Tableware International March April 2020

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: March/April 2020

Issue: 1

2

Volume: 142

134

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Tableware Team EDITOR MAIREAD WILMOT mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk

TableWare INTERNATIONAL

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHER MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

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

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

At the heart Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442 289930 of retail Fax: 00 44 (0) 1442 289950 Front cover illustration supplied by Rosenthal Photograph by Philippe Garcia For more information see the website www.rosenthal.de

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: March/April 2020

Issue: 1

2

Volume: 142

134

T

here is no denying the past number of weeks, months even, has made for a very strange time. Covid-19, more commonly known as coronavirus, has dominated our work, family and social lives, directly impacting businesses around the globe.

Show season has effectively been put on hold – The Inspired Home Show in Chicago was the first to announce its closure, soon to be followed by The New York Tabletop Show.

As it happens, that announcement took place just as Tableware International was going to print. However, we have chosen to run the feature showcasing just a small portion of the fantastic collections at 41 Madison – remember, this is a permanent showroom and to not highlight what is on offer would do the industry a disservice.

Of course, as we are in the grips of a global lockdown it is near impossible to predict the real impact on business just yet – that will become clearer as the weeks go on. If you or your business – be it as a retailer or as a supplier – has news you want to get out to the industry, please don’t hesitate to use Tableware International as a means of reaching those you want. Just drop me an email – mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk – and we will endeavour to assist you in any way we can.

Moving on, this magazine was produced fresh from Ambiente – which, aside from the much-talked about drop in footfall – proved to be a successful show. Hall 6, the new HoReCa-focused hall, was an outstanding success, reflecting strength in the industry.

You’ll find our Ambiente review on page 48, along with impressions from key global retailers on page 50.

Speaking of Ambiente, Porland was one of the notable companies who hosted stands in two halls – 4.1 and 6. We caught up with marketing group manager Ümran Ünsal who talked to us about retail, hospitality, export markets and much more. You’ll find the interview on page 32.

Ambiente was also where Tableware

International met with Sacha Walckhoff – creative director with Christian Lacroix who designed one of Rosenthal’s newest collection – Magic Garden. What a pleasure to meet such a passionate creative, a designer who crafts from the heart, someone who wants everyone to enjoy the pleasures of porcelain.

Our interview with him is on page 24.

Speaking of passionate creatives, the team at Studio Levien were the brains behind Villeroy & Boch’s NewMoon collection.

NewMoon has become one of the triumphs of the new season with sculptural shapes, an interesting narrative and the might of Villeroy & Boch behind it. We speak with Robin Levien RDI about the processes involved in crafting a collection such as NewMoon, while also hearing from Villeroy & Boch about how they engaged with the collaborative process.

You’ll find the interview on page 34.

Our trend analyst Donna Ferrari casts her keen eye over notable collections, highlighting those with the x factor on page 28. Meanwhile, Phil Pond of trend forecasting company Scarlet Opus talks us through how they do business on page 72.

We also take a look at glassware with our six-page guide, starting on page 36.

Our next magazine is a HoReCa specific one which we are compiling now so do send all of your products and news to mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk.

Stay safe and healthy!

Mairead Wilmot Get social with

See our latest news: www.tablewareinternational.com ‘Like’ us: Facebook.com/tablewareintmag ‘Follow’ us on Twitter: @tablewareintmag ‘Love’ us on Instagram: tableware_international

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March/April 2020

News & Trends 16 News A round-up of international stories 22

New Products All that is fresh

50

Retail Review What retailers loved at Ambiente

56 Product Trend A look at casual dining 58

Viewpoints Casual dining explored

26

60 HoReCa in action Tableware being used in its natural habitat 62 New Products HoReCa special

24

74 Product Trend Minimalism examined

36

24

Guide to Glassware The latest on glassware

52 Interview We speak with the winner of Tableware International's Lifetime Achievement Award 72 In focus The art of trend forecasting with Scarlet Opus

Regulars 26

Column Donna Ferrari looks at trends

55 Column: BHETA Why sustainability matters 64

Column Valda Goodfellow on innovation

Shows In focus

62

24

Interview We speak with Sacha Walckhoff, the man behind Rosenthal's new collection, Magic Garden

30

In focus India examined

48 Review A look back at Ambiente 2020 66

Show Preview 41 Madison

32 Profile Fresh from a successful Ambiente, Porland tell us about the retail and hospitality side of their business 34

Meet the designer Villeroy & Boch's NewMoon was undoubedly a highlight for many at Ambiente.

We learn more about the collaborative design process from Studio Levien's Robin Levien

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.

52

66

general News

Coronavirus

impacts industry events

Derek Miller, president of the International Housewares Association

A global pandemic caused by Covid-19, more commonly known as coronavirus, has led to the cancellation of The Inspired Home Show, which was due to take place in Chicago in March.

At the time of going to press, organisers of The New York Tabletop Show announced their event had also been cancelled.

The New York Tabletop Show In a letter to the industry, Derek Miller, president of the International was also cancelled because Housewares Association which organises The Inspired Home Show, said: of coronavirus “Being a global event, the health risk of having our international community come together was simply too great.”

He continued: “By March 2, we were swept away by a tide of cancellations from both exhibitors and retailers that clearly made the most difficult decision ever made by IHA fairly easy – the show simply couldn’t continue on as it had for more than 80 years.”

Mr Miller said that while organisers were “devastated” by the decision, the “immediate focus is on determining the financial impact on the industry and association – once we are able to provide an analysis to our Board of Directors, we can make decisions regarding exhibitor refunds.”

Meanwhile, organisers of The New York Tabletop Show said their event at 41 Madison which is due to run from March 31 to April 3, was no longer viable. They released a statement saying: “We believe that hosting large-scale gatherings under prevailing public health conditions is not in the best interest of our customers and the tabletop community. At the same time, we recognize that companies operating within the building remain free to conduct business at their discretion. While we know this decision may impose unanticipated changes in plans, we also believe it will provide peace of mind and support general wellbeing."

Dynamic movement

LSA’s Canopy collection scoops several awards

“The creation of Ether for Richard Ginori was quite similar to the way in which a ballet set is conceived. Ether is the scenic design I have imagined for the elements of the Aria collection. The dynamic movement of the graphic design seems to evaporate in the mingling of light and shade which makes the plates a sort of frame, within which chefs can play.”

French designer Constance Guisset on the creation of Ether for Richard Ginori. Visit Richard Ginori on floor 17 of The New York Tabletop Show to see the collection. Turn to page 61 for more on 41 Madison’s spring edition.

16 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

With sustainability such a hot topic, LSA International’s Canopy collection – launched in collaboration with The Eden Project – has received four awards this year alone.

Made from 100 per cent recycled glass and boxed in recycled, recyclable packaging printed with organic vegetable inks to further minimise the impact on the environment, Canopy has proven hugely popular, most recently taking home a Good Design Award 2019. This is the third Good Design Award for LSA International – they also won in 2015 for Stack and 2016 for Utility.

Canopy, meanwhile, now also boasts an iF Design Award, a Tableware International Award and Host Milano’s Green Award.

Speaking about Canopy’s success to date, Mark Jonas, executive director – brand, says the collection “embodies the concept of sustainable contemporary design and the founding principle of the Eden Project to transform and regenerate, through the environmentally conscious act of transforming a discarded material into something useful.”

Inspired by… nature The V&A’s incredible archive has once again been brought to life by the team at KitchenCraft.

The newest collection, Voysey’s Nature Kingdom, is a series of mix and match bowls, small plates and mugs, developed using the work of Arts and Crafts designer, C.F.A. Voysey (1857–1941).

Inspired primarily by nature, Voysey was renowned for his work in textiles and wallpaper design.

The new collection from V&A features patterns – Seagulls, Yew & Arbutus, My Garden and Bee Garden.

WMF celebrates awards win The team at WMF are celebrating after being voted Germany’s top product brand at the Best Brands 2020 gala event. The award is voted for by consumers with WMF placing ahead of previous winners such as Lego, Bosch and Adidas. Pictured at the awards ceremony are Dr Stephen Schuster, VP brand marketing and product communications, Oliver Kastalio, CEO WMF Group and Martin Ludwig, SVP international strategy and product creation. WMF also picked up an iF Design Award 2020 for three of their products – WMF Oven Collection, WMF Waterkant and WMF Compact Cuisine. They also won a Tableware International Award of Excellence for Motion Thermal Flasks.

Don’t miss…

The Paper Cup series

by SPAL Porcelanas has sustainability at its heart, with designers creating a porcelain piece inspired by the ordinary, everyday disposable cup.

The company wanted to reinforce the importance of choosing reusable items, with the overall design

Gianluca Colonna resigns from Rosenthal Rosenthal have wished their former MD Gianluca Colanna the very best for his future after he resigned from his role.

He left his position on 29 February to devote himself to “new professional challenges after ten years”.

His duties will be filled internally until a successor is found.

“In all these years, it has been a great pleasure for me to work together with excellent colleagues and employees while playing a responsible role in shaping Rosenthal’s path towards a successful future,” he said. “I thank all my companions and wish them all the best for the challenges ahead.”

Safe knife retailing taskforce meets with trading standards A specialist BHETA taskforce met with the Trading Standard Institute to discuss the responsible retail of bladed items recently.

The meeting included Steve Richardson, marketing manager at BHETA, who is also liaising with Scotland Yard on the matter, and looked at issues surrounding product design and development, retail fixtures and point of sale including the use of Challenge 25; and methodologies for monitoring and testing.

“This was a first meeting,” explained Steve, “but we established a lot of common ground in terms of furthering the legitimate purchasing interests of consumers and the legitimate trading interests of retailers and suppliers.”

Chief among the many queries was the revised definition of ‘bladed item’ in the context of the act.

In the latest draft, for example, products such as cutlery, scissors and garden secateurs were included.

The BHETA taskforce also includes leading brands such as John Lewis, Amefa, Robert Welch, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Lakeland, Dunelm, Steamer Trading, T K Maxx, Elys of Wimbledon, Harts of Stur, Taylor’s Eye Witness, Fiskars, Meyer, Haus, Burton McCall, Kuhn Rikon, and Rayware.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 17

general

News

Last limited edition decanters crafted for Sir Elton John Riedel have crafted their fourth and final limited-edition decanter for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. A total of 175 pieces were made for the 2020 series – each baring the famous singer’s signature engraved on the bottom.

The company first designed a decanter for the charity in 2017, and each year since then, while also donating €110,000.

Each piece is handmade and comes in two special sizes, Magnum or Double Magnum, featuring the colours of the rainbow.

“Our limited editions usually comprise 50 units.

But in the case of the decanter editions for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, we increased the numbers each year so we could keep up with the enormous worldwide demand. I greatly admire the work Sir Elton John does and am honoured to be able to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation again this year,” says Maximilian J. Riedel.

18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Arovo launches new MasterChef homewares range

A new multi-territory deal between Endemol Shine Group, the licensor behind the global hit MasterChef, and Arovo was recently announced.

The deal will see Arovo produce MasterChef branded ceramics, tableware, textiles, cookware, knives, utensils, small domestic appliances and more.

Speaking about the partnership, Nathalie Vandeghinste, CEO Arovo says: “When we learned the combined kitchen and tabletop licence would become available for MasterChef we did not hesitate. There are very few brands that can easily cross all of the various product lines of these categories. On top of that the brand has very positive brand recognition in over 60 countries. Working with the team at Endemol Shine has been extremely productive and at Arovo we are confident this is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.”

Goodfellows welcomes Cookplay Tableware suppliers G&G Goodfellows has announced the introduction of Cookplay from Bilbao, Spain to its collection.

“We are delighted to be the home of Cookplay in the UK. Ana Roquero’s designs are true modern classics and they fit perfectly into our eclectic portfolio of iconic products for today’s food professionals. We will unveil the new Cookplay designs, alongside the existing ranges, in our showroom. G&G continue our commitment to being constantly ahead of our customers’ demands for the best and most innovative products in the world,” says MD, Valda Goodfellow.

Created in 2014 by industrial designer Ana Roquero, Cookplay was born to break new ground with fascinating style and versatile solutions to redefine the modern table.

For the love of dogs!

Artěl was commissioned by The American Kennel Club’s Museum of the Dog to create a new glassware collection.

Best of Breed – in a smoke-coloured crystal – is comprised of four hand-engraved motifs on Double Old Fashioned glasses depicting breed standards – English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, and Pointer.

The collection’s launch coincided with the world-famous Westminster Dog Show, which

took place in New York City in February 2020.

“As a long-time dog owner myself,” says Artěl’s director Karen Feldman, “I was delighted to produce this collection for the AKC and quite honoured to have our brand featured by the Museum of the Dog. I’m sure the new collection will resonate with our fans, since our original DOG collection, featuring another six breeds, has been a bestseller from the moment it was launched in 2014.”

Introducing Stem Zero made with our ‘Ion Shielding Technology’.

Making it the world’s toughest, yet finest lead free crystal glass.

You could say it is beautifully strong.

nudeglass.com utopia-tableware.com

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simple is beautiful

RETAIL

general

News

Zwiesel Glas creates umbrella brand

Zwiesel Glas has announced the creation of umbrella brand Zwiesel Kristallglas AG, along with unveiling five new collections.

“Our new umbrella brand is the next logical step for us,” the company stated. “It represents the full experience of our Zwiesel 1872 and Schott Zwiesel brands, while reflecting our dedicated passion to create the extraordinary and to keep innovating in the future.”

The five Zwiesel Glas collections were launched recently, including Aura – a series of carafes and tumblers which stand out for their clear design language.

Glamorous (pictured), inspired by 1920s Art Deco, boasts a black stem and striking cut while Highness features an 18-part

twisted stem showcasing the highest level of artisan design.

The Spirit series, a reinterpretation of a 100-year-old technology, honours the company’s great glassmaking tradition. Zwiesel says “each unique design and stem colour add individual aesthetics to every table to create that special sensory experience”. Finally, a versatile vase rounds off the assortment, the Shadow series offers the perfect interplay of light and shadow.

Meanwhile, the Simplify series by Zwiesel 1872 was recently honoured with the German Design Award 2020, while Sensa by Schott Zwiesel received the German Design Award 2019 and Vervino by Schott Zwiesel received an iF Design Award 2020.

Inspired by… pastels Mix n’ match as a concept is proving to have enduring appeal and Rig-Tig’s mugs of the same name fit the bill perfectly.

Coming in a set of four, each in a perennially popular pastel shade, the mugs – designed by Daniel Debiasi and Federico Sandri – were inspired by “flea market bargains and trends of the imperfect” the company says. They are pictured here with the Pour-It jug and Carry-On serving tray.

What my clients want...

Walter Lowry, proprietor of the Los Angeles based TableArt which boasts an iconic Melrose Avenue address, talks us through what his clients are looking for

“TableArt opened in 2004, and during the early years, when people asked me about trends, I replied that there were no discernible trends; that each customer was unique and purchased to suit his or her taste. During the past six years or so, I have answered the question differently, stating that there is a clear trend toward more casual dining and entertaining at home.

People are doing what is comfortable for them, which often means selecting more casual dinnerware, glassware and linens. In some cases, this means a total new look, sending more formal china to the attic or basement.

