Tableware International September October 2019

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: September/October 2019

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Tableware Team

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INTERNATIONAL

EDITOR KATE BIRCH kate@lemapublishing.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHER MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

DESIGNER MARIAN MCNAMARA marian@lemapublishing.co.uk

To 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 Vista Alegre.

For more information see the website www.vistaalegre.com

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

Month: September/October 2019

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he beauty of being an international publication lies in being able to reflect on the journey of so many global tableware brands and retailers, to report on brand expansions into new markets and to present the opportunities for growth in retail worldwide.

And this issue, we are travelling far and wide to bring you the opportunities of the global marketplace, from the experiences of a successful award-winning retailer in Australia (page 46), to the potential sourcing opportunities available Stateside, at Forty One Madison (page 90).

With retail struggles in Europe, many companies are taking their heritage brands and Made in Europe product to other markets; and Asia, the Middle East and South America are current target markets.

British fine bone china manufacturer Royal Crown Derby has seen its exports to China increase to nearly 20 per cent of its total export sales in the last year; while William Edwards, whose fine bone china is in demand in the Middle East, has opened its first international showroom, located in Dubai.

On pages 72 and page 76, we look at how European brands are harnessing their heritage, expertise and quality and tapping into the Asian and Middle East markets respectively.

Central and South America are further growth regions and luxury company Kiyasa Group, which distributes the Prouna, Greggio, Lehmann Glass and Kiyasa Signature brands across the US, is expanding into Latin America.

The Group, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year (see our tribute on page 54), opened its first showroom in Mexico City last year and sees the Latin American region as “a huge opportunity as there’s a big appetite for luxury and quality”, says the company.

In retail, we are also truly global: we travel to Australia to check out highly-successful homeware store (Jumbled, page 46); and to Turkey and its award-winning porcelain retail store, Porland (page 52); as well as to the UK, where iconic department store Harrods has given its third-floor Interiors department a makeover, with the debut of Royal Copenhagen and the enhancement of the Wedgwood and Waterford spaces (page 48).

And while this issue's Brand Profiles hail from different parts of the world, they all have a global footprint and are leading the industry with innovative products and collaborations.

Portuguese porcelain and crystal company Vista Alegre takes centrestage – we look at how the multi award-winning brand has forged a new partnership with a non-profit organisation, to highlight the plight of the Amazon (page 24).

On page 50, we discover how French brand Haviland is bringing its famed heritage Limoges porcelain into the modern era, forging collaborations with contemporary designers to

TableWare www.tablewareinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL

HoReCa 134

Sept/Oct 2019

We’re raising our glass to the best restaurant in the world.

At Nude we’re proud to see our Stem Zero glasses being raised every day by guests at Mirazur. Now it’s time for us to raise our glasses and congratulate the exceptional chef Mauro and his 3 Michelin-starred restaurant Mirazur, on being awarded The World’s Best Restaurant at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019.

Don't miss our brand-new publication Tableware International HoReCa, with this issue, where we outline the opportunities, challenges and trends in tableware for the hospitality sector.

take porcelain innovation to new heights.

A further porcelain pioneer, German brand Kahla, renowned for revolutionising the material, is also spotlighted. We pay tribute to the company which is celebrating 175 years of porcelain production in Germany (page 68).

And we look to Turkey, page 36, to discover how contemporary brand Nude is taking its glassware to new and exciting design heights.

Here at Tableware International, we too are taking the brand to new and exciting heights.

With this issue, we are launching a brandnew publication – Tableware International HoReCa – in which we discuss the demands, opportunities and trends concerning tableware within the hospitality segment worldwide, guiding HoReCa operators in the selection of tableware and showing tabletop brands how they can tap into this burgeoning segment.

As many of you will already know, this is my final issue of Tableware International.

After six fantastic years leading this incredible brand and taking it to new horizons – launching the Tableware International Awards of Excellence, Kitchenware International and Tableware International HoReCa – I too am set to embrace new horizons.

I have loved working with so many beautiful brands and passionate people and it's been an absolute honour to champion and celebrate what is a truly global and innovative industry.

Kate Birch 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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September/October 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ ISSUE 4

News & Trends 10

News A round-up of international stories

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Product News The latest launches

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Exhibition News The latest tradeshow news

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NEW Eco News Sustainability stories in spotlight

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Product Trend All that glitters is gold

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Trend Column Donna Ferrari spotlights tableware inspired by textiles

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Product Spotlight Geometric designs

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Industry Trend Why functionality matters

Retail

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Column: Retail On why gift packaging matters

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Retail Profile: Australia Home retailer Jumbled

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Retail Spotlight: Harrods The Interiors department gets a makeover

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Category: Flatware We look at the merchandising of cutlery and highlight the latest ďŹ&#x201A;atware launches

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Retail Profile: Turkey Spotlight on Porland's awardwinning store in Turkey

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Profile: Kahla Celebrating 175 years of porcelain production in Germany

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Retail Interviews Three retailers discuss tabletop

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Feature: Instagram Why Instagram is retail's new best friend and how to make the most of it

Trade Talk: Outdoors We talk to three tabletop companies about the growth of outdoor dining

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Feature: Asia Calling How European tabletop brands are tapping into the luxury Asian market

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Feature: Middle East Growth Tableware brands seeing expansion in the Middle East region

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Category: Decorative Why functionality increasingly matters in decorative objects

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We Ask... What do Millennials want?

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Column: BHETA Why visual merchandising matters

Features 24

Profile: Vista Alegre The brand's latest partnership with EcoArts and its newest product launches

30

Collection Dissection Raami by Iittala

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Interview: Nude We talk to Nude's design manager Emre Bozbeyli

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Category: Bowls How the bowl became the go-to tableware item, surpassing the sales of plates

Shows

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Profile: Haviland Two designers discuss taking Haviland's Limoges porcelain to great heights

90

Show Preview: 41 Madison A sneak peek at what's new and happening at the New York Tabletop Show

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Interview: Kiyasa Group Celebrating a decade of distribution and manufacture success in the US

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Show Review: Homi Outdoor Looking back at the debut Outdoor Show of Homi Milano

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.

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news

BergHOFF and Zara Home

Co-branded partnerships on rise Co-branded partnerships between retailers and tabletop brands are on the rise, with retailers increasingly searching for partners who can deliver high-quality expert products that are exclusive to them and branded by them

Denby and John Lewis

BergHOFF and Zara Home

Denby and John Lewis & Partners have collaborated for the first time, to create a cobranded ceramics collection. Designed with the inherent values of Denby stoneware and John Lewis’ homeware expertise, the new collection, Quartz Rose, is now in store. Nicola Hattersley, buyer for tabletop at John Lewis, says: “We have loved bringing our two iconic British brands together, using our combined expertise to create a collection of plates, bowls, mugs, jugs and pots handcrafted with skill and care in Derbyshire.”

Rose Quartz is inspired by the tones and iridescent look of its namesake mineral and Denby’s unique glazes capture this, delivering a multi-tonal rose palette, from soft blush to terracotta, that reflects the home trend for warm, natural aesthetics with a handcrafted feel.

The range comprises plates, bowls, mugs and statement pieces, including a textured tall jug.

Jointly branded backstamps and new bespoke packaging has been created.

Richard Eaton, head of design at Denby, adds: “John Lewis & Partners recognised the potential in some of our experimental design pieces on a visit to the factory and sharing the same passion for craftsmanship, we’ve created a beautiful, striking and versatile collection.”

International designer of high-quality cookware, kitchenware and table accessories, BergHOFF Worldwide, has forged a cobranding partnership with Zara Home.

The result is a range of BergHOFF products, based on award-winning designs, exclusively developed for Zara Home customers. User-friendly pots and pans in cast iron, high-quality kitchen knives and a practical wooden salt mill and pepper mill are all branded Zara Home by BergHOFF. It’s the first time Zara Home has teamed up with another brand to extend its housewares range. “They wanted a partner who could assure the high-quality standard that their customers expect, and also offer them the right advice throughout the entire process, from creation and production to distribution,” says Adelheid Deltour, CEO of BergHOFF. The range of products includes BergHOFF’s award-winning Ron cast iron cookware, which has been given a unique classy offwhite colour in line with Zara’s look and feel; while the versatile knife set combines stylish black titanium blades with dark Chinese oak handles.

“

Glasses being seen as an affordable gift solution has been a strong influence for us in terms of product development. While we offer many options in boxed sets of two, four and six, some of our bestselling concepts are single glasses with an individual in mind.

The Aspect Collection is our latest example which features a range of decorative themes (such as wildlife, pets, sports and pastimes) etched onto a choice of high-quality glasses.

Attractively packaged and well-priced, they offer the gift-giver plenty of inspiration.

”

Richard Halliday, commercial director, Dartington Crystal 10 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Denby and John Lewis

Lenox signs licensing agreement with Arlee Home Fashions

America’s leading tableware company, Lenox, has announced a licensing deal with Arlee Home Fashions, to design and market textile collections, which will be licensed under the Lenox brand name and comprise both kitchen textiles and table linen, including tablecloths, napkins, placemats, wine holders, kitchen towels, potholders and aprons, among other pieces.

The collection will preview at the April 2020 New York tabletop market and will be offered at department and speciality stores as well as on www.lenox.com.

"Our partnership and licensing effort with Arlee Home Fashions will allow us to leverage our design expertise to expand our product offerings to today’s consumer, reinforcing our position as America's leading tabletop and entertaining business," says Mads Ryder, CEO of Lenox Corporation.

"Our goal is to set the scene from start to finish for the modern-day consumer by offering additional product categories to complement the tableware and entertaining categories. We are thrilled to partner with an organisation that shares our beliefs and has a commitment to delivering quality products to consumers."

Tableware Awards 2020 update For the third year, in celebration of excellence and innovation in the tableware industry, we have invited tabletop suppliers, brands, companies and factories to enter their tableware collections and products into the Tableware International Awards of Excellence 2020.

This year, we have 19 product categories covering the complete tabletop, including a new category for 2020 – Sustainable Tableware – along with the Lifetime Achievement Award 2020.

With all the entries now in, our prestigious panel of 25 global experts, including global retailers Amara, Dom Farfora, John Lews, Wayfair, William Ashley, TableAart, are all set

to judge entries and shortlist three finalists, including the final winner in each category using the criteria of Design, Innovation, Aesthetics and Storytelling. The Finalists will feature in our Awards Finalists Supplement in January 2020 and the final winners in our Awards Winners Supplement in March 2020.

The finalists will further be acknowledged, and the winners announced, at our Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 9, at Messe Frankfurt, during Ambiente 2020.

If you want to sponsor the Awards 2020, contact pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk. If you'd like to attend the Tableware Awards 2020, please contact robert@lemapublishing.co.uk.

KichenCraft invests in a new home As a multi-generational business, established nearly 170 years ago in Birmingham, KitchenCraft has once again invested in its roots with a new purpose-built warehouse and office facility on the outskirts of the city.The facility was opened by the Lord Mayor, with local business leaders, company partners, suppliers and customers also in attendance.

As one of Birmingham’s most successful companies, KitchenCraft designs and develops over 7,000 cooking, dining and serving items, supplying major department stores, independent cookshops and online retailers in over 80 countries worldwide.

With a number of leading brands including MasterClass, Colourworks, Chef’n, Mikasa, La Cafetiere and Built in its range, the company states that every household in the UK has at least one of its products. KitchenCraft is owned by Nasdaq-quoted corporation – Lifetime Brands Inc. “It seemed only fitting that we design our own new home to reflect our business values with adequate provision for growth and development of the company over time.” states Rob Kay, CEO, Lifetime Brands Inc. The 250,000 sqft new building at The Hub, a thriving business park on the outskirts of the city, was developed by IM properties. Around 200 jobs are moving from KitchenCraft’s current site in Garretts Green with all stock being consolidated into one warehouse from multiple sites.

Matthew Canwell, KitchenCraft’s MD comments: “We are a service-driven business with customer service meaning everything to us. Our new home has been designed to fulfil that proposition in a way which we could not have previously achieved.

“It includes a 10,000 sqft showroom where we can inspire our customers with product selection and display, an enhanced product testing facility, in-house design and photography facilities all supported by a state-of-the-art warehouse to enable a faster order turnaround for our retail customers.” www.kitchencraft.co.uk

Zuchex 2019 triumphs The market-leading Turkish trade fair for home and kitchenwares, Zuchex Istanbul, has closed its doors after four excellent days of trading.

Celebrating its 30th edition, and having undertaken a re-edit, Zuchex 2019 – which is expected to generate revenue of US$1.5 billion for the housewares industry – saw a big rise in local and overseas visitors: 32,734 trade buyers from 108 countries (1.9 per cent increase).

Some 20 per cent of buyers came from outside Turkey, making Zuchex 2019 the most international show to date, with Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, The Lebanon, Libya, Russia, Jordan, Greece and Palestine among the top 10 visitor nations.

There were 425 exhibitors from Turkey and 149 from overseas – a 28 per cent increase on the previous year – with many exhibitors reporting reaching their targets for the trade fair by the third day of the show.

Zekeriya Aytemur, MD, Tarsus Turkey, organisers of Zuchex, says: "The number of overseas buyers attending this year exceeded our expectations and we aim to increase these figures further in 2020.`’ Exhibitors were pleased with both the internationalism and visitor numbers. Goldmaster chairman, Sinan Bora, says Zuchex 2019 delivered more buyers from The Middle East, The Balkans and Asia than any other show they attend globally; while Keramika GM, Emin Yuce, said the show was well on its way to becoming the second most important Housewares Fair in the world, after Ambiente.

Kutahya Porselen adds: “The first three days were really busy as buyers from Europe, the Middle East and the Americas showed great interest in our stand."

In Hall 14, Zuchex unveiled two new features – Coffee or Tea? (sponsored by Kutahya Porselen) and The Kitchen Theatre, where buyers could experience products being used first-hand. The next edition of Zuchex takes place September 1013, 2020. www.zuchex.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 11

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 11

News 5 minutes with…

Villeroy & Boch

Porcel unveils new website With the aim of improving both trade and consumers’ online experiences, Portuguese porcelain brand and manufacturer, Porcel, has revealed a brand-new website that is also mobile-friendly. The new platform features all of Porcel’s available collections and clients visitors can discover how they can customise pieces and see some of Porcel’s international bespoke projects. “It’s a beautiful window into the world of Porcel that we are confident clients will appreciate,” says Porcel’s president, Ana Luisa Roque. Check it out at www.porcel.com

Sandra Ehlen, head of product development Tableware at Villeroy & Boch discusses the latest consumer trends that are impacting tableware design

Royal Doulton launches exclusive range for John Lewis Drawing inspiraton from Royal Doulton’s founding year, the 1815 Bold Collection launches as an exclusive for John Lewis. The collection draws inspiration from the brand’s iconic design roots, with every piece embossed with the Royal Doulton’s signature 1815 mark of authenticity. 1815 Bold delivers timeless, confident modern shapes featuring two innovative design combinations – hand-dipped glazes, which give a handcrafted look, and brushstrokes, that contrast with a classic white porcelain base – in three on-trend colours. www.fiskars.com

Did you know…?

Orlo range for Made.com

Tableware and product designer Robin Levien, partner at Studio Levien, has recently been commissioned by etailer Made.com to design a bone china tableware collection exclusively for them. “They want a short range that needs to be Origin, Nambe visually strong as they are selling online,” says Robin. Enter the Orlo Collection, a simple yet distinctive range. Studio Levien has also recently designed a new collection for Nambe that has been sold exclusively to Bed, Bath & Beyond. This collection, Origin, delivers ceramics featuring ridges in different directions (circular, vertical and horizontal) along with dark wood acacia accessories.

12 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

“Trends driving our product development include eating from natural-looking materials, such as slate, rock or concrete.

Our series, Manufacture Rock, offers the possibility to implement this trend at home.

Manufacture Rock further addresses the trend of mixing and matching different individual parts to create a harmonious yet individual overall concept, which is a big trend. We offer this mixing and matching for all our target groups.

Customers can mix Manufacture Rock with Manufacture Rock Blanc for a natural, but stylish and cosmopolitan black-and-white look; or with Manufacture Glow for a more glamorous look.

With our series It’s My Match, millennials can mix and match the products they like and need in different colours and structures, thereby creating their own individual look.

And classic Villeroy & Boch décors can be mixed and matched with more modern interpretations: for example, Old Luxembourg and French Garden, both of which have been re-interpreted into contemporary designs, Vieux Luxembourg Brindille (in 2018) and French Garden Modern Fruits and Green Line (2019) respectively.

The combination of old and new decors give the entire ambience a modern yet classic look."

News

Villeroy & Boch

announces new President of Tableware Americas Villeroy & Boch announces Lucas Updegraph as the new President of Tableware Americas and CEO of Villeroy & Boch USA, Inc. In this position, Lucas is responsible for the entire sales and marketing division of Tableware, both for retail business and B2B for hotels and restaurants. Lucas will report directly to Gabi Schupp, director of Tableware.

Lucas has 20 years executive leadership experience in the consumer goods industry, as well as extensive experience in sales, marketing and product development.

Lucas is also accustomed to working on an international level and has a passion for tableware, having worked within the tableware industry for the last 17 years.

5 minutes with…

Cocktail chef

Marie Rausch Sieger by Fuerstenberg and award-winning self-styled cocktail chef Marie Rausch, one of Germany’s top bartenders, collaborate to develop a new gin cocktail especially for the Prometheus porcelain tumbler collection. Here, we talk to Marie, who is owner of bar/restaurant Rotkehichen in Munster, Germany, about the collaboration What is your criteria for choosing barware for your cocktails?

Studio William goes interactive at Restaurant Show At this year's Restaurant Show, which took place September 30 to October 2, 2019, at Olympia London, Studio William Hotel & Restaurant Supplies invited attendees to dive in and experiment with the new products on display.

On its Stand (UW10 in the National Hall Gallery), there were unmade tables – blank canvases inviting visitors to design their perfect tabletops by using hundreds of showpieces, including designer collections from Serax, as well as from Messien, Rosenthal, Riedel Glassware, Kiat Siam and Charingworth and Studio William cutlery.

The concept is based on Studio William’s Cotswold showroom, which features a fully working kitchen, dining area and events spaces and offers workshops in glass tasting, menu pairing and tabletop design, and where F&B professionals can, by appointment, visit.

"We chose to bring our Creative Dining Experience to The Restaurant Show this year," says Andrew Greenhalgh, PR manager for Studio William.

"We invited people to create their perfect tabletop designs… to see how product combinations will look in their restaurant or hotel." www.studiowilliam-foodservice.co.uk 14 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

The main thing is that the drink belongs to the barware, it just has to make sense, so that guests get an impression of what is inside. So, if I use a premium spirit, I also use premium barware; but if I use a traditional spirit, like German Korn or Doppelwacholder, I go for a rougher drinking vessel.

Delivering the wow factor is becoming increasingly important. That’s where social media platforms come in, like Instagram – you have to stand out, create a wow. First impressions count.

What are the benefits of porcelain when it comes to barware?

It’s more elegant and a totally different mouth feel when you drink out of a porcelain tumbler. And also, the haptics… the surface feel when you take it in your hands is completely different from glass. Today, it’s still out of the ordinary to serve cocktails in porcelain, so you can surprise guests with unique designs.

What Sieger by Fuerstenberg products do you use?

We’ve been using Sieger by Fuerstenberg products for two years. We love the unique designs and that all pieces are so versatile. You can serve a drink without any decoration because the tumbler speaks for itself. The designs also give enough space to play with decorations.

We use the fine Sip of Gold tumblers in varying designs for pure Champagne or Champagne cocktails. For long drinks and highballs, we use the striking Prometheus gin and cocktail tumblers. And we also use the Champagne cooler Faces as a flower vase – it looks stunning and is a talking point. Now, we are planning to upgrade our restaurant equipment with Sieger by Fuerstenberg plates, bowls and cups.

Why does Prometheus, in particular, suit your bar aesthetic?

The Greek titan Prometheus was a pioneer, a mastermind, and like Prometheus, I see Sieger as the visionaries in barware. I’m a curious person and enjoy working with extraordinary products and create my drinks in many different ways. Some are feelings, inspired by music, landscapes, fairytales or special moments… and if you want to tell a story with your drink, you also need a vessel that tells a story and inspires.

With Prometheus, we found an easy and fast way to let our cocktails shine. We don’t need much decoration because the tumbler has its own character, tells its own tale. It’s easy to imagine, as a guest, that we serve the finest drinks in such marvellous cups.

We’re raising our glass to the best restaurant in the world.

At Nude we’re proud to see our Stem Zero glasses being raised every day by guests at Mirazur. Now it’s time for us to raise our glasses and congratulate the exceptional chef Mauro and his 3 Michelin-starred restaurant Mirazur, on being awarded The World’s Best Restaurant at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019.

Portmeirion Group’s Lawrence Bryan retires

Glancy Fawcett announces sustainable moves

Lawrence Bryan Portmeirion Group has announced that, Lawrence Bryan, its director and chief executive for nearly 20 years, has retired from his executive duties.

Lawrence will continue to bring his wealth of experience to the business as a non-executive director on the Board.

Having worked closely with all parts of Portmeirion Group for the last two and a half years, Mike Raybould has been appointed chief executive.

Mike joined the Group as finance director and has made a significant impact on Portmeirion Group’s strategy and business.

Dick Steele, chairman, says: “I struggle to find words that are adequate to describe the huge contribution that Lawrence has made to the Group.

"Without his leadership, commercial expertise, commitment and perspicacity the Group would not be the force that it is in homewares today. I am delighted that he has agreed to continue to serve

Tradestock to distribute Laura Ashley Tableware Manufacturer and distributor Tradestock has announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Dutch company Wegter Consumenten B.V. Tradestock will distribute the licensed collection of Laura Ashley Tableware, which Wegter manufactures and distributes, in the UK and Ireland. “Like Tradestock, Wegter is a family-owned business with an ethos for outstanding customer service and exceptional products, and we are delighted to add the renowned and distinguished Laura Ashley brand to our portfolio,” says Tradestock MD Keith Nye.

16 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

on the Board in a nonexecutive capacity.”

Lawrence adds: “After nearly 25 years with Mike Raybould Portmeirion and nearly 20 of them as chief executive, it is with no small degree of sadness that I am stepping down from my executive role with the Group. I leave in place a very strong team of senior management in whom I have supreme confidence. I am honoured to have been of service to the company in the past and delighted to be invited to continue to serve on the Board of directors as a non-executive. The Group is now a well-diversified company with a bright future and I look forward to seeing it grow under the extremely capable and energetic guidance of Mike Raybould.”

Melody Rose partners with The Wallace Collection

Renowned for its quirky fine bone china tableware, Melody Rose has once more collaborated with leading London art museum, The Wallace Collection, to produce a fourth tableware and textile series.

For the new Francois Boucher Collection, Melody Rose took inspiration from the work of 18th-century Rococo painter Francois Boucher. The range includes designs based on paintings The Rising of the Sun, To Capture a Cupid, Daphnis and Chloe, The Pastroral and Bagpipe, all painted between 1742 and 1753.

Melody Rose has deconstructed the famous artworks, transferring the central characters onto a series of tableware, including bone china plates, a teapot and cups and saucers, all given a twist with platinum edged details.

Luxury homeware supplier to the world’s superyachts, residences and private aircraft, Glancy Fawcett is increasingly finding its clients and suppliers innovating to be more sustainable. Superyachts, for example, are developing innovative ways to help reduce their eco footprint using new technology and making ethical outfitting decisions.

Glancy Fawcett, which works with hundreds of luxury lifestyle brands to fulfil their clients’ projects, understands the importance of sustainability; and having researched its global partner brands, the company has collated a selection whose ethos and goals they believe are aligned with their own and their clients’ needs. The curated range, Luxury That Does Not Cost the Earth, can be found online (www.glancyfawcett.com/news/).

