Tableware International July August 2026

TableWare Month: July/August 2026

Issue: 4

Volume: 148

Pavilion Design Front

Pavilion Designed

by Front Pavilion Design Front

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Editor's letter ContentsT July/August 2026

he Tableware International team were very most commercially saddened to learn of the recent passing resilient categories – of designer David Queensberry.

Our that’s on page 30. Our 10 News HoReCa October 2022 condolences to his children, extended family and summer issue also sees 16 Product News many friends and colleagues. Please turn to page 12 to us sit down with two 20 HoReCa News read our small tribute to the man whose contribution greatofdesigners who elcome to the latest issue HoReCa, 10 NewsNews 22 Retail to the ceramics sector far exceeds anything we could have built fantastic businesses from the ground up. brought to you from the Tableware Interall the latest accurately portray.

One of my very favourite national team. Now that we are officially brands is Les-Ottomans. I will 26 Retail Interview Elsewhere in the magazine, our friends at Kosta to see*always* havewill a soft spot for Bertrando di Renzo, he 12 The Chef’s in Q4, it will be interesting how 2022 end 28 Cover Story Table Boda showcase their elevated and extended Pavillion was one of the first creatives I interviewed when I took collections as they should be up comparing to 2021. Despite a cost-of-living crisis collection on page 28.

Pavillion is designed by Swedish up the position of editor of TI seven years ago and I’ve unveiling itself (in the UK at least), there remains a Categories 14 Product News duo Sofia Lagerkvist and Anna Lindgren who make up loved watching him grow and prosper from a distance. degree of optimism that – actually – people will seek perfect products for HoReCa 34 Gifts the design studio Front.

The new collection launches in Our nterview is on page 44.

Likewise, on page 62, I to escape the overhanging fruits of doom and gloom.

18 Cover story 56 Metals September and honestly, this is really stylish. speak with Italian designer Vito Nesta about his Grand And if they have extra money to spend, it will be we shine a light on Wilmax This month we welcome a noteworthy new column Tour project, and we delve into what inspired him to spent on hospitality and entertainment. Good news Columns 20 Glassware from none other than Dave Turner.

I’m so thrilled create such an interesting concept. for venues and good news for suppliers. But let’s some HoReCa must haves Dave has agreed towait 24 Michele Trzuskowski shareto hissee industry howknowledge the next few months transpire. After with Tableware International.

He has worked the 22 Interview 80 Dave Turner Wilmot the trauma of the pastin number ofMairead years, the sector is business for many moons holding positions at Stölzle master sommelier Matthieu steeled for whatever the economy has to throw at it.

Lausitz, Villeroy & BochThis and issue Woodmere/Castle Longuère of HoReCa,China therefore, has lots of new but he is also the man behind the Tabletopopinions Journal, and trends to sink your products, industry 24 Collection Dissection a respected online teeth news source for the industry.

Find interview with master into, including a super Bolsius Professional Dave’s column on page 80 where he highlights a few who is now wine sommelier Matthieu Longuère 26 Column of his favourite collections.

Meanwhile, we learn about development manager at the acclaimed Le Cordon Valda Goodfellow wants her stock Portmeirion and Spode’ new festiveHe collections Bleus London. gives usand some real insight into what 28 Ambiente hear why they see seasonal tabletop as one retail’the s glass really does have a makes wine sing, andofyes,

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what’s happening in the HoReCa hall Front cover supplied by 30 Viewpoints KostaBoda For moreindustry information see the website opinion kostaboda.com 34 Column hospitality and India 36 Retail to HoreCa crossover collections 38 Trend a look at silver service

44

TableWare

Month: July/August 2026

Issue: 4

Volume: 148

Pavilion Design Front

Pavilion Designed

by Front Pavilion Design Front

kostaboda.com

kostaboda.com

24

part to play. One of the key things I wanted to know was, when it comes to the glass – does it really matter if its handmade or manufactured?

“Not always,” Matthieu told me. “The main difference is financial. I first look at the thickness of the glass and the way the different parts are joined. Some manufactured glasses look very clumsy, some you would not even notice.” You can read more from him on page 22.

We also hear some interesting sector opinions in our Viewpoints pages on 30, while Wilmax give us some insight into their vast assortments on page 18.

Bolsius Professional bring us up to speed on one of their must-have collections for the hospitality sector on page 24 while our friends at Ambiente give us an update on the HoReCa hall on page 28. All this and much more!

56

Mairead Wilmot 40 68

28

28

TablewareTeam International Team HoReCa EDITOR MAIREAD WILMOT mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk PUBLISHER PUBLISHER PAUL YEOMANS PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk 0044 (0) 1442 289935

EDITOR MANAGING DIRECTOR MAIREAD WILMOT MARK NAISH mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk mark@lemapublishing.co.uk PUBLISHER DIRECTOR PRODUCTION PAUL YEOMANS NAISH pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

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.

Published Published by

by Lema Lema Publishing Publishing Ltd. Ltd. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness Unit 1, Broomstick Industrial Estate, TheHigh viewsStreet, of the contributors e Edlesborough, Lema Publishing Ltd. Comm Berkhamsted Herts HP4or2UB Buckinghamshire 2JA Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442LU6 289930 www.tablewareinternational.com

News General

Dibbern marks 60 years German porcelain brand Dibbern is marking 60 years since being founded in 1966 by Bernd T Dibbern, father of current managing directors Jan and Ben Dibbern. The premium Made in Germany brand behind the iconic Solid Colors series has established itself as one of the most noted manufacturers in the sector. Interestingly, since its expansion into hospitality in the 2000s, the fine-dining restaurant and luxury hotel market accounts for two-thirds of Dibbern’s total revenue. “Our goal is to design products that not only work today but will also stand the test of time for many years to come,” the managing directors say. “Our uncompromising commitment to quality remains the cornerstone of our business. So do our long-term mindset and the conviction that good products should last for generations,” the duo add.

Cerve opens new US subsidiary The Cerve and Vidivì brands have strengthened their international presence the opening of their new US subsidiary.

Starting in September, the brands will offer a full-service operation in the United States, including local stock availability and direct online sales, providing faster and more efficient support to customers across the market.

Former Denby execs join Portmeirion Portmeirion recently announced Jane Mason and Hayley Baddiley, both former Denby employees, have joined the team. Jane takes up the position as UK & Europe Director, while Hayley moves into the role of Group Marketing Director.

They both joined the company on 1 July 2026 reporting to Group CEO, Michael Scheepers. Jane brings a wealth of sector experience, joining from Denby where she was UK & Ireland managing director. She held previous senior roles as head of sales for over 14 years at Le Creuset UK, UK managing director for DK Household Brands and global sales director for the hospitality business Craster. Jane also chairs the BHETA Housewares Committee and is a Trustee of the Calne Foodbank. Hayley also joins the Group having spent over a decade leading on brand transformation and multi-channel communication strategies as global marketing director for Denby. In her role Hayley will lead the Group’s brand and marketing strategy, with responsibility for strengthening brand equity, particularly for the Group’s three hero brands – Spode, Portmeirion and Royal Worcester.

10 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Zwiesel Glas celebrates three anniversaries Zwiesel Glas is celebrating three successful, handmade bestseller collections as part of its “Year of Handmade”. Notably, Vivami turns ten, The First celebrates its 20th anniversary, and Vinody looks back on 25 years of history.

Each of the three collections embodies its own unique philosophy and was developed to meet the diverse demands of the upscale restaurant and hotel industries. What they all have in common is their commitment to perfectly showcasing wine and beverages during service while simultaneously making a stylish statement at the table.

New for 2026 Introducing Botanic Garden Christmas Holly A beautifully festive twist on Portmeirion’s iconic collection

In memoriam David Queensberry

“He believed good design could never exist without respect for craft” With our utmost respect, Tableware International's editor Mairead Wilmot remembers David Queensberry on his passing through the words of his friends and colleagues One of our great ceramic design minds, David Queensberry, has passed. Born in London on 19 December 1929, David Harrington Angus Douglas, the 12th Marquess of Queensberry, died at the age of 96 on 22 July 2026. The internationally acclaimed designer was an impassioned supporter of the ceramics industry, from the grassroots up.

His career was long and successful, driven, primarily, by his innate desire to connect and inform – passionate about form and function, the technicalities, the nitty-gritty, the why and the how. “I began to wonder more and more about the industrial way in which ceramics were made,” he told Tableware International once, remembering the start of his career.

The trajectory of that career has been well documented, beginning at Eton College where he was first introduced to a kiln and the wheel in an art department run by Wilfred Blunt, (brother of the infamous Soviet spy Anthony Blunt). After Eton, David went to the Chelsea College of Art and then Central Saint Martins which is where his passion for ceramic shape and quality really began.

His first job was the Johnson Tile Factory where David had access to a workshop which he used in the evening, and after a while he spread his wings.

He began working with brands such as Crown Staffordshire China, then Midwinter (which was eventually bought by Wedgwood) becoming recognised for his contemporary style of design. Eventu-

ally, a desire to return to London saw David take up a position as professor of ceramics at the Royal College of Art in 1959 and he remained so until 1983. It was while he was professor at the Royal College of Art he met Martin Hunt (“He was really, hugely talented. Far, far better designer than me,” David once said). At that time professors were encouraged to have their own studios, so David was designing and working at the college simultaneously. “I had a lot of work and couldn’t really do it all, so I said to Martin why don’t we work together?" And that was, in effect, the start of Queensberry Hunt, the iconic brand behind the likes of Loft and Trend for Rosenthal, with whom they have an extensive body of work. For a time Queensberry Hunt became Queensberry Hunt Levien, with Robin Levien of Studio Levien working as a partner in the business alongside David and Martin.

“David was my professor at the Royal College of Art in the mid-seventies,” remembers Robin. “Every year one or two

“When asked how he would like his crab served, he replied, “on tenmoku” Maham Anjum

students would be on the panel to help select new students. I remember strongly arguing in favour of an applicant, David said he would buy a piece of their work for me to have at home, and that made me think again.” Recalling one funny incident, Robin said: “He could be impulsive! One day he came into the modelmaking workshop and we just managed to stop him eating a white plaster model of a teapot knob, it looked a bit like a Trebor mint! Another time, we noticed the phone bill had quadrupled, investigations revealed that our Columbian cleaner had

12 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

been phoning his wife and child in Columbia, David made it clear that this had to stop but he kept his job.

David was a very good cook, creative, smart, amusing, eccentric, generous, loyal, loving and a hugely important person in my life.”

Another of David’s students and friends was David Grant with whom David Queensberry (Q, as he calls him) was founding director of Highland Stoneware. Of his time at the Royal College of Art under David Queensberry, David

Grant says: “The ceramics and glass department of the Royal College of Art at that time, under Q’s leadership, was an exciting place to be. A very good group of students working independently, and inspiring tutors such as Hans Coper and Eduardo Paolozzi as well as Grahame Clarke who I worked closely with as we were kindred spirts, despite our very different backgrounds. Q and Martin Hunt were running their design practice from David’s offices in the department, and I found being able to observe the reality of high-powered design work inspiring. Also to observe Martin’s technical skills, which were truly formidable.” David Grant recalls a man generous with his time and advice, and a consistent and passionate supporter of the Scottish pottery, visiting every year. “In the early days it became evident we needed to develop decorations to add value

Elia International Ltd Where form and function combine perfectly and quality is paramount.

At Elia, innovation is second nature.

Elia International Ltd. Unit 3, Elia Close High Wycombe HP12 4FX United Kingdom Tel +44 (0)20 8998 2100 Fax +44 (0)20 8997 5596 sales@elia.co.uk www.elia.co.uk

In memoriam David Queensberry

Ex-Burberry CEO buys Burleigh

Maham with David after she was named TI's Designer of the Year 2026

to the kiln output, rather than everything either being banded or pure tenmoku tableware,” David remembers. “In advance of a Q visit, we tentatively assembled several decoration ideas and rather nervously showed them to Q. After a long silence, he quietly said “I think the best is yet to come”. Very diplomatic! That stuck and we quoted it a lot. What a great core philosophy to have as we continue to develop and experiment over the decades… what a legacy Q left.”

Another friend and former student of David’s, David Birch of London Pottery, tells us: “Such an amazing character – hard to imagine all that experience is no longer around – how cruel. He would really spark up when we would go to his house for a few hours and inevitably talk shop.”

In their tribute to David, the Royal College of Art noted: “His influence was significant and international, his contribution to ceramic education led the field, and as a friend and colleague David will be greatly missed.”

Indeed, Royal College of Art alum Maham Anjum became one of David’s greatest friends and colleagues. Maham recalls: “I first met David shortly after graduating from Central Saint Martins at New Designers. David and Martin were regular visitors, and my research into artisanal ceramics led to an invitation to Penfold Street. That meeting began a friendship and mentorship that would shape my life.”

“He became more than a mentor, my guide, greatest supporter, and the father figure I never knew I needed.

Earlier on in my career when I once asked his most important 14 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

The former CEO of design house Burberry has bought Burleigh. Christopher Bailey has bought the Burleigh brand along with a group of investors following the collapse of parent company Denby Pottery. Bailey is quoted as saying: “"I have always loved Burleigh pottery. This company has an extraordinary history, and what makes it so special today is the skill, care and creative spirit that continue to define the business."

advice for a young designer, he said, “It isn’t the ones who get A*s at college who succeed.

It’s the ones who never give up.” Those words have stayed with me. Working alongside him, I learnt that craftsmanship demands patience, discipline, curiosity, respect for making and an absolute passion. During Covid, we spent countless days in my workshop developing glazes and shapes, immersed in ceramics. One evening at our mutual friend's, when asked how he would like his crab served, he replied, “on tenmoku.”

It was such a David response!

“He taught me about glazes, the relationship between design and making, and how ideas travel from concept to production. He believed good design could never exist without respect for craft.

“For him, pottery was a language. Our conversations always returned to it, often before we noticed everyone else had stopped listening. I will miss our conversations, our laughter, and the certainty that whenever I needed guidance, he would know the answer. His influence lives on. I will carry his teachings for the rest of my life.”

From a personal perspective, David Queensberry was one of the first people to reach out to me when I was appointed editor of Tableware International. He was very kind to me over the years. One of the first things he said to me was “will you remember my name? Everyone always gets it wrong”.

No one could forget your name David Queensberry, never fear.

Host America taking place in February HostMilano organisers Fiera Milano are bringing the Host brand to North America through a partnership with NAFEM (North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers).

The collaboration gives rise to Host America, a new platform designed to connect international companies with the world's largest professional hospitality market. The event will take place in Orlando, Florida, from 11 to 13 February 2027, at The NAFEM Show—North America's premier trade events for foodservice equipment. By combining the international reach of the Host brand with NAFEM's deep roots in the U.S. market, the partnership creates new business opportunities and offers exhibitors direct access to a highly qualified audience of buyers and industry professionals.

Host America will take place in Orlando, Florida, from 11 to 13 February 2027, at The NAFEM Show.

Q&A with… Sunil Malesha, MD, Ariane Fine Porcelain Headquartered in the state of Gujarat (India), Ariane Fine Porcelain is the global brand of Umberto Ceramics International Pvt. Ltd. Established in 2014, it has sought to bring European design and quality to the premium segment by combining aesthetics and practicality. Today, output exceeds 48,000 Vitreous China pieces per day...

What's behind your brand’s growth?

The ability to work on the product using cutting-edge technology, and in close collaboration with renowned designers, have been key factors on our journey. In India, porcelain tableware is a relatively new industry. We can say that we’ve actually helped create this market, with a shared vision that draws on talent and hard work, quality, practicality and great design.

What are your target segments? What are the current and future market trends?

We immediately focused on the premium segment for the HoReCa and retail sectors: to do so, we equipped ourselves with the best technologies and automation systems the market had to offer. In recent years, we’ve made several investments. As a consequence, we now have a total of seven SACMI-SAMA presses installed, along with four isostatic presses and three pressure casting machines (the latest, a PCM 300 GREEN/D for large, deep formats, will arrive in a few days). There are also two NCC cup forming machines, two TRIPLEX glazing lines and a third TKA kiln manufactured in Italy, which will come online in 2026. We’re convinced that, in the future, the ability to combine quality and innovation will be crucial in a ceramic industry that’s increasingly attentive to the environment and quality.

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News Products

The sea calls as Bordallo Pinheiro unveils Oysters & Scallops Bordallo Pinheiro has revealed its newest collection, Oysters & Scallops. The brand revisits its creative heritage through a contemporary lens, reaffirming its enduring ability to transform tradition into innovation.

Inspired by historic designs, the collection reinterprets the organic forms of oysters and scallops in a new series of tableware and decorative pieces. Each piece is individually moulded and hand-painted with exceptional precision, faithfully capturing the textures, tones and subtle nuances of the marine world.

Oysters & Scallops comprises a complete tableware collection, complemented by decorative pieces including a table lamp and a candelabrum inspired by the organic beauty of the ocean floor.

international.bordallopinheiro.com

Contemporary meets classic; Royal Boch presents Boerenblauw The rich heritage of Belgian ceramics is put centre stage with Royal Boch timeless new collection, Boerenblauw. Inspired by traditional hand painted blue-and-white designs, Boerenblauw combines authentic craftsmanship with enduring elegance, making it a perfect fit for both classic and contemporary interiors.

With its recognisable patterns and strong brand story, Royal Boch says Boerenblauw offers retailers an attractive collection that resonates with consumers seeking products with tradition, character, and lasting appeal.