In other cases, it means mixing, so there is not so much a distinction between casual and formal, but one’s own style of entertaining – the lines have blurred between formal and casual entertaining. For many of our clients, this style is more relaxed, which they believe contributes to their guests being more relaxed.

Clients are still buying beautiful dinnerware, but the beauty is often more about glazes or shapes. Clients are not looking for less expensive - they are looking for special, unique. With dinnerware, this does not mean buying less expensive dinnerware, it means buying special, small production lines that fit the décor and style of entertaining of the buyer. Similarly, with linens, emphasis is on more relaxed or “washed” linens — high quality, yes, but not as refined in terms of such things as monograms, hemstitching and pressing. Most clients who opt for this approach choose to complement their table settings with stainless flatware, or stainless in combination with wood or other materials; though some will still use simple, beautiful silver. With this said, there are clearly folks who like a beautifully set table that skews towards more formal. This can range from beautiful white porcelain or bone china to full Rococo, hand-painted dinnerware, such as Nymphenburg’s beautiful Cumberland pattern. This kind of table setting lends itself to breaking out beautiful stemware and sterling flatware and gorgeous linens, whether they be new or heirloom from parents, grandparents or even older. Linen, treated kindly, will outlive us all.

One size will never fit all, and we never suggest to our clients that they go in one direction or another. Entertaining at home is both personal and an art, and people who entertain should do what is comfortable for them. When the host or hostess is at ease, it helps make everyone more comfortable, more relaxed, which is the foundation for successful entertaining.”

“Clients are not looking for less expensive – they are looking for special, unique.”

Pictured is Nymphenburg's Cumberland collection

THE UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PREMIER SHOWCASE OF HOUSEWARES, TABLETOP & SMALL ELECTRICAL BRANDS

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One toProducts New talk about

Burleigh has introduced Collection One – the first collection of Burleighware.

Comprised of three distinct designs – Palisade, a motif designed by Christopher Dresser, an eminent Victorian designer and professor of botany, Hibiscus – the Hibiscus pattern has become an important part of Burleigh’s current collection and can be seen in some of the world’s leading hotels, restaurants and clubs, and Pollen, the first new Burleigh design in a generation. Pollen is an unequivocally industrious and productive pattern. The geometric honeycomb backdrop is interspersed with bees, the great symbol of industry – representing the past, present and future and bridging the great design work of Burleigh’s past with Burleigh’s place in contemporary design today.

www.burleigh.co.uk

Focus on…

new

Gold glory Eisch’s Gold Leaf collection boasts plates, carafes and glasses with different structures which resemble wood grain covered with gold leaf. Gold (24-carat) is manually applied to brilliant crystal glass in several complex steps meaning each piece is unique due to the different structures in which the gold is expressed.

products

A selection of fresh, exciting new products designed to entice customers and enhance your shop shelves – will you see something you like?

eisch.de

Porcel Porcel’s Premium Gold collection features beautiful, well designed and elegant hand-painted pieces with a gentle touch of gold for a

Elegant proportions New from Robert Welch Designs is Skye, recently launched at Ambiente.

Polished to a mirror finish, the inspiration for Skye is drawn from traditional silversmith techniques, paired with an elegant profile.

The collection features a slim, 32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL elegant profile with a decorative texture which catches the light.

www.robertwelch.com

It’s art, darling Photographer Martin Schoeller has crafted a stunning collection of limited-edition plates for Rosenthal’s new Art Edition, featuring the portraits of drag queens.

There are six motifs in the collection, and four are limited to 100 pieces each.

www.rosenthal.de

Colour coded A new refresh on an old favourite, Stelton’s EM77 vacuum jug – which can be used for hot or cold drinks – was created by Erik Magnussen in 1977. SS20 sees some bright new hues added to the collection with saffron, lemon and apple green joining the range.

www.stelton.com

A lesson in texture Inspired by the texture of wicker baskets, LSA International’s mouthblown Wicker Collection comprises wine glasses, carafes, tumblers, vases and lanterns. Available in clear glass and taupe, each handmade piece is made with a metal mesh placed inside a wooden mould used in the mouthblowing process, and molten glass is gently pressed into the tactile surface and then hand-finished. Designed to be reminiscent of a typically 1970s texture.

www.lsa-international.com

Glamour Beatriz Ball’s Soho Karats bowls – available in two sizes – are the perfect accompaniment to any dining table. Made in the company’s proprietary metal alloy, they are individually sand-cast and hand polished to a jewel like brilliance which highlights their cubistic forms. Designed for serving, they also function well as decorative home objects.

www.beatrizball.com

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tion glasses which vered carat) rilliant mplex ece is erent gold is

Limited colour palette Portraying fish, lizards and flying birds in a limited colour palette of blues and reds in a stylised cradle effect, Terrazzo is a set of three mugs on Dunoon’s Lomond mug shape. All highlighted by 22-carat gold which emphasises the rich colours in the design.

www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

Make a statement Denby’s Statement Collection is new for spring 2020.

Each piece in this limited-edition range is individually hand-decorated and differs from the next, creating a unique piece of artware in the style of a studio potter.

www.denbypottery.com

Modern finish Comprising 16 pieces, Felicity is a modern cutlery set from Amefa featuring a robust, hammered finish on the angular cutlery model. The uneven surface in combination with the high-gloss finish brings just that extra touch of style to the table.

www.amefa.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 33

Profile Rosenthal

Enter the Ma g When Rosenthal commissioned designer Sacha Walckhoff to create a porcelain collection, they gave him one brief – something graphic, something with flowers – he came back with Magic Garden. Tableware International’s editor Mairead Wilmot met with the acclaimed designer to find out more

“

I feel honored to join the long list of talents who have combined their ideas with the incredible know-how of the Rosenthal company.

Sacha Walckhoff, designer

”

a gic Garden “That was the pitch,” Sacha Walckhoff tells me in the midst of a heaving Rosenthal stand at Ambiente 2020.

“Something graphic and something with flowers!”

A pitch, he confesses, is something he loves. “It gives boundaries and you can work around boundaries.”

The result was Magic Garden, designed by Walckhoff – the creative director of Christian Lacroix – who, beyond his role at the French fashion house, is an esteemed designer in his own right. Not only has he created 10 porcelain collections for Christian Lacroix, he has also crafted two personal (numbered and signed) collections, which are currently housed in several galleries, and he has created collections for other noted porcelain and glassware companies. The point being, he is, as he says himself, “a porcelain freak! I was born in Limoges, you see!”.

In creating Magic Garden for Rosenthal, Sacha explains he wanted to tell the story of a garden – but not just a garden in full bloom. No, he wanted to tell the tale of a wildflower garden, from the very first planting of the seeds,

meanings… nature is not just beautiful, it is useful too.”

But even more than that, the collection is inspired by childhood – the warm, familiar feeling when remembering the safety of youth.

“We always remember the porcelain we had at home as children,” he enthuses, explaining this was a driving force behind Magic Garden. “This work is really about who I am.”

Sacha explains he wanted to create a collection with “easy, obvious forms”, that won’t date. “They will last forever, they will go on through the years. This sort of design is my kind of glamour, it is not obvious.”

Sacha displays an evident warmth for Magic Garden. “All my life experiences are represented here,” he says. The collection evokes memories of early childhood, while simultaneously showcasing technical, nuanced use of colour.

“I learned so much about colour from Lacroix…

through to the green shoots of spring awakening and then, finally, the garden in full bloom.

The result is a three-tier collection – Black Seeds, Foliage and Blossom – each with independent décors which work individually, and simultaneously.

The designer’s passion for his craft is infectious, even over the humdrum of busy stand at a trade show. You can feel his enthusiasm, and his respect for Rosenthal too, who allowed him to create without limits.

Roucou, a triangular shaped seed from South America, provided inspiration for Black Seeds, while the young leaves of the Petra volubilis – another South American plant whose leaves are harvested for local medicines – was inspiration for Foliage. The final décor, Blossom, showcases blooms such as the cornflower, camomile, eglantine, dandelion, mulberry flower and marguerite dorée – all flowers traditionally used in ancient healing medicines.

“Monks would have grown these flowers in their gardens,” Sacha explains.

“They all are considered to have healing properties, they all have second

this collection really says a lot about me. This is not about impressing your friends, this collection is about being happy every single morning as you reach for your porcelain.”

Magic Garden has been designed, he says, to appeal to a younger customer too. “It’s totally affordable and at an entry price for Rosenthal,” Sacha adds, demonstrating his and the company’s commitment to creating a collection they clearly want to take a central role at the heart of the home.

They want Magic Garden to be part of everyday life. “But,” Sacha says before we part. “I wanted to make it fun too!”.

And he has, and it is.

Black Seeds

Magic Garden unveiled Magic Garden has been designed to be used both individually or mixed and matched. The collection boasts three distinctive yet cohesive décors which tell the story of a wildflower garden from the planting of the seeds, to the emergence of the first green shoots, through to the blooming of the garden.

Black Seeds: It all starts with the seedling symbolised by the Black Seeds décor, an elegant black and white graphic pattern imagined from the shape of the Roucou seed.

Foliage: Then come the first spring shoots evoked by the Foliage design, inspired by the volutes of the young leaves of Volubilis.

Blossom: Finally, the summer bloom is represented by Blossom, a happy and multicoloured décor that mixes cornflower, camomile, eglantine, dandelion, mulberry flower and marguerite dorée.

Blossom

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

Foliage

Trends Column Lenox Raynaud

Tableware Trend Analyst

Donna Ferrari

Donna Ferrari has worked in magazine publishing for over thirty years. As a consumer magazine editor she specialised in the tableware, homeware and bridal markets, and styled and produced stories related to bridal gift registry, wedding reception design and at-home entertaining. Personally, she has eleven different sets of dinnerware and closets dedicated just to tabletop accessories; she says she loves not ever having to set her table the same way twice.Â

The X factor

Ichendorf Milano

Looking for designs or concepts that have a noteworthy special quality? Tablewware Internationalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s columnist Donna Ferrari highlights some of the latest tableware items and ideas with those exact merits

Modular Villeroy & Boch

IIttala 26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Tableware featuring modular designs, eco-consciousness, a curated colour, an arch, and uncommon creativity are x factors fast forwarding new tableware trends.

Modular

Both functional and decorative, modular dinnerware and glassware sets, composed of individual yet united pieces, are attracting tableware devotees, as well as those who embrace the trends to declutter and downsize possessions, or, are simply storage challenged.

At Villeroy & Boch, in 1971, designer Helen von Boch first conceived her tour de force orb-shaped nineteen-piece Kugel (globe) dinnerware set, replete with tureens and service for four.

The latest 2020 edition of the set, reintroduced as La Boule is offered in four modes: black, white, striped and La Boule

Haviland

Orrefors

Memphis — a nod to the comeback of vanguard Memphis design. La Boule features in the new Iconic collection celebrating the brand’s 250th anniversary. Lenox’s sevenpiece Luna Nesting Dinnerware set, designed by Tim Carder, is described as an all-in-one collection going from dinnerfor-two to a serveware set, and when reassembled it can be a centerpiece.

Meanwhile, Raynaud’s Pépites collection, designed by Mariela Schwarz Montiel, is available in three models with Rock 3 Secrets pictured here. Each petite, porcelain pépite resembles a small rock and opens to reveal individual modules for serving gem-size portions of appetizers, petit-fours or condiments.

Then we have Ichendorf Milano’s High Rise carafe and tumbler sets, designed by Keiji Takeuchi, which are inspired by the way architects max out air rights — hence, maximized storage space at home. True too of DOIY’s Hestia tumblers which, when stacked, ingeniously look a lot like a Greek column.

At Iittala, the geometrically shaped ceramic and glass pieces in the Karu collection by Philippe Malouin were designed to work harmoniously together and denote a tranquil vibe; some pieces function like a vide poche to help organise and tidy things like keys, coins and portable gadgets.

Eco-conscious

The trend for sustainable production is now best practice across the majority of industries.

In tableware, for example, Costa Nova’s new Plano dinnerware collection is made entirely of surplus material recycled from the production of their other fine stoneware products. In the fashion industry, a leading trend is to upcycle apparel from the past into styles for the present. Royal Limoges’s new Tweed dinnerware pattern brings the upcycle concept to mind by turning a fabric staple into a stylish tableware statement.

From Moser, more than the leadfree crystal used to make the Caorle vase makes it eco-friendly — designer Lukáš Jabůrek’s choice of honeycomb cuts, in gentle green and rose tones, creates a vase ready to present mother nature with the first spring flowers.

Orrefors’s reusable gold-toned stainless steel Peak straws designed by Martti Rytkönen — make elegant alternatives for the eco-conscious trend to counter the overuse of plastic and single-use products. At Haviland, the Arctic Emotions collection, designed by photographer Kyriakos Kaziras, expresses his passion for, and commitment to, the conservation of nature — in particular, the footprint of climate conditions affecting the polar bear’s sea ice habitat.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 27

Eco-conscious Moser

Royal Limoges

Trends Column

Ann Demeulemeester - Serax

M. Legere

Spode

Colour curation

Royal Crown Derby

Uncommon creativity

Tableware is one of the decorative arts, which by dictionary definition, means objects both useful and beautiful. Happily we have reached the inflection point where avant-garde objects and delightfully madcap creations are included in that description.

Here, we have a few of the tabletop pieces charging the trend for x-factor ideas. Rückl’s carafe called Robot, a word coined by science fiction writer Karel Čapek, playfully stylises this symbol of a futuristic world.

Raynaud’s Anamorphoses cup and saucer mirrors the term for the development of a butterfly with the word for an image that is only understood when viewed in its reflection.

Extranorm’s Opinion cups and saucers, with drawings by Patrick Knoch, shakes up the status quo in tableware design to produce an unexpected

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end result. The L’Objet x Haas Brothers collaboration displays over the top, uncommon creativity. The mission to make the ordinary extraordinary is evident in the Wild Things collection’s Lukas Soup Monster Tureen with 24K gold plated accents and ladle – just one of the group’s fantastical family of creatures inspired by the surreal scenery in Joshua Tree, a US national park. The herd of Wild Things creatures comprise a collection spanning tableware, home décor, textiles and fragrance.

Extranorm

Colour curation

From big brands to indie-makers, it is notable to see the trend for tableware products featuring the colour black. Why black? Black has a unique ability to adapt to any genre and the agility to pinpoint looks from classical to contemporary, timeless to avant-garde, recherché to everyday. Designers can employ this versatility to curate and display what they destine a design to express. M. Legere, a new tableware brand founded by Mark Legere, and made from Limoges porcelain, toasts the art of the table with dinnerware designs created by fine artists. The four different motifs in artist Amy Feldman’s pattern contrasts tones of grey with black creating a pulsating visual effect, while the abstract shapes provoke a diner’s imagination to make free associations with the designs.