“We’ve noticed a real move towards sustainable and personalised product requests over the past half decade,” says Elizabeth Caddick, senior business development manager. “It is fantastic to see this move towards sustainability, something as a company we too are striving to achieve with our outputs.”

Fuerstenberg

products news

INSPIRED BY… Sea Creatures

Iittala adds new mug pattern to Graphics A collection of unique visual expressions created by four global designers and placed on a contemporary Iittala mug, the Iittala Graphics series has now expanded with a fifth pattern, Speckle, designed

by Finnish illustrator Linda Linko. Inspired by her own garden in the middle of a forest, the mug features a mystical blue background with an organic pattern and bright-coloured, asymmetric shapes resembling a nocturnal garden or a field of flowers. www.iittala.com / www.fiskars.com

From Zieher comes these organically shaped bowls, Medusa, which appear like creatures of the sea floating silently through the depth of the ocean. While the tentacles, modelled in numerous process steps may appear filigree, they form a safe base. Crafted from solid stainless steel, these hammered bowls deliver an almost floating impression.

Medusa offers the perfect frame for a selection of fresh fruit or extravagantly presented salads and desserts. They are also convincing as a decorative item. Available at both hospitality and retail. www.zieher-selection.com

Beatriz Ball expands melamine At the recently-held Casual Market Chicago, Beatriz Ball presented its extended heavy-duty melamine collections and acrylic stemware. Its popular Vida Alegria melamine expands with an ice bucket, while a brand-new collection launches – Charleston features classic shapes, mirroring the existing Lucca items in metal alloy.

Among its melamine ranges is Nube, which features a unique satin matte finish reminiscent of bisque-fired fine porcelain; and Lettuce bowls and salad servers in highly textured white melamine. All items are dishwasher-safe, heavy-weight, breakresistant and durable. https://beatrizball.com

Our strength lies in the “ variety of designs we have

available with many of our customers stocking Dunoon in width and depth giving the consumers excellent choice. We sell classic Dunoon themes such as cats, whimsical and floral but in recent years we have noticed a greater demand for mugs with gold accents.

“

Peter Smith, sales director, Dunoon Ceramics 18 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Typhoon taps into global cuisine Renowned for its beautiful trend-driven designs, Typhoon unveils its Autumn/ Winter 2019 ranges, including its new World Foods collection (pictured).

A homage to international dining, World Foods delivers specialist cook and serveware for those who love to create dishes from all over the globe.

The range features three different shades of grey-green, blue and light grey, and beautifully co-ordinates with other Typhoon collections.

www.rayware.co.uk

Rosenthal meets Versace Dunoon Splosh!

Wedgwood

Spotlight onâ&#x20AC;Ś

Christmas dining Heritage meets the Holidays with these two premium festive tabletop collections. Wedgwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winter White fine bone china tableware has been extended with new additions including an overall serving platter, nibble bowls and a Lithophane Christmas Tree. Subtly decorated in soft platinum holly, wreaths, Christmas Trees and mistletoe, this collection cleverly layers to complement existing tableware patterns.

And from Rosenthal meets Versace comes Holiday Alphabet, a collection of fine porcelain plates, coffee/teasets and dessert etageres featuring a Versace Spring/Summer 1992 archival pattern of Barocco lettering joined by a bouquet of golden Baroque leaves, holly and mistletoe tied with a Greca bow.

Chilewich debuts FW19 Collection Both striking and subtle, the new collection of Chilewich placemats, table runners and coasters bring together dynamic designs and colours as well as nuanced neutrals and holiday-ready metallics.

Three new woven tabletop designs include Wabi Sabi (inspired by the natural rush woven covers of tatami); Prism (a subtle interpretation of geometric forms in two neutral colourways); and Trellis (delivering the open delicate quality of lace in burnished Silver and Gold) as well as Flora, an enchanting printed placemat featuring a graphic sensibility. www.chilewich.com

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 19

exhibition news Participate in Ambiente’s special guides and exhibits Suppliers and manufacturers exhibiting at Ambiente 2020 are invited to be part of Ambiente 2020’s special guides and presentations, including its Ethical Style Guide, Contract & HoReCa Guide and Solutions presentation, which offers its 136,000 visitors clear guidance in navigating the show. Visit https;//ambiente. messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en Solutions Presentation A special presentation in the foyer of Hall 4.0, this showcases a selection of curated products that focus on functionality and innovation. Ambiente exhibitors can apply to have their products included until November 18.

Ethical Style Guide This mini catalogue features

NY NOW retailer award exhibitors offering both sustainable products and approaches with companies selected by the Ethical Style Expert Jury. Application deadline is November 7.

HoReCa Guide This mini catalogue outlines those suppliers and manufacturers offering products and solutions to the HoReCca segment. Exhibitors can apply for a listing in the Guide until November 15.

"We’re delighted with how successful the re-edit of Autumn Fair has been, and we can’t wait to implement the refreshed feel for Spring Fair 2020. However, the re-edit isn’t the only exciting change for Spring Fair 2020, which will be one immersive shopping experience for all the industry’s home and gift needs. At Spring Fair 2020, we want to quench the thirst for newness that inspires the sector and ensures its continued success. ‘Hello New’, our show theme for 2020, brings the innovation at the heart of Spring Fair to life."

Julie Driscoll, UK regional director of Spring and Autumn Fair on Spring Fair 2020, which runs February 2-6, 2020

Autumn Fair 2019 re-edit triumphs Re-edited for 2019, Autumn Fair 2019, in September, kicked off in a new location (the Atrium) hosting revamped and refreshed show sectors and stages.

With a new look and feel and improved visitor flow to facilitate cross-buying opportunities, the show delivered 11 carefully curated show areas along with a world-class seminar lineup, including headliners Theo Paphitis and Mary Portas.

Joining the show with his unique #SBS (Small Business Sunday) initiative, Theo Paphitis’ partnership saw 12 independent suppliers take up free stands as part of a competition championing young businesses with unique products.

One of the major changes for 2019 was the addition of a dedicated Sourcing hall, introducing visitors, which included Marks & Spencer, to a global snapshot of on-trend products from international suppliers, with exhibitors from North Africa, the Middle East and Far East Asia giving advice to buyers on how to make the most of the growing international retail sourcing market.

The latest sourcing trends were also available via the hall’s Sourcing Theatre, with sessions including insights into new supply chain technologies and key sourcing regions, and speed dating activities gave visitors a quick overview on what was on offer.

The next show will be Spring Fair 2020, which takes place February 2-6, 2020. www.springfair.com

Did you know…?

The January Total Home & Gift Market will take place on new and earlier dates, January 8-14 – this will position the Market as the first trade event in the US, providing buyers with the opportunity to get a jump start after the holidays to see it first and buy it first in Dallas, an order-writing advantage to secure hot products.

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The winner of the first Renaissance Retailer Award was announced during the recently-held NY NOW Summer Market with the award presented at the 68th annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REA).

The award, in recognition for excellence in inspirational retail experience at the independent store level, was chosen by top industry retailers and designers.

Cooper Boone, owner, of awardwinning lifestyle store Foundry42, located in Port Jervis, NY, was the first recipient of this inaugural award, selected due to being a visionary with an innate ability to develop his own beautifully curated universe.

“From pairing his own handmade furniture pieces with complementary architectural gifting items, to developing creative workshops and even brewing his own combination of coffee beans in the café, Cooper continues to provide an inspirational experience,” explained the judges.

Las Vegas sees strong order writing Exhibitors at the recently-held Summer Las Vegas Market reported steady order writing and buzzworthy programming, says Bob Maricich, CEO for International Market Centers. Delivering 4,300plus furniture, home décor and gift resources, exhibitors saw strong traffic, a good mix of independent retailers and a strong assortment of home décor and gift buyers.

The Summer Market also featured a slate of exclusive industry events. “Programming was unmatched this market season,” notes Bob, “we lauded industry leaders, celebrated successes and provided vital business-building information”.

The Winter 2020 Las Vegas Market will run January 26-30, 2020. www.lasvegasmarket.com

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news eco Denby launches Conscious Choice campaign With the trend for buying throwaway products, including homewares, well and truly over, British Pottery Denby has teamed up with Tara Button, author of A Life Less Throwaway, to show sustainable thinking can be introduced in the home.

As making conscious choices continues to influence home and interior design, the durability of Denby’s beautiful, handcrafted ceramics that will last a lifetime is more important than ever. With its 10-year guarantee, a set of Denby stoneware can be used both every day and for special occasions, making versatile pieces work harder.

As a champion for a lifestyle using long-lasting and sustainable products, Tara says: “I love Denby because of its Styled by Life mantra. The brand's ceramics are beautiful, durable and versatile and are designed for real life and real people.”

Using a collection of Denby pieces to inspire others, Tara has shared her own tips and ideas on how to create a more sustainable home, which can be found on Denby’s first-ever podcast, Denby Stories, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. Or visit www.denbypottery.com/consciouschoice to find out more.

Eco soars for Arthur Price

The success story of the last 12 months for Arthur Price has been its environmentally sourced products – think travel cups and a children’s set, Bambino, made out of bamboo and packaged in an open way in 100 per cent recycled card.

“We are delighted that such ethical products are doing so well,” says CEO Simon Price, pointing out that the Bambino product range has been extended from four to six in 2019 with new patterns Boy Racer and Unicorn.

“We have environmental targets including to rid the use of plastic by the end of 2020,” adds Simon.

UK eco brand launch At the recently-held Home & Gift Harrogate, UK distributor Valerie Graham presented a new brand to the UK market. Enter C2R (Choose to Reuse), an Australian eco brand born from the need to reduce plastic and waste and to encourage consumers to re-use and banish disposable products.

C2R offers an alternative to throwaway plastic straws and bottles and disposable paper cups. From double-walled stainless-steel and glass bottles, to bamboo fibre coffee cups, silicone straws in five colourways and steel straws in silver, black and rose gold, all in vibrant colours to encourage consumers to re-use. sales@vgltd.co.uk

Tradestock spotlights sustainability Renowned for its award-winning Freeform brand of placemats and trays, Tradestock has now tapped into the eco movement with its brandnew line of Freeform placemats made from recycled leather.

Both the colours available – black, brown, tan and grey – and the designs, a soft pebble shape and a rectangle with subtle leather grain, reflect a natural and rustic aesthetic. www.freeform.co.uk

“Consumer desire to live a greener life, which means to eat healthier, fresher food and to avoid producing waste, is probably the most important current consumer trend worldwide. At Villeroy & Boch, we have already started to serve this trend, for example, with our Modern Dining To Go collection, which allows consumers to prepare food at home and to transport it without using plastic. This year, too, we continue to propose environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic products, for example, with our straws made from coloured glass.” Sandra Ehlen, head of product development Tableware at Villeroy & Boch 22 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Profile Kiyasa Vista Alegre Group

Amazonia Collection, Vista Alegre and Ecoarts

Stylish and sustainable Renowned porcelain and crystal manufacturer Vista Alegre has partnered with non-profit organisation, Ecoarts Amazonia, on an Amazon-inspired collection that not only raises awareness about the forest, but gives back, with part of its product sales revenue donated to the planting of native trees

About Ecoarts Founded 15 years ago by the third generation of a family of seven women, who had spent their childhood in the Brazilian Amazon and who wanted to give future generations the certainity of seeing the native forest still standing, Ecoarts Amazonia is a non-profit organisation made up of collectors, artisans, artists, freelancers and researchers who create exclusive products and develop initiatives to help protect the Amazon.

An eco-system of people breaking new ground in the environmental, cultural and socio-economic sustainability of the Amazon rainforest, Ecoarts Amazonia allocates its profits to the planting of native fruit trees in cities, indigenous villages and rural areas within a project named the Food Forest.

24 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

W

ith nearly two centuries under its porcelain and crystal belt, Vista Alegre is renowned for its quality, innovation and aesthetic sophistication.

The company designs and produces tableware, home décor, ornamental ware, gifts, lighting and special-edition artware, which is distributed to more than 60 countries worldwide, and many pieces of which have secured international design awards.

Renowned for its collaborations with prestigious brands, such as Christian Lacroix Maison and Oscar de la Renta, as well as with awardwinning designers such as Jaime Hayon and Marcel Wanders, it is little surprise that the Portuguese brand’s latest collection delivers a prestigious partnership with its focus on sustainability and giving back.

Vista Alegre has partnered with

Ecoarts Amazonia – a 15-year-old nonprofit organisation set up by Brazilian twin sisters that allocates its profits to the planting of native fruit trees in cities, indigenous villages and rural areas – in the creation of a porcelain tableware collection – dinnerware and home décor pieces.

This collection has been further complemented with crystal and glass pieces from Vista Alegre, naturalist earthenware pieces from sister brand Bordallo Pinheiro and ceramic stoneware from Casa Alegre.

“This marks the first time a collection has incorporated all the group’s brands under the same theme,” explains Nuno Barra, member of the board, Vista Alegre.

The Amazonia Collection is the result of work carried out jointly by Vista Alegre and Ecoarts Amazonia in the preservation of an environmental, cultural, social and scientific heritage that is vital to the future of humankind and the project looks to the past, present and future for inspiration.

The past comes from the 18th century drawings of naturalist Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, which are used as inspiration for the collection; the present is found in the magical adornments across the pieces; these were created by Ecoarts Amazonia and have been reinterpreted by Vista Alegre – these tell the story of the seeds, trees, rivers, fauna and the people of the Amazon.

As for the future, this comes from the allocation of sales revenue that is being put back into the environment.

A part of the revenue from each piece of Amazonia sold is being donated to the planting of native fruit trees in cities, rural areas and indigenous villages in the region where Ecoarts Amazonia operates.

“We believe that by creating a collection that shows the Amazon up close with all of its splendour and meaning, awareness can be raised to conserve a heritage which belongs to all humankind, the Brazilian Amazon,” adds Nuno.

Amazonia, Vista Alegre

Complementary stoneware, Casa Alegre

The Amazonia Collection delivers more than 70 pieces across various materials – porcelain, glass, stoneware, earthenware – and utilises various techniques, with each and every piece telling stories and presenting mysteries and symbols of the world’s biggest tropical forest.

Yet all pieces co-exist harmoniously, fusing luxury with everyday themes, elegance with simplicity and ancient knowledge with a contemporary perspective.

“The expertise of six generations of Vista Alegre artisans can be seen in every phase of product, from sculpture to hand-painting,” says Nuno, adding “the result is a collection particularly rich in meaning and full of purpose, proof positive that the result can be nothing but extraordinary when two sibling cultures come together”.

The Amazonia Collection

by Vista Alegre, which is made up of porcelain coffee, tea and dinnerware, decorative objects, glass and crystal pieces, lighting and gifts, has already secured a

European Product Design Award 2019, where Vista Alegre picked up Silver Prize in Home Interior Products within the sub-category of Tableware.

The vibrant décor features the flora and fauna of the Amazon, from fruit and plant motifs, to tropical colours, along with the stunning artwork that’s based on Alexandre Ferreira’s drawings.

To complement this collection, Vista Alegre also launched the Buriti collection of green glasses and a decanter, the shape of which is inspired by the buriti fruit, a native Brazilian palm tree and an important part of the local economy and landscape. The fruit’s rough and exotic texture is artistically and whimsically replicated in a ribbed texture in transparent or light-green glass.

In addition, sister brands Bordallo Pinheiro and Casa Alegre deliver a number of home décor pieces in their respective materials of earthenware and stoneware.

Renowned for its handmade earthenware featuring bright colours, reliefs and naturalistic

decorations, Bordallo Pinheiro’s Amazonia pieces, which include a vase jar, centrepiece, bowls and platters, are inspired by the very rich local flora and were only possible thanks to intense knowledge sharing with those who live their daily lives in the Amazon rainforest.

“The Amazonian theme and Bordallo Pinheiro are a perfect combination,” says Nuno.

“The naturalist approach Bordallo Pinheiro has always followed, with its elaborate traditional techniques, reliefs and textures inspired by nature, is a highly cherished means of portraying the unique textures, colours, shapes and brilliance of the Amazon rainforest.

“The realism achieved, with its warm and brilliant tones, is only possible thanks to the expertise of

the brand’s artisans.”

Meanwhile, Casa Alegre brings its personality to Amazonia with utilitarian pieces in stoneware, comprising of an extensive selection of tableware “with a unique exuberance”, says Nuno.

“The colours of the plants and flowers and the exotic shapes and textures of their seeds and fruit were an endless source of inspiration, which are perfectly expressed by the pieces brought by Casa Alegre to this unique product.”

The results of this partnership will be documented and shared publicly so that everyone who has been part of this initiative can follow and share the growth of a cause that belongs to everyone.

For more information, visit www.vistaalegre.com / www. ecoarts.org.br

Did you know…?

Earlier this year, in May, five indigenous representatives of the Kayapo tribe travelled directly from the Brazilian Amazon for the launch of the new Amazonia Collection in Portugal – their aim to warn the world about the destruction of some Amazonian species. The visit of the Kayapo tribe included a stop at the Vista Alegre factory in Ilhavo, where they continued the collection by developing pieces of the company’s manufacturing section.

Indigenous art met Vista Alegre’s painting school and the Kayapo tribe also got to see the ocean for the first time.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

Herbariae Collection, Christian Lacroix

Profile Vista Alegre Blue Ming Crystal Collection, Marcel Wanders

Pharos Collection

High design From award-winning products to collaborative collections, here are some of Vista Alegre’s 2019 offerings

I

n addition to Vista Alegre products being developed according to the highest standards of quality and functionality, combining manual and detailed labour with the most advanced technology, they are developed to the highest design and innovation principles, which means Vista Alegre is top of the table when it comes to not only securing partnerships with the world’s best designers and brands, but also in securing global design awards.

The Portuguese brand’s products, which can be found in leading sales outlets in more than 60 countries, as well as in private collections, institutions and museums worldwide, have been awarded top international design and innovation awards, such as Red Dot, Wallpaper, German Design Awards, German Innovation Awards, European Product Design Awards, Iconic Awards, Lighting Design Awards, Good Design Awards and the Tableware International Awards of Excellence.

“Each award-winning or nominated piece presents its own artistic conception, yet all pieces are characterised by the elegance and savoir-faire of Vista Alegre,” states Nuno Barra, member of the board.

In 2018, Vista Alegre was honoured with 28 design awards and distinctives, while this year, the brand 26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

has already secured 17 awards to date, “demonstrating year after year Vista Alegre’s capacity of reinventing itself as one of the leading brands worldwide”, says Nuno.

Among Vista Alegre’s award-winning products in 2019 is the Unica Graviola Vase, a new crystal vase that is part of the Unica collection, but which has been designed to complement the Amazonia Collection.

Made of 30 per cent crystal and 70 per cent artistic glass, the vase secured the Gold Prize in the European Product Design Award 2019 – in the Interior Decoration category.

A fusion of contemporary design and ancestral techniques, the Unica Collection is composed of pieces made without a mould, delivering fluid and unrepeatable shapes.

Blown completely manually and moulded with minimal use of instruments, the pieces highlight the brand’s artisan skills, delivered in modern designs and vibrant colours.

A further award-winning collection for 2019 comes courtesy of the

continued collaboration between Vista Alegre and iconoclastic designer Marcel Wanders. To complement the porcelain line Blue Ming, created by the Dutch designer in 2018, the Blue Ming Crystal Collection picked up the German Design Award Special 2019 Featuring three bottles of different sizes, it utilises an old decoration technique, corrugation, to create distinctive creases inside the glass.

A further successful collaboration has also given birth to a new collection in 2019. Started in 2012, the partnership between Vista Alegre and Christian Lacroix Maison has proven highly successful and the new-for-2019 Herbariae by Christian Lacroix Collection is the 11th range for the partnership.

The subtle lines of Herbariae are inspired by five flowers – poppy, narcissus, lotus, dahlia and thistle – each chosen for their evocative but delicate beauty. The floral motifs, each of which adorn each home décor piece of the collection, and which are drawn in black in the style of ancient herbariums and botanical works, are enclosed with stylised Vintoteca Decanter

Unica Graviola Vase

black margins and surrounded by soft colours – pink, yellow, green, blue – that evoke watercolour paintings.

Other new collections in 2019 include the Vinoteca Decanter – decanters featuring a tactile spiral design; as well as a sculptural vase, Gryphus and a teaware set, Pharos.

A sculptural porcelain vase with great visual impact, Gryphus recreates the monster of pre-Greek antiquity (think body of a lion and head of an eagle) in a stylised interpretation. The all-white porcelain vase features a lace pattern in relief and is accented with threads of matte gold, which symbolises the nest.

Finally, the Pharos Collection, which comprises two mugs and a modular teapot, takes its inspiration from the lighthouses of the Portuguese coastal landscape. Both a remarkable decorative object and a highly functional piece, when assembled, the mugs and the teapot create a statement-making sculpture with its black-and-white striped décor and accented gold handles, lid and spout. www.vistaalegre.com

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Trend Products

Golden Orbit Porcel Portuguese porcelain manufacturer Porcel recently debuted new range, Golden Orbit. Defined by a soft precious halo, this elegant collection delivers gentle gold rims on every porcelain piece, almost as if each line was added by hand with a brush. Plates and platters feature lines resembling space orbits, while the bowls, cups and teapots allow for vertical lines to be spread along the fine porcelain bodies.

www.porcel.pt

La Chute Rosenthal Following on from the Fast, Squall and Blown vase designs, La Chute captures the utopian concept of freezing a movement in time. Two vase bodies melt together like wax without entirely losing their shape and contours. In a simple yet precise manner, the design explores not only the plasticity of materials at the point where space, time and substance collide, but also the concepts of creation and infinity. Now also in titanium-coated gold.

www.rosenthal.de

Aurea Glashutte Eisch The embodiment of fine luxury with a touch of graphic ornaments are combined with genuine gold (or platinum) in a thick band and applied by hand in the Eisch Glassworks, Germany, across a range of glassware shapes/pieces, including a carafe, glasses, vases, chargers and plates.

www.eisch.de

Tric Sunshine Collection Arzberg The soft white porcelain of Arzberg is given warmth and glamour with a golden glaze that glows on the surface of the plate and saucer and on the inside of the cups. The pieces also come in a glossy golden gift box with a marbled interior for the wow factor.

www.rosenthal.de

Cutlery Collection Twig New York Boutique bone china brand Twig New York has introduced new pieces into its bestselling Cutlery bone china collection, all with gold accents – a fork handle instead of a spoon, in gold, and a new teapot that’s been given a golden tweak with a spoon and fork handle.

www.twignewyork.com

Sold on gold While gold never goes away, it’s taking centrestage across tableware right now. “I’ve never seen so much shine and sparkle,” says Lee Eiseman, Pantone’s Colour Expert. So much so that based on the continued strength of metallics, Pantone has produced a new colour deck with shimmery hues. From giftable gold tea sets to cutlery with gold finishes, we round up the most glittery tableware

Deco Dream The Wentworth Tableware Company The Wentworth Tableware Company has unveiled four new ranges of bespoke dinnerware and tableware, many featuring gold accents. Deco Dream combines soft blush and highshine gold, capturing current trends. Geometric designs in gold are complemented by attractive gold flecks to create a stylish look. wentworthtableware.co.uk

Matignon Universel Haviland A reinterpretation of the iconic and prestigious pattern of the Haviland manufacturer, the Matignon motif reinvents itself for a universal reading. Scrolls, arabesques and clovers in matt gold interweave to become words in braille, white on white. The braille describes the pattern and gives way to a double reading of sight and touch. With a relief décor fired in a ‘grand feu’, the porcelain pieces are created for the demands of the professional market. There’s an afternoon teaset, including a dessert plate, coffee and tea cups and saucers.

www.haviland.fr

Product Spotlight

Collection Dissection Iittala

Raami by Jasper Morrison Who is Iittala?

Beginning as a glass factory in Iittala, Finland, in 1881, Iittala designs and produces essential objects that are distinctive, combinable, multi-functional and with a long-lasting design.