Stölzle Lausitz strengthens Starlight series with two new additions Stölzle Lausitz has expanded its popular Starlight series, adding two new glasses to the range. The Universal glass is designed to bring balance and clarity to a wide spectrum of wine styles, while the Grand Cru glass is crafted for full-bodied, structured red wines, supporting optimal aroma development and harmonious tannin integration.

Both embody the exceptional lightness and refined elegance that define the Starlight series. Alongside Cocoon and Fino, Starlight is the thinnest and most lightweight collection in Stölzle Lausitz portfolio. The series, with the balanced form and simultaneously high functionality, is the result of years of development work in the field of machine-made glass. The stem has a diameter that is about ten percent smaller than that of conventional machine-made glasses and the goblet also has a noticeably thinner wall thickness.

stoelzle-lausitz.com

www.royalboch.com

Villeroy & Boch showcases La Boule Kyoto Villeroy & Boch has added to its iconic La Boule series, first introduced in 1971. This time, they are presenting the Kyoto decor.

The La Boule Kyoto design is inspired by Japan’s rich culture: harmonious, eye-catching and elegant. The carefully curated colour palette of warm beige, deep dark red, elegant dark blue and vibrant orange as an energetic accent is more than just aesthetics: it reflects Japanese symbolism and lends the design a depth that defines its identity. “La Boule Kyoto is more than just an iconic product. It is an expression of balance, harmony and timeless elegance for modern living, delighting as a design object, a tableware set for two and a special gift idea”, says Claudia Knaupp, executive vice president marketing dining & lifestyle and global branding at Villeroy & Boch. La Boule is deeply rooted in the DNA of Villeroy & Boch, when broken down into its individual parts, it is a seven-piece tableware set for two people, comprising two bowls, two shallow bowls and two plates, as well as a serving plate.

www.villeroy-boch.de

16 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Did you know?

The La Boule series was first introduced in 1971, designed by Helen von Boch.

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News Products

Undulating forms and classic shape for Beatriz Ball’s Tuscany

Vista Alegre collaborates with Liberty on new collection Vista Alegre has partnered with iconic luxury brand Liberty London on a new collection.

Lotus is a vibrant series which takes inspiration from the famed department store’s Liberty’s illustrious history of pattern, print and textiles.

Featuring a complete range of tableware, including charger plates, dinner plates, soup plates, dessert plates, bread plates, bowls and serving dishes, as well as tea and coffee services, the Lotus collection offers an array of potential pairings.

Liberty preserves a vast archive of more than 60,000 books of patterns, paintings and drawings, collected since the 1880s. The Lotus collection is the result of a close collaborative effort between Liberty’s internal design and archive teams and Vista Alegre’s creative team. This creative dialogue enabled the re-interpretation of early 20th-century textile fragments, adapting them to the world of porcelain through a joint process of research, design and experimentation.

The new line is available in Vista Alegre shops and at vistaalegre.com.

Tuscany, the latest collection from Beatriz Ball features gently undulating scalloped forms and classical proportions presented in the brand’s signature handpolished metal, as well as in luxury melamine.

The Tuscany collection is inspired by the effortless rhythm of Tuscan living — where beauty is never forced, only felt.

Each piece is handmade, individually hand cast in metal and finished with exceptional care — subtle variations that make each one unique.

www.beatrizballwholesale.com

Orrefors adds to More series

Orrefors has extended its More glassware series, adding More Cognac and More Whiskey. Designed by Erika Lagerbielke and inspired by, and built on, insights from professional restaurateurs, More is a collection by Orrefors equally appreciated in star restaurants and at family gatherings. All curved lines and straightforward elegance, More Cognac and More Whiskey are the latest additions to the comprehensive More collection. www.orrefors.com

Did you know?

Fine2Dine’s EcoMade Icon is now fully available to buyers.

This season marks the full availability of EcoMade Icon, the brand’s pioneering collection produced in a zero-emission production facility. Combining refined aesthetics with exceptional durability, Icon reflects Fine2Dine’s commitment to responsible innovation without compromising on professional quality. Visit www.fine2dine.com to discover the full collection.

Dunoon takes us on a journey as it launches Odyssey Odyssey, a captivating new design from Dunoon, masterfully captures the art of a vintage voyage, featuring an intricate tapestry of antique maps, globes, and nautical discoveries.

Made in Staffordshire by the three-generation family business, each piece is handcrafted from fine bone china using time-honed traditional methods. The artwork is stunningly embellished with 22-carat gold detailing, adding a luxurious, shimmering finish to every line and contour. As you enjoy your drink, you’ll discover a wealth of finely drawn elements: plotting compasses and astrolabes evoking the precision of ancient navigators, intricately rendered old-world globes, and historic maritime routes that inspire a classic sense of discovery right at your table.

Available in both the Cairngorm and Benmore shapes.

www.dunoonmugs.co.uk 12 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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News HoReCa

New HoReCa

event in London London’s Business Design Centre (BDC) has announced a landmark collaboration between seven of its resident HoReCa businesses, launching a new showroom initiative for the hospitality sector.

Beginning with a two-day Autumn event on 1 and 2 September 2026, Arc Glassware UK, Amefa, Artis, Churchill China, Chef Works & Bragard, Nevilles and Villeroy & Boch will establish a calendar of free monthly showroom open days, providing hospitality professionals, buyers and distributors with year-round access to leading brands and product innovation. The event opens on Tuesday 1 September and will round off with an afternoon and evening drinks reception, providing an additional opportunity for customers, distributors and suppliers to come together in a relaxed setting.

The second day, Wednesday 2nd September, will provide further showroom access, giving visitors ample time to explore each brand’s collections and hold in-depth product discussions with brand experts.

Luke Hurst, property lettings manager at the Business Design Centre, comments: “Since our opening as the Business Design Centre in 1986, we have been the place where great ideas and great businesses come together to grow. We are incredibly proud of the thriving community of businesses that call our building home, and of this collaboration between some of the most respected names in the HoReCa equipment sector. By bringing these outstanding brands together under one roof in September and beyond, we are creating an unmissable destination for everyone working in hospitality while demonstrating the power of collaboration within our resident business community.”

Richard Vanstone, head of independent at Nevilles, adds: “Historically, the HoReCa community would need to visit multiple locations to grasp the breadth of products available across the sector. By joining forces thanks to the support of the Business Design Centre, we’re creating a more efficient and valuable experience for distributors and customers while strengthening collaboration across the industry.”

Following the September launch, the participating businesses will continue the initiative through a programme of free monthly open days, held on the first Wednesday of every month at the Business Design Centre.

Open Day details: Tuesday 1 September: (10am to 5pm) – open day, and evening drinks reception.

Wednesday 2 September : (10am to 5pm) – Open day

20 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Vista Alegre

elevates Bicos range

Vista Alegre Hotelware has elevated its iconic Bicos collection with a striking new interpretation, pairing blackstems with its signature coloured bowls. Available in three distinctive colourways, these goblets have captivated generations with their timeless appeal. The unexpected contrast between the soft, elegant tones of green, pink and amberand the understated modernity of black creates a bold yet sophisticated aesthetic.

Meanwhile, the new Bicos Sweet Dessert set, available in amber, pink, mint green and grey, is the perfect complement to the table, whether paired with the Bicos collection or mixed with other Vista Alegre ranges. hotelware.vistaalegre.com

BonBistro expands its hospitality offering BonBistro, the Fine Dining and Living brand, introduces a diverse range of new porcelain collections, including Solar, Nuance (pictured), Linea, Azul, Solis and Astro. A standout addition is the popular Retro collection, now also available in an elegant black finish, bringing extra depth and contrast to contemporary food presentation.

Beyond tabletop, BonBistro significantly expands its serving and buffet solutions. The natural wooden Arbor collection welcomes new risers, display stands and serving trays, while Forno introduces practical oven-to-table dishes. The Serve collection is further extended with antique silver risers, bread baskets and presentation pieces, helping hospitality professionals create elevated buffet and sharing concepts where presentation is every bit as important as the food itself. www.finediningandliving.eu

Let’s look at: Bauscher on the

French Riviera

Established in 1917, Tetou has become an intrinsic part of the fabric of life in the French Riviera. For many years, Tetou has relied on collections from Bauscher, with the Bonn collection playing a central role in its tabletop presentation.

The restaurant’s customised porcelain features a three-colour rim decoration together with the Tetou logo, creating pieces that have become a familiar part of the dining experience. The personalised tableware echoes details found throughout the restaurant, from the historic striped awnings to the maritime colour palette that has accompanied restaurant for generations.

www.bhs-tabletop.com

Inspired by… the streets of New York First launched 20 years ago, designer Jan Johansson took his inspiration from New York’s thriving bar scene merging Scandinavian design tradition with New York’s world-famous grid system of streets and avenues. With the Street barware collection, the crisp purity of crystal permeates each glass, including options for champagne to cognac and – naturally – a dry martini. In addition, Street includes a decanter and ice bucket with black details to provide contrast against the clear glass. www.orrefors.com

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News Retail

A new destination store for Polish craftsmanship Polish Porcelain Factories “Ćmielów” and “Chodzież” S.A. has opened a new brand store marking an important stage in the company’s development

Fact!

The new brand store tells the story of more than 235 years of Polish design.

The team behind Polish Porcelain Factories “Ćmielów” and “Chodzież” S.A. celebrated the opening of a new brand store on 25 July. The store was officially opened at 47 Ostrowiecka Street in Ćmielów, marking an important stage in the company’s development.

The new space showcases an array of collections from brands belonging to the Polish Porcelain Group: Ćmielów, Chodzież, Lubiana and Ćmielów Design Studio. The carefully designed display allows visitors to explore both classic and modern collections and appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of Polish porcelain. To celebrate the opening, visitors could enjoy special promotions and shopping vouchers. The new brand store tells the story of more than 235

years of Polish design in contemporary fashion with tradition meeting contemporary design.

Visiting customers are offered inspiration and the opportunity to discover the rich range of Polish porcelain in one place.

Heinen Delfts Blauw reopens flagship concept store

Dutch ceramics brand Heinen Delfts Blauw has officially reopened its flagship store in the historic centre of Delft following an extensive restoration and renovation after a major fire Heinen Delfts Blauw recently celebrated the reopening of its flagship store in Delft following a fire. The renewed location combines retail, craftsmanship and hospitality, offering visitors an immersive experience centred around the heritage and future of Delft blue pottery. The reopening marks an important milestone for the company, whose roots are closely connected to the city of Delft and its world-famous ceramic tradition. The redesigned concept store has been created as a destination where visitors can discover the full breadth of

Did you know?

Alongside the store, the company has also opened Lekker Blauw, its hospitality concept that combines food, drinks and tableware in a single experience.

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the Heinen Delfts Blauw collection, from contemporary home décor and tableware to exclusive handpainted pieces. A key feature of the store is its focus on craftsmanship.

Visitors can learn about the production process of Delft blue through digital presentations and live painting demonstrations by master painters working on-site.

By bringing the making process closer to consumers, Heinen Delfts Blauw aims to strengthen appreciation for traditional ceramic craftsmanship while presenting it in a contemporary retail environment.

Alongside the store, the company has also opened Lekker Blauw, its hospitality concept that combines food, drinks and tableware in a single experience.

Following the successful introduction of the concept in Putten, the Delft location

allows guests to enjoy freshly prepared dishes and beverages served on Heinen Delfts Blauw tableware, creating a direct connection between product and experience. The integration of retail and hospitality reflects a broader strategy to create meaningful brand experiences and engage consumers through multiple touchpoints. By combining shopping, storytelling, craftsmanship and hospitality, Heinen Delfts Blauw is responding to the growing demand for experiential retail within the home and tableware sector. With the reopening of the concept store and the launch of Lekker Blauw in Delft, Heinen Delfts Blauw reinforces its commitment to preserving Dutch ceramic heritage while continuing to innovate for modern consumers and international visitors alike.

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Inspired by the timeless craftsmanship of handmade production, the Amorf Collection is born not from the repetition of a single form, but from the harmony of pieces that choose to exist independently.

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Retail Column

Bugatti

“My go-to gifts are unique serving utensils” Retailer and regular columnist Michele Trzuskowski serves up some of her favourite gifting ideas…

A wise man once said, “Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” So, with that in mind, I’m going to GIVE you some of my favourite gift ideas that I think you may find unexpected. I say unexpected, as they aren’t your typical go-to gifts like a picture frame or a bud vase or even a lotion and soap set.

They are items you might not instinctively think of, but they are especially useful for those individuals who love to entertain…and that’s what I’m all about – beautiful gifts that can adorn your table and be practical at the same time. My goto gifts are unique serving utensils.

Often when you’re entertaining, you need that small spoon or spreader

and your everyday utensils are too large, or you need some tongs that don’t look like they came right off of the grill for your salad bowl. I like gifting unique serving pieces and two of my go-to vendors are Arte Italica and Bugatti. Arte Italica offers distinctive pewter accessories that are timeless and lean towards a more traditional and vintage style.

Their taverna spoon, with its curved handle and lattice bowl is perfect for serving fruits, olives, or even resting it on an ice bucket for ice cubes. Another favorite is their vintage curved spoon. This one is great for any condiment you might be serving, and with charcuterie style entertaining, it’s the perfect gift

Arte Italica

their collection of unique serving utensils. Known for their flatware in the tableware industry, they also have a great line of serving accessories that either compliment their flatware or stand out on their own. One of my go-to pieces comes from their “Kiss” collection and is their kiss salad tongs. It is offered in thirteen different colors in stainless or eight different colors in gold plated. Their uniqueness not only comes from the different colored handles but from the spoon shaped heads that come together to “kiss”, making it a statement piece on your table.

They also have a great line of appetizer forks and spoons all

$100 US price point. These can be sets of ice teaspoons, steak knives, salad serving sets and beyond.

There are plenty to choose from.

Some of the sets I find useful and beautiful come from Sambonet’s Living Collection. Their four-piece cheese knife set is quite the standout. This set is beautifully and ergonomically designed and would flatter any table all while being useful, as it accommodates any hard, soft, or spreadable cheese. I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t love it. They also have a beautiful and modern carving set.

This is wonderful when invited to something more formal, like a holiday dinner, or for the newly engaged couple. And then there are steak knife sets for those friends that are meat lovers.

Thes sets run a little more expensive but make fabulous gifts you know the recipient will use.

Again, I like Bugatti’s wide range of handles and colors as well as price points and boxed for gifting. When gifting serving utensils, I often try to personalise it, like pairing a spoon with a small condiment bowl or tie a slotted spoon to a jar of olives – whatever my recipient may enjoy.

Or if I know my recipient loves baking, I may give a dessert lifter.

There are so many uses and ideas and how to gift them. Until you have them you don’t know how badly you needed them. Trust me – these gifts won’t be re-gifted anytime soon.

“Not that melamine is new to anyone, but what is new is the breadth and depth of what’s available” to give alone or with your favorite jam or mustard. I also love their mini scoop. It’s ideal for that bowl of nuts, candy, or mints you might set out, and it saves your guests from digging in with their hands.

Finally check out their vintage slotted charcuterie T is for Table is a luxury spoon, pastry and dessert independent boutique, with a servers, and their sets of focus on tabletop, in West Palm Bugatti appetizer forks and spoons Beach, Florida. Open more than – all of which are packaged 20 years, it offers an experiential beautifully in felt designed and inspirational space dedicated bags ideal for storing. to helping customers tell stories, Now for the more create traditions and celebrate life. contemporary or The boutique offers everything transitional recipient, from fine pottery, china, glass, look to Bugatti for serveware and table accessories,

About T is for Table

to home décor, jewellery and body products, and delivers a custom service with its custom engraving, home visits and gift registries.

www.tisfortable.com

adorned with the kissing faces that come in boxed sets of four great for gifting and perfect for appetizers or charcuterie displays. For that more novelty gift, look to their kiss pizza cutter also available in gold plating or stainless steel – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like pizza and now there’s a whimsical way to cut it.

For all the gifts I mentioned above – the majority range between $50 and $80 US, making them a great and appropriate price point, but if you are looking to spend more depending on the occasion, I like to look at utensil sets, most of them just over the

Fact!

Arte Italica and Bugatti are two of Michele’s favourite suppliers for serveware items, while Sambonet’s Living collection also gets a mention.

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Arte Italica

̲

Retail Costa Nova

Madrid calls

Costa Nova

Costa Nova is celebrating the opening of its first store outside of Portugal. From the vitalness of choosing the right location to the importance of merchandising and potential retail expansion plans, Tableware International speaks with Miguel Casal, CEO, Costa Nova Industria, about the brand’s new Madrid retail unit.

Costa Nova has opened its first store outside of Portugal, reaffirming its commitment to the Spanish market by choosing the Spanish city of Madrid. This new location marks another step in Costa Nova’s international expansion strategy, strengthening its proximity to clients, specifiers, and professionals in the Spanish market, in a space designed to inspire and foster connections.

Under the Costa Nova brand, Grestel operates three stores in Portugal, located in Aveiro, Porto and Lisbon, as well as a factory outlet in Vagos, close to the production facilities. The newest addition to their retail arm opened in June, with members of the press and professionals from architecture,

interior design, and hospitality, in attendance, all getting the opportunity to experience Costa Nova’s unique vision for contemporary table settings, not only in the Iberian market but around the world. The retail unit has been developed for both the retail market, and professional clients, with Miguel Casal, CEO, Costa Nova Industria, explaining to Tableware International that expanding into the Spanish market, more specifically Madrid, was a “natural step” given the strong cultural, geographic and commercial proximity between Portugal and Spain.