Meanwhile, Ann Demeulemeester x Serax, a collaboration between the legendary fashion designer and the Serax tableware brand, present the new Dé dinnerware service. The edge of the black on white plates bring a ‘dégradé,’ gradient play of light and shadow to the design, a nuanced look characteristic of the largely black monochromatic palette Demeulemeester’s used to curate the edgy and darkly glamorous style of her clothing. Portmeirion Group’s Heritage collection marks Spode’s 250th anniversary with a trove of innovative versions of the company’s esteemed, archival patterns. In the collection, the Rome dinnerware pattern, originally in blue when introduced in 1811, portrays sights from the famed European grand tour. Spode chose the colour black to reboot the scene and reframe the pattern into a version that is modern yet remains classic. There are many more examples in the black colour tableware trend, but I must call out Royal Crown Derby’s Sketch Charcoal.

This bone china pattern’s subtly textured surface, the light touch of 22K gold brushstrokes unique to each dinnerware shape, and the primordial black colour comes together to curate a lavish yet sparse look, perfectly poised for the modern, upscale-casual aesthetic.

Raynaud

Rückl

Uncommon creativity L’Objet x Haas Brothers

Focus India

“Companies looking to use the “one-size-fits-all” strategy for India are bound to face difficulties or perhaps even failure.”

Anand Baldawa

Getting to grips with India As a nation, India remains an economic quagmire for many companies who are desperate to take advantage of the growing middle classes and ever-more-savvy Gen Z consumers – but how do you tackle a nation made up of 1.3billion consumers? Seeba’s Anand Baldawa tells us more

A

lmost every time I’ve had a discussion with an international brand, the word “India” exudes two emotions. One where the eyes light up at the huge opportunity, and one of despair which signifies the fear of the unknown about entering the market or the frustration of having tried, but unsuccessfully so. In the next few paragraphs, I’ll try and summarise our view of why it has been difficult for brands to break into the market, but why all is not lost yet. This, by no means, is exhaustive as it would take more than a few paragraphs to summarise a single market entry strategy for a consumer base of 1.3billion, so consider this as a start!

One of the most common mistakes many international businesses make when breaking into the Indian market is treating the country as a single, homogeneous population.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, India is not one single market. It is home to over 1.3 billion consumers who speak more than 22 languages and over 1,000 dialects. Of that, around 440 million are millennials

and 390 million are Gen Z, born after 2000. Around 70 per cent of the population lives in rural areas versus 30 per cent who live in urban cities. Around nine per cent of the households earn more than $15,000 per annum, 15 per cent more than $8,000 and another 45 per cent more than $4,000 per annum.

Companies, thus, looking to use the “one-size-fits-all” strategy for India are bound to face difficulties or perhaps even failure!

Besides these basic differences, there are a number of evolutionary changes that have taken place resulting in consumers shifting preferences in terms of behaviour, attitude, lifestyle and values.

Most relevant to the kitchenware and tableware industry is the changing role and importance of the kitchen and dining as the centre of the home, the evolutionary journey of the woman in the household, primarily as a decision maker – whether as a daughter, wife or mother. So too is the changing consumer mind-set to prefer value, quality and service over just price, as is the changing culture orientation and the impact and influence of the

western culture, the reducing price elasticity towards quality products and increasing disposable income, and finally, the increasing influence of digital technology in the way that consumers shop and consume data.

Essentially, it is quite easy to conclude that the Indian consumer is pole vaulting and not just leap-frogging!

There are other economic factors such as the duty structure, the transportation costs, the slow supply chain and relatively inadequate infrastructure, the credit/cash crunch and the (very recent) perceived slowdown in consumption patterns that only exasperate the complexities of the issue, but measures are being taken to facilitate the ease of doing business in India.

In summary, India is an enormous country with vast economic potential, but traversing the diverse and complicated consumer landscape can be a daunting task for any new entrant – especially for brands in the kitchenware and homeware industry. Old India and new India have no real meaning now and the idea should be to use sensibly from both words and

Fact!

390 million Indian consumers are classed as Gen Z – born after 2000. both worlds. With such a large, young population, a new set of consumers, with a totally different set of consumption needs, it is truly worth spending time understanding the customer (or having a partner who understands the customer!) rather than locking them into stereotypes.

Understanding these differences will yield insights that will help arrive at customisable actions that are required to yield the best result. This renewed understanding of the consumer, the consumption pattern and the credit situation, along with patience, will be key ingredients for a long term successful strategy. It’s a marathon and not a 100m sprint -- the moot point of many of my discussions.

About Anand Anand Baldawa heads Seeba Group, a second-generation family business that focuses on manufacturing and

distributing premium kitchen and home products. He is the C2C, or Cheerleader to CEO, as he jokingly refers to himself. Having spent more than 14 years in the professional services and investment banking space, both in India and aboard, he returned to the business in 2012 to take over from his father (and founder). The business has now expanded to serve institutional as well as retail customers, internationally and domestically, across the “prep to cook, serve to store, and bar to dine” verticals of the kitchen. He can be reached at anand@seebagroup.com or +91 9870191191.

30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Profile Porland

Planned to perfection With two stands in Hall 6 and Hall 4.1 showcasing both their HoReCa and retail ranges, Porland had a busy Ambiente. Ümran Ünsal, marketing group manager, caught up with Tableware International after the show to talk all things retail, hospitality and more Porland had two stands at Ambiente – in Hall 4.1 and Hall 6, the specialist HoReCa hall – did that work well for the company?

Every fair we attend to is very important to us, but Frankfurt is the best fair that we can show all of the Porland brand. The special HoReCa hall was great for identifying Porland as a leading manufacturer, and Hall 4 is undoubtedly excellent for showing off our retail capabilities. We are completely convinced with the way we exhibit and looking forward to expanding in size for both stands.

Were you pleased when you initially heard Ambiente were opening a HoReCa specific hall?

Do you think it is important for the industry?

We were not surprised, to be

Did you know?

frank. Ambiente already attracted the right audience from all over the world and had the most important manufacturers exhibiting. Reorganising and rebranding the hall was certain to work for both organisers and HoReCa manufacturers. We think it’s important for consumers to feel, touch, see and meet with the products and the company behind the products – it’s not something you can see and decide online. Hall 6 makes is easier for consumers to see the difference and compare the capabilities and varieties of the manufacturers all in one place.

Is Ambiente an order taking show for Porland?

It definitely is, but it doesn’t have to be. We are at Ambiente to showcase our pride in our company, present our products, and meet our dear

Porland’s strategically located facility in Turkey is ideal for fast distribution. At 80 thousand sq meters in size Porland can respond at a maximum of six weeks to any order placed out of stock, and one to three weeks if stock is available.

32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

costumers, friends and future partners. It probably is the same for everyone that exhibits in Hall 6.

The company performs strongly both in hospitality and retail but tell us more specifically about your hospitality collection – was it well received?

As a pioneer of innovative and modern designs, Frankfurt is our showcase for our newest items.

Throughout the fair, our Ethos, Christina and Pure collections became the center of attention along with our new matte Lykke collection.

The feedback we receive is very valuable for us and as large as our factory is we are still nimble enough to respond every kind of demand from our partners and customers. For example that still running coloured trend, we responded with aluminized hard porcelain, like all our products, a stoneware look that is high fired, tough to break, tough to scratch and an outright premium product, and it was amazingly received from everyone and still is, one of our top demanded items that we named Seasons.

70 million, the number of pieces of annual production capability of Porland’s factory in Bilecik, Turkey.

1976

the year Porland was established.

Phil on…

Spode in 2020

And what about your collections for retail – how were they received?

The reality is if you want to make buy dinnerware, you have many options from all kinds of brands including dinnerware manufacturers and even fashion brands, now everyone has got designs that will attract audiences. Here is the catch, in general, fashion brands focus on the design rather than quality to maximize the profit whereas the centuries old manufacturers have the quality but are better in packaging in terms of marketing rather than their designs. Porland has both, we

push our designs as much as fashion brands while holding the flag in terms of creativity, and the quality of centuries old manufacturing brands.

Where would you say is Porland’s strongest export market?

For a long time it was the United Kingdom and it still is very firmly growing but, on the other hand, we have great markets emerging recently like Russia and United States as an example.

Which region would Porland like to be more prominent in?

It would not be right to specify a

Did you know?

Porland has more than 1,600 employees. region - we have enough diversity already in our product portfolio to be able to appeal to every culture, trend and lifestyle. Porland domestically has 32 gia award-winning stores and this will also keep growing. As a retailer and HoReCa manufacturer, our company’s vision is to be able to reach everyone around the globe.

Tell us about the retail side of your business – remind us how many Porland stores there are and how are they performing?

We recently opened another one last week so now it is 32 stores and counting at the moment.

They are all owned and managed

by Porland so no franchise at the moment. There is a fandom for the brand and our lovely customers keep asking for us to open a store in their city. The quality, not only of the product but also the service including after sales, is extremely

important to our brand – therefore, we are moving with firm steps forward instead of rushing.

What other exhibitions can we expect to see Porland at?

We will participate in five more fairs in 2020. NRA Chicago (16-19 May), FHA Singapore (3-6 July), Equip Paris (15-19 November), Maison Objet (September 4-8) and Hostech Ist (September 22-26).

What is the company’s goals for 2020 and beyond?

Porland is going to keep innovating, keep surprising, keep expanding in everything - product variety, e-commerce, innovative mobile application, number of stores domestically and perhaps internationally, and keep expanding channels to reach everyone who wants to use our delicious products. www.porland.com

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 33

Profile In Focus The Designer “I will never forget when Matt Brett – one of our senior designers – came up from our workshop with a model of this impossible plate. I fell in love with it immediately, I knew that we had found a design that would meet the brief.”

A new moon r Robin Levien RDI Robin, you and the Studio Levien team are the creative force behind Villeroy & Boch’s NewMoon – how did this collaboration come about?

We were invited to take part in a pitch to make a design presentation for a new tableware range for Villeroy & Boch. The target group to address were professional people who want to express themselves through their homes and the products they use.

Villeroy & Boch have had a massive success with NewWave over the past 20 years or so and the brief was to come up with a successor, a bit like asking Paul McCartney to write another Yesterday!

How many of the team worked on NewMoon and for how

Anyone who has been lucky enough to see Villeroy & Boch’s NewMoon will understand why the company is celebrating it as one of their hero collections for this season. Form meets function in this stand-out range which was designed by London-based Studio Levien – Tableware International spoke with Robin Levien RDI to learn more about the design process behind this truly exemplary collection long, from the idea first being pitched to completion?

To work with a prestigious and powerful brand like Villeroy & Boch is a big opportunity for us at Studio Levien. We took the project very seriously and threw everything at it. All four of our designers got involved with the creative development and I have to admit we ‘thrashed about’ a bit. With such high stakes there is pressure to get it right.

Have you created collections for Villeroy & Boch before?

We have been working with Villeroy & Boch since the early days of Studio Levien, so about 18 years. Our first project was to develop a collection of products for the kitchen, that

people can also give as a gift.

We loved building the Home Elements Collection which ran for many years. Some years later we were invited to make design proposals for a tableware range.

This time we looked to nature for inspiration and New Cottage was the outcome. It has been a strong selling range at Villeroy & Boch particularly because of the very beautiful Mariefleur decoration.

Let’s talk about the design of NewMoon – how did you set about creating the different pieces, because there are some pretty unique structures?

With all our design projects we are looking for a theme. I am always an unhappy bunny until we have found one. Once we

Inspired by…

“NewMoon was inspired by shadows, mankind’s most familiar shadow is the one cast by the earth on the moon,” says Robin, who adds it is a “happy coincidence” that NewMoon launched 50 years after Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon in 1969.

34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

have found a theme and begin to find design solutions that come from the theme, we get on a roll.

It’s a very exciting and rewarding process. I have always been fascinated by shadows and the idea that something transitory and ephemeral might become solid.

I shone a light at a very low angle across a coupe dinner plate and took an iPhone snap of the crescent shaped shadow. Matt Brett, one of our senior designers, was looking at images of ceramic sculptures with a strong shadow.

I was concerned that it couldn’t be made and I wasn’t very enthusiastic. Matt persisted and we collectively decided that if anyone could make such a challenging design it would be Villeroy & Boch.

I will never forget when Matt came up from our workshop with a model of this impossible plate.

I fell in love with it immediately, I knew that we had found a design that would meet the brief.

When I presented the design in person, I knew right away from the expression on everyone’s faces that they loved the design too.

Design focused Villeroy & Boch’s senior product manager Tavola, Anne Rottleb, describes working in unison with Studio Levien to bring NewMoon to fruition

n rising Finally, Villeroy & Boch decided to work with us on the project.

The development of all the items took well over a year and we worked closely with Anne Rottleb, senior product manager Tavola, and David Ribeiro Ramalhosa, head of formal product development at Villeroy & Boch.

We understand that design is a team effort and that our clients always make significant contributions to getting them right. Our initial presentation included a small image of a crescent moon. Villeroy & Boch picked up on this and the moon became the key theme for the collection. After all, human beings have always been fascinated by the moon.

Interpreting the ‘crescent’ across all the items was quite a challenge. We wanted to fully exploit the amazing manufacturing capabilities of

Villeroy & Boch. They pressure cast cups and mugs with the handle included, as far as we know Villeroy & Boch is the only tableware manufacturer who can do this.

We tried an oval shape for the platter but it didn’t look good. When we tried it round, we finally realised that NewMoon is essentially a round shape – after all, the moon is round. At 37cm diameter and with the exaggerated crescent rim it has become the star of the show.

How did you envisage NewMoon being used in the home?

There has been a big swing toward casual dining both at home and in restaurants. With NewMoon the ambition is ‘everyday special’, so neither too formal or too casual.

We have aimed for

multipurpose with all the items, you can eat from a bowl in front of the TV or serve food around the table from it.

Food sharing and bowl food are big trends now and NewMoon delivers on both.

I am looking forward to using the round platter for food sharing meals with my friends.

And finally, are you pleased with how NewMoon turned out?

All of us at Studio Levien are truly delighted by how NewMoon has turned out. It is a great pleasure to work with a company that cares so much about the refinement and quality of its products.

We all love it – but that doesn’t matter, it is the end consumer who will tell us if we have done a good job.

www.studiolevien.com www.villeroy-boch.com

The collection features….

Six different plates, coffee cups, espresso cups and mugs, with or without handles and matching saucers. There are also six bowls – think small dip bowls right through to large salad bowls, all of which can be used for a variety of purposes.

“Usually we work with our internal design team on new collections. But this time we also wanted to get ideas from external designers. Therefore, we reached out to several design studios with a briefing and asked them to develop ideas and present them in a pitch. We have worked with Studio Levien for about 18 years now and they know our design language and our high expectations in regards of quality and design.

When they came up with the first model of their idea, we were impressed and had the feeling that Robin Levien and his team understood what we were looking for. They developed a design which was impressive, absolutely new and unconventional. Of course, we had to work together as a team on the design until we were fully satisfied. In particular, we had to work on the shape of the plates to make them producible. And the biggest challenge in the design process was to create mugs and cups which are as great looking as the plates. Therefore, our internal design-team got involved in the design aswell and did a great job.

“The biggest challenge in the design process was to create mugs and cups which are as great looking as the plates.”

It was important for us that the design language was applied to every single product of the whole collection. That’s why we were also looking at possibilities to interpret the shape of the plates for glassware as well. Our internal designers developed extraordinary shapes for crystal which perfectly complement the unconventional shape of the porcelain. Since launching NewMoon at the Tabletop Show in autumn 2019 and at Ambiente 2020 and getting very positive feedback, we are very happy with what has emerged of the cooperation between Studio Levien and us.”