From the 1930s, the company has worked with design pioneers, from Alvar Aalto to Tapio Wirkkala, in the development of products, including dinnerware which was added in the 20th century.

Iittala believes in the offer of aesthetically and functionally durable products.

Why a collaboration with designer Jasper Morrison?

Considered to be one of the most

accomplished product designers of his generation, UK designer Jasper Morrison believes the role of the designer is not to invent form, but rather, to be open to the surrounding world, reapplying form to meet new purposes.

He’s especially interested in everyday objects that are so good in their design, they almost go unnoticed. His design philosophy finds a common ground with Iittala’s – the creation of objects which, by their progressive and functional, yet aesthetically pleasing design, become timeless and will never be thrown away.

What is the Raami collection?

Designed to inspire better living

by focusing on the essential, Raami (‘Frame’ in Finnish) is a collection of versatile dining items in a variety of materials.

Composed of four looks, the pieces are designed to work together and for all occasions.

The drinking glasses, carafe and tealight candle holders form one look with their fluted and tactile design; while the stemware form a further look – the pieces combine considered proportions with a simple and elegant shape.

The porcelain plates and bowls form a third look – in a timeless white shade, they boast a curved edge that ends with a subtle rim detail that elegantly frames the dish; and the wooden

(oak) serving boards form the fourth look – they bring a natural warmth to the table and allow for a more casual arrangement.

Why is Raami unique?

Raami is a family of relatives, which have varying characters according to type. Plates, bowls, glassware and various additional relatives have different but related character which combine on the table to provide a rich setting for all meals and occasions. In its design, Raami feels familiar, yet upon closer inspection, its fine characteristics come out.

Contact… www.fiskars.com / www.iittala.com

Jasper Morrison says… “I have a feeling that the days of the fully matched tableware

sets are over. What counts more these days is the atmosphere of the table. I noticed that a table with unmatched well-chosen pieces loosens the formality of tablesetting and helps create a more homely and relaxed atmosphere. Raami items work together in an interesting way, influencing not just the atmosphere but behaviour as well. Every item is an equal part of the entity, perfect on its own, yet meaningful to the collection.”

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Trends Column

Tableware Trend Analyst

Donna Ferrari

Ralph Lauren X Burleigh

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.

Jars

Pattern Play

Vista Alegre

Schumacher

by Williams Sonoma

Monsoon by Denby

Tapping into textiles Donna Ferrari spots a common thread running though some of the latest dinnerware designs The reign of interiors wrapped in a neutral colour and a minimalist point of view is suddenly making way for interiors flushed with both colours and eyecatching patterns.

Decorative textiles are playing a key role in this upswing for exuberant patterning on both upholstery and curtains, and we see the same trend with wallpaper, rugs, and in collecting objet d’art to objet trouvé.

This may explain a common thread running through tableware – the re-imagining of ornate textile designs into designs on dinnerware.

Textiles offer an inexhaustible array of decorative features expressive of cultures and aesthetics from across the world; it is a natural pairing to utilising those designs on tableware to connect with customers in the global marketplace.

Here, we look at a selection of new dinnerware patterns swatched from across the breadth, and dare I say warp & weft, of textile artistry and expertise.

Pattern play

Prouna 32 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Inviting new dinnerware lines are playing up ideas inspired by a worldview of textile designs.

East does meet west at Ralph Lauren X Burleigh, a partnered collection between the two historied brands.

All three of their intermixable introductory dinnerware patterns reference textile designs, but with backgrounds from different cultures. Garden Vine (pictured left) and Faded Peony resemble East Asian batik fabric made with the block-printed resist process, while the star design on the Midnight Sky pattern is similar to prints used on 19th century American Western wear bandanas.

At Vista Alegre, the stylised carnations in gradated blues on the opulent Gold Exotic pattern bring to mind the process of tying and dying threads in order to weave into Ikat fabric.

Schumacher by Williams Sonoma, the collaboration between the legendary fabric and furnishings brand and the forefront home goods retailer, bring, for the first time, some of Schumacher’s iconic ikat and chinoiserie style patterns to tabletop – the collection includes porcelain, barware and table linens.

Across the spectrum, interior designers are chiming the return of chintz as the next big thing.

The Laura Ashley Archive provides a vast creative resource of fabrics like this for the recently introduced Laura Ashley Tableware line. Heritage Collectables, Wegter’s newest range of dinnerware, takes inspiration from Elveden, one of the brand’s bestselling prints originally adapted from an Edwardian era chintz.

Monsoon Home Collection by Denby, an ongoing collaboration between fabric and fashion house

Villeroy & Boch Mottahedeh

Lenox

Kit Kemp by Wedewood

A Good Yarn

Monsoon, and tableware specialist Denby, present their newest cocreation – the Mandala collection.

Monsoon, a brand style-focused on prints with a global point of view and a mission to include artisanal workmanship, brings with Mandala a décor that reflects the consumer tide toward wardrobe and home products shaped by a worldly and bohemian aesthetic.

Prouna’s Cuenca pattern bares a rugged beauty in its tribute to the woven carpets once made in the Castilian town of Cuenca, Spain. The dinnerware uses ombré colour to emulate the slightly distressed appearance these famed rugs take on with the wear and tear of time; a look that also hints at heirloom provenance.

A good yarn The popularity of vintage charm and the revival of interest in traditional design ideas – Trad 2.0 – have tableware designers turning toward classic textile techniques to spark their imaginations.

At Lenox, the Fleur pattern (pictured above), one of three carved border patterns in the Chelse Muse collection, is reminiscent of the raised trapunto woven quilting characteristic of matelassé textiles.

Continuing its collaboration with designer, author and hotelier Kit Kemp, Wedgwood introduces Sailor’s Farewell, a dinnerware collection based on a handembroidered textile Kemp designed for the fabric firm Chelsea Textiles.

The bone china’s version of the lyrical design, with its hand-stitched impression, detailed on a blue linenlike background, is rooted in Kemp’s love of folk art and its storytelling

tradition. The different decorative details in the china’s range recount the sailor’s wife’s farewell wave and his adventures both above and below the seas.

Mottahedeh’s Bargello dinnerware pattern reinterprets the embroidery stitch called bargello, a motif that has remained an interior design staple for centuries.

At Villeroy & Boch here too the winsome charm and delicate detail of needlework is captured in ceramic on the Flow Couture pattern – a new addition to the brand’s gracefully shaped Flow Collection.

As if cut from the same cloth Tapping the textile trend literally and conceptually. By rethinking a vintage toile de Jouy fabric into a forward-looking dinnerware service, defined by a bold border, creative director Alessandro Michele brings his signature-style riffs on romantic designs to the Gucci Décor Collection’s Herbarium dinnerware pattern crafted from Richard Ginori porcelain.

Another example of the trend for fabric-inspired design – HM Glass & Porcelain tailor-makes the perennial houndstooth design from cloth to a cup and saucer’s decoration in its Sandro Sufi Turkish Coffee set.

Mozaiko’s Flos Red acrylic charger playfully presents poppies on a field of plaid.

At Gien, the four dinnerware patterns (pictured

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 33

right: Louis XIII with flame stitch décor) in the Dominoté collection come from a collaboration with À Paris chez Antoinette Poisson – an atelier that has revived artisanal methods dating back to the Age of the Enlightenment to produce papier dominoté, a hand-blocked technique of printing ornate motifs on paper using engraved plates and stencils to hand apply colour; the studio’s original designs are produced on fabrics as well.

Within Meissen’s new Vitruv porcelain service, the raised surface designs on the Graphic pattern are inspired by Katagami, the Japanese hand-cut paper templates traditionally used for creating prints on kimono fabrics.

Tying the textile trend all together is Taitu’s Fil Rouge Knots dinnerware, designed by Silvia Cabassa.

She describes her concept as, ‘The red thread creates small knots synonymous with solitary and security.’

What better way to say sharing a meal at a beautifully set table is a wonderful way to unite people in a spirit of well-being.

Gucci Décor

Gien

Cut From The Same Cloth Meissen

HM Glass & Porcelain

Taitú

spotlight products

JULIA DECANTER Moser

With a nod to minimalism, the Julia patterns still make a grand statement with their repetitive geometric scoring that imparts an intriguing texture. Discover the recently-launched dramatic new introductions in Julia, including a decanter and DOF, both available in Clear and Aquamarine (pictured) shades. The real beauty though is that 30 craftspeople lent their touch to each and every piece.

ww.moser.com

MELLIE DINNERWARE Mikasa

From Lifetime Brands comes the recently-launched Mikasa Mellie bone china dinnerware. With a feel that is almost Victorian in style, delivering light blue and gold tones reminiscent of a botanical print across a traditional rim shape, Mellie features a mix-and-match geometric pattern that affords the collection modern appeal.

Perfect for special occasion dining, this 5-piece placesetting includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate, teacup and saucer. Also comes in Navy Blue.

www.lifetimebrands.com

Geometrics

From Greek and Moroccan to 1920s Art Deco designs, geometric shapes and patterns have been used in interiors and architecture for centuries. From glassware to bone china, we highlight the latest collections tapping into the harmony of geos DECO DREAM

The Wentworth Tableware Company The Wentworth Tableware Company has unveiled four new ranges of dinnerware and tableware, many featuring gold accents. Deco Dream combines soft blush and high-shine gold, capturing current trends. Geometric designs in gold are complemented by attractive gold flecks to create a stylish look.

www.wentworthtableware.co.uk

METROCHIC COLLECTION

Villeroy & Boch

Art Deco style meets state-of-the-art design on premium bone porcelain (translucent biscuit porcelain) with the MetroChic collection, part of Villeroy & Bochâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Signature line. Timeless yet striking, it features a geometric dĂŠcor in the classic tones of black and gold, delivering varying compositions which lend an individual touch and allows for endless personalised arrangements: round shapes harmonise with clear, cylindrical contrours; deep black lines with fine splashes of gold. Can be combined with the super-glossy pure white MetroChic Blanc for a more understated aesthetic. The collection includes dinnerware and gifts, including an etagere and vase.

www.villeroy-boch.com

34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Interview Nude

From left: Mist vase; Layers vase; Ecrin storage box; Nest box; Beret box; Ecrin storage box

From left: DecanteRing decanter; Stem Zero glasses; Alba whisky carafe; Fantasy wine glass

Functional and f Contemporary brand Nude designs and produces beautiful decorative glassware that is both functional and fabulous looking, working with in-house and international designers to create elegant, statement pieces. We talk to Nude’s design manager to find out more...

F

ounded in 2014, Nude is renowned for producing modern handmade crystalline glassware. Nude works with artists and designers from all over the world in the design and manufacture of simple, well-made pieces in sparkling lead-free crystal glass. We talk to Emre Bozbeyli, Nude’s design manager, who leads the internal design team at Nude, to find out more.

As a design-led brand, what’s the most important criteria when developing product?

Nude was created as a designled brand. We like to be different, exciting, sensuous, yet simple, straightforward and functional.

These are the main inspiration points for our design work.

Nude has very clearly defined design criteria: simple, functional, sensuous, timeless, different, uncluttered, design-led.

These values always guide our designers to incorporate these elements within in their work.

What is Nude’s main aesthetic approach to design?

Each one of Nude’s product has its own individual character, though they always incorporate certain

36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

qualities according to our brand criteria. We ensure that the entire Nude world delivers the same aesthetic consistency, though each product is different.

And how important is functionality in the design of Nude products?

Functionality is one of the main criteria for our design work. Nude products should deliver the required functionality.

Our design criteria is about ‘attaining aesthetically appealing product without losing its function’.

Nude delivers on this.

How do you keep up with the latest design/consumer trends and how important are they?

We are inspired by global publications, art and design fairs, market research and trend forecasting companies; and we follow many different design publications, magazines, websites and blogs which deliver excellent analysis on the design world. Then of course, there are the fairs, biennials or art events, which inspire us immensely.

However, in terms of product development, we get the main trend information from a trend forecasting company we work with and from the reports for target markets which are prepared

internally in the company.

Although we closely follow the trends, we do not apply them into our concepts all the time.

Often we create our own trends in order to make unique designs. Currently, for example, we are focusing on designs that incorporate textures, imperfections, matte finishes, rounded edges and organic forms, and creating some very interesting pieces!

From what sources, therefore, does Nude get its inspiration for its designs?

Glass is a wonderful material and its natural qualities excite and motivate designers, many featuring our signature curvature detail.

Whether working with in-house designers or on collaborations, each piece will be inspired individually and with its own story.

Tell us more about your mix of in-house designers and collaborations?

I believe that a company should compose a good design team to start with. They will not only develop their own design work but also help external designers to realise their projects in the best possible way as they understand the materials and process.

From there, we invited designers who we felt could contribute to the brand, who could bring new and exciting ideas. It is important to have both in-house and external designers. We have an extensive network of design talent ranging from Sebastian Herkner to Studio Copenhagen to Ron Arad.

What do external designers bring to the table?

We carefully choose designers to work with our in-house team to create totally unique collections, incorporating their style but reflecting the aesthetic of Nude.

If we focus on their design abilities, we can learn from their design thinking, methodology and approach to design problems.

In return, we teach them about glass and production techniques.

And how does Nude choose the designers it partners with?

Based on Nude’s brand and design values, we select designers to best fit in with those principals. We evaluate their previous work, their uniqueness in style, design characteristics and holistic approach to design problems. But then, we also consider designers from different countries, different cultures and

Hepburn Collection

d fabulous different backgrounds in order to enrich our creative thinking and diversify our product mix.

How closely does Nude work with these designers in the design of new product?

Every project starts with a wellprepared brief – this also helps designers to have a better conceptualisation process.

We usually get together and/ or communicate many times until the desired result is attained.

Our contribution focuses on supporting them fully, so they can be as creative as possible; but we do look at the customer, production capabilities, function and target prices.

What are the challenges in the design of Nude products?

Our main challenge is to do with production restrictions. The design work has to fit our production techniques, support the production efficiency, match the quality specs and sustain a certain cost level.

If the product is using additional materials, such as wood, metal, stone or marble, then the challenge doubles.

How often are new collections launched at Nude?

At the start of the brand journey we worked hard to create the product portfolio and we had to fill the gaps in order to create a complete range.

To start, we were creating more

Stem Zero collection with Ion Shielding Technology

than 20 designs at a time. However, when ranges were completed and typologies fulfilled, we worked on continuing to introduce two to three main concepts each year and would target main fairs and events with these. We are constantly busy with small projects, additional items or colour variations.

How does your state-of-the-art technology and handcrafting capabilities combine to produce stunning results?

Nude has many skilled craftsmen in the hand-blown technique along with state-of-the-art technology in automatic production. Therefore, we can produce top quality and design. But the key point is designing or adopting a design for production – this is extremely crucial for mass produced items.

Nude delivers its cutting-edge Ion Shielding Technology?

Tell us more about this…

This technology is especially developed for thin glass objects.

We use it on our line of Stem Zero wine glasses, which makes them twice as strong and flexible as other handmade glasses of similar thinness. Stem Zero’s thin cup and 4mm thick stem are toughened with this technology.

The result is a highly sophisticated glass that is both beautiful and practical and that showcases our constant efforts to work on new technologies and design.

We are considering development of other products using Ion Shielding Technology.

In what ways are Nude’s Stem Zero glasses so unique?

These are the most elegant, aesthetically balanced and thin-stemmed wine glasses in the world. They are very wellbalanced in the hand and also while drinking.

Apart from its crystal-clear glass quality and subtle design, the Shielding technology adds additional resistance to protect the glasses from impacts.

The Stem Zero glasses have received a number of prestigious awards, including

Red Dot, IDEA, German Design and Design Turkey.

What exciting design projects is Nude currently working on for 2019 and beyond?

We have some really exciting new projects coming up for 2020. The Rock&Pop theme is one of these and the trade will be delighted by the product ranges we are designing in collaboration with graphic designers and tattoo artists.

They are colourful and striking.

We will also have more to offer in lighting with multiple designs and multiple designers.

Find out more about Nude at https://eu.nudeglass.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 37

Retail Column

About T is for Table Now 17 years old, T is for Table is a luxury independent boutique, with a focus on tabletop, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, that offers an experiential and inspirational space dedicated to helping customers tell stories, create traditions and celebrate life. The boutique offers everything from fine pottery, china, glass, serveware and table accessories, to home décor, jewellery and body products, and delivers a custom service with its custom engraving, home visits and gift registries. www.tisfortable.com

Left: Prouna; Top right: Inspired Generations; Bottom right: Lux Fragrances

Packaging matters

I

Do you ever wonder why some products sell well while others don’t, especially when they are similar in cost and features? I’m convinced, in most cases, it’s down to the packaging, says Michele Trzuskowski ’ve had customers choose products purely based on the presentation of a company’s packaging and it’s about time gift manufacturers take note.

How a product is presented is such a powerful tool and can really set a brand apart as it lets consumers know why the brand is unique. If the packaging looks cheap – consumers assume the product might not be great either.

As they say, perception is reality.

I’ve found that customers will spend more on a product based on its presentation. For example, Lux Fragrances produce beautiful gift boxes for its candles. They cost roughly US$10 more than their competitors, but that doesn’t seem to bother my customers; and they are so exquisite that, as a retailer, I don’t have to do anything other than put them in a gift bag with tissue.

Here’s the thing: manufacturers who provide boxes for their merchandise are much more likely to make it onto my shelves then others – for two main reasons.

The first reason – it’s difficult for a retailer to carry an assortment of different sizes for all the products

38 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

out there. Currently, we carry eight standard sized boxes to support the products without packaging so that when we gift-wrap, it becomes a beautiful statement from our store – part of our branding.

The second, a manufacturer’s packaging can enhance their brand two-fold; recognition of being carried at a particular retailer and reinforcing its own name and brand presence.

In addition, it happens to be a great selling point when you’re sharing the product’s features and benefits.

And I don’t believe that all packaging has to be over-the-top expensive. Many companies make ‘cheap’ packaging look more artsy and chic by personalising it or using labels with their logo on.

Inspired Generations, for example, manufactures products in India and has a growing gift line. Its product comes in corrugated boxes with a step and repeat logo printed on it along with the product name.

This, at least, gives the consumer some brand recognition and the feeling that it’s not a fly-by-night company. They also provide a care card carrying company information.

On the other hand, some of the most beautiful packaging I’ve seen

in the gift business comes courtesy of Kiyasa Group, with its porcelain Prouna brand. They treat their porcelain products like they are jewellery and the dinnerware and décor pieces are packaged in satinlined custom boxes which evoke pure luxury. Because of the nature of their product and its pricing, you would expect nothing less and they truly deliver.

Companies need to think not just about what the giftor (buyer) thinks, but also what the giftee (receiver) will think. If they like it and want to see what else is in the collection, they have a resource beyond the retailer to go to.

Think about all the companies and brands vying for the customer’s attention. How does a line stand out? Even beyond the box, I always encourage companies to create and use vendor or manufacturer artist cards within their packaging. This really resonates among consumers as something extra special since it talks about the product, or process, in terms of how it is made or how to care for it. You don’t get that kind of treatment from a discount or off-price store.

While thinking about their product presentation, manufacturers should also consider eco-friendly options.

For many, it’s the main reason a product will get chosen versus another. I recently read that 52 per cent of people worldwide make buying decisions partly due to packaging that demonstrates a brand is making a positive social or environmental contribution.

Some might even argue that the colour of the packaging matters.

Research has shown that packages in white are considered simpler and purer, while navy represents a more sophisticated and professional item.

I guess if I could guide manufacturers in how to package their products, it would come down to some basic principles: 1) Differentiate your brand from others; 2) Determine how your packaging will sway consumers to purchase; 3) Consider it your marketing tool, remember – you’re creating brand recognition.

Finally, your packaging is recognised in three ways – first by the retailer, then by the gift-giver, and finally by the recipient. As Mom always used to say, you only have one chance to make a first impression. Make it a good one!

EDDY & STAR (NOVELTY 09/2019)

WWW.ZIEHER.COM

Feature FUNCTION

Stackable mugs, cups and bowls in Utility range, LSA International

Functional and stackable Enso concept by Aida

Multi-functional and stackable ColorTex, Noritake

Fuerstenberg’s fine porcelain Aureole series can be stacked

Functionality matters Sustainability and smaller space living is driving product development with collections increasingly delivering versatility, multi-functionality, stackability and everyday conveniences

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ith sustainability and mindful living at the top of the interiors agenda, and with homes increasingly smaller, consumers today are far more conscious, demanding tabletop that is multi-functional, space-saving, stackable, versatile and convenient.

“It’s all about pieces that solve space issues, are multi-functional, and look lovely,” says Patti Carpenter, designer and trend forecaster.

Hayley Baddiley, Denby’s global marketing director, says: “Consumers today need tableware to work for everything from everyday breakfast and teatime to weekend dinner parties, and at Denby, we design tableware to be multi-functional and to work hard.”

40 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Denby starts its product development by “observing needs and real lives and designing our products with a purpose”, adds Hayley, pointing to mugs that fit under coffee machines and jugs that fit inside fridge doors.

“Our ranges are super-versatile and multi-functional so a smaller number of pieces can play many roles – for daily use and special occasions and can be used in the oven, freezer, microwave and dishwasher, so ideal to both cook and serve in,” says Hayley.

Pieces also do double duty, so mugs double as plant pots, bowls as candle or trinket holders and jugs make ideal vases.

And pieces are designed to stack.

Because, while stackable tableware has always been a prerequisite in the HoReCa segment, it is now increasingly in demand in the home,

with storage at a premium in today’s modern smaller properties.

“For consumers, urban living and the rise of renting has led to smaller living spaces for some audiences so products which stack well and are multi-functional enable great space efficiency,” adds Hayley.

“We know storage and space efficiency is important both in the home and for retail, so we study how products are segmented and fit into kitchen cupboards and dishwashers.”

Many of Denby’s collections now have nesting bowls, which fit neatly inside one another while retaining the same height when stacked.

And this summer, Denby launched four new multi-functional porcelain smart serving kits as part of its Serve collection, Denby James Martin range.

“These clever, space-saving sets

each have pieces which nestle inside one another when not in use and a lid which becomes a useful plate.”

It’s not just Denby delivering in the multi-functional, versatile and stackable stakes, however.

“Quality, versatility and functionality are key consumer requirements,” says Mark Jonas, creative director at LSA International. “With increasing consciousness around sustainability and a trend towards minimalism, consumers are increasingly looking for higher quality pieces that they enjoy and that will last, and fewer but more versatile items that can be used in various ways, like tumblers for water, wine or beer that can also be used for serving nibbles or individual desserts.

“Customers are looking to simplify their lives and possessions and Millennials often live in smaller, urban

Denby’s products are designed with versatility, stackability and easy storage in mind

Blue Bay, Lenox

Pruro Platinum, Juliska

Cuenca, Prouna

“

Retail space is precious and in difficult trading times, every square inch has to be productive, so it’s important that product stacks and doesn’t need frequent replenishing from store rooms, which are also limited for space, while not looking too cluttered on display. All of Denby’s gift boxing is designed to offer a view of the product, but also closes for easy stacking.

Hayley Baddiley, global marketing director, Denby

”

dwellings, so there’s less space for multiple items for different occasions.”

Mark points to LSA’s range of multipurpose serveware, including round wooden boards with leather handles that can be used to cut and serve bread or cheese, as a canape or snack platter, or as a tray; and can also easily be hung up as a display piece in the kitchen, for easy storage.

“Younger generations are living in smaller, shared spaces for longer, and want functional and practical items that are easy to store,” adds Mark, pointing to LSA’s range of stackable items, from glassware in its Gio and Coro ranges, to stackable porcelain in its latest Utility range in the form of mugs, cups and bowls.

Gibson, too, is finding that “there is growing demand for items that offer multi-functional versatility,” says David

Nicklin, senior VP marketing, Gibson.

“Modern living spaces are smaller than in the past and consumers need items that help them to save space, so versatile items like bowls can be used for a variety of table settings and can stack for easy storage.”