“Spain is already one of our key export markets, with a strong appreciation for design-led tableware and Mediterranean

Did you know?

Along with its new shop, under the Costa Nova brand, Grestel operates three stores in Portugal, located in Aveiro, Porto and Lisbon, as well as a factory outlet in Vagos, close to the production facilities.

26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“Spain is already one of our key export markets, with a strong appreciation for design-led tableware and Mediterranean lifestyle values that align closely with our brand”

lifestyle values that align closely with our brand. Opening a physical space in Madrid allows us to deepen that relationship, move beyond distribution and create a direct, immersive brand experience. It also reflects a strategic commitment to a market we consider crucial, where we have been present for many years, and where we now want to further strengthen the brand’s positioning and visibility among both end consumers and professional clients.”

The Costa Nova retail experience will be immersive for both end consumers and professional clients with the store designed specifically to cater for both groups – think the new Spring Blossoms collection sitting next to the colourful Summer Bliss and the iconic Pearl collection to name but a few.

“Consumers will find our most recognisable collections for the home table, while professional clients, such as chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers

and designers, will have access to a dedicated professional showroom, which functions both as a business meeting point and a creative space. The intention is to allow different types of customers to understand how collections can be combined and used in real contexts,” Miguel explains.

In making the store fit for its dual purpose, Costa Nova spent a considerable amount of time getting the practicalities of the space right, both in terms of look and feel as a consumer space, but equally as a space

natural light. We are confident it will deliver a very positive and memorable experience for visitors.”

When it came to the merchandising of the store, Costa Nova carefully considered their surroundings but utmost in their minds was a clear, concise display of products which honoured both the brand’s authenticity and contemporary vision.

“The store has a direct dialogue with Madrid, with the street, through large windows that allow passers-by to engage with the Costa Nova universe from the

Fact!

The Costa Nova retail unit is based in Madrid’s famed Girasol Building, originally built in the 1960s.

“The space allows the products to be presented in a very authentic way, enhanced by exceptional natural light” for professionals. Inspiration for the interiors came from the Girasol Building where the store is located in Madrid’s upmarket Salamanca district.

“The store is integrated into the Girasol Building, an iconic piece of Madrid architecture from the 1960s that remains strikingly contemporary,” explains Miguel.

“The project by architect Mariana Torrão draws direct inspiration from this context. The building’s gardened balconies, terracotta tones, natural light and organic lines were reinterpreted and translated into the interior of the store. Our industrial philosophy and ceramic collections fit naturally within this environment.

“The space allows the products to be presented in a very authentic way, enhanced by exceptional

outside, reinforcing visibility in a dynamic area surrounded by restaurants, fashion and design brands,” says Miguel. “Inside, collections are presented in a simple and clear way using wooden shelving and a neutral palette of wood, marble, slate, cement, tiles and iron that places the product at the centre of the experience. This balance ensures clarity for both consumers and professionals while expressing the brand’s authenticity, sustainability and contemporary vision.”

Addressing the benefits of Costa Nova opening this Spanish retail space, Miguel says it has allowed the brand not just visibility but also flexibility of approach when it comes to their omnichannel strategy.

“We could hardly have chosen

a better setting than Calle Lagasca, 90. The location, scale and versatility of the space allows us to develop a multilayered strategy and reinforce the brand in Spain in a consistent and meaningful way, clearly reflecting who we are and what we want to communicate as an international lifestyle brand.

Beyond positioning, the store is a key element in an omnichannel strategy, acting as a physical showcase of the brand, a point for order collection and pickup, and a place where we can provide a high level of service to consumers, with the objective of connecting online and offline channels and creating a single, integrated operation that delivers a more complete and convenient

customer experience.” In short, a vital piece of architecture in Costa Nova’s business strategy.

In fact, Costa Nova is currently looking at expanding its retail arm into more territories, including the possibility of opening a new store in Lisbon which would complement the existing presence in the city. “We are also considering the development of a concept that could eventually be franchised in more distant markets where we already work with strong local partners, such as Dubai or South Korea,” Miguel adds. For now, however, Costa Nova is embracing the success of its latest retail launch, a contemporary, sophisticated space designed to meet the needs of all its customers.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 27

Cover Story Kosta Boda Kosta Boda has elevated its Pavillion collection, designed by internationally recognised Swedish duo Front, to include a more cohesive tabletop offering…

A fresh take;

Kosta Boda expands Pavillion

Kosta Boda is introducing new additions to its acclaimed Pavilion collection this September.

Designed by the internationally celebrated Swedish design duo Front, made up of Anna Lindgren and Sofia Lagerkvist, Pavilion is defined by a bold interplay of geometric forms and a characteristic pattern of vertical and horizontal ridges. The collection’s original vases were developed to suit all types of floral arrangements from generous

additions bring Pavilion's identity into new settings while remaining unmistakably part of the same collection. While each object has its own personality, together they form a cohesive family of pieces designed to be mixed, matched, and displayed in countless combinations.

For Front, whose work often explores the relationship between objects, materials and the stories they tell, Pavilion reflects an approach where experimentation

York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Centre Pompidou in Paris, M+ in Hong Kong, Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

Pavilion marks Front's first collaboration with Kosta Boda, the Swedish glassmaker founded in 1742 and internationally known for combining centuries of glassmaking expertise with contemporary design. Produced using a combination of handmade, mouth-blown and moulded glass techniques, the collection pairs expressive form with practical function— an approach recognised with both the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award in 2024.

“Pavilion should be an inspiration to embrace creativity” Anna Lindgren, Front bouquets and flowering branches to single stems and delicate seasonal flowers.

Now, the collection is bolstered by the addition of new bowls, tumblers and highball glasses which extend Pavillion beyond floral arrangements, carrying the same sculptural expression into everyday rituals of serving, dining and gathering.

Whether used on the dining table, kitchen counter or as decorative objects, the new 28 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

meets everyday use. Since founding the studio in 2003, Lagerkvist and Lindgren have become internationally recognised for projects that challenge conventional design processes, at times involving animals, computers and machines as collaborators.

Their work spans furniture, interiors and objects for companies including Vitra, Moroso, Moooi, Kvadrat, Swedese and Tom Dixon, and is represented in museum collections such as MoMA in New

About Kosta Boda Founded in 1742, Kosta Boda offers inspiring contemporary interior design objects and art glass derived from Swedish design tradition. Targeting modern lifestyle, Kosta Boda’s progressive assortment delivers premium products integral to everyday use driven by relentless curiosity and creativity.

Find out more about Kosta Boda at www.kostaboda.com

About Front Sofia Lagerkvist and Anna Lindgren make up the Swedish duo Front.

Their works are based on common discussions, explorations, and experiments and they collaborate in all projects from initial ideas to the final product. Front’s design objects often communicate a story to the observer about the design process, about the material it is made of or about conventions within

the design field. In their work they have assigned part of the making of design to animals, computers or machines. They have made a constantly changing interior, created objects with explosions, robotic furniture and a range of furniture inspired by their fascination with magic. Awards and recognitions include: Elle Deco Design Award, Bruno Mathsson Award, Guldstolen,

Doga Award, Torsten & Wanja Söderberg Prize, Red Dot Award – Best of the Best and Wallpaper Design Award. Prior or current collaborations include: Vitra, Moroso, Moooi, Kvadrat, Swedese and Tom Dixon. Front’s work is represented at MoMA, Victoria & Albert Museum, M+, Nationalmuseum, Vitra Museum and Centre Pompidou among others.

Did you know?

The Pavillion collection was originally designed as a series of vases, but now includes bowls and tumblers and highball glasses.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 29

In Focus Portmeirion Portmeirion and Spode unveil new Christmas collections and a timely reminder of why Christmas tableware remains one of retail’s most commercially resilient categories

The season that sells: how Portmeirion and Spode are elevating the festive table in 2026 Across the homewares and tableware sector, Christmas and the festive period remains a crucial moment in the calendar for new product launches, boosting annual revenue and promoting brand awareness. Consumers are purchasing not just for personal use but with gifting, hosting and traditions, old and new, firmly in mind. The festive table, in particular, has become a focal point for retailers and buyers as a place where design heritage, emotional resonance and genuine commercial opportunity converge. For tableware buyers, Christmas collections represent one of the most reliable categories in the trading calendar.

Unlike trend-led products that rise and fall with the seasons, the best festive tableware is built on continuity with designs

that customers return to year after year, adding pieces to their existing collection or starting new traditions.

In a retail environment where consumer loyalty is critical, these inspirational collections offer something genuinely rare with the stories they tell and the elevated moments they create. Portmeirion and Spode are two iconic brands which have understood the importance of Christmas, crafting products which encourage treasured memories. For Christmas 2026, both brands are introducing exciting new additions to their festive lines, offering buyers and retailers a compelling range of products that marry enduring heritage with a fresh, contemporary sensibility.

Did you know?

Spode’s iconic Christmas Tree pattern was created by designer Harold Holdway and first introduced in 1938.

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A pattern that changed Christmas The significance of Spode’s new collection originates from the extraordinary legacy of the original Spode Christmas Tree pattern. Created by designer Harold Holdway and first introduced in 1938, the design features a characterful decorated tree adorned with colourful baubles, crackers and lanterns, topped with a cheerful Santa. The creation effortlessly captured the warmth and joy of the season with a charm that proved timeless and globally

beloved.

Primarily produced at Spode’s factory in Stokeon-Trent, it is one of the most recognised festive ceramic patterns in the world, with over 800,000 pieces sold across the world every year. The pattern combines nostalgia and desirability, resonating with those customers who grew up with it, triggering genuine emotional memory, but also working beautifully as part of a contemporary table setting.

During production, each piece passes through 22 pairs of hands, speaking to the care and skill embedded in every item that reaches the consumer’s table.

Why festive collections remain vital for retail

Portmeirion Botanic Garden Holly: nature meets the festive table This year, Portmeirion is bringing its own distinctive design language to the Christmas Christmas Tree Yuletide: a fresh chapter for category with the introduction of Botanic an iconic pattern Garden Christmas Holly. This new collection A natural extension to the Christmas Tree for 2026 draws on the brand’s beloved Botanic range, this year, Spode introduces Christmas Garden heritage, one of the most collected Tree Yuletide, a new collection inspired by the ranges in the world, to deliver a refined and much-loved Twelve Days of Christmas carol. thoroughly contemporary festive offering.

Layering songbirds, partridges and festive Botanic Garden Christmas Holly brings festive elegance to the table. Combining traditional Christmas “We are very excited to be launching favourites including holly, berries and two new fantastic Christmas collections, the much-loved both of which speak to our rich history British robin with the beautifully detailed but also appeal to those looking to create botanical illustrations contemporary festive schemes” that define Botanic Hayley Baddiley, group marketing director, The Portmeirion Group Garden, the collection captures the beauty of the British winter foliage with flowing archival-style decorative season while creating an inviting setting patterns, the collection brings an expressive for festive gatherings. Gentle green foliage, new aesthetic to the festive table while uplifting berry tones and charming botanical honouring the nostalgia and enduring charm details create a tableware collection that feels of the original design. The palette of rich reds both timeless and distinctly contemporary. alongside traditional greens and crisp whites The earthy, warm and elegant feel is suited feels both celebratory and timeless, creating a to a variety of Christmas styling approaches joyful setting that works as well for a candlelit from relaxed and rustic tablescapes to quietly Christmas dinner as it does for a busy Christmas luxurious settings. The range includes side and Eve party or quiet winter morning surrounded salad plates, a salad bowl, small side bowls, by loved ones. latte mugs, espresso cups and the iconic Bella The new collection includes dinner plates, Jug, all available across Robin, Holly and Holly salad bowls, soup plates, a rectangular tray, Border styles. espresso cups and saucers, mugs, a scalloped Textiles extend the range further, with a dresser plate, tablecloth, napkins and a table Christmas Holly apron, tea towel, placemats, runner. Offering retailers a comprehensive coasters and double oven glove offering range with strong gifting potential at accessible versatile gifting options for hosts, home cooks price points, from a Mug Set of 2 at £37 to a and collectors of Portmeirion’s distinctive Dinner Plate Set of 4 at £84, Christmas Tree botanical designs. For retailers, this breadth Yuletide is expected to be well received by of product provides a strong range, those seeking heritage and newness. Designed from thoughtful gifts through to larger to mix effortlessly with the classic Christmas decorative pieces.

Tree collection or Spode’s Heritage Green Italian range, Christmas Tree Yuletide is built for the way customers actually shop and style their homes; gradually, piece by piece, year after year.

For more information on the new collections, visit www.spode.co.uk and www.portmeirion.co.uk

Investing in strong festive tableware extends well beyond seasonal uplift.

Heritage-led collections with established consumer followings drive repeat customer visits and plays an important part in building strong brand awareness. Products with clear emotional relevance and natural gifting items are key players in festive periods and beyond. At a time when consumers are increasingly focused on quality and longevity over disposable purchases, collections designed to be used, loved and passed down over the years represent exactly the kind of considered buying styles that the industry is seeing today. Hayley Baddiley, newly appointed group marketing director, The Portmeirion Group says: “We are very excited to be launching two new fantastic Christmas collections, both of which speak to our rich history but also appeal to those looking to create contemporary festive schemes. Spode Christmas Tree has a remarkable ability to bring people together and with Christmas Tree Yuletide, we wanted to celebrate that much-loved heritage while offering a fresh, expressive way to dress the table. The collection captures the magic of coming together and creating moments that can be treasured for years to come. Our new Portmeirion Botanic Garden Christmas Holly is a celebration of the craftsmanship and design heritage that have defined Portmeirion for generations. Also made in our StokeOn-Trent factory, the collection reflects the skill of our artisans while introducing a new wintery approach to Botanic Garden for today’s homes. The hand-painted feel of the holly, berries and robin motifs brings a sense of care and character to every piece, creating tableware that is designed to become part of the traditions people build around Christmas.

Our pride and certainty in our festive offering is evident in the way we continue to invest in both new product development and the manufacturing heritage that underpins the ranges. Through our expertise in crafting exceptional products for modern consumers, we recognise that our most celebrated designs are truly timeless, attracting young and old, new and existing customers alike. We are confident that Christmas Tree Yuletide and Botanic Garden Christmas Holly will be well received by customers, as well as our existing festive ranges which continue to perform well each Autumn/Winter season.”

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 31

InDepth Rosenthal

Home Collection - Flower Farm The Year of Giving is reflected in Rosenthal’s stylish new “Home” collection for 2026. The Home Collection is available in two designs - Monochrome and Flower Farm. (Flower Farm is pictured below). Decorative vases, wall plates, bowls, vide poches, tins, and mugs with lids enhance interiors .

Glass Objects by Michela Cattai

Giving IS

the moment

Rosenthal is launching a new collection of refined, artistically crafted bowls and vases made of glass – the result of a creative collaboration with Milan-based glass artist Michela Cattai. Three exclusive designs are making their debut, each available in two color variations: orange/amber and grass. All pieces are mouth-blown and created in a small workshop on Murano.

Rosenthal is approaching gift-giving in an entirely considered fashion, adopting a campaign based around the thoughtfulness and effort consumers put into choosing the perfect present.

The brand curated an exhibition dedicated to the conscious act of giving at Fuorisalone 2026 which was held in Milan recently. Here they showcased selected new products and iconic objects in an exhibition entitled Moments to Give. In an age of constant acceleration, the brand says it sees gift-giving as a conscious decision. “Moments to Give understands design not as a consumer good, but as a gesture of attention, closeness, and responsibility. The objects on display represent moments of gratitude, appreciation, connection, or reflection. They are things that shape relationships, create memories, and endure beyond the moment,” Rosenthal says. The presentation focused on Rosenthal’s numerous new products in the giftware sector. Let’s explore some of the collections…

Sanssouci

Home Collection - Flower Farm

Glass Objects

To mark the 100th anniversary of Sanssouci, Rosenthal is reissuing the Sanssouci collection with the refined Midas décor: available in two colours, pink and blue, the anniversary sets each include one platter, and two tea cups with matching saucers. These limited-edition sets are presented in exclusive anniversary packaging. As an exclusive anniversary gift, each set includes two golden spoons from the elegant Sambonet ‘Linear’ series.

Design Lights Tapio Wirkkala

This year, Rosenthal is launching a new collection of scented candles, placing a strong emphasis on expressive design language. Archived vase designs by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala have been brought back to life – reimagined with premium wax and presented in an entirely new context. The collection includes eight models with Finnish-inspired names: Ura, Pisara, Pisara XL, Rinki, Ripple, Linja, Viiva and Viiva XL. Four are cast in white porcelain, while the other four feature a black porcelain body.