Villeroy & Boch’s senior product manager Tavola, Anne Rottleb

Guide to Glassware

Gorgeous glass

A staple of the tabletop industry, glassware – in all of its guises – is proving as enticing and attractive to buyers as ever. We examine some of the most innovative, interesting and desirable pieces available to market – from stemware to coloured glass and everything in between

Viewpoints… Nude Emre Bozbeyli, head of design, Nude gives his educated thoughts on glassware design, function and form “Glass design, in general, is favouring thinner and finer pieces for both wine and cocktail. Decoration has become artistic, bold or ethnic patterns rather than solid or transparent painted versions. For casual designs, modern textures with cut or pressed glass are more popular than irregular or uneven surfaces.

“Vintage glassware is still very popular and there are many different versions to create this appearance.

However, in the hospitality sector, function is becoming more important and customers are looking for stackable glasses where capacities and dimensions are very important.

“Organic forms are dominating at the moment. Rough surfaces, rounded curves, fluid forms, and irregular patterns with natural lines and forms. This is very much influenced by the social movements throughout the world such as recycling, water shortage, global warming etc. There is a move towards ‘refreshed classicism’ that introduces shapes with architectural elements, such as pillars, arches, geometries and classical silhouettes.

“Gin is still very popular. With many varieties in different flavours and mixtures continuing to appear in the market, glass producers are making specialised gin glasses to suit the cocktails style and ingredients.

However, the strongest trend at the moment is nonalcoholic cocktails in light of greater health awareness and the growth in craft production of botanical flavours and aromas.

“We work with trend forecasting companies to understand changes in the market, social movements, cultural trends, consumer behaviour etc. We also observe and gather information from our key markets through our wholesalers and distributors. Most importantly we work with some of the most creative designers globally, who provide us with valuable insight and ideas that help to inspire their creations.”

36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Nude’s Rock and Pop Artist collection

Zieher

Vision by Zieher is unique in that no distinction is made between red wine or white wine glasses – instead, the glasses are simply theme or character based. Explaining the concept, Zieher says: “The names of the glasses - Fresh / Straight / Intense / Balanced / Rich / Nostalgic / Side – clearly explain what they are used for. You intuitively reach for the glass which presents the flavours of the wine that you particularly wish to emphasise in the best way.”

The add: “If you want a powerful wine to be more harmonious or a touch livelier and fresher, you pick the glass with the relevant designation.”

Side is the latest addition to the collection, designed for both colours of wine, along with mineral water or other non-alcoholic beverages. www.zieher.com

LSA International Coloured glassware continues to have a moment with beautiful shades increasingly prevalent. LSA International’s Gems collection of tumblers has been inspired by the faceted shapes and lustrous colours of polished semiprecious stones. Individually hand painted, the collection is available with four hues and comes in two sizes - 310ml and 560ml. The playful nature of the glasses is enhanced by the fluted texture of the glass, catching and distributing light to create colourful shadows. Summer entertaining personified! www.lsa-international.com 36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Viewpoints… Zwiesel Glas Irmgard Braun-Ditzen, team lead product design, at Zwiesel Glas gives her thoughts on good design and keeping on top of what is in vogue “At the moment light, decent, natural colours, as well as structured, faceted, optical tumblers are very popular.

Besides, a pure and precise Scandinavian design language with a tendency towards romantic shapes is of great public interest.

“In the bar sector you can find vintage tumblers with vintage structures or reliefs and vintage cuts. Our Glamorous series from Zwiesel Glas is an example for that.

“Referring to bar trends retailers should be looking for vintage tumblers, but also optical bowls and coloured tumblers. Glassware that is very easy to handle will gain popularity as people wish to save space and reduce damage when keeping it. Nevertheless, the

glasses have to be suitable for different kinds of drinks.”

“Gin still is of high popularity, but other drinks will join it, too. For instance, voices are raising that tequila is on its way up. But also, classical spirits, such as highquality whisky from around the world will continue to catch attention.”

“We keep contact with our gastronomy and retail partners and make use of our connections with influencers and trend scouts. Additionally, travelling around the world and to trend-making cities will keep our minds fresh and open. But also following my instincts as a designer is of great importance regarding this topic. Market research always is part of our daily work.”

Zwiesel Glas’s Glamorous collection

Moser

Utopia

The Savage range of cocktail glasses has a simple and delicate design, so the drink becomes the star. The elegant longstemmed glasses include a coupetini, a pony and a coupe, all created with the collaboration of awardwinning mixologist Remy Savage.

The new Monroe collection is turning heads. It’s distinctive crackle finish adds a dramatic touch to the drink serving. The collection includes a gin globe, a water tumbler and a dash bottle. Also making an impact are the large Harlow gin glass (pictured) and the Society collection. www.utopiatableware.com

Moser’s New Bouquet has been redesigned “to better reflect current sommelier and gourmet trends”.

The series now boast finer proportions with five new sizes designed with smaller capacities.

In addition, Moser has given the design a further refresh by adding coloured stems, very on-trend.

Image by Michael Dvorak. www.moser.com

Royal Scot Crystal New collections take centre stage at Royal Scot Crystal for 2020, including the stylish Iona Collection. Whisky decanters and tumblers are still as popular as ever.

The extensive London Collection is an extremely popular design which contains an extensive selection of straight and barrel tumblers, decanters and stemware. There has been a massive increase in the popularity of gin in recent years and Royal Scot Crystal’s extensive range of Gin & Tonic Barrel tumblers and stemmed Copa glasses have been selling well. Royal Scot Crystal has introduced additional exciting new designs for 2020 including Poppy Field, hand cut floral giftware, Eternity a competitively priced range of drinking glasses. www.royalscotcrystal.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 37

Riedel Guide to Glassware

Crystalex

RCR Cristalleria Italiana www.rcrcrystal.com

Crystalex’s Tulipa collection – which is now being offered in optics – centres its design around a naturalistic theme. Inspired by the shape of a tulip, the collection has been perfectly represents the flower’s stunning shape, utilising its beauty as a drinking glass.

Also look out for the company’s collection of new water sets, pictured above. www.crystalex.cz

Inspired by none other than the screen goddess herself, RCR presents its new collection – Marilyn. The famous phrase “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” proved influential for RCR who present a new line of goblets and tumblers, with a design representing a waterfall of diamonds.

Boasting unique light reflection and shine, the collection has a timeless elegance, and is an ideal line for both tableware and mixology having been tested with over 4,000 dishwasher cycles.

Viewpoints… Lenox Fawn Ostriak, chief creative officer at Lenox brands talks shapes and using colour with traditional cuts to “mix up old and new” “We are seeing a move towards more casual shapes which are versatile and can be used for many multiple occasions and drinks.

“Vintage style cut glass and crystal are definitely having a moment. We are seeing it in barware versus traditional stemware. We love using vintage cuts in combination with colour to mix up old and new.

“Shapes are all about versatility and multi-use for many different occasions. A big focus remains on stemless and casual shapes.

“Gin is still important. But, we are also seeing the return of tequila.”

Designed by George Riedel himself, Winewings is a collection truly crafted for, and inspired by, genuine wine lovers. The idea for the seven-glass collection was sparked in 2018 when George was asked by a customer to create “the ultimate glass” for the “King of Grapes” – Cabernet Sauvignon. This glass would go on to become the inspiration for the new collection, Riedel Winewings. The collection comprises three distinct glasses for red wines, three for white and one for champagne and sparkling wines. Notable for its flat-bottomed glass - wide and reminiscent of the wing of an aircraft, complete with winglets – what began as one glass for one grape variety, developed into seven different glasses to represent the most popular grape varietals. www.riedel.com

Vidivi Vidivi has a host of exciting glassware ranges for all needs – from the innovative Mixology & Spirits collection to the award-winning Chef n’Table range. With vintage barware style continuing to be popular, the Mixology & Spirits collection is very focused on this trend.

For hospitality, there is a big focus on stackability, Vidivi points out. In addition totheir stackable tumblers Diva 2.4.6, Prisma 2.4.6., Mosaico 2.4.6. and Luce 2.4.6., they have restyled their best seller tumblers from the Rialto line, to be stackable. www.vetridellevenezie.co.uk

38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Valencia by Lenox in peach.

NEW 2020

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BARLINE SET

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Boston Coloured by Villeroy & Boch

Guide to Glassware

Pasabahçe www.pasabahce.com

Viewpoints…. Villeroy & Boch Arthur Kowalski, product manager glass & cutlery, Villeroy & Boch considers what glass shapes retailers should be looking for

As one of the most globally recognised glassware brands on the market, Paşabahçe is always going to deliver when it comes to its collections.

The Napa goblets feature impeccably tapering bowls, standing out with elegance and endurance, while the soft and curvy Veneto collection (pictured) of five different sizes of glass that fit gently into the hands – a stylish but simple design. Paşabahçe expanded the award-winning Elysia collection, which has recently stood out the most with its crystal-cut look and retro feeling. The four new members of the collection are not only a perfect fit for the hands, but also reflect the light superbly.

Krosno Glass Designed by the iconic Karim Rashid, Luck is an 11-piece collection made to be admired, used and loved, a place where sculpture and design meet desirability.

With a name inspired by all the positive emotions conveyed through a fourleaf clover, Luck is a delicate, sculpture-shaped collection, which was launched at Ambiente 2020. www.krosno.com

Bauscher Bauscher’s Playground collection combines the latest trends in food presentation with a repertoire of exciting, sometimes bold accessories and items made from a diverse range of materials. www.bauscher.com

“Retailers should look for a mix of functional, decorative and outstanding glassware to be able to offer glassware for every taste.

For functionality, the form should follow the function, like in our glass series Purismo. It’s an intelligent glass concept which combines all the ideal glass shapes. For wine, for example, it comprises four wine glasses in accordance with the distinction between masculine, feminine, red and white. The complete program of Purismo includes, besides the wine glasses, decanters and perfect beer and special glasses.

Decorative glassware is also important, as it perfectly rounds off a lovingly dressed table. With our series Boston and Boston Coloured, people have the option to find the perfect fitting glass to their tableware.

In clear glass or in the colours red, blue, green, rose or smoke, and with an eyecatching facet pattern, Boston always adds charm to any table setting.”

Nude Nude’s exciting glassware collection continues to inspire.

The Ghost Zero collection is an extension of their signature range, Stem Zero. A revolutionary collection of super fine yet tough glassware made with Ion Shielding Technology from lead-free crystal. With an emphasis on sophisticated and elegant design, Ghost Zero is a finer, lighter version of Stem Zero.

The Istanbul-based global design company also recently launched its statement Rock and Pop Artist collection. Always ahead of the curve, Nude commissioned young creatives to customise a series of glassware with an eclectic array of artwork that is accentuated by the clean lines and understated style of Nude’s glassware.

Not forgetting the Nude x Remy Savage collection of cocktail glassware, created in collaboration with world-renowned mixologist Remy Savage. This new breed of glassware is fine, elegant and smaller in size, featuring beautiful and classically shaped pieces designed for everyday use in the hospitality sector.

And of course, there is unique glass pieces created in collaboration with world renowned designers, such as the Bloom cake stand, Caldera whisky and highball glasses and Glazz tumbler by Ron Arad. www.nudeglass.com 40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Guide to Glassware

Comment Valda Goodfellow on being creative when choosing your glassware “In a world where millennials are leading the way with their demands of ‘Instagrammable’ environments when it comes to cocktails, it’s of no surprise that we’re seeing a rise in the need for more creative and eye catching designs to bring the drama of theatrics and glamour when it comes to drinks presentations – it seems the bolder, the better.

From the evolving experiential dining concepts where we are seeing drinks menus brought to life via the use of colourful and intricately shaped glassware with the additions of fire and smoke and animal or figure-shaped ceramic cocktail glasses, to the fine dining world of tasting menus with accompanied wines which make for a more formal and classic stemware piece, this contrast creates dissimilar glassware requirements for each experience.

For us, we like staying ahead of the curve when it comes to the ever-changing culture in bars and restaurants and we always want to bring something different to the market. We scour every manufacturer that can help us bring those elements of creativity, surprise and fun to our customers.”

LewisWark Wingen is LewisWark’s latest barware range from Lalique – a reimagination of a René Lalique design from the 1920s.

Inspiration for the collection came from a stemware service of the same name which René Lalique had designed in the 1920s, with a similar pattern. “Displayed in a rhythmic rigor, the graphic lines in satin-finished crystal - emblematic of Lalique – exhibit a timeless elegance,” says the company. www.lewiswark.com

LAVis embracing all things colour with an enviable selection of products to hand. If it is matte tones you are looking for, see their collection of soft pastel hues representing musthave minimalism. Likewise, their forest green collection is an incredibly appealing assortment – soothing shades evoke eco-friendly, human-centred designs. LAV also boast an ontrend cultural collection of glassware. Ethnic components are combined with geometric and modern lines to create a vividly coloured range. company.lav.com.tr

Denby Modus is Denby's most recent glassware launch, created to complement its newest ceramic collection of the same name and it includes a glass bowl for serving and entertaining.

Denby has been creating glassware to complement its ceramics since the 1970s – at the time there was very little which complemented Denby’s artisan stoneware ceramics.

Today Denby’s glassware has its own consumer base who like the fact that it meets the comparative requirements of its ceramics for which Denby is renowned.

The company’s portfolio comprises wine glasses, tumblers, gin and champagne glasses which are retailed in easy to merchandise gift boxes containing two glasses. www.denbypottery.com 42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

W W W . Z I E H E R . C O M

Elia International Guide to Glassware

nomad home nomadhome.eu

New to the European market, nomad home, from the people behind Austalia’s Bambis, has four glassware collections to talk about – Cuvee, Salut, Bond (pictured) and Penn.

An example of European glassware, Cuvee boasts a fine, seamless stem made with strength and finesse. Salut, meanwhile, comprises traditional stemware, pilsner and tumblers, to serveware that is ideal for gifts.

If it is decadent barware you are searching for, nomad home says Bond will bring a touch of class and glamour to any cocktail party. Think stainless steel accessories with a matte black finish, teamed with decadent glassware. Finally, the Penn barware collection is made from superior stainless steel - champagne bowls, trays, buckets, pitchers, shakers and an elaborate cocktail set – make up the range.

“We try to go by our own way, our designers and marketing team do keep an eye on trends, but we also try to be ahead of them. We tried multi-part optic (pictured) in this year, and it paid off.”

Contemporary and classic, words which perfectly sum up Elia International’s Meridia range. With six stemware styles – think wine glasses, champagne flouts, and cocktail glasses – Elia says this is a versatile range for both home and fine dining. Each glass shape is designed to heighten the taste and aromas of a superb vintage or alluring cocktail. www.elia.co.uk

Orrefors Kosta Boda Good things in life are for sharing!

Like that great drinking experience, which gets even better when enjoyed with friends. Designed with the modern home and stylish socializing in mind, Metropol is adorned with a hint of black colour and a distinct edge, looking sharp and bang on urban chic! www.orrefors.se

Glashütte Eisch Style meets substance with Eisch’s beautiful Wood Edition decanter.