In fact, Gibson has seen a lot of demand for bowl packs and bowlcentric sets and recently unveiled its multi-versatile 2-Piece All-Purpose Bowls Set, delivering bowls that not only easily stack and store, but are versatile, catering for everything from everyday dining to special occasions, as well as to a variety of dishes, from cereal to entrees to salads.

Noritake’s latest casual collection, ColorTex, delivers 10 porcelain dinnerware shapes that are not only interactive, so highly versatile, but also multi-functional (the plates serve as

Lucille Gold, Monsoon Home Collection by Denby

Rise of microwave-safe metallics With consumers increasingly demanding tableware that can be used in the dishwasher and the microwave, microwave and dishwasher-friendly metallics have become in demand and tabletop manufacturers are delivering.

In 2002, Lenox was one of the first brands to introduce a gold trim that could be put in the microwave, something previously thought of as impossible, which the brand now uses throughout its collections. This includes recently-launched entertaining collection, Blue Bay, which delivers an assortment of blue-and-white patterns across uniquely crafted organic porcelain shapes accented with microwave-safe gold.

Fine porcelain brand Prouna introduced microwave-safe gold for the first time with its recently-launched Cuenca collection. A contemporary translation of an old design inspired by vintage hand-woven Spanish Rugs from the 17th and 18th centuries, the deeper blue-and-white colour palette is accented with dishwasher and microwave-safe copper gold.

“It’s the first time Prouna has delivered microwave-safe gold and it’s something we’re really very excited about,” says Kiana Bahadorzadeh, coowner, Kiyasa Group, which distributes Prouna across the Americas.

Juliska also recently introduced a dishwasher-safe metallic for the first time, presenting new collection Pruro Platinum, a stoneware line with a slightly dimpled hammered texture and metallic rim that’s dishwasher-safe.

Inspired by Art Deco and part of its premium porcelain Signature line, Villeroy & Boch has unveiled tableware collection MetroChic, which features fine splashes of 20k gold but which can go into the dishwasher.

Fired using the in-glazed process which allows the designs to sink deeply into the glaze, the pattern is especially well-protected. This innovative technology for precious metals ensures dishwasher resistance too.

Finally, all Denby tableware is microwave- and dishwasher-friendly, even the Monsoon Home Collection by Denby, which is made of fine china and features metallic décor – a gold and silver mica that is safe for use in both the dishwasher and the microwave.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 41

Award-winning stackable Pino Glassware, Magisso

Versatile and stackable Highness barware collection, Pasabahce

Gibson’s easy-stackand-store All-Purpose Bowls that cater to versatile dishes

Nesting set Luna, Lenox

Multi-functional and stackable 3 Acts, Rosenthal

lids to all of the bowls) and stackable.

“This modularity makes storage fast and simple and provides endless options for creativity,” says the brand.

And Aida recently unveiled its Enso concept. Designed by Danish architects C.F. Moller, the tableware is highly functional and can be stacked the way consumers want it.

Fine porcelain Even the finest porcelain brands are bringing multi-functionality and stackability to the top of the table.

“Today, tableware must be flexible and versatile,” says fine porcelain specialist Fuerstenberg, whose awardwinning and universal short set Omnia consists of just four pieces (stackable) that are designed in such a way to make them highly versatile and serve all purposes; while its Aureole series can be stacked to save space.

42 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Rosenthal recently unveiled a short series of porcelain tableware, 3 Acts, that is all about multi-functionality and storage. Designed by Japanese designer Hiromichi Konno and based on the shapes of contemporary ballet, 3 Acts consists of three sizes of bowl that are not only multi-functional (designed to fulfil all dining demands), but are also stackable.

“Thanks to the fusion of basic shapes and stackability – fitting inside as well as on top of one another – the three bowls and matching plate create the illusion of a moving body, serving as everyday objects and as a piece of art,” says Rosenthal.

Finally, Lenox is set to unveil a limited-edition nesting set at the upcoming New York Tabletop Show.

An artistic centrepiece that’s also highly functional, Luna opens to reveal six bowls and two plates inside.

Spotlight on glassware Glassware and barware is also becoming increasingly multipurpose and stackable.

Magisso’s award-winning Pino Glassware (think two German Design Awards and the Tableware International Awards of Excellence 2018) delivers a stackable wineglass and pint glass that’s mouth-blown and made of 100 per cent lead-free crystalline. “The Pino glassware collection is fully stackable to make storing and service more efficient,” says Anssi Hurme, creative director.

Of the stackable wine glass, the German Design Award Jury says: “The distinctive form of the glasses endows them with an elegant and unique look and feel, but the glasses are also very functional, making them ideal in every way for use in professional settings.”

For 2019, Pasabahce unveiled the Highness line, a retro-inspired drinkware collection for HoReCa and retail that is versatile, durable and convenient – think stackable and tempered bar glasses; while Stolzle Lausitz delivers a new line of four multi-functional carafes. Aptly named Universal, the carafes can be used for serving wine, spirits and soft drinks, as well as snacks.

And last but certainly not least, the hospitality segment continues to deliver multi-functional, stackable, space-saving tableware items. Bonna’s recently-launched Vago series delivers a collection of 10 uniquely-shaped forms, which adapt to each other and stack; while Tafelstern’s new elevated coffee collection, Touch & Feel, delivers an array of multi-purpose vessels, all of which can be stacked.

Trend Bowls

Bowl

takeover While the bowl has been steadily growing in its importance, it is officially now taking over the table, tapping into the healthy, global and informal dining demands of today

Homestyle, Kahla

Studio Grey, Denby

Bowls of Plenty, Royal Doulton

T

he bowl takeover has is here; the bowl has surpassed the plate in sales and is now the go-to tableware item.

Retail demand for bowls

Alessi

Heyday, Kahla

Project 42, Gibson

According to a 2017 Retail Report, there has been a shift in consumer spending, with sales of bowls increasing by 5 per cent compared to a 12 per cent decline in the purchase of plates.

Gibson’s own research confirms that “consumers are using and subsequently wanting more bowls”, says David Nicklin, VP of marketing at Gibson; and last year was the first year that Denby saw demand for its bowls outweigh demand for its plates.

“Denby has an extensive bowl selection, with 30 different bowl shapes in our portfolio to meet the demands of the evergrowing bowl culture,” says Hayley Baddiley, Denby’s global marketing director.

“Much has been written on bowl culture and our move to the preference of bowls as we absorb more global foods.”

And Denby’s bowl-focused collections, such as Studio Blue, and the recentlylaunched Studio Grey, are going down especially well with retailers.

John Lewis, which began stocking the bowl-heavy Studio Blue exclusively last spring, has found the collection be one of the its most successful launches in tableware, partly due to the inclusion of a "wide selection of bowls for modern casual dining and global foods, which appeals to our customer profiles”, says Nicola Hattersley, buyer tabletop, John Lewis.

Leekes Stores has found likewise, with Studio Blue selling well due to being a "contemporary bowl-based range that is also an instant classic and hits a great price point”, says Amanda Reede at Leekes.

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ColorTex, Noritake

Eatery, Tafelstern

Raina, Dansk

Cucina Colori Black, Arzberg

Changing consumer habits The rise of bowls has been driven by consumer’s increased interest in healthy eating, and in global foods, a rise in social media, along with the casualisation of dining.

“The use of bowls is heavily influenced by global food trends and the growing importance of health and wellness,” says Laurie Gates, VP of creative and merchandising at Gibson.

Royal Doulton adds: “The bowl has become the tableware item of choice, a reflection of new dining habits and fast-paced lifestyles.

"Diets and wellness also influence the bowl takeover, with bowl meals enabling easy portion control and recipes typically consisting of a wellbalanced mix of ingredients.”

Furthermore, the bowl and recipes associated with it, often healthy and colourful, are trending on social media with Instagrammable meals perfectly arranged in them.

“We are finding that Denby Pasta Bowls are especially loved on social media,” says Hayley at Denby.

And tableware brands are increasingly getting in on the bowling action, not only ensuring they offer bowls in every one of their collections (with the bowl usurping the plate), but many now delivering bowl-centric ranges.

In developing bowls, the tricky part, says David at Gibson, is "creating a merchandising statement that offers a similar look in the kind of shapes and styles consumers are looking for”.

Earlier this year, Gibson presented

multiple bowl statements that offer a coordinated look in six key sizes.

Project 42, which merges Gibson’s extensive industry research on the way consumers use bowls in daily life with the latest reactive glaze designs, includes a pinch bowl, fruit bowl, cereal bowl, poke bowl, ramen bowl and dinner bowl.

“Our latest bowls tap directly into consumer needs by offering options designed for popular global foods like poke and ramen, while at the same time offering a fashionable statement that brings style to both everyday meals and entertaining,” adds Laurie.

Similarly, Royal Doulton has tapped into the phenomenon with its recently-launched Bowls of Plenty, a collection delivering a variety of shapes and sizes, from nesting bowls to low-serving bowls, designed to suit the various requirements of the user.

Designed without a lip (“Bowl shapes are increasingly designed without a lip,” says Royal Doulton), in order to frame the food, and give the appearance of a full and hearty meal, the Bowls of Plenty stoneware collection is visual, tactile and practical, and features perfectly imperfect ceramic shapes that have been handdipped with warm, rich translucent glazes in modern colours.

Noritake’s new versatile ColorTex collection delivers as many bowls as plates, with each matched in size so the plates can serve as a lid for the bowl; and the brand has started offering more bowls overall.

“With increased demand, we’ve extended our offerings in active collections,” says Jay Fingert, senior VP

of Noritake in the US. “One of the most interesting things for us has been the dinner bowl for Hammock as never before has Noritake offered a bowl intended to replace the functionality of a dinner – it’s a new direction for us.”

And Rosenthal has launched a short versatile series, 3Acts, of three porcelain multi-functional bowls and a plate – pieces are stackable (fitting inside and atop each other) that is “designed to fulfil all needs on the tables of today”, says the brand.

Other tabletop brands are changing up their collection configurations to answer such demand. Wedgwood’s Vera Wang Perfect White bone china range introduces four new tableware configurations (including bowls); while Lenox recently unveiled new collection Echo Ridge, a solid white porcelain collection featuring great new oversized bowl shapes with deep ridge detailing.

And Arzberg’s Cucina Colori Black taps into modern dining demands with more bowls (gourmet and smaller ones) and pizza plates.

Multi-purpose bowl In contrast to offering a bowl for every style of cuisine, more and more brands are unveiling allpurpose bowls, with the design of the item ensuring it can used for every type of dish.

This is especially gaining traction in the hospitality sector: Tafelstern recently presented its versatile bowl, part of the Eatery range, a design that can be used “for breakfast,

ramen or poke”, says the brand; while Bauscher has extended its Purity Specials collection with new bowls, both classic and asymmetrical.

And German brand Kahla has unveiled its professional porcelain concept Homestyle – think glazed porcelain tableware that is mainly bowl-centric delivering large bowls with handles, dipping bowls and small round bowls, along with a multipurpose bowl that is "equally suitable as a Buddha bowl, poke bowl, or for curries, salads, cereal or fruit”.

The company has taken its versatile bowl design to retail, too, with the multi-purpose shape now part of its recently-launched Heydey collection.

Other brands are merging the bowl and plate to create a versatile hybrid version that caters to both demands.

Gibson, which continues to do lots of bowls, especially glazed, has “recently introduced deeper dishes, a hybrid of the plate and bowl”, says Laurie Gates. While Villeroy & Boch has added a new versatile shape – designed for pastas, salads and soups – to all of its collections. And, Dansk’s porcelain bowl-centric collection Raina features a deep pasta bowl, fruit bowl, and two sizes of hybrid bowl-plates (deep plates, shallow bowls).

Finally, in order to cater to modern ways of eating and serving, Royal Copenhagen recently presented a new style of plate, “deeper than a traditional plate and perfect for bowl food, pasta and many Asian cuisines”, says the brand. This new bowl-plate appears in both the striking Black Fluted Mega design and, more minimally, in the White Fluted design.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 45

Retail Australia

Jumbled offers an eclectic mix of product Jumbled is encourages a feeling of community

Jumbled Joy The owner of award-winning Australian store Jumbled has always focused on choosing the right products to create sparks of joy in an enchanting place that has a true sense of soul and community

W

An internal wooden house delivers different rooms for changing exhitibts or themes

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hen it came to setting up her now thriving business Jumbled, Pip Brett listened to some sage advice from her mother, who is also a business owner: “She told me to start small and build over time,” Pip says. “She also told me to stay true to what I love, as authenticity is what will keep customers coming back.”

Jumbled, which was recently awarded the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) Global Honoree, was established in 2013, and in line with Pip’s mother’s advice, it had humble beginnings.

A very small store became available next to Pip’s first business venture – a fashion store, iglou – and she saw the potential to bring more exciting products to her loyal customer base, this time in the homewares sector.

“The thought of creating a homewares store had been in the back of my mind since I had purchased and renovated my own home,” explains Pip. “I always loved art and colour, and having

already opened my clothing boutique, iglou, it really was a natural progression.

“A short time later I discovered a shopfront I loved had come up for lease and I signed up immediately without really knowing what I would put in it. That’s why I came up with the name Jumbled, as it really was an eclectic mix of things I loved, all thrown in together.”

A few years later the store was bursting at the seams and so Pip purchased Jumbled’s current home – a character-filled grand old masonic lodge with a striking columned entrance.

After a nine-month renovation, The Sonic was opened, which is the light-filled over-arching store for her three businesses: homewares store Jumbled, clothing store iglou, and coffee shop called Nimrod’s.

“There are some really exciting things happening in retail today but I am very aware that you can no longer get away with just having a shopfront,” says Pip. “The options are limitless and retail is not dead, but you need to be more than just a store and you need to sell more than just products.

“The space we have now aims to provide customers with a place to connect, be inspired and feel joy.”

Pip and her team understand that the modern way of retailing is to offer people an experience and place that they enjoy visiting, and selling products is then an organic process that comes from the fact that customers are attracted to a place, feel at ease, and are inspired buy the things around them.

“I always think, what else are we going to offer our customers and how can we further connect with them,” says Pip. This approach has definitely worked as today, The Sonic is a destination for people visiting the beautiful country town of Orange. And by adding Nimrod’s cafe to the mix, Jumbled’s home was transformed into a popular meeting place that encourages a feeling of community.

“It delivers a really special experience that our customers say they can’t find anywhere else,” Pip says with pride.

“We’re also trying to give back to our customers, and our free e-book has worked really well – it’s

Jumbled is designed to help customers connect

Bahne has 20 stores in Denmark

The Bahne team won a Global Honoree Award at IHA’s gia awards

Pip and her team are endlessly creative in their visual merchandising ideas

“

The options are limitless and retail is not dead, but you need to be more than just a store and you need to sell more than just products. The space we have now aims to provide customers with a place to connect, be inspired and feel joy.

Pip Brett, owner, Jumbled, Australia

filled with brand interviews, travel features, inspiring images and stories – an extension of our store.”

The café also serves as another office, as Pip’s team have regular brainstorming sessions there, coming up with new ideas on how to keep adding to the retail experience.

One recently launched idea was to send loyal customers a downloadable artwork every quarter, which has been a real hit.

These sessions are also a chance for Pip’s team to bond.

“I love that I get to work with some of my best friends every day,” Pip says.

“You really need a great support network in both business and in terms of family, balancing everything, and I am lucky enough to have a wonderful team who help run the businesses, and also a wonderful husband and family who support our family life.

“I also have the most beautiful supportive customers that are just as excited about art and colour as I am! As a business owner, I love the fact that I can

”

come up with new ideas and give them a crack. No two days are the same, and I really feel lucky to do what I do each day.”

When it comes to social media, marketing and showcasing what Jumbled offers, Pip and her team understand that everyone is busy, and that every day they need to find new ways to entice people.

“Most people have high expectations when it comes to social media and online shopping,” she says. “You have to make things easy for people but you also have to create content that is inspiring and eye-catching so it stops them in their tracks. And my philosophy around the products we stock has always been the same: I pick things I love and things that spark joy in me. Our customer base has really grown around that. It’s the grounding philosophy that everything is based on.”

Becoming a gia Global Honoree and attending the gia Awards gala in Chicago in March, together with other winners from around the world, was another amazing experience that Pip is grateful for.

“Our involvement with the

IHA Global Innovation Awards has been amazing, and I am so appreciative of the connections it has led to,” she says. “We’ve received such great support and the opportunity has provided us with a wonderful network to meet like-minded business people.

“When my husband and I first arrived at the Show in Chicago, we immediately realised that gia is a huge deal! Seeing and learning about the other stores from around the world that had entered really inspired me to do more and to be even better.

“I was overwhelmed and humbled to win the award and back at home, my team caught up for a glass of champagne to celebrate. Our customers have flooded me with well wishes – the support has been incredible.”

Pip explains that stepping away from her business for a couple of weeks to attend the Show allowed her to think about what changes her team can make in order to deliver an even more amazing experience for customers.

“The whole experience has been completely inspiring and

being acknowledged at an international level has given me confidence to implement some exciting new ideas. So, watch this space!” she says with a smile. www.jumbledonline.com.

About IHA and gia Sponsored and organised by The Inspired Home Show and the International Housewares Association (IHA), gia (IHA Global Innovation Awards) is the world’s leading awards programme honouring overall excellence, business innovation and creative merchandising in homegoods retailing. For more information about the gia retail programme, the co-sponsors, or participating in 2019-2020, contact Piritta Törrö at piritta.torro@inspiredconnection.fi.

Additional information on gia is also available online at Housewares.org/ Show/gia-Retail For more information about The Inspired Home Show and to preregister for the 2020 Show, taking place in Chicago on 14-17 March 2020, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow. com or Housewares.org TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 47

Retail Harrods

All new at Harrods Discover new and individually curated concessions from Wedgwood, Waterford and Royal Copenhagen following a Harrods Interiors re-vamp

H

arrods is arguably the most iconic and luxurious department store in the world, but it’s also the best-performing too, having recently been acknowledged as the strongest performing by sales per square foot. Little wonder considering the heritage and luxury of the brands housed within it. And a recent re-vamp in its Interiors department has set the stage for an even more exclusive experience.

Luxury tableware brands Wedgwood, Waterford and Royal Copenhagen have announced the opening of individually curated concessions within Harrods Interiors on the 3rd floor. This marks the first time Royal Copenhagen has presented within Harrods.

Appealing to a sophisticated and discerning global customer, these dynamic new spaces are an opportunity for each company to engage visitors’ imaginations and stimulate their creativity by offering a greater range of products and services and an enhanced customer experience.

Ed Plumb, director of Studio Found, has created an inspirational lifestyle environment, within 300 sqm, to reflect and enhance these exciting luxury brand experiences.

Visitors will be impressed by the increased range of exciting

48 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

designs and products available – from core collections through to prestige pieces and exclusive designs – across all three iconic brands, which have a combined heritage of 730 years.

Experiential: Wedgwood As service and storytelling are at the heart of the Wedgwood concession design concept, a central open shelved curved display area displays a greater number of Wedgwood products. Hitomi Hosono and Lee Broom’s striking limited-edition pieces and prestige pieces from Edme, Jade Butterfly and Riverton are among some of the incredible designs displayed alongside a wide selection of iconic Jasperware.

A semi-private consultation area has also been created featuring Wedgwood’s tea bar allowing customers to enjoy Wedgwood tea in a relaxing environment while exploring the different collections.

A series of tables, plinths and shelves have been carefully placed so that visitors can move easily around the space as they discover Wedgwood’s 260th anniversary collections Wild Strawberry Gold and Gold Columbia, as well as the bestselling Wonderlust teaware.

As part of the luxury customer experience and service, visitors can use the Express Yourself Table to spark creativity as they develop their

own individual collection, mixing and matching different designs to reflect their own individual taste.

Dramatic displays: Waterford Within the Waterford section, visitors can see the stunning crystal barware including the bestselling Lismore collections that have been temptingly arranged against a luxurious grey velvet fluted backwall.

Nearby a raised oval plinth with a similar fluted edge detail provides a dramatic focal point that draws visitors into the space to marvel at Waterford’s stunning chandeliers and exquisite Master Craft pieces that showcase the incredible cutting skills of Waterford’s master craftsmen.

An easy-to-navigate configuration of brass-edged modern tables and large marble plinths of differing heights, provide an opportunity to showcase Waterford’s collections.

Renowned floral artist Jeff Leatham’s Infinity and colourful Icon collections jostle for attention with the popular Gin Journeys and Copper Coast collections, among others, nearby.

While double-height open shelves display a selection of striking vases, bowls and decanters highlighting the skills of the best crystal artisans in the world.

Harrods debut: Royal Copenhagen Within the Royal Copenhagen concession, the first time that this historic company has presented its collection within Harrods, Studio Found worked closely with the Danish-based team to create a layout to work within the space.

Fine porcelain collections, including Blue Fluted Plain and Flora Danica are displayed alongside prestige pieces such as the Princess and the Pea figurine on tables, plinths and cabinets using a simple yet rich palette of luxury materials comprising rich walnut wood combined with burgundy and deep blue leathers and burnished brass.

“We wanted to create relaxed and inspiring spaces so that we could provide a luxury experience with exceptional service for all our customers. The feedback that we’ve had to date has been amazing,” says Mike Powell, UK & Ireland Retail Sales Director, Fiskars Group.

“Already, the improved layout and design that Studio Found has created, coupled with our expanded product offering, has resulted in increased interest and visits within these three concessions.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and existing customers to these new spaces,” concludes Mike. www.fiskarsgroup.com

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Profile Haviland

Porcelain in m Christian : Adrien Lemée

French brand Haviland is well-known for collaborating with contemporary designers to push the boundaries of what is possible with its Limoges porcelain. Here, we talk to two designers who’ve recently partnered with the brand

R

enowned throughout the world for its Limoges porcelain and creative decoration, Haviland’s tableware and interior décor pieces reflect not only the quality and innovation of Haviland itself, but of

the many designers the French brand chooses to collaborate with.

With its position at the heart of contemporary design, Haviland has recently partnered with bigname designers, Victoria Wilmotte and Christian Ghion, in order to bring creativity to its world-famous Limoges porcelain, to push the limits

of what is possible with the material.

And the resulting interior design products – Wind Vases by Christian Ghion and a mug and carafe by Victoria Wilmotte – deliver just that: innovative and creative objects that explore and showcase the beauty of Limoges porcelain.

www.haviland.fr

Christian Ghion by Haviland A key figure in the French design world during the 90s, Christian Ghion has collaborated with some of the greatest industry names, including Philippe Starck, and in 1998, he founded his own design agency.

Haviland and Christian Ghion have collaborated for the first time on a design project (Christian designed the Sand vase for Daum in 2017) with the focus on ‘between heaven and earth’, following Haviland’s desire to display a creative renewal.

Both the manufacturer and the designer have pushed the limits of the material to create two contemporary vases, each one unique, featuring wild lines. Titled Wind, the two vases (20cm and 40cm) in biscuit reflect Christian’s experimentation with the material – stretching, modelling, engraving, carving.

Cousins of the Dune collection, from Daum, the Wind vases take the codes of an invisible mineral world to surprise and seduce.

Here, we talk to Christian to find out more…

50 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Why Haviland?

I appreciate the finesse and the quality of the work, the thoroughness of each craftsman always aiming for excellence.

Plus, Haviland is very open to my ‘madness’ and always ready to embrace a challenge. I believe I can help existing Haviland collections to evolve; and in return, Haviland allows me to express my creativity.

What’s your relationship with porcelain…

I started ceramic classes six years ago to master the difficulties of the clay, the enamels and the ceramic oven. I use different processes, from casting to modelling.

Why is Haviland’s Limoges porcelain so special to work with?

Limoges porcelain is worldfamous and it’s not by chance; the fineness of the earth coupled with techniques passed down from one generation to the next make this porcelain totally unique.