Design Lights Tapio Wirkkala

Sanssouci 32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.rosenthal.de

PART OF THE BORNEGO GROUP ROYALBOCH.COM

Category Gift-ready tabletop

Eisch The Goldleaf series by Eisch combines pure luxury and high-quality craftsmanship. It is mouth-blown from brilliant crystal glass and finished with a unique coating of 24-carat real gold or genuine platinum. In a complex process, the precious metals are applied by hand and given an individually varying structure reminiscent of wood grain, shining with a golden or platinum luster – each piece is unique. The collection consists of vases, plates, jugs, carafes and candy boxes and make an exclusive gift idea for special occasions such as Christmas.

eisch.de/en

The art of gift giving Gifting, be it big or small, is a wonderful thing and being able to play a part in it, is to be celebrated. Tabletop brands supplying retail are critically aware of the importance giftable tabletop can have on their bottom line…

Gifting is, undeniably, a key component of the tableware market and nowhere is that more evident than with tabletop suppliers who cater for the retail market. They know, and understand, the importance of packaging, clever marketing, and the magic of making a must-have product. In many ways, porcelain has always been associated with gifting – take the popularity of bridal registries, particularly in the States, although these have waned as years have gone

gifting-focused pieces such as Glass Objects by Michela Cattai, and the colourful Midi Vases. At the same time, iconic collections like Sanssouci play an important role, with special anniversary sets being introduced to mark its 100th anniversary. Together, these collections demonstrate the breadth of Rosenthal’s offering and show how the theme of gifting can be interpreted in many ways.

But Rosenthal is not the only brand honing in on gifting, across the whole tabletop spectrum,

“Gift-ready isn’t just an option for us it’s an intentional design decision” Beatriz Ball on. So how does the tabletop industry reclaim gifting as its own? Rosenthal, for example, is one brand who has revamped its approach to gifting adopting 2026 as its Year of Gifting. This has been reflected across a broad range of collections including the new Home collection, as well as 34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

brands are looking at how they can capitalise on the gifting market in a more meaningful and considered way.

“At our factory, we attach great importance to the gift category,” says Joanna Niedziela, sales and marketing director at Polskie Fabryki Porcelany

“Ćmielów i “Chodzież” S.A. “For generations, porcelain has held a special place in Polish giftgiving culture; we present it on the occasion of weddings, First Communions, anniversaries or business successes. I believe that our porcelain is more than just functional items; it is a vessel for the most beautiful emotions and a lasting keepsake for generations to come. Having a wide retail range covering many categories is of key importance to us. This allows us to respond flexibly to the extremely diverse needs of our customers –

from those looking for a traditional dinner service for their parents to those who prefer a modern, minimalist gift for friends.”

Mepra’s managing partner Luca Prandelli points out their brand places huge important on gifting, something he says “comes naturally”.

“In Italy, giving a set of cutlery to friends or family is a longstanding tradition: it's the kind of present which marks a new home, a wedding, a milestone. We've always been mindful of this, and it shapes how we think about

Category Gift-ready tabletop

Crystalex Bloomé from Crystalex celebrates organic beauty.

Each piece is crafted with sensitivity, evoking petals, movement, and the quiet power of nature.

Soft curves, delicate textures, and fleeting moments captured in glass. The collection whispers emotion, offering contrast to Pure Line’s clarity and precision.

Bloomé is a breath of spring, an invitation to feel, reflect, and discover the subtle poetry of form and the perfect gift!

Meanwhile, the Pure Line collection embodies elegance and serenity. A concentrated energy flowing from top to bottom is reflected in precisely etched crystal lines and delicate shades of pink and blue. Each piece is an essence of minimalism, light, and motion.

crystalexcz.com

Royal Scot Crystal To cater to the luxury gifting market, Royal Scot Crystal’s glassware is supplied in either luxury silk lined presentation boxes or high-quality card gift boxes, all elegantly blocked in gold. Available in flexible configurations of pairs, 4s and 6s, they serve as a timeless gift for newlyweds, anniversaries or discerning homeowners looking to elevate their own tablescapes. Building on this momentum, Royal Scot Crystal will introduce a stunning new selection of wine glasses later this year. Available in a new shape and hand-cuttings, these elegant glasses are expertly designed to enhance the appreciation of your favourite vintages. Presented in elegant specialty boxes, they make for a perfect gift or a sophisticated addition to your own collection, combining refined aesthetics with the brilliant clarity and weight of high-quality crystal.

www.royalscotcrystal.com

Mepra For the gifting season, Mepra brings together pieces that feel special the moment they're unwrapped.

The brand’s ice cream cups are a small indulgence made to be shared, available in two sizes, they turn an everyday dessert into a moment, and make a charming, ready-togive present for anyone who loves to entertain.

Their signature collections, beautifully boxed, are gifts in the truest sense. Stile by Pininfarina brings the celebrated Italian design house to the table: clean, sculptural lines that make every piece feel considered, offered in elegant sets of cake servers, serving pieces and dessert cutlery. The Mepra × Cipriani collection carries the unmistakable spirit of one of hospitality's most iconic names, timeless glamour paired with everyday usability, in boxed sets of coffee and tea spoons and steak knives, available in 4, 6 and 24-piece configurations.

www.theluxuryartmepra.com

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gifting. Our pieces are made to last, and that quality is exactly what makes them worth giving: objects that feel considered from the moment they're unwrapped, without ever losing the everyday usability that defines us.”

Over the Atlantic, American brand Beatriz Ball places huge emphasis on gifting, particularly with their Giftables collection.

“Gift-ready isn’t just an option for us—it’s an intentional design decision. We know today’s customers want something beautiful, meaningful, and effortless. That’s why a significant portion of our tabletop assortment is created to be packed, polished, and ready to give the moment it’s purchased,” explains the brand’s founder.

“From the product itself to the presentation, we think through every detail. Many of our pieces

arrive in elegant, branded gift boxes, eliminating the need for wrapping and making them ideal for last-minute occasions, celebrations, or hostess moments. The packaging is designed to reflect the same level of craftsmanship and style as the item inside—because the unboxing experience is part of the gift. “Our Giftables collection embodies this philosophy: handmade, artfully designed Beatriz Ball favourites offered at accessible price points and presented in handsome boxes that feel special from the start.

In short, gift-ready tabletop is a major focus for us. We don’t just create beautiful pieces—we deliver a complete, ready-togive experience.”

That complete “ready-to-give” experience is absolutely tied up in packaging and Anand

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A captivating new chapter in Spode’s festive story.

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Category Gift-ready tabletop Baldawa, CEO of ThinKitchen agrees. “Packaging in some cases is as important as the product when it comes to gifting. It’s the trailer to the movie, and the entire unboxing experience in a gifting environment, is the first impression of a lifelong memory!

A well-designed package can elevate the perceived value of a product and make the gifting experience feel more thoughtful and complete. The most successful gift products are those where the packaging enhances the experience, protects the product and communicates the brand story without overshadowing the product itself.”

Along with delivering products deemed worthy enough for the gift sector, producers must also have more than just one string to their bow, so a multi-category retail offering crucial for tabletop brands in your opinion?

“We think so,” says Mepra’s Luca Prandelli. “A table is never a single category, and neither is a gift.

Being able to move from cutlery to serving pieces to small accessories lets us meet the buyer at any price point and any occasion, from a small, thoughtful present to a full service. For retailers, that breadth is also what turns a single sale into a coordinated, crosscategory basket.”

“Having a wide retail range covering many categories is of key importance to us”

Costa Nova As the gifting season approaches, Costa Nova realises consumers are looking for thoughtful presents that feel easy to love, and that are both beautiful and functional. This year, Forest, Costa Nova’s new collection, comes to mind with its warm tones, nature-inspired motifs and crackle glaze finishes. It is easy to see the collection’s salad/dessert plates quickly becoming personal favourites and the maple leaf pieces adding meaning and distinctiveness in the home.

costanova.com

Kutnia Fun tip! Mixed motif sets make entertaining easy—each guest can choose a motif and never lose track of their drink.

A thoughtful hostess gift, these embroidered cocktail napkins from Kutnia add a touch of artistry and conversation to any gathering.

Inspired by the geometric motifs of the Zeugma mosaics, they offer an elevated take on everyday entertaining.

kutnia.com

Did you know?

Joanna Niedziela, sales and marketing director, Polskie Fabryki Porcelany Ćmielów i “Chodzież” S.A Porcelain brand Polskie Fabryki Porcelany “Ćmielów i “Chodzież” S.A echo this sentiment, with sales and marketing director Joanna Niedziela seeing presentation as a key component of a gift product reaching its full retail potential. “In gift sets, the packaging is half the battle and forms an integral part of the brand experience. We attach great importance to detail, texture and the aesthetic protection of the contents. Our sets are carefully selected and curated to delight even before the box is opened. As a result, porcelain ceases to be the preserve of festive occasions alone, becoming an elegant and meaningful gift for all year round, ready to foster relationships and highlight the uniqueness of every shared moment at the table.”

Mepra has two licensed collections; Mepra × Cipriani and Stile by Pininfarina. “Both perform particularly well as gifts, precisely because they carry a name and a story,” says Mepra’s Luca Prandelli. “But a partnership only works when the values align: we choose to work with names that share our own commitment to craft, quality and lasting design, so that the collaboration feels authentic rather than borrowed. That's what gives these ranges their strength as gifts: you're not only giving beautifully made cutlery, you're giving the meeting of two identities that stand for the same things, a piece of design heritage backed by nearly eighty years of Italian manufacturing.”

38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Agreeing, Beatriz Ball adds: “Retail has changed, and shoppers don’t think in neat little boxes anymore. They’re not saying, “I just need a metal bowl.” They’re thinking, “I want my table to feel finished,” or “I need a great hostess gift,” or “I’m refreshing my patio for summer.” As stores have become more lifestyle-driven, we’ve grown right along with them. We started as a metalware company—that was our whole world. But over time, it just made sense to expand.

Today we work in melamine, resin, glass, acrylic, linens and more. It allows us to offer pieces that work together, whether it’s for indoor dining, outdoor entertaining, or an easy grab-and-go gift.”

So as brands continue to adapt and think outside-the-box, or in the case of gifting inside-the-box, we continue to celebrate the giftable tabletop market.

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Category Gift-ready tabletop

Vista Alegre

Nikko “like a Paper Cup” from Nikko is a sustainable tableware set that combines a bone china cup—designed as an homage to paper cups—with a highperformance fabric sleeve.

It’s highly recommended as a sustainable gift that not only delights the recipient but is also kind to the planet.

This product is a sustainable proposal that redefines the value of “reuse” in contrast to the culture of paper cups, which are typically treated as disposable items, and it fuses technologies and materials from different fields.

It was jointly developed by Nikko Company, a tableware manufacturer headquartered in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, and Komatsu Matere, manufacturer of chemical materials.

The cup designs feature two motifs: the “Tsuzumi-mon” gate—the symbol of Kanazawa Station, which was selected as one of the world’s 14 most beautiful train stations by the online edition of the American travel magazine *Travel & Leisure*—and the “Gōshi” latticework found in traditional teahouse architecture.

Each design is available in two variations— with or without gold trim—offering a total of four options to choose from.

The sleeves appear to have the thickness and weight of cotton canvas but are surprisingly light when held. Available in four colours, they are dyed using an eco-friendly dyeing technique that utilizes plant-based ingredients, such as discarded onion skins.

Using the sleeves makes it easier to hold even hot drinks, and you won’t have to worry about condensation on cold drinks.

With four cup designs and four sleeve colours to choose from, you can select the perfect combination for the recipient of your gift.

www.nikkoceramics.com

40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

The iconic Bicos collection unveils a striking new interpretation, pairing black stems with its signature coloured bowls.

Available in three distinctive colourways, these goblets have captivated generations with their timeless appeal. The unexpected contrast between the soft, elegant tones of green, pink and amber and the understated modernity of black creates a bold yet sophisticated aesthetic.

The perfect choice for truly distinctive tablescapes and interiors.

Meanwhile, the new Bicos Sweet Dessert set, available in amber, pink, mint green and grey, is the perfect complement to your table, whether paired with the Bicos collection or mixed with other Vista Alegre ranges.

www.vistaalegre.com

Rogaška caters to the global market For over 350 years, Rogaška has combined exceptional crystal craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing expertise, serving customers worldwide from the heart of Europe. Following a significant investment in modernizing their production capabilities, the brand is well positioned to deliver outstanding quality, consistency, and long-term manufacturing reliability. As a trusted partner for both emerging and established brands, Rogaška offers comprehensive solutions tailored to each customer's needs. Alongside their internationally recognised Rogaška brand, they develop and manufacture exclusive private label collections, supporting projects from the initial concept to the finished product. The brand’s integrated approach covers every stage of the process: product design and development, engineering, tooling, production planning, precision manufacturing, decoration and premium packaging development. By managing the entire value chain in-house, we ensure efficient communication, shorter lead times, and uncompromising quality control. Whether creating elegant tableware, barware, giftware, or bespoke corporate collections, they combine design flexibility with the precision of European manufacturing.

steklarna-rogaska.si

Category Gift-ready tabletop

Rosenthal brings it Home The Year of Giving is reflected in Rosenthal's stylish new Home collection for 2026. Decorative vases, wall plates, bowls, vide poches, tins, and mugs with lids in two different designs not only enhance any interior, but also enrich relationships and friendships.

Monochrome is a timeless design in black and white, characterised by modern shapes and subtle elegance. Fine accents of real polished gold lend some pieces a precious touch. A subtle hint of luxury that resonates when giving and receiving gifts. Some ornaments are inspired by natural elements such as pebbles or waves, while others unfold in a clear graphic language. Elements of the Rosenthal logo are also reflected in some of the décor and shapes: the curved part of the crown forms a porcelain knob that adds an elegant finishing touch to the lids of tins and cups. Meanwhile, The Flower Farm décor tells a playful, colourful story. Inspired by the style of the 1950s and 1960s in Bavaria, Milan-based creative director Bruno Laurenzano combines brand identity with a keen sense of aesthetics.

In warm tones ranging from rust red, dark orange, and mustard yellow to delicate sky blue, floral motifs and charming animal illustrations evoke a feeling of lightness and joie de vivre. This makes each piece a gift that not only decorates the interior but also brings a smile to everyday life. The collection also comes in high-quality packaging that reflects the respective decorative pattern of the items.

www.rosenthal.de

Josephinenhütte launches limitededition Alpine Light pieces German glassmaker Josephinenhütte recently announced the launch of the limited Alpine Light edition of the Josephine No. 6 Set of six water glasses and No. 9 Carafe.

While hiking through Austria’s Dachstein mountains on the longest day, Kurt Josef Zalto was struck by inspiration from the vivid colours intensified by the lingering light of the summer solstice. Drawing from this natural beauty, he designed the Alpine Light collection, featuring six vibrant hues of Mountain Spring, Lupin’s Glow, Twilight Breeze, Morning Copper, Wild Dandelion, and Emerald Lake. These soft tones and colour palette have taken shape in Josephine No. 6 Alpine Light, a limited-edition six glass series, and the limited-edition No. 9

nora fleming debuts the Anfora x nora fleming gift set nora fleming is proud to introduce the “plato ovalado gift set”, a striking new collaboration created in partnership with Anfora. Marking a bold new chapter for nora fleming, the elevated gift set blends meaningful symbolism, sophisticated finishes, and handcrafted artistry into a truly unforgettable entertaining piece.

Presented in a beautifully crafted keepsake box with elevated metallic detailing, the plato ovalado gift set includes the exclusive black plato ovalado serving platter paired with three specialty metallic minis: “luxe luck” in luminous silver, “luxe welcome” in warm bronze and “luxe love” in radiant gold.

Anchored by the dramatic black finish of the plato ovalado, the gift set redefines nora fleming’s signature aesthetic with depth, contrast, and undeniable sophistication. The rich black backdrop of the platter allows each metallic mini to shine, creating a look that feels modern, refined, and timeless.

This marks the first time nora fleming has introduced metallic minis or a black serving piece, bringing an entirely new level of sophistication and artistry to the brand’s signature style.

Created exclusively for this launch, the dramatic black “plato ovalado” base was specially crafted by skilled artisans at Anfora. The piece brings a fresh sense of depth, contrast, and sophistication to the nora fleming line while honoring the artistry, heritage, and intentional craftsmanship shared by both brands.

“We are proud to be part of this collaboration. For more than 100 years, our brand has brought craftsmanship, care, and attention to detail to tables and homes around the

42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

®

Hand Made, Lead Free, Mouth Blown info@qualiaglass.com

Visit us at the Dallas Market Center William M. Lamont Showroom Suite TM 2400 January 6 - 12th, 2027

Visit us at the Americasmart, Atlanta Building 2, Level 8 Showroom 886A January 12 - 17th, 2027

Visit us at the Ambiente Messe Frankfurt, Germany Hall 12.0, Booth A43 Jan 29th - Feb 2nd, 2027

Interview Les-Ottomans

In a constant state of MAXIMALISM

What started 13 years ago as “an intuition” has transformed into a life-altering business built on talent, self-belief, a desire to spread joy and just a touch of maximalism. For Bertrando di Renzo, his home design brand Les-Ottomans is now a glorious force to be reckoned, ever growing in popularity.

Just one look at the products explains why. Tableware International’s editor Mairead Wilmot catches up with the man behind the brand…

44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

At Maison & Objet…

During the September edition of M&O, Les-Ottomans will be a launching its new AW26/27 collections with many new products and an extensive Christmas collection.

“Sharing ideas is fundamental for my personal and professional growth”

Bertrando, for those not aware of your home design brand Les-Ottomans, tell us a little about it and remind us how you first started.

I started Les-Ottomans 13 years ago out an intuition. I used to live in Turkey at that time and I found those amazing ikat fabrics that nobody, or at least very few

a uber maximalist collection!

But I am not the kind of guy that gives up easily, so I stood up for what I thought it was worth and I was right, after a few years that collection started to sell very well. Then, because of my curious nature I started to explore decor, glassware and all the other collections you see today.