This extravagant piece of glass art is combined with a simple, modern base made of molded walnut wood - an expression of pure wine culture. The surface of wood can be refreshed at any time by re-oiling with, for example, linseed oil. www.eisch.de

Crystalex’s Michaela Horáková on keeping ahead of the curve.

44 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

CANOPY

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN TRADITIONAL CRAFT lsa-international.com/trade

Zwiesel Glas

Guide to Glassware

www.zwiesel-glas.com

Reed & Barton The Thomas O’Brien New Vintage collection (right) from Reed & Barton is crafted in rich crystal, and created by home furnishings designer Thomas O’Brien who is known for adapting classic elements for modern designs.

Meanwhile, the Soho Collection (below) of fine crystal glassware is made for everything from classic cocktails to crafty mixed drinks, essential for ensuring that you serve only the best. www.reedandbarton.com

Richard Brendon British designer Richard Brendon’s new glassware collection ‘London, 1650’ revives the traditional technique of free-blowing London Black Glass.

Comprised of three globe-shaped bottles and a tumbler, the collection has been crafted by Richard Brendon’s incredibly skilled London-based master glassblower, using the same techniques that would have been employed in the 17th century.

Each bottle and tumbler has been individually mouth-blown, resulting in a four-piece collection in a sophisticated deep green that boasts the organic, unique silhouettes reminiscent of the original Black Glass bottles found in London. www.richardbrendon.com

Schott Zwiesel – now under an umbrella brand along with sister brand Zwiesel 1972 – presents several glasses collections for its fans, Vervino is a nine-piece gourmet glass series that makes the hearts of wine lovers and connoisseurs beat faster.

With their thin-walled bowls, refined stems and wide bottom plates, the glasses of this high-quality machine-made series appear virtually handmade.

The collection was recently decorated with the iF Design Award 2020 for its beautiful design.

Prizma (pictured), meanwhile, is an elegant series with a refined glass structure which not only offers a delightful play of light, but also adds luminosity to your wine.

Next is Fortune – a three-piece tumbler series equally suited for enjoying whiskeys, cocktails and long drinks as well as soft drinks. Together, finally, boasts stylish colour accents in five pastel shades.

Beatriz Ball Vibrant and colourful, two words to describe Beatriz Ball’s New Orleans glassware collection. Although a departure for Beatriz Ball, it continues the brand’s handmade traditions and artistry. The gold foil decorated New Orleans collection includes large and small bowls, platters and centerpieces. All items are great for serving and the largest pieces double as home décor objects. www.beatrizball.com

46 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Show Review Ambiente

Despite challenges for the show, many exhibitors said the right kind of buyers turned up

Till next year Ambiente 2020 has wrapped up for another year – the show, although impacted by weather and coronavirus – still managed to deliver on quality and freshness with the new HoReCa focused Hall 6 proving a triumph

A

mbiente 2020 came and went in typically fast-paced fashion. Blighted somewhat by forces entirely outside the control of organisers – namely wayward weather in the shape of Storm Ciara and the rapidly increasing threat of Covid-19 – the dynamic international trade show still managed to withstand the tests being thrown at it.

Footfall, many exhibitors agreed, was down, but quality of buyer was not.

“It was clear to see there was a significant reduction in number of people at the fair this year,” agreed Monno’s creative director Billy Lloyd. “That said,

the quality of visitors to our booth was excellent; we made many new contacts and it was a perfect opportunity to galvanise relations with customers, friends and followers.”

In fact, Billy went onto to say Monno had an “excellent” show. “Possibly our best yet.

Our relocation to hall 4.2 from 6.2 proved to be an excellent move and our new branding, catalogue and stand design were all very well received, and our product launches garnered plenty of interest too. Collectively, we have reenergised brand Monno, which excited our customers, past, present and prospective.”

Monno’s sentiments were roundly echoed across the

There was no shortage of quality products on offer

board. Mesa Ceramics’s CEO Francisco Braga described having a “great show”.

“We were proud to be able to validate our new strategy focused on developing new ranges, increasing the factory production capacity and flexibility. Our products were very well accepted by clients, distributors and partners that visited our stand.”

Did you know?

Eight exhibitors celebrated their anniversary at Ambiente including Royal Crown Derby who marked 270 years and Spode with 250 years. Pictured on the next page!

48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Francisco says that along with Mesa’s Coupe range, their new Mesa Uno collection was their most successful at the show.

From Alessi’s perspective, product marketing and communication manager Silvano Guglielmazzi says their design-led pieces from their SS '20 collection proved popular.

“Among the most appreciated projects was the Doraff chair and Giro Kids Tableware designed by architect Ben van Berkel,” Silvano says, while also mentioning Dressed en plein air

by Marcel Wanders.

Villeroy & Boch too had a “very successful” Ambiente.

Jürgen Beining, international sales director tableware, agreed

23 Fact!

the number of countries represented in the new HoReCa Hall 6

The next Ambiente will take place from 19 to 23 February 2021.

Designer Sacha Walckhoff, who created the Magic Garden collection for Rosenthal, pictured with Tableware International's editor Mairead Wilmot at Ambiente 2020

r Key trend spotted at Ambiente

The Villeroy & Boch stand at Ambiente was always busy

Top model Toni Garrn paid a visit to Ambiente 2020

Herend's artistic pieces attracted lots of attention

Ambiente is an order taking show for the company.

“For sure, Ambiente is an order taking show for us. But furthermore, it is an opportunity to present our novelties to our international clients and to anyone who is interested.

And to inspire them as well for their own shop presentations.”

He continued: “NewMoon was the collection which got the most attention and which surprised our clients a lot. But also La Boule, design object and tableware service in one, the new products for Manufacture Rock and our Signature collection Château Septfontaines were very well received by our visitors.”

Jürgen added that while Villeroy & Boch noted fewer Asian and European clients and colleagues to the stand, they have “already developed ideas to present them our novelties in a different, but also inspiring way”.

Arguably, it could be said that Ambiente 2020 triumphed as the new HoReCa hall took centre stage for many, with 88 exhibitors from 23 different countries holding court. It was, by all accounts, a success.

“The area that has grown especially at Ambiente is Dining, as hospitality, in particular, is a worldwide growth sector – and indeed one that has been developing at an incredible speed in recent years,” says Detlef Braun,

member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.

“Studies mention growth rates of up to 50 per cent in private and business trips in these markets between 2010 and 2017, and this trend is continuing to increase. We’ve recognised this potential for growth, and so we’ve steadily expanded our hospitality expertise and our offering,” Braun continues.

Meanwhile, organisers noted that due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the fair, noticeable shifts could be observed among the top ten visitor nations. After Germany, they were Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Turkey, the United States,

Floral – all things floral continue to make an impact. See Rosenthal’s Magic Garden as prime example.

Cosmic glory – cosmic, ethereal inspired pieces are coming to the fore.

Compact dining – modular pieces, such as Villeroy & Boch’s La Boule, are increasingly desirable.

Animal magic – pieces with graphic animal imagery are strong - Kahla’s Wilderness collection for instance.

Russia, Japan and China. This year growth could be observed in the numbers of visitors from Estonia, Japan, Jordan, Colombia, Romania and Turkey.

Ambiente 2021 will take place from 19 to 23 February 2021. ambiente.messefrankfurt.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 49

Ambiente Review Retail Focus

Retail focus on Ambiente

“This year at Ambiente I was most impressed by the very bright, and at the same time ergonomic space saving solution La Boule from Villeroy & Boch, as well as creative rebranding from Zwiesel Glass and, as always, it was pleasing to Rosenthal's design. In terms of global trends, I am proud of the growing number of brands and manufacturers Amara’s senior buyer putting environmental solutions in Kate Wales tells us what production processes in their strategic plans. they were most impressed It gives us all hope for the best.”

Elena Vorozheykina, MIRS Promenu, with at Ambiente 2020 Ukraine

What we loved…

Rosenthal

Royal Crown Derby

“We loved the W1 collection from Royal Crown Derby featuring the skull design - it will really appeal to our fashion led customers.”

“The Horeca division was new and this was a very good change at Ambiente.”

Spode “Spode’s Patchwork Willow Collection really caught our eye with its modern twist on a classic design.”

Mary Sarafidis, Sarafidis Group “Personally, I had a great experience at Ambiente 2020 – identifying new vendors with amazing product whom I had never met before; revisiting exhibitors whom I have been considering for some time, clarifying my thoughts on what to purchase and when; and spending time with existing business partners, one of the most important things I do at a trade show.

On a macro level, it was disturbing to see the marked drop in attendance this year. I think that many people stayed away due to coronavirus. This had to have an adverse effect on many exhibitors who were at Ambiente at great expense.

I continue to view Ambiente as a “must do” event each year. I will be there again in 2021.”

Walter Lowry, TableArt, Los Angeles

Celebrate!

50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Ambiente 2020 was the perfect opportunity to celebrate some important anniversaries – Royal Crown Derby (left) marked 270 years while Spode (right) turned 250.

Villeroy & Boch “La Boule from Villeroy & Boch is sure to become a design classic. Space saving and chic.”

Spode

Profile Interview Kiyasa Günther Group Raithel

2020 LIFE TIME

ACHIEVEMENT

A lifetime in c Günther Raithel was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Tableware International’s Awards of Excellence 2020 which were held during Ambiente. We sat down with the man who built Kahla up from the ashes to the powerhouse it is today to learn more about his life, his time in tableware and how he has passed the baton onto his son Holger On working for Rosenthal for 35 years…

Porcelain is literally flowing through my veins. I am very thankful that I had the chance to dive into various roles and gain experience in every single facet of porcelain production.

I collaborated with artists and designers and a whole variety of players in this market. Thanks to visionary Philip Rosenthal, I learned early to think big and global and believe in the impossible. Wherever I was needed I helped to manage, to re-structure and to optimise the business. At the end of those 35 years, I was chief marketing officer and for six years a member of the board, responsible for Human Resources and Production at the Rosenthal AG.

On rescuing Kahla…

When I visited the porcelain factory in 1993, I was shocked about the condition of the old production plant – its machines and kilns. But I also discovered something very

motivating that actually led me to risking everything I had – the employees! They were well educated, experienced, hard-working and ready for significant change. I knew that if I gained the trust of all these workers and the banks, I might have a chance to succeed. The vision I put on paper was creating “one of the most innovative and modern porcelain companies in Europe”.

On starting his own business…

At the age of 50, I felt that I had reached a knowledge and experience level to become a managing director.

I was very happy with my busy life, my family and my career. But I could also observe that our world, our dining culture, society’s approach to tableware, was changing. The existing social structures and the classic idea of setting a table were about to be replaced by something new and unconventional. I started dreaming of a porcelain brand that fulfils the

“

needs of younger generations, of modern cooking and eating habits, of smaller households, of flexible lifestyles, paired with high design standards.

On implementing changes at Kahla…

There were three major steps I took straight away. First, I modernised the factory. While the production was running, we dragged 4,000 tons of asbestos, iron, firebricks and scrap out, until finally, daylight could again shine through the windows of the factory building. I installed two modern, automatised production lines, new kilns and machines. We’ve invested €35million into the plant.

The next step I took was implementing a design strategy. My motto was “design oder nichtsein” (to be well-designed or not to be). I employed Barbara Schmidt, a young but promising talent and gave her the freedom to define what young and urban tableware should look like.

A manufacturer that was more than 150 years old was suddenly treated like the coolest start-up within the porcelain industry.

52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

”

I then decided Kahla should open up for new markets, to worldwide retailers, to hotels and restaurants, to other target groups. Therefore, it was necessary to invest into building a brand all over Germany and Europe and in setting up a network of agents and distributors across the world. We designed a new logo, developed corporate standards and, of course, plenty of product novelties which were pretty radical in design at that time.

Today, Kahla stands on these three columns – retail, hotels and restaurants – along with the promotional gifts business, and we have customers in 60 countries all over the world.

We customise porcelain for all kinds of commercial sectors who appreciate the quality of our Made in Germany hard paste porcelain.

When he first thought “yes, we can make this work”…

As soon as I had taken over the management of the new Kahla/ Thüringen Porzellan GmbH, there was no time for doubts anymore. It was pretty breathtaking to hold the very first plate fired with our new kiln technology in my hands. The old saggars became history.

Elixyr is a favoured collection for Günther and his wife Rosita

Left: Günther accepting his Tableware International Lifetime Achievement Award at Ambiente 2020, and pictured with his wife Rosita and son Holger

n ceramics And then, we started to win our first international design awards and journalists began to acknowledge our efforts. A manufacturer that was more than 150 years old was suddenly treated like the coolest start-up within the porcelain industry.

On the early successes…

Barbara Schmidt’s collection Update caused a revolution in the tableware market. Competitors and retailers were shocked. How could Kahla dare to launch a porcelain series without the classic coffee pot, the centre piece of every conventional tableware set? And not only this article was missing. Update did not even provide any saucers. Barbara has just left all those items away that she – as a young, independent woman – would not need in her minimalist, modern home and would exceed her budget. Plates are saucers and lids, bowls are baking dishes and containers, the design follows the idea of the Bauhaus. Update is a

highly multi-functional programme that has remained extremely popular, contemporary and futuristic though the last 20 years.

Many innovations followed and required investments in new technologies such as isostatic presses, cleaning robots and pressure casting machines for cups: asymmetric shapes, organic designs, a mix of round and geometric form, reliefs and specific cup handle designs.

An additional innovation that was as surprising for the visitors of the Ambiente show and is a milestone in the Kahla history was the introduction of touch!, the velvet-soft surface application. Soft, cuddly mugs that are dishwasher proof, microwave resistant and can be personalised via laser engravings. We had to take care that our samples were not stolen from our trade show booth!

On son Holger taking over the reins in 2005…

After his physics studies and several

years as management consultant in various projects in production companies like the automobile industry, he became the assistant of the managing director in 2004.

For one year, we both tested if we were ready for the generational transfer. And we were ready. Holger became the new managing director in 2005 and I became his consultant.

Whenever he needs my advice or my support, I am available to help him.

On being proud of Kahla today…

I am very proud of my son. Ten years ago, he has implemented Kahla’s sustainability strategy “Kahla pro Eco” which includes the installation of a photovoltaic power plant and of a brand-new heat recovery system. Protecting natural resources, caring for the environment, integrating people with handicaps and taking care of young artists became a big aspect of Kahla’s DNA. Kahla’s factory in Germany

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 53

On charity work…

I have always supported artists, designers and ceramists. It is important to me to enable young people to work and play with our amazing material porcelain. When I founded the “Günther Raithel Foundation – Educational Initiative Kahla kreativ”, I wanted to make sure that the experimental work and exploration of porcelain and the support of talents does not depend on the economic situation and on the capacities of the factory. The foundation guarantees continuous cultural and educational activities such as the artists-in-residence programme “Kahla kreativ Workshop”, museum exhibitions, partnerships with design and art schools and design competitions.

A young Günther

Update caused a sensation when it was first launched – without a coffee pot!

Interview Raithel Profile Kiyasa Günther Group On the importance of tradeshows…

Trade shows were absolutely necessary in the past when global communication and logistics were slow and complicated and international flights were expensive.

Our customers not only informed themselves, but also ordered annual amounts at the trade shows.

Nowadays, we see more and more marketing and sales experts considering alternatives, such as interactive webinars, online promotions and bonding company events.

Nevertheless, I believe that presenting a brand at an international show will lead to constructive conversations with new business partners and form stronger relationships to existing contacts.

On the industry today…

Globalisation and online shopping require a new position for brands.

Young brands find it easier to grow, old brands find it harder to defend their territory. Big companies can gain or lose awareness as quickly as smaller suppliers. Creativity, authenticity and sustainability have become the most important values within product creation, production and marketing.

“

The next step I took was implementing a design strategy.

My motto was “design oder nichtsein” (to be well-designed or not to be)

”

On tableware connecting with consumers…

On his favourite Kahla collection…

Well, let me ask you a question.

How would you describe today’s use of so-called tableware? People eat and drink while sitting on their sofa, in their cars, at their desks, they enjoy snacks in trains and airplanes, on the street, on the go. Our new concepts “cupit” and “snackit” support this mobile lifestyle. We need to understand the constantly changing habits of enjoying food and drinks. We need to be available wherever the consumer wants us to be. Multichannel sales and cross-media marketing are not arguable anymore.

To be honest, whenever we develop a new, trendsetting design or a new, progressive technology, I fall in love with it. We put so much passion and dedication into each single novelty. But I must confess, my wife and I especially enjoy dining with the collection Elixyr, also a Barbara Schmidt programme, which has become a bestseller for private homes as well as restaurants.

Did you know that we have won our 106th design and innovation award at Ambiente 2020? Kahla products were awarded with the Dineus in the categories “Innovation of the Year” for our smart, digital RFID porcelain and

“Gastronomy” for our patented silent, anti-slip application Magic Grip.

On winning the Lifetime Achievement Award…

Learning that I was chosen to receive this fantastic prize was a surprise I can hardly put into words. I feel extremely honoured, proud and grateful. But as you know, without a great team, an amazing family and loyal partners by my side, I would not be where I am today. This award not only honours my own courage and achievements, but also the hard work and the support of each single companion on my path of life. www.kahla-porzellanshop.de

Sophisticated entertaining

For trade enquiries or to receive our latest catalogue contact sales@cbfa.co.za 54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Column BHETA

Make the sustainable choice The industry needs to become more sustainable urges Will Jones, chief operating officer at BHETA

B

HETA carried out one of its periodic member surveys in early February prompted by the election result, the long-awaited BREXIT decision and the hopefor resulting upturn in consumer confidence. While there were concerns about rising prices – especially raw materials – and the research took place prior to the latest concerns about coronavirus, nevertheless, there were clear expressions of positivity.

When we also consider that statistics from 2019 show that cookshops, housewares retailers and garden centres do not figure anywhere in the top ten most vulnerable categories for store closure; and that of the last Sunday Times ‘top 100’ fastest growing companies in the UK, one third of them were retail businesses – a mix of online, offline and omnichannel operators – we should allow some room for optimism.

Business, however, is not easy and more positive statistics are not going to mean complacency. But perhaps we might allow ourselves – both suppliers and retailers – to start looking seriously at some of the other issues and opportunities affecting this industry, other than the obvious one of economic confidence.

One of the most pressing – maybe it will prove most pressing – is that it is vital we put some time, and, if possible, financial investment, into looking forward to the question of sustainability.

Regardless of the truth of the

matter, it is the perception of consumers that the business world is not moving fast enough to address the questions around the materials used in the manufacture of the goods we sell, the materials used in the packaging of those goods and what happens to both when they are thrown away.

The question of plastic is a perfect example of what I mean. Plastic has a positive role to play in a cleaner and more environmentally conscious society.

It is a durable and therefore legitimate material; and it can be recycled. However, as a result of the fact that the processes for effective -genuinely reusable volume recycling lag way behind the enormous need; and successive government policies have been to ship problematic waste of all kinds elsewhere, plastic, especially when it is floating in the sea and harming wildlife has unsurprisingly been cast as the arch-villain of the piece.

There are serious questions here about how the industry might address the inadequacies of UK recycling, especially as the forthcoming packaging waste legislation puts the onus on suppliers; and rightly renders shipping our homegrown waste to countries and cultures elsewhere in the world financially unviable as well as ethically unacceptable.

BHETA is now looking seriously at taking a much vocal and proactive role on this issue just as it already has done on the question of protecting the legitimate supply and purchase of kitchen knives and other bladed tools in the

About BHETA The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is the voice of authority on everything home improvement and home enhancement, including DIY, housewares, garden, small domestic appliances and home decor. It represents £5 billion at retail and 9,000 employees and brings together manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and opinion formers to drive growth at home and abroad. For more information about retailer and supplier co-operation, contact BHETA on 0121 237 1130, or email wj@bheta.co.uk, or visit the website at www.bheta.co.uk

“

One of the most pressing (issues) – maybe it will prove the most pressing – is that it is vital we put some time, and, if possible, financial investment, into looking forward to the question of sustainability.

Will Jones, chief operating officer, British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)

”

home enhancement and home improvement market.

The single use plastic campaign has already driven huge new product trends in our industry, which is exciting as well as laudable, but it would be unwise for the industry to rest on its laurels.

As Phil Pond of trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus outlined at BHETA’s most recent member forum, suppliers and retailers would be well advised to start looking into the many new but commercially available materials, which offer alternatives to the perceived negatives associated with the currently mainstream products and packaging. It might be possible to redeem plastic from its invidious position in public perception, especially in the minds of the younger consumer. Doing that however will take considerable effort, investment and time.

Meanwhile, the development of new materials for manufacture and for packaging is an exciting and rapidly moving area. The BHETA forum on February 26 looked at

some of materials now available for use in mainstream manufacture of product and packaging.

Paper products made from stone as opposed to wood, ‘wool’ made from recycled waste, ‘plastic’ made from ginger peel, acoustic foam made from recycled glass and eggshells, flooring made from seaweed and algae.

The list is extensive and while many new materials have significant implications for manufacturing processes as we know them, exploring the subject is only going to become more and more important.

So, not surprisingly, this is going to be a key topic at BHETA’s 2020 Exclusively Show. Sustainability is not just a passing trend – it is now a way of living, and as new generations of consumers enter the market as purchasers and influencers, it will only become more so.

For more information about BHETA, contact the Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or visit www.bheta.co.uk.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 55

Lenox

In Focus Casual Dining

Dinner, but keep it casual Just because a dinner setting is relaxed and informal, doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish – we look at a few options on the market right now

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n the go, to-go, portable, fast, easy, sharing, relaxed, informal, casual – all words to describe how we now approach our meals, and increasingly, our tableware. And yet, form, function and design play as key a part in casual dinnerware as it does other collections. The design aesthetic is moving in unison with societal demands – a full dinner service may no longer be in vogue, but that doesn’t mean casual dining isn’t serving us new and interesting forms to get excited about.

Denby

Styled by Life is how Denby position themselves in the market – collections curated by the Denby design team have become much-loved in homes across the globe. The team, by their own admission, observe trends in lifestyle “to create ceramics with purpose and soul which are made-to-last and are versatile, beautiful and durable”.

The company’s three Studio Collections – Studio Craft, Studio Blue and Studio Grey – each combine four tonal glazes but more importantly, they merchandise well in store and work in unison with other collections already in the home. All feature bowls, plates and platters designed with laid-back entertaining in mind along with more contemporary dining pieces such as nesting bowl sets, oil bottles and attractive ridged bows.

Another collection which embraces the ethos of casual dining is Elia’s Essence Premier Bone China which is available as a 16-piece gift box set for the retail sector.

The Essence range – in a creamy glaze – features a design with concentric circles. With a variety of plate sizes and a full tea and coffee service range, Essence can cater for both domestic and commercial dining use.

Practicality, of course, is key for any casual dining set and Gibson Overseas

says their Gibson Home Casa Estebana Dinnerware Set meets the demands of everyday living. Made out of durable stoneware, it’s dishwasher and microwave safe and all sets include a 10.5 inch dinner plate, 7.5 inch salad plate, 5.25 inch bowl, and 10.5 ounce mug.

Staying stateside with Lenox, they have casual dining covered – highlighting three collections in particular. The first, Luna, has been much talked about. Lenox says that all-in-one nesting piece “establishes a new culture of adventurous dining”.

With six bowls and two plates (microwave and dishwasher safe, of course), Luna comes in three colourways – white, blue and green – and has been designed to cater for dinner for two, to an evening with friends.

And naturally, when you put it all back together and it becomes a compact centrepiece for your table. This trend for functional, modular dinnerware is highlighted in more detail by our columnist Donna Ferrari on page 26.

The next Lenox collection is Profile, an entry-level offering which the company is touting as a blank canvas for your table. They are encouraging customers to “get creative” Another take on casual dining from Lenox is Naomi Bay (pictured), a glazed serveware collection in soft pastel shades, a mix and match

Did you know?

Moser 56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Moser has also tapped into the trend for a more relaxed approach to glassware with Optic, one of their more playful sets.

“The resized concept was created to meet client wishes and to follow current trends. It has simple design and It is perfect for daily usage,” they say.

Gibson Elia

Leonardo

nomad home

Rosenthal range which Lenox suggest for tapas and appetizers.

Leonardo’s Matera collection, now with all pieces available in rosé, has been extended to include coffee and espresso cups while large plates and bowls are also part of the set.

New to the European market is nomad home, from Australian parent company Bambis. They describe their collections - Hue, Roam (pictured), Pincho, and Nomad – as fashionforward dinner and serveware.

Even Porcel, known for their exquisite collections, are considerate of the need for easy-to-use ranges.

Dynasty is their most causal collection, created with no precious metals – a Porcel signature. It is dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe with the team explaining: “It is ideal for every day usage with a distinct design inspired by ancient roman architectural ornaments.”

In a first for them, Typhoon has introduced the Living Dinnerware range in two neutral colourways – grey and cream. With dinner and side plates, as well as a mug, pasta and cereal bowl, this line is complete for every dining need.

Another option is Rosanna’s Elemental collection - think semimatte hues in green and driftwood – which the company says “offer an elegant natural foundation for bolder patterns, shapes, and colours” Not forgetting, of course, Rosenthal’s Blend collection.

Characterised by a geometric sunburst relief which frames the center of the plate.

Rosenthal says Blend is the perfect for unstructured table settings matching with items of different materials meaning you can create casual settings, which are tempered with a strong style.

Another nod to casual dining comes from WMF who have embraced the concept with some interesting oven-to-table options. The Fusiontec and Profi Resist collections both boast notable oven dishes but – and here is the bit we like – they come complete with wooden serving frame for the table. Simple, effective and true casual dining.

WMF

Typhoon

Porcel

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Viewpionts

Ana Roque, president, Porcel

Adam Walker, sales manager, Elia International Why, in your opinion, has casual dining taken off in such a huge way?

Casual dining sits comfortably between fine dining and fast food. Eating out in an informal setting, without the requirement of a reservation, makes the sector both approachable and convenient.

What does the ideal casual dining collection comprise of?

When it comes to casual dining we would suggest some core items.

A four-piece cutlery set, a standard yet generous 12-inch dinner plate coupled with some side plates or bowls, and a carefully considered offering of glassware to cover the core drinks served by the establishment.

The collection should be both durable and finished to a high standard to ensure it can handle the fast-paced environment of most casual dining restaurants.

Why, in your opinion, has casual dining taken off in such a huge way?

People are more and more focused on what really is essential, although without disregarding quality and elegance in the home.

What does the ideal casual dining collection comprise of?

Simplicity, without neglecting design and sophistication.

How does this trend towards casual dining reflect us as a society?

Society has become more relaxed, easy-going.

And meals have become more simple, focusing on the essential in contrast with previous generations who would make more complex meals with lots of different dishes.

“People are more and more focused on what really is essential.”

Casual dining, what’s your take?

With casual dining increasingly popular, we ask how it has become part of our daily dining narrative Richard Eaton, design director, Denby What does the ideal casual dining collection comprise of?

The many restaurants offering food styles from around the world, social media and TV cookery programmes have all contributed to a change in the way we dine and there is no shortage of inspiration to be found. While a core set of pottery may still be purchased, much has been written on bowl culture and today Denby offers over 30 different bowl sizes in its portfolio. The most popular being rice and pasta bowls – the latter being used almost as much as plates in most households today. In fact, Denby now produces more bowls than plates. Capsule ranges with just 13 to 20 pieces in the collection are the norm.

Consumers find it

seems less of a commitment and a more relaxed way to purchase by just buying key place setting items to match. Architectural pieces on the table such as teapots, tureens, salt and pepper pots no longer have to match the rest of the tableware and can be character pieces in their own right if they are required.

How does this trend towards casual dining reflect our society?

While tableware may be more relaxed in presentation style, it doesn’t mean our meals necessarily are as we strive to recreate recipes from social media or our favourite TV chef. Consumers prefer to have tableware which works for all dining occasions and can be used around the home from handless mugs holding toothbrushes to oil pourers which make ideal reed diffusers.

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Fawn Ostriak, chief creative officer, Lenox Brands Why, in your opinion, has casual dining taken off in such a huge way?

We find that people are living much more casual lifestyles and this is being carried over to their dining choices.

What does the ideal casual dining collection comprise of?

This is different for every individual as it pertains to their lifestyle.

We are seeing a demand for bowls – all shapes and sizes. The introduction of the Luna collection (right) is a good reflection of this.

How does this trend towards casual dining reflect our society?

Eating styles are more individualised and reflect our increased diversity as a society, such as using poke bowls, keto, one dish meals. There are no more rules on what to eat or how to set the table.

“Eating styles are more individualised and reflect our increased diversity as a society.”

TableWare_PUB_03_2020_Vogue.pdf 1 05/03/2020 18:44:32

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HoReCa In Action Robert Welch cutlery in Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen

Michelin magic Robert Welch Designs supply Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw’s Cornish restaurants with cutlery – we find out more about the partnership

The Chef’s Table...

If you love your food, in particular your fish, Nathan Outlaw’s name will be familiar to you. Two restaurants – Restaurant Nathan Outlaw and Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen – sit on the stunning Cornish coast and places at the table are highly sought-after. Robert Welch Designs supplies cutlery to both venues.

For Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, they tell us “the striking inverted curve and kickup at the end of each handle of Deta cutlery was chosen.

Meanwhile, the traditional appearance inspired by European bistro dining of Trattoria was the perfect fit for Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen.”

Speaking about why they chose the cutlery brand, Ian Dodgson, general manager, said: “We’ve had a great, long-standing relationship with Robert Welch, using their cutlery in our dining rooms, and knives in our kitchens. Over the past 10 years their cutlery ranges have continued to be completely reliable, in both look and feel, as well as durability. We buy Robert Welch cutlery because we have complete confidence that it will retain its quality in both appearance and function for many years, and it is designed with the diner in mind.”

Let’s take some time to appreciate tableware crafted for the hospitality sector. Imagining how pieces will actually work as a canvas for food can sometimes be a challenge but observing them in their natural habitat – on a table – makes the job easier. Some leading providers give us an insight into how their hospitality ranges meet their full potential

Perfect form Pictured in use at the innovative German restaurant Frieda, Stölzle Lausitz’s Quatrophil stem glass series boasts exceptional design – a high, filigree stem and cubic shape being the most distinctive features.

“We produce the Quatrophil glasses on the machine pulling the stems out of the bowls. The accentuated deep scheduled widest point of the bowl gives the glasses a special expressiveness. At the same time, the resulting shape ensures the maximum flavour of the wine in these glasses,” explained head of marketing Thomas Schulz.

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Bonna

5-star service from WMF WMF Professional provides glass and cutlery collections, and buffet equipment, for exclusive Norwegian venue Hotel Britannia Having reopened its doors in 2019 after an extensive five-year refurbishment, Norway’s Hotel Britannia has a solid equipment partner in WMF Professional. The hotel, which originally opened in 1897, now boasts six restaurants and bars with the WMF collections used including Divine, Royal and Smart. Tables, meanwhile, feature exclusive cutlery, including the Juwel collection with the hotel’s logo engraved on it, and Signum in a modern, stone-washed look.

Interestingly, WMF Professional took their relationship with the hotel one step further – with their service and repair department restoring the venue’s traditional silver, which can be found in the cellar vaults.

The chef says…

“I think each preparation has an identity which stands out thanks to the recipe. But first, its presentation motivates me to choose a plate. The opposite can happen too, and porcelain shapes or décors can inspire new recipes. Specifically, in Opificio, I serve my preparations on Rosenthal’s Junto and Accenti because the organic shapes of these collections perfectly reflect the research typical of my cuisine. At the same time, I think Thomas Nature and Blend could be the best canvas to give identity and make a recipe recognisable. Finally, in order to perfect the mise-en-place I like to alternate stainless-steel cutlery with the PVD coloured one by Sambonet, choosing the right style for the table and personality.”

Matteo Borsari, chef at Opificio Cucina e Bottega, Novara, a real culinary laboratory where research and evolution maintain a strong link with tradition. Raw materials and their origins are the cornerstones of his cuisine. He plates using Rosenthal’s Junto and Accenti.

Casual talk Valda Goodfellow, of design and distribution company for the hospitality industry G&G Goodfellows, talks all things casual dining for HoReCa “Our most popular casual dining ranges are Costa Nova and Bonna. Costa Nova has amazing designs and great production quality in stoneware; and Bonna are really pushing the boundaries of decoration onto porcelain but with matt texture, so it looks like stoneware but has the incredible durability properties of really strong porcelain. They both have fantastic options in smaller plates and great bowls/ service items for sharing menus.

There are three main reasons behind the massive growth in casual dining. The first one is purely because it’s more fun to eat in a more casual ambience that is aimed at the food being just part of the experience. Secondly, women are driving the demand for smaller plates as they don’t want to eat larger meals as often, so smaller plates – sharing menus – have to be served more casually and thirdly, there is a massive increase in global cuisines which suit casual dining formats.

The ideal casual dining collection comprises of core items which can suit smaller dishes and main courses, supplemented by ‘wow’ products that set the tone for the style you are aiming for.

The core items would be durable, but a bit more neutral so that they can take you through menu changes and would be the hardest working items in the collection. The ‘wow’ products could be changed more often to freshen up the look.

I think society is looking for a greater sense of fun and is less interested in ‘revering’ great food. Millennials want a meal out to be more sociable and don’t see it as a major occasion.”

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 61

HoReCa New Products

Create taste

Don’t miss…

Made from noble china, Tafelstern’s newest collection Creat! allows chefs gastronomic delights to sing.

With its unusual design, the company says Create! provides the perfect backdrop for a wide range of culinary styles from traditional, regional specialities to experimental trend cuisine.

The flat plates are a fusion of coupe and rimmed forms, and offer the advantages of both. The generous well offers almost endless creative freedom, while the rim is not only service-friendly, but also prevents sauces running.

Aperture from Monno which has been designed by the company’s creative director Billy Lloyd. Monno celebrated a fresh relaunch this year with several new collections – Aperture being one of them.

Aperture is many things, a plate which challenges traditional conventions of form. It can be used for fine dining and catering, or, as a gourmet chip n’dip piece when a bowl is placed in the centre.

www.tafelstern.de

www.monno.com

Hospitality specials

A selection of new HoReCa products on the market

Stack it up

To complete their Mix & Co. line, Vidivi recently introduced a nine cm individual bowl to the collection, which is perfectly stackable.

Ergonomics are combined with an elegant vintage design.

Another stackable addition is their bestselling tumbler Rialto which has been restyled to save space. www.vetridellevenezie.co.uk

The shape of things Stella Cosmo from Villeroy & Boch is bringing signature style to the table. The collection’s design and form composition is innovative, while the plate sizes are tailored to the portion sizes of top gastronomy. These new products can be combined with all existing Villeroy & Boch collections, such as Stella Hotel and Stella Vogue. www.villeroy-boch.com

“The Vellum semi-matte glaze has been specially formulated to perform to hospitality quality standards and has all the performance attributes needed for a busy hospitality environment. In development for several years, it’s a highly innovative formula which has meant we can bring a semimatte effect to market that is just as durable as our gloss glaze. Vellum isn’t prone to dulling and metal marking so it’s a really exciting breakthrough.”

Churchill’s new product development manager, Kelly Barber, discusses the Vellum collection made with semimatte glaze specially formulated to meet key hospitality standards. www.churchill1795.com 62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Angel Salvador Drink like a Bird

Column Hospitality

Raising a glass to innovation

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Innovation is as important in glassware for the hospitality sector as it is in tableware, says Valda Goodfellow aving returned from Ambiente, where there is a veritable ocean of products, I am reminded that keeping focus on what products fit the market requirement is the hardest job - especially when you see just how much product is actually being produced in the world today.

It is clear that there are some producers who are market leaders, and then there are those who ride a trend and pick up on what has already been created.

To us, being a leader rather than a follower is what we aim for, and spotting the next emerging trend is our mission.

To properly serve the bar revolution we are having to apply our powers of innovation to glassware just as we have had to do to plates.

At first, I must admit to finding glassware a bit confusing. A few years ago, a lot of it looked very much

Itallesse

alike until I learned to differentiate hand-blown from machine-made and one brand from another. Glassware for wine and champagne service was largely selected on how good the wine was, and the preference of the sommelier, but with bar service there is a whole different set of considerations.

“

We saw the same evolution with food presentation a few years ago, with dishes being served in or on all manner of novelty items… This changed how tableware was developed and now we see a whole range of really interesting designs from true innovators.

”

Firstly, we are talking about cocktails rather than wine, which require not only technical expertise to ensure the drink is mixed to the correct recipe, but it needs to be presented in the most appealing way. I don’t think mixologists have been given anywhere the same level of recognition that chefs have, but their growing importance to the appeal of both drinking and dining venues must surely change that soon.

Mixologists are as creative and dedicated to their craft as chefs, and they are demanding not only their own set of specialist tools and equipment but that the service of cocktails becomes recognised as an 64 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

artform. Their style of service is not only restricted to glassware, some bars are using all sorts of novel vessels in which to serve drinks, from teacups to tin cans.

As with the presentation of food, novelty presentation may be a shortlived trend but at least it has put a spotlight on the fact that it requires a lot more effort and thought to stand out from the crowd.

We saw the same evolution with food presentation a few years ago, with dishes being served in or on all manner of novelty items. That trend largely passed, with chefs returning to a more artistic quality of presentation rather than gimmicks but in the end, it did change things.

Diners expected presentation to be more interesting once they had seen that it could involve a degree of innovation, if not gimmickry.

This changed how tableware was developed and now we see a whole range of really interesting designs from true innovators.

The same is happening with glassware as manufacturers work their magic with colour, pattern and form.

It is really exciting to see the scale of development, with designs not only being influenced by heritage in that classic cocktails are inspiring a revival of Art Deco designs but also there are totally new cultural references making more dramatic and theatrical impact on product innovation.

Some of the glasses we are now seeing come to the market are truly inspiring creations with jewel colours and exotic shapes well suited to the beautiful cocktails they are designed

About G & G Founded by Paul and Valda Goodfellow, G & G Goodfellows is a highly creative design & Distribution Company with an amazing showroom in Little Portland Street. Offering a truly hands-on service, Goodfellows passion is to bring new and exciting, bespoke food presentation concepts to the UK’s culinary scene. As well as offering a wide variety of the world’s best branded tableware, kitchen equipment, clothing and machines, Goodfellows also collaborates closely with UK craft producers for totally unique products. It works with all sizes of restaurant and catering projects, happy to supply anything from an individual plate to a full restaurant concept.

to hold. Italesse is an Italian glassware manufacturer than we find matches innovation with great quality. We are particularly impressed with their Mares range which can even make water glasses look magnificent.

For truly creative shapes, we are always stunned by Angel Salvador’s madly inventive 100% Chef & 100% Barman designs, like this ‘Drink like a Bird’ glass which we sourced for a new bar opening in London.

As an Art Deco fan, I am delighted to see the return of classic designs for serious drinks. What could be better than an Old Fashioned in a cut crystal glass or a glitzy champagne coupe, so evocative of a bygone era.

As a champagne lover, I am very particular about my glasses and, for me, it can only be a mouth-blown glass, either from Italesse’s Etoilé Sparkle HandMade Glass or Zalto’s Sweet Wine Glass (rather than their champagne flute). I like more volume (obviously) in the glass but I think the champagne tastes better with some room to breathe. I am happy to test anyone’s champagne glasses for them to see if there is a better option but there is just one snag, you also have to supply the champagne! So, this bright new world of marvelous mixologists and magnificent glassware is opening up a great new set of possibilities to be creative and I am determined that we will help to raise the bar on what we bring to the market.

Chin, chin!

Introducing our 2020 collection...To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we recently launched over 230 products across our key Horeca categories. Our thoughtfully designed product innovations have been shaped by the themes we see in the market today and for the future.

Show Preview 41 Madison

The place to be Tabletop matters Kristi Forbes, senior vice president and director leasing/sales tells Tableware International what visitors can expect from the upcoming show

products. The sense of nostalgia Kristi, what can we expect from paired with the desire to offer the upcoming 41 Madison? meaningful products has We’re excited for visitors to resulted in an exciting new see our newly updated Buyer’s generation of tabletop.

Lounge designed by Meet Social media is also playing a Hospitality, a NYC-based meeting role in the tabletop industry with company. It’ll be the company’s interior designers and influencers third location and we’re looking bringing their own table art to forward to guests using the new life for their followers to mimic. space. We’re hosting exciting They’re celebrating their craft and 41 Madison experiences in the sparking passion in others along Buyer’s Lounge with Matchaful, the way.

Grand Brulot, FlowerSchool NY, Eleni’s and Marie Belle throughout the “Authentic storytelling is week. For example, crucial as brands build their FlowerShool NY is awareness and following. sharing expert tips Transparency isn’t just desired and tricks on how from brands, it’s expected.” to style florals in a variety of vases and Authentic storytelling is crucial as Eleni’s cookies will offer guests brands build their awareness and the opportunity to decorate following. Transparency isn’t just cookies inspired by signature desired from brands, it’s expected. plate designs.

What is the feeling on the ground at 41 Madison about the current state of play in the tabletop industry?

While the desire for formal tableware has decreased over time, tabletop as a whole continues to play a vital role in our everyday lives as it fosters lifelong memories and relationships. The tabletop industry is adapting – brands are reaching into their archives to recreate designs that appeal to today’s consumer needs as well as creating lifestyle 66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Is there anything in particular visitors should pay attention during this edition?

The spring market is always inspiring with so many brands introducing new designs.

Guests will be inspired the moment they walk in the door with a lush botanical lobby installation designed

by FlowerSchool NY and Deadflowers, NYC. We are also very excited for our guests to engage in The 41 Madison Experience.

UPDATE:

News that the The New York Tabletop Show has been cancelled broke just as Tableware International goes to press. However, with respect to those showcasing collections, we have opted to keep our 41 Madison preview in the magazine so you can get a small flavour of the many wonderful and diverse ranges in New York.

The heart of the tableware industry stateside, 41 Madison’s spring edition will bring a plethora of fresh and exciting collections direct from the centre of New York City

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hen you are told somewhere is “the place to be”, rarely do you have to believe it.

Except in the instance of 41 Madison. Because from March 31 to April 4, the New York Tabletop Show, located at the iconic address, really is the place to be for all things tableware – not just stateside, but globally.

41 Madison lives and breathes tabletop, it exudes porcelain from its very core and the twice-yearly show – October and again in April – always promises fresh, new and exciting. The upcoming edition of the show is proving to be no different with 41 Madison telling us we can expect “a renovated Buyer’s Lounge, experiential programming, an extensive array of new products, and a lush botanical lobby installation designed by the FlowerSchool New York and

DeadFlowers NYC”.

When it comes to new product, there is plenty – but excitingly, LAV is opening a new 2,219-square-foot showroom on the seventh floor, and Joseph Joseph will be expanding its 15th floor showroom to reach a total of 3,100-square-feet.

There is even more to look forward to with The Tastemaker Takeover programme which will once again feature a group of influencers who will scout and spotlight their favourite finds on the @41Madison Instagram throughout market. This edition’s team includes Hannah Habes, founder and CEO, Matchaful, Frances Schultz, author and lifestyle expert, Janie Molster, designer, Janie Molster Designs and Jamie Drake, designer, Drake/ Anderson. www.41madison.com

2,219

the size in square feet of the new showroom LAV will be opening at 41 Madison on floor 7.

Check it out!

Fiesta Dinnerware (Floor 16) is introducing the most versatile piece in your kitchen cabinets – a new Bowl Plate. Perfect for pastas, salads, stir fry, burrito bowls, poke bowls, and so much more. It has a 9” center well making it similar to a dinner plate with a much higher rim.

“We like to call the Bowl Plate the ‘everything bowl’ because you can literally use it for every meal you prepare,” says Rich Brinkman, VP Sales & Marketing at The Homer Laughlin China Company.

The new Bowl Plate will be made in all 15 Fiesta Dinnerware colours, including the new 2020 colour, Butterscotch.

Lenox Floor 24

Small, but mighty. Luna now comes in a miniature version that’s as charming as it is convenient. Use Mini Luna for dips, sauces, spices and more.

Hidden inside are six bowls and two small dishes. Take it apart piece by piece to reveal each microwave-anddishwasher-safe style. Put it all back together and it becomes a compact piece that nestles perfectly inside your kitchen cabinet or on top of your shelf. Meanwhile, Lenox’s Cocktail Party Collection is inspired by mid-century designs, with everything you need in one space-saving statement.

Lift the lid to find an ice scoop, jigger, muddler, bottle opener and ice bucket

www.lenox.com

LSA International Floor 17

LSA International unveils six new collections for SS20 - Vodka, Metropole, Lotta, Gio Line, Gems and Borough.

Paying tribute to the brand’s Polish heritage and inspired by Eastern Bloc architecture and graphical art, Vodka (pictured) is a group of playful, geometric silhouettes in the form of shot, cocktail and mixer glasses, some with ash bases and small porcelain dishes for blini or caviar.

Metropole is a decorative addition to an existing mouthblown range of decanters with architectural silhouettes.

With strong yet simple lines and substantial bases, the design of the stand, bowl and jug from the Lotta collection builds on its already clean aesthetic which is complemented by its signature natural ash base.

The simple lines of the Gio Line collection are subtly enhanced by its delicate vertical linear finish. The range of storage items, including drinkware and decorative items, is designed for use in the kitchen or bathroom.

A collection of vibrant tumbler sets, Gems is inspired by the faceted shapes and lustrous colours of polished semi-precious gems. Each set is handpainted in subtly different hues of garnet, amber or jade lustre.

And finally, inspired by communities globally who enjoy entertaining and socialising locally, the 17 pieces of Borough – an innovative and versatile wine and bar collection were created with a refined aesthetic and distinctive shapes.

www.lsa-international.com

Typhoon Homewares Floor 8

Typhoon Homewares will be showcasing an array of exciting new products from their British heritage brands; Kilner, Mason Cash, Viners, Typhoon and Price & Kensington, at the upcoming New York Tabletop Show. The brand new Kilner All In One Food To Go Set and the new Kilner Nut Drink Making Set will be on display alongside the highly-anticipated Kilner Kids Jars that are a perfect alternative to plastic for storing homemade baby food. The beautiful Typhoon World Foods collection will be displayed and features an array of specialist cook and serveware inspired by dishes from all over the globe. The Typhoon PURE collection which is a coherent range of reusable and recyclable products such as glass bottles, double walled steel bottles, metal straws, bamboo fibre lunch boxes and reusable coffee mugs made of glass, wheat fibre and bamboo fibre will also be available.

Typhoonhomewares.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 67

Villeroy & Boch Floor 18

Show Preview 41 Madison

LAV

opens new showroom at 41 Madison LAV is celebrating the opening of its new showroom at 41 Madison. The showroom will officially open at this upcoming season of The New York Tabletop Show on 31 March, positioning the brand as an active player in the US market. Speaking about the move to 41 Madison, LAV’s general manager Tuğrul Baran said it represents a “very powerful market penetration” for the brand.

“In addition to our authentic, aesthetic and elegant collections, we will present collections designed specifically for the US market.

We are also establishing a New York-based sales and marketing company. Our greatest aim is to introduce LAV’s innovative world to the American consumers through larger share in the market and demand-oriented product design.”

LAV will be located on floor 7, visit Lav.com.tr to learn more.

Daum & Haviland

From the Tableware International Awards of Excellece nominated It’s My Match through to a fresh interpretation of the Iconic La Boule, Villeroy & Boch’s showrooms on the eighteenth floor at 41 Madison will be a hive of activity.

By creating Iconic La Boule, Villeroy & Boch has breathed new life into a part of its DNA. In 1972, Helen von Boch developed the globe that was celebrated as a work of art. In 2020, Iconic La Boule combines four new multifaceted looks of the innovative porcelain orb, and once again makes an uncompromising statement full of extravagance.

Floor 6

www.villeroy-boch.com

Haviland’s Océan Bleu perfectly translates the motion of the waves with an explosion of blue tones. It takes us on a journey in the deeps of the sea where manta rays and jellyfish dance along the water. Each piece of this service is a unique painting designed by the manufacturer’s creative workshop.

Meanwhile, Daum’s Fleur de Paon collection is colourful and delicate, drawing its inspiration from the most beautiful pomp of this mythical animal. Exactly 100 years after the Plume de Paon collection launched in 1919, Daum draws from its archives and imagines a collection, a crossing between Art Nouveau and the current trends of palms and exotic leaves from the jungles of Asia.

www.haviland.fr www.daum.fr

Daum

Haviland

Herend Floor 10

Visit Herend and Moser on floor 10 at the New York Tabletop Show to see Princess Victoria Turquoise - the perfect name for a pattern that incorporates a wellknown motif. Princess Victoria features the beautiful, decorative border from Queen Victoria now available in a fresh, new turquoise colour.

Meanwhile, Sonnet is designed by Ingrid Račková and David Suchopárek for Moser – the sparkling cuts on the base contrasted with the smooth clean lines elsewhere convey a feeling of purity and peace.

www.herendusa.com 68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Princess Victoria

Sonnet

Often practical but never typical,

STEKLARNA ROGAĹ KA d.o.o. and RogaĹĄka brand are part of the Fiskars portfolio of brands and trademarks. www.fiskarsgroup.com

Rogaska collections are a reliable choice uniting appreciated and popular designs.

for more exciting reflections visit us at www.rogaska-crystal.com rogaska1665

Show Preview 41 Madison

BauscherHepp Floor 3

Committed to offering the highest quality commercial tabletop, and food and beverage products, to the elevated dining market, BauscherHepp also provides best-in-class customer service.

Distributing brands such as Bauscher, Hepp, WMF, Tafelstern, Luigi Bormioli, Playground, Vidivi, Tassen, Silit, Kaiser, and Emsa, the company’s mission is to bring people together.

They provide clients with the tools to create exceptional experiences for their guests, whether in restaurants, hotels, private clubs, casinos, healthcare facilities, or retirement living communities.

Their German manufacturing facilities for porcelain and metal are environmentally friendly, the first in the global porcelain industry to be certified according to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001: international standards for environmental and energy management systems.

Costa Nova Floor 22

Head to floor 22 where you will find Costa Nova at 41 Madison. Costa Nova’s Plano collection is the very first recycled collection by the company, sourced from the surplus of their own factory. Plano presents a distinctive organic shape, combining rawness embodied in a clean, strong look.

In a reminiscence of the old hand-turned studio pottery, these unique, high-quality manufactured pieces, are designed and curated to be part of unforgettable moments at the table.

www.costa-nova.com

www.bauscherhepp.com

Richard Ginori Floor 17

Richard Ginori will be presenting Ether by Constance Guisset at 41 Madison’s spring edition.

Constance Guisset, one of the most important French designers, has created Ether, an ethereal and poetic motif that confers an airy and vaporous touch to the elements of the Aria collection by Richard Ginori.

Inspired by the name of the collection, with her Ether motif, Constance Guisset has created a nebulous atmosphere. Ether reveals a breath of invisible air, which blows on ashes to confer movement and lightness to the surface of the plates. The texture chosen is in black which can easily be matched with all possible colours and shades. Black, when touched by transparency and light, regales depth to the plate, to embrace all sorts of gourmet creations and respond to the requirements of contemporary hospitality.

www.richardginori.com

Did you know?

Lenox will be introducing a new collaboration with Victoria James, sommelier for a new Lenox glassware collection. They are also relaunching the Reed & Barton brand.

70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Alessi Floor 8

Alessi will be showcasing their SS20 collection at the upcoming New York Tabletop Show.

Amongst the collection, you’ll find Trinity – a steel centrepiece originally designed by Australian designer Adam Cornish in 2013. All the components – centrepiece, basket, fuit bowl and citrus basket, are now offered in a total black variation to further highlight the harmonious structure inspired by the graphic lines of a shell. Giro Kids Collection – a shatter-proof tableware offering for children complete with complementary cutlery set will also be on display, as will the rest of Alessi’s diverse offering with an updated Food à Porter by Sakura Adachi and the outdoor collection Dressed en plein air by Marcel Wanders to name just a few.

www.alessi.com

Trend Focus

Working with the zeitgeist As the retail market becomes an ever more complex place to navigate – trend intelligence companies such as the UK-based Scarlet Opus are helping manufacturers and the hospitality sector stay ahead of the curve.

Tableware International spoke with Phil Pond to learn more about the complex nature of their work

T

he cool kids can rally against being “on trend” all they want, but when it comes to business – trends make money. And not working with the zeitgeist means potentially losing market share.

This is where trend forecasting companies come in, having always held a space in the fashion-forward industries such as tableware.

Scarlet Opus is one such trend forecasting company, founded in 2003 by Victoria Redshaw, they work internationally with manufacturers, retailers, event organisers, trade and consumer media associated with the built environment – essentially, all things for interiors and outdoor, urban spaces.

“Our job is to inform them about the future of Lifestyle. Living.

Working. Playing,” Phil Pond, who works in trend intelligence, tells us. “Essentially the wants, needs and desires of consumers; we provide our clients with detailed inspiration, guidance and ideas for product, marketing, merchandising

and customer experience development up to two years before they should be market ready.”

Part of Scarlet Opus’s remit is working with the hospitality sector, but how is what they do relevant and useful to restaurants and hotels? Very much so, it seems.

“There is a close connection between what people want in their homes and hotels,” Phil points out.

“Who hasn’t left a high-end holiday hotel with ideas for their own bathroom, or bedroom design? We live in an experience economy, it is crucial for the hospitality sector – all business sectors, in fact – to have an appreciation of how people will be living, feeling and wanting.”

In short, Phil says they are buying their clients time – time to prepare for future wants.

“Having time to adjust, evolve and develop a business to meet these desires lowers the risks and costs of doing so. Certainty about your future customer is futureproofing your business,” he points out.

So, what sort of questions are hospitality providers looking to

Who is Scarlet Opus?

“Accurate, bespoke trend intelligence can result in a huge ROI for any business electing to use it… It is without doubt, one of the most powerful business tools for growth and stability currently available.” have answered? A variety, it seems. Is fine dining making a return? Which foods, cuisines and drinks will be most desired in the next two years?

Which interior design schemes will attract the most customers and inspire them to return? How long will these last? What marketing language will resonate with consumers the most?

“We provide the answer to all of these questions and many more.

We provide certainty and time; our clients say a ROI can be seen with better financial results, increased market share, media coverage, customer engagement, footfall and shareholder value.”

Naturally, these are bold claims but in reality, do providers really

need to be up-to-speed on future trends?

“A business can decide not to work with trends, not to actively engage with them,” Phil concedes.

“But those trends will still come to fruition because the events that drive trends to emerge will happen. Those events will cause emotional change in society in general and consumers will be influenced by and seek the styles, looks and experiences forecast.

Knowing when and why a trend will emerge and how long it is likely to last provides powerful business knowledge, enabling a business to engage with consumers on an emotional level

UK-based Scarlet Opus provides trend intelligence for BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) and its members as well as for their Exclusively Show. They have manufacturing clients operating in cookware, housing, workplace and hospitality furniture, carpet and wood flooring, home textiles and paper. As well as clients who are members of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and exhibitions in Melbourne, the UK, UAE and US for the interiors, stationery, flooring and auto industries. Visit www.scarletopus.com 72 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Blue, in all shades,will be popular

Let’s talk trends

From colour to texture – Phil tells us which trends will make an impact...

that builds lasting relationships.”

When it comes to tableware and houseware providers, there is real benefit in trend forecasting, Phil says.

“Macro trends can be translated to provide product and service development guidance, ideas and inspiration in any category. Accurate, bespoke trend intelligence can result in a huge ROI for any business electing to use it. Integrating it into the complete business strategy of a company will provide tangible benefit in any economic conditions.

It is without doubt, one of the most powerful business tools for growth

and stability currently available.”

Two years is the timescale from initial predictions through to trends emerging at retail, but Scarlet Opus can even predict five to 10 years ahead of the curve, although to a less specific degree.

“We identify consumer and design trends two years ahead of their emergence in the mass market, giving very specific detail about colour, pattern, material, texture and shape.

In a more general and less specific sense, such as red, as opposed to red Pantone reference XYZ. We can provide design trend intelligence five

to 10 years out. In concept only form, we have just posted a brief video of how we see Lifestyle in 2050 – but we’re not suggesting that people working in the tableware market sector should be purchasing any information that far ahead! While they vary, trends for interiors and interior products have longevity of around five years with mass market/volume appeal. They don’t then disappear, they simply lose popularity while holding appeal with some for much longer.”

We asked…

Of the trends you have highlighted, which do you think will make the biggest impact and why?

"Our deepening desire, and basic human need, to connect with nature is driven by many aspects of current times – the continuing sense of uncertainty about our safety, the economy, political manipulation, environmental issues, climate change and more.

This, in the design world, is referred to as biophilia/biophilic design.

It’s rapidly changing the ways in which architects create urban areas, workplaces and educational centres. It is beginning to impact on product design in a knowing way."

Texture and reconnecting with nature will be important

"Most people think of colour whenever the subject of trend forecasting comes up. While this is one of the interesting aspects of understanding future consumer and design trends, as it’s high profile, it’s always worth sharing. For the foreseeable future blue will strengthen in popularity. At the top of the list of blue shades for 2020/21 is indigo. Hugely popular and becoming more prevalent, indigo can be used to ground brighter colours, it can be used to add a perception of luxury and class. It matches exquisitely with brass. All shades of blue will trend up. Our collective desire to reconnect with nature and natural materials is getting stronger – this is a long-term trend. Using natural materials, or simulating the appearance of them in product design, will broaden the product’s appeal.

Texture is a crucial element of a human’s wellbeing. When you feel stressed, uncomfortable or anxious, don’t you find yourself rubbing your hands together, rubbing a hand against the fabric of a piece of clothing or some other object that returns a definite ‘feeling’? Texture tells us we’re alive, we are OK, everything will be fine. No one ever got a sense of this from contact with the smooth surface of a smartphone, quite the opposite. Designing texture into the surfaces of product helps consumers to connect with it. This could be seating fabric, wooden cutlery, embossed surfaces, ribbed tabletop like Denby’s Studio Blue/Grey, tablecloths, there are lots of ways to satisfy this need."

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 73

Trend Minimalism

Hygge Gibson Overseas Minimalistic in design, the Hygge Dinnerware Collection from Gibson has been inspired by the Danish buzzword which loosely translates as embracing warmth and comfort and focusing on what makes you feel happy. With an uncomplicated matte finish, Gibson pays homage to the tradition of hygge with the collection which sees dinner plates and mugs in warm neutral colours, classic shapes, and lightly speckled surfaces create a calming and comforting backdrop.

Mattina Alessi Mattina from Big-Game design studio is multi-purpose to its core. Versatile in that it is more than just a bread box, Mattina is a container with a lid that is a practical chopping board, designed for slicing bread in the best way possible without spreading crumbs across the table.

www.alessi.com

gibsonusa.com

The bare necessities In stark contrast to the perfect chaos of maximalism, minimalism retains a certain je ne sais quoi.

The appeal lies in its serenity.

Tuareg Porcel Inspired by nature and decorated exclusively by hand, each piece in Porcel’s Tuareg collection is distinct in colour. With patterns randomly determined during the firing process in the kiln, Tuareg is a sophisticated approach to raw and earthen colour table.

www.porcel.com

Omnia Fürstenberg Together with Vienna-based design studio Eoos, Fürstenberg designed the award-winning Omnia – a service comprised of a dinner plate, a plate for breakfast, dessert or side dish, a bowl and a cup, embodying the essence of modern dining culture. In addition to pure white, the collection uses the colours anthracite, light brown, bronze and dark brown to satisfy the urban lifestyle’s yearning for naturalness and sustainability.

fuerstenberg-porzellan.com

Artesano Nature Villeroy & Boch With ten basic items in its collection, Artesano Nature comes in three soft tones – blue, green and beige. The collection comprises a coffee cup with saucer, four flat plates, a deep plate, two bowls and a mug. Villeroy & Boch suggest either covering the coffee table or dining table with one colour “or combining the three matching colours and add white articles to your heart’s content.”

www.villeroy-boch.com

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