Tableware International

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: July/August 2015

2

Issue: 3

134

Volume: 137

Carrol Boyes, renowned South African artist and designer, finds the perfect synthesis between functionality and art in her distinctive work.

These unique items draw their inspiration from both the human form and the beauty of nature. Visit carrolboyes.com for the full range.

Tableware Team

TableWare INTERNATIONAL

EDITOR KATE BIRCH kate@lemapublishing.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHER MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

DESIGNER MARIAN MCNAMARA marian@lemapublishing.co.uk

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

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

At the heart Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442 289930 of retail Fax: 00 44 (0) 1442 289950 Front cover illustration supplied by Richard Ginori. For more information see the website www.richardginori1735.com

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: July/August 2015

2

Issue: 3

134

Volume: 137

W

ith homewares and giftware increasingly converging, the opportunity for tableware suppliers to expand their product offering and distribution network is growing. And with gift store retailers reporting that homewares as giftware – tabletop and kitchenware, in particular – is in growth, more and more tabletop brands are delivering dedicated giftware programmes to tap in to such demand.

This year, Villeroy & Boch delivered its most extensive gifting programme to date.

“We see a very strong trend for gifting and our philosophy is that every article from Villeroy & Boch is a potential gift,” says Nicolas Luc Villeroy, head of the tableware division, Villeroy & Boch.

We investigate how tabletop brands are tapping into the giftware market on page 54 and showcase the latest gifting concepts and products from brands.

Adding to the giftware-meets-tableware conversation, our regular columnist, independent London-based home and giftware retailer, Barry Seaman, discusses on page 38 how he has found success by expanding his once tableware-only store to include complementary categories of giftware and kitchenware.

Giftware also gets in a look in on page 44 in this month’s sector feature. With a focus on the festive season, we look at how important Christmas is to the tableware industry and highlight what seasonallyinspired giftware, dinnerware and serveware is on the table this year. We even talk seasonal sourcing with the leading late summer, early autumn shows on page 50.

On the trend front, we investigate how casual and formal dining is merging on page 28. We talk to industry leaders and deliver the latest tableware that’s bridging the gap between everyday dining and more formal occasions. We also spotlight the barbecue trend (page 26) and the tableware ranges coming out of this global cooking trend.

We are also very much on trend with our retail interview this month. Everyone is buzzing about leading luxury home retailer Amara right now, and with the retailer celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year and launching ecommerce sites the world over, we catch up with founders Sam and Andrew Hood to find out the secrets of their retail success (page 34).

“Everyone is buzzing about leading luxury home retailer Amara right now.

We find out the secrets of their success on pg 34” Finally, Autumn show season is on its way and we deliver the lowdown on all the changes, as well as a sneak peek at some of the product that will be presented at Home London (page 66), Autumn Fair (page 70), NY NOW (page 72) and Tendence (page 74).

It’s all change in some show quarters, with the 20-year-old Maison & Objet Paris being given a major remodelling this year. Discover why the new layout on page 68.

See you at the shows!

Kate Birch Check out our new column from tableware expert Isabelle von Boch on page 32

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

C

O

N

T

E

N July/August 2015 • ISSUE 3

News 10

News A round-up of international stories

14

Retail News Spotlight on Native & Co

16

Exhibition news News from the shows worldwide

20

Product news The latest releases and launches

22

Licensing news We spotlight some of the industry’s most exciting designers/licences

T

S

TableWare INTERNATIONAL

Trends 24

Product trend Inspired by retro roses

26

Industry trend Spotlight on barbecuing

28

Industry trend We look at how tableware is bridging the gap between fine and casual dining

Features 32

NEW Column In her new column for TI, tableware expert and enthusiast Isabelle von Boch discusses formal casual fusion and the festive season

34

Retail: Amara On its tenth anniversary, we interview founders of luxury home retailer Amara

38

44 60

Retail: giftware We interview British homewares and giftware store Howapow about the convergence of tableware and giftware

Retail column Regular columnist retailer Barry Seaman talks cross-category curation

62

Eye on design This month we spotlight renowned British tableware designer Robin Levien

40

NEW Brand focus: Stolzle In our new and regular tableware brand focus, we spotlight German glassware manufacturer Stolzle

Shows

42

Profile: Arzberg We talk to Arzberg CEO Gianluca Colonna about the repositioning of this award-winning design and heritage brand

44

50

52

54

64

Review: Exclusively Housewares Discover what happened and who attended this year's show

66

Preview: Home London We talk to brand director of Home London, Ian Rudge

68

Preview: Maison & Objet Paris The world's leading design event will deliver a new structure and layout this September

Trade talk Trade show experts discuss sourcing Christmas product at the early autumn shows

70

Preview: Autumn Fair Discover what's new for Table & Kitchen at this year's Autumn Fair

Profile: Crystalex We highlight the company's expertise in the decorative art of pantograph

72

Preview: NY NOW Find out who's showing what at this summer's home and gift show in New York

74

Preview: Tendence We highlight what you can expect from this Frankfurt consumer-goods show

Sector focus: Christmas With the festive season in growth, we talk to the experts, deliver the trends and highlight the latest introductions

Guide to giftable tableware We look at the convergence of homewares and giftware and deliver the latest giftable tabletop launches

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.

A RRI S wedgwood.co.uk

general news

Boutique art glass brand launches

The World of Wedgwood now open!

New for summer 2015 is an inspiring and much-anticipated visitor experience, the World of Wedgwood, celebrating the 250-year-old luxury lifestyle brand. Opening its doors to the public on July 17, the experience is set in 240 acres of Staffordshire countryside and combines an array of engaging attractions that bring to life Wedgwood’s 250 years’ heritage in the British ceramics industry.

The interactive Wedgwood Factory Tour delivers the journey of Wedgwood’s iconic products from the potter’s wheel to the decorating studio, while the Design Studio offers a walk-through interactive experience that brings to life the brand’s unique approach to design. A fun

and hands-on experience designed to appeal to all ages can be had in the Decorating Studio – choose a teapot, mug, plate or picture frame and decorate using paint, digital printing and illustration techniques.

Visitors can even try throwing a pot at the Master Craft Studio, using traditional methods including ‘throwing’ clay and using Wedgwood’s iconic jasperware clay, which was invented by Josiah Wedgwood himself and famed for its distinctive smooth texture, matte finish and variety of colours.

The award-winning Wedgwood Museum holds one of the finest ceramic collections in the world and is home to the Wedgwood Collection, one of the most important industrial and

ceramic archives in the world, displaying more than 3,000 artefacts and dating back to 1759.

World of Wedgwood will also house the flagship Wedgwood Tea Room (the first in the UK), Tea Bar and Dining Hall – the tea room offers 50 blends of the finest Wedgwood tea.

The 240 acres of landscaped gardens deliver an array of woodland walks and a pottery-themed outdoor play area with giant installations such as a teapot and Portland Vase. Finally, the Flagship Store features the largest selection of Wedgwood products worldwide, while the Factory Outlet offers a wide range of great-priced end-of-line and exclusive factory pieces. www. worldofwedgwood.com

Believing there to be an opening for well-designed, competitively priced art glass objects, a new California-based boutique glass brand Viterra debuted with its own showroom at the recently-held Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Its Premier Collection focuses on European art glass techniques, created by a highly specialised team of master blowers and craftsmen and designed

by Erica Friedman, a trained glass blower. The collection is extensive, so specialty retailers and galleries can creatively pick out assortments which are right for them.

The Magma designs are crafted in a combination of transparent amber colour with an opaque glass element reminiscent of stone, with sizes ranging from an 8-inch vase to an impressive statement 17inch tall vase. www.viterraglass.com

Did you know…? British award-winning cutlery company Studio William has appointed AIM Brands to take care of its UK retail division for its brands Studio William and Charingworth. Led by Dan Flower, who has 17 years in the cutlery field, along with four sales agents, AIM will cover the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland Retail division.

10 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

My Blue China exhibition

Celebrating ceramics & silverware Two upcoming exhibitions will pay tribute to the beauty and history of ceramics and silver. The Fondation d’enterprise Bernardaud’s annual contemporary art exhibition will this year deliver My Blue China - contemporary artists’ interpretations of blue and white porcelain. Some 12 internationally renowned and contemporary artists offer their interpretations of the Willow pattern or other types of blue and white china, such as Delft, Sevres, Talavera or Victorian majolica, via ceramics, paintings, sculpture.

The exhibition runs through November 21 in Limoges. Meanwhile, a landmark exhibition

Paul Storr exhibition

in London in October will deliver the largest grouping of work by one of England’s most famous silversmiths, Paul Storr. Entitled Art in Industry: The Work of Paul Storr, the exhibition will feature a dazzling array of more than 200 examples of craftsmanship in silver and gold ranging in date from 1792 when Storr first set up his own workshop in London. From Oct 13-31, Koopman Rare Art, London. www.koopmanrareart.com

Robert Welch reveals brand new e-commerce website The British design brand’s new mobile-optimised website www.robertwelch.com has gone live. Designed to be as visually inspiring and functional as its products, the site delivers clean design and visual navigation to help customers and stockists easily find products they want, plus an improved checkout process to make purchasing easier across desktop, tablet and mobile. The brand has future plans for multi-lingual sites and a dedicated trade hub to give trade account holders access to simple reordering as well as their order history, price lists and stock levels.

Rudolf Kampf targets male market The luxury Czech porcelain brand has tuned into male consumers with the offer of the 007 Collection, disproving the common perception that porcelain is just for women.

The highly giftable gun and tea duo delivers the perfect pairing of metal coldness along with the warmth of porcelain. The big cup holds a manly amount of drink, while the width of the handle is ergonomically created to be comfortable in bigger handles. Created in three colour options, the duo also boasts 24k gold, silver of the highest 925 standard or titan spray. www.en/rudolfkampf.eu TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 11

general news

Tradestock launches customisation programme

Maleras Glasbruk celebrates 125 years of handicraft This year, Swedish glass manufacturer Maleras Glasbruk celebrates 125 years of expert glass creation. Due to demand for mouthblown medicine bottles, the first Maleras glassworks was founded in 1890. The present Maleras glassworks was built in 1917 and has been expanded several times. Due to demand for cut and engraved glass during the ’40s and ’50s, Maleras became known for making high-end crystal stemware.

During the ’60s and ’70s, the glassworks had a number of different owners, before being bought by Kosta Boda in 1977.

Kosta Boda’s designer Mats Jonasson, born and raised in

Maleras and educated as an engraver at the glassworks, was passionate about ensuring the glassworks was the one and only manufacturer of his designs.

To ensure this, some 104 local people from the village of Maleras bought and co-ran the glassworks until 1988, increasing both turnover and number of employees. In 1988, Orrefors glassworks offered these shareholders a generous bid for their shares, but most chose to sell them to Mats Jonasson and his vision to keep the glassworks in Maleras. The Mats Jonasson family is still the majority owner of Maleras Glasbruk today, delivering the same handcrafted product it

always has – handmade crystal manufactured at the glassworks at Maleras, its signature that of cast crystal in fusion with detailed design. The company now boasts 50 employees and while Sweden is its largest market, international export is steadily increasing, representing 40 per cent of total turnover in 2014. All production is still handmade in Maleras, making every piece of crystal unique.

Many of the company’s tools and methods, developed in the early 1900s, have been preserved and are still used in production today, delivering an extensive product array by talented designers and skilled craftsmen. www.maleras.se/en

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the Designers range to reach a new audience and we are delighted to be working with My Gifts Today. The range is primarily aimed at highend, design-led shops. It also aims to provide something unique and different for the customer.”

Managing director of Royal Stafford, Norman Tempest, on appointing My Gifts Trade, who will take on the sales and distribution of the Royal Stafford Designers’ range.

12 12TABLEWARE 8 TABLEWARE TABLEWAREINTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

British tabletop brand Tradestock has launched the Academy Project, a new design initiative developed by the company following its recent investment in new printing technology at their headquarters in Somerset, UK. In essence, The Academy Project will allow the company to design, develop and deliver bespoke designs across core product ranges with short lead times, offering customers greater choice and the benefit of flexible stock commitment.

Tradestock launched the project at the recently held Exclusively Housewares in London using the exhibition’s show logo on a selection of product samples, from glass worktop savers to cork-based coasters and even slate products. “The reaction to these samples was quite amazing with discussions on the stand covering a host of future design projects including enquiries from retailers for bespoke ranges and potential for personalised products for the wedding market,” says MD, Keith Nye. It’s also open to hospitality and b2b sectors. www.tradestockltd.co.uk

retail news

Spotlight on…

NATIVE & CO We speak to the owners of independent London lifestyle shop Native & Co, which specialises in Japanese and Taiwanese tabletop Opening its doors in Notting Hill, London last year, Native & Co is an independent lifestyle shop specialising in craft-based home produts that are predominantly sourced locally in Japan and Taiwan. Founded by two product designers, Taiwan-born Sharon Jo-Yun Hung and British-Japanese Chris Yoshiro Green, the shop carries tableware, kitchenware, home accessories, cushions and throws, as well as bags and stationery, with 75 per cent of its offering focused on tableware.

Native & Co work with small suppliers, specialist workshops and promote local craftsmen.

What is unique about your store and the tableware collections you curate?

Our combination of artisan Japanese products coupled with rare Taiwanese finds makes it unique. We seek out simple pieces of a discreet nature, with beautiful subtle details. We look for objects with purity, where the material’s natural beauty is left untarnished.

What makes Taiwanese and Japanese tableware unique?

It is designed with purity in mind.

The materials are used in an 14 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

honest and natural fashion – it is hard to find such a discreet aesthetic paired with tradition and heritage elsewhere. The products emphasise on individual regional craft in Japan and Taiwan and there is uniqueness in the niche expertise of the makers we work with. The majority are humble family-run businesses that have spent generations perfecting their craft. Our porcelain range is from Arita, our wooden-ware from Hookaido and our hand-hammered metal range is from Kyoto, for example. There are of course some similarities with Scandinavian craft and design and we occasionally get confused for being Scandinavian.

In tableware, what is currently selling well for you?

As we only opened December last year, our first and new tableware range is our Arita porcelain collection and it has been really popular with our customers because we believe it reflects the ethos of our shop. Made in the historical region of Japanese porcelain, it delivers traditional iconography but is reinvented with a contemporary and functional design suitable for modern-day life. We plan to launch new tableware ranges seasonally.

How important is it in retail and in homewares to have a point of difference?

We believe it is essential to deliver a concept of your aesthetic and communicate a taste. It was key for us to have a focus as we wanted to be both understood and memorable. When we first opened, the shop had quite a bit more Japanese rather than Taiwanese or European product, but due to demand and curiosity for more obscure Taiwanese products, we have since refined our offering. Our focus is now Japan and Taiwan.

How important is omnichannel retailing for you?

Most of our customers shop in-store but we do also have an e-commerce website. The benefit of the physical shop is that our customers can feel the weight and texture of our products first – key in tableware.

Our homeware is quite discreet and subtle, so it is best appreciated in person. On our e-commerce website we mainly help customers who live outside of the UK or outside of London. We also offer the service of picking up in-store, so customers can shop at home and then collect from the shop. www.nativeandco.com

ARITA PORCELAIN COLLECTION Reflecting the ethos of Native & Co, the Arita Porcelain Collection (above) is made in the historical region of Japanese porcelain, Arita, and combines 400-year-old porcelain techniques with a contemporary design. There are ceramic tea cups and rice bowls, plates of various sizes, all adorned with traditional Japanese navy and white pattern motifs. It also includes pioneer kitchen tools such as a sesame mortar with pestle and lid, a ginger grater and ladle stand, with all pieces stackable for space saving.

exhibition News BauscherHepp moving into 41 Madison One of Europe’s largest hospitality tableware suppliers BauscherHepp Inc. will this month open its new showroom at 41 Madison, bringing to 68 the number of brands represented with products designed for hospitality and commercial projects.

The 1,100-sq-ft space on the 6th floor will give the North American subsidiary a solid presence during many shows, including The New York Tabletop Market, October 13-16.

Six brands comprise BauscherHepp: Bauscher, manufacturing commercial grade porcelain dinner ware since 1881; Hepp, known for its innovative professional cutlery since 1863; Tafelstern, porcelain designs aimed at boutiquestyle operations; WMF Hotel, including stainless steel flatware, cookware and kitchen tools; Luigi Bormioli Foodservice, a range of design-driven, professional quality glassware; and, Mogogo, dedicated to buffet service.

“While hospitality increasingly is a category of business for so many tabletop companies,” said Laurie Burns, senior vice president and director of 41 Madison, “this happens to be BauscherHepp’s specialty. The company joins a line-up of other prestigious manufacturers servicing this segment that have benefitted from the strong visitation 41 Madison experiences among dinnerware decision-makers.”

16 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

HOMI tops up on tables The Italian lifestyle exhibition Homi, which will take place alongside Expo 2015 in Milan in September, has upped its tabletop offerings and displays for this year. Now in its fourth edition, the show has expanded its representation of exhibitors from the world of Tableware for the

September edition, delivering more tabletop brands and suppliers. Beyond sourcing for tabletop, visitors can also gain inspiration in tabletop from a variety of new tableworthy events taking place.

Enjoy The Table is new this September and will present displays and events devoted

Richard Brendon at London Design Festival

to various themes, including Celebration, Tradition, Wellness and Street Food.

There will be demonstrations, product training as well as show cooking.

Homi takes place at fieramilano in Milan from September 12-15, 2015. www.homimilano.com

Passionate about regenerating British craft industries, Richard Brendon’s unique fine bone china tableware is all made in Stoke-on-Trent. Richard will be unveiling three new collections at Design Junction at the September show of London Design Festival. Arc is an Art Deco-inspired bone china tableware range, entirely handpainted. Extending into other precious materials, Richard will also unveil a new cut crystal and marble barware collection.

“I am really excited about this as it’s the first collection we are introducing new materials – we will use Czech brilliant cut lead crystal and Nero Marquinha Italian marble – a decanter with a marble stopper, double old fashioned, highball, ice bucket with marble lid and marble coasters,” says Richard. Finally, he will launch RB Bespoke – a colour palette of 10 colours and gold and platinum, so customers can customise. London Design Festival takes place September 19-27. www.londondesignfestival.com

“The exciting new functionality we’ve introduced will greatly enhance the product sourcing experience for many thousands of retailers who want to see what’s on offer at Autumn Fair and browse our website for inspiration. As far as we are aware, it is the first time such technology has been implemented by a retail exhibition organiser.”

Autumn Fair brand manager Kate Disley on the show’s ground-breaking new website. Find out more about Autumn Fair on page 70.

AUTUMN/WINTER

13—15 SEPTEMBER 2015 OLYMPIA, LONDON

THE DEFINITIVE HOMEWARES AND ACCESSORIES EVENT Bronte/Linum/Terrace & Garden/Au Maison/ Bloomingville/Grand Illusions/Parlane/LSA International/Alessi/ Authentics/Makers & Merchants/MAKE International/Grunwerg/ Haus/Iris Hantwerk/ Ethnicraft/black + blum/ Whitbread Wilkinson/PR Home/Unikia/Gilberts/ Atomic Soda/Di Classe/ And many more

FOLLOW US @home_london REGISTER FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTARY TICKET The buying event for discerning retailers

HOME-LONDON.NET

KITCHEN/DINING/ INTERIOR ACCESSORIES/ SOFT FURNISHINGS/ LIGHTING/ SMALL & OCCASIONAL FURNITURE/GARDEN ACCESSORIES

exhibition news

Strength in Chinese homewares boosts show

Sambonet, head of international retail, Caterina Bernabino

Sambonet and Artel at Maison Miami The debut edition of Maison & Objet Americas took place back in May in Miami. More than 10,000 visitors from 82 countries worldwide (15 per cent outside the US) visited the 300 brands. We speak to two tabletop companies, Italian brand Sambonet and Czech glassware brand Artel, to find out why they attended and if the debut show delivered.