“We have our own online store but most of our business is B2B” people, were using and selling. So, I thought I could give it try (I had another job anyway) and that is how I launched my first collection of ikat and silk velvet cushions.

After a couple of years, I thought I would try creating tableware so I printed some ikat patterns on ceramic plates and that was my very first tableware collection. If I’m honest with you, it was not very successful at the beginning, mostly because minimalism was still very popular and I had created

You and I first spoke back in 2019 – seven years ago – when you collaborated with designer Matthew Williamson, how has Les-Ottomans developed and grown since then?

Les-Ottomans has grown quite a lot since 2019, in staff members, in collections, collaborations, new products and distribution. At that time, we were known mostly for ikat cushions while nowadays the brand is recognised as a home design one.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 45

Interview Les-Ottomans

The next steps…

In September Les-Ottomans will launch a collab with Brazilian designer Marcelo Antunes – a collection inspired by orchids and the Brazilian rainforest. Bertrando has also added some products to a new series called Les-Ottomans Studio which was first presented during Milan Design Week, expect to see large ceramic totems created by Italian designer called Giulia Visentin.

We’ve mentioned tableware but Les-Ottomans has a whole host of homewares from sculptural pieces to linens. Do you find customers mix and match or buy full ranges?

As I have been one of the first to talk about and make mix and match a reality, I think my customers do the same. They can also buy a full range in a collection, but they certainly mix and match with other brands and vintage pieces they already own.

“I will also be always grateful to Matthew (Williamson) for allowing me to work with him at the beginning of Les-Ottomans’ life when the brand was young” I will also be always grateful to Matthew for allowing me to work with him at the beginning of LesOttomans’ life when the brand was so young.

Les-Ottomans is so beautifully maximalist, you design your own products, but can you elaborate on where and how you source your products.

It all starts with an idea for a product or a collection. In the early stages it is important for me to understand who can bring that idea to life. I am lucky to work with very talented artisans so I usually go to them and discuss my ideas to see if they can be made. If it is a totally new product, I start looking for a new supplier/artisan that can help make my ideas becoming real. That is why sourcing is very important for me. I travel a lot, in Italy and abroad, visiting ateliers and artisans, talking with them, sharing ideas, listening and learning. Now I work with more than 40 ateliers within in Italy, India and Turkey.

46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

When it comes to your tableware collections, what type of ceramic materials do you favour using? And how involved are you with that side of the process?

I love to work with ceramic, mostly because is a material very connected with Italian craftsmanship and heritage and I do prefer to work with white ceramic because is lighter. I am usually involved in all the aspects of the creative process, defining the shape, the colours, the hand painting, the range.

Do you supply your pieces to retail stores, or do you trade via the Les-Ottomans website?

We do both, we have our own online store but most of our business is B2B. We are distributed all around the world thanks to some amazing stores that carry Les-Ottomans.

Where is the majority of your customer base from? Why types of customers are they?

I am proud to say that I have a wide range of clients from 30 to 60 years old. Younger clientele are certainly more attracted by the gifting side of my collections while the older customers love to buy linens and tableware. We do supply also hotels and restaurants, sometimes they buy our collections, sometimes we create special ones just for them.

I also love to work with event planners, most of the time this is challenging, but also a very creative and rewarding process.

You’ve worked with some really great designers and brands, do you enjoy sharing and collaborating in that sense?

I’ve always loved to collaborate with other brands and designers.

As a matter of fact, I do love people that can bring new ideas into the Les-Ottomans world.

Do you design for the HoReCa sector?

Yes, we do. We have supplied or created some beautiful collections for hotels and restaurants. I love working with HoReCa because every time there is a different story to tell, a different world to enter and bring into life.

Has your design style evolved or changed over the years?

I think it has evolved, I’ve learned a lot during these years not only from my mistakes but also from the people I work with. Sharing ideas is fundamental for my personal and professional growth.

Finally, do you have any new collections or collaborations launching you are excited to tell us about?

Yes, I do. In September I will be launching a collab with a good Brazilian friend of mine, Marcelo Antunes. We have created a collection inspired by orchids and the Brazilian rainforest which I am personally obsessed with as it has allowed me to work with many colours. Then we will add some products to our new line called Les Ottomans Studio which we presented during Milan Design Week, this is a line of big ceramic totems created by a very talented Italian designer called Giulia Visentin. Besides these, in the September edition of M&O I will also be a launching our new AW26/27 collections with many new products and an extensive Christmas collection.

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Trendspotting Stripes

Quiet sophistication From William Edwards, Celestine pairs precise pinstriping with a subtle iridescent lustre and an interference shimmer that changes with the viewing angle, creating a play of radiance and rhythm across every surface. Its finely balanced lines draw the eye toward the center, while the shifting tones of celestial blue create a gentle, captivating shimmer. This innovative interplay of light and design harmonises with the quiet sophistication of a finely drawn pinstripe, shaping a tabletop presence that is both distinctive and refined. www.steelite-utopia.com

Stripe a

pose!

Stripes are everywhere at the moment, but the beauty with this pattern is that it is eternally timeless

Crafted from marble

Stripes continue to dominate tabletop design – and sometimes nature creates the most beautiful pattern of all. Crafted from genuine white and green marble, the Playground Spotlights plate features distinctive linear veining that forms organic stripes, making every piece entirely unique. The interplay of soft green and white tones brings depth and movement to the table while maintaining a calm, sophisticated aesthetic. No two plates are alike, allowing chefs and hosts to create table settings with an authentic, handcrafted feel. The natural pattern becomes part of the presentation, beautifully framing culinary creations without overpowering them.

Combining the timeless appeal of natural stone with contemporary design, Spotlights bridges hospitality and interior styling.

www.bhs-tabletop.com

Pretty as a picture

Sharing moments Developed in collaboration with Dutch television personality and culinary expert Janny van der Heijden, the Sharing Moments collection from Heinen Delfts Blauw was created with one goal in mind: bringing people together around the table.

Characterised by loosely hand-painted Delft Blue stripes, the collection has a relaxed and timeless aesthetic that evokes the easy-going atmosphere of long summer lunches, shared dinners and informal gatherings. The free-flowing striped decoration adds movement and spontaneity to the designs, offering a contemporary interpretation of traditional Delft Blue tableware.

The collection consists of several sub-collections, each with its own distinct theme and decorative character. The recurring hand-painted stripes act as a unifying design element throughout the range.

www.heinendelftsblauw.com 48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Cerve’s Bell’Italia collection celebrates Italian culture through bright colours, iconic graphics, and traditional Italian expressions. The positive response from the market confirms a growing demand for products that combine authenticity, emotion, and a strong sense of identity. What makes Cerve unique is that every decorated product is created in Italy by skilled decoration professionals who bring decades of expertise to each project. From drinking glasses and bottles to jars and giftware, every item reflects the quality and craftsmanship that have defined the company for more than seventy years. cerve.it

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Trendspotting Stripes

Fantastic Fantasia Stripes have a timeless way of bringing rhythm to a table, and Mepra’s Fantasia Stripes collection captures exactly that.

Building on the signature Fantasia line, long loved for its colour, this range brings the handle to life with slim vertical stripes, alternating crisp white with vivid colour against Mepra's mirror-polished steel. The palette is deliberately fresh: green, yellow, blue and orange, each one giving a place setting personality without ever tipping into excess. The fine vertical lines lend the pieces a neat, graphic elegance, lively yet refined, and easy to mix, match and coordinate across a single table.

www.theluxuryartmepra.com

A cut above the rest Cut In Number by Swedish designer Ingegerd Råman reinterprets Orrefors’ rich tradition of cut crystal through a distinctly contemporary lens. Rather than polishing the cuts to a high shine, Råman leaves them matte, creating a subtle contrast that highlights the clarity and transparency of the crystal. As light moves across the surface and interacts with the precisely placed lines, geometric precision transforms into something unexpectedly poetic, demonstrating how mathematics and artistry can beautifully coexist.

www.orrefors.com

Timeless tabletop Stripes remain a timeless trend in tableware, bringing movement, rhythm and visual interest to contemporary tablescapes. At Porcel, this enduring motif comes to life through collections that reinterpret stripes in distinctive and elegant ways.

Atlantico draws inspiration from the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal's deep maritime heritage. Its intense cobalt blue lines evoke the movement of the sea, creating a striking visual identity that is both powerful and elegant.

The Camellia collection, explores a softer and more decorative approach. Delicate linear elements and carefully balanced colour combinations lend the collection a sense of refinement, creating pieces that effortlessly combine elegance with contemporary appeal.

Polskie Fabryki Porcelany “Ćmielów” i “Chodzież” S.A. Stripes are an absolute hit in both modern and classic table settings. At the Polskie Fabryki Porcelany “Ćmielów” i “Chodzież” S.A. they demonstrate that linear designs on the table have many fascinating facets. A bold, strikingly distinctive interpretation of this trend is the Prometeusz design by Danuta Duszniak, an icon of 1950s modernism, with its stunningly slender silhouette and distinctive flameshaped lids. This is complemented by an anniversary decoration, inspired by a historic fabric from 1958, in which black stripes decisively challenge traditional notions of classic white porcelain. For lovers of contemporary aesthetics, the Cosmopolitan collection from Ćmielów Design Studio, showcases rhythmic lines create a modern, dynamic composition.

www.porcelana.com.pl

Spotlight on Sunset Strip

Bordallo Pinheiro

Bordallo Pinheiro is celebrating the grape and its links to southern Europe with its new Uvas (Grapes) collection. The new grape-themed line

by Bordallo Pinheiro celebrates not only the fruit itself, but also the vine and its distinctive foliage. Reflecting the brand’s constant desire to innovate, a more geometric — yet still organic — interpretation has been added to the naturalistic approach: a striped pattern of vertical elements evoking the rhythm of a vineyard.

Stripes are a major trend this season and Dunoon perfectly captures the timeless pattern with Sunset Strip, a vibrant design that sits beautifully within their contemporary Brights collection. Designed by artist Caroline Bessey, Sunset Strip features rich, watercolour bands that wrap smoothly around the mug. Handcrafted in Staffordshire from fine bone china using traditional methods, it combines bold, uplifting colour with Dunoon’s signature lightweight strength.

While the striped design makes a lovely standalone piece, it is designed to pair effortlessly with the other mugs in the Brights range.

www.international.bordallopinheiro.com

www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

www.porcel.com

50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Interview ID Fine

“Our focus has been on building a brand that is not only about beautiful tableware, but about long-term value”

As ID Fine continues to grow in popularity and reputation, this young Turkish brand is carving a respected path for itself, built on a considered approach to supplying tableware

The sales pitch

Türkiye is one of ID Fine’s most important sales markets. Beyond Türkiye, the brand sees strong potential in international markets, such as the US, the UK, Germany, Russia and Spain.

There are all markets the brand follows closely and where they would like to build further traction. “Our goal is to grow with the right partners, in markets where ID Fine’s combination of design, durability and supply continuity can create longterm value,” ID Fine president Levent Bozkurt says.

52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

There is something brewing at ID Fine. This young HoReCa enterprise has set itself a goal, a promise of sorts – they have committed to building a brand built on long-term value. Explaining their approach, ID Fine president Levent Bozkurt tells Tableware International ID Fine’s modus operandi is built around the chef and the professional dining experience. “We do not design products to overpower the food; we design them to support the chef’s identity and make the presentation stronger. What makes ID Fine stand out is the balance between refined aesthetics and professional performance. Our products are created for intensive HoReCa use, with durability, functionality, stackability, supply continuity and design consistency at the centre. We call this “modest luxury”; products that bring elegance to the table, but are also realistic, reliable and efficient for professional operations.”

It is this considered thinking which is helping establish the brand as a firm favourite in many markets.

ID Fine made waves several years ago when it presented its working concept Sustainable Harmony whereby all of its collections under the ID Fine, Roots by ID Fine and 1972 by ID Fine brands are compatible and work, you guessed it, in harmony. Levent explains this simple idea has become the cornerstone of ID Fine’s brand,

chefs the freedom to refresh their presentations without having to replace everything they already use. Alongside this, we have continued to develop ID Fine, Roots

by ID Fine and 1972 by ID Fine as three complementary brands under one vision, serving different professional needs and price segments. We are progressing with

“What makes ID Fine stand out is the balance between refined aesthetics and professional performance” deeply symbolic of what they want to achieve in the industry.

“One of the most important developments for us is the evolution of our Sustainable Harmony approach. We see this as more than a design direction; it is a strategic system that allows past, present and future collections to work together.

This gives our partners flexibility in stock management and gives

a clearer structure: ID Fine as our flagship HoReCa brand, supported by collections and sub-brands that allow us to answer different dining concepts with the same design intelligence.”

Levent says the past year has been a period of consolidation and clear strategic focus for ID Fine where they continue to strengthen their position in the professional hospitality market.

Interview ID Fine

New collections incoming

ID Fine is launching new collections to market which support the Sustainable Harmony strategy.

Collections such as TOI, Mizu, Flow, Tiffany, Patina and Sera Sun reflect different sides of the ID Fine universe — from quiet minimalism and refined fine casual presentations to timeless bistro inspiration and more expressive surfaces.

“Our focus has been on building a brand that is not only about beautiful tableware, but about long-term value for chefs, hotels, restaurants, distributors and food & beverage professionals. We have expanded our collections, sharpened our brand promise around “Define Dining”, and continued to invest in products that combine design, durability and operational efficiency.”

In looking towards the future of the tableware industry, ID Fine is taking a holistic approach, believing many companies will follow suite, moving towards more flexible, sustainable and operationally intelligent solutions.

“In the past, innovation often meant launching new patterns or new colours very quickly. But this also created pressure for replacement and stock complexity.

Over the next five years, we expect the market to value continuity more. Collections will need to be timeless, compatible and commercially sustainable. Chefs and operators will still want 54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

creativity, but they will also expect durability, stock stability, faster supply and products that can adapt to different concepts. For us, the future is not only about new design. It is about smarter design — design that protects investment, supports creativity and reduces unnecessary waste.”

In saying all of this, the brand is very aware of the constraints and

durable, available and commercially sustainable. Another important challenge is the speed of trends.

When products become outdated too quickly, this creates risk both for distributors and end users. That is why we believe brands need to think beyond seasonal novelty and focus more on long-term compatibility, stock efficiency and responsible design.”

“For us, the future is not only about new design. It is about smarter design” complications within the tableware industry itself, as Levent explains: “The industry is facing several challenges at the same time.

Cost pressure, changing demand, supply chain expectations and the need for faster adaptation are all shaping the market. At the same time, customers are becoming more careful in their purchasing decisions. They want products that are not only beautiful, but also

As for the future, ID Fine will continue to focus on professional dining: collections that support chefs, help operators manage their tables more efficiently, and bring together elegance, durability and long-term compatibility. “We will continue to develop products that do not simply follow trends but create sustainable value for the HoReCa ecosystem,” finishes Levent.

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Category Metals Attractive, durable, timeless – metal has a whole host of qualities that make it an incredibly attractive prospect for buyers, particularly those whose customers have a keen eye for interior design. Why? Because metals add a certain je ne sais quoi to interior spaces, from upmarket hotels looking for touches of elegance in their bar service to interior designers on the hunt for bespoke decorative pieces to finish spaces, to retailers complementing their inventory with in-demand flatware. It all comes back to metal. There are, of course, advantages to metal tabletop over their ceramic counterparts. “The obvious ones are durability and break-resistance, steel survives the

the delicacy of ceramic and the resilience of steel, they get both in a single piece,” says Mepra’s managing partner Luca Prandelli.

Agreeing, Jurgen Bresseel, global head of sales, Robert Welch, explains: “Stainless steel offers exceptional resilience, making it ideal for hospitality as it resists breakage and maintains its quality over time.

For example, our award-winning Drift teapot features a non-drip spout, stay cool handle, secure removable lid, and is a great heat conductor compared to a ceramic teapot. They are commercial dishwasher safe, easy to care for, and supported by a reassuring 25-yearlifetime guarantee.”

Echoing their thoughts, Beatriz

Making the most of metal Fortessa Lucca Facet shimmers like the scale of a glittering sea creature. With its unique hammered handle, this collection is perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to culinary presentations. Thanks to its faceted surface, it is an optic and haptic highlight for guests. Crafted from high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, Lucca Facet is the perfect blend of durability and elegance. Its lightweight yet robust design provides a comfortable grip. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe, ensuring a hassle-free cleanup. Available in the colours silver, gold and black.

Next, The sandblasted Velo Brushed series is sure to catch the eye of the guests. The tapered, rounded handle and matt silver surface give the cutlery series a modern character. Made of high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, Velo Brushed withstands the daily demands of the catering industry and is a real eye-catcher.

www.zwieselfortessa.com/hospitality

knocks of daily service and years of washing where ceramic chips or shatters. But we’ve also worked to close the gap where ceramic traditionally had the edge: its look and tactile softness on the table. Our Atmosfera Porcellana collection is exactly this, an exclusive in-house powdercoating finish that captures

Ball says: “While both categories have their place in the market, handcrafted metal objects hold a special energy, each piece tells a story through its subtle imperfections. The texture you feel, the weight you hold – these remind you of the human hands behind it. Unlike fragile materials, metal

“Consumers increasingly see quality steel as an investment rather than a commodity,”

Meet the panellists

Luca Prandelli, Mepra

Luca Prandelli

Jurgen Bresseel

Beatriz Ball

managing partner, Mepra

global head of sales, Robert Welch

founder, Beatriz Ball

56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Metals – from flatware to serveware – are being associated with the quiet luxury revolution. Break-resistance and durable, metal pieces are stalwarts of the tabletop industry.

Brushed, satin, mirrored, and hammered finishes, are all popular so we we highlight new and existing metal pieces and collections which bring the category to life for both the retail and hospitality spheres…

the elegance and porcelain-like touch of the finest china, fused with the strength of 18/10 stainless steel. It looks like porcelain, it feels like porcelain, but it will never chip or shatter, and thanks to our own sealing technology it stands up to modern dishwasher cycles and even scratch tests. Operators no longer have to choose between

endures. It’s made to be passed down — true heirlooms that carry both history and meaning from one generation to the next. More than 15 sets of our artisan hands are involved in creating every single, one-of-a-kind piece. From molding to polishing, each step follows time-honoured casting techniques, same methods used by

Category Metals the Greeks and Romans to create their enduring masterpieces. It’s a slow, intentional process that values craft over speed. Metal lasts.

It doesn’t chip easily or fade with trends — it ages beautifully and becomes part of your story. These are pieces meant to be used, loved and eventually passed down. True heirlooms, designed to move from one generation to the next.”

Encouragingly for the metal category, it is seeing itself come back into vogue as it positions itself as a commodity to be desired with a new generation of qualityconscious buyers. “Consumers increasingly see quality steel as an investment rather than a commodity,” explains Mepra’s Luca Prandelli.

are drawn to its practicality and versatility, but what truly sets it apart is the craftsmanship.

“Our customers understand the artistry and care behind the products; the value becomes clear.

Our motto is “In a world of mass production, handmade is the true luxury”.

In terms of what is selling well for brands, Beatriz tells us: “Although historically, our Vento, Soho, and Organic Pearl Collections—designs emphasising the handmade qualities of the sandcasting process—have been top-sellers, the popularity of our enamelled Encanto collection with gleaming gold borders now outsells them all.

“Our recently introduced Encan-

“Metal lasts. It doesn’t chip easily or fade with trends — it ages beautifully and becomes part of your story” Beatriz Ball

Robert Welch Since 1955, Robert Welch has defined British stainless-steel design, combining craftsmanship, innovation and everyday functionality from the British market town of Chipping Campden.

Renowned for collections such as Radford - the world’s largest stainless steel cutlery range-the family-owned company continues to shape the modern tabletop. The wider collection includes more than 40 cutlery designs, award-winning kitchen knives, timeless cookware, stylish barware and contemporary mills. New collection Palm Air is pictured.

robertwelch.com

Sambonet For 170 years, the Italian company Sambonet has been producing and distributing designer cutlery and serverware for both the retail and HoReCa markets, the result of its distinctive Italian know-how.

The brand’s range includes many iconic design pieces, created by leading names I Italian design such as Gio Ponti and Serena Confalonieri, as well as by the company’s own Centro Stile. This offer continues to evolve year after year. Among the 2026 novelties are the new ice cream cups, which join the existing Madame collection.

The design and elegance of Madame now extend to new stainless steel ice cream cups, also available in PVD Gold version. Designed to serve ice cream with impact and style, the new Madame cups and matching serving bowl respond to a growing trend: rediscovering the elegance of service even at home, with attention to every detail.

www.sambonet.com 58 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“There’s a growing appreciation that a well-made piece of cutlery is something you keep, and even pass on, rather than replace. That shift, away from disposability and towards objects that last, plays entirely to the strengths of steel.”

Pointing out that metalware continues to draw genuine enthusiasm and loyalty, Beatriz Ball says metal is a staple category that buyers consistently seek out. “Consumers

to Colette collection with petal-like rims and Encanto with a charming blend of enamelled colours and gold-tone details account for much of the sales at markets.”

For Mepra, Luca says stainless steel cutlery remains at the heart of what they do. “Bestsellers shift a lot depending on the market and the moment, but right now our Luce Ice Grip model is performing particularly well. Alongside these, our

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Category Metals

Mepra Steel has always been Mepra’s language.

For nearly eighty years they've worked stainless steel into cutlery and serveware that lasts, and today, as the table turns towards quiet luxury, that expertise feels more relevant than ever.

The beauty of steel lies in its finish, and this is where Mepra brings the category to life. A mirror polish for pieces that catch the light and command a formal setting; a soft satin or brushed surface for the understated, contemporary look that defines the moment; PVD in warm champagne and gold tones for tables that want character without noise. Each finish gives the same trusted 18/10 steel a completely different personality.

What unites them is substance. These are pieces built to survive years of daily use, break-resistant, dishwasher-safe, and beautiful long after trend cycles have moved on. For retail, that means objects worth keeping; for hospitality, it means finishes that elevate a setting while standing up to the rigours of service.

www.theluxuryartmepra.com

Costa Nova Almara is a heritage tableware collection transported to the present, reinterpreting traditional metal pieces where aged pewter and antique silver inspire its form and elegance.

Its flowing silhouettes and softly reflective surfaces evoke the patina of time-worn metal, while pearl-like detailing traces each contour, recalling the precision of historic craftsmanship and adding a subtle tactile richness.

Designed for modern tables, Almara balances heritage and contemporary expression, creating compositions that feel grounded, atmospheric and refined. Alongside the Antique Metal finish, Almara is also available in Pearl (white) and Rubi (red). With its natural festive spirit, the collection shines on autumn and holiday tables, while remaining relevant throughout the year.

costanova.com 60 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

signature and licensed collections continue to lead, precisely because they pair that trusted 18/10 steel with a recognisable design identity.”

Robert Welch tells us they have several top-selling pieces within their cutlery, barware and mills collections.

“Our bestselling cutlery is Radford Bright, the largest stainless-steel range in the world featuring more than 70 individual pieces. This award-winning cutlery is a modern translation of the Georgian style, with long tines and a classic heel. It is considered a modern English classic, often described as “perfection in the hand”,” Jurgen explains.

“When it comes to serveware, our Drift Champagne and Wine Buckets - alongside the Drift Double-walled Wine Cooler - are strong performers, while our mills are increasingly popular as customers build cohesive collections.”

What is obvious from speaking with brands such as Mepra, Beatriz Ball and Robert Welch Designs in the nuance and depth of innovation present in metalware, these are brands continuing to deliver exceptional products which will be handed down from generation to generation.

“Stainless steel offers exceptional resilience, making it ideal for hospitality as it resists breakage and maintains its quality over time” Jurgen Bresseel, Robert Welch

BHS Metals continue to play a defining role in contemporary tabletop design. Valued for their durability and break resistance, they are equally appreciated for the atmosphere they create.

In line with the quiet luxury movement, finishes such as brushed, hammered, vintage silver and polished chrome introduce subtle sophistication through texture, reflection and craftsmanship rather than ornamentation.

This is the idea behind Playground Spotlights by BHS tabletop. The collection explores the many facets of metal, from cool, urban silver tones to warm hammered gold, transforming functional serveware into expressive presentation pieces. Small serving pans, elegant footed cups, bowls and even a reimagined tin can provide chefs with versatile tools for serving dips, desserts, sides and sharing concepts in an unexpected yet refined way.

Rather than competing with the food, the metallic finishes interact with light to enhance colours, textures and plating. Whether creating nostalgic accents with bright chrome or adding warmth with hammered gold, each piece contributes to a memorable dining experience. Combining visual appeal with the robustness required in hospitality, Playground Spotlights demonstrates how metal continues to evolve from a practical material into one of the most expressive design elements on today’s tabletop.

www.bhs-tabletop.com

InFocus Vito Nesta

Designer Vito Nesta is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. Grand Tour is a body of work which beautifully demonstrates his unique ability to see, hear and feel with great passion. Tableware International learns more…

“My maternal grandparents’ house was filled with objects from all over the world…

I think that house… had a profound impact on me”

Where there is heart,

there is home

62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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InFocus Vito Nesta

Vito Nesta on working with iconic designer Alessandro Guerriero on the Alchemie line…

Italian designer Vito Nesta graduated in Interior Design in Florence and while his story began in Puglia, where he was born, he has since taken inspiration from his travels around the globe to craft the fascinating Grand Tour body of work. It’s a riotous collection brimming with colour, depth and detail, relaying the story of Vito’s life – from his start in Puglia with a dynamic family background heavily influenced by his grandparents, through to more discreet sources of genius; a snippet of material seen at a flea market, the doors of a 1950s Japanese-style wardrobe. Inspiration for his work comes from all directions and his desire to create came about at an early age.

“My passion was born when I was about five years old. My grandparents emigrated from

Puglia to Venezuela in the 1950s.

They made their fortune there and sent money to my greatgrandmother in Italy to build a

“I’ve always been interested in travel, stories, cultures, and ethnicities. I thought my brand could tell the story of the world” princely home for their return.

“My great-grandmother had great taste and amazing creative skills; she would take pieces of window glass and, using a razor blade, create paintings by carving them.

“Although my grandparents returned to Italy in 1966, unfortunately, they never lived in the house because they decided to open a farm with livestock,”

The design process explained “Some things I design myself, others come from archive materials,” the designer says.

“I search for antique materials, finding them at auctions, flea markets, and everywhere. Everything can become a source of inspiration; for example, the Natsumi collection was born from the doors of a 1950s Japanese-style wardrobe. These materials are then digitised, and we use these files to carry out all the tests until the final result is achieved.”

64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Vito remembers. “I experienced this house for the first time when I was five, before my grandparents passed away. I was astonished

by its beauty; there were 19th century French wallpapers on the walls, and in one room, 150 colourful Murano glass pieces that refracted the light coming from the windows. I started crying, my mom asked me what had hap-

“Working with Alessandro Guerriero was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

Guerriero represents the history of design; he has an incredible story.

Sometimes the term “genius” is overused, but he truly is. Furthermore, working with materials that were original to the era was truly exciting.

During that experience, I didn’t just work, think, and design; I had fun, and when that happens, it’s true success.” pened, and I said, “I want to do this.” My mom didn’t understand, and I couldn’t explain it to her.

Then I started drawing things, some of which were memories of this house.”

The concept for Grand Tour began in 2018, born, Vito says, out of a desire to help his family.

“Grand Tour was born by chance, out of a family need.

I have a very particular family history. My mother comes from a very wealthy family that,

In Focus Vito Nesta “I like designing for someone with whom I have a connection. The human aspect is very important to me” unfortunately, is facing great and difficult trials. At that time, my mother only had one apartment left, but she didn’t want to move in because it was full of bad memories from her separation with my father. We decided to sell it, but to buy another, we needed to raise money. A dear friend of mine helped me, but I had to repay the debt. I couldn’t make big plans with just the royalties from the designs for companies, so Bertrando di Renzo, the owner of Les-Ottomans, decided to lend me a hand. I had designed a very successful collection for him called Costantinopoli. He advised me to present my collections at Maison & Objet; he sponsored the production of the collections, the stand, and my stay in Paris. That’s how I got started! I’ve always been interested in travel, stories, cultures, and ethnicities. I thought my brand could tell the story of the world. My maternal grandparents’ house was filled with objects from all over the world, so much decoration. That house, which I’d only seen once, had a profound impact on me.”

A collection of tableware, textiles and decorative accessories, Grand Tour is possibly best summarised as an ongoing design project; an ode to detail, to colour, and perhaps in a broader sense, it is Vito’s exploration of purpose and belonging.

66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“Collections are born by chance; the process of developing a decoration is made up of trials, reflections, improvements, decisions, and hesitations. It’s the best part,” he confesses. “When you think you’ve reached a good point, you return to the studio the next day and during the night you’ve thought of something you want to change, then when you see it and you can’t think of anything else to change, only then is it perfect.”

Although there is an overarching theme within Grand Tour, there is a clear exploration of differing décors. Le Volte Celesti, for example, is intrinsically different to Pompei or Cabinet de Curiosités, and yet there is a unifying design language.

However, Vito explains he wants to offer a “diverse catalogue”.

“Some collections are born from design trials, while others are based on specific archive materials. The Volte Celesti, for example, is inspired by Paolo Cesa Bianchi in which he wanted to bring the sky inside Milan Cathedral, decorating the cathedral’s vaults with a background of golden stars. The original blue from the archive materials remained here. With so many collections, it’s clear that a commercial decision to provide different colours to maintain a diverse catalogue comes into play.”

The designer takes a philo-

sophic approach to the Grand Tour, seeing it as something he is passionate about right now, but that may not mean forever.

“I never like to make long-term plans. For now, it’s a project I care about, and it will live on, but I don’t know what happens next. I take things one day at a time.”

Despite his drive to create artistically, Vito has an eye on the commerciality of projects too.

When asked if he takes an “art first, product second” approach to design, or whether he is always thinking about the end product, he explains: “Sometimes I favour the artistic aspect, like with the Cairo collection or Duomo, other times I focus solely on the commercial aspect, like with the

On the beauty of porcelain “I’ve always loved porcelain; for me, it’s like a canvas on which you can paint whatever you want. However, I’ve designed and created several other pieces, all of which come after gaining a thorough understanding of artisanal production. Now, for example, I’m fascinated by resin and silicone. We’re in an experimental phase; we hope something unique will emerge.”

Alfasolido collection. They’re plates with letters on them, we sell a lot of them, but they’re very colourful and fun; they’re a commercial product.”

However, Vito is cognisant of keeping his operation small.

“Mine isn’t a big business, and I don’t even want it to be. Making something even bigger would mean increasing costs, and I’m not up for that right now. What I’ve managed to create with the brand is satisfying; anything else, we’ll see about later”.

Working from his showroom, Spazio Vito Nesta in Milan, Vito describes his space as “objectively a masterpiece, a truly magical place”.

“I started with a tiny warehouse that used to be a cellar. I worked incredibly hard, until I finally found this space and bought it.

When I renovated it, I couldn’t believe it; I thought, “It’s amazing.”

Chance would have it that in the meantime, I found several unique objects, like a counter designed

by Gianni Versace for his first boutique in New York, an eighteenth-

century door that belonged to the Garrone princes of Turin, and a unique collection of Poliarte wall lamps. All my creations are scattered around: poufs, rugs, wallpaper, glass, porcelain... Yes, it’s wonderful.” There it is again, the sense of home, of belonging, but equally you sense Vito’s tangible excitement at creating and crafting in beauty. It is this passion which makes Vito’s work so intoxicating but his desire for connection is as important to him as making beautiful things. This year alone he has collaborated with “two wonderful companies”; MaVi Ceramiche, a company in Cava dei Tirreni which produces tiles and wall coverings, and Patrizia Italiano, a “truly unique” ceramics company in Palermo.

“I like designing for someone with whom I have a connection.

The human aspect is very important to me. I get to know and meet many companies; if there’s a desire to collaborate and we feel a connection during the meeting, I get to work right away.”

Trendspotting Texture Fine Dining & Living

BHS tabletop Texture has evolved from a subtle design detail into a defining feature of contemporary tabletop collections. Fluted surfaces, soft reliefs and flowing curves add depth, create visual interest and invite interaction.

BHS tabletop explores this trend through two distinct design approaches.

With Playground Aura, gently flowing silhouettes and soft relief structures create an organic, handcrafted aesthetic. The collection celebrates natural movement and tactile appeal, providing a warm and inviting stage for contemporary dining concepts.

Bauscher Scope, by contrast, interprets texture with architectural precision.

Its finely structured reliefs and balanced proportions create a refined visual rhythm that enhances plated dishes without overpowering them. Designed for the demands of professional hospitality, Scope combines timeless functionality with a distinctive surface design. www.bhs-tabletop.com

Texture and organic forms remain at the heart of today's tabletop trends, as consumers and hospitality professionals increasingly seek pieces that add warmth, depth and personality to the dining experience. Across Fine Dining & Living's latest collections, this direction is reflected through soft silhouettes, sculptural shapes and tactile finishes that invite interaction.

The warm glaze of Manon (SPCollection), the flowing glass forms of Vesper, the elegant twisted optic of Robi and the organic porcelain shapes of Moya (Fine2Dine) all embrace this evolution towards more expressive yet timeless design. In hospitality, collections such as Filora (CHIC) and Retro Black (BonBistro) combine refined aesthetics with professional performance, offering chefs the perfect canvas for contemporary presentation. www.finediningandliving.eu

The tactile table Tactile pieces featuring texture and curves are hugely desirable. All things fluted, ribbed and waved give interest and depth to table settings. We highlight some clever design features that give collections an edge…

Heinen Delfts Blauw The Majolica collection by Heinen Delfts Blauw explores the growing demand for tactile tableware through a combination of expressive textures, sculptural curves and handcrafted decoration. Inspired by the centuries-old majolica traditions that helped shape the development of Delftware, the collection reinterprets a historic ceramic style for the contemporary table. Texture plays a central role throughout the range. Plates and bowls feature raised studded surfaces and undulating waveshaped rims that invite touch and create visual depth. These tactile details are not merely decorative; they reference traditional Dutch earthenware forms while adding character and dimension to modern table settings. www.heinendelftsblauw.com

Nikko The Cirrus series expresses the relaxed, flowing appearance of cirrus clouds. It features a novel shape that is easy to hold, while meeting customers’ demands for lightness.

By utilizing a ribbed wave pattern on the underside of the plate, the Cirrus shape provides lightness, strength and ease of grip. In terms of weight, refined development has achieved a weight reduction of approximately 25 per cent compared to other Nikko plates of similar size. The ribs on the underside are not only focused on beauty, but also on providing stability at the fingertips when holding, reducing slippage. The top surface features faint rippling created by the 68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Trendspotting Texture

Polskie Fabryki Porcelany Polskie Fabryki Porcelany “Ćmielów” i “Chodzież” S.A.

Porcel Texture and sculptural details are redefining contemporary tableware, bringing depth, movement and a tactile quality to the table.

Porcel embraces this trend through collections that celebrate the beauty of texture and form.

Vivian and Maris D'Or stand out for their harmonious combination of sculpted surfaces and soft, organic silhouettes, creating pieces that engage both the eye and the touch. Their refined detailing enhances the play of light across each piece, adding a sense of elegance and sophistication to the table. www.porcel.com

Contemporary tableware design is breaking away from the beaten track, focusing on sensuality, tactile qualities and the interplay of light and shadow.

At the Ćmielów Design Studio, they demonstrate that porcelain is a malleable material that lends itself beautifully to corrugation, ribbing and undulating lines.

The Limbo collection saw artist Marek Cecuła draw inspiration from hand-carving and knife-cutting techniques. The result of this experimental production process is tableware full of bold lines with geometric, smooth surfaces that refract light in a spectacular manner.

The Bent collection is the culmination of Ćmielów Design Studio’s bold design vision. Its unique texture, imitating the organic, irregular creases of fabric, is a true manifesto of modern applied art. These bold, textured solutions mean that the porcelain ceases to be merely a backdrop for culinary creations and becomes an autonomous sculptural work that engages the senses of sight and touch. www.porcelana.com.pl

Fortessa Simple elegance meets a modern world of forms: the bone china series "Blyss" impressively demonstrates what modern porcelain can do. With a classic white exterior, the series' bowls surprise with elegant grey, deep blue or summery turquoise colouring. A faceted wave-like rim or outer surface ensures the wow factor in menu presentation that Blyss guarantees –classic and extravagant at the same time. www.zwieselfortessa.com/hospitality

Steelite The Orbita collection from Steelite naturally guides the eye toward the centre of the plate, providing an ideal canvas for chefs to showcase their culinary artistry. Its subtly organic, refined rim adds a contemporary, handcrafted sensibility that enhances presentations across both casual and fine dining environments. Available in classic white and three semi-matte glazes: Fuse Sable – warm, earthy, and understated, Fuse Tide – cool, fluid, and serene and Fuse Jet – bold, modern, and dramatic. www.steelite-utopia.com

Fortessa

Kosta Boda Crackle by Åsa Jungnelius for Kosta Boda defies all preconceptions and makes a glassblower's nightmare – cracked glass – its raison d'être. Here it's used to give the object beauty and character.

The mold is dug out of clay by hand and the cracked surface is formed using an old traditional technique where the hot glass is dipped in ice cold water. The result is a collection of mesmerizing objects whose expression changes depending on perspective and distance, reminiscent of sculptures made of colored or clear ice. www.kostaboda.com

Steelite

Vista Alegre

Vista Alegre

Kosta Boda

Vista Alegre presents the Glacies collection, a crystal line inspired by the transformation of water into ice and conceived to elevate the cocktail drinking experience through design, functionality and Portuguese artisanal mastery. In each piece, the collection captures the moment when crystalline liquid solidifies into massive blocks of ice, creating objects that appear sculpted from pure ice.

Produced in superior Vista Alegre crystal, the pieces were designed by the brand’s creative team and crafted by the master artisans at Vista Alegre’s crystal unit in Alcobaça, giving rise to an irregular and translucent texture inspired by the rugged surfaces of glaciers. The result is expressed through fragmented reflections that delicately disperse light, creating a visual effect reminiscent of constantly shifting ice crystals. More than a barware collection, Glacies proposes a complete sensory experience. www.vistaalegre.com

70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Preview MEGA SHOW Hong Kong

MEGA SHOW Hong Kong 2026 - Asia’s

premier sourcing event returns Celebrating its 33rd edition this October, MEGA SHOW Hong Kong, organised by Comasia Limited, will once again bring together thousands of manufacturers and buyers from across Asia and beyond, offering an unrivalled opportunity to source the latest home, kitchen and lifestyle products

What? MEGA SHOW Hong Kong | When? 20th-23rd & 27-29th October 2026 Where? Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) | Visit: www.mega-show.com For more than three decades, MEGA SHOW Hong Kong has been one of Asia’s most important sourcing events, providing international buyers with direct access to thousands of export-ready manufacturers.

Returning to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Recognised as one of the largest sourcing exhibitions for Asian consumer goods, the show will feature more than 3,000 exhibitors representing over 25 countries and regions.

Visitors will be able to source across a wide range of product categories, including houseware and kitchen-

“MEGA SHOW continues to be the essential gateway for international buyers looking to source quality products directly from Asia’s leading manufacturers” (HKCEC) across two phases - 20-23 October and 27-29 October - the 2026 edition promises another comprehensive showcase of innovation, manufacturing excellence and global trade opportunities.

72 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

ware, making it an efficient one-stop destination for buyers.

One trip, maximum sourcing opportunities One of MEGA SHOW’s greatest

advantages is its strategic timing.

Taking place alongside the Canton Fair in nearby Guangzhou, the exhibition allows international buyers to maximise both their travel budgets and sourcing schedules.

Buyers can visit two of Asia’s leading trade events in a single trip, compare suppliers across multiple markets and secure products for the seasons ahead.

Beyond showcasing manufacturers from across Asia, the event also features dedicated national and regional pavilions, alongside exhibitors from Europe and the Americas, giving buyers access to an even broader selection of products, styles and design influences under one roof.

To encourage international attendance, organisers are once again offering the popular Overseas Buyer Sponsorship Program.

Eligible overseas trade buyers can benefit from either up to three nights’ complimentary hotel accommodation or a cash subsidy of HKD2,600, around £250, helping to reduce travel costs while making it easier to attend one of the region’s most influential sourcing events.

Whether sourcing innovative kitchenware, expanding housewares ranges or identifying new manufacturing partners, MEGA SHOW Hong Kong offers buyers a valuable opportunity to discover new products,

strengthen supplier relationships and stay ahead of global retail trends.

With pre-registration now open on www.mega-show.com, now is the ideal time to plan an autumn sourcing trip to one of Asia’s leading trade exhibitions.

MEGA SHOW Hong Kong in numbers A truly international sourcing platform connecting buyers with leading Asian manufacturers...

■ 3,000+ exhibitors from

more than 25 countries and regions ■ 33 years of connecting global buyers with Asian suppliers ■ Extensive product sectors including houseware and kitchenware.

■ Two-part exhibition providing comprehensive sourcing across multiple consumer categories

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Opinion

Viewpoints From HostMilano announcing a new partnership in the US, to the importance of having a multi-category retail offering, we hear from suppliers in the know…

Guido Bormioli

Head of marketing and communication, Cerve Group HostMilano recently announced a partnership with NAFEM, the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, which will bring the Host format to the United States in 2027, creating a new bridge between Europe and North America.

What are your thoughts on this?

“Our view is extremely positive. We see this partnership as a great opportunity to bring European products and expertise closer to the North American market. European manufacturers have long been recognised for their

focus on quality, innovation, design, and their ability to anticipate consumer and hospitality trends.

Creating a bridge between Europe and the United States will allow American operators and buyers to discover firsthand the value, craftsmanship, and creativity that European brands can offer. At the same time, it provides European companies with a unique platform to better understand the needs of the U.S. market and strengthen their presence there. Overall, we believe this initiative represents an important opportunity for both sides and will help foster new business relationships, innovation, and growth across the hospitality industry.”

“We see this partnership as a great opportunity to bring European products and expertise closer to the North American market”

Jorrit Heinen,

Owner, Heinen Delfts Blauw What do you think of news that former Burberry CEO Christopher Bailey has bought out the Burleigh brand? Is it good for the ceramics industry to have more high-profile associations?

“From a distance, it is difficult to assess all the details of this acquisition, but in general I see it as a positive development when respected entrepreneurs, designers, or figures from the fashion industry become involved with ceramic brands. They often bring a fresh perspective, international experience, and strong expertise in brand development. Ceramics is an industry with a rich heritage and a high level of craftsmanship, but it can sometimes benefit from greater visibility among a broader audience. If influential individuals can contribute to innovation, brand positioning, and international exposure, this can be beneficial not only for the company involved but for the ceramics industry as a whole.”

What are your views on the UK government’s £120 million investment package in UK ceramics industry?

“This is undoubtedly positive news for the British ceramics industry. Manufacturers around the world are facing challenges such as rising energy costs, 74 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

increasing international competition, and the need to invest in sustainability and innovation. It is therefore encouraging to see governments recognising the importance of manufacturing industries to economic growth, employment, and technological development.

Investments of this nature can help companies remain competitive, modernize their operations, and prepare for the future. Ultimately, the benefits extend beyond the ceramics sector itself and support the wider industrial ecosystem.”

HostMilano recently announced a partnership with NAFEM, the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, which will bring the Host format to the United States in 2027, creating a new bridge between Europe and North America. What are your thoughts on this?

“The United States is one of the most important markets for the hospitality and foodservice industries, and initiatives that strengthen connections between European and North American businesses are generally beneficial. Increased collaboration and knowledge sharing can create new commercial opportunities and make international markets more accessible. For European suppliers and brands, this could provide an additional platform to showcase their products and innovations to a broader audience.”

Anand Baldawa,

CEO, thinKitchen Is having a multi-category retail offering crucial for tabletop brands?

“Absolutely.

Consumers today do not shop by category in the way retailers traditionally organise stores.

They shop around occasions, lifestyles and solutions. For example, a customer may start by looking for a mixing bowl or a water bottle, but often ends up exploring storage,

“A well-curated multi-category offering… allows brands and retailers to participate in more occasions throughout the year” serveware, kitchen tools or gifting options as part of the same purchase journey.

We see this regularly across brands such as KitchenAid, Kilner, Viners, Culinex and other premium international brands within our portfolio.

Testament to this is the fact that some of the leading companies in the world are multi-brand, multi-category!

A well-curated multi-category offering not only improves the customer experience but also allows brands and retailers to participate in more occasions throughout the year.”

Preview Maison & Objet This September sees Paris host Maison & Objet with Paris Design Week running simultaneously from September 10 to 19, 2026. The Cook & Share sector will feature a myriad of exhibitors; we highlight just a few…

Innovation and craftsmanship

at Maison & Objet

©Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

©Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

What? Maison & Objet | When? 10-14 September | Where? Paris Nord Villepinte

Fine Dining & Living presents new premium lifestyle brand Atelier Europe Hall 4 | stand D14-E13

Fine Dining & Living is returning to Maison & Objet Paris. Visitors can discover the company’s latest retail and hospitality collections across more than 100 m² of exhibition space in Hall 4 – Stand D14-E13 (Cook & Share).

This edition marks an especially important milestone with the official international premiere of Atelier Europe, Fine Dining & Living’s new premium lifestyle brand celebrating authentic European craftsmanship. Alongside Atelier Europe, the company will unveil its latest innovations across SPCollection, Salt&Pepper, ONA, BonBistro, Fine2Dine and CHIC, presenting new collections that reflect the season’s key trends in tabletop, decoration and hospitality.

For Fine Dining & Living, Maison & Objet is far more than a trade fair. It is the ideal platform to connect with international retailers, distributors, designers and hospitality professionals, exchange ideas, discover emerging trends and introduce the collections that will shape the coming season. The show remains an essential moment to strengthen existing partnerships, build new relationships and share the company’s passion for thoughtful design, innovation and craftsmanship with a global audience.

finediningandliving.eu

Zwiesel Fortessa debuts at Paris Design Week Zwiesel Fortessa is taking part in Paris Design Week for the first time. The brand is inviting customers in the French capital to visit their newly opened showroom to experience their brands, collections, and innovations in a dedicated setting.

The showroom is open daily from 10-19 September from 10am to 5pm.

Find Zwiesel Fortessa at 6 Rue Saint-Gilles, 75003 Paris.

The brand is also planning two highlight events in the showroom during the fairs, one dedicated to NoLo drinking featuring our new Début collection, and a tasting event with renowned sommelier Antoine Pétrus. More details will follow soon.

www.zwieselfortessa.com 76 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Maison & Objet Viewpoints Mepra will be taking part in Maison & Objet this September in Paris.

Find them in Hall 4| stand G42.

Managing partner Luca Prandelli tells us why the show is a key event for the brand…

Why is Maison & Objet a key event for your brand?

Maison & Objet is one of the most important international events for the design and interiors industry. It brings together a global community of professionals, making it the perfect platform to present our collections, strengthen existing relationships, and meet new customers and collaborators.

What advantages does the show present for you?

The show offers outstanding international visibility and the opportunity to engage directly with architects, interior designers, retailers, hotels, restaurants and distributors from across the world.

It is also an inspiring environment where we can exchange ideas, discover emerging trends, and gain valuable insights into the future of design.

Will you be presenting anything new or special at Maison, if so, tell us about it?

Yes. We are excited to unveil several new products that embody our latest creative direction. Our new collections combine contemporary aesthetics with premium materials and meticulous attention to detail, offering versatile solutions for modern living spaces. We can’t wait to share these new designs with visitors and receive their feedback.

Maison & Objet in numbers 2,300 brands | 49 countries | 4 halls

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Review Exclusively Exclusively Show rounded out a successful showcase at London’s Business Design Centre in June with key buyers from across multiple retail channels making it a profitable event for exhibitors…

Exclusively Show wraps up for 2026

Exclusively Show (organised by BHETA) returned to Business Design Centre, London, on 9–10 June, reinforcing its position as the UK’s leading trade event for housewares, tabletop, small domestic appliances and giftware.

Bringing together more than 130 exhibitors representing over 250 brands, the two-day event delivered an extensive showcase of product innovation, trend forecasting and commercial opportunities for retailers preparing their ranges for 2027 and beyond.

The continued strength of the show was reflected in exhibitor demand, with stand space selling out months ahead of the event. Strong buyer attendance from across multiple retail channels further underlined Exclusively’s role as a key date in the industry calendar.

Reflecting on this year’s show, exhibition director Will Jones said: “Initial feedback from exhibitors and visitors is that Exclusively delivered to its usual

high standard with a strong turnout of quality visitors keen to engage and trade. Particularly pleasing has been the reaction to the new and improved visitor initiatives with all surpassing last year’s engagement levels. The new London Store Tour was very well received and will be enhanced further next year. The industry continues to face many challenges but during the course of the show it was a pleasure to see so many engaged and dare I say it smiling faces”.

This year’s edition welcomed buyers and decision-makers from some of the UK’s most recognisable retail brands, including Harrods, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Ocado, Currys, Boots, B&Q, Costco, Wayfair, Robert Dyas, Next, Amazon, Lakeland, TK Maxx, Argos and John Lewis, alongside more representatives from independent retailers, department stores, garden centres, online marketplaces and HORECA sector.

A standout feature of the 2026 show was the newly reimagined Trend Showcase. Designed as a multi-sensory experience, the

The numbers 130 exhibitors represented over 250 brands across the two-day event.

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space combined colour, texture and fragrance with carefully curated product displays to bring emerging consumer trends to life. The refreshed concept received enthusiastic feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike,

Exclusively Show 2026 also introduced its first London Store Tour, created specifically for international visitors. The new initiative offered curated retail visits across the city, providing valuable insight into UK merchandising, consumer

One of the diary…

The 2027 dates are already locked in, with Exclusively Show set to return to Business Design Centre, London, on 8–9 June 2027. offering practical inspiration for ranges expected to shape retail shelves in 2027 and beyond. Plus, visitors of the area left with a new takeaway resource – a curated, downloadable Buying Guide.

behaviour and in-store experiences. The launch of the tour comes as international visitor numbers continue to rise for another consecutive year, reflecting the show’s growing global appeal.

Chef John Torode at Exclusively

Pavilion Design Front

kostaboda.com

Column Dave Turner Galea, Chef + Sommelier

Chesterfield, William Edwards Collection

“I have had a passion for dinnerware for as long as I can remember” In his new column for Tableware International, Dave Turner – an industry stalwart – gives his hot takes on things that matter. This month, Dave talks about the products that made him sit up and take notice…

One of the great privileges of spending more than four decades in the tabletop business is that you get to see an incredible amount of creativity. Every year, manufacturers from around the world introduce new products they hope will make a difference in the dining experience, whether at home or in restaurants. Some are evolutionary.

A few are revolutionary. Most fall somewhere in between. Some lead a trend, and others simply follow with their version of something already successful. Over the years, I’ve learned the products worth paying attention to aren’t always the ones with the biggest launch or the flashiest stand at a trade show.

They’re the ones that make you stop for a moment and think, “now, that’s interesting.” Sometimes it’s a new product, sometimes it’s a product that’s been around for a while and now is their time – and sometimes it is a product that is rediscovered.

To me, it’s simply a fresh way to up the dining experience game. The products I’ve chosen for this column did exactly that for me. They are

interesting. They are creative.