From this experience, I learned that porcelain is a magical material that allows you to create the most ambitious artistic propositions thanks to the know-how of the crafsmen at Haviland, who are always aiming for excellence.

Finally, how did the design come about?

There was no particular brief, but

following the presentation of my drawings, it was a very spontaneous reaction from the direction which triggered the entire project. My aim was to upset the spirit of the existing collections while preserving the Haviland house’s DNA. I am fascinated by organic and micro-cellular forms and shapes and this fascination appears in my propositions. The piece seemed particularly complex and we had to produce a small scale 3D printing in order to study how to un-mould it.

A first 20cm mould was fabricated to set the first prototype, which was then used as a base to elaborate the main final piece.

I have to say that the technicians based in Limgoes helped me a lot.

Victoria portrait : Lola Hale

n motion

Parisian designer Victoria Wilmotte earned her master’s degree in product design from London’s prestigious RCA, under the direction of Ron Arad, before creating her studio in Paris in 2009, where she has created her own VW signature brand and also collaborates with different clients on products. With a special interest in materials, shapes and manufacturing processes, both industrial and artisanal, Victoria is renowned for having a methodical and meticulous fascination, much like a sculptor.

Victoria began working with Haviland in 2016, collaborating on designs she had previously explored as part of her graduation, a project that meant so much to her.

In the form of a mug and a carafe, Victoria has shown through porcelain a warm contrast between Anglo-Saxon and French culture; rigorous lines and sobriety sum up the design, which is delicate and full of subtlety.

I love the fact that Haviland is a French historical brand and has retained its savoir faire. I like to see my contemporary pieces among more classical pieces.

I like the way Haviland gives me freedom and adapts its collection towards the designer’s style.

Tell us about your relationship with porcelain...

I worked with porcelain for my graduation project in 2008 and I did a three-month residency in Vista Alegre, Portugal, at the factory where I learned a lot about the material. Now, with Haviland, we are also working on some new collections that came from my tests during that time.

Victoria Wilmotte

Why is Haviland’s Limoges porcelain so special to work with?

by Haviland

It is simultaneously very thin and very resistant and the quality of details you can achieve with it and the perfection of the whiteness are both quite amazing.

Finally, how did the design come about?

The project of a mug and carafe is the functional design of a research project carried out in London for my diploma, of which three sculptural carafes inspired by industrial containers took place. It is a formal work starting from elevation drawings and materials and cavities interweaving, an abstract work in two dimensions of which the third dimension is revealed through the object’s function.

There is always compromise in the process – you can never get your piece as close as you see it on the 3D because the material is alive and reduces a lot in the oven.

It is the research of geometric shapes mixed with industrial aesthetic that fascinates and inspires me. All of that mixed with the limits of the possibilities in the making. I always try to make the work with an industrial technique.

Ultimately, it’s good to see that my design can adapt and maintain the same identity, while also keeping the original identity of the Haviland brand.

Victoria lifestyle : Fabien Breuil

Here, we talk to Victoria to find out more…

Why work with Haviland?

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 51

Retail Porland

Perfectly Porland Porland of Turkey, one of five gia Global Honorees this year, has a long, rich and colourful history.

We look into what makes this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain stand out from the rest

P

orland’s logo features a ballerina executing a perfect pirouette.

This elegant symbol conveys both beauty and strength, symbolising the goal and ethics of this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain.

“Ballet symbolises grace and aesthetics, and it’s a visual feast created by high discipline and self-sacrifice,” explains Porland’s marketing group manager, Ümran Ünsal. “Porcelain production, too, is a long and challenging process that requires everything a ballerina must put into the craft.”

Porland’s founder, Süleyman Pamukçu, established his first store selling glassware in 1976, before adding a beverage dealership to his portfolio. Soon, he was running a thriving business that created promotional glassware featuring companies’ logos.

He then moved into manufacturing and customising products for hospitaity, sourcing porcelain from Istanbul Porcelain; and when the manufacturer closed down in 1990, Süleyman needed another company to produce his porcelain.

So he bought Istanbul Porcelain’s equipment and began creating his own. By 1992, aged 36, Süleyman had opened his first factory and in the same year established Porland.

52 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Fast forward 27 years, and Porland has 1,600 employees and a factory production area of 380,000 sqm, producing 70 million pieces every year, with 65 per cent exported to more than 30 countries.

The brand also has 30 stores and works with more than 200 suppliers. Porland still services the hospitality industry but also focuses on creating beautiful pieces for the home and has expanded into product offerings including glassware, textiles, cutlery and pans to complement its porcelain, which now includes more than 100 collections and patterns.

“Every single detail and phase, whether its production, presentation or packaging, is handled by a single team,” explains Ümran. “This choreographic marvel is reflected in the products, and shines through in the trend-setting styles, the architecture of the stores, and in the detail of the fair stands.

“From the finest clay particles to the visual presentation of our stores, we consider every detail. In line with our logo, we design and produce with the dedication and discipline of a ballerina.”

Storytelling through visual merchandising is at the core of what Porland does to showcase its many products. Although the company produces plenty of white and cream pieces, it is

famous for its intricately patterned, colourful, exotic creations.

This creativity is mirrored in the décor of Porland stores – which are a well-organised riot of colour.

In dedicated areas, products are arranged in living spaces called Inspiration Zones, crafted settings like scenes from a theatre show: a table setting arranged before open French doors leading the eye into an enchanting garden; a fun ice cream parlour setting showing off colourful drinking and dessert vessels alongside porcelain tea sets.

Music, light, fragrance and sound are used to bring the intimate arrangements to life: bird calls used in a garden setting or the scent of vanilla in a kitchen scene. Appealing to a person’s senses encourages them to relax and enjoy the surrounds, and it inspires them to imagine the scenes created in their own homes. The Inspiration Zones are also used for kitchen-related workshops, blogger meetings and other events and activities.

Porcelain is made from a natural product, soil, so it’s not surprising that Porland places emphasis on sustainability and health.

“Porland uses environmentally friendly technologies and raw materials,” explains Ümran.

This follows through to the store’s approach to design and the industrial-style architecture. Porland

selected materials for its stores such as stone, brick, wood and metal. Like its source of inspiration, clay, the colour tones of Porland architecture are selected from nature. The dark blue of Porland’s logo is used on the ceilings/ columns, balanced with grey, while the payment desk is in green, offering peace and assurance.

The concept is completed by lighting that imitates warm daylight, and there are plants and flower arrangements artfully displayed throughout the store.

Despite Porland having oldworld values and a rich history, it embraces technology and offers some unique experiences, including an app that allows customers to digitally place objects that they love into tablesetting displays Called Create Your Own TableTop, customers use the app to create their dream ensemble of products.

Over the past few decades, Porland has continued to evolve and cement itself as one of the world’s leading creators and retailers of porcelain, and now, as one of the gia Global Honorees, the years ahead are sure to be as exciting as the ones past.For more on Porland, visit www.porland.com. For more on the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia), visit www. housewares.org/show/gia-retail

Lehmann Glass

Profile Kiyasa Group

Prouna’s Persia Collection, which started the Kiyasa Group journey

Prouna Jewellery Collection

Celebrating 10 y of tabletop distr i Celebrating a decade of luxury tableware and giftware expertise in the US market, Kiyasa Group has built a highly successful boutique tableware distribution company

I

t all began with Persia, a beautiful bone china collection of Swarovskistudded dinnerware from Prouna, which Kiyasa Group owners Kiana and Yasamin Bahadorzadeh’s father brought back to the US from his travels in 2008.

So enamoured were the Bahadorzadeh sisters with the beauty and craftsmanship of the dinnerware collection that they sought out the distribution of the Prouna brand for the US market, despite not having any knowledge of the tableware market. And so, the Kiyasa Group was born.

Fast forward a decade and design, distribution and sourcing company Kiyasa Group continues to successfully distribute the Prouna brand throughout the

54 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Americas; and over the years, the company has further taken on complementary luxury tabletop brands, including Greggio Silver and Lehmann Glass, as well as launching its own brand, Kiyasa Signature.

Curated offering Specialising in the most exclusive and luxurious lines of tableware and home décor from around the world, the company has curated its portfolio carefully, ensuring the brands they carry all deliver craftsmanship and high design and that their portfolio covers the entire tabletop.

“Within our current portfolio, we offer everything that goes on the table in different materials, from fine bone china, to silver, glass and textiles,” says Yasamin.

“We offer luxury dinnerware with all accessories and serving pieces,

high-end stemware and decanters, silverware, and any tableware item you can produce in silver, from serving pieces to lighting, barware to tabletop accessories.”

In addition, the in-house Kiyasa Signature brand – set up in 2010 “to complement and complete our dinnerware line” – delivers luxury placemats, napkin rings, trays and entertaining accessories.

This marked the Group’s “first step expanding from dinnerware into the home and entertaining”.

Drawing from the DNA of Kiyasa and its luxury brands, Kiyasa Signature products are made of the highest quality luxury material, each featuring a fashion or jewelleryinspired sparkle, but with a focus on practicality and ease of use.

“We began with just placemats decorated with crystals to

complement our Prouna Jewellery collections and slowly introduced trays, table accessories and bath to the line,” says Kiana, “and now the brand represents a complete entertaining line accessorising every room in the house”.

And while the portfolio covers the complete tabletop, Kiyasa has spotted an “opportunity and gap in the luxury outdoor entertaining category”, says Yasamin, “which we hope to fill in the future”.

In addition to excellence in quality, innovation and functionality in design, craftsmanship is central to Kiyasa Group’s philosophy and an important factor when taking on new lines and products.

“We are committed to working with manufacturers that respect and practice the highest standards

5 minutes with

Yasamin and Kiyana

0 years r ibution of workplace safety and labour rights and we continuously choose to work with manufacturers who own their own facility, have full control over their production processes and do not compromise on quality,” states Yasamin.

“In a time of mass production and lack of originality, our task is complicated and costly, but we believe in our vision. We have made this pledge to our industry and we promise to stay true to it.”

Retail success With its portfolio, Kiyasa Group targets retail and hospitality in the Americas, with 55 per cent of its business from retail, 30 per cent from hospitality and 15 per cent from interior designers.

With permanent showrooms in New York, within the Forty One Madison building, Las Vegas (Las Vegas Market), and more recently in Mexico, Kiyasa Group has the Americas covered.

“We are extremely well-positioned along the two coasts, especially New York and California, and we have a good footprint in the southeast of the country,” explains Kiana, “and we are seeing tremendous growth in the northeast area and in the south, especially in Texas”.

In early 2018, the Group opened its first showroom in Mexico City with the aim of “expanding and growing Kiyasa in Latin America, and especially in Mexico”, adds Kiana, pointing out that Kiyasa is currently focusing only on the Prouna brand and in-house brand Kiyasa Signature in this region.

“We see a huge opportunity with this market, which is still quite traditional when it comes to entertaining and tabletop.

“There’s a huge appetite for luxury and quality, plus the more affluent customers in this market look to the US and follow the trends that are happening there.

What are the main challenges of being a distributor?

Managing inventory is something we’ve always struggled with. As the industry changes, fewer retailers are willing to take in stock and with drop ship and E-tail gaining more importance, all of the burden of inventory is now falling on us distributors. We are continuously facing the challenge to find the right balance between keeping our customers happy, shortening the fulfilment cycle and avoiding the risk of overstock.

A further challenge has been finding the right customers, who will help grow your business by investing in your brands, and therefore being able to say no to the customers that aren’t a right fit for your brands.

Deciding where to put the investment so we get the biggest returns.

Over the past 10 years, we’ve participated in a lot of marketing and advertising opportunities and we have tested almost all of the US-based tradeshows, which have all been very resource-intensive, in order to determine the best opportunities for us.

What tradeshows do you now participate in?

We’ve tried almost all US tradeshows, including NY NOW, Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, but unfortunately not all of these shows give you the right presence and access to the right customer.

We took a decision in 2017 to consolidate our resources and now only focus on two shows – Forty One Madison and Las Vegas Market – where we have our permanent showrooms. So we do the New York Tabletop Show and NY NOW, both twice a year, from our showroom at 41 Madison; as well as the Las Vegas Market twice a year.

We have seen wonderful growth in business since doing this as now we have the time in-between the shows to properly follow up with customers and allocate our resources to store visits and in-person trainings which can go a long way in building business. Being on the road has also enabled us to find new opportunities outside the usual tradeshow traffic.

Finally, what have been the secrets of your success?

Putting together the right team! We are very proud of the team we’ve created, both in front and back of house. We believe team-building is one of the most important investments we’ve made and we’ve been very careful to make sure we reflect and preserve our company culture and values through the people we hire. Our staff is our most valuable asset – they have an incredible commitment to what they do, to all the brands that we work with, and to making Kiyasa a success. We’re extremely grateful for their continued hard work and support.

Patience has been an incredibly important attribute to have. Building a new luxury distribution business takes a lot of patience, especially when you’re competing with heritage companies that have years of experience, established businesses, and a very well-recognised brand name. We had to be very patient at the beginning while we were building our name and reputation in the US market and educating our customers about the quality and superior craftsmanship of our brands.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 55

Profile Kiyasa Group

The first Kiyasa Group showroom at 41 Madison

Greggio Silver

“Given our strong presence on the two coasts, Latin America was a natural move.”

Kiyasa’s strategy is to “work only with the very best in each market, even if it means less doors”, adds Kiana. “We launched our Kiyasa Signature line with Mexico’s number one luxury retailer, Casa Palacio & Palacio de Hierro, earlier this year and we are very happy with the reception to the brand.

“It’s been a success with Prouna in a few high-end independent retail stores in Monterrey, and we are launching the brand in Palacio de Hierro for early 2020.”

Kiana points to Kiyasa Group’s national sales manager, Christie Connick, who “has been instrumental in building our sales distribution by strengthening our existing business and identifying new and growing opportunities, as well as building an in-house sales team to cover areas where we have less footprints”.

The Group has also been targeted in its approach, identifying the right product, assortment, design/pattern and price point for every part of the market.

“We learned early on that customers’ lifestyles, culture and

Prouna event with Crafts Hospitality

Kiyasa collaboration with Poppille Patiserie, NY

way of entertaining is incredibly different across the country and that we needed to define our assortment and offer specifics to not only each state, but each city, neighbourhood and community,” explains Kiana. “Understanding this has led us to opening more doors and getting into more homes.”

And certainly the company has succeeded in retail, distributing its brands to some of the Americas’ best department stores and independents, including Bloomingdales, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Scully & Scully, Mary Mahoney, Venus Gifts, T is for Table, Chequers and Simon & Co. in the US; William Ashley and Atkinson’s in Canada; and Casa Palacio and Palacio de Hierro in Mexico.

Growth in hospitality The hospitality segment is also a growing segment for the company.

“More than 80 per cent of our Lehmann Glass business is driven by hospitality and B2B,” says Christie, adding that Lehmann glasses have been selected by venues like The Plaza in New York City, as well as Chez TJ and Le Papillon in northern California.

“Our B2B sector is expanding

too, with Lehmann glasses now used by many top vineyards in the US, from Darioush Winery to Domaine Chandon.”

And while Prouna and Greggio brands are both “beginning to make their mark on the hospitality world, with placements in private members-only clubs and hotels in the US”, explains Christie, “the Kiyasa Signature brand is increasingly becoming a large part of our hospitality business with recent projects including room amenities for Resort World Catskills VIP Rooms”.

Kiyasa Signature is doing well in the segment due to the fact that, as an in-house brand, the company has “a lot of flexibility and many options for customisation”, and is therefore able to offer bespoke.

Burgeoning bespoke And bespoke is an area Kiyasa Group is seeing increased demand for.

“Over the past few years, interior designers have become a significant part of our business and most of our bespoke projects, especially for Greggio silver, are those where we work with

“

Interior designers are a very important sector of our business. We work closely with many top designers and design firms across the country to select the perfect finishing touches for the client’s homes, yachts and private jets. Both assortment and customer service have been key to growing this area of our business. Prouna dinnerware, Greggio hollowware and flatware, along with Kiyasa Signature Bath and Table accessories, are all extremely popular with our designer clientele. The high quality of our products and special factor add that touch of luxury that these customers are looking for. Our showroom at 41 Madison is open daily and we invite designers and their clients to visit us to select their unique placesettings, tableware and décor.

Christie Connick, national sales manager, Kiyasa Group

”

56 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Kiyasa Signature

Prouna launch at Bloomingdale’s

beyond, continuing to strengthen for Lehmann is bespoke, both designers outfitting client homes,” its position as a prominent luxury customising glasses with logos for explains Yasamin. tabletop distribution company wineries or hotels, and developing “Working with Europe’s and positioning its portfolio branded buckets, bowls and largest and most advanced silver brands so they become reference serveware, as well as working manufacturer gives us unparalleled brands in their own categories with sommeliers, winemakers or flexibility to modify and develop within the US market. wineries to develop glass shapes. items exactly as clients need them.”

“We plan to continue to build Peter Michael Winery and Gloria Kiyasa is also seeing demand our in-house sales team and Ferrer Winery in Napa are just two for bespoke projects in the private with it develop our business of many that have developed their aviation and yachting sector with in areas where we do not own customised stemware shapes.

Greggio and Kiyasa Signature. “ have a presence,” says Kiana, Since space is limited on board, “as well as continue to build Looking to the future we need to develop items that fit our international expansion, And the company plans to the existing storage spaces or the developing and focusing on the continue its growth of the last bespoke tables,” says Yasamin. decade into1the next decade andPage 1current markets we have entered Some 60 per cent of demand IHAad_TablewareIntl_180X128.qxp_Layout 9/19/19 3:14 PM

and establishing our network there”.

Furthermore, having discovered an interesting niche in the luxury hospitality segment – private jets, yachts and VIP suites of five-star hotels – the company is planning for a big push in this area, as well as “working with Michelin-starred chefs and the country’s top restaurants and wineries”, adds Kiana.

“Our plan over the next year is to create a division for luxury hospitality within Kiyasa with a dedicated team.” www.kiyasa.com

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Retail Interviews

Ask the retailers

We discover what retailers are stocking what tableware brands and products

Serenity Designs Cheshire, UK DARTINGTON CRYSTAL Sharon Eversfield, founder, Serenity Designs Cheshire, Congleton, UK, which operates a boutique specialising in design-led interiors, ceramics, glassware and gifts, and a recently-opened art gallery, Attitude Gallery, in Congleton, Cheshire. www.serenitydesigns.com Why do you stock Dartington?

Dartington is a highly respected brand known for its creative design, artisan approach and English heritage.

Key benefits are its extensive range of styles and designs, excellent product availability, easy ordering and fast delivery. Dartington is also a brand many of our customers recognise.

Another dimension, which is really important to us as an independent is that the Dartington team are lovely – our reputation and the service we give is often only as good as the help and support we get from our partners.

How long have you had Dartington?

We’ve stocked Dartington in Serenity Designs Congleton for more than 10 years now, and it was an obvious key brand when we opened our new gift boutique Serenity Designs with Attitude last year.

Great quality, creative designs,

strong packaging and a keen price are all important factors for us.

We stock a wide range from the affordable collections such as Just The One and the boxed Party collections through to Glitz and the handmade English crystal range Origin.

What are your Dartington bestselling products and collections?

We have two bestselling collections.

Just the One is a great, inexpensive gift, which looks a lot more expensive then it is and is beautifully packaged, making it an ideal housewarming or birthday gift.

Glitz remains a favourite with Serenity customers looking to give something more elegant, with a quality feel, beautifully packaged and an added bit of sparkle thrown in!

How do you best communicate the story of the brand to consumers?

Many of our customers are already aware of the Dartington name and for those new to it, we help to explain the company’s design and manufacturing heritage and how this influences every piece, whether it’s the handmade crystal, still crafted in England, or part of a more affordable collection inspired by their expertise in glassware.

Trevor Mottram, Uk T&G WOODWARE Sarah Wood, owner of Trevor Mottram’s in Tunbridge Wells, UK, a cookshop stocking everything from whisks to cookware. www.trevormottram.co.uk Why did you choose to stock T&G? We’ve stocked T&G products for 40 years. T&G’s branding is stylish and simple. You don’t need different stands for their products.

The brand is well-known and consumers ask for it specifically – it’s a trusted brand.

What collections do you stock?

Their boards, Pride of Place storage, salt and pepper mills, display products, bread bins, and wooden spoons.

What are your bestsellers?

We’ve been thrilled at the success of Pride of Place storage – it’s the best storage solution we’ve sold for years. All four colours sell well.

How do you best communicate the brand to consumers?

We keep all the Pride of Place storage together so consumers can easily choose their purchases, and plan for future shopping too.

“We recently partnered with retailer The Shouter, which opened in August in the Redstar Ogloria Mall in Shanghai. Their aim is to target design-conscious younger consumers with international brands focused on designs that are fun and luxurious. That’s where we come in with our contemporary yet elegant fine bone china, which is timeless and modern with a touch of humour and English quirkiness. In China, they really appreciate the high quality and craftsmanship of British fine bone china. Our pieces will also be stocked in the gift shop in the Museum of Modern Art, opening in Shanghai in Oct 2019.”

Melanie Roseveare, owner of boutique brand Melody Rose

Touch the stars with us

Thank you for Cooperation in 2019 Meet us at Ambiente 2020 Hall 4.1 Stand A80 www.rudolfkampf.cz

Alessi Alessi offers a broad array of design-led cutlery ranges

CATEGORY Cutlery

Stocking solutions M

erchandising cutlery can be a tricky thing to get right at retail and as space becomes increasingly an issue for many retailers, it is only getting more challenging.

“Merchandising flatware in your store can be tough as it takes up valued space,” says Michele Trzuskowski, owner of T is for Table, a luxury independent tabletop boutique in the US, “but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, as it can be good for sales.

“Whatever you do, don’t dismiss selling flatware as it can be very profitable as most consumers

Cutlery can be one of the more difficult categories for retailers to merchandise, but suppliers are getting creative with new packaging and display concepts that ensure they stand out

purchase in quantity, but it does take finesse in terms of selling as it involves special ordering of the inventory,” adds Michele, who delivers her merchandising advice (column right).

And to help retailers merchandise cutlery in the best possible ways, cutlery suppliers are getting evermore creative, delivering everything from sample rings and special packaging concepts to ensure they tell stories around cutlery and create concepts that emotionally engage with today’s consumers.

“Cutlery departments can be a sea of different coloured boxes, visually not focused, with general housekeeping issues,” says William

Welch, director of the Studio William and Charingworth cutlery brands.

“We’ve had great success by creating specific areas for cutlery, telling a story, making it exciting and creating an easy and focused area for the consumer to make educated purchases.”

Last year, Studio William delivered a revised, more compact version of its packaging for the Charingworth brand, which led to partnerships with several key retailers in the UK and overseas.

Alessi has also re-styled its cutlery packaging – with Italian architect Mario Trimarchi – in order to deliver more compact sets and to ensure the packaged sets stand

out and tap into storytelling and emotional purchasing.

“In our Alessi Le Posate project, we wanted to give this lovely group of products all the iconographical power they deserve, designing boxes that are associated with a painting, each set depicting a different lavishly prepared table,” explains Mario Trimarchi.

The in-store displays therefore “become mini museums that exhibit the universe of Alessi cutlery through works by Paul Gauguin, Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne”, says Carlo Gasparini, designer manager, Alessi, “and offers a journey into

Did you know…?

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The new MetroChic cutlery, like its bone porcelain tableware, stands for pure elegance with its fine lines, unusual proportions and rounded contours.

With its precise design, the high-quality stainless-steel cutlery lends an inspiring touch to the table; while MetroChic d’Or, featuring a gold finish (pictured), adds expressive highlights – the perfect match for the MetroChic and MetroChic blanc porcelain collections, but also for many other high-end collections from the current Villeroy & Boch Signature product ranges. www.villeroy-boch.com

the dining table with its many guises, from abundant to spartan, and from Baroque to minimalist”.

Carlo adds: “In stores, the compact sizes of the 24-piece sets makes it easy to present the entire range and the backs of the boxes show a complete tablesetting – the cutlery combined with the tableware and glassware by the same designer. Remove the outer band and the box shows the cutlery inside, functioning as a shelf display.”

Alessi offers retailers both merchandising and advertising materials as well as delivering consultancy for shop window displays.

Like Alessi, Villeroy & Boch, which delivers both packaged sets and loose cutlery, has tapped into the emergence of emotional purchasing and gifting, and as a result, has recently improved its cutlery packaging (Mademoiselle, Oscar, Victor and Arthur) using “engaging images to show the contents of the box”, says Afchani Kurosch, product manager flatware.

“We’ve also introduced big, wide packaging that is suitable for gifting; and, in our higher assortment, we’ve improved our packaging to be more valuable. Our blue gift carton comes in a new deep blue colour with a linen structure.”

Robert Welch

The Viners brand believes that selling both loose and cutlery sets is important and to support the selling of its loose cutlery, Viners “offers retailers a simple loose cutlery dispenser designed to sit on a shelf”, says Laura Jenkinson, brand manager, Viners, Rayware Group.

“The dispenser features eight compartments to either take one full complement of a design or the four key lines of two designs.”

In terms of packaging, Viners carries out plenty of consumer testing in order to focus on the aspects most important at the point of purchase.

“Packaging needs to be easily distinguishable and impactful on the shelf,” adds Laura. “The use of open packaging allows consumers to touch and feel cutlery in-store, giving them the opportunity to observe the high quality and beautiful designs prior to purchase; and using heavyweight board and touches such as foil trimming, which makes the packaging stand out.”

Finally, Lenox, which offers mainly packaged cutlery sets (“the loose cutlery concept is not such a big think in the US market as it is in Europe,” says Jim Mylonas, sales and marketing at Lenox), uses multiple product images beyond the standard placesetting shot across all of its packaging in order to engage the consumer.

Robert Welch’s Kingham collection (pictured) is gaining a lot of traction at retail.

“As a 3.5mm pattern, it is more accessible for consumers and many independent retailers have increasingly engaged with it,” says the brand.

Kingham cutlery exhibits a clean and elegant profile and a contemporary classic aesthetic.

Spoons and forks are made using the highest quality 18/10 stainless steel. Knife blades are made from specially hardened stainless steel to provide the finest possible cutting edge. All Kingham cutlery is available with a mirror finish, has a lifetime guarantee and is dishwasher-safe.

www.robertwelch.com

What the retailer says…

Michele Trzuskowski, owner of T is for Table, a luxury tabletop boutique in the US, discusses stocking cutlery

“With all the choices of flatware today, from different designs and handles to the many finishes available, the question becomes, ‘what should you carry in your store, or do you even need to carry it at all’?

My answer is a resounding yes. It’s really important when someone buys flatware to be able to pick it up and see how they like the feel, especially with some of the modern patterns that have very thin handles. I find the weight of the handle also plays a big part in the buying decision.

They say an average person buys three sets of flatware in their lifetime, and with so many choices, they will need assistance, and this is where the retailer can shine and close the sale.

Selling flatware can be very profitable, particularly as consumers purchase it in quantity, but it does take finesse in terms of selling as it involves special ordering of the inventory.

Many flatware companies that offer the coloured acrylic-handled flatware, like Bugatti and Capdeco, have their many colours and patterns on sample rings. I usually stock one or two of the most popular colours in different patterns, then allow the customer to choose a different colour if they want it, based on the sample ring.

Other companies without rings usually have a very cost-effective buy-in programme for samples.

Most tabletop stores have a point of view or specific aesthetic, and this should determine which patterns match that point of view and complement the dinnerware lines they carry.

I try to have several patterns that reflect different finishes and colours. I usually take the dinner fork and knife from each pattern to put on display – it takes much less space than a 5-piece placesetting – then, if a customer is interested, I will show them the entire placesetting.

I also try to pick a couple of patterns from different vendors and bring in some of the serving pieces that match the flatware. It’s rare that I don’t sell a salad serving set or serving fork and spoon with an order of flatware when they can see what they look like, and that’s why presenting the extra loose items is so important.”

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 61

CATEGORY Cutlery

Bergner Group Over the last few years, Bergner’s cutlery range has not only increased considerably, but it has also become increasingly known for its design and attention to detail.

Bergner presents the latest trends in cutlery with a wide variety of designs. Bergner offers lines in matt or gloss and manufactures all of its cutlery products in Premium stainless steel, a high-quality robust material offering durable and safe cutlery.

Each collection has a specific thickness and therefore each one is unique. New collections include Eiffel (pictured right), which features a 4mm engraved relief on its elegantly designed handle, with a mirror effect finish, inspired by the sloping motif of the Eiffel Tower; and Versailles, the design of which is inspired by the lines of this baroque palace.

Then there’s the Tokia Wood series, characterised by its elongated shape and slender and practical handles made of wood; and Munich (pictured left), cutlery with a sculpted and ergonomic shape and available in a range of finishes, including Copper, Black Matte, Stone Wash and and Champagne. Finally, Livorno is a stainless-steel collection with a faded matt-effect golden finish.

Packaged in gift boxes or as individual pieces, customers can build their collections over time.

www.bergnerhome.com

Sambonet Besteselling collection Taste (pictured above) now comes in an array of captivating colours and finishes allowing consumers to present their personality on the table. Its twisted teardrop design, created by the Sambonet Centro Stile for use on a daily basis, has been restyled with a glamorous twist through the innovative Black, Gold and Copper PVD hues.

Sambonet has added contemporary but uncommon materials to the new elegance of these variations. With its aged effect, Vintage PVD Copper is reminiscent of the typical warmth of copperware, while the subtle texture of Antique PVD Champagne gives the slightly gilded stainless steel a refined matt effect. This unusual effect is also pleasant to the touch.

Sambonet’s research into aesthetics combined with the innovative PVD technology has boosted the range of entry-level flatware, adding new light and elegance to Taste.

www.sambonet.it

Elia International A welcome addition to Elia International's expansive cutlery offering, Aspect is a robust yet graceful collection.

With a generous square base curving effortlessly to define its well-proportioned profile, Aspect is finished in 18/10 Stainless Steel to exacting standards and is flawlessly mirror finished.

With a generous gauge, Aspect is a pleasure to hold and will certainly redefine any tablesetting. Aspect is available in a full range of eight pieces.

www.elia.co.uk / sales@elia.co.uk

What the retailers say...

“

We’ve stocked Arthur Price cutlery for around 10 years now and stock virtually all the range. They offer premium quality classic and contemporary styled cutlery. For us, the Classic Collection in Parish designs are bestsellers, appealing to the cutlery buyer with their traditional designs and quality, plus great value for money.

We’ve always had designated space in-store for the Arthur Price displays and the cutlery speaks for itself once in a consumers’ hands.

Online, we’ve created blogs and email campaigns built around the quality and heritage of the brand.

”

62 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

David Conduit, retail and internet purchase manager, Harts of Stur, a 96-year-old store in the heart of Blackmore Vale, one of the UK’s largest in-store and online retailers of cookware, kitchenware and electrics, as well as tableware

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Stelton

CATEGORY Cutlery

Stelton’s flatware offer is legendary and covers the minimalistic set salad server

by Arne Jacobsen, EM cutlery by Erik Magnussen and Maya cutlery by the grand old man of Norwegian design, Tias Eckhoff.

All pieces are iconic and classics and continue to add a stylish look to any table.

For 2019, Stelton has relaunched its Una cutlery set for children (pictured), designed

by Tias Eckhoff, and decorated with charming penguins by Francis Cayouette. The cutlery set is accompanied by a tableware set consisting of plate, cup and bowl in discreet grey tones.

Hospitality TO RETAIL Many cutlery brands are finding the lines between retail and hospitality to be blurring, with many collections designed specifically for Hospitality becoming so popular they are then stocked within the retail sector, and vice versa.

“The last 15 years, we’ve been seeing the barriers between hospitality and retail needs becoming very thin and sometimes disappearing,” says Luca Prandelli, export manager at Mepra. “Today, the aesthetic requirements of premium and luxury retail are required by hotels and restaurants, while the retailer consumer is very educated on quality, durability and ergonomics.”

Arthur Price is a brand that doesn’t design cutlery specifically for either retail or HoReCa. “Due to our ability to offer a vast range of patterns and a broad church of establishments in the marketplace, there is a two-way crossover,” says Simon Price, CEO. “We're finding that hotels have historically seen us as a retail provider and are surprised that our retail offer can be translated into hospitality – indeed, there is a halo effect.”

The best example of an Arthur Price retail success becoming a big hospitalitally hit is its Signature range. “Simple, crisp and stylish patterns, they are finding homes across major names including Harrods restaurants and hotels like Corinthia in London.”

Robert Welch’s Baguette Vintage is another example of this. Launched in the last 18 months, for HoReCa, the collection has since drawn great interest from retail.

“We find that when customers enjoy a product in a hospitality setting, it sparks a desire to have it in the home too,” says Robert Welch, “so we always make products available to both markets”.

www.stelton.com

Wedgwood 2019 celebrates Wedgwood’s 260-year heritage as the iconic British tableware and lifestyle brand. Inspired by the tall, gracefully curved oval shape of Wedgwood’s iconic Globe coffeepot, Wedgwood unveils Globe Flatware.

Originally designed in the 18th century and redesigned in the 1985, the Globe shape is recognised as one of Wedgwood’s iconic shapes and is acknowledged within the Phaidon Design Classics; Vintage Section.

Globe Flatware is softly feminine with refined and unadorned forms. The slender elegant shapes are combined with a mirrored finish.

Offering a 5-piece placesetting and 5-piece serving set, Globe is produced in high-quality 18/10 stainless steel.

www.wedgwood.co.uk / www.fiskars.com

Villeroy & Boch With its all-over diamond effect, the Boston series is a success story for Villeroy & Boch. Enter the new Boston cutlery series (right), which features the distinctive diamond effect responsible for the beautiful light refraction of the glasses. The collection includes 16 items; there are knives, forks and spoons, plus coffee and espresso spoons, cake forks, fruit knives and various items for serving, all ergonomically balanced and designed to sit comfortably in the hand. The series is available in a choice of four sets consisting of 24, 30, 70 and 113 pieces.

www.villeroy-boch.com

Seeba Industries

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Over the last 33 years, Seeba has developed and maintained a reputation as a one-stop-shop for designing, manufacturing and exporting highquality stainless-steel kitchenware and tableware products for the domestic and international markets.

“We believe that simplicity, functionality and versatility are of prime importance to our customers,” says Anand Baldawa, CEO, Seeba.

“We’ve noticed an increased demand for products that are practical and universally usable in any desired setting. We concentrate on delivering products that are simple, classic and timeless.”

He adds: “As a manufacturer, we continue to remain excited about the opportunity provided by this category and are therefore investing more resources – whether human, financial or otherwise – to become bigger, better and stronger."

www.seebagroup.com

CATEGORY Cutlery

Alessi

Mikasa Featuring sleek lines and a splash of colour, the brand-new Mikasa Rockford accessory items, set to debut at October’s New York Tabletop Show, includes sets of four Demitasse Spoons, Cocktail Forks, Spreaders and Iced Beverage Spoons. Crafted from premium stainless steel with hand-painted handles, colourways include black or blue.

www.lifetimebrands.com

Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa presents Itsumo for Alessi, a cutlery set featuring shaped profiles and comprising 11 different pieces sold individually or in a 24-piece set.

“The characteristic of this family of cutlery is its outline, which at first glance seems soft and impeccable, whereas a closer look reveals a discreet obtuse angle in the detailing,” says Naoto.

“Applying such a detail to the form provokes a haptic feedback that allows us to recognise the sides of the cutlery, whether held in the hand, rolled around on the tongue or simply when they touch ones' lips."

www.alessi.com

Mepra

Studio William

Tramontina With sleek flowing contours, Amazons is a stainless-steel cutlery collection suited to both retail and hospitality and perfect for formal and casual settings. For hospitality, the range displays all the features and high quality required for this demanding sector.

The appeal is the same for the retail sector, but here there is the added bonus of the collection being available in gift-boxed sets – one 16-piece set and one 24-piece set – both comprising knives, forks, spoons and teaspoons, making it ideal, also, for gifting solutions.

www.tramontina.com 66 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Studio William is seeing increasing demand for bespoke by exclusive high-end boutiques “as retail looks for exclusive products," says William Welch.

“We're working with some high-end retailers to develop bespoke pieces to answer this demand.”

From sister brand Charingworth comes three new collections this Autumn. Planish (pictured above) takes inspiration from the raw metalwork and industrial processes used to make cutlery and the decorative dimpled detailing it leaves behind. The textured pattern encases the 3.5mm gauge handles, in a satin finish.

“The process of shaping cutlery creates a wonderful texture, which is very pleasant to hold and look at,” says William Welch, owner, “it also conceals a multitude of sins, primarly the wearand-tear you tend to find on cutlery that is used in heavy traffic environments.”

www.studiowilliam.com

From Italian metals company comes a new cutlery pattern, Italia Ice (pictured below), inspired by the curves and the geometries of the Italian design of the 1970s, when Italian design bloomed all around the world.

The name Italia has been chosen because this pattern is iconic of Made in Italy. Italia Ice comes as a 5-piece placesetting.

www.mepra.it

Profile Kahla Germany

175 years KAHLA: Porcelain pioneers

Renowned for revolutionising the material of porcelain, German porcelain manufacturer KAHLA continues to champion innovation and sustainability with its tableware and gifts 175 years on

C

elebrating 175 years of porcelain production at its production site in Kahla, Thuringia, Germany, KAHLA is known for changing the perception of porcelain, taking a very traditional material and creating innovative and progressive products that speak to today’s consumers.

It was in 1844 when Christian Eckardt began producing hard paste porcelain in the town of Kahla, in a valley in the heart of Germany, creating porcelain pipe bowls, dolls heads, door knobs and tableware for the affluent.

And the kilns at KAHLA haven’t stopped working since though the company has certainly transformed over the last 175 years, from being listed on the stock market before WWII, to a publicly-owned business in the GDR, to a modern familyowned brand today.

Following the reunification of

68 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Germany, Günther Raithel – a former Rosenthal board member – rescued the bankrupt Kahla factory from closing down, taking over the company reins, and not only invested in ground-breaking production technology, but with his vision of Design or Resign, he placed a strong emphasis on design innovation.

And today, 175 years after the factory’s foundation and 25 years after the corporate rescue, KAHLA/Thüringen Porzellan GmbH is regarded as one of the most innovative and progressive porcelain brands in Europe, creating porecelain products that engage the senses and tap into modern dining demands.

KAHLA changed the understanding of tableware when Barbara Schmidt, a young designer in the late 1990s, created the Update Collection – there was no coffee pot, no tea pot, no saucers.

In fact, most of the classic items

Customised Touch! Cup

that made porcelain tableware so expensive for younger people were missing and, as a result, KAHLA was laughed at during Ambiente in 1998.

A similar situation occurred in 2004 when the Thuringians launched Touch! – porcelain mugs innovatively coated with a textile, a velvety-soft surface featuring a dishwasher and microwave-safe patent, which could be customised via laser-engraving.

Visitors had never seen anything

Far left: HomeStyle Collection; Below: Cupit To-Go; Right: Update Collection

5 minutes with…

Holger Raithel

Tableware International talks to KAHLA managing director Holger Raithel What were the challenges of running a traditional porcelain manufacturer?

For the first year, I worked side by side with my father as management assistant, therefore, I had enough time to think this decision through. I have never regretted this step. Leading these amazing, knowledgeable people and producing these beautiful, honest products fills me with joy every single day.

What are your main markets and where do you wish to grow?

Today, we sell very successfully to Central Europe, to China and Korea. From experience, we have found that whenever we find a dedicated agent, importer or distributor, we quickly grow in new markets. Hence, we are looking for partners all over the world who would love to share our amazing history and our concept of a modern dining culture with their networks.

What is your favourite KAHLA object?

like it; samples were stolen from the tradeshow booth and KAHLA had to send dishwashers to the retailers to prove the durability of the product. Touch! has since become an extremely successful and popular gift.

And with its unveiling of the write-on surface Notes and the non-slip Magic Grip, the brand continued to use technological innovations to create modern porcelain and innovative design to engage the senses.

In fact, thanks to the company’s outstanding inhouse designers, Barbara Schmidt and Lisa Keller, KAHLA’s innovative designs have secured more than 100 international design awards.

It was in 2005 when Günther Raithel’s son, Holger, a physicist

and management consultant, took over the leadership role in the company. Under his supervision, KAHLA upped its eco credentials, investing in an intense sustainability programme, KAHLA pro Eco, with the aim of protecting natural resources and lowering its CO2 output. In collaboration with the 250 employees, Holger installed robotics in the production plant and developed more useful patents.

In 2019, during its 175th anniversary year, KAHLA continues to follow its philosophy of innovative design, Made in Germany quality, multi-functionality and sustainability, with its latest design coup – the Cupit To-Go Concept.

Designed as a premium eco-friendly alternative to the disposable containers of today’s throwaway culture, this range of portable porcelain cups not only feature the aforementioned innovative Magic Grip coating, for a tactile grip zone and slip-resistant base, but with its variety of sizes and different coloured drinking and spill-proof lids, offers consumers an incredible 288 different combinations.

“I love to change the colours according to my mood or my outfits,” says KAHLA MD, Holger Raithel of the Cupit to-go concept. “This product is our statement to a future with less waste and more taste.”

Find more about KAHLA at www.kahlaporzellan.com

Only one? I have plenty. I use my Cupit, our Zero Waste cup to go, all day long: in the car, in the train, in my office – it has become my daily companion. I love to change the colours according my mood or my outfits. The Cupit is a perfect gift and our statement to a future with less waste and more taste. You can find the unique Magic Grip application on other products, too, such as our sailors’ collection, On Tour, a porcelain programme that does not slip away, clatter or scratch surfaces. It’s not only perfect for use at sea, but also in a campervan, and when being carried on a tray or used in a conference room.

Finally, which KAHLA novelties can we look forward to seeing soon?

We are launching a new colour for Homestyle, our hand-glazed collection, as well as new solid-coloured Cupit mugs to make them even more fashionable. Furthermore, we are working on our digital competence. KAHLA RFID is intelligent porcelain that smartly interacts with all kinds of technology such as smartphones, coffee machines and cash registers. This is something that is set to be extremely interesting for professional caterers, in particular.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 69

Trade al fresco GuideTalk Chinaware

Dining outdoors

“Millennials help propel outdoor sales”

From the material of melamine to collections inspired by nature, four companies discuss the steps they are taking to tap into the growing outdoor dining category

Beatriz Ball We talk to Beatriz Ball, owner of Beatriz Ball Collection. https://beatrizball.com Are you finding your outdoor dining category in growth?

This category accounts for a growing percentage of our sales, so we’ve focused more time in product development for it. Our VIDA Collection of colourful and casual melamine and acrylic products, introduced in 2017 when the VIDA Alegria tray was selected as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things, is growing leaps and bounds.

In the last year, we’ve introduced four new collections under VIDA, and extended Alegria and Havana, the first two melamine collections. New is Lettuce, an assortment of garden leaf shapes; Nube, sculptural forms rendered in a satin finish; and Ocean Oyster, shell shapes inspired by nature.

In our latest launch, Charleston, we revisit classicism with a contemporary twist – think elegantly simple classic

forms enhanced with rich surfaces with the look of fine ceramics.

These handmade pieces feature varied surfaces, notched corners and gently raised borders. Available in blue and in white. We’ve also introduced acrylic stemware.

Why is there increased demand for outdoor dining products?

Casual and everyday rules. The concept of the good life has taken on new forms of expression in recent years, and an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living is a universal trend.

Millennials, with their emphasis on casual living, interest in the outdoors, and in health and nutrition, have helped propel outdoor dining products to a place of importance. Outdoor grilling has expanded far beyond the backyard BBQ with outdoor living

Portmeirion Group We talk to Phil Atherton, sales and marketing director, Portmeirion Group.

spaces built around elaborate grills have become a lifestyle trend.

A greater connection to family, community, and the environment is the at the heart of our new notion of a well-lived life. Simplicity and versatility rule, so products that promote gathering, and straddle indoor/ outdoor living are key.

Items that are multifunctional, flexible and adaptable are in demand.

And what do consumers want from such products?

They are seeking balanced and simpler lifestyles lived in environments of beauty and calm, and there’s an increased demand for higher-quality products, especially for outdoor dining. There’s also a move away from the disposable culture of the recent past, and a desire for

products that are well-designed and are reusable.

What makes your products ideal for outdoor dining?

In Beatriz Ball’s iconic shapes, our luxury melamine serving pieces are extremely durable and easy to care for, as well as being stylish, casual and un-fussy. Trays, bowls and platters are particularly popular and on-trend now.

Made to our strict specifications, our heavyweight 100 per cent melamine is both BPA and PABA-free, breakresistant, durable and food-safe.

Oprah favourably compared the look of our affordably priced melamine pieces to ‘pricey pottery’. We worked hard to achieve the colour, texture and surface lustre of ceramics in melamine and our acrylic stemware mirrors the look of mouth-blown crystal.

Is your outdoor dining category in growth?

Outdoor dining is an area of interest to us. The merger of indoor and outdoor spaces is a trend that we expect to see growing and evolving. The garden is now classed as another room; a place to entertain and relax, and so people are expecting their dinnerware to be suitable for outdoor/indoor use.

What sells well for you in the outdoor dining category?

Our Sara Miller London Portmeirion collaboration continues to be a bestseller and we recently launched the Parrot collection (pictured).

Made of melamine, it’s perfect for outdoor dining. The outdoors is also inspiring design trends. Take Portmeirion’s new Atrium collection – it brings the outdoors in with its floral design juxtaposed with geometrics.

And what do consumers want from such products?

Consumers are still looking for quality and great design but they’re certainly happy to have a bit more fun with their choices. Bright and bold outdoor dining collections work well and a comprehensive offer, from drinkware to plates to bowls, is essential. The Sara Miller London Portmeirion Flamingo Collection is this – bright and bold with plates, bowls and beakers.

70 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Gibson We talk to Laurie Gates, senior vice president of Creative, Gibson Overseas. www. gibsonusa.com Is your outdoor dining category in growth?

When spring arrives, the line separating indoors from outdoors disappears and the consumer looks for products that make sense to this style of entertaining. This drives sales of melamine and plastics along with textiles and the consumer demands brighter, happier, more relaxed designed products.

I’ve just started to create a new Hungarian influenced pottery look in melamine and it has turned into more of an ‘influenced by the Medina of Marrakech’ story – in a good way!

Why do you think there increased demand for outdoor dining products?

We all have busy lives so the appeal of a relaxing evening dining al fresco is enticing.

Easy-to-care-for plastics and natural materials like rattan belong in these spaces so

the show

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therefore drive sales.

I love working with melamine as its nature easily takes on colours and endless textures so it fits consumer demand for assorted themes, from tropical to Italian country to the John Deere lifestyle.

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And what do consumers want from such products?

The consumer is looking for durable outdoor products to add colour and texture into the theme of their outdoor living spaces.

What makes your products ideal for outdoor dining?

Besides the obvious benefit of durability and safety of plastics, we can apply endless design themes and in colours that are not achievable in ceramic glazes.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 71

70146-003_AM_HoReCa_TablewareInternational_85x267 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • js: 20.08.2019

“Melamine takes on colours and textures”

DU: 26.08.2019

England

“Unique design is key for us”

Melody Rose

Feature global growth

Asia calling

Portmeirion

Many European brands are tapping into their expert and heritage Made in Europe DNAs and targeting the growth of global luxury markets, and Asian markets are taking centrestage

W

ith struggling retail in the UK and across Europe, many European tableware brands are looking for growth in different markets.

And with Made in Britain and Made in Europe – be it bone china from the UK, stoneware from Portugal or crystal from the Czech Republic – so respected internationally, many companies are taking their heritage brands and quality tableware to the burgeoning luxury markets of Asia.

Continued Asian success “We enjoy significant business in Asia where there is excellent demand for high-quality fine bone china and, most importantly, where Made in England product is highly desired,” says Peter Smith, sales director, Dunoon Ceramics.

Asia has been a very successful market for Portmeirion Group for a number of years, too, with Korea one of the Group’s largest markets, the success of which “has been built on British quality and design along with a deep understanding 72 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

by Portmeirion Group of local needs and trends”, says Phil Atherton, sales and marketing director.

Phil attributes the success of its heritage brands here due to the fact that Asian markets “demand quality product with provenance”.

It is Burleigh’s provenance too and its British craftsmanship that has made the British heritage brand so highly desirable in Asia, especially over the last few years, and “underpins a steady re-establishment of the global distribution that Burleigh achieved at the height of its popularity”, says Jim Norman, commercial director.

With its focus on afternoon teaware, the Burleigh brand has long-held fascination for the Japanese, especially, who love the ritual of Afternoon Tea. “The Japanese appreciate the provenance and history of Burleigh which has all the elements of the quintessential English Afternoon Tea including two sizes of teapot, a cake stand, numerous sizes of jugs and the characterful Cow Creamer,” says Jim, adding that Burleigh is sold through a distributor in Japan, with Japanese visitors often making a

pilgrimage to see Burleigh being made at its UK home, Middleport Pottery.

He adds: “Burleigh’s appeal to the prestige hospitality sector is spearheading new distribution in South Korea, Hong Kong and Qatar.

“This route to market gives us introduction to consumers who then start to develop an understanding and appreciation for Burleigh.”

Denby, also represented in Japan by a distributor, and a participant in British Fairs held in Japanese department stores including Hankyu Store in Osaka and Takashimaya in Nagoya, does well in Japan too; mainly due to Denby’s Made in England craftsmanship, sustainability and Japanese consumer interest in stoneware Studio Pottery and in reactive glazes.

It is Korea, however, where Denby is seeing particular growth.

“Denby has strong appeal in South Korea,” says Sebastian Lazell, MD, Denby Pottery.

“We took the decision three years ago to set up our own offices in Seoul to manage all aspects of its distribution and marketing and Denby is now sold through concessions shops within the retail

environment and via shopping channels, which have prestigious status in South Korea.”

He adds that the popularity and growth of Denby in Korea has also come from the fact that Denby photographs so well and is popular across social media.

“We’ve had to put a great deal of time and effort into understanding the requirements of the young South Korean consumer to which Denby appeals,” adds Sebastian. “Like all markets, it is evolving and requires constant monitoring to ensure the Denby offer meets their requirements.”

New brand growth in Asia Other brands seeing new growth in Asian markets include Melody Rose, Stelton, Arthur Price and Royal Crown Derby.

Danish brands Stelton and RigTig are expanding in the Chinese market, with popular products including the Stelton Collar coffee grinder and Collar expresso marker; the iconic EM77 vacuum jugs and Emma jugs and To Go Click Cups.

Boutique brand Melody Rose is finding great success in Asia with its made-in-Stoke-on-Trent fine bone

canvas home

Grant Macdonald

Royal Crown Derby

Arthur Price

china products. With a current focus on China and Korea, the British brand has a “growing number of stockists in both countries”, says Melanie Roseveare, owner.

Chinese and Korean consumers love the contemporary elegance of the Melody Rose brand along with its English quirkiness, as well as appreciating the craftsmanship of its British fine bone china products.

Melody Rose’s recently re-launched fine bone china range, which now features a burnished gold finish, has proven especially popular as it delivers both a luxury and contemporary feel.

Also popular is the brand’s In Colour Collection, with new colour extension Cobalt Blue proving “a really popular choices for our stockists in China and Korea as it is a contemporary take on the traditional blue and white ceramics”, says Melody.

British brand, Arthur Price, is also selling ‘Britain’ more and more, especially in the Far and Middle East, and it recently made its debut at Maison & Objet, Paris, with the aim of tapping into the Show’s many international Asian buyers.

Then there’s Royal Crown Derby, one of the few remaining British firms manufacturing all of its luxury fine bone china in the UK, which has

seen its exports to China increase to nearly 20 per cent of its total export sales in the last year.

This is thanks partly to support from the Department for International Trade (DIT), which helped to fund the company’s attendance at the Best of British trade show in Shanghai last November when China was identified as a market with huge growth potential.

Royal Crown Derby, which has been supplying its products to every British Monarch since King George III, and whose products are stocked in luxury retailers such as Harrods and Fortnum and Mason, has capitalised on its rich heritage and status as one of the oldest manufacturers of luxury tableware in Britain to gain a foothold with consumers in China.

And its handcrafted range of home and tableware is now stocked across major Chinese luxury retailers.

“Despite having little to no presence in China just two years ago, it is now one of our top five export markets. There is huge opportunity for British heritage products in the region,” says Kevin Oakes, chief executive.

“One of the challenges we faced

when expanding into new markets was to understand the finer details of shipping and documentation, which DIT helped us to navigate. DIT also helped us with a grant to attend the Shanghai Trade Show and gain invaluable exposure in China.”

Overcoming export issues Kevin Oakes was selected by DIT to be an Export Champion for his inspirational approach to growing the UK economy through exporting and he now encourages his peers in the region to follow suit. Champions offer practical advice on how to turn exporting ambitions into a reality.

Dunoon is also set to take its Made in Britain ceramics brand to China and to the Best of British exhibition at the Shanghai Trade Show in 2019, where it plans to build on the “excellent growth we’ve had in mainland China so far”, says Peter, much of which “is driven by our partners working with global platforms such as Alibaba”.

Ian Harrison, DIT’s Head of Exports in the Midlands, says: “Goods and services produced by British companies have a well-earned reputation for quality, and UK business can tap into a rich market of global opportunity.

“Marques such as the Royal Warrant provide an opportunity for overseas consumers to spot British provenance and quality at a glance and tap into the royal family’s global appeal.”

And now DIT in Shanghai has joined with the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) and is inviting BHETA members to showcase their latest trends and products in the Great Pavilion at China’s Best of British Show this October, 17-21.

The British Consulate General of Shanghai will be hosting a hybrid trade and consumer event at China’s largest exhibition of premium British quality, innovation and excellence.

The Best of British Show, now in its third year, will take place at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre and will feature the finest in British consumables including food, drink, fashion, design, interiors and home.

Exhibitors can access a podstyle stand at the exhibition, a one-day workshop on the Chinese retail landscape, two days networking and meet the buyer opportunities and two days selling direct to consumers from the stand. See more below.

Spotlight on... China’s Best of British Show The Department for International Trade (DIT) in Shanghai has joined with the British Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) to invite members to showcase their latest trends and products in the Great Pavilion at China’s Best of British Show this October.

From October 17-21, 2019, the British Consulate General of Shanghai will host a hybrid trade and consumer event at China’s largest exhibition of premium British quality, innovation and excellence. The Best of British Show, now in its third year, will take

place at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre and will feature the finest in British consumables including food, drink, fashion, design, interiors, home and lifestyle.

BHETA members from the home interiors and lifestyle sectors can take part in the event at a cost of £1,250 plus VAT, not including travel and accommodation. Applications will be vetted based on product category, price point, brand awareness, revenue, online presence and existing export presence globally.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 73

Retail global growth

Success

in Asia

Five British brands discuss their own growth and successes in Asian markets

“For many years, we have enjoyed good business in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong but now we have excellent growth in mainland China driven by our partners working with internet platforms such as Alibaba, JD.com and Tmall. To help build on this growth, we will be exhibiting at the Best of British’ exhibition at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre.”

Peter Smith, sales director, Dunoon Ceramics “Expanding our sales overseas is at the heart of our growth strategy. Despite having little to no presence in China just two years ago, it is now one of our top five export markets. There is huge opportunity for British heritage products in the region. We hold a proud and distinguished heritage that goes back centuries, and alongside continuing to produce quality, luxury products, we must continue to explore new markets and to capitalise on the demand that is out there to continue to grow.” Kevin Oakes, chief executive at Royal Crown Derby

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“The Japanese have a culture and interest in stoneware Studio Pottery and love reactive glazes, which are Denby’s areas of expertise. They also appreciate products which are Made in England and Denby’s craftsmanship and sustainability is important there with Studio Blue, Studio Craft and Halo are especially popular in Tearooms and Restaurants in Japan. Also, the Japanese love tea and coffee culture and the ritual of English Afternoon Tea. There has been a steady increase in coffee shops and the product associated with tea/coffee drinking. Denby is also popular for Bridal Gifts in a tradition called Hikidemono, where the Bride and Groom buy presents for their guests.”

Sebastian Lazell, managing director, Denby Pottery “Japan and Korea have a love for our simple aesthetic, but pricing for shipping from the USA and UK is an issue.

Japan continues to be our best market in Asia and we’re seeing an emerging interest from high-end channels in China, though the recent trade war and associated tariffs seem to have put that on hold. We are hopeful that we will pick up where we left off when the trade situation resolves itself”.

Simon Lee, managing director, canvas home

“Chinese and Korean consumers seem to love the contemporary elegance of the brand, which is both timeless and modern, combined with a touch of humour and English quirkiness. Also, they appreciate the high quality and incredible craftsmanship of British fine bone china that we are known for. Our Cobalt Blue In Colour Collection is really popular as it’s a modern take on the traditional blue and white ceramics.”

Melanie Roseveare, owner, Melody Rose

www.rosenthal.de

WE AVE

BY ZAHA HADID

William Edwards Professional has opened a showroom in Dubai

Feature global growth

Moser Crystal is planning to open a new branch in Dubai

Spotlight on…

Middle East F

From crystal to bone china, European luxury tableware brands are finding growth and success in the Middle East region, particularly the Gulf countries Posh Dining is seeing growth in the Middle East

Stelton is growing in the region

or many European and British premium brands, the luxury Middle East market, particularly the Gulf region, is an area both of target, and of increasing success.

Royal Warrant Holder Grant Macdonald has been supplying the Middle East market with silverware and tableware for decades and has an in-depth understanding of the design and finish demands of the market.

“Commissions for large place settings in sterling silver from the Middle East are in continued demand,” says George Macdonald, MD, “and it was when we began receiving requests from the region to match our cutlery to china and crystal in the 1990s that we decided to expand beyond our traditional silversmithing roots”.

Dubai is a growing market for Artel

The fact that its products are handcrafted, Made in Britain and feature precious metals, and that the brand boasts the Royal Warrant label, is what makes it especially attractive to this market.

Dunoon Ceramics also enjoys significant business in the Middle East, where its high-quality fine bone china and Made in England product is in demand.

For crystal couture company Artel, “Dubai is a growing a market”, says owner Karen Feldman.

“They really seem to appreciate our cut and gilded pieces. They also like our highly engraved floral pieces, such as Verdure.”

Similarly, premium Czech crystal company Moser, which has had long-term business relations in the Middle East with Royal families in the region long supporting the Moser brand, continues to see growing business in the region and is prepared to invest.

“Moser’s development in the Middle East has been a priority and focus for us this year as we prepare to open a new branch in Dubai

76 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

within the Dubai Design District in cooperation with our partner,” says Frantisek Scheider, CEO, Moser.

In particular, Moser has seen high demand for personalised bespoke projects, as well as an appetite for innovation and new designs with a very forward-thinking approach.

“Traditionally, this region of the world values limited-edition pieces featuring intricate engravings as well as locally inspired motifs,” explains Frantisek.

“Moser has always honoured the personalisation aspect of our DNA so we really try to apply this to the Middle East region in terms of design and fulfilling the client’s needs. Our strategy in this region is based on our core values, which are tradition of our craftsmanship and a unique and personalised approach to each and every client.”

For Portmeirion Group, “the Middle East is a growing market,” says Phil Atherton, “and one that has huge potential as the quality, designs and trust that our brands offer fit with the local market needs”.

And for Posh Trading, a UK company handcrafting luxury placemats and coasters, the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, with their focus on fine dining, are growing markets and ones “where we see great potential”, says Franziska Maunder, sales and marketing director.

She adds: “Our partner in Saudi Arabia, MHG Catering, were invited to tender at the Royal Palace, to supply all aspects of F&B, including table décor. The Posh range was presented alongside an 11-course menu and was well-received showing that demand for luxury tableware is growing in this region.”

Franziska adds that Posh Trading has recently expanded its range to include Silver Leaf Champagne, faux skin crocodile and shagreen to “ensure we offer a broad range of finishes for these regions”.

Recently, in the Middle East, Stelton has gathered its activities

with one central distributor, HRH Urban General Trading, covering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, with popular products in the region including Stelton’s iconic Cylinda-line coffee and teamakers; its elegant serveware, The Norman Foster Collection; as well as everyday design objects like the Emma kettles and To Go Click coffee and teacups.

Finally, Stoke-on-Trent-based William Edwards’ global footprint is growing, including across the Middle East, as the company continues to design and produce fine bone china tableware collections for five-star hotels and restaurants worldwide; and with it, the tableware company has recently opened the doors to its first international showroom.

“We have a growing client base in the Middle East and we’ve just opened our first international showroom,” says William Edwards.

Located in Dubai, in the UAE, the showroom is part of William Edwards’ new wholesale partnership with Danube Hospitality Solutions, which services all major construction projects throughout the UAE and Gulf region.

“Dubai is a growing a market for us. They really seem to appreciate our cut pieces, as well as our gilded pieces. They buy from our standard collection, but they seem to focus on these types of designs, plus highly engraved floral pieces like our Verdure designs.”

Karen Feldman, owner, Artel Glass “Thanks to the long-term business relations with the Middle East and the Royal families in this region, who have long supported Moser, we feel this market is key for us and somewhere we want to invest in further.

We are preparing to open a new branch in Dubai in the Dubai Design District.”

Frantisek Schneider, CEO, Moser Crystal “In Dubai, Denby has good results with its catering portfolio and like many countries today, it is bowl culture which is prevalent.

Denby now has over 30 bowl shapes and sizes to meet global requirements, but like all countries in Asia and the Middle East, Dubai has its own requirements.”

Sebastian Lazell, MD, Denby Pottery

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 77

CATEGORY Decorative Bloom, Orrefors Designed to look good with or without flowers

Nest, LSA International Multi-purpose vessels that can be stacked and combined for different looks and arrangements

More than just decorative Functionality continues to play an increasingly important role in the Decorative category, which includes everything from vases and statement bowls, to candleholders, photo frames and sculptures.

W

Sagaform ????????

ith consumers living in smaller spaces and buying less product, but better product, good-quality, well-made decorative products that offer enhanced levels of functionality – even multifunctionality – are more important than ever and brands are delivering.

Beatriz Ball, which always designs products with decorative as well as practical uses in mind, finds that its customers love “a tray or bowl that they can place on a coffee table and then use for serving when needed”, says Beatriz Ball, owner.

For Rosenthal, which offers an extensive and innovative Decorative category, with many products

the result of collaborations with renowned designers, and has a particular strength in vases, believes that the “combination of different functions is one of the key factors in this category”, says Gianluca Colonna, MD, Rosenthal.

“We like to use the term ‘object’ instead of vase since an object can be decorative and functional at the same time, it’s up to the users.”

And Stelton, which delivers an extensive Decorative category that harnesses the brand’s minimalist Scandi aesthetic, designs objects that can be used every day and for different purposes. “Our products need to have a purpose and must be functional,” says Mette Stagsted Larsen, marketing director, Stelton.

A number of new Decorative

collections are reigning functionality supreme this season, delivering decorative vases or vessels with design features that gives them multiple purposes and functionality.

Sagaform has come up tabletop trumps with its innovative adjustable vase design, which secured the prestigious Global Innovation Award in product design excellence in the Tabletop category earlier this year.

Offering the ultimate in functionality and versatility, the adjustable vase gives users the chance to adjust the height of the vase according to the flower display

What the retailer says…

“

We’ve been selling British goods on Portobello Road for more than 30 years. Burleigh is an absolute must-stock for us. We visited Middleport Pottery, the home of Burleigh, and were really impressed with the craftsmanship and care taken in the manufacture of Burleighware. Blue Calico is the most popular design and is purchased by people from all over the world and we have shipped this pattern to many countries. This pattern is considered to be typically British.

”

Delia Holt, proprietor, Portobello China & Woollens Ltd., a store based at 89 Portobello Road, London, UK, for more than 30 years, offering a selection of British and Scottishmade tableware, gifts and decorative pieces.

78 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Silhouette, Nude Multi-functional vessels

Zieher

New in Zieher’s retail-focused Zieher Selection offering comes the Splash series, a line of versatile bowls that can be used simply as decorative items or as both functional and decorative, to hold fruit, bread or other objects. Made of solid pewter alloy, the bowls are manually assembled from numerous single components. These elaborately refined pieces also feature knobbed feet at the bottom, guaranteeing stability.

www.zieher-selection.com

Spotlight on… Recycled Beatriz Ball’s Frame Collection Beatriz Ball photo frames are handmade from 100 per cent recycled aluminium alloy. The new Pieles Snakeskin design (pictured) features a clean, modern shape and faux animal hide finish, the rich texture hand-finished to a lustrous shine; while the Ocean Aruba Frame features a surface resembling rippling sands. they want to create, which means one product, a number of variations.

The brand is bringing out two more sizes this autumn and will introduce a silver finish in all three colours.

With new Decorative collection, Nest, LSA International delivers handmade glass nesting vessels, which have been designed to be used separately as vases, lanterns or planters, or to be combined – stacked – to create unique layered pieces in contrasting colours that serve multiple purposes and floral arrangements.

“The top compartment has a wide, flat rim which suspends it in the column-shaped container for unique, layered decoration,” says LSA. Dartington Crystal, which delivers lots of decorative crystal pieces, including vases, is extending its highly practical and functional Cushion Vases.

These handmade vases, which boast a soft optic effect, feature a clever indented base detail that helps retain or splay out stems when

using with flowers. The vases now come in four new colours.

And Orrefors has unveiled its new vase design, Bloom, by Lisa Hilland.

Designed to be multi-functional – to look good whether with or without flowers – Bloom features mixed materials, crystal with metal, and features a shape that is inspired by nature.

“It is as perfect holding an exquisite bouquet as it is with a simple branch of ivy, but it’s also stunning in its own glory when the clear Orrefors crystal catches the light just right,” says Lisa.

Finally, Nude has collaborated with Danish design duo Space Copenhagen to create Silhouette, a versatile, simple and ornamental family of three vessels – bowls and compartment trays. Highly versatile and functional, the cleverly designed vessels come in two sizes and two colours (caramel and clear) and are paired with compatible bases, which means they can be combined in multiple ways.

Artel

This summer, globally renowned producer of luxury crystal, Artel, celebrates otherworldly insects with its Social Butterflies collection, a new detailed design motif. Like Artel’s popular Verdure motif, this new motif is inspired by the wallpaper designs of Dagobert Peche, a prominent member of the Wiener Werkstatte, and features richly engraved butterflies interwoven blossoms and vines. Pieces include a large round statement Bowl (pictured) and the cylinder Vase, both stunning and functional.

Artel founder/director, Karen Feldman, says: “On a recent visit to the fantastic Neue Gallery in New York City, I happened to see an example of Dagobert Peche wallpaper with beautifully stylised butterflies and flowers and I immediately felt compelled to create yet another glass motif that pays homage to his unique vision. The result is a look that is timelessly chic and simply perfect for outdoor cocktail parties or al fresco dining.”

www.artelglass.com

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CATEGORY Decorative

Iittala Renowned for its glass colour library, Iittala introduces Sea Blue as its colour of the year, which is splashed across 20 items including the iconic Alvar Aalto vases, Kastehelmi candleholders and the Essence Pitcher. Sea Blue reflects the colours found above and below water, including the thousands of lakes and long coastal line with the Baltic sea in Finland. “It takes thoughts to a serene evening by the sea – soothing energising colours that help with the wellbeing are relevant in 2019," says the brand. The colour is created in the base material, not added later to the surface.

www.fiskars.com

Bar Collection

Nambe

Delivering clean lines and elegant curves that are borrowed from the best of midcentury design, the Vida Candlesticks are a beautiful pair of gleaming alloy candlesticks designed to create an inviting ambiance that adds warmth to a room.

Made of Nambé Alloy, pieces are hand-wash only.

www.nambe.com

Beatriz ball

Royal Selangor Up your tablescape game with Royal Selangor’s pewterware. Bar (pictured above) interprets the exuberant architectural, interiors and graphic design style of the mid-20th century into bar accessories, which feature geometric pewter patterns. Bar offers essentials for the home bar, including a cocktail shaker for making tried-and-true signature drinks, as well as decanters for whisky, scotch or bourbon. Champagne coupes and martini glasses are also available, as well as tumblers, highballs, an ice bucket, tray, nut bowl and hip flask.

Liberty’s sleek lines complement any tablesetting. A modern take on colonial American pewter, the Liberty Collection (pictured below) features drinkware that makes serving classic cocktails an elegant affair. The tapered spire flagon, with its expressive spout and sweeping handle, lends form to the Hartford jug. The eight-lobe double-reed valet tray will just as easily hold hors d’oeuvres or drinks to be ferried to thirsty guests.

Beatriz Ball’s offering includes a large variety of versatile and functional decorative objects, from platters to bowls, in various materials including its signature metal and, more recently, glass.

The Organic Pearl Ava Extra-Large Centrepiece’s generous size, deep fluting and sparkling rim of metal pearls makes it a work of art.

Handmade by skilled artisans in the company’s Mexican foundry, the Ava Centrepiece is sand-cast in Beatriz Ball’s signature metal and hand polished to a lustrous shine. With a distinctive shape and tactile quality, it’s great as a centrepiece, fruit or salad bowl, and makes a dramatic statement décor piece.

Representing a departure for Beatriz Ball, though upholding the company’s championing of handmade traditions and artistry, the New Orleans Glass Blue and Gold Marble Centrepiece (pictured) features a swirling surface of blue, white and gold hues.

With all the colour and spirit of the Crescent City’s unique culture, the collection is distinguished by its richly marbled surface and generous size. Great for serving, but equally striking on its own as a home décor, pieces are handmade in Turkey with no two pieces exactly alike. https://beatrizball.com

www.royalselangor.com / customerservice.uk@royalselangor.com Liberty Collection

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Dusk Collection, LSA

CATEGORY Decorative

LSA International Among LSA's offerings in Decoration items is Boulder, mouthblown vases inspired by the organic shapes and unique natural textures of boulders. Layers of earthy brown and chalky white glass are encased in translucent glass with a smooth matte finish.

Dusk (pictured) is inspired by the mix of colours that fade into the sky as the sun sets at dusk.

Sheer lustres, applied by hand, gradually diffuse towards the centre of each piece. The soft, dusky tones and iridescent finishes are enhanced by the pleated texture of the handmade glass.

Karat is a series of mouthblown glass vases and lanterns, hand-painted with real gold.

trade.lsa-international.com

Kosta Boda Inspired by the 1960s and designed

by Anne Nilsson, an important Swedish glass designer, the new Pagod vase (pictured) is mouthblown by skilled glass blowers at the glass works in Kosta. The technique, underlay, is multi-layer which means that clear glass lies like a casing over the stained glass and gives a beautiful and processed expression.

The playful design takes advantage of craftsmanship, simple language and function in an elegant way. This vase is designed to give cut flowers a beautiful expression.

https://kostaboda.com

Villeroy & Boch Decorative objects are a large part of Villeroy & Boch’s new Signature concept, its Premium Collections. These include Amazonia, an exotic pattern showcasing the tropical forest with bold colours, motifs of orchids and butterflies, and gold details; and Quinsai Garden, translating the splendour of the end of the Silk Road, with its exotic blooms.

Finally, the new MetroChic collection (pictured) delivers decorative objects featuring a geometric pattern in expressive black and gold.

Sieger by Fuerstenberg The porcelain Luna vase collection (pictured below) – a white version and a black-and-white décor of horizontal and vertical stripes – has been extended to include three new eclectic decors, each adorned with 24k gold and featuring tapering openings that lend themselves both to minimalist flower arrangements and lavish bouquets.

Wonderland is an eclectic mix of patterns, combining geometric figures with floral motifs against an antique pink background; Super Nova is colourful and punchy, pairing vibrant stars with a dove-grey background; and Paradise offers a contemporary reinterpretation of Asian design elements against a warm grey background.

The vases come in three sizes.

www.fuerstenberg-porzellan.com

www.villeroy-boch.com

Vista Alegre From Vista Alegre comes an extension to its award-winning Unica series, Unica Earth, which combines contemporary design with ancestral techniques to manually produce coloured glass and the purest crystal.

This artful collection in vibrant colours is composed of pieces made without a moud, allowing for fluid and unrepeatable shapes.

Vista Alegre’s artisans combined their skill with contemporary design to hand-blow and mould these precious works of art with minimal use of instruments. This collection is a beautiful testament to the unique alchemy involved in the brand’s glass craftsmanship.

www.vistaalegre.com 82 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

Gastro Steak Board, James Martin for Denby

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Retail Instagram

Retail’s new best friend F

As the heart and soul of retailing further evolves, stores and the essence of shopping will continue to morph in unimaginable ways. However, amidst the storm of change, there is one aspect of shopping that remains pure, constant and motivational – the aspirational moment, says retail expert Anne Kong

or some, an aspirational moment is walking through the ABC Carpet Emporium in New York City, where the floor plan wends like an enchanting street of quaint shops with exotic finds; even the scent is reminiscent of faraway bazaar. Here, the shopper is entwined in a web of curated inspiration, resembling something of a retail treasure hunt, enticed by the romantic notion to leave with a souvenir.

For other shoppers, the classic grandeur of London-based Harrods can cause the heart to miss a beat. The luxurious store interior, varying from vaulted gold ceilings to intricate dark wood moulding and polished marble, transports the shopper to a new destination on every floor. The experience catapults one back in time, to the feeling of a luxury cruise ship on a faraway voyage.

Whether it’s a bustling market in San Miguel, Mexico or a tiny familyowned shop off the beaten path,

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these shopping experiences have one thing in common: they thrust our emotions into overdrive.

Shoppers in this day and age wanderlust for some form of tangible satisfaction they don’t get from shopping online.

They are yearning for more than the banal chore of just shopping – they are looking to be transported and to experience the feelings of exploration and discovery.

Consumers crave distinctive products that can’t be found everywhere; they value the story behind the brand and merchandise.They look for Instagram-worthy displays or a retail store that is not just a place to purchase goods, but a playground, rich with technology.

In short, they are searching for an aspirational moment.

The popularity of sharing these aspirational moments with hundreds of followers via Instagram has spawned another popular marketplace. The creative imagery of people living

adventurous lives on Instagram can taunt our aspirational senses, as we find ourselves in the neverending search of that perfect moment to share.

Much like the editorial pages of a magazine, Instagram provides viewers with a steady stream of curated images where grammers can share their travels, food, projects, shopping finds or their latest experiences.

Incredibly, this social media platform has now become host to one of the most successful shopping networks showcasing millions of products, window displays, and merchandising stories. With the help of filters, geotags, hashtags and shopping tags, Instagram makes capturing a moment not only enchanting but searchable for shoppers.

It has become the new form of ‘display’ for retail stores, with a single post racking upwards of 68K likes and hundreds of comments.

The good news for retailers is that Instagram provides more

mileage for existing store displays, opening a new chapter for retailers to convey stories about their products in a bespoke and memorable style. Windows and store displays are not just for the person walking down the street; visual merchandising has embraced the social media’s format to be grammable.

‘Grammable’ visual merchandising can mean either creating speciality displays for the sole purpose of consumer Instagramming, or retail displays designed specifically for the brand’s Instagram feed.

Today, designing displays for Instagram incorporates a strong degree of storytelling and theatrics; posts must be visually stimulating through the use of composition and colour, and translate well for the scale of a smartphone.

Here, traditional display skills resound. It goes beyond designing a beautiful still-life; the product presentation must perform like a work of art or moment in

How do you use Instagram?

We ask four tableware suppliers…

“As a business, we work closely with many talented influencers who create beautiful tablesettings, dishes and layouts with our tableware and giftware, enabling us to reach a whole new audience in such a different way.”

Phil Atherton, group sales and marketing director, Portmeirion Group

time. Using advanced display techniques that incorporate colour, symmetry, visual contrast, repetition, humour, nostalgia or shock value can prove extremely effective.

Great displays must tantalise the senses, even from the lit screen of a small smart phone.

Le Creuset is a brand that is successful at thematically telling a compelling story.

Inside a brick and mortar store, Instagram opportunities can engage and entertain consumers using a number of methods.

Perhaps, it is a photo-op that allows friends to hop into a scene and become a part of the store’s Instagram feed – be it a graphic or illustration.

Posing with a life-size celebrity or standing near a motivational ‘quote of the day’ on the wall is more than a mere snapshot.

Seasonal displays can create opportunities for shoppers to play and experiment. For example, the retail store Story created a Halloween skull made from Converse sneakers that materialised from the camera’s view.

Brands can stream live stories to give consumers insight into a product or promotion, to share events, or spread excitement

about a product launch or demonstration. The beauty is, all of these tactics can be searchable by a simple hashtag, enabling the post to gain even more traction.

According to Instagram’s data, 60 per cent of IG users discover products through the platform and 50 per cent of users follow at least one business account.

Instagram’s ability to reach millions of shoppers in minutes makes it a powerful tool – one that retailers must use actively in order to successfully connect their brands and products with consumers.

The ability to create and share aspirational moments, within a branded context, has caused a seismic shift in shopping culture and outreach.

Instagram also provides endless amounts of inspiration and market intel to retailers and visual merchandisers themselves.

No longer is it necessary to trek from store to store to comp shop in order to understand our competitors and the current trends – all of this information is now available through the eyes of friends, influencers, brands and celebrities.

Additionally, users can sort and save a library of posts for inspiration under Instagram’s

collections feature in the user profile. Saving posts to collections by name is a useful tool for future reference and backtracking. By tapping the bookmark icon underneath a post you can direct it to one of your saved collections.

In short, Instagram has changed the landscape of many industries, and visual merchandising and display is not exempt.

It’s up to retailers and visual merchandisers to continue finding ways to integrate the Instagram experience into their brick-and-mortar stores and maximise its potential. Don’t underestimate the connection between Instagram and shopping a brick-and-mortar store, both immerse the consumer into a flurry of aspiration.

About Anne Kong Anne is an educator and designer specialising in Visual Mecrchandising, Exhibition Design and Special Events and has been a member of the gia expert jury since 2017.

For information about the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) programme, www.housewares. org/show/gia-retail

“Instagram has proven to have real value in the dining industry and tangible results in business – many of Elia’s customers are focusing on their online presence which is producing innovative ways to preview our products on Instagram” Adam Walker, sales manager, Elia International

“We’ve studied dining posts on Instagram and have noted that colour, shape, texture and atmosphere are of value and play a big part in the success of the visual presentation. We’ve responded with the introduction of colourful melamine in vibrant shapes and interesting textures and have put more thought into sub-collections in our signature metalware that feature coordinated design elements, assorted sizes and speak to different serving functions.”

Beatriz Ball, founder and owner, Beatriz Ball Collection

“Instagram gives us the chance to see and experience how partners stage our products in their stores or at events – to inspire their customers; plus, we see many bartenders worldwide presenting their cocktails in our diverse products and enriching the sector as creative pioneers. For us, as a design studio, Instagram is a good opportunity to receive direct feedback and to reflect on our own developments.”

Christian Sieger, marketing director, Sieger Design

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Interviews Millennials

Burleigh “Millennials are attracted to Burleigh Pottery because the heritage brand’s stories of design, provenance and authenticity are both honest and valued. It also helps that Burleigh is seen in a cross-section of hospitality venues, from the Soho House venues to Mackintosh at the Willow in Glasgow and Bibendum.”

Jim Norman,

Degrenne “Through its new positioning, Degrenne is aiming to attract a new and younger generation of consumers, to act on various points of contact. Firstly, it’s about communicating our values and positioning – the moments that make life beautiful, where taking time becomes more important than saving it. Also, it’s to offer a collection that meets the expectations of the new generation from a lifestyle usage point of view. For instance, we’ve designed our new Mondo tableware based on how millennials eat today – bowls and small plates replacing the traditional dinner/dessert plates. Finally, it’s to make the brand eligible for B2B networks, hotels, lifestyle restaurants, by being a partner of choice for professionals with a collection that embodies the best experience for consumers. Take our new flatware, Fuse. Inspired by fusion food that’s loved by millennials, we designed this cutlery with unusual proportions to challenge the established codes, while taking care to answer the professionals’need for comfortable products in a material (stainless steel) that lasts.”

Thomas Mulliez, CEO, Degrenne 86 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

commercial director, Burleigh

We ask… How are you attracting millennials? “

Last year, we started opening up our brand to younger audiences by developing new collections such as Modern Dining and Modern Dining to Go. It is very important to understand the lifestyles of younger audiences and to create tableware that is fitting with their needs.

We’ve continued developing new collections for younger audiences this year. A group of Villeroy & Boch colleagues, aged 20-30, developed a collection for young people of the same age. The It’s My Love concept delivers the collections It’s My Match and It’s My Moment, both of which allow customers to create their own look by mixing and matching to their own personal tastes.

With the different colours and structures, we also want to give each customer the chance to accentuate their individuality.

In distribution channels and in marketing, we also try to find new ways to reach younger audiences. For It’s My Match, for example, we are working closely with international online shops to distribute the collections. And, to draw millennials’ attention to our new collection, we try to reach them via the channels they use daily: on social media.

Here, we are working with international influencers to do just that.

Villeroy & Boch

Helena Boddenberg, product designer Tableware, Villeroy & Boch

”

Duralex “Millennials have a different approach to tableware. They don’t consume in the same way; and have a greater expectation of products. They may buy a mass product, but they still expect it to be unique.

They have less budget and space. We make every effort to sell a story, not just a glass, and we’re active in sharing life experiences on social media. We always reinforce our identity and values: resistance, timelessness, affordability, versatility, sustainability, design.

Duralex has developed a collection of organicallysprayed coloured Picardie glasses (Soft Touch in black, Pastels, Frosted) to strengthen specific moments in the day (breakfast, coffee, picnic). We’ve also re-launched old shapes, like Manhattan and Jazz, which have been hugely successful with millennials. These two lines appeal to millennials’ love of retro aesthetics.”

Frédéric Morin Payé, Duralex

Portmeirion Group “While our heritage brands (Royal Worcester, est. 1751; and Spode, est. 1770) are steeped in history and some of our designs have been in production for many years, we continue to develop and produce home and gift ranges that appeal to today’s market.

For example, Spode’s new Kingsley collection uses a design from the archive interpreted in a modern way to make it relevant. By using heritage designs in modern ways, we not only deliver ontrend ranges, but we’re able to talk about our heritage to a world that is becoming increasingly conscious of the brands they buy.

Research shows millennials like to engage with brands on a personal level and so we try to incorporate that into our marketing efforts. Social media is key to achieving this, and we use our platforms to bring our products to life and appeal to the younger audience’s need for striking and visual content.

Millennials also like well thought-out and authentic content, and so through our Spode and Portmeirion social channels we’ve integrated video into our content, regularly showing behind-the-scenes footage and factory production processes, allowing us to inspire and evoke emotion in the younger audience in an authentic way.”

Phil Atherton, sales and marketing director, Portmeirion Group TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 87

Column Bheta

Visual merchandising can double sales Will Jones discusses the positive impact that a commitment to visual merchandising, specifically in tableware, can make on sales

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he most recent BHETA housewares committee meeting took place at the Wedgwood factory and museum in Barlaston, Stoke-onTrent, a treat for all concerned.

Housewares committee meetings always provide a platform for crossfertilisation of ideas between different categories in the overall housewares and small domestic electricals markets and this one was no different.

In fact, it sparked a very enlightening discussion on a fact which I think we all know to be true, but which can be hard for many retailers and suppliers to quantify – the positive impact which a commitment to visual merchandising can make on sales.

Now I would argue that the creation of visual stimulation and in-store experience for customers – as opposed to simply having product on shelves or fixtures – will encourage spend whatever the product.

The demonstration of just how well a purely functional piece of kitchen equipment works in practice – chopping, dicing, cleaning, grilling food or grinding coffee – will always attract the shopper and provoke the impulse buy. It can also be a great way of upselling to a brand with better margins, cross-selling with related products, or pushing some add-on accessories.

Talking to my colleagues on the committee, however, it transpired that one leading housewares supplier has been looking in detail at the sales potential of devoting more retail display space, as opposed to just shelf space, to static as opposed to demonstration items such as crockery, 88 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

cutlery, glassware and table linen.

In other words, it was a debate about how to develop a greater volume of sales from tableware where the strongest consumer sell is in their decorative and lifestyle value.

Given that the company concerned has brands which span kitchen tools, fine china and crystal, to mention just a few, its findings seem well worth sharing with the housewares community in general.

It seems that whatever the lifestyle promise – casual dining, fine dining, family, formal or mix and match, whether a premium or mass market brand and whatever the trend, style or colour, a fully dressed, set and styled table display can drive sales up by a staggering 93 per cent.

This compelling figure is based on data from a properly monitored comparison of an equivalent amount of table display and shelf space.

In tableware, while the consumer may consider the substrate of the bowl or the process used to achieve a particular finish on a fork or spoon, if it is explained to them, the real decisionmaking factor is the design, the fashion, the colour or the texture that goes into achieving the overall look.

And the overall look can only be appreciated properly when it has been set out to entice – on a table.

Of course, this overall look plays an important part in kitchenware too, but there it is the feel, weight, space and efficiency ratios that clinch the deal.

The crucial factor in all of this is that both suppliers and retail buyers are fully aware of the style trends which will drive consumer taste in good time to exploit them

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

“

It seems that whatever the lifestyle promise – casual dining, fine dining, family, formal or mix and match, whether a premium or mass market brand and whatever the trend, style or colour, a fully dressed, set and styled table display can drive sales up by a staggering 93 per cent.

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

”

whether on a dining table or in a demonstration kitchen.

This is why BHETA invests so much effort into making sure trend forecasting is communicated, taken seriously and used in a timely manner, as our trend forecasters, Scarlet Opus predict the colours, materials, textures, patterns and cultural or scientific developments which will influence shoppers over the next 18 months to two years.

Here are the four key trends from Exclusively Shows retailers should be taking note of...

■ Japanese the influence of Japanese arts, crafts, design, food and traditions and all they teach us about restraint and living in the moment ■ Reuse the reuse of waste materials and the influence of recycling and the environment ■ Diversity the power of the collective – working together globally, celebrating cultural

diversity and placing ethics at the centre of decision making ■ Understated glamour dark wood, marble, brass, exquisite glassware, statement pieces, Art Deco and, of course, beautifully laid tables.

So, for any retailer who has doubts about investing precious space in the visual impact of the display and the demo, a 93 per cent upturn is a pretty good reason to eradicate such doubts, persuade the doubters and just do it.

Equally, for any supplier who is not prepared to do their utmost to assist the retailer in delivering on visual merchandising, then it’s time to change strategy.

We all need the sales and they are not going to be handed to us without effort. So, it’s reassuring to know the rewards can be so high.

Further info about BHETA’s events programme and member services can be found on the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk

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Show PReview 41 Madison

Waterford

With Rum enjoying a renaissance and tapping into the trend for new rum speciality bars and new craft rums, Waterford launches its Barware/ Mixology Rum collection. Seven different types of rum categories create endless uses for this new collection, which celebrates the latest mixology craze of rum cocktails.

Using the popular Circon cut from the Mixology Collection, the concentric circles of this pattern represent the sugar cane and distilling barrels used to create this versatile spirit. Drinkware and serveware pieces offer a full-service home bar experience and are presented in beautiful Waterford packaging, perfect for gifting.

S

www.fiskars.com

ince its debut in 1974 as the New York Merchandise Mart, Forty One Madison has made its mark as the world’s premier destination for the tabletop industry and today, featuring over 90 permanent showrooms and some 200 leading brands and manufacturers.

Delivering categories that include china, crystal, dinnerware, flatware, glassware, hotelware, lighting, luxury gift, housewares, objet d’art and bespoke pieces, Forty One Madison delivers the bi-annual New York Tabletop Show, in Spring and Fall.

During the Show, the building welcomes retailers, interior designers, architects, chefs, restauranteurs, hotels, media and other tabletop professionals from around the globe to meet and experience new offerings from the industry’s finest brands.

For the upcoming edition of the New York Tabletop Show, taking place

New York newness

With a stunning new website and four new tableware brands on board, Forty One Madison’s upcoming New York Tabletop Show, October 29 to November 1, is set for success October 29 to November 1, four new brands are set to make their debut, including Blue Pheasant, 1137, Costa Nova and Casafina.

"We're excited to welcome Blue Pheasant, Eleven75 Home, Costa Nova and Casafina to our growing roster of tabletop, housewares and giftware brands at this year's fall New York Tabletop Market,” says Kristi Forbes, director and senior vice-president, Forty One Madison. “Each brand brings a unique vision to the building and we know our visitors will be delighted by what they have to offer."

Renowned Portuguese tableware brands Costa Nova and Casafina will open their shared brand-new showroom on the 22nd floor, and will display collections from both brands with a particular focus on the hospitality segment.

“Opening a new showroom is a clear sign to our industry that the Casafina and Costa Nova brands are

vibrant and growing,” says Matt Hulfish, national sales manager.

“We want showrooms throughout the US that present our brands at the market preferred by and convenient to our retailers.”

From centuries-old techniques that inspire vintage-themed tablescapes to contemporary pieces, Blue Pheasant delivers tableware (dinnerware, flatware, glassware, linens and placemats) that is handmade with care by artisans using natural materials.

These new brands, along with the other more than 200 tableware and giftware brands are set to unveil exciting brand-new and existing trend-led products and collections.

And once more, the Market will deliver its Tastemaker Takeovers on Instagram, while new and exciting displays will decorate the lobby.

The New York Tabletop Show takes place October 29 – November 1, 2019 www.41madison.com

Did you know…?

Forty One Madison has revamped its website – www.41Madison.com. Sleek, intuitive, functional and mobile-friendly, the new site features an easy-to-navigate directory where brands are searchable by name, product category, floor and need, and visitors can also now create custom lists of their favourite showrooms, and download and save as PDFs for future visits to the building. It also includes Tableaux, the 41 Madison blog, an interactive Google Map; quick and simple Market registration; and a live feed of posts from the @41Madison Instagram.

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Costa Nova debuts

Renowned for its fine stoneware, Portuguese tableware brand Costa Nova is making its Market debut, opening a showroom on the 22nd floor with sister brand Casafina, known for its focus on giftable gourmet housewares.

The two brands, both of which are manufactured in Portugal, will show collections focused on the hospitality segment.

Among Costa Nova’s two new HoReCa collections is Notos.

Inspired by the colour contrasts and structures of the Portuguese Atlantic coast, Notos (pictured) delivers textured ceramic forms of pure and flowing lines, combined with metallic structures and organic materials such as cork and wood in a contrasting palette of light and dark tones.

Find Costa Nova and Casafina on the 22nd floor. www.costa-nova.com

Inspired by… Aran Islands Waterford’s new Master Craft Aran takes inspiration from the Aran Islands off the West Coast of Ireland and specifically the beautiful knits originally crafted for the fishermen of Aran from local wool. These knits reflect the essence of the wild Irish spirit and landscape. The collection features new shapes, which are designed specifically with a modern interpretation to capture Ireland's classic beauty and tradition. The collection is made in Ireland at the House of Waterford crafted by Waterford's Master Craftsmen.

Prouna celebrates

10th anniversary

Wedgwood

Wedgwood is expanding the elegant simplicity of its White Folia Collection, delivering new candles and lithophanes to illuminate the current assortment.

A modern interpretation of florals, the White Folia patterns are inspired by nature within nature, with bold yet delicate leaf motifs. Bring the fresh scent of bamboo and green tea into the home for a relaxing experience. Each piece is perfectly packaged in signature Wedgwood blue boxes.

www.fiskars.com

Moser Crystal

Moser Crystal is extending its stunning collection of Optic stemware. Joining the Martini glasses are new Goblets, Red Wine Glasses and Champagne Flutes, all of which come in three colourways – Clear, Aquamarine and Topaz.

www.moserusa.com

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Kiyasa Group is bringing back its first-ever collection, Prouna’s Persia Dinnerware, a collection that launched the company, in fact.

The Persia Collection was introduced with the launch of Prouna in the US in 2009 and was one of the first collections made by the brand, handdecorated with authentic Swarovski crystals and hand-painted in 24k gold.

The pattern is particularly close to the Kiyasa Group founders, Yasamin and Kiana Bahadorzadeh, as it represents their Persian heritage.

And the sisters have decided to re-launch this stunning and unique collection as they re-tell the story of how it all began at Kiyasa Group a decade ago (see page 54).

With its paisley motif, the Persia pattern is inspired by the extraordinary fabric of Termeh, one of the ancient arts of Iran. This popular twisted teardrop pattern has a Persian (Iranian) origin and traces its creation back to around 221AD. Originally called Boteh Jegheh, the design represents the Cypress Treet, which is a Zoroastrian symbol of life and entity. The bent curve of the upper end is a sign of strength and resistance but modesty. See page 54 for more. www.kiyasa.com

Royal doulton

Celebrating the brand's founding year, the 1815 Bold collection showcases Bold pops of color and draws inspiration from Royal Doulton's iconic design roots.

An innovative combination of half-dipped glazes and brush stokes contrast with the classic white porcelain base in three bright colours – aqua, lilac and orange – creating an eyecatching, handcrafted look.

Designed for everyday entertaining, 1815 Bold makes sharing with friends and family a pleasure.

www.fiskars.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 91

Porcel Portuguese porcelain company Porcel has been working on the development of two new complete collections, Adamastar and Blue Legacy. Taking inspiration from Portuguese tiles, pieces of Blue Legacy feature the cobalt colour over white porcelain bodies. High-fired blue is elegantly highlighted across both tableware and decorative pieces, along with an array of blue patterns and textures.

www.porcel.pt

Fiesta Fiesta Dinnerware will unveil new tabletop collection Fall Fantasy in Blue, a timeless design that brings nature to the table with an assortment of leaves, pinecones and acorns. Comprising of a luncheon plate, appetizer plate, chop plate, gusto bowl, two bistro bowls and a mug, the collection features Fiesta signature colours including Sunflower, Lapis, Mulberry, Turquoise and new colour Meadow.

5 minutes with…

Typhoon At this October’s Market, Typhoon Group will present new introductions from all its brands, including Typhoon, Viners, Mason Cash and Kilner.

Typhoon recently unveiled its Living Dinnerware range (pictured), made from high-quality stoneware in two neutral colours, cream, and grey, for mixing and matching.

We talk to Richard Stevenson, sales director North America, Typhoon, which has had a showroom in 41 Madison for three years. www.typhoongroup.com Why did Typhoon decide to open a showroom in New York and at 41 Madison, in particular?

We opened the showroom in New York as we needed to have a modern and inviting space to welcome our growing US customer base.

We wanted to be able to have in-depth meetings and present our brands in their best light and we felt Forty One Madison was the perfect place for us to do this, surrounded by other leading tableware brands.

Which brands do you focus on in particular?

Typhoon Homewares is a subsidiary of The Rayware Group and in the US we focus on five of the Rayware brands including Kilner, Mason Cash, Typhoