladró Universe
Ángeles Lladró with Gemma Martínez, coordinator of the Cervantes Institute, the Spanish Ambassador Gustavo Manuel de Arístegui and Nikhil Lamba, from Lladró India, during the press conference in New Delhi. Ángeles Lladró and Gustavo Manuel de Arístegui with customers who acquired Rama Darbar pieces. Ángeles Lladró at the event in Mumbai together with a couple who chose the piece Sai Baba.
Accompanied by Ángeles Lladró, the ambassador toured the retrospective exhibition in the gallery at the Cervantes Institute in Delhi.
The event in Delhi was attended by many personalities from the arts and business world, like the well-known entrepreneur Piyush Todi, on the right. The exhibition 60 Years at the Vanguard of Porcelain at the Sublime Galleria in Bangalore.
Two admirers of Lladró were delighted to take away a piece signed by Ángeles in Mumbai. Ángeles Lladró with an admirer who acquired the Re-Deco version of Hindu children.
EXPRESSIONS · 35
Lladró Universe
Ángeles Lladró presents the art of dance in porcelain in Minsk Lladró ballerinas are dancing again on some of the world’s greatest stages. Last November in Minsk, Ángeles Lladró played host on a new stop of the touring exhibition of the brand’s ballet pieces. After stints at the Bolshoi in Moscow and the Mihaylovsky Theater in St Petersburg, the show of pieces inspired by the art of ballet went on exhibit through January 6th at the National Theater of Belarus, with the collaboration of the Skvirel Group, Lladró’s representative in the country. The musical entertainment at the opening event was provided by a quintet and an opera singer. In addition, Ángeles Lladró explained the details of the pieces on display and the history behind each one of them to the
many guests in attendance, including famous faces from the city’s cultural and political life as well as many members of the press who reported the event widely. The exhibition, which will travel to other major theaters, shows how dance has always been a source of inspiration for Lladró sculptors ever since its beginnings. A unique way of showing off the endless range of expressions and movements that expert dancers are capable of achieving with their bodies. As Ángeles Lladró said in her speech, “bringing porcelain to life, giving it movement and transforming it is a challenge we continue to tackle day after day from a deep admiration for this beautiful artistic discipline.”
Moments from Ángeles Lladró’s speech at the National Theater of Belarus. The Skvirel Group CEO, Dmtri Lazar (on the right at the photo), with a couple of important Lladró collectors. Ángeles Lladró toured the exhibition with guests to explain the details of each piece.
Music also had its place at the opening event for the show. On the right, the opera singer performing and, on the left, the quintet.
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Lladró Universe
Gala dinner with Rosa Lladró at the Spanish Embassy in London Last July the Spanish Embassy in London was transformed into the perfect setting for the gala dinner to celebrate Lladró’s 60th anniversary. With the Ambassador, Federico Trillo, and Rosa Lladró acting as joint hosts, a group of the
brand’s leading customers were treated to an exquisite dinner prepared by the Spanish chef Jorge Bretón in the pleasant surroundings of historic and contemporary Lladró pieces.
Last July, Lladró lovers were treated to a very special evening at 39 Chesham Place, London, the residence of the Spanish Ambassador, Federico Trillo. With Rosa Lladró as special guest, the ambassador’s residence was decorated with a mixture of our porcelains that provided a survey of the brand’s past and present. The event gave guests a chance to contemplate such symbolic pieces as
Allegory to the peace and Sad harlequin, which are rarely seen outside the Lladró Museum. This overview of the brand’s history was rounded off by a sample of Lladró’s current output, which was reflected in the exclusive objects from the Naturofantastic collection, the select dinner service with which the table was laid for the gala dinner prepared by the Spanish chef Jorge Bretón.
Rosa Lladró greets the Ambassador Federico Trillo.
A group of distinguished guests, accompanied by the ambassador, in the gardens of the Spanish Embassy Residence in London.
A selection of historic Lladró pieces on display in one of the rooms at the embassy.
Guests at the table decorated with original pieces from the Naturofantastic collection.
The celebrated chef Jorge Bretón, in the foreground, and his team prepared a delicious feast.
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Lladró Universe
Japan celebrates the 60th anniversary in a charity gala with Rosa Lladró If there is one culture in which the number 60 is especially symbolic then that is Japan. In the land of the rising sun, when a person reaches the age of sixty the occasion is celebrated with a “Kankeki”, a party which is also a moment for reflection, for weighing up past achievements and
for planning future goals. And this is how the first six decades of Lladró’s history were celebrated, with a tour of its president to various cities for a series of especially emotive events, as well as an exclusive charity gala held at the Mandarin Hotel.
Rosa Lladró’s visit to Japan got underway at the beginning of November in Tokyo, with a signing event at the brand’s boutique in the central district of Ginza. As always in Japan, the event attracted a host of Lladró fans across different generations, who were able to meet Rosa and also to visit the retrospective show which was on view in the boutique through December 29th. Afterwards it was the turn of Lladró’s more contemporary face, represented by the Lladró Atelier and lighting collections, which were displayed at the prestigious Bals store, a benchmark for contemporary interior design in Tokyo. The crowning moment of Rosa’s tour, which included stops in major shopping malls in Matsuyama and Osaka, was the Charity Gala for the 60th Anniversary at
the beautiful Mandarin Hotel in Tokyo, an exclusive event that also celebrated the 400 years of relations between Spain and Japan. The 200 plus guests in attendance were able to contemplate a selection of pieces ranging from the 1950s to the present day, accompanied by a Spanish haute cuisine dinner. The styles of the musical entertainment during the evening, similarly to Lladró porcelains, evolved from traditional Japanese dances or Spanish flamenco to the modern piano music by the “Les Freres” duo. To round off the evening, a charity auction was held including unique Lladró pieces among other donations from Spanish brands located in Japan. All proceeds went to the Take Action Foundation which raises funds for various social initiatives.
Rosa Lladró shared a table with the Spanish Ambassador in Japan, Miguel Ángel Navarro, and members of the Lladró team in this country. Rosa Lladró with a fan of the brand who bought the striking Ladies of Aranjuez vase during the event in Ginza. Groundbreaking Lladró creations on view at Bals in Tokyo with the Lladró Atelier collections and pieces for l’art de la table.
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Left to right, the President of Lladró in Japan, Go Mugino; the President of the Take Action Foundation, Hidetoshi Nakata; Rosa Lladró; famous actress Mao Daichi and renowned interiorist Yasumichi Morita.
A scene from the flamenco show during the gala which left many unforgettable moments.
Lladró Universe
Commemorative exhibition at the Spanish Embassy in Abu Dhabi The Spanish Embassy in Abu Dhabi was the setting for another event with Rosa Lladró celebrating the brand’s 60th anniversary. The garden of the residence of the Spanish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, José
Eugenio Salarich, was decorated to showcase a selection of the brand’s historic pieces. During the event Rosa Lladró presented the world premiere of the new version of the High Porcelain sculpture Arabian pure breed.
At the end of November, a charming evening was had by all in the exclusive setting of the garden at the Spanish Embassy in Abu Dhabi. At another magical moment to mark the company’s six decades so far, Rosa Lladró and the Ambassador José Eugenio Salarich acted as hosts with the collaboration of the Chalhoub Group, the Lladró distributor in the United Arab Emirates. All the leading collectors of the brand from Abu Dhabi showed up for the event. Guests included Spanish and Arab entrepreneurs, along with wellknown faces from the world of culture and high society, who all enjoyed the occasion to view emblematic pieces from the brand’s history, together with a selection of High Porcelain sculptures, the brand’s maximum artistic category. One of the most special moments of the night was when Rosa Lladró
presented, for the first time anywhere in the world, the new version of Arabian pure breed decorated in black. This new High Porcelain creation, examined in greater depth in a specific article in this issue of the magazine, received an enthusiastic welcome from the public thanks to its consummate elegance, the precious decoration of the saddle, with its bright colorful red and touches of golden and silver luster, contrasting with the satin black which enhances the impressive musculature of what is widely believed to be the most beautiful horse in the world. A spectacular finish to a wonderful evening in the UAE, where Lladró has been present over the last twenty five years and where the brand now has, since the end of 2012, its first Lladró Boutique, located in Dubai.
Rosa Lladró and the Ambassador José Eugenio Salarich in the center flanked by Anthony Chalhoub and Gwendoline Fontaine, from the Chalhoub Group, posing with the new Arabian pure breed. Bottom, pieces on display in the embassy garden.
Guests enjoyed a very exclusive event.
One more time, Lladró's work built bridges between cultures.
Spanish businesspeople with the ambassador’s wife (second right). EXPRESSIONS · 39
Lladró Universe
Rosa Lladró celebrates the 60th anniversary with a tour of the United States This fall Rosa Lladró went on a tour of the United States to meet the many admirers of the brand scattered throughout the country. So far, nothing new. However, if there are tours that can be classified as “special” then this is undoubtedly one of them. The tour in 2013
was one of many emotions. In this case, meeting Rosa, celebrating the 60th anniversary and, in short, looking back at the past in order to move forward into the future.
Richmond, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Beverly Hills, Richardson, Mobile, San Jose, Costa Mesa, Dania Beach… Last October Rosa toured several US cities to meet lovers of Lladró works and to present in some of them the retrospective exhibition of historic pieces 60 Years at the Vanguard of Porcelain. Guests were also able to admire the creations in the new commemorative collection for the brand’s 60th anniversary, with a special mention for Passion and soul, a flamboyant flamenco dancer which many guests took home with them signed by the president. One of the most exclusive settings on the tour was the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. Viewing pieces that are rarely seen outside the Lladró Museum in this art center with spectacular views over Manhattan made the event a celebration of the most exquisite art. The evening also had special guests from The Actors Fund, an organization supporting the arts and entertainment. The musical note was added by Anthony Nunziata, who delighted the audience with a moving rendition of a song from West Side Story accompanied by the acclaimed pianist Tedd Firth. The celebrations continued at the Lladró Boutique in Beverly Hills, where over 200 guests enjoyed the exhibition of historic pieces, including well-known actors
and artists. Once again The Actors Fund was involved in the event which also included piano music and a performance by the singer Shoshana Bean. At the same time, the boutique in Los Angeles welcomed a visit from 20 women who were taking part in a special event organized by the Desirée China and Gifts store from Ontario, Canada. Another of the exciting stops on the tour was at The Gallery of Amazing Things in Dania Beach, South Florida. The commemorative exhibition got off to a start on October 30th when it was opened by Rosa Lladró and remained on view through November 13th. The opening event was attended by approximately 300 guests and the commissioned decoration was awarded to acclaimed interior designers who integrated Lladró creations into their original proposals. The tour also saw other well-attended events included the meeting between Rosa Lladró and the ladies from the exclusive Tiffany Circle in Dania Beach and more memorable moments, like the one that took place on November 29 th at Robert Moore & Co. in Mobile (Alabama). There, the city council declared the day of her visit as “Rosa Lladró Day” and gave her a diploma in gratitude for her visit to the city.
Rosa Lladró in Beverly Hills, with the actor Johnny Cannizzaro on the left and the director of the Actors Fund in the area, Keith MacNutt.
The ladies from Tiffany Circle pose with the monumental High Porcelain creation Queen of the Nile.
The music at the event in Los Angeles was provided by the celebrated singer Shoshana Bean, famous for her role in the well-known Broadway musical “Wicked”.
Rosa Lladró with a group of ladies from Desirée.
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Lladró Universe Rosa Lladró with a customer who purchased a signed piece of Sprinter during the event at Govindji's in Richardson (Texas).
The 60th anniversary exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York overviewed Lladró’s work from the 1950s to the present.
Rosa at Biggs Ltd. in Richmond (Virginia), where Lladró porcelain also raised passions.
During her visit to Mobile, Rosa Lladró received a token in honor of her visit from John C. Williams, a member of the city council.
View of design created by the Meredith Marlow Interiors studio for the event in Dania Beach.
On the left, Rosa Lladró opens the exhibition in Dania Beach together with Gregg Whittecar, owner and Creative Director of The Gallery of Amazing Things.
The event at the prestigious art gallery in South Florida brought together artists and interior designers.
The 60th anniversary celebrations brought many smiles to the faces of the enthusiastic American public. EXPRESSIONS · 41
Lladró Universe
A Truly International 60th Birthday Commemorative events for the brand’s 60th Anniversary were also held in Russia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. 60 Years at the Vanguard in Porcelain, the survey show of Lladró’s work, was on view throughout the month of September in GUM, the best shopping mall in Russia and indeed one of the biggest in all of Europe. Located in Red Square, it houses one of Lladró’s boutiques in Moscow, as well as stores of other luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, La Perla, Escada, Burberry and Hermès. Over 30,000 people from all over the world visit it every day and many of them stopped by to contemplate the pieces in our exhibition and see the evolution of porcelains which enjoy an enviable reputation in Russia. In Singapore, Lladró’s six decades were celebrated with the presentation of the lamps in the Belle de Nuit collection on October 8th, on view through
October 15th at the Lladró boutique in the Paragon shopping mall. The opening event, lit up by the collection’s impressive chandeliers, also included an auction of A true friend, with the money raised going to Very Special Arts, an organization helping persons with disabilities to participate and learn through art. A true friend is a particularly symbolic creation with which Lladró expressed its gratitude to its many unconditional followers in Singapore for their loyalty to a brand which arrived here twenty-two years ago. Yakarta also celebrated Lladró’s 60 years with a delicious birthday cake. And finally, in Bangkok the event was focused on flower demonstrations by the artist Raquel Duque at the luxury decor store Crystal Symphony.
Scenes from the 60th anniversary touring exhibition at GUM.
The wonderful cake at the commemorative event in Yakarta. Alejo Rodríguez, Lladró Director in Asia Pacific, and Christopher Yeow, Executive Director of Very Special Art Singapore, with the piece A true friend.
Views of the event held in Bangkok. 42 · EXPRESSIONS
Lladró Universe
Belle de Nuit shines with its own light Lladró has a lot to say for itself when it comes to decorating contemporary 21st century homes. And this was readily visible last September at the exhibition in the Polígono Gallery in Marbella of the brand’s new designs, ranging from the functional and spectacular Belle de Nuit chandeliers to the colorful Naturofantastic collection for l’art de la table. The designs went on display in this modern gallery alongside pieces with great decorative potential like The
Fantasy or The Guest collections, or the artistic exercise Dazzle, and of course not forgetting Lladró classics and the High Porcelain sculptures. The Belle de Nuit lamps shone with a light of their own in one of Europe’s most famous shopping areas. Last October, the exciting new collection was the showpiece in one of the window displays of Bernasconi, the prestigious jewelry store in Milan with over 140 years of history to its credit and one of the highpoints in the popular
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Also in October, the Belle de Nuit lamps were on display at the Lladró booth in I Saloni Worldwide Moscow, one of Russia’s most celebrated luxury goods fairs. And, finally, the colorful new chandeliers attracted lots of attention during the celebration for the brand’s 60th anniversary at the Paragon boutique in Singapore.
The innovative Lladró lighting collections aroused a lot of expectation from the large numbers in attendance at I Saloni Worldwide Moscow. The Belle de Nuit collection on view in Bernasconi, the prestigious jewelry store in the busy Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade in Milan.
The Belle de Nuit chandeliers were also a centerpiece at the celebration of Lladró’s 60th anniversary at the Paragon boutique in Singapore.
Polígono Gallery is a cultural space in Marbella opened by Maite Coloma and Sophie Gravier after several years as directors of prominent art galleries in Beijing. Last September it hosted a selection of Lladró’s most recent designs for decor and interiors.
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Lladró Universe
Tokyo taken over by Spanish design Over the last few months, the capital of Japan, always such a busy social and cultural city, hosted a number of events with a spotlight on Lladró. Last June, the Cuban diplomatic mission in Japan organized a special "Cuban Night" at the Lladró boutique in Ginza to bid farewell to its Deputy Chief, Andrés González. A group of friends of the diplomat, including various celebrities, enjoyed a fun Caribbean evening out with Cuban music and rum. September saw a very special event involving two major brands. The international fashion brand NY Carolina Herrera commissioned Lladró with a special decoration for the opening of its new store in Tokyo. For the event -Lladró and Carolina Herrera: Design in Black & White- Lladró chose some of its best creations in black and white, NY Carolina Herrera’s signature colors. The VIP guests of both brands were treated to an unforgettable evening of fashion and design.
Coinciding with the Tokyo Designers Week in October, the exhibition Tapas, Spanish Design for Food opened at the Spanish Embassy in Tokyo. This touring show, in which Lladró is taking part, takes a look at the country’s contribution to gastronomy and design, two disciplines in which Spain is setting the standards. The exhibition is divided into four areas: Kitchen, Table, Food and Wine. Lladró was showcased with pieces from The Fantasy, Scenes, Naturofantastic and The Parrot Party collections. The Thoroughbred Club, a select society of horse owners from all over Japan, held an exclusive party for its members at our boutique in Ginza. Guests were treated to an exhibition of Lladró pieces with horse themes chosen expressly for the occasion, including At the derby and A regal steed. Finally, another special event held at the boutique was organized for the VIP readers of the Pavone magazine.
The Toys in the Scenes by Jaime Hayon collection were part of Lladró’s contribution to Tapas, Spanish Design for Food, an exhibition on Spanish culture focused on design and gastronomy. The exclusive magazine Pavone organized an event for its VIP readers at the Lladró boutique in Ginza.
The Caribbean diplomatic mission bids farewell to one of its members with an animated "Cuban Night" held at the Lladró boutique.
NY Carolina Herrera’s new store in Tokyo decorated in elegant black and white designs by Lladró artists.
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Lladró Universe
Lladró and cutting-edge design in Vienna and Moscow Right, the original Guests painted by Gary Baseman, unique pieces on view in Vienna. Below, a moment from the event at Stamm.
The special window display at the Lladró Boutique in GUM during the Moscow Design Week.
The Lladró designers Susana Rodríguez and Inma Bermúdez with Marcus Fried, owner of Stamm.
Rosa Lladró at the event in Vienna, with Marcus Fried and José Luis Rodríguez de Colmenares, Cultural Attaché at the Spanish Embassy in Austria.
“Making art porcelain a contemporary product that fits in with our everyday lives” is how Rosa Lladró defined the brand’s challenge for the 21st century during her speech at the Vienna Design Week, held from September 27th through October 5th in Austria’s capital city. Lladró took part for the first time in this forum for happening trends in design with an exhibition of its Lladró Atelier collections. On show in Stamm, the contemporary design store in the heart of Vienna, the exhibition featured pieces from The Guest and The Fantasy Collection as well as the new “Belle de Nuit” chandeliers and more.
As part of the events for the design week, Rosa Lladró gave a speech at the Sofitel hotel in Stephansdom on the challenges of porcelain at the present moment, followed by comments by two of the brand’s designers, Susana Rodríguez and Inma Bermúdez, who spoke about the creative process and how the design factor is influencing the brand’s current positioning. On display during the lecture were examples of the different phases in the elaboration of the brand’s porcelains, with pieces from The Guest in various stages of the creative process. During the Moscow Design Week, held in
October in the Russian capital, coinciding with I Saloni fair, Lladró presented a special window display at its boutique in GUM, one of Europe’s foremost shopping malls. The display featured the black and white Guests in a dialog with the evocative Guacamayo from the Dazzle series, an artistic exercise inspired by the famous avant-garde technique of camouflage based on complex geometric patterns. Through a contrast of black and white and the creative confusion of intercrossing lines, this project opens the door to a new image of existing Lladró pieces, giving them a completely new look thanks to these striking decorative effects.
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Lladró Universe
A porcelain garden at the Hampton Designer Showhouse Last August, Lladró and Traditional Home magazine held an event at the spectacular Hampton Designer Showhouse, located in the idyllic setting of Bridgehampton. The garden of this spectacular mansion was transformed in a world of porcelain with an exhibition of some of Lladró’s most innovative collections including exclusive creations for l’art de la table. The interior designers Richard Mortimer and Elizabeth Hangins, who designed one of the rooms in the house, were commissioned to decorate this exclusive space with Lladró creations. The guests, interior
designers and friends of the brand, enjoyed a wonderful summer’s evening featuring the art of porcelain, accompanied by live music, appetizing canapés and delicious wine from the Wölffer Estate Vineyard. At this beautiful mansion located in one of the favorite summer spots for New Yorkers in Long Island, the country’s best interior designers decorate the perfect house. This annual event is an experience that no visitor to the Hamptons should miss.
Pieces from The Fantasy Collection by Jaime Hayon, Re-Cyclos by Bodo Sperlein, Naturofantastic and The Parrot Party collections, together with sculptures of swimmers, in the garden of the Hampton Designer Showhouse.
The press in Dubai praises the originality of Lladró
"A wonderful unveiling from Lladró and an intimate dinner in pleasant company"; "I have to say that the new Lladró collection is truly inspiring"; "I fell in love with the Masquerade candelabra as soon as I saw it "... The tweets posted by influential journalists in Dubai following the presentation of The Guest and The Fantasy collections leave no room for doubt. The
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original creations captivated the reporters from prestigious luxury, décor and lifestyle magazines like Harper's Bazaar, Lamasat, Art Plus and Hia. The presentation was held at the Toro Toro restaurant at the luxurious Grosvenor House hotel during an exclusive dinner where the most special guests were Lladró’ s very own Atelier’s Guests.
Lladró Universe
Ambassadors for the latest in design Lladró’s increasing reputation in contemporary design was endorsed recently with regular appearances in various design events held in different countries. The brand was invited to take part in the Design España exhibition organized last September by the Decorative Arts Museum in Bordeaux. The show featured pieces from The Fantasy Collection by Jaime Hayon, created in conjunction with the celebrated designer and artistic advisor to Lladró Atelier, the brand’s laboratory of ideas. Conceived as a survey of a century of design from Spain, the exhibition showed the French public the very best designs in furniture, decor, graphic and industrial design from the twentieth century. Also in September, the RED association of design businesses promoted an exhibition called ROJO at the Vinçon gallery in Barcelona, where the red candelabra from The Parrot Party was on view alongside other contemporary designer objects with the common traits of color and that all were made and produced in Spain.
In the same month, the Lladró Atelier collections were showcased in Mexico with an introduction from the well-known designer Héctor Esrawe. His studio in Polanco, in the heart of Mexico City, was the place chosen to show The Guest, The Parrot Party, Metropolis and The Fantasy Collection by Jaime Hayon. In addition, objects from the Naturofantastic series for l'art de la table were also on view. Meanwhile, Casa Casa, the well-known chain of home decor stores in Guatemala, celebrated the brand’s 60th anniversary with a selection of Lladró Atelier collections. And it did so with an exhibition at El Túnel, one of the country’s leading contemporary galleries. Finally, The Guest and The Fantasy Collection by Jaime Hayon were also featured in the exhibition Shapes in Transition, on view in November at the Sleeping Dogs store in Hamburg. The prestigious German cutting-edge design shop displayed a collection of works by renowned European designers, including several signed by Jaime Hayon.
The El Túnel art gallery together with Casa Casa exhibited Lladró’s contemporary collections for the first time in Guatemala.
The studio of the celebrated designer Héctor Esrawe was the ideal setting for the presentation in Mexico of Lladró’s groundbreaking collections.
Lladró was included in the exhibition surveying a century of Spanish design at the Decorative Arts Museum in Bordeaux.
© Lothar Vollert
The Vinçon gallery in Barcelona exhibited a sample of Spanish design made and produced in Spain revolving around one theme: the color red.
Sleeping Dogs, the cutting-edge design store in Hamburg, showed a collection of works by renowned European designers, Jaime Hayon included. © Lothar Vollert
EXPRESSIONS · 47
Lladró Universe Prince Felipe, in the center, during the breakfast at the residence of the Mayor of Los Angeles.
Royal breakfast with Lladró porcelain Prince Felipe of Spain visited the United States last December to take part in the commemorative events for the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the missions in California, paying tribute to its founder Father Serra. As part of his agenda, Don Felipe de Borbón attended a breakfast at the official residence of the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, where the table was decorated with Lladró pieces. Among the members of the Spanish Delegation were José Manuel García-Margallo, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ramón Gil-Casares, the Spanish Ambassador to the USA. Once again Lladró porcelain built a bridge between different cultures and strengthened the bonds of friendship between the two countries, whose representatives also received a gift from the brand.
The table with centerpieces from the Naturofantastic collection and Lladró horse sculptures.
Lladró meets art and sport Lladró was one of the leading brands involved in the celebrations for the Dual Spain-Japan Year, held in 2013 to commemorate the 400 years of relations between the two countries. Its direct involvement could be seen in various events held to mark the occasion, such as the presentation of the awards to the Friends of the Dual Year, held at the Spanish Embassy in Tokyo, where the winners were rewarded for their work in bringing the two cultures closer together. Also in attendance, were the MotoGP champions Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Marc Márquez, Álvaro Bautista, Nico Terol and Julián Simón who were awarded with the title of “Sports Ambassadors in the 400 Years of Spain-Japan Relations”. Finally, Yoko Komatsubara, widely considered the best flamenco dancer in Japan, also received a tribute at the Cervantes Institute in Tokyo,
organized in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy. They all took away with them a diploma and a special edition of the piece Gallop with a Dual Year commemorative decal on the base. Meanwhile, the sculpture Polo player was chosen as the trophy for the Fuera de Serie Prizes at the 42nd International Land Rover Polo Tournament in Sotogrande. Marking new records in the number and quality of participating teams, this prestigious tournament, held every summer at the Santa María Polo Club in the exclusive residential development of San Roque (Cadiz), is now widely viewed as the top polo event in Europe along with the English tournaments The Queens Cup and The Gold Cup. The occasion proved to be an auspicious debut for the sculpture that captures the essence of such a spectacular and passionate sport.
Friends of the Dual Spain-Japan Year receive their awards.
Marc Márquez, world MotoGP champion in 2013, with his prize. The flamenco dancer Yoko Komatsubara also received a tribute at the Cervantes Institute in Tokyo.
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The winners and sponsors of the Fuera de Serie Prize in Sotogrande with Polo player.
Lladró Universe
Petal by petal, brushstroke by brushstroke Last September, Raquel Duque headed off on a tour of several Asian countries to demonstrate her talent in porcelain flower making. The tour got off to a start in China, more specifically Beijing and Quingdao, where Raquel was greeted by a large number of lovers of porcelain who were delighted to be able to see how she creates the flowers, petal by petal, for Flowers of the season. After twenty years in the Lladró catalogue, it is still one of our best-loved pieces. The next stop for Raquel was Vietnam, at an event in Ho Chi Minh City which was attended by the Economic and Commercial Attaché at the Spanish Embassy, José Antonio Bretones. In fact, this was the first time that the people of Vietnam had a chance to see a live flower-making demonstration and Raquel more than fulfilled everyone’s high expectations. Finally, the tour ended in Bangkok, Thailand,
where Raquel met some long-time followers of the brand as well as many young admirers. In October, Francisca Sanjuán traveled to Guatemala and Panama. This was the first time that flower events where held in these two Central American countries and many excited fans turned out to see Francisca at work. The demo in Guatemala was held at Casa Casa Oakland Mall, while the event in Panama, which also commemorated Lladró’s 60th anniversary, was organized by Snob Shop. The art of painting Lladró pieces always arouses a lot of interest among porcelain lovers and the live demonstrations by these artists are highly appreciated. Recently the painters Carmen Castillo and Amparo Martínez traveled to Japan on individual tours.
The Japanese public appreciated Carmen Castillo’s delicate brushwork.
Raquel Duque patiently works on the complex decoration of Flowers of the season during her tour of various Asian countries.
Francisca Sanjuán received a warm welcome from the public in Guatemala and Panama.
The public showed great interest in Raquel’s work. Below, Ms Ratana Gambir, Lladró representative in Thailand, shares the customers’ admiration for the talent of the Lladró artist.
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Lladró Universe
Visit from the Chinese Ambassador to Spain The Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Zhu Bangzao, and his wife visited Lladró last October together with the embassy’s cultural attaché and the director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Spain. Guided personally by Juan Lladró and his daughter Ángeles, they were treated to a pleasant tour that gave them an opportunity to admire the painstaking work of our artists. Both the ambassador and his wife praised the company for its size and its capacity to complete every single step of the process of creation of the pieces in the brand’s only factory in the world.
The Chinese ambassador to Spain -between Juan Lladró and his daughter Ángeles- with his wife and the interpreter who accompanied them on their visit. Below, admiring Queen of the Nile.
Another noteworthy visit last fall was from a group of US Lladró collectors from the Spanish-US naval base in Rota (Cadiz). These staunch admirers of the brand were welcomed by Juan Lladró and treated to a tour of the workshops at The City of Porcelain, the Lladró Museum and the house where the Lladró brothers were born in the nearby town of Almàssera. Every year this unique experience attracts thousands of people from all over the world who visit the place where our pieces are born and see for themselves how they are made.
Above, Lladró collectors from the Rota Naval Base with Juan Lladró. Below, in the decoration section.
Latest additions to NAO’s Disney collections Coinciding with the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, Khan, the Horse, gallops straight into NAO’s Disney collection. Princess Mulan’s faithful companion is the first in a series of twelve Disney characters, one for each of the signs in the zodiac. In addition, to keep the beautiful Snow White company, she is now joined by two of the best-loved dwarfs, Dopey and Grumpy, who will be followed by the rest in upcoming launches. As with all the pieces in the collection, NAO works in close cooperation with the designers at the Disney studios to bring to life figurines that are true to the characters, resulting in the introduction of new colors to the brand’s palette.
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©Disney
2014 annual Piece
FLOWER OF YOUTH
T
he games of childhood fade into the past and the adult world begins to open up in front of us. Lladr贸 artists have captured this time of change and rites of initiation with purity and youthful charm in Sweet adolescence, the Annual Piece which will be available only during 2014. Alida, Gabriela, Desir茅e and Leticia are the names of our
little water carriers, who have arrived this year with a new decoration. They are another example of the same ideal of beauty, innocence and grace that underlies so many of Lladr贸 pieces. While the former versions in gres transmitted a sense of warmth, the tones of the glazed porcelain are now more subtle and delicate.
2014 Annual Piece sweet adolescence [35 x 15 cm, 13 3/4" x 6"] Ref. 01008785
New
New
New
New
[15 x 24 cm, 6" x 9 1/2"] Ref. 01008761
[16 x 18 cm, 6 1/4" x 7"] Ref. 01008759
[16 x 14 cm, 6 1/4" x 5 1/2"] Ref. 01008760
[16 x 23 cm, 6 1/4" x 9"] Ref. 01008758
alida
gabriela
desiree
leticia
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ART Energetic, forceful and full of life, a sculpture with all the character of deeply-rooted traditions. Lladró artists have captured the complex swirl of the train, the precise movements of the arms, and the dancer’s proud gesture, with all the strength of passionate red. A creation demonstrating that true art is universal.
New
flamenco flair
[47 x 40 cm, 18 1/2" x 15 3/4"] Ref. 01008765
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