WHY PRESENT AT MASION AMERICAS? ARTEL We have always been very pleased with Maison & Objet Paris – it’s always been a very good show for us and we find it to be well run too. So when they announced the addition of an Americas version, we decided to give it a go. It’s a market we are already in, but that said, the US is very large and we’ve been looking for a chance to add a trade show in the US to our roster.

SAMBONET Having showcased at both annual edditions of M&O Paris for many years, we decided to make our American debut because of the outstanding reputation that the Paris trade show has worldwide – especially being such a trend-setter in the high level interior design field. Secondly, we wanted to broaden our trade horizons and reach new targets.With the introduction of the new Sambonet Luxury

Artel, founder and director, Karen Feldman

Collection, we are interested in expanding business tied to interior design and contract projects and we strongly believe in supporting business activities in the US and Central America via luxury shop windows. Our goal was to meet American customers and interior designers, analyse the market dynamics and get to know other brand offers overseas.

HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS THE SHOW? ARTEL Very successful! We were delighted with the results and it far exceeded our expectations for a first-time show. We not only wrote orders with new retailers, we also wrote orders with previously established clients in the US and Europe – something we did not expect.

We also have lots of new contacts, which is what a trade show is all about.

SAMBONET We expected an audience mainly from the US, but were pleasantly surprised to find a lot of interest from South and Central America. The show exceeded our initial expectations and helped us contact a new type of clientele we weren’t able to reach through European trade shows. We plan to follow and close some new distribution agreements with new clients and create synergies with partners who share our strategy.

Maison & Objet Americas 2016, Miami, from May 10-13. www.maison-objet.com/en/americas

“We’ve been coming to shows for 20 years and this is the most exciting show I’ve been to.”

Online retailers Anthony and Sheila Cooper of Have a Nice Day on the new revamped Pulse, which took place in May at Olympia, London.

18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Interior Lifestyle China, the country’s leading international trade event for household products, will take place in September against a backdrop of increasing demand for overseas brands amongst Chinese consumers.

Last year’s fair attracted some 21,000 visitors from 60 countries and regions and was the largest in the event’s history, a reflection of the growing importance of this market in China.

The show will return in Shanghai, September 1719, along with a number of overseas companies who’ve spotted the potential. One is Chinese distributor of high-end European/Asian housewares, Kitchenspring. “Nowadays, the demand for high quality, branded home products in China is growing and cannot be ignored. China will become a very important market as consumers continue their pursuit of brands,” says deputy general manager, Grace Cheng.

British tableware company Portmeirion Group is a firsttime exhibitor this year. “China is a key consumer market for Portmeirion Group,” says Dave Wheeldon. “Its demand for high quality, well designed and historically respected brands is perfectly aligned to Portmeirion’s offerings.”

While many suppliers can see the potential, they also regard the show as the best platform to take advantage of this.

“Interior Lifestyle China provides us with the ideal opportunity to successfully launch our brands and engage with the Chinese retail market,” says Dave Wheeldon.

Interior Lifestyle China 2015 is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd. www.il-china.com

product news Arzberg

Colourful Dove

Diddy diners rejoice!

For little fingers there’s plenty of new product, including on porcelain, on melamine and even on fine bone china. From Arzberg come two new designs for children’s tableware sets on sturdy but light Made in Germany porcelain. Leo & Lola depicts a loveable dog on a three-part gift set – lidded cup, cereal bowl and plate and comes in turquoise for a boy (Leo) and pink and rose (Lola) for a girl. The other design Dino & Dina depicts dinosaurs in different colours, Dino in green and turquoise and Dina in lilac and pink. Known for its bright and colourful products, British brand colourful dove (www.colourfuldove.com) delivers British-made fine bone china tableware products for

kids. It offers boxed gift sets, placemats, coasters and mugs. The four colourful and quirky animal designs engage both boys and girls and appeal to parents with a contemporary sense of style. It’s also ergonomic for children’s hands, as well as microwave and dishwasher safe. Finally, British company Lush Designs (www.lushlampshades. co.uk) known for its gorgeous hand-drawn prints on homewares, delivers two new stunning tableware designs for children, featuring detailed, contemporary and colourful illustrations of a unicorn and a lion. Each deliver a childsized plate, bowl and mug, made of melamine, in a pretty gift box.

“I was having lunch with friends on a veranda overlooking the sea when I looked down to the lawn and saw a fallen palm frond. The leaves were all twisted and curled, yet it stood out magnificently against the otherwise perfect landscape. It made me think of the passage of the time, and the bountiful gifts of the Palm tree, which provides everything from food to shelter.”

Michael Aram on the inspiration for his brand new tabletop collection, Palm.

20 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Mid-century celebration Known for its nostalgic mix and match tableware, British independent homewares company Magpie celebrates the mid-century style with The Modern Home: A-Z of the Atomic Era collection. It has a distinctly retro feel, featuring a witty alphabetical compendium of 26 of the last century’s most iconic details illustrated in a beautiful vintage screen-print style.

The porcelain tableware collection features indvidiually boxed mugs, a boxed set of 4 side plates, boxed set of 4 espresso cups and saucers and a boxed set of 4 cups and saucers.

www.magpieonline.com

LSA International launches A/W collection New mixed materials, strong architectural silhouettes and fluid organic forms define the aesthetic for LSA International’s autumn/winter 2015 collection. Accessories made from glass with matte black wood and brass, contemporary barware, giant chimney-shaped vases, Art Deco-inspired glassware edged with rose gold, and bowls and domes that can be nested all feature this season. FSC-certified solid walnut, black beech and glossy metallic add warmth and texture to the sophisticated palette, punctuated with seasonal injections of red, flecked amber, deep green and snowy white.

www.lsa-international.com

Pure and simple Beautifully crafted in fine bone china with soft silhouettes and contours, the brand new Villa White collection designed by Lori Kelly for Nikko is modern yet classic, pure, quiet and elegant – the perfect complement to a busy world.

www.nikkoceramics.com

Modern florals from Ritzenhoff From German brand Ritzenhoff & Breker comes a contemporary translation of flowered tableware with its brand new Magnolia collection. Designed using tender watercolours, the pattern delivers beautifully stylised magnolia twigs with blossoms and buds that are also replicated artfully as abstract shadows on the pieces.

The soft powder shapes and simple shape contrast with the flowery opulence, delivering a graceful yet contemporary range. It is offered as an 18-piece coffee set and a 12-piece dinner set and made of high quality dishwasher-proof fine china porcelain, a material that contains 4-5 per cent bone ash, delivering properties comparable with bone china, including a cream-coloured, slightly transparent body and thin, light quality, plus a soft feel. www.ritzenhoff.de

Inspired by… frozen mountain peaks From glassware brand Vidivi comes the Dolomiti vase design inspired by the frozen walls of the mountain peaks. The vase’s square surface is decorated by a close mesh of craquele, an irregular geometric pattern that creates facets in the glass that in turn refract unusual plays of light. Find Vidivi at NY NOW, Booth 3248. www.vetridelleveniezie.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 21

licensing news

Spotlight on…

Vista Alegre

The 191-year-old Portuguese porcelain brand Vista Alegre is renowned for ffo or for its collaborations with internationally renowned artists, architects anding partnership and fashion designers. In 2012, they created a co-branding rth to tableware, with haute fashion house Christian Lacroix, giving birth giftware and home décor products. The partnership has continued to deliver nd limited editions, and this unique and stunning collections, including special and h the late Oscar de la Renta. year they announced a co-branding partnership with We talk to Daniel Da Silva, Vista Alegre USA President about these partnerships.

new fromVista

Alegre partnerships New this year from Christian Lacroix Maison and Vista Alegre is porcelain collection Caribe (pictured top) with scalloped edges and a bright pattern with a tropical theme of flowers, feathers, ferns and fireflies. Coralina is the debut tableware collection from Vista Alegre’s recent partnership with one of the most highly-reputed designers of haute couture, the late Oscar de la Renta. Unviled to retailers earlier this year, Coralina features floral motifs inspired by a dress he created for Vogue in 2006 delivering a palette of warm and strong colours.

luxury segment, with sophisticated collections that benefit from the know-how of Vista Alegre and, at the same time, the glamour of a worldrenowned brand. Due to public recognition (Superbrand, QUDAL and other awards), quality perceived and value of investment in innovation and design, Vista Alegre is one of the few Portuguese insignias of luxury worldwide. With these kinds of partnerships, Vista Alegre reinforces its core values: quality and excellence, innovation, design, universality and connection to art and culture, combining tradition and modernity.

Alegre’s know-how in the porcelain and crystal industry with the boldness of the Christian Lacroix brand’s creativity. Through this international partnership, Vista Alegre has been able to strengthen its global positioning by conquering new markets and extending its international sales network. The agreement with Christian Lacroix establishes Europe, the USA, Russia, India, China, Dubai, Angola and Mozambique as priority markets.

Why Christian Lacroix?

What are the benefits of a co-branding partnership?

We chose Christian Lacroix because of its luxurious and irreverent image. With this kind of partnership Vista Alegre aims to improve its offerings in the

Two internationally acclaimed brands have therefore joined efforts with a view to developing luxury tableware and decorative pieces, combining Vista

Oscar de la Renta and Vista Alegre have been long-time collaborators in different areas and we felt the time was right to launch a strong and beautiful collection with a prestigious American brand – we felt it important

In what ways has the addition of co-branding partnership enhanced the Vista Alegre portfolio?

The partnership has allowed Vista Alegre a much better recognition in the top-end markets by this association with an haute couture brand. It has also brought a dash of irreverence and a daring approach, reinforcing the contemporary side of Vista Alegre. Today, we are finding fast growth in clients who appreciate contemporary style and the Vista Alegre Christian Lacroix Collection is in the top three bestsellers of Vista Alegre.

The latest partnership is with late fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. Tell us more about this...

Inspired by… Lavender The Lavender collection from om the licensing rdens, partnership between Creative Tops and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has been extended to include fine china ceramic teatime additions. The design is inspired by a colour engraving from the collection in the Library, Art & Archives at Kew. 22 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

to reinforce our presence in the American luxury market. The reception for Coralina has been very positive.

Both brands are prestigious and the collection presents an added value perception.

Are you looking to take on more partnerships?

Definitely. Vista Alegre has worked in close association with artists and designers since its founding, always maintaining a very close relationship with the cultural and art world. We are proud to honour our heritage, reinforcing this position, open to new and different approaches, more and more at an international level. We hope to present new and interesting results from these extraordinary partnerships and collaborations in the years to come.

Design Duo Brian Gluckstein & Lenox Lenox Corporation has had a partnership with renowned Canadian interior designer David Gluckstein for a while, delivering a collection of fine dinnerware, Brian Gluckstein

by Lenox. Gluckstein is known the world over for his awardwinning residential and hospitality projects and has honed the sophisticated, luxurious, cultivated and yet seemingly effortless style that has become his signature. Presented at the April edition of The New York Tabletop Show, the new dinnerware collection from Brian Gluckstein by Lenox is called Clara.

Capturing the sophistication and elegance of vintage Art Deco jewellery, the collection evokes the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. It comes in two vibrant colourways, featuring chic palettes of precious jewel tones in Garnet and Aqua, delivering a modern and sophisticated mix of classic motifs. Made of Lenox fine bone china, it is dishwasher-safe, chip-resistant and made in the USA. www.lenox.com

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 23

trends products

ROSIE LEE Ted Baker Portmeirion

NEW COUNTRY ROSE Royal Albert For spring/summer 2015, Royal Albert, a heritage British brand known for its floral design and inspired by the quintessentially English country rose garden, has added key tea party pieces to its popular New Country Rose range. Featuring the brand’s famous rose and polka dot prints, the collection is fun and feminine, with the extension pieces featuring soft pastel shades like baby pinks and soft blues adding a touch of 1950s charm. Made of fine bone china with a 22k gold lining, added pieces include everything from a cake plate and tea for one to vintage mugs and a teapot in four different designs.

www.royalalbert.co.uk

Rosie Lee is one of two debut tableware collections from Ted Baker Portmeirion, a recent partnership between British tableware company Portmeirion Group and fashion brand Ted Baker. The elegant and contemporary 41-piece collection, which is crafted from bone china and finished with touches of 22k hand-gilded gold, features a delicate floral rose print taken from the Ted Baker women’s spring/summer 2015 fashion range and is set on a mis-matching pastel palette in vintage-inspired shades of mint green, lemon, pink and black and white.

www.portmeiriongroup.com

TREND: Pastel roses Capturing the trend for all things retro, a number of new collections and extensions deliver contemporary roses in pastel-hued shades COTTAGE ROSE Isaac Mizrahi for Gibson The licence agreement between Gibson Overseas and Isaac Mizrahi has delivered a new S/S collection featuring roses. Inspired by Mizrahi’s design aesthetic, characterised by the use of bold colour and pattern, Cottage Rose is a bone china collection featuring four pastel-hued oversized decal roses in a contemporary style and offers dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls and mugs.

www.gibsonusa.com ROSE COTTAGE Villeroy & Boch As part of its extensive gifting programme for 2015, Villeroy & Boch recently launched Rose Cottage, a gift collection with a vintage-inspired tea-time focus. Fusing retro yet contemporary appeal, it features a charming décor of roses in retro pastels like rose, sky-blue and lime-green on premium porcelain pieces – including a teapot, cake platter, egg cups, mini bowls and two-tiered stand, among others – that boast a modern, sleek shape. Pieces come in high-quality gift boxing.

www.villeroy-boch.com 24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Industry Trend BBQ

Spotlight on…

Barbecuing The rise of barbecuing as an everyday all-year-ro ound cooking and dining method has given rise to creative, cassual and comprehensive barbecuing tableware colle ections

T

he rise in casual dining, escalation in entertaining at home and demand for healthier ways of cooking have resulted in the recent growth of barbecuing globally.

“The popularity of subjects related to wining and dining continues unabated with a powerful trend towards grilling,” stated the Ambiente Trend Report 2015.

But barbecuing today is not just the preserve of men, nor is it simply an occasional entertaining experience – it has become an everyday method for preparing food whenever a degree of flair is required.

“Barbecues and accessories are correspondingly diverse. And of course, there are some sophisticated versions available for barbecuing ‘on the move’,” said the report.

In fact, over the five days of Ambiente, held earlier this year, exhibitors took advantage of the barbecue trend delivering an assortment of products. “Particularly popular were our new pellet grills and the entire BBQ segment,” said CEO of Cristel, Anna Brechtel.

But it isn’t just cookware – grills and utensils – doing well in light of such a trend; porcelain tableware collections and accessories are having their moment, too. The Ambiente Trend Report 2015 noted that, “The functionality of porcelain products has been further extended beyond their use on the dining table, including in barbecue areas.”

Delivering barbecue-appropriate

product that bridges the gap between ween formal and casual are several high-end -end porcelain tableware brands, including ding Villeroy & Boch and Ritzenhoff & Breker. reker.

At Ambiente and in response to o the international barbecuing trend, Villeroy leroy & Boch unveiled a comprehensive barbecue collection, Ultimate BBQ, Q, which takes barbecuing to more elegant and stylish heights. ning “A current worldwide casual dining trend includes barbecuing,” states Nicolas Luc Villeroy, head of Tableware, Villeroy & Boch.

“We recently launched Ultimate BBQ, a formally developed series with articles which were designed and created to serve the needs of barbecuing. Whether used outside in the garden or inside at the dining table, the modular product range allows a flexible dining atmosphere and mixes different materials like porcelain and wood,” says Nicolas.

Recognising that barbecues differ all over the world – in Germany, sausages and pork are the norm, Americans prefer grilled steak, Australians love barbecued seafood, and around the Med, it’s usually vegetables and fish – Ultimate BBQ delivers selected pieces to cater to a wide range of grilled dishes. The modular product range consists of plates, platters and accessories allowing the stylish serving of barbecued meals, whether eaten classically at a dining table, on the sofa or in the garden.

Functionality is key in this collection, the pieces deliver lots of clever design

Villeroy & Boch, Ultimate BBQ

features.

There are steak plates in three sizes, all with integrated grips making them easy to handle. The plates feature compartments for sauces, dips or garnishes, preventing everything mixing together on the plate; while the elongated plate and large meat platter are designed with ridges to allow meat juices to drain away from rare or medium grilled steak.

Design is equally key. The premium porcelain white pieces are stylishly designed delivered alongside mixed material extras like porcelain dip dishes on a stylish wooden stand.

The delivery of a casual yet elegant collection that fuses both function and design has led to Ultimate BBQ recently securing the prestigious Red Design Award 2015 .

Also recognising the trend of barbecuing, luxury heritage German porcelain brand Ritzenhoff & Breker has launched a barbecue range.

“For a long time, barbecuing has been part of the American way of life, but in the past year, it has become extremely popular in Germany, enjoying cult status as a social event,” says Birgit Voelmecke of Ritzenhoff.

“As garden and patio have become a sort of second living room, m, barbecuing equipment accordingly

What the retailer says... “Cooking outdoor is a trend with barbecuing and Plancha – the latter a cooking tradition originating from the south west of France, but which is now widespread throughout the country.”

Eric Holzinger, CEO of EK France, a retail group which owns a chain of cookware stores and tableware stores across France 26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

reepresents tth he outdoor he outdo ou utd td tdo do oor or represents the he kitchen ute ut t nsils, the utensils, Ritzenhoff & Breker, World’s Best range nd in and his respect, this we consider arbecuing to be, barbecuing nd to remain, a topical and festyle theme. lifestyle “This is even more so in view of he fact that grilled or barbecued baarbecued the ood is tasty and healthyy and that food creasingly diverse and elaborate increasingly cooking functions allow to prepare iety an ever-greater food variety irgit, on the barbecue,” says Birgit, pointing to the brand’s new World’s Best range. ge of A comprehensive range cludes barbecue products, it includes everything from plates, platters zes and bowls of different sizes made from high-quality porcelain, to storage jarss for m BBQ sauces created from dishwasher-proof glass. A creative collection, somee pieces feature a rustic ast pattern, while others boast uch on-trend typography, such bowl as Salad on the salad bowl diish. or BBQ Dip on the dip dish.

Industry Trend Casual

When formal met casual With casual dining on the rise and consumers demanding elevated everyday dinnerware, tableware brands are increasingly delivering collections that bridge the gap between fine dining and casual

Lenox on casual meets formal…

“It seems that this millenial generation is living a more casual lifestyle; although many are still interested in fine dining and entertaining, they want to do so with more convenience and less fussiness. Lenox is bridging that difference with two key concepts – 3-piece placesettings and microwave safe banding. Almost all our formal patterns now come in a 3-piece option offering more functionality, less formality and a more attractive price point.”

Sherri Crisenbery, Vice-President, Lenox 28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Shades, Marchesa by Lenox The Marchesa by Lenox Shades of Blue, Grey, Teal and White offers gradated colour on a whimsical and romantic scalloped shpe with microwave safe banding, taking it from everyday to formal.

Fuerstenberg Fuerstenberg believe that tableware collections need to be as versatile as consumers’ lives, and deliver an entire mix and match concept – Fuerstenberg has a consistent porcelain, meaning it’s not just possible to combine within one form, but within all forms and decors.

C

asual dining is in rapid growth. It began in the eating out sector – according to the Restaurant and Casual Dining Insight Report, there was an increase in customers of 11.7 per cent last year.

“There is an increasing demand for less formal ways of presenting, especially for sharing platters and dipping bowls because of the current trend in casual dining,” says design director for hospitality tableware brand Dudson, Dan Goodall.

And this trend has now extended to the home, with consumers demanding more casual tableware for at-home dining and entertaining.

“Over the last few years, lifestyles have become more casual, with consumers entertaining in a more laid-back and casual way. Consumers are more into cooking, serving and the party experience, with formal dining parties less prevalent,” says Scott Bial, president luxury tabletop and metals, Lifetime Brands.

And tabletop brands are responding – even those brands renowned for their fine dining products – increasingly delivering

Creative Tops

Twig New York

With its dark terracotta base yet fresh white glaze and elegant but contempoary embossed design, the new Katie Alice Rustic Lace dinnerware collection captures the casual-formal trend and is ideal for dressing up or down.

Designed by Brittany Jepsen, the Scandanavian Floral range uses a unique method on bone china (this makes the flower patterns look like they are hand-pressed) that successfully bridges the gap between formal and casual dining.

more casual collections.

“The casual dinnerware category continues to grow and is important for the Mikasa brand and we have been offering more casual dinnerware, serveware and glassware to connect with this more casual lifestyle,” says Scott, highlighting that while formal china is still important, the casual category is a priority now.

“Retailers are seeing a definite growth in the casual category as well and we have responded by adding various new casual patterns and accessories to our assortment,” adds Scott. In fact, at this spring’s Tabletop Market, the brand showcased even more casual dinnerware down its centre aisle at 45 Madison, delivering new casual designs along with coordinating glassware and flatware.

It’s not just Mikasa seeing the need to prioritise the casual dining market, however. Even traditional fine dining brands like Lenox, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Prouna, are realising they need to offer a more casual proposition, delivering collections that bridge the gap between formal and casual. Think elegant and beautiful collections in high-quality

porcelain or fine china that are also contemporary, super-versatile, mixed with more casual materials like wood or slate, and are resilient enough to be used every day.

At the spring edition of The New York Tabletop Market, Lenox revealed how they have had lots of feedback suggesting demand for more contemporary and casual fine dining.

“A lot of our customer base consists of brides and grooms and it seems that this millenial generation is living a more casual lifestyle.

Although many are still interested in fine dining and entertaining, they want to do so with more convenience and less fussiness,” says Sherri, revealing how Lenox is bridging that difference with two key concepts: 3-piece placesettings and microwavesafe banding. “Almost all of our formal patterns now come in a 3-piece option (dinner plate, salad plate and all-purpose bowl), which offers more functionality, less formality and a more attractive price point.”

At the show, Lenox unveiled the brand new Marchesa by Lenox Shades of Blue, Grey, Teal and White range. Made of bone china, boasting

a whimsical and romantic scalloped shape and with 24k gold rims, pieces have the microwave safe banding, taking it from everyday casual to dressed-up formal.

Auratic revealed its revamped range at the New York show, also delivering collections that bridge the casual and fine dining gap. Using Premium Porcelain, which boasts the characteristics of bone china with its extremely white and translucent body yet is extremely strong and practically chip-resistant, the collections fit both casual and upscale occasions, can be put in the dishwasher and can be dressed up or down.

Renowned for its fine dining collections, Jasper Conran for Wedgwood has this year, for the first time ever, delivered a casual collection. Part of the Wedgwood’s reinvention towards casual dining, Tisbury by Jasper Conran for Wedgwood is a tactile collection made of high-quality porcelain but with naturally resilient properties meaning it can be used every day.

“Striking in its tactile simplicity, the Tisbury collection elevates everyday dining,” say the brand. “The Tisbury

What the retailer says... “Many people today have open kitchens that include dining as opposed to separate dining rooms and their choice of more casual tableware is indicative of this. People still buy sets in a way, just maybe a dinner plate from Japan, a salad plate from Morocco and a bowl from Italy.”

Nathalie Smith, owner, Global Table, New York

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 29

Casual dining characteristics Mixed materials Mixed materials – fine porcelain alongside natural materials like slate, wood, copper – is a signature of casual dining. Jasper Conran for Wedgwood’s Tisbury range features wooden accents, while Royal Doulton’s new range Olio with Barber & Osgerby mixes stoneware with wood.

Ergo, Loveramics Inspired by modern living, this functional yet contemporary range is perfect for formal and casual dining.

Organza, Vera Wang Wedgwood This range features a contemporary tactile design that replicates the luxurious folds and flanges of Vera’s bridal gowns on white fine bone china, elevating the everyday. range presents a new proposition, bridging the gap between casual and formal tableware, befitting contemporary living and dining.”

The same goes for Vera Wang Wedgwood, which this year has introduced a contemporary collection delivering elevated everyday appeal.

Created from white fine bone china – a first for Vera Wang Wedgwood – the white pieces deliver a contemporary texture that recalls the luxurious folds of Vera Wang’s Diedre bridal gown.

“The Organza collection brings the Vera Wang tableware portfolio to a more contemporary audience, whilst maintaining Vera’s signature design aesthetic,” say Wedgwood.

Fine dining brand Prouna has also stepped up to the casual dining plate with its boutique brand Twig NY, which delivers collections that bridge the formal and casual categories in response to the rising demand from millennial consumers looking for products that can satisfy the tastes of different generations simultaneously.

Take designer Brittany Jepsen’s Scandinavian Floral Collection – a contemporary design on fine bone china, the design is based on the traditional rosemaling painting technique, making it look like the flowers are real and hand-pressed 30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Sharing dishes A feature of the casual category is community dining, with sharing pieces like platters and dipping dishes, buffet-style and barbecue ranges surging. Scott Bial, Lifetime Brands, says: “Many of our collections have serving pieces and party accessories integrated to fulfil demand for the community dining trend.”

Multi-functionality

Tisbury, Jasper Conran Wedgwood This fluted tactile and comprehensive range perfectly bridges the gap between formal and casual dining. on to the plates. “Brittany’s unique method successfully bridges the gap between formal and casual dining.

As the designers’ intention, these fine bone china products can be used in many different settings, from formal events, to casual gatherings,” explains Jackie Lim, founder, Twig NY. And Creative Tops has captured the casual-formal trend with its latest licensed range from Katie Alice. The Katie Alice Rustic Lace collection is a range of cream dinnerware combining the darker base of terracotta with a fresh white glaze and embossment inspired by a vintage lace bracelet.

“However you style it, be it with vintage dining sets or more modern shapes and pastel colours, Rustic Lace offers the perfect touch of formality to any casual setting, creating a look that is equally perfect for everyday

use and for impressing your guests,” says Katrina Lawton, marketing manager, Creative Tops.

The blurring of lines between formal and casual has also given rise to brands ensuring their formal and casual ranges can be interchanged.

“The line of formal and casual continues to blur; many of our casual patterns can be ‘dressed up’ to work in a more formal setting, while our more formal offering shown at the last market was more youthful and can easily integrate with many of our casual patterns for a more casualformal mix giving formal dining a more laid-back feel,” says Scott.

“As the shift towards casual living becomes evermore prevalent, it remains a key priority for the Mikasa brand to keep a keen focus on casual dinnerware designs and development,” concludes Scott.

Products that can serve multiple purposes are also characteristic of casual dining. “Not only are sharing platter concepts popular, but multi-functional items that can be used across a menu,” says Dan Goodall, design director, Dudson. This has also hit retail with brands now delivering multi-purpose pieces for home use. “Casual entertaining is big in the market at the moment especially among millenials and we are targeting them with our multi-purpose bistro bowls, which can be used for anything and everything,” says Danielle Elderkin for Homer Laughlin.

Mix and match casual Collections that can be mixed and matched, dressed up and down, with extensive colourways, patterns and accent pieces are characteristic of casual dining. At the spring Tabletop Market, Lenox unveiled its casual dining mix and match pattern Around The Table. Made up of four patterns – Stripe, Loop, Dot and Wish – it features a variety of accent and serveware pieces, some featuring fun slogans, making it highly versatile for all occasions. Similarly, launched recently, Royal Doulton’s Pacific collection features six prints, including Dots and Lines, in a consistent colour palette, with plenty of accent pieces, for the ultimate in versatility.

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 on the Villeroy & Boch On The Table blog and through her Fashion of Tableware tour. www.villeroyandboch-blog.com

“ In her first column for Tableware International, tableware expert Isabelle von Boch delivers her tabletop musings.

This month, in line with this issue’s themes, Isabelle discusses formal casual fusion and the festive season

w

ith tableware – whether it has a country, a formal or a more urban pattern – you have the potential to create many different styles and looks throughout the year and for all types of occasions. You can change a table look easily by either adding or reducing linens, by using different materials or accessories in different colours.

For autumn and winter, for example, I always add purple and burnt orange – the colour of autumn leaves – or warm earthy tones. In the colder and darker months, I also find using lots of candles and incorporating wooden accessories into the tableware mix adds both warmth and cosiness.

I love playing with different materials on the table, and it is the mixing of materials in pieces and collections, and especially natural materials like wood and slate with luxury porcelain, that makes a setting so versatile and contemporary, simultaneously suitable for a casual setting or for a more formal setting.

32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Take an elegant étagère in porcelain with wood and slate, for example – not only does the piece deliver an elegant yet laid-back feel, but it can be dressed up or down; used for a more formal High Tea with starched white tablecloths, or for a casual tea and cake with friends presented on a bare wooden kitchen table.

Villeroy & Boch is, of course, famous for its transitional tableware, meaning you can ‘casualise’ your formal patterns and ‘formalise’ your casual patterns. And that’s exactly what I do myself. I use the patterns I feel like using and then dress them either up or down according to the occasion.

Dressing down a formal pattern for me, for example, means placing my beautiful bone china on a wooden table without using tablecloths, and then using chargers or placemats instead. This gives it a more everyday casual look. As does adding coloured glassware – I use coloured glasses to make my table look more fun.

On the dress-up side, dinnerware – whether fine bone china or a more casual offering – can be dressed up

to appear more elegant with the use of white tablecloths, with elegantly cut crystal glassware, or with napkin holders made of finer metals, rather than natural materials.

I always recommend using and appreciating your bone china every day, rather than worshipping it in the back of your cupboard. Don’t think of it as being ‘formal’ per se, but as a collection of beautiful pieces that are as flexible and transitional as an elegant piece of clothing.

It can be changed with the addition of accessories to look and feel different – easygoing and laidback or elegant and formal. It’s all about the way you combine it and wear it.

Increasingly, we are seeing that people are trying to hold on to traditions, like Christmas, because it reminds them of their childhoods and they want to pass on such traditions.

Sitting down to a beautifully decorated table is part of this and I believe that today, in this hectic stressful world, the need for such a tradition is greater still.

“

Isabelle von Boch

I always recommend using and appreciating your bone china every day, rather than worshipping it in the back of your cupboard. Don’t think of it as being ‘formal’ per se, but as a collection of beautiful pieces that are as flexible and transitional as an elegant piece of clothing.

We see that in the US and Europe especially, Villeroy & Boch’s traditional, classic and nostalgic festive patterns are very much in demand due to the tradition of Christmas being so deeply rooted within our culture and childhood, and such pieces/ collections connect them to tradition, offering consumers an emotional quality. And with this, we find that the shades of red and green continue to be most popular. We tried a midnight blue for Christmas pieces, and they were much more popular in the Near Middle East than other regions.

Demand for Christmas tableware/ giftware is in growth in the Far East and especially in Japan, with people tapping into this Western tradition; and is also in growth in the Near Middle East (Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain) also due to the many European expats, who are keen to recreate a piece of tradition in their new home.

WHERE BRANDS COME TO LIFE Are you looking for new partnerships that could transform your business? BLE 2015 is the only event in Europe where you can meet hundreds of leading brand owners and discover thousands of the hottest brands, characters and images available for license.

Whether you are a retailer, licensee or sales promotion professional a visit to BLE 2015 will open up a world of new opportunities and partnerships. Don’t miss this chance to spot the next big thing for your business.

See brands come to life at BLE 2015. Register for FREE today, visit www.brandlicensing.eu Organised by

Organisers of

Official Publication

Provider of

Sponsored by

Retail

Amara

“Our aim is to be the largest independent retailer of luxury home fashion” Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, Amara is a leading luxury home retailer that everyone is talking about. We speak to Amara’s creators about its expert curation, its tabletop offerings and its rapid international expansion

L

uxury home online retailer Amara has come a long way since its conception 10 years ago as an interior design business set up by husband and wife team, Andrew and Sam Hood. The combined strengths of the couple – Sam’s long career in retail fashion and Andrew’s 20 years as MD at Lehman Brothers – saw the business migrate into a shop on the stylish Baddow Road in Chelmsford, Essex, UK. Stocking the best in home accessories and carefully curated interior must-haves, the shop helped to initially build their client base and relationships with the world’s most coveted luxury brands.

Spotting a gap in the online market for a distributor of luxury homewares, Andrew and Sam soon took an entrepreneurial leap of faith

34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

and created Amara.co.uk. The first big names in home fashion have been with Amara from the start, including Missoni Home and William Yeoward Crystal and from these, the couple continued to build this luxury homewares empire.

Today, Amara houses more than 300 of the world’s most luxurious home fashion brands, from Roberto Cavalli to Missoni Home, with many of them exclusive to Amara, such as Ralph Lauren Home, a brand that carefully selected Amara as the only online store with which to distribute its home collections.

Last year was a big one for Amara – not only did it increase its luxury product offering to nearly 30,000 and introduce more top brands, including Wedgwood, but it took its successful retail strategy to the next level with international expansion, rolling out websites to

cater specifically for more countries outside the UK. In addition to the Amara.co.uk website, the retailer now boasts dedicated sites for the US, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, Canada, France and Ireland.

Amara also launched the inaugural Interior Blog Awards last year – this proved a phenomenal success and the second one will run this year.

However, Amara has also secured its own awards; in 2011 it picked up the Best Online Customer Service Award and both last year and this, it was awarded Feefo’s Gold Trusted Merchant award for providing consistently outstanding customer service.

Its Wine & Dine sector includes everything from tea sets and serving bowls to napkin rings and dinnerware sets and delivers all the best tabletop brands, including

MacKenzie-Childs, Loveramics, Lenox, Wedgwood, Vista Alegre Alessi, Riedel, Waterford, Robbe & Berking, Seletti, Robert Welch, L’Objet, Tom Dixon, Sabre, Royal Delft and Juliska, to name a few.

We speak to Amara founders, Sam and Andrew Hood.

You started out with a bricks and mortar store and now you are solely an e-commerce facility.

Why this direction and what are the benefits?

We ran both our online and our original boutique side by side at first, however we saw the growth online and decided to concentrate our efforts on the website. I always knew that the web business would be much bigger than a single store could ever be, but I didn’t realise you couldn’t have the website without

Andrew and Sam Hood

Medusa, Versace

“I always knew that the web business would be much bigger than a single store could ever be, but I didn’t realise se you couldn’t have the website without the bricks and mortar, because you wouldn’t get the brands.” the bricks and mortar, because you wouldn’t get the brands. Missoni Home only let us have an account because we had a store; we were only able to launch Missoni Home on the website because we had an account. E-commerce has gone from strength to strength with more money and time being invested across the industry. People’s shopping habits have changed – many are now time-poor so enabling customers to buy onthe-go is key to a modern-day business’s success. Not only has it allowed us to stock the breadth of product we do but it’s allowed us to reach out internationally. We now have dedicated websites in the US, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, Canada, France and Ireland with plans to grow further into Europe over the next 18 months. I don’t miss the store. It became a huge distraction and it is impossible to make any money out of it. That’s not to say that we wouldn’t consider opening a London Amara store – I could easily see our name outside the right address in the Kings Road or outside a store in Marylebone.

There was much buzz about Amara at Ambiente 2015. Why do you feel Amara is such a success?

We have built strong relationships with many of our brands over the

years, which has allowed us to offer exceptional product to our customers. We have a talented buying team who know their products and know what our customers want. We’ve had good strong steady growth year-on-year, which has allowed us to nurture the brand and make it what it is today. Amara has been built on the foundation of doing everything to the best of our ability. Given that Amara is one of literally hundreds of websites in Europe competing for the same pool of cash, it is imperative that we offer our customers the best experience; for us to succeed we have to be better than everyone else. That type of ethos has to transcend all the way through the organisation.

What have been the highlights and challenges to date?

Looking back at the past four years and listing all of our achievements it is easy to forget the challenges of going from five people to 45, relocating 43,000 products over August Bank Holiday weekend and giving someone else the responsibility of managing all of your fulfilment processes the very next day; migrating from amara.co.uk to amara.com without losing any of our Google page rankings; or increasing our catalogue from 2,318 products

on Jan 1, 2011 011 to 28,794 products ducts today. Particular icular highlights in the last 10 years include clude our first million pound und year of sales, winning ing the Best Online Customer stomer Service Award in 2011; 011; and one for 2015, achieving chieving our first £100 million year. ar.

How farr in advance ce do you plan the products ducts you are goingg to stock?

And from where here do you source them?

Most of our brandss have two seasonal launches per year. We mainly buy at the two wo main European shows in person as we prefer to see thee product and select pieces we know our customers would ld love. The two showss we never miss are Maison et Objet in Paris in January and September and Ambiente in Frankfurt; rt; the latter is a must-see ee show for tabletop. It’ss important for the whole ole buying team to attend d so that everyone getss a first-hand look at thee

Flutter, Loveramics

Blue D1653, Royal Delft

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 35

Retail

Amara

“Particular highlights in the last 10 years include our first million pound year of sales, winning the Best Online Customer Service Award in 2011 and one for 2015, achieving our first £10 million pound year.” new collections. We also visit design shows throughout the year such as Tent and Design Junction where we usually get an insight into the seasons’ trends. When we go to the shows we see elements of these trends across the various collections, such as the use of metallic colours and materials from this season.

When it comes to selecting your brands/products – what is the Amara philosophy?

The buying team has skill at choosing and selecting products they know our customers will love. Our ethos is all about quality and stylish living so all our products must live up to those factors – brands such as Wedgwood and Roberto Cavalli.

Describe a typical Amara Wine & Dine customer and their buying habits?

Our customers vary from those who have an eye for luxurious living to those who come to us for the newest brands and latest trends in interiors and their buying habits vary from buying one-off pieces to buying full dinnerware sets.

However, our customers have always invested in quality products; they appreciate unique, handcrafted and skilled manufacturing. They look to us for newness and variety, and with over 300 brands and 30,000 products, our customers can return weekly and always find something new. We also have a strong focus on customer services – our dedicated team work tirelessly to please all our customers globally.

How is the Wine & Dine department performing right now?

Dining has always been an integral part of Amara from the beginning and now accounts for 20 per cent of our business. Recently, we have seen a spike in sales across our entertaining category due to many customers choosing to entertain at home rather than go out.

What brands sell particularly well for you?

Roberto Cavalli and L’Objet have always been our top performing brands from the category of dining.

What trends have you noticed in tableware?

Traditional formal tableware will always have a place with the Amara customer; however we’ve seen a big trend for mix and match and more relaxed informal dining. Many customers choose to introduce key trend pieces into their existing dining ware to give it a modern edge, such as with coloured glass or statement plates. We’ve just had a great season for brands such as Root 7, which allows you to create cocktails at home. We recently introduced Molecule-R which is an innovative at-home cocktail kit. As I mentioned before there’s a real trend for home entertaining and these brands fit perfectly into that.

Any tableware brands you’ve recently taken on?

We have recently introduced People Always Need Plates, De Terra and Missoni Home tableware. Missoni in particular, has been a key collection

Amara-styled tablescape: Pols Potten, Just Slate, LSA International, Nordal, Cutipol, Iittala, Piat Hein Eek, Jonathan Adler, Chilewich

for us to stock since its re-launch with the renowned porcelain manufacturer Richard Ginori. Each of those new collections feature bold statement prints and patterns, which are key for the season.

the customers to see many of our products in situ – our customers need to be able to imagine these pieces in their own homes.

With tableware, buyers often love to hold it and touch it before they buy.

How do you create this with an online channel?

Our main aim, ideally, is to be the largest independent retailer of luxury home fashion, and I would also like to see us increase the range of our own brand items that are available. We have a truly scalable business model that will enable us to continue the growth we have achieved in recent years. Since 2011 we have had a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of over 70 per cent; this will continue through the next three to five years I’m sure.

We invest heavily on quality imagery and clear descriptions on all of our products. We understand that for a customer to make a purchase they need to be totally informed of every aspect of the piece. We regularly shoot our own lifestyle images [as featured here] to allow

How do you see the future for Amara.com?

Tableware Brands... Roberto Cavalli, Ralph Lauren Home, Kartell, Pip Studio, Orla Kiely, LSA Inernational, Fornasetti, Guzzini, MacKenzie-Childs, Loveramics, Kate Spade, L’Objet, The Just Slate Company, Ittala, Joseph Joseph, Juliska, Pols Potten, Seletti, Robert Welch, Royal Delft, Sabre, Tom Dixon, Vera Wang for Wedgwood, Versace, William Yeoward Crystal, Bloomingville, Alessi, Italesse, Riedel, Waterford, Robbe & Berking, Chilewich, Vista Alegre, DKNY, Lenox 36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Retail

Column

Barry Seaman

Plate Tableware

Why diversification matters

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 explores the benefits of offering cross-category product

T

en years ago I had an idea, a concept.

It became a dream.

I identified a retail experience that I thought was missing; one that the public needed. I had an image of what I wanted to achieve, what I wanted to create – a new type of tableware shop – a tableware shop for the 21st century.

My idea stemmed partially from my love for cooking, but more so from my passion for seeing dining as a great artistic opportunity and being creative with tableware. As a dinner guest ‘round at mine’, there would be a decent meal, but it was most important that you left stunned by my table-scaping skills rather than being wowed by what you’d eaten.

Even with my limited retail skills, I knew at the onset that my shop would never function and make a profit if I were to go down the traditional china and glassware retailer route. I had to offer something different. My concept centred on a semi-minimalist look, with contemporary, design-led products that had great functionality and, most of all, colour.

I had two firm rules. Firstly, I was strictly tableware and was never going to cross the boundary into selling kitchenware. Secondly, everything in the shop would not just be suitable for personal use, but

38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

it also had to make an acceptable gift for someone else.

As Plate Tableware now approaches its 10th anniversary, it has been fascinating looking back (especially at photographs) at how the shop has evolved – how it has changed, diversified and adapted to customer demands by extending its offering. Today, it holds much more stock than it did and less of it is now sourced from outside the UK (exchange rates and bank transfer fees put the block on that). However, the offering has expanded twice – once into kitchenware and, more recently, into giftware accessories.

The first extension into kitchenware did not come easy. From day one customers were always very complimentary about the shop but would often say ‘this is a lovely cook shop’ or ‘what a nice kitchen shop’.

It drove me crazy, even made me quite angry at times. I wasn’t a cook shop. Why couldn’t people see the difference? They started to ask if I stocked potato peelers, garlic presses and rolling pins.

I eventually gave in, realising I was missing out on sales. Cooking was big business – with endless television shows and the increasing popularity of baking – it would have been silly not to. It would bring in new customers, cooks, chefs, bakers and more men (they love kitchen gadgets). The utilitarian kitchen had

gone. People were now dressing their kitchens – just like their tables.

I began to stock well-designed and aesthetically pleasing kitchenware that complimented the tableware – just a basic range of items – no pots or pans and no electrical. Brands like CKS, Kuhn Rikon, Joseph Joseph.

Making everything in the shop acceptable as gift was probably the wisest decision I ever made as a start-up. Today, the convergence of homeware and giftware products continues to increase. Suppliers have given everyday products a high-end, sophisticated design with traditional homeware products now giftier, rather than functional, usually presented in smart packaging.

Commodity items now have an emotional connection. Selling giftware certainly enables the retailer to offer a range of tableware that is more fun, more exciting.

There are several giftware categories that work particularly well as extensions from tableware and kitchenware. Candles, especially scented ones in tins or in glass, are an easy sell along with soaps, handwash and hand creams. Stationery – recipe files, notebooks used for shopping lists and cook books.

Flower vases continue to make popular gifts with extensions into gardening, especially herbs. Recently, items connected with ‘eating on the go’, portable coffee cups, water

bottles and bento boxes have been much sought-after.

If it’s a giftware product that works on the table or in the kitchen, then I will consider selling it. I try and find items suitable for different people (especially men and children) that maybe relate to different hobbies, interests or themes (baking, cycling, cats etc). People like a small pick-up gift that they can take to a dinner party as an alternative to wine or flowers.

As a gift retailer you would be wise to venture into selling a range of greetings cards along with gift wrap, ribbon and tags. This can add on another £8.00 to £10.00 to a sale. I sold greetings cards from the beginning but my range has now expanded into cards for most occasions – they offer a good mark –up, too.

The shop may have changed and diversified over the last ten years but throughout I have stayed true to my initial concept of colourful, designled, functional products. Staying true is important as your customers get to know your style and taste and they come to trust your judgement in product selection and the ranges you offer. They soon appreciate that your shop is where they will always find something new, exciting and unique. They will get ideas and be inspired and always find something suitable to meet their needs.

BRAND FOCUS

STöLZLE

Spotlight on... Stölzle Stölzle by NUMBERS

With its hi-tech production technology, Made in Germany certainty, lead-free crystal and expansive customisation options, German heritage glassware manufacturer Stölzle Lausitz ensures delivery of some of the best glassware on the market History of Stölzle German glassware brand Stölzle can trace its roots back some 570 years to the region of Lausitz in Germany where the abundant availability of great quality glass sand, wood, limestone and clay gave birth to a local glassworks. Major growth kicked in during the industrialisation of the 19th century and in 1889 Stölzle Lausitz GmbH started its glass production on the Lausitz glassworks site in the city of Weisswasser. Over the next 40 years, the glassworks grew to become the largest glass producer in Germany, delivering its first-ever machine-made stemware in 1968. After the privitisation of the former glassworks in 1992, the Austrian Stölzle-Oberglas AG and its parent company CAG Holding took over the factory in 1996 leading to the re-building and construction of a new production hall, three production lines and two furnaces for the making of machine-made and lead-free drinking glasses. For the past decade, Stölzle has worked independently, reporting directly to CAG-Holding GmbH. What Stolze offers Stölzle produces lead-free crystal glass at its factory in Weisswasser, Germany, 40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

delivering some 40 million glasses per year to retail and hospitality. Some 80 per cent of its wide range of glassware is exported globally, with large export markets including North America, the UK, Southeast Asia, Central Europe and Australia. Its customer base includes retail, wholesale and hospitality, with Germany the main retail audience for its products. The hospitality sector is its largest export market, delivering to restaurants, hotels, catering, airlines, the beverage industry, especially vintners, as well as to interior designers. Some of its renowned hospitality clients include Marriott Hotels; Starwood Hotels & Resorts worldwide; The Grand Hyatt in Singapore; and Eden Park in New Zealand, to name but a few.

Glassware options Stölzle produces a comprehensive range of high-quality stemware, including tumblers, decanters, carafes and vases. Its 15 stemware ranges deliver a wide variety of shapes, from classic to elegant, modern to out of the ordinary. Stölzle also produces seven different ranges of tumblers, plus a range of coloured tumblers; four beer glass ranges, a wide range of bar, spirits and cocktail glasses, three

The number of employees at Stölzle Lausitz

decanter ranges and three jug and three carafe ranges.

Customisation offerings In addition to its ranges, Stölzle offers customized glassware on every item it produces. Customised decoration such as a company logo is possible via various techniques, including sandblasting, silk-screen printing or labels, with prints or labels available in up to six colours and metallic paints possible. It also offers machine-made cuts and gold, silver or platinum rims. Customers can produce their own designs, with just a few months between first drawings and production, while customized gift boxes and packaging is also possible. Stölzle also works with clients to create customized shapes and can produce new products with sommeliers that deliver the best shape for the beverage.

Benefits of Stölzle glass Thanks to Stölzle’s hi-tech production technology and materials – Stölzle uses lead-free crystal and the latest production processes for producing machine-made crystal glassware Stölzle glassware is some of the best on the market, delivering optimum performance and resistance. Its hi-tech

350 40

The number in millions of glasses Stölzle produces each year in Weissmasser The percentage of Stölzle glassware that is exported

80

The number of Stölzle stemware ranges, plus 7 tumbler and 4 beer ranges.

15

pulling and melting processes deliver automatically pulled stemware achieving almost the same features – a thin wall and superb elegance – as a mouth-blown glass, as well as ensuring maximum resistance to breakage and that no seams or joins are visible. The glass is lead-free crystal delivering brilliant clarity, a clear sound, yet dishwasher-safe and with optimum durability. The design and shape of each glass further guarantees optimum performance to ensure enhanced appreciation of the beverage.

Contact Stölzle glass Contact Jan Zschiesche, email: office@ stoelzle-lausitz.de or visit www.stoelzlelausitz.com for more information.

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL

Your industry guide to all things kitchen Introducing the brand new 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 Kitchenware Supplement May/June 2015

2

134

www.tablewareinternational.com

Next issue ●

Kitchen Preparation Tools ● Knives ● Bakeware Retro Kitchenware ● Copper ● Kitchen Show Interviews

OUT September 2015 www.tablewareinternational.com

Profile Arzberg

Arzberg reinvented Prized since 1887 for its high quality, good design, Made in Germany porcelain, multi award-winning design and heritage brand Arzberg was acquired by the Rosenthal Sambonet Paderno Group in 2013. Arzberg has since been repositioned with a new lifestyle concept, fresh appeal and is targeting a younger audience. We talk about the changes with Gianluca Colonna, CEO, Arzberg Porzellan GmbH Arzberg has been recently repositioned. Tell us about this change…

After Arzberg was acquired by the Rosenthal Sambonet Paderno Group in 2013, the aim was to position it as a young and fresh international brand, while keeping in mind that it has a precious heritage that makes it authentic and approachable; even during difficult times, Arzberg has had a strong base of loyal clients. The Arzberg look is now more international, more fresh and Mediterranean and we have communicated this refreshed look via the new Arzberg catalogue, brochures, packaging and participation in major fairs, as well as sponsoring events like Berlin Food Week. Part of the repositioning of Arzberg was to create synergies with sister company Sambonet in terms of both creativity and product development, and together with the Sambonet to Kitchen products, we now deliver attractive concepts at very competitive prices.

We share many synergies including sales networks, product development and hotel operations, and thanks to all the brands we offer – Arzberg, Rosenthal, Rosenthal Meets Versace, Sambonet, Thomas, Hutschenreuther, Paderno, Arthur Krupp – we are now able to offer retailers and hotel clients a complete range of tabletop and hollowware.

Does Arzberg’s extensive Bavarian heritage remain important, however?

Yes. One of the key things for our Group when we took over Arzberg in 2013 was to keep the brand in Bavaria as the cultivation of Arzberg heritage 42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

is such an intrinsic part of the brand.

We always educate retailers and consumers on the brand heritage – that good porcelain lives, that every hand involved in its production gives it an individual touch. ‘It takes a hundred hands to produce porcelain’ say those who design, produce and sell Arzberg porcelain, many of whose families have worked for generations in the porcelain sector in Bavaria. There is a high degree of artisan expertise at Arzberg – products that have successfully served the market for many, many years and others that have become design classics. The Made in Germany label has become far more than a technical seal of approval – today, it describes not just the high technological standard of manufacture, but its authenticity at every stage of production. And this is what consumers demand today.

So, what exactly is the Arzberg aesthetic now and how important is the fusion of functionality and high design?

For decades, mainly in Germany, Arzberg has been the symbol for the strict design principle of ‘form follows function’. This seems slightly stiff today, however, and our aim has therefore been to create ease and a casual flavour without of course betraying Arzberg`s design tradition. Arzberg products today are meant to be fun to use every day. They should inspire people to set their table according to their mood and to mix and match different colours, shapes and materials.

And while the focus of Arzberg – the development of new patterns and new porcelain collections – remains,

Serena Confalonieri

Serena Light and Dark

the difference now is that we do not think in singular products, but in lifestyle concepts. Tableware is an important part of home decoration and has to be accompanied by lifestyle products – ideally mixing different kinds of material. The Arzberg novelties we presented at Ambiente 2015 communicated this, delivering entire lifestyle concepts as well as combinations of materials – porcelain, textiles, wood and glass.

This season, Arzberg has been associated with designer Serena Confalonieri in the design of its new tableware concept, Serena Light and Dark.How important is it for the brand to work with external designers?

External designers can have a fresh approach to the brand and this gives us the opportunity to really develop something new and exciting. Each designer can add its own personal stamp or signature. Young designers such as Serena Confalonieri are able to couple high design demands with an unmistakable perception of the demands of their time. This is very important for us since Arzberg wants to be among the leaders in design.

And this seems like it’s happening as Arzberg has just been nominated for the German Design Award for its new Serena collection – how important is such a nomination?

Serena is the first new pattern from

Arzberg since its acquisition by the Rosenthal Sambonet Paderno Group, therefore this nomination is a symbol for the ongoing positive development of Arzberg as part of the group. Serena stands for the new concept of Arzberg, the new direction in which we want to journey and the younger target group that we want to reach.

What steps is Arzberg actually taking to attract such younger consumers, the millenials?

We think Arzberg fits perfectly to this target group because it is an authentic brand which mixes affordable design and high quality at a very competitive price. For many young urbanites, restaurants have replaced bars as the places to see and be seen. More and more young people are taking a proactive approach, dining out, writing blogs, supporting food trucks, supporting farmers’ markets or just paying attention to where and how they eat. This a big chance, therefore, for us as a porcelain manufacturer because how you set the table is part of the whole dining experience.

Therefore, we support social food events such as the Berlin Food Week in October and we get in contact with multipliers such as bloggers and young chefs.

What is Arzberg’s international strategy?

Arzberg is very popular in Europe – the lifestyle concept we launched is especially appreciated in designoriented countries like Italy and Northern Europe. In Asia, too, there is

Tric

a market for Arzberg products and this is certainly a region in which we wish to expand. In international markets generally, Arzberg still has great growth potential. After the re-launch of the brand we had very good feedback on our novelties and collections such as Profi and Tric from all over the world. We share the sales network in export markets with Sambonet and we did a competitive price repositioning in the markets.

Part of our strategy is the creation of lines aimed at fulfilling requests of the international market, for example, the new Serena Light and Dark patterns created especially for Southern Europe.

Similarly, future developments will focus on other growing markets; and of course, we also undertake, upon request, special projects for certain international clients.

consumers via marketing materials such as brochures and catalogues. We have an annual marketing plan and attractive POS material, which offers advantages for the retailers in terms of promotions and display of our collections.

What education or support does the brand offer its retailers?

Finally, what is it about Arzberg products that make them so appealing?

We educate retailers in the core messages of the brand, which are high quality porcelain, Made in Germany and functional design, all for one of the best prices in the market. Our international sales people deliver these key principles to the retailers and

It’s quite simple – Arzberg porcelain is always functional and always beautiful: you can use it every day and you will never get tired of it.

Arzberg also supplies to the hospitality category. How important is this segment?

For the Rosenthal Sambonet Paderno Group, the hotel sector is a very important part of our business and as the last brand to come on board, Arzberg has a lot of growth potential in terms of product range and sizes.

However, the first reaction of the hotel market when presenting Arzberg at both national and international fairs was incredibly positive, so we see very obvious potential growth here.

For more information, visit new website www.arzberg-porzellan.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 43

Sector Christmas

Festive fever With sourcing for Christmas a key component of many of the late summer shows, we look at this year’s festive trends

A

s consumers leave seasonal buying until the last minute, many retailers are following suit, keen to minimise financial risk and optimise their ability to buy ontrend in-stock product.

This has resulted in the late summer and early autumn shows becoming increasingly important for delivering Christmas collections.

But while many larger department stores will have already ordered their Christmas product (“We ordered our Christmas 2015 stock at Ambiente in Frankfurt back in January,” says Mary Sarafidis, executive buyer for the multi-brand Parousiasi tableware stores in Greece) smaller stores – independents especially – will be using the late-summer, early-autumn shows to Christmas shop.

“Retailers want to buy little and often throughout the year in line with current trends and economic conditions,” explains Naomi Barton, portfolio director of Autumn Fair, UK. In fact, according to The Seasonal Buying Report, commissioned by organisers i2i Events Group, over the past five years, 75 per cent of department store buyers have reduced their forward ordering commitments and 65 per cent of independents are now buying closer to each relevant season, meaning that seasonal autumn shows like NY NOW in New York, Autumn Fair in Birmingham, Tendence in Frankfurt, Maison in Paris and Home in London, are more relevant than ever.

“While most of our holiday is booked by April, we are seeing that the holiday collections still represent about 50 per cent of our summer show,” says Holli Draughn, VP of sales for Vietri, an Italian tabletop brand that will be showing its new holiday extensions at late-summer show NY NOW in August.

“Over the past 20 years the responsibility of inventory levels 44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

has shifted from retail store to manufacturers/marketing companies,” says Marc Delman, NY NOW sales manager.

“Retailers are no longer ordering so far in advance and carrying heavy levels of SKUs. With systems such as EDI, as one item is sold an order is being generated to replace it, and this change is impacting holiday, as well as everyday purchasing.”

Nicolete Naumann, vice president of Tendence, which takes place in September, says: “Tendence is the perfect time for buyers to order shortly before the start of the Christmas season… most of our exhibitors are capable of shipping within two to four weeks.”

Collectable ranges grow And tableware suppliers are finding demand for Christmas product is increasing. “In 2014 the share of the sales revenue from Christmas articles again increased worldwide,” says Nicolas Luc Villeroy, Villeroy & Boch, pointing out that Japan, Russia and the Middle East are growing markets in the Christmas sector.

More than half of Nambe’s introductions this year were dedicated to Christmas, with particular emphasis on the redesign of its ornament collection. “We tripled our Christmas volume for 2015,” says Lou Scala, chief marketing officer for Nambe.

Vietri says that Christmas is one of its most popular categories, representing 20 per cent of total business, and is seeing great growth.

Christmas is a growth period for Denby too. “The increased focus on home entertaining at this time of year sees consumers buying new items for serving and cooking and topping up their existing ranges for extended place settings,” says senior brand manager, Hayley Baddiley, adding that, “the desire to impress when entertaining at home

Rosanna Rosanna’s A/W 2015 giftable range is characterised by gilded surfaces, bold patterns and retooled geometry, and plenty of typography, and includes festive accent pieces, some of which are customisable like the ornament-shaped Joyeux Noel gift tags. They have also launched the Holly Jolly range (pictured) of tableware, four bold and playful vintage-inspired holiday images in glam gold. www.rosannainc.com

continues to rise.” Hayley highlgihts new seasonal pieces from Burleigh, including a lidded tureen with ladle and a gravy boat and stand.

Vietri say they are experiencing growth in festive serveware and dinnerware and therefore expanding their holiday themes into nontraditional materials for their brand.

“We are focused on the collectability aspect of holiday tabletop and the importance of building traditions – a collection that can be added to year after year, while limited-edition pieces and numbered pieces are also important,” says Holli, Vietri,” pointing out that this is one of the main reasons they have been able to grow the Christmas collections.

“We add to our iconic holiday collections each year and this year we’ve released over 20 new additions to Old St. Nick and five new pieces to Bellezza Holiday and our holiday bookings are up 7 per cent over last year,” says Holli.

Other brands are keen to get in on the collectable festive action. The Homer Laughlin China Company, maker of Fiesta Dinnerware, has launched a new highly collectable and giftable range 12 Days of Christmas, with the aim of adding more designs each year. And, embracing the growing trend for collectable Christmas tableware, Spode has launched new range (14 seasonal pieces) Christmas Jubilee.

Christmas 2015 trends Vintage-inspired and retro-looking collections appear to be trending.

German brand Hutschenreuther has this year launched a nostalgiclooking collection – the Winter Romance tableware set and gift range, which combines delicate lace elements on ceramics with soft grey wooden accessories and sparkling mercury glass in a dark copper tone for a nostalgic and rustic feel.

Portmerion Group’s placemat brand Pimpernel has also looked to the past with its nostalgic Victorian Christmas range – think six designs depicting St. Nicholas alongside a

merry christmas message.

Also vintage-inspired, Katie Alice for Creative Tops introduces a brand new range of festive giftware and kitchen accessories featuring a retro Santa. Katie stumbled across the illustration used for this range while visiting an Antique Art dealership in London. The vintage silk handkerchief had been hand-painted with a rather grumpy looking Santa being pulled along by a beautiful string of reindeer.

The colour grey is also prominent among collections this Christmas; an elegant yet warm contribution to the season and bang on trend.

Hutschenreuther’s new Winter Romance tableware set and gift collection features soft grey wooden accessories alongside coppercoloured glass; while Wedgwood has for the first time introduced warm grey into its Christmas Collection, alongside silver, soft white, the iconic Wedgwood blue and jovial red.

On the thematic front, the forest and forest animals like deer, foxes and rabbits are popular. Director for Dining at Ambiente, Messe Frankfurt, Thomas Kastl, says: “Nature is a persistent trend and forest animals and birds, in particular, continue to be popular images on tableware.”

Vice president of trade shows Ambiente and Tendence, Nicolette Naumann, agrees: “Currently, the snowy forest with flora and sauna is very popular.”

Ashdene’s new collectable festive collection Enchanted Forest features mystical patterned deer nestled in luscious forest foliage, while Rosanna has launched La Foret, a rustic-chic tableware range featuring forest motifs in the muted tones of colder seasons with gold accents.

Finally, the theme of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, along with all its forest motifs, is a prominent theme in a variety of Villeroy & Boch’s pieces, including Nostalgic Oraments (think Snow White and dwarfs tree decorations, including wooden animals) as well as Winter Collage – think numerous decorations and figurines.

What the retailer says… “We did Christmas 2015 sourcing for our tableware stores at Ambiente. Christmas items are a very important turnover for our stores and while we don’t sell much Christmas-specific dinnerware, we sell a lot of gift items and decorative homewares and quite a few festive baubles. Traditional styles are most popular and we find Villeroy & Boch’s Christmas gifts and decorations sell really well.” Mary Sarafidis, executive buyer, Parousiasi tableware stores across Greece

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 45

Sector Christmas

LSA INTERNATIONAL For autumn/winter 2015, LSA International has expanded its festive glassware collection Tirol to include new stemware and tealight holders.

Decorated with the collection’s signature frosted matte décor, the pieces feature winter scenes from the Tirol region of Austria – snow-capped Ashdene has launched a stunning new collectable range peaks framing pine trees, wooden chalets, horse-drawn sleighs and offof tableware for the festive period. Enchanted Forest piste ski tracks – capturing a snapshot of life in a mountain village. features mystical patterned deer nestled amongst sprays of foliage. White, deep red and plum coloured roses, www.lsa-international.com red berries and gold holly encompass the silhouetted deer along with matte gold metallic decal borders and highlights. This is an extensive collection in fine bone china and in porcelain, with placemats, coasters, napkins, melamine trays and tea towels. Ceramics are presented in coloured printed boxes with gold ink and gold foil finishes.

Pieces include a cocktail plate, sugar bowl and creamer, teapot and cake stand, among many others.

ASHDENE

SPODE

www.ashdene.com.au

Inspired by Spode’s much-loved Christmas Tree collection, the new-for-2015 Christmas Jubilee range embraces the growing trend for collectable Christmas tableware and brings a modern twist to the popular design. The 14 seasonal pieces include a rectangular platter, dinner plate, large cookie plate and deep square bowl, all featuring Spode’s iconic Christmas tree and a friendly reindeer set against a festive colour palette. Available from August.

www.portmeiriongroup.com

LEANDER The Christmas collectio on from this Czech porcelain braand delivers two different sttyles: one, an old-school classsic; the other, featuring a neo-cclassical style. Both styles are available as dinnerware and tea sets.

www.en/leanderr.cz

NAMBE Already offering a number of Christmas decorations crafted from its signature alloy metal, Nambe has upped the festive game, this year introducing 27 new SKUs, more than half of which are dedicated to building the brand’s holiday assortment.

“We redesigned our ornament collection – the new ornaments utilise gold accents to add style and value,” says Lou Scala, chief marketing officer, Nambe. There are 10 new ornaments crafted from the signature Nambe Alloy, with an added pop of gold, including a santa, snowman, dove, tree, reindeer and angel. In addition, they have introduced a four-piece Mini Nativity Set created from Nambe Alloy and acacia wood.

www.nambe.com

VILLEROY & BOCH

Villeroy & Boch has added lots of serveware to its collections and launched new festive ranges. They offer a limited edition Christmas range of five pieces, designed each year around a different fairytale (this year, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves). “We offer both contemporary and nostalgic designs but the traditional nostalgic styles are very popular right now – the nostalgic plates of our Toys Fantasy range seem to remind many customers of childhood so sell well,” says Nicolas Luc Villeroy, head of tableware, Villeroy & Boch. New extensions in the popular Toy’s Delight festive tableware is the 10-piece antipasti set of bowls, a tureen, a serviette holder and dip set. New line Star Bowls offers small star-shaped bowls, while Winter Bakery delivers baking tools and serveware.

www.villeroy-boch.com

www.crystalex.cz

Sector Christmas

CREATIVE TOPS Known for her vintage-inspired style and signature polka dots, Katie Alice for Creative Tops introduces the Yuletide Sleigh Ride range, a collection of festive giftware and kitchen accessories utilising colours and motifs that pay homage to a bygone era with seasonal hues of red and blue. Inspired by a vintage silk handkerchief (featuring a hand-painted Santa being pulled along by a string of reindeer), the collection – a recipe box, tea towels, cardboard cake stand, cookie cutters, cake tins and mugs – features traditional Santa and Reindeer illustrations and details like gold accents.

www.creative-tops.com

FIESTA The Homer Laughlin China Company, makers of Fiesta Dinnerware Made in the USA, has launched the 1 12 Days of Christmas sets – a pack of four mugs and a pack p of four salad/dessert plates featuring four different b bird-related designs on white that reflect the classic carol, including Partridge in a Pear Tree, Two Turtle Do Doves, Three French Hens, and Four Calling Birds. The remaining two sets will be introduced in subseque years. Fiesta has extended its popular subsequent Christmas Tree T pattern to include an appetiser plate, luncheon plate, 2015 ornament, Trio of Trees oval Under the Lenox Corporation umbrella, the Kathy Ireland Home by platter plat and Java mug and a single tier server.

Gorham Collection includes glassware and flatware, serveware and www.hlcdinnerware.com giftware, and is designed around contemporary and traditional lifestyle themes. This year, the Once Upon a Christmas Collection has been extended to include elf-related pieces – an elf figurine at the work table, Santa’s workshop cookie jar, a covered mug and a footed cake plate.

GORHAM KATHY IRELAND

www.lenox.com

HUTSCHENREUTHER THER The German brand’s traditional Ole Winther collection tion has this year been extended to include new porcelain and glass hanging ornaments, while new motifs have debuted ed and new products launched, like snow globes, fairy lights hts and music boxes. Star-shaped hanging ornaments made de from delicate openwork porcelain are also on offer. The brand has launched a new Christmas range, the Winter Romance omance tableware set and gift collection. Delivering a nostalgic talgic rustic feel, the design features snow crystals along with frosty berries with green twigs on plates, bowls and cups. Wood and mercury glass in a dark copper tone add rustic charm to thee range.

Q SQUARED NYC From the creators of luxury melamine comes a brand new festive collection Yuletide that captures the nostalgia of the holiday season. Featuring organic shapes for a contemporary look, the melamine pieces – a serving platter, dinner plate, salad plate, appetiser plate, serving bowl and cereal bowl – deliver detailed scenic drawings of snowy homes, festive window displays and Christmas trees in shades of green, along with detailed holly borders.

www.qsquarednyc.com

www.rosenthal.de

WEDGWOOD

48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

The 2015 Christmas Collection from Wedgwood features a blend of porcelain and silver and incorporates a seasonal colour palette of silver and soft white alongside the iconic Wedgwood blue and, new for this year, jovial red and warm grey.

This new combination inspired the design of the renewed gift packaging – a cheerful foiled box featuring a picture window for easy selection in store. They are offering lots of new tree decorations: porcelain baubles with finely detailed scenes depicting moments from the Nativity story, strung with beautiful white Wedgwood ribbon.

www.wwrd.com

DENBY Denby Brands offer plenty of Christmas-related pieces.

“Christmas is a time when consumers look at their table with fresh eyes and stock up on additional tablesettings, including tablemats and glassware,” says Hayley Baddiley, senior brand manager, Denby. Its Lucille Gold pattern from the Monsoon Home Dinnerware Collection by Denby is an elegant festive-appropriate range of shimmering delicate gold on fine cream china with a 1950s-inspired lace pattern.

The subtle soft cream enables the table to be dressed and themed with different colours and create an impressive tablesetting – with festive-appropriate pieces like a sauce jug and stand, platter and serving dish. There are matching placemats, coasters and drinking glasses.

www.denby.co.uk

PORCEL

VIETRI Handcrafted Italian brand Vietri has several highly collectable Christmas collections and it’s a category in growth for the brand, with particular demand for serveware and dinnerware. “Our holiday collections are more traditional and focus on the whimsy of Christmas through both hand-painted pieces and figural elements,” says VP of sales for Vietri, Holli Draughn. Old St Nick, a hand-painted collection on terra Bianca, has become an iconic range.

This year, Vietri has added five pieces to its Bellezza Holiday range – the serveware pieces are handmade of terracotta and feature charming new designs on the underside of pieces – and 20 new serveware pieces to Old St Nick.

Perfect for Christmas with its shades of gold, the new Belle Epoque collection from Porcel delivers a fine porcelain set with a contemporary yet elegant flavour that adds a special and festive touch to celebratory occasions.

Meanwhile, its Rouge collection offers a more traditional red and gold palette – its surface texture, colour and gold details making a bold statement.

www.porcel.pt

www.vietri.com

GERMANY

„Donna“

WWW.ZIEHER.COM

„Dots“

„DressCoat“

www.facebook.com/ZieherGermany TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 49

Sector Christmas Trade Show Talk

Seasonal buying With seasonal buying being left later and later, we talk to the late summer, early autumn shows about Christmas sourcing With retailers increasingly leaving seasonal buying until the last minute, are you finding visitors to your late-summer, early-autumn show are buying more Christmas product?

m Marc Delman, NY NOW “Retailers are no longer ordering so far in advance and carrying heavy levels of SKUs. NY NOW’s timing as the last major home and lifestyle market for the fourth-quarter buying in the US allows retailers who had been hesitant with their open to buy, to purchase new holiday items for the third and fourth quarter.”

Nicolette Naumann, Tendence “Absolutely. Tendence is taking place at the perfect time for buyers to order shortly before the start of the Christmas season. In fact, many of our exhibitors showcase entirely new products for the winter and spring season; and many are highly professional suppliers capable of shipping within twoto-four weeks. This way, buyers have their stock just in time for the busy weeks pre-Christmas. Buyers even place follow-up orders of seasonal Christmas decoration at Tendence.”

sectors, plus gift articles, jewellery and fashion accessories. A large share of the products make wonderful gifts. But it’s not just Christmas. The transition from Christmas to seasonal decoration is generally becoming more fluent. The period for Christmas decorations now range from October to January and there is growing demand for Christmas and seasonal decoration from markets like Asia. The religious aspects no longer play a major role, but in the course of globalisation it has become another occasion for celebrating.”

Naomi Barton, Autumn Fair “There will be many of thousands of Christmas-related product sure to generate interest from huge numbers of buyers. Kitchen and tableware has become increasingly important as a gifting category and the majority of our exhibitors in this sector offer a great selection of fast-moving products targeted at Christmas buying. Autumn Fair isn’t just about Christmas – it offers countless early previews of very hot new ranges, burgeoning trends and concepts for S/S 2016.”

Naomi Barton, Autumn Fair “Christmas has always been the major event for this industry and continues to be of fundamental importance to both retailers and their suppliers. Autumn Fair represents a prime opportunity for independents, in particular, to do a lastminute stock update before Christmas trading begins in earnest, and as such, it is a very important season for the show being the key buying time.”

Ian Rudge, Home London “We offer plenty of exciting design-led product that is hand-picked. The majority of our exhibitors will have Christmas-focused product on their stands, whether that’s specially packaged offers, seasonal product or whole collections.”

Ian Rudge, Home London “Certainly, judging by the response we’ve had and the number of new exhibitors signing up. Of course, bigger retailers will have their Christmas ranges signed off long before September. However, there are clearly seasonal peaks and with buyers buying less but more often, the Autumn edition offers a perfectly time event for topping up and adding new product. We’ve seen a move towards theming, with a new look for each holiday season and new products purchased to support these.”

Marc Delman, NY NOW “The biggest trend we are seeing for Christmas 2015 is the return to quality – this extends from how a product is being manufactured and encompasses the uniqueness of its designs.

Retailers who visit NY NOW will be exposed to better goods and fashion-driven holiday products this August.”

What resources do you offer Christmas buyers at your summer/autumn show?

Marc Delman, NY NOW “NY NOW’s primary focus is fashion-forward and design-driven home and lifestyle products and, as a result, Christmas products at NY NOW reflect better quality and unique designers, rather than mass-driven Christmas products. Retailers who attend NY NOW are looking for style and functionality for seasonal and holiday products in general, as well as Christmas products specifically.”

Nicolette Naumann, Tendence “Tendence features products from the living, furnishing and decorating 50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

The panel Naomi Barton Portfolio director, Autumn Fair

Any particular trends you are seeing emerge for the Christmas 2015 period?

Nicolette Naumann, Tendence “Since the religious context is fading, the motifs are becoming more seasonal. Currently, the snowy forest with flora and fauna is very popular. Glass baubles with fir cones or decorations made from birch bark are just two examples. In a more modern context, graphic decoration articles made from copper, for example, are quite trendy. I can also see high-quality candles with wintery scents in glasses becoming more popular.”

Naomi Barton, Autumn Fair “The home and gift market, as with table and kitchenware, is very much influenced by trends, especially in terms of colour and pattern. Our resident trend forecasting experts are WGSN Homebuildlife, so we’ll be turning to them for insight into future trends at their webinars on site at the show.”

Marc Delman Sales manager, NY NOW

Nicolette Naumann Vice-president, Tendence and Ambiente

Ian Rudge Business development director, brand director, Home London

www.crystalex.cz

Profile Crystalex

Delightful decor Czech glass producer Crystalex is renowned for its decoration expertise. Here, we look at its particular skill in the heritage art of pantographing

C

zech glass manufacturers Crystalex have a long and rich tradition of thousands of years of Bohemian glassmaking under their belt, with particular expertise in the production of decorative glass, delivering a large number of both traditional and contemporary decorative techniques, from pantograph etching and diamond engraving to spraying, screen printing and decals.

Pantograph is the most exacting technology of glass decoration around, with a heritage of more than 150 years. Crystalex has been using this traditional decorative technique in its Karolinka glassworks in the Czech Republic for more than 150 years.

The décor formation is realised in several stages. To start, glass is covered by beeswax, before the desired decoration is precisely engraved into the wax by force of small needles.

Subsequently, the glass is immersed

52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

into an etching bath, which completes the décor realisation by way of reaction with the glass material.

Crystalex’s production portfolio incorporates pure pantograph décors, solo pantography décors or with gold or platinum rim, which are aimed chiefly at European or American countries. On the other side, Crystalex finds that really rich décors combined with gold and platinum are in demand and therefore created mainly for Eastern markets – sometimes supplemented with sprayed colours.

Crystalex’s product range also includes exclusive decorations combining cutting, pantograph etching and painting.

One of the great benefits of decorations that are realised via pantograph etching technology is that pieces are highly dishwasher resistant and super durable.

For 2015, Crystalex has prepared a new collection using pantograph decorations on a brand new stemware

series Grace. Besides this suite, the brand’s designers have also created new decorations for the suites Victoria and Elisabeth, as well as enlarging its product range of pantography-etching decorations, along with cutting, giving rise to exclusive décors.

The range of decorations on offer at Crystalex is pretty limitless. They offer both traditional, historic decorations as well as modern ones, corresponding to contemporary trends.

To supply their traditional standard assortment, the brand has also created decoration projects; with the packages for the projects including a motif of the respective décor, so customers can more easily know what’s inside.

In terms of the pantograph decoration projects, Crystalex offers three new projects including Exclusive, Floral and Love.

For more information on Crystalex’s decoration offerings, visit www. crystalex.cz

Guide Giftware

Gifting on the table While it’s always been an important part of the tabletop business, the giftable housewares category is experiencing great growth

A

Waterford Crystal Waterford Crystal has become a synonym for the finest quality crystal and boasts a number of highly giftable concepts. Its very successful Giftology Collection rolls into spring 2015 with its new covetable items packaged in soft pink (pictured).

Ready packaged gifts range from desk accessories and glasses to vases and collectables. Also new this year, bridal couturier Monique Lhullier has created her first Waterford range in the UK, My Favourite Things Collection delivers a selection of gifts for any occasion in signature packaging, featuring a sophisticated palette of colours and drawing inspiration from her favourite patterns, Sunday Rose, Lily of the Valley, Atelier and Opulence. www.wwrd.com 40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

s the retail and supplier communities search for ways to engage and inspire consumers, the convergence of houseware and giftware products will continue and likely increase in the years ahead.

This is according to a panel of retailers and suppliers who held a presentation at the recentlyheld 2015 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.

And while the convergence of housewares and giftware is relatively new – previously focused on figurines, candlesticks, vases – research indicates that stores selling housewares are growing their businesses and vice versa.

“Anything you can wrap and put a bow on are gifts to us,” says Mary Liz Curtin of gift retailer Leon & LuLu in Detroit, US. “Housewares fit that bill perfectly. They must be goodlooking, well-designed, and if they’re amusing, that’s even better.”

Housewares retailers are also finding their product can be highly giftable. Martha Nading of The Extra Ingredient, Inc., which sells housewares, tabletop and giftware in Greensboro, N.C., says: “Anything in my store can be a gift. The majority of housewares are more serious and giftware allows us the opportunity to have some fun. And, as a general rule, it gives us a better margin.”

Show organisers agree and many are reorganising their layouts and revamping their content to reflect such changes, to help housewares suppliers grow their business in a consolidating market. NY NOW is one, now delivering synergistic new avenues of distribution through access to many thousands of buyers.

“Many buyers are from traditional housewares stores but increasing

numbers are from lifestyle stores looking for giftable housewares,” says Marc Delman, NY NOW sales manager. “But the common denominator for both types of retailer is great design, functionality and strong margins, and NY NOW provides access to some of the most creative brands in the industry.”

And creativity seems to be the necessary ingredient, with suppliers having to elevate the design of traditional housewares product into product that feels more like a gift.

Housewares designer Sid Ramnarace of Savora/Lifetime Brands, Inc, says that there has been an opportunity to go from simply offering commodity items (my can opener broke and I need a new one) to offering items that people can have an emotional connection to.

“And that’s something special,” says Sid, pointing to Lifetime’s Savora line – everyday products with highend, sophisticated design. The line’s top seller is a stainless steel colander that many use as a table centerpiece.

Experts in the giftable homewares category, design brand Nambe are renowned for elevating everyday functional products through beautiful materials and clever design.

“Consumers are demanding giftable tableware, especially in the serving and top of the counter kitchen items, and in barware, from napkin holders to ice buckets,” says chief marketing officer, Lou Scala.

“Entertaining more casually is in growth and consumers are gravitating towards giving gifts that are functional,” says Lou. Nambe has introduced for autumn a serving accessories giftware story; Curvo delivers beautifully packaged statement serveware.

Denby is finding the same. “We

Vietri Vietri la launched its gift box pro programme several years ag ago. Vietri’s assorted boxed ggifts include unique items fr from top-selling collecti collections, like a boxed Dessert Set or new giftboxed M Macaroon Stand in its In Incanto collection.

Each ggift is packaged in a signatu signature San Marco red pinstrip pinstripe box with gold foil logo an and nestled in rustic straw, rreminiscent of the origina original packing material.

The br brand is very focused on gifti gifting; they’ve just introduced scented candles in their ttop four collections, and in 2016, will expand into other ggifting areas. are finding increased demand for giftable tableware and are launching a new range of gifting solutions this year, selecting our most popular gifting pieces and packaging them beautifully” says senior brand manager, Hayley Baddiley.

Lifetime Brands is also seeing such demand, especially for its Mikasa brand, which not only offers various giftable tableware categories, including bridal and holiday, but a full range of giftable tabletop items, from dip sets to platters.

“Good design, creative item types and packaging are all key factors in successful gift items,” says Hugh Biber, global design director, Lifetime Brands, highlighting how Mikasa introduced new giftable packaging at the April Tabletop Market and will offer different gift items in new packaging directions this autumn.

“At Mikasa, we believe the packaging can really drive an item as it is the first thing the consumer often sees. As we strive to appeal to a younger customer, our packaging has to reflect the modern feel of our new modern product,” says Hugh.

Denby too consider packaging crucial. “Denby is a premium product and the packaging should reflect that,” explains Hayley.

A company that always does packaging perfectly and excels on the gifting tableware front is WWRD with its luxury heritage brands Wedgwood, Waterford, Royal Doulton and Royal Albert.

This year Wedgwood launched contemporary and luxury lifestyle concept Arris, a comprehensive tableware collection, distinctive tea and coffee ware and decorative home items, while also offering a new dimension in creative gifting.

And porcelain brand Villeroy & Boch has this year delivered its most extensive gifting programme to date.

“Gifts already represent a remarkable portion of our core busines, almost one fifth of our current sales. We consider it as one of our strategic pillars for growth and expect it to increase in years to come,” says Nicolas Luc Villeroy, head of tableware division, Villeroy & Boch.

“Our philosophy is that every article from Villeroy & Boch is a potential gift,” says Nicolas, pointing to the brand’s two exclusive gift concepts Gift Collections Classic and Country, which feature successful decors like Mariefleur and Amazonia.

Similarly, Artisan Italian brand Vietri says it has seen growth in demand for gifts; not only is the brand improving the merchandising of its large assortment of tabletop so retailers can easily shop the best gifts in its line, but it is giving the category of gifting a huge focus in 2016.

“Our gift box programme was launched several years ago and continues to grow. Holiday gift boxing has been the most successful for our brand – we are hoping to expand that success into other gifting opportunities,” says Holli

“

Good design, creative item types and packaging are all key factors in successful gift items. At Mikasa, we believe packaging can really drive an item as it is the first thing the consumer often sees. As we strive to appeal to a younger customer, our packaging has to reflect the modern feel

Draughn, VP of sales, Vietri. “In July we will introduce scented candles, each housed in a signature red box.”

Delivering gift items can also provide tableware manufacturers with more and different retail opportunities, from galleries and museums through to small giftware stores, and introduce the brand to customers who otherwise wouldn’t come across it. This is especially true of luxury and/or heritage tableware brands like Fuerstenberg, Herend, Royal Albert, Wedgwood, Villeroy & Boch, to name but a few.

“Gift items promote customer loyalty while also reaching new customers. For example, there are many customers who once received a Fuerstenberg item as a gift and are so impressed by the unique manufacturer, they then buy products themselves,” says Florian Marquardt, director of international sales. Fuerstenberg, a brand for whom gift items are now an integral part of the range, offering select products in luxury gift packaging.

German heritage porcelain brand Arzberg, which has recently been revamped after being taken over by the Sambonet group of companies, also sees giftware as an opportunity to target different customers.

“For Arzberg, giftware is an add-on to our tabletop collections – we feel that if we can offer trendy gift items of high quality at a reasonable price, then we can attract a younger target group to Arzberg,” says Gianluca Colonna, CEO of Arzberg Porzellan.

Similarly, Lifetime Brands brand Mikasa, which offers various giftable tableware, is keen to attract a new audience with its giftable tableware.

“The category is in growth and here is a great opportunity for the Mikasa brand to continue to offer new and different gift items and we are working on considerable new development in the giftable tableware area that we know will resonate with a younger consumer,” says Hugh, Lifetime Brands, highlighting how they will

”

be showcasing new giftware at the Atlanta Gift Show in July and at the October Tabletop Show.

Another contributing factor in the convergence of housewares and giftware is that, “the context is different now that it’s not just about cooking, it’s about entertaining,” says Sid. Retailer Nading agrees: “We all want to cook, but often times, what we really do is assemble it.”

That, of course, opens the door for more and unique items to help prep and serve food and drinks, and decorative items for the kitchen, serving area and tables.

So how do retailers go about blending housewares and gitware?

Panelists say the answer is different for each and the clientele they serve, but the importance of telling stories with merchandising is key for all.

“Somehow you need to let your customer make a logical connection between what she’s seeing… to make everything in a grouping somehow work together,” says Mary.

“It’s got to have a story; it’s got to have a theme. You can occasionally throw in something as a pop for fun, but you’ve got to be careful or it starts to look like a garage sale.”

The shopping experience should be both entertaining and inspiring.

For that reason, it’s beneficial that display cases, furniture and even store light fixtures are items that shoppers can envision in their homes – and that are for sale.

The panelists agreed – as did many tableware suppliers/retailers – that the convergence of housewares and giftware will likely increase, and that the most successful retailers and suppliers will be the ones who take advantage of the trend.

“I think Marshall Field said it best… there’s a very simple answer to success in this business, ‘Give the lady what she wants’,” says Mary.

“And if we can figure out what she wants – even if she doesn’t even know it yet – whether it’s a potato peeler or a new sweater, then we’re going to be more successful.”

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 55

Guide Giftware

Spotlight on...

Villeroy & Boch Villeroy & Boch is focusing increasingly on gifts. “Gifts are a huge market worldwide and already represent a great proportion of our core business, a fifth of our current sales. There is an increasing demand for gifts and so we want to position ourselves more and more as a gift maker,” says Nicolas Luc Villeroy, head of tableware division at Villeroy & Boch. “Our philosophy is that every article from Villeroy & Boch is a potential gift,” says Nicolas.

Earlier this year Villeroy & Boch launched an extensive programme of gifting concepts. “We address the market of gifts in two ways: by developing special gift collections or by offering products from the existing ranges as gift articles, both of which are supported by compiling pre-packaged gfit sets and appealing packaging concept at the Point of Sale,” explains Nicolas.

The new Gift Collections Classic and Country are two exclusive gift article concepts that feature the brand’s successful patterns.

“We’ve taken well-known and successful patterns like Mariefleur and Amazonia and put them on existing shapes from our range to cater in particular to fans of Villeroy & Boch. They are perfect as standalone gifts and serve as collector’s items,” says Nicolas.

With coffee and teaware showing great growth in the gifting category, the brand also delivered several gifting concepts targeting this. “Tea and coffee items such as pots, cups or ‘to-go’ mugs, as well as trays and bowls, are particularly popular,” says Nicolas.

Rose Cottage offers select tea-time premium porcelain pieces like a cake slice, teapot and egg cups, featuring a charming décor of roses.

But it was the brand’s delivery of a mini gift concept created via crowdsourcing that has really got the industry excited. The Little Gallery line comprises 32 small ceramics aimed at those who value originality – four ceramic pieces (a tumbler, candle dish, small vase and two-piece decolight) each featuring eight artistic decors.

But what is especially unique is that the decors, which range from minimalistic sketches to modern floral patterns, were selected via crowdsourcing. “With Little Gallery, we wanted to do something completely different,” says Florian Bausch, head of product development in the tableware division at Villeroy & Boch.

Using online platform jovoto, which boasts 60,000 designers, architects and other creative minds, Villeroy & Boch posted a brief to, ‘Create a beautiful design family for a gift collection that will stimulate impulse buying at Point of Sale and encourage collection’.

After five weeks, 115 ideas and 789 creative idea developments had been submitted from all over the world, with the eventual winners hailing from Germany, Portugal and Mexico.

“We had no idea what would happen but the result has surpassed all our expectations. We are more than happy with the designs and are convinced that our customers will feel the same,” says Florian.

“That we chose to turn to an anonymous online creative community for decors, which have been our core competence for over 265 years was groundbreaking for us. But it showed that this external perspective can provide new impulses for product development.”

Another crowdsourcing project is being planned; this time the creativity of the collective is to be directed towards designing new ceramic forms. “There is a new project already in the pipeline and we will show the results at Ambiente 2016,” says Nicolas.

www.villeroy-boch.co.uk 52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

MIKASA RUDOLF KAMPF Known for its unique shapes, high-quality manufacturing and stunning designs, Rudolf Kampf delivers plenty of gifting options, from teaware to candy boxes. The Duo Deluxe Collection delivers very giftable individual porcelain teaware pieces like a teapot, pair of teacups and porcelain tea strainer decorated with precious metals including 24k matte gold. The brand’s Art Deco-inspired Manhatten tableware collection – the design inspired by New York’s Chrysler building – has recently been extended to include a coffee set with hand-painting on glazed china and gold finishing.

Mikasa recently extended its Celebrations by Mikasa Crystal programme beyond bridal to include giftable items for many occasions or events, including baby gifts, teacher gifts and gifts for any occasion. The Celebrations by Mikasa Crystal Giftables collection includes gift items such as bud vases, votive holders, ring holders and covered boxes. These crystal items are great gifts and each comes in a unique photo box that features a gift ribbon design. g Each lead-free crystal y gift g is sold individuallyy or as sets of 12 2 to be used as favours, the latter including two sheets of stickers that can nb be applied li d to gift if boxes. b

www.lifetimebrands.com

www.rudolfkampf.eu

NIKKO Nikko’s fine bone china Fortune collection is a premium tableware range sold open stock and in beautiful packaging. Featuring a design inspired by the Japanese kimono, which delivers a rich layered tapestry effect, in raised gold and platinum textures, the pieces are luxurious and festive, making great gifts. The espresso cup and saucer (pictured) is especially popular.

www.nikkoceramics.com

MICHAEL ARAM For autumn 2015, Michael has introduced a new giftable tabletop collection Palm, inspired by the beauty of a windswept palm tree and the perfectly imperfect shapes of woven palm leaves and fallen fronds. The warm antique gold finish and intricate sculpted textures deliver casual elegance and exude the air of a Parisian flea market – the antiques of tomorrow. Marble, glass and etched stainless steel are used in the statement giftable tabletop pieces.

www.michaelaram.com

FUERSTENBERG Fuerstenberg offers select products in luxury gift packaging, including the drinking cup series Touche (pictured) popular as a personal and business gift; the QI bowls and the Wagenfeld edition jars – all attractive gifts with great design. As a high-end manufacturer, they also produce small editions of personalised products, which are popular in the business sector as gifts for customers, such as cups with a personalised décor.

www.fuerstenberg-porzellan.com

TWIG NEW YORK A collaboration with Korean ceramist Hayoon Kim, the Cutlery Collection is Twig’s award-winning giftable tableware range. Inspired from old cutlery that Hayoon found in a London flea market, it puts embossed cutlery shapes directly on to the plates. The handles of the cup and saucer, mug and teapot come in the shape of a bent teaspoon, each hand-painted in 24k gold. Chosen as ‘Best in Show’ at the NY NOW Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares Best New Products Awards last year, the collection is this year being extended to include mugs in which the 24k gold handles are now available in white (therefore microwave and dishwasher safe) plus a 10-inch pasta/salad bowl. Each comes individually packaged in a beautiful branded box.

www.twigny.com

LENOX

Guide Giftware

The entertaining and tableware brand has plenty enty of giftable pieces. Its barware gift sets are very ry tions. popular, especially its varietal Tuscany collections.

Its Tuscany Craft Beer range is an elegant set of four varietal-specific craft beer glasses, including ding ones for stemmed pilsner, wheat, IPA and Pint. Its Tuscany Whiskey set (pictured), meanwhile, introduces four whiskey-specific glasses in sleek shapes that are ideal for the whiskey connoisseur in which to accentuate the rich flavours and aromas of whiskey – from m bourbon to scotch to rye.

www.lenox.com

DENBY Denby has always been a brand that lends itself well to gifting – high quality, Made in England, crafted and collectable. “Our Monsoon Home Collection by Denby has some fantastic pieces which make great gifts; our two new ranges Kyoto and Filigree boast items such as a 3-piece dipping bowl set, cake stand and mug collection, all in beautiful boxes,” says senior brand manager, Denby, Hayley Baddiley. The brand will also be launching a whole range of new gifting items for this coming season on their key selling stoneware ranges, many of which will be themed, like Breakfast and Afternoon Tea, says Hayley. “Mugs work well for gifting as well as cake stands, dipping bowls and afternoon tea items. “These seem like a luxury and when presented in beautiful packaging they seem that little bit more special,” adds Hayley.

www.denby.co.uk

ROYAL ALBERT Royal Albert, which has been making fine bone china teaware since 1904, offers various collections of quintessentially English Giftware and Tableware.

There is the Miranda Kerr for Royal Albert collections – think 3-piece cup, saucer and dessert plate gift boxed sets or single statement pieces like a cake stand, teapot, tea caddy or set of coasters – all featuring various delicate feminine designs and in beautiful gift boxes. New this season is the brand’s highly giftable Candy Collection, which uses some of the brand’s favourite archive prints. There are four patterns and a selection of individual items, including 3-piece sets that come in hat-like boxes.

ROSANNA The award-winning international tableware designer Rosanna has unveiled its autumn/winter 2015 collection, which includes many accent pieces like ceramic vessels and boxes and lidded to-go mugs, with the many forms making it highly giftable. All ceramic items are beautifully boxed, which are designed in-house. The new line features playful and confident pro-female messages. “A recent report on the giftware industry showed that women give the most gifts, and that they’re giving these gifts to women. We designed the collection with this in mind. And to celebrate the strength of women,” says president and art director, Rosanna Bowles.

www.rosannainc.com

www.wwrd.com

What the supplier says… “I like to think of the objects we create in the giftable tabletop category as the antiques of tomorrow. Objects are powerful. They capture memories, trace history and influence family tradition as they are passed from generation to generation.” Michael Aram 58 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

PROUNA High-end fine china tableware brand Prouna has in recent years added lots of highly giftable pieces to its successful ranges. Its Chain Mugs (pictured) are timeless and a successful gift option for Prouna. While mugs are often seen as casual items, Prouna’s chain mugs have been given a glamorous and luxury makeover, making them highly giftable. Created from fine bone china, they are hand-decorated with Swarovski crystals and finished with hand-painted gold or platinum rims. They also come packaged in a luxurious gift box.

www.prouna.com

NAMBE

CARROL BOYES Carrol Boyes table and dining accessories add personality and style to home entertaining, its unique and collectable dining pieces injecting glamour and prestige. The meticulously crafted Carrol Boyes product range encompasses more than 1,000 items. Trademark metals and materials include pewter, spun and cast aluminium, stainless steel, chrome-plated zinc, wood, leather, ceramics, glass and fabric. The brand has been creating superior gifts for more than 25 years and the designs are heralded for their high quality, having become trusted collectables with an international folllowing.

Nambe is very much a gifting tableware and kitchenware brand, delivering brilliantly designed products that are beautiful and functional in great packaging. The brand is finding particular growth in giftable tableware in the serveware and top of the counter kitchenware items, as well as barware, such as napkin holders, coaster sets and ice buckets. This season, the brand has introduced a great serving accessories story for autumn called Curvo, which includes the Curvo serving spoon, Curvo serving fork and Curvo cheese set (pictured). The brand also delivers a successful Bridal Gifts range with Dazzle, which continues to expand – this season, a ring holder and double photo frame join champagne flutes and napkin rings.

www.nambe.com

www.carrolboyes.com

Visit us at Maison & Objet

Contemporary and Classic Design Made in France

Hall 5A Booth M55

www.capdeco-france.com

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 59

Retail Gifting

Cat and Rog How

Giftable tabletop at Howkapow With homewares some 60 per cent of their giftware stock, independent award-winning UK-based etailer Howkapow knows a thing or two about what makes homewares so giftable Howkapow is a colourful online shop based in Bristol that stocks an innovative, fun and interesting selection of home and kitchenware, ceramics, lamps and lights, prints and posters, accessories, kids stuff, jewellery and unique gifts from breakthrough talent, as well as a few carefully-chosen independent family-run brands. Run by husbandand-wife team Rog and Cat How, Howkapow has been named Best Online Shop for Stylish Homewares

by The Guardian, while its six-month pop-up shop, which ran from Christmas 2012 through Spring 2012, was further named by The Guardian as the Best Shop to Visit in Bristol. We talk giftable homewares with coowner Cat How. www.howkapow.com

What percentage of your product offer is tableware and are you finding this category in growth?

About 60 per cent of our gifts are homewares and 20 per cent specifically tableware. We are finding growth in giftable tableware to a certain extent – people like to have a certain look and style, and are wanting to spend more time and money

investing in this. I think it will grow and, as a result, we will search for more tabletop / dining / kitchenware.

While anything can be a gift, what makes a tableware item a highly giftable piece?

are very versatile.

How important is packaging in the take-up of products as gifts?

Generally, if it has a connection to the person who it is being bought for, then it can make a great gift! If you have a friend who likes Birds and the seaside and you find a Blue Gull Mug, then you’re onto a winner!

Packaging is very important because it completes the gift. Often we stress when our products come in gift boxes because people like the idea of getting the complete package that they can present to their friends. All they have to do is worry about the gift card (we would have already done all the wrapping for them!)

Any brand that does giftable homewares well?

What makes your store so unique?

We stock everything from enamel teapots by Falcon and mouthblown glassware from Bitossi to Made in England mugs from Hinchcliffe & Barber. One of our best brands is Jansen+Co, they have a large range of mix and match ceramics, so you can buy singles or sets and everything is so colourful! They are becoming iconic.

Our point of difference is our emphasis on colour and sense of fun, and that it’s curated pretty much by me and so therefore unique to my taste. Also, we stock unique product as we have collaborated with a number of designers on a range of our own products – from birchwood trays, ceramics and prints to tea towels and silk scarves. We also stock a selection of artwork designed exclusively for us and printed by us locally, too.

Any homewares products that sell well as gifts?

Our Bitossi Glassware range is very popular as colourful gifts, while our Songbirds Range has also proved popular with people for gifts as they

How do you stay on top of the latest trends?

I read a lot – newspapers, magazines –

and I am an avid Pinterest addict! You can find so much new stuff on there that I really don’t know how I was able to function without it!

From where do you source your products?

I’m a bit of a magpie really so, yes, I source products from all over the shop – a lot from design shows and graduate shows around the country but also from Pinterest and Instagram and market places like Etsy.

Any visual merchandising tips – online or in-store?

Keep things changing as often as you can – we have new pieces in store every season from a regularly changing collection. And organise what you want things to look like a long time in advance. Planning is key – you can save yourself a lot of time in the long run if you know exactly how you want things to look.

What’s your favourite homewares item right now?

I am loving our new Bitossi dipped Tumblers… they are so special, and each one is unique. They are fresh, classy and sexy – Italian through and through.

Tabletop offerings Howkapow offers everything from Falcon enamel teapots, Bitossi porcelain Parisienne plates and Made in England mugs from Hinchcliffe & Barber, to colourful Jansen + Co ceramic bowls, cups, plates, cake stands and milk jugs. They also stock lots of independent British designers based in Stoke-on-Trent, from Louise Wilkinson’s Trees Churn Jug (print inspired by the Blue Willow pattern in fine bone china) to polka dot egg cups in high quality earthenware from Fenella Smith.

Products are sourced globally – there are terracotta jugs handcrafted in Portugal, fine bone china jugs created in Stoke-on-Trent, melamine placemats made in Scotland and glassware handcrafted in Italy.

60 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Creativity and Beauty Made in Poland

Wrześniak

G L A S S W O R K S

www.glassworks.pl

DESIGN INTERVIEW

EYE ON DESIGN

Robin Levien Each issue we cast a spotlight on a designer in tableware. This time we chat with British designer Robin Levien, founder and creative director of Studio Levien

With my wife/partner Tricia I run Studio Levien which we set up in 1999 and which employs five fulltime designers. If I had a job title it would be creative director. I live design every waking moment and stay very close to all the projects going through the studio.

ceramics so I celebrate imperfection, which I think reflects the human condition. I am a perfectionist trying to master the art of imperfection.

I am obsessed with functionality – when we design teapots we make sure they pour properly and the lid stays in. I can spot a teapot or jug that won’t pour well a mile away.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Describe a typical day in your design life.

Understated elegance.

My studio is live-work – I have small living quarters on a mezzanine and my journey to work is 10 stairs as I live over the shop. The downside to this is that it is really work-work not live-work. I love what I do and indulgently work from 8am-8pm most days unless I’m travelling or out to an opening or the movies with a friend. I catch up with my emails or work on design contracts etc. in the quiet hour before my colleagues start arriving from about 9am. Then to use an appropriate analogy, I spend the day trying to perform the circus trick of keeping six plates spinning. We typically

What exactly do you do?

What are the main elements of good design?

As a child of the ‘60s my design mantra is F.A.B: Functional, Affordable and Beautiful. Most designers will talk about functional and beautiful but for me, unless people can afford to buy welldesigned products, they lack real value. We endlessly fine-tune our designs through model-making to get what we consider to be the perfect balance and proportion.

I realise though that perfection is never attainable, especially in

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

“

If I had to pick one designer as a personal favourite it would be the great 20th century Finnish designer Tapio Wirkala. He was inspired by nature and designed through model-making that is an inspiration to me.

”

have six-to-eight projects live in the studio, if we are getting started on one we will sit down as a team and brainstorm. Designers work on individual projects and I spend the day working with them through the different stages, of concept sketching, model-making and CAD in the neverending quest to produce FAB designs.

tableware range with Raymond Blanc. We worked closely together.

We share an obsession for quality and a quest for ‘sensuality’ – him with food and me with shapes. A really tough part of the project was staying at Raymond Blanc’s fabulous Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons and working my way through three or four Michelin-star meals.

What have been the highlights of your career?

From a creative perspective, what are your views on the tableware industry?

A big one early on would be the launch of the Trend range for Rosenthal Thomas at Ambiente in 1983. For some reason they had covered the floor in very fine sand and the carpets all around were covered in footprints. It was clear from the first day that it was going to be successful. It reached retail sales of £20 million a year and still sells well today. A recent highlight would be designing a

Creativity is always suppressed in an economic downturn, manufacturers are understandably cautious about investing in new design. In contradiction, some brave companies see this situation as an opportunity. I have seen a big change since 2008 when many of the established brands in the tableware industry looked

Oliver, Fred & Friends

Trend, Rosenthal Thomas

Name: R obin Lev ien Job: Cre ative dir ector an Levien d found er of Stu dio Website : www.s tudiolev Email: m ien.com ary@stu diolevie About: n.com Robin w as introd to ceram uced ag ics by an ed 14 art teach Asked to e draw so mething r at school. ceramic to make s, Robin dre from creating a 35cm-t w a seated Budd ha, all ceram which h e receive ic piece for d much was effe encoura ctively h ge ooked o foundati n ceram ment. He on ics fro in ceram course at East B ics at the erks Coll m that point. H e did a ege follo Central S year MA wed by ch in a three-y years sp ceramics at the ool of Art and D ear degre ent mak Royal Co esiign fo e ll ing cera llege of Royal Co mics Art. Inclu owed by a three lle sive of th at the Ro ge in 1976, he h at school, when e three ad been Robin gra yal Colle m ge d Bar. Rob in tried to , Robin had ma aking ceramics fo uated from the de some r get his d bottles, 10 years ashtrays cans, be esign – a for the st . Whilst er g w made in uden Stoke on lasses and pack hite ceramic ‘still ets of cig Trent. Ro life’ featu t Art of the m a bin reca an lls, "I wil rettes and matc ring no but th aging director o l ne hes f Carlton at he co ware ask ver forget sitting – uld buy a price. I the desi ing for a in front said £5,0 g royalty – n outrig 00 and h didn’t m ht a he said e ake a de al and I su said he was thin nd asked me to who gav n king mo bsequen e me a ro re like £2 ame tly ya stopped 50. We , I added lty deal. A few y found another sm e u a After 18 p how m all facto rs later w mo ry uc h to the art nths of working h royalty I had m en sales had alm ist Edua ost a a s d e a fr – eelance it came rdo Paolo his ex pro to £249." designe zz fessor D r, as well avid Que i, Robin started practice as assista doing p ensberry, Qu nt art-time w to becom eensberry Hun work wit t with his ho was then ru e a senio h n n partner r partne before h in g th e M de r e set up artin Hu his own in what became nt. Robin sign wife Patr Studio L icia Stain evien in Queensberry Hu went on ton.

1999 in Clients: partners nt Levien Villeroy hip with &B Porland, his World K och, Costa Verd e, itchen, IT TC, Nam Lenox, Dansk, D be, John ibbern, G Lewis uzzini,

“

Tableware culture new hhas changed h d and d this hi bbrings i challenges. We are no longer so interested in buying large dinner sets so ranges are smaller and need to include items that can be bought individually. It is no longer simply a styling exercise, real innovation is required.

a bit shaky. Retailers lost a bit of confidence and have taken matters into their own hands by developing own-brand products, in many cases from the same factories in the Far East that the established brands now source their products. I think we can safely say that we are post-recession from a marketplace perspective now in the UK. Manufacturers large and small are now responding to this renewed optimism and employing designers to compete. I think we can look forward to a period of high creativity and innovation.

Putting your own career aside, which designs,

designers, collections, do you consider personal favourites?

Going back a way I have always loved the Arzberg Form 1382 designed by Hermann Gretsch in 1931. Next historically would be Eva Zeisel’s Hallcraft/Century designed for Hall China in 1957. I had the great privilege of meeting Eva Zeisel at her apartment in New York at the age of 98. She died in 2010 at the age of 104, she was still working. I will never forget Norman Tempest of Royal Stafford asking Eva for her opinion on a jug sample. She had peripheral vision so couldn’t see it very well. She fondled the jug for a good minute before saying, "Its

fine". If I had to pick one designer as a personal favourite it would be the great 20th century Finnish designer Tapio Wirkala. He was inspired by nature and designed through model-making – that is an inspiration to me.

What is so exciting about being in the tableware industry today? And what are the challenges?

I have been designing tableware for nearly 40 years and it is still what gets me up in the morning. I am sometimes asked what is the best design you have done and I always answer, "the next one." Tableware culture has changed and this brings

”

new challenges. We are no longer so interested in buying large dinner sets so ranges are smaller and need to include items that can be bought individually. It is no longer simply a styling exercise, real innovation is required. A recent example of this would be our elephant called Oliver (pictured) for new client Fred & Friends. Tableware has always been part of the fashion industry but now the fashions come and go faster. With considerable investment of time and money required to bring a range to market the design challenge is to keep up with fashion but achieve enough longevity to get a payback.

Did you know… Having aspired to create a design project with American mid-century design brand Nambe for a long time, Robin Levien has recently worked with them to design and create a range of ceramic dinnerware, due out later this year. Watch this space…

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 63

Show Review Exclusively Housewares

Exclusively excellent

With an influx of new exhibitors, the introduction of an On Trend trail and an upbeat and positive atmosphere, this year’s Exclusively shows proved highly successful “Reaction to this year’s Exclusively Housewares show and its new sister show Exclusively Electrical has been overwhelmingly positive,” show organisers have confirmed.

Both shows, which ran June 9-10 at the Business Design Centre in London, closed knowing that its combined visitor numbers were up, re-bookings from exhibitors had hit the show’s highest level ever, and that several new initiatives for both shows this year had all received a positive response.

“We’ve had an exciting, buzzy couple of days,” said Simon Boyd, the show director, “And the whole team is already full of ideas for 2016!”

The introduction of Exclusively Electrical, with its focus on small kitchen and domestic appliances was well received, with the new show attracting plenty of good retail names from the larger stores.

“We want to build the specialist electrical retail audience for this show and this year was a solid start,” says Simon.

The influx of new exhibitors into Exclusively Housewares, due to suppliers moving into Exclusively Electrical, also helped to add excitement and fresh impetus for visitors, as did the introduction of an independently curated On Trend trail of products by trend forecaster Scarlet Opus, and a new emphasis on highlighting products suitable for the key Christmas sales period.

Will Jones, sector director of housewares at BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association), commented, “All the retailers I spoke to were positive and in the main upbeat about the shows and appeared reasonably optimistic about market conditions. They appreciated the efforts the shows are making to get suppliers thinking ahead to their key sales period.

“Retailers want to know they can order at the shows for delivery at the end of October ready for the festive build-up to Christmas. June is a perfect mid-year opportunity for buyers to firm up and confirm their Christmas offers and look ahead to the spring/summer season next year.

64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“Many also noticed the On Trend icon appearing around the shows and agreed that giving this initiative a bigger presence next year would be useful. A number had enjoyed the Scarlet Opus presentation on the Wednesday morning.”

Feedback so far from BHETA members who were exhibiting has also been positive with the quality of buyers, the addition of Exclusively Electrical and the new show initiatives gaining widespread approval.

“Overall, another great show which attracted some very senior buyers and executives from the UK’s leading retailers, it was also good to hear that a number of exhibitors had taken more orders than last year,” concluded Will of BHETA. Despite such success, the shows’ organising team will not be resting on their laurels.

“Exclusively Electrical is a longterm investment for us and there is a lot more for us to deliver to our exhibitors in this area, particularly in the specialist electrical market,” says Simon. “The world of retailing is changing quickly and the shows’ must, like our exhibitors, think ahead to new ways of editing and presenting products that will appeal to existing and potential visitors.

“We will be listening to what our exhibitors and visitors have to say and watching the progress of the market carefully in the coming months, so that we too have an On Trend offer to bring to the market next June!”

Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical will take place on Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15 2016 at the Business Design Centre, London. www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk

Arthu ur Price

Bllack + Blum

“The atm t os osph p er ph e e this year was fan ntastic – it is a we w llorga g ni nise sed, d, friien e dl dlyy an a d well-appoiinted sho ow an a d anybody a an ybod yb od dy wh who o iiss a anybody nybo ny ody attends attends. ds We W were wer ere e happy happ ha ppyy pp with business done by the end of the first day. The show says what it does on the tin – it is ‘exclusively’ all about housewares so everyone has a focus.”

“IIt wa as ou ourr 5tth ye year ar here ere an er and th his yea ar, the e sho how ow ha h d a lo love v ly ve y atm t os osph phere pher e – we we find itt a lot o les ot e s ma mani n c th ni t an some so me o off th the e othe ot other ther tr ttrade rad ade e sh show shows owss an and a d this this g gives i es us iv us a chance to really engage with our customers. We were delighted with the response from retailers, especially to our brand new kitchen range Forminimal.”

Simon Price, CEO

Nicola Harvey, account manager, UK & Ireland

Sabich hi Elia “E Eli lia a has ha be been en n at th the he sh show sin nce the e sta tartt – 14 ye y ar arss ago. ag o. It’ss al alwa wa ays a frien ndly sh how w. It was sli ligh ghtl gh t y qu tl quie ie ete terr this th is yea ear, ar,, butt we find d it a go ood o pla ace for mee eeti t ng lot ti otss of e existing xist xi stin st ing in g cust cu customers. ust s om omers. sW We e ha had d a ve very ry p positive osit os itiv it ive iv e re reaction reac acti ac tion ti on to our new product launches and a number of buyers requested further details on our new ranges.”

“S bichii ha “Sab as bee een n pr pres esenti es ting ng at Ex Excl clus cl usiv us iv vel ely fo forr 14 4 year ye ars. s. This yearr deliver ered er d a gre reat eat at atm tmossph pher ere e an nd it wass su wa sup per bu per busy s forr us. s. We ha h dv viissiits ts fro om th he maj ma ajo jori rity t ty of our ret etai ail partne ers inc nclu luding ng g De eb ben enha enha hams ham ms, As Asda da and nd inde in depe pend nden entt retail ilerrs li like ke e Morrel eley eyss.. Our new w gla assssware wa re rrange ange an ge iin n co collaboration coll lab abor o at atio ion nw with wi ith ith hV Vicrilla i ri ic r llla was was v very ery ry well-received, as was our new 12-piece boxed dinner sets with matching mug gift sets.”

Helen Duffy, marketing manager, Elia International

Sachin Bagga, director, Sabichi

Trendspotting Trend forecasting agency Scarlet Opus helped visitors to this year’s Exclusively shows by identifying products they feel are good examples of forthcoming trends, delivering an On Trend trail to help visitors spot the trends. Here are some of the agency’s hints and tips for future trends…

Christmas Nature Luxe Suppliers should explore ways in which to combine natural qualities with luxurious qualities for a ‘Nature Luxe’ style”. “This will include elements with reference to historical glamour and archive designs, textures and shapes found in nature, artisanal skills and craft techniques, blonde wood tones and lace patterns and marbleised effects. The colour palette focus for this time of year is, “dusted-off pastels including blush and peach tones, and stucco greys”.

Spring/Summer 2016 Flavours of Rio It’s due to be an Olympic summer, so suppliers should explore the flavours of Rio, from the Copacabana beach scene, to the carnival spirit and the lush Amazonian rainforest of Brazil. Colours should be used in upbeat, lively combos like rich red and hot pink or amazon green and toucan yellow.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 65

SHOW PREVIEW HOME

Repeat Repeat

DON’T MISS…

At Home With the second edition of Home London Autumn showing this September, we talk to brand director of the show, Ian Rudge, to find out what’s new What did you learn from last year’s debut Home Autumn edition?

We learned that the Home concept is a strong one and London is an appealing destination, particularly in the autumn when there is so much activity around the Design Festival; it really appeals to international visitors. The autumn edition proved very popular, so much so that we’ve added a considerable amount of additional space this year – Home will now fill the whole of the National Hall at Olympia, which means more choice, more brands and more new products for buyers.

How important is this time of year for buyers?

Retailers are increasingly leaving buying until the last minute, this was one of the key drivers behind the launch of the autumn edition of the show last year. In creating a much bigger Top Drawer by adding Home we are able to offer buyers a much greater choice of excellent design-led products – the rigorous selection process applied ensures their visit will be a productive one.

How successful was the debut edition last year?

Very – the response was extremely encouraging, buyers welcomed the opportunity to see Home in the autumn. On the back of such a positive response from buyers and 66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

exhibitors we’ve grown the show by more than 25 per cent this year and 90 per cent of the exhibitors are exclusive to Home, so buyers won’t be able to see them at any other UK event this autumn. I think this is why we’ve recruited so many new brands to the show, including SIA, Leonardo and Voyage… key international brands for whom London is an essential and increasingly important and exciting commercial destination.

Any changes or new concepts or categories introduced this year?

With such a new show we’re focusing on quality and content, fine-tuning the product mix.

Home has a reputation for presenting a broad range of design-led products for the home, and a large component is tableware, from ceramics and glass to cutlery and the finishing touches. Home is a concept that appeals to a broad range of buyers. Where else would buyers find exhibitors like Grunwerg, Alessi, Make Interational, Garden Trading, Atomic Soda, Makers & Merchants, Haus, Stelton, Rig Tig, alongside each other, all of whom have great products for the tableware buyer.

are making a welcome return to London with some great new products that our buyers won’t have seen. Ulster Weavers are joining us with some engaging seasonal products and there are some very talented new designers in our Home-grown section.

For tableware buyers, what will the Autumn edition offer them?

It’s the spread of hand-picked products that really makes it an interesting show, and the fact that we are a design-led show with a rigorous selection process and an impressive panel of advisors to help guide us. The advisory panel includes John Lewis, Selfridges, Lakeland, Steamer Trading, The White Company and influential independents like Aria. All of this means we are able to deliver a genuinely interesting show with some great commercial products that are going to sell.

How is the homewares industry faring in 2015?

Any new brands?

Steady but with encouraging signs that the market is on the move.

The Fiskars acquisition of WWRD for example is a sure sign that the market for high quality, designoriented products is alive and well.

Fiskars are building an impressive stable of brands.

Plenty, and from all corners of the globe, we’ve got SIA from France, a fab new company called Caves from New York and Leonardo

Home London will take place alongside Top Drawer and CRAFT at Olympia London from September

REPEAT REPEAT Stand C15 This brand designs and manufactures original tableware in Stoke-on-Trent.

Launching at Home are more designs in its successful Menagerie range designed

by Gillian Naylor and Mark Faulkner. Inspired by the art of decoupage, it features vibrant coloured flora, fauna and neo-classical architecture. www.repeatrepeat.co.uk MELODY ROSE Stand 10B British brand Melody Rose will launch its new In Colour collection of fine bone china tableware. Inspired by 1970’s colour palettes, expect to see fresh blue and zingy green, bright yellow and vintage red borders, all featuring Melody Rose’s uniquely quirky designs, and edged with hand-applied 21k gilding. www.melodyrose.co.uk

Melody Rose

AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 Maison & Objet, Paris - Hall 6, G12/H11 & Home, London - F29 trade.lsa-international.com

Show Preview M&O

Revamp for

Maison

The world’s leading design event Maison & Objet Paris will deliver a new structure and layout this September

D

espite major changes in the market in the last few years, design-led show Maison & Objet (M&O) Paris has enjoyed a degree of stability highly unusual in trade shows.

Today, more than half of M&O Paris visitors come from outside France and are responsible for around 80 per cent of the event’s transactions, and it is this visitor profile that has redefined the boundaries of the market.

The aim of M&O Paris has always been to serve the profession by maintaining a clear vision of future developments and it is based on these indicators that M&O Paris has for its upcoming show redistributed its various sectors in the show’s Halls with a structure that fosters synergies and anticipates consumer trends.

Enter a revamped M&O Paris for September in which 70 per cent of the exhibitors will be relocated.

“At a time when Maison & Objet’s international objectives are taking concrete form with the introduction of M&O Asia and M&O Americas, and while the international specifier market serves as a driving force for the décor sectors, this new floor plan is an unquestionably positive development for exhibitors and visitors alike,” say the organisers.

Faced with the need to expand its circle of contacts beyond speciality shops, the textile sector is changing, with its growth now found elsewhere.

As a result, textile will join the expanded interior decoration sector, which will also encompass the ethnic chic.MIC sector. Textile exhibitors will remain in Hall 2, but will be promoted in such a way as to feature mixed offers and collections consistent with a décor-focused atmosphere.

Like the textile sector, the cook+design sector has been a

68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

prisoner of its show heritage and needs to move on. Today, the rigid presentation of concepts in entertaining and tableware has given way to more everyday displays, while the kitchen has become a room of greater social focus, just as cooking is now a creative hobby.

Now spread over Halls 5A and 6, cook+design joins and complements the home accessories area. The cook+design exhibitors will meet new w types of buyers for whom visiting the show will be easier and more streamlined. Nevertheless, the sector maintains close ties with the interior decoration and craft l’espace métiers d’art in order to make networking easier for businesses catering to specifiers. Exhibitors targeting buyers from distribution will therefore be directly connected to Hall 6, which spotlights objects.

Finally, buoyed by an outstanding growth dynamic, now! Design a vivre will leave Hall 8 to enjoy more room for its continued expansion. It will join scenes d’interieur in Hall 7 to reconnect with the synergy they share. This reshuffling will enhance the visibility and development of the M&O projets show, now in Hall 8, presenting an offer of technical solutions with added creative value.

This new layout ultimately satisfies the needs of the specifier industry and makes the itinerary more logical and streamlined for buyers. It also redistributes the offer to better crosspromote complementary worlds and turns any visit to Maison & Objet Paris into an experience of ever-renewed inspiration.

Maison & Objet Paris will take place September 4-8, 2015. For more information about the new floor plan, as well as what’s on offer, visit www. maison-objet.com

Porcel Ha H alll 5A A St Stand N45 Po orrcel wi o w ll deb de ebut u it it ne its n w winter ranges – two new dinner, coffee and te co tea olle ll ct ccti t ons on , Satu a rn at n and a Grace, and a premium complements edition an with h special spec spec pecia ial pi piece pieces e s covered ece co co ove vered r d in re in gold and platinum. platinum Inspired by a sumsum mer sky full of stars on a cloudless night, Saturn offers pieces in shades of black with spots in grey, while others boast black detailed spots and hand-painted gold rims. Inspired by bobby lace designs and interpreted with a smooth geometry, Grace is graceful and delicate.

www.porcel.com

Du unoon Halll 6 Sta tand and d DS S2 2 Dunoon will present its 2015 mid-year m collection including its sleek new oversized Argyll fine bone e china mug made in the heart of Staffordshire, England. The Hott Spots retro range features patterns that include a stylised cat, bold graphic phic fl flowers owers and geometric overlapping shapes painted in a modern art style, all highlighted with 22k gold.

Blobs is a new range of three designs on Dunoon’s Cairngorm shape, featuring bold watercolour painted splodges in random patterns.

www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

Artel Scenes d’interieur - gallery Artel will pay homage to the remarkable beauty of the Arctic landscape with its new Arctic glassware collection, which includes six Arctic-themed motifs, including the Polar Bear, Penguin, Walrus, Snow Owl, Fox and Eskimo Ice Fisher. The mouthblown pieces come in a wide range of vibrant colours.

www.artelglass.com

Sambonet Paderno Industrie Hall 5a Stand M201 Multi-brand company Sambonet Paderno Industrie S.p.A will showcase its brands Sambonet and Arzberg. It will present Sambonet Luxury, which represents the union between craftsmanship and different processing techniques developed by Sambonet. Every item is unique and 100 per cent Made in Italy, delivering a series of silver with special processing that creates an exceptional mirror effect, great durability and resistance to tarnishing. From Sambonet to Kitchen will deliver its new capsule collection off Terra.Cotta made in cast iron. Finally, Arzberg will prepre sent its Art Nouveau-inspired pired porcelain collection Serena Dark and Serena Light.

www.corporate.sambonet.com/ mbonet.com/

LSA I International Hall 6 Stand G12 / H11 H N mixed materials, strong New architectural silhouettes and fluid a organic forms define the aesthetic o ffor LSA International’s autumn/ winter 2015 collection on show at w Maison. Accessories made from M glass with matte black wood and g brass, contemporary barware, b giant chimney-shaped vases, Art g Deco-inspired glassware edged D with rose gold and bowls and w domes that can be nested all d ffeature this season. New specialist whisky drinkware and decanters w ((pictured below) are expertly mouthblown using centuries-old techniques and in assorted shapes will also be on show. Named after diff ffer erent ent is isles es an and d regi egions eg ons nss of of Sco cotla tland, nd, th the e coll olle ect e ct ction ion on o n in nclu udes des gifft-b t- oxed d sets fo or conn onnois o seu ois seurs, se r , rs, dec d ecant anters, tumb bler lerss, m mix ixer and d nosing gl g asses accomp mp pani anied d by y solid walnut utt ac acces cessor ces sories sor ies. T Th he he variet var ietyy of o piec ecces can be e us u ed ed to to build bui ld a comp comp preh rehens hens ensiive ive e st s ory ory cen entre t d around whiisky ky k yo orr giifti f ng. ft www ww w.ls lsa-i ls a inte nterna t rna atio iio ional onal a .co al .co c m

Capdeco Hall 5a Stand M55 Capdeco is a French family-owned cutlery business with great heritage and expertise in knives and based in Thiers, the capital of the cutlery industry. Designing and manufacturing cutlery, Capdeco has some 30 collections and is known for its high quality 18/10 stainless steel cutlery with the best possible thickness, as well as for its imaginative and innovative mix of materials, from acrylic to wood.

At Maison, Capdeco will present most of its collections, along with its new Conty Black-Ivory collection (pictured) aimed at the US market.

www.capdeco-france.com

Mich hael Aram m Hall H ll 3 Stand St D2-E1 A transformed Michael Aram booth will be unveiled for Maison, offering clientele a full immersion into the Michael Aram world and twice the space. The brand will celebrate its latest collection of furniture, lighting, gift and tabletop, including its new Joshua Tree tabletop and home décor range inspired by the desert landscapes of Southern California as well as the expansion of its Butterfly Ginkgo capsule range. It will also present its international partners with an exclusive look at the Golden Orchid Collection.

www.michaelaram.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 69

DON’T MISS…

SHOW PEVIEW Autumn Fair

Creative Tops’ Mikasa brand will showcase its new range

Here comes Autumn Fair With Autumn Fair fast approaching, we talk to portfolio director Naomi Barton to find out what’s new in the area of Table & Kitchen What does Autumn Fair offer retailers/buyers?

Autumn Fair represents the prime opportunity for independents in particular to do a last-minute stock update before Christmas trading begins in earnest, as well as offering countless early previews of hot new ranges, burgeoning trends and concepts making an impact for S/S 2016.

What occasion buying does AF deliver?

Christmas has always been the major event for this industry and continues to be of fundamental importance to retailers and suppliers. Also coming through more in recent years are alternative occasions like Halloween, the rise of which has been inspired in the UK by the American market, where Halloween specifically and Fall celebrations generally are a big deal. This offers a fun, profitable opportunity for suppliers and retailers of themed tabletop decorations and party products.

There will also be an abundance of fresh new ranges for the spring.

How key is Table & Kitchen at Autumn Fair?

Table & Kitchen is an incredibly important sector for Autumn Fair, an area of primary or secondary interest for thousands of visitors.

Located in Hall 3, not only is Table & Kitchen an essential destination for dedicated kitchen shops and department store sectors, there is 70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

also very strong cross-over here for gift shops, for which table and kitchenware are major categories.

On display will be the best in traditional and contemporary tabletop design, ceramics, glass and woodware, alongside tablemats, textiles, cutlery and small appliances, meaning a fantastic selection of product to source from. This part of Autumn Fair is almost sold out at the time of going to press and is on a par with the sector showcase last year.

Along with the Table & Kitchen contingent in Hall 3, more relevant suppliers are exhibiting as part of The Summerhouse and within Contemporary Gift. Here, buyers can find more design-led kitchen and tableware – in The Summerhouse group area and within the popular Designlab area.

Are you seeing tableware key in the giftware category?

Yes, kitchen and tableware has become increasingly important as a gifting category and the majority of our exhibitors in this sector offer a great selection of fast-moving products targeted at Christmas buying. We’ve found that specialist suppliers in the field have risen superbly to the challenge of delivering functional, desirable and luxurious gift items – often with a celebrity endorsement/licence and wonderful packaging. Gift companies have also cottoned on to the saleability of beautiful

ceramics in lovely gift boxes, like, coloured glassware, small items for the kitchen and so on.

Any changes in Table & Kitchen for 2015?

Among the many exhibitors participating here will be bellwether suppliers and brands such as Churchill China, Fairmont & Main, Arthur Price, Creative Tops, Rayware, EPE, Ethos and T&G Woodware. We also have exciting international suppliers joining us and Danish brand I B Laursen is just one of the great companies from overseas to have chosen Autumn Fair as its UK launchpad for the first time in 2015.

What else is on offer?

Autumn Fair always includes an excellent programme of free business seminars with trendfocused speakers. Check www. autumnfair.com for the latest updates to the schedule as there’s sure to be a wealth of fascinating trend information at the event. As ever, the global trend-forecasting gurus at WGSN Homebuildlife will provide leading-edge design direction for the retail community via macro trend concepts to be presented daily via a webinar from the Fashion Catwalk in Hall 4. This is a great opportunity for retailers to find out what’s hot in terms of colour and pattern for the coming seasons. WGSN will provide us with an advance taste of what’s to come with three macro trend concepts, so watch this space!

T&G Woodware T&G Woodware Hall 3 Stand E-02-F03 From everyday kitchen essentials to inspirational gifts, T&G delivers unique and Britishdesigned product. On show will be the new glass jar collection with copper lids (pictured) alongside a range of unique gift crates perfect for Christmas and presents all year round; as well as exciting new additions to the popular Pride of Place range. www.tg-woodware.com ABS Pottery Hall 3 Stand 3E22 At the forefront of innovation and specialist suppliers of terracotta, ABS Pottery will be showcasing two new terracotta launches: a new colourway – Pearlescent Green exterior and cream interior – is added to the popular Emilio range of cookware, while a brand new breakfast/lunch range, Lluis, will complement the recently introduced dining range.

Products are long-lasting, value for money and look great. www.absterracotta.com Arthur Price Hall 3 Stand 3E24-F25 British cutlery and gift designers/manufacturers Arthur Price will deliver a selection of festive products and ranges: new gift items from the APK range and 44- and 76-piece cutlery promotional box sets.

The brand will also offer its Arthur Price signature range launched in February and will deliver various Autumn Faironly special trade offers. www.arthurprice.com Autumn Fair takes place from September 6-9, 2015 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. Visit www. autumnfair.com

OVENCHEF

FOR SIMPLY PERFECT OVEN COOKING

R

N

TRANSP

NTE RE

C

LE

IN FRA

A

COULEU

E

R

MA

D

É EN FR

CE

U IQ

CE AN

FAB R

POUR UNE CUISSON AU FOUR SIMPLEMENT PARFAITE

A R C O LO

300°C

-20°C

PIONEER OF TEMPERED GLASS SINCE 1945 PIONNIER DU VERRE TREMPÉ DEPUIS 1945

www.duralex.com

Show Preview NY Now

NY NOW

Abbiamo Tutto

poised to deliver dynamic market

Booth 3612 Not only does this Italian brand have a new location – in the Tabletop section on booth 3612 – but it will present a new pattern in its popular Sea Creature Collection and deliver new Pesce dinner plates, as well as complementary entertaining and serveware pieces. All are made entirely in Italy, hand-painted hand pain aiinted te ed and and decorated decorat deco rate ed yet both mic microwave e and dishwasher d shw di s ash she er saf safe. e.

This summer’s New York-based gift and lifestyle show will boast a robust roster of exhibitors and exciting slate of seminars

A

robust roster of new and returning exhibitors, complemented by a comprehensive slate of seminars and unique networking opportunities will provide Market participants with a dynamic shopping experience during the summer 2015 edition of NY NOW, August 15-19.

“NY NOW offers attendees unparalleled shopping and sourcing opportunities, unrivalled networking activities and exclusive educational information,” says Randi Mohr, NY NOW co-director and vice president.

The show, which attracts attendees from 70+ countries, delivers over 100,000 products from some 2,500 exhibitors within three collections: Home, Lifestyle and Handmade.

The summer market sees hundreds of new and returning exhibitors, with nearly 400 of the market’s total 2,600 exhibitors first-time participants. Notable first-time and returning participants in the Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares category are Auratic Inc., Magenta, Inc. and Rolser SA. There will also be a special concentration of some 40 newcomers in a NEW! Showcase in the 1D Lobby.

The summer 2015 edition will see the expansion of co-located market Artisan Resource, a three-fold increase in exhibit space to 10,000 net sq-ft. Artisan Resource is a first-ofits-kind market connecting US-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers with juried overseas artisan enterprises offering handmade production products.

In line with this expansion, the show has tailored its educational offerings – educational seminars will address topics ranging from marketing for handmade products to helping artisans turn design concepts 72 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

into handmade products.

In the main show, too, a wide suite of seminars will be on offer from leading industry experts.

“From visual merchandising ideas to social media strategies, from staffing solutions to millennial consumers, from design trends to overcoming importing hurdles, we have practically every aspect of the industry covered,” says Randi.

SnapRetail will host daily, free sessions addressing online marketing strategies, while Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow will present Power Hour sessions focusing on branding and sales strategies.

Two special product displays will highlight sustainability and design trends, featuring eco-friendly and socially-responsible products, and four key design and colour trends for 2015-2016 respectively.

Outstanding product design and innovation will be recognised in four Best Product Awards categories, including Gourmet Housewares + Tabletop, with popular voting to determine Best of Home and Best of Lifestyle winners. Popular voting will determine the Eco Choice Awards, while industry experts will cull winners in four extra award categories, including The Accent on Design Awards and Best of the Best.

Finally, to help buyers prepare, NY NOW has introduced a Market Planner, an easy-to-use planning tool enabling registrants to create a personalised planner for the Market, to preview product images and video and to contact exhibitors and schedule on-site appointments.

The summer 2015 edition runs Sat, Aug 15 to Wed, Aug 19, 2015, at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Register and find more at www.nynow.com

www.E-AbbiamoTutto.com

Carrol Boyes Booth 3072 Founded in 1989, Carrol Boyes Functional Art is a dynamic company overflowing with creativity and talent that designs, manufactures and distributes an extensive range of metal homeware, giftware, flatware and tabletop products.

Artist, designer and entrepreneur Carrol Boyes has established herself as an icon within the South African design industry and her designs have become a successful global brand. She finds the perfect synthesis between art and functionality in her distinctive work – think unique items that draw inspiration from both the human form and the beauty of nature.

www.carrolboyes.com

Q Squared NYC Booth 3140 Renowned for its luxury and contemporary melamine dinnerware and serveware that boasts the appearance of fine porcelain and ceramic, Q Squared NYC will present three new dinnerware collections. In addition to its Christmas range Yuletide, it will unveil Cambridge Rose in Crimson – think vintage English transferware with a modern polish in shades of crimson; and Talavera in Roja (pictured), featuring authentic patterns of Talavera Azul in deep reds and warm terracotta.

www.qsquarednyc.com

Chilewich C Booth 3704 Chilewich will p prove it is an authority on colour for the table this market with the delivery of several new autumn/winter 2015 placemat collections, including includi its hero range of the season, Color Tempo (pictured). (pic Each colourway for this design embodies five tonal colour stories – dark brown, light tan tan, grey, blue and red/orange, so every placemat presents a carefully considered spectrum of co colour from light to dark in block configuration. It will also unveil its first digital print design, Faded Floral Placemats and Runners.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 71

www.chilewich.com

Dynasty Gallery

Michael Aram

Booth 2862

Booth 3104

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. The brand will deliver a variety of collections, including Decanters – think mouthblown glass wine decanters made using multiple glassmaking techniques; and Soho, a range of glass bowls with a textured glass matte finish in two modern colourways.

In celebration of his profound appreciation for all of nature’s intricacies, Aram will present the brand’s new Palm and Joshua Tree collections – the latter, organically shaped stainless steel bowls etched with acid, an innovative texture that recalls the speckled and gritty surfaces found in arid regions, plus tall, linear vases, service trays and platters that echo cactus trunks with their edges, hollows and curves. In addition, the lifestyle brand will present an expansion of the Butterfly Ginkgo capsule collection into furniture and lighting, including a granite cheeseboard with knife. Michael Aram’s work continues to celebrate craft and age-old handworking traditions.

www.dynastygallery.com

www.michaelaram.com

SHOW PREVIEW Tendence Rice

ASA Selection

Time for Tendence With its perfect timing, international profile and extensive contract business, this Frankfurt consumer-goods show is the place to be this Autumn

T

endence is Germany’s most international and biggest order fair in the second half of the year (last year, 37 per cent of exhibitors came from 51 different countries) and is distinguished by an extensive portfolio of products from sectors including living, furnishing, decorating and giftware.

Held at the most appropriate time (it opens its doors August 29) Tendence is the ideal order venue for the Christmas business and a trend platform for new products in spring, and this year it promises to be bursting with launches, innovation and inspiration.

More than 1,212 international exhibitors are planned strategically into product groups so trade visitors can easily navigate through the exhibitor halls. Gifts Unlimited – from candles to decorative ornaments – is located in Halls 9.1 and 9.2, while Interiors & Decoration – from textile accessories to frames – is located in Halls 8.0 and 9.0. Loft in hall 11.0 is the product group for the avant garde – exhibitors with innovative

outstanding products like Umbra, Alessi, ASA Selection and Eva Solo will feature.

For the 2015 edition, the exciting event Windows Dressing Live will take place once more in Hall 9.2. As in previous years, visual merchandising trainer and author Karin Wahl will share her hot tips and expert retail advice to stop consumers in their tracks walking past retailer’s shop windows.

Trade visitors can also gain an exclusive insight into sustainable consumer goods, industry trends and creative designs outlined by the selection of award presentations delivered at Tendence 2015.

The international Talents programme for younger designers is a highlight for buyers and exhibitors and will this year focus on modern arts and crafts, with some 24 creative designers from the modern crafts segment displaying striking works made of wood, glass, paper and ceramic.

Talents at Ecostyle, meanwhile, will showcase the sustainable use of resources and experimentation

with materials from 15 designers.

Tendence continues to be one of the most important platforms for the contract business. In the Living section, more than 40 per cent of companies do more than 30 per cent of their business with commercial customers and this is set to climb even higher with these suppliers expecting a 20 per cent increase in sales of consumer goods to commercial users over the next five years.

At Tendence this year, more than 80 specialised exhibitors present an attractive spectrum for furnishing hotels and restaurants, from ASA Selection to Eva Solo.

“With its spectrum of products for the contract business, Tendence caters exactly for the special requirements of this target group whereby we offer buyers not only a wide choice of top exhibitors but also services tailored especially to their needs,” says Sabine Scharrer, Tendence director for living.

This year there will be a new award category, for example – Hotel Furnishings – in the renowned Home&Trend Awards

DON’T MISS… RICE This Danish homewares and accessories brand is known for its colourful melamine and hand-glazed tableware.

Inspired by the ‘good old days’, patterns are nostalgic, colours are retro and pieces are playful. At Tendence, Rice will present its autumn/winter 2015 collection, which is all about colour and playfulness featuring pretty pastels and patterns. www.rice.dk for innovative, trend-oriented and sustainable products – helping professional buyers with regard to suitability in everyday hotel use, design and sustainability.

Tendence takes place August 29 – September 1 at Messe Frankfurt.

For more information, visit www. tendence.messefrankfurt.com/

TABLEWARE BRANDS Alessi, ASA Selection, Eva Solo, Philippi, Umbra, Rice, Henry Dean, Blomus, Rosendahl Design Group 74 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

THE NEW YORK TABLETOP SHOW ®

OCTOBER 13 –16, 2015 Where the most important brands and buyers meet.

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

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 Denby USA DeVine Corp.

Euro Ceramica, Inc. Fisher Home Products Fitz & Floyd Fürstenberg Gibson Overseas Godinger Group Gourmet Settings Guy Degrenne 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 Lladró 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 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