They make a difference in the dining experience. And that your guests will be impressed. This isn’t intended to be a “best of ” list, nor is it a catalog of every noteworthy introduction to reach the market recently. It’s simply a collection of products that caught my attention - and, more importantly, will definitely

So, let’s get to it in the dinnerware and glassware categories……

Dinnerware I have had a passion for dinnerware for as long as I can remember. I believe it is what the dining guest sees first and, therefore, sets the tone for the entire meal. What I like and believe matters right now seems to be a return to classic

“Over the years, I’ve learned the products worth paying attention to aren’t always the ones with the biggest launch or the flashiest stand at a trade show”

white dinnerware, with fresh, new embossments as part of the overall shape of the plates, bowls, and hopefully, an occasional unique serving piece for sharing.

Global supplier Steelite continues to lead with great new launches that validate my thinking across several price points and quality levels – their new Morella being a great starting point. Morella works well as a refined fusion of historical inspiration and Lucy, Caskata

make a difference.

They also help me see where I believe our industry is heading.

Because that’s what interests me most these days.

About Dave Turner Dave Turner is a longtime tabletop and hospitality industry executive, entrepreneur, writer, and category advocate whose career spans more than four decades across

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consumer products, HoReCa, and luxury tabletop brands.

Most recently, he served as CEO of Stölzle Lausitz Inc. USA, where he launched and led the U.S. subsidiary of the German glassware manufacturer. His tabletop experience also includes senior leadership roles with Villeroy & Boch and Woodmere/Castle China, where he served as President and equity partner.

David is the founder of TabletopJournal, a highly respected digital platform covering the global tabletop and hospitality industry.

Through his work, he has become known for championing the role tabletop plays in hospitality - that Tabletop Matters - not simply as product, but as an essential part of design, presentation, storytelling, and the guest dining experience.

Column Dave Turner higher-quality wine glasses. With this trend towards upgrading the quality of machine-made glassware, this may simply be the best time in “forever” to look at improving your wine glass assortment!

Looking back over these current initial thoughts, I’m reminded that the products themselves are only part of the story.

or two countries or a handful of familiar names. Tabletop creativity today comes from resources far and wide, from companies big and small, and from younger companies determined to make their mark in this sensory, highly tactile category.

Of course, these are simply my current thoughts and what I have fallen in love with lately. If you asked ten

“Steelite continues to lead with great new launches that validate my thinking across several price points and quality levels”

Lucy, Caskata

modern design, evoking both the vibe and the feel of the medieval town of Morella in Valencia. This luxurious range showcases an intricate relief decoration, reminding us again of Spain’s third-largest city. In addition, the middle-rim style plates feature an unusual engineered spiral effect - which I love - adding a bit of depth and elegance to each piece. This “old is new” – all with fresh updates, of course - approach comes out in several of the new launches from Steelite. From their Adelina on up to their very new and very sophisticated Chesterfield design from their William Edwards Collection.

White relief dinnerware continues to give so much versatility to both the restaurateur and the home entertainer.

These new designs give a very fresh look to this classic style - and they are perfect for mixing in playfully decorated pieces for that special splash of color. While made for the HoReCa market, Steelite’s designs can also be found at TablD.com.

When I think of playful, colourful dinnerware, Lucy – the fun-loving octopus design - from Caskata is at the top of my list. The detail in the overall design and the use of Lucy’s tentacles are unmatched. With so many pieces to choose from in ceramic, glass, and incredible accessories, Lucy is the perfect match for many of the aforementioned white relief dinnerware collections. Beautiful white relief dinnerware, combined with splashes of great design and great colour – always a winning combination!

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Glassware In the glassware category, innovation and creativity sometimes seem harder to find.

But there IS something new in glassware that has me excited.

And that is the subtle weight loss we have seen in glassware – primarily in machine-made glasses.

A great example of this trend is the “still new” Fino from Stölzle Lausitz. Fino features ultra-thin walls, an elegantly drawn stem, and a feather-light base. They provide a delicate, refined tasting experience.

Handmade feel and top-quality wine-drinking performance – all with the approachability of a machine-made wine glass. My absolute favorite here is the Fino Champagne glass. Bubbles never had it so good.

Another example of this forward-moving trend towards lighter, thinner wine glasses is the new Galea and Mylla from the Chef + Sommelier collection of Arc 1825. Both ranges offer new “extra-thin” technology from Arc’s signature material Krysta. While having a slight preference for the Mylla shape, 18 oz. All-Purpose in either Galea or Mylla would make an excellent addition to any wine glass assortment. Both of these companies are category differencemakers, and these new, thinner, lighter wine glass collections offer design and performance characteristics that, to me, are steering us toward the future of

What really excites me is what they represent. I love the continuous evolution within the tabletop category. Fresh ideas, new designs, new ways of entertaining – all bringing more dining enjoyment to the guest experience, whether it’s in the home or in a restaurant. Taken together, they suggest an industry that’s becoming more adventurous, more collaborative and, in many ways, more confident. And it wasn’t so long ago that products designed for consumer markets were leading the way; now, more and more, it is the HoReCa suppliers setting the tempo in tabletop, with a bit of a return to classicism with a “freshening up”.

Today, manufacturers of tabletop items are borrowing ideas from studio potters, industrial designers, architects – and especially, chefs.

They’re experimenting with new materials, challenging long-held assumptions, and finding ways to deliver products that are both beautiful and practical. That’s not always an easy balance to strike, but when it’s done well, everybody benefits - from the manufacturer to the operator, and ultimately the guest. I’m equally encouraged by how global the conversation has become. Great ideas are no longer coming from just one

Morella, Steelite

people in our business to choose the products that best showcase today’s market, you’d probably receive ten different lists. Or, ask me a year from now and my thoughts will have evolved, no doubt. That’s one of the things I’ve always enjoyed about tabletop. There is room for different opinions because there is no shortage of good ideas.

As for me, I’ll continue looking beyond the product itself. I’m interested in the thinking behind it, the problem it’s trying to solve, the host or operator it’s trying to serve, and even the distribution/supply chain/go-to-market strategy that makes that product available to its target audience. These seemingly disparate characteristics all signal where our industry may be headed next. After all, today’s most interesting introduction isn’t always the one that sells the most pieces. Quite often, it’s the one that quietly changes the way the rest of us start thinking.

And that’s usually where the next chapter of our industry begins.

So, those are my current thoughts on the direction and what currently matters in the dinnerware and wine glass categories. In my next column, I’ll give you my take on the barware, flatware, accessories and – even a surprise category you probably won’t be expecting.

Stay tuned!

Made by passionate people for passionate people.

COCOON SERIES

Interview RAK Porcelain

Telling the

tableware story Storytelling is becoming an increasingly important aspect in the way RAK Porcelain markets its tableware, Christel Astakhoff, head of marketing at RAK Porcelain Europe, explains this refreshing and intuitive approach to the brand’s collections, including the Gemma Bernal-designed Feelings, which was recently handed a Red Dot: Best of the Best distinction in Product Design award…

How would you sum up the first half of 2026 for RAK Porcelain?

The first half of 2026 has been both intense and very positive for RAK Porcelain. Despite a challenging economic environment and continued disruption to international supply routes, we have continued to invest, innovate and strengthen our relationships with hospi-tality professionals.

Some markets have recorded an outstanding revenue growth compared with the first half of 2025.

This reflects both the strength of the market and the resilience we have built through a diversified customer base. Our presence across hospitality, healthcare, stadiums, event catering and collective

foodservice allows us to remain agile without depending too heavily on any single channel.

What has been particularly encouraging is the response to our latest collections. Feelings is perhaps the clearest expression of what we are aiming for: a collection that performs completely in professional service while

And what is your take on the industry at large?

The hospitality industry is under a lot of pressure at the moment.

“Our presence across hospitality, healthcare, stadiums, event catering and collective foodservice allows us to remain agile”

bringing something distinctive and emotionally resonant to the table.

We have also continued to deepen our collaborations with chefs, designers and hospitality

Fact!

More than a year after its launch, Feelings is establishing itself not simply as an eye-catching novelty, but as a meaningful design statement. In July, the collection received the Red Dot: Best of the Best distinction in Product Design.

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partners. For us, growth is not simply about introducing more products. It is about creating greater relevance and value for the people who use them.

Businesses are dealing with rising costs, staff shortages and increasingly complex operational demands. At the same time, guests expect more. They are not only looking for good food, but for a complete experience, something authentic and a real sense of place.

For tableware manufacturers, this creates both challenges and opportunities. Products still need to perform perfectly in demanding professional environments, but functionality alone is no longer enough. Chefs and restaurateurs

are also looking for pieces that help them express their identity and reinforce the experience they want to create for their guests.

That is really the key question for the industry today: not only whether a product works, but whether it has a strong enough idea behind it to become part of the user’s own story. The brands that understand this are creating something guests remember, not simply some-thing that looks good in a photograph for one season.

Feelings was one of your big launches at Ambiente 2025, and the Gemma Bernal-designed collection has seen some great traction.

Feelings has been extremely well received, particularly within the premium and high-end hospitality segment. Its shapes are expressive and unconventional, and they require a very high level of precision in both design and production. That is precisely what gives the collection its strength.

What hospitality professionals have responded to is the balance between artistic expression and genuine functionality. The pieces have a strong visual presence, but

Interview RAK Porcelain they are not merely decorative. Their curves, elevations and asymmetries encourage chefs to interact with the plate differently and explore new approaches to presentation.

This is central to Gemma Bernal’s concept. Traditionally, the plate is considered a neutral background for the food a chef places on it. With Feelings, form and background merge. The shape itself becomes part of the composition, inspiring the chef to decide which creative proposal will achieve that sense of unity. The original concept was expressed through a se-ries of creative intentions: to “capture the movement” and “show the plasticity of porcelain.” You can see this in the pieces themselves; in the way a rim folds, rises or elongates, recalling the behaviour of porcelain while it is still soft rather than relying on the flat, static geometry often associated with tableware.

The collection was born from three elements Gemma considers inseparable: design, high-quality production and close observation of contemporary gastronomy. The result brings elegance, sensory experience and functionality together without asking the chef to com-promise between them.

More than a year after its launch, Feelings is establishing itself not simply as an eye-catching novelty, but as a meaningful design statement. On 7 July 2026, the collection received the Red Dot: Best of the Best distinction in Product Design. This is tremendous recognition of Gemma Bernal’s exceptional vision and product concept, as well as the outstanding pro-duction quality and technical expertise required to translate such complex forms into professional porcelain. The distinction is especially meaningful because it recognises the strength of the

project as a whole: the originality of the concept, the intelligence of the design and the technical quality of its execution.

What sort of marketing tactics do you employ to engage with hospitality buyers? How do you tell the story of collections such as Feelings, where there are so many different elements?

For Feelings, we wanted to move away from the traditional way tableware is marketed and go beyond a standard product catalogue. We built the launch across several touchpoints: the

“For us, the future is not only about new design. It is about smarter design” catalogue, campaign imagery and film, digital presentations, social media, chef collaborations, trade fairs, sample presentations and dedicated tools for our sales and

Graphic designer, Aline Spanier, designer Gemma Bernal, and Christel Astakhoff, head of marketing at RAK Porcelain Europe, recieving the Red Dot: Best of the Best distinction in Product Design award

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distribution partners. Each format had a different role, because Feelings is not a collection you can fully understand through a packshot alone. The catalogue itself was designed as a storytelling object.

Our graphic designer, Aline Spanier, chose to create something closer to a storybook than a conventional commercial catalogue. The opening pages explain Gemma Bernal’s original design concept through her sketches, gestures and research around movement and the plasticity of porcelain. From there, the story moves into the way the collection can actually be used.

We partnered with three chefs and invited them to push the boundaries of the pieces through their own creative approach. The aim was not simply to show food on the plates, but to demonstrate how different chefs could interpret the same shapes in completely different ways. Their work helped us reveal the full potential of the collection and show that the plate is not just a support for the dish, but an active part of the composition.

We also created a dedicated Culinary Sketchbook for chefs.

Because the shapes are new and sometimes unexpected, we wanted to offer a practical tool that would help chefs understand how to work with them.

Each page gives them space to sketch plating ideas, note ingredients and imagine how

a composition could interact with the curves, elevations and asymmetries of each piece.

The purpose was never to tell chefs how Feelings should be used.

It was to give them a starting point, help them become familiar with the shapes and encourage them to explore their own ideas before moving into the kitchen.

This is particularly important for Feelings because the collection is built around a relationship between the object, the chef and the guest. You have to see how the pieces move, how they can be held, how food interacts with their form and how the different elements can work together.

More generally, when we launch a collection, our work always begins with the designer.

We first need to understand the original vision: why a form exists, what inspired it and what kind of experience it is meant to create.

From there, we build a complete universe around the collection and translate that vision into something meaningful for chefs, buyers, distributors and end users without losing the integrity of the original design.

Is storytelling a huge part of what you do, or is it a direction RAK wants to focus on more?

Storytelling is already a major part of what we do, and it is one of the core missions of the RAK Porcelain Europe marketing department.

We believe plates and tableware are much more than aesthetic objects. They perform an essential but often silent function. They frame the dish, guide the eye, influence proportions and

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Interview RAK Porcelain

textures, and help the chef communicate an idea. The plate is the stage on which the chef’s creation is revealed.

Our role is therefore not simply to show a product and describe its dimensions. We need to explain why it exists, what inspired it and what it makes possible.

This becomes even more important at a time when visual content can be generated faster than ever with AI. Technology can be a powerful creative tool, but imagery without lived experience, knowledge or intention can quickly become interchangeable.

That is why the voices of the people who design, produce and use our porcelain matter so much. A chef can explain how a shape changes the way a dish is composed. A restaurant owner can speak about durability and service.

A designer can explain the thinking behind a curve that might otherwise appear purely decorative. Production specialists can reveal the technical expertise required to make an ambitious design possible. These perspectives bring a depth and credibility that cannot be fabricated.

Storytelling also allows us to take part in a wider conversation about food culture. We want to highlight craftsmanship, responsible sourcing, seasonality, quality ingredients and the knowledge that passes between generations. By giving visibility to the trritories, producers 88 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

and decisions behind a dish, we can help audiences better understand what shapes it before it reaches the table. For us, this is an im-portant part of contributing to a more informed, respectful and durable approach to gastronomy.

The brand was recently involved in hosting a four-hands dinner in Italy with chefs René Mathieu and Arcangelo Tinari. Why are events like this important?

Events like Oltre il Giardino are important to us because they create real exchanges, rather than simply putting our name on a dinner.

The idea was to bring together two chefs with very different backgrounds but a shared way of looking at food. René Mathieu works closely with wild plants and foraging, while Arcangelo Tinari’s cuisine is deeply rooted in Abruzzo, his family history and the products of the region.

The menu was not decided in advance. The chefs first spent time exploring the territory together, from the forests above Guardiagrele

Gemma Bernal, designer of Feelings

to the Adriatic coast, gathering what was available at that precise moment. What made the collaboration so interesting was that the learn-ing went both ways.

René discovered plants he had never worked with before, while Arcangelo rediscovered ingredients growing around Villa Maiella that had never entered his kitchen.

The sourcing was a central part of the story.

Many of the ingredients could not simply have been ordered from a supplier because they were connected to a specific place, altitude and season. The same philosophy can be seen in Arcangelo’s own work: his family raises the native Abruzzo black pig and grows its own cereals

ex-plore a territory together and bring attention to the people, ingredients and traditions behind the food. The plate then becomes part of a much bigger story.

Finally, can you give us any insight into what we can expect from RAK in 2027 and beyond?

In 2027 and beyond, we want to focus on meaningful innovation.

That means continuing to work closely with designers, chefs and hospitality professionals to create collections that are not only visually strong, but genuinely useful in service.

We also want to show more of what usually remains invisible: how porcelain is developed and produced, how chefs actually work with it, and how a plate can connect design, ingredients, territory and culture.

“We also want to show more of what usually remains invisible: how porcelain is developed and produced” because the quality they needed was no longer available through conventional supply chains.

Our role was to bring this encounter to life and provide the tableware through which the seven-course menu could be expressed. The dinner moved from the coast and wild herbs towards the mountains, the farm and the culinary memory of the restaurant. It was a story told through the dishes, not just a sequence of courses.

This is why these projects matter to us. They create space for chefs to share knowledge,

We already have several new storytelling and partnership projects in development, including new chef exchanges, culinary collaborations and stories rooted in sourcing, craft and place. I cannot reveal too much yet, but the direction is clear: more real voices, more knowledge-sharing and more projects that go beyond a traditional product launch.

Ultimately, we want RAK Porcelain to be recognised not only for the quality of its tableware, but for the role it can play in supporting creativity and meaningful hospitality experiences.

www.gorememelamin.com.tr

Editor’s

Choice Phénix from Raynaud Porcelaines is a gloriously ornate collection celebrating light, movement and artisanal craftsmanship…

Gotta be, gotta

be golden…

Beautifully vibrant, beautifully ornate – Raynaud’s Phénix collection harks back to the glory days of heritage dinnerware services. This is a collection which doesn’t quietly enter the room, it arrives bedecked in jewels and a crown.

Limoges porcelain is animated with graphic gold curves, a pure expression of Raynaud’s elite craftmanship.

Phénix is a celebration of tableware as it should be. A collection that, in a century’s time, will be as desirable as it is now.

The full collection includes plates, serving dishes, and tea and coffee services, creating a luminous, contemporary, and intensely graphic table setting. The collection is further enriched by two coffee pots while the teacup is a particular favourite revealing its true self with each sip, although the 32cm coupe plate is equally as impressive. This is a celebration of the craft of tableware design and for that reason, it is this month’s Editor’s Choice.

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www.raynaud.fr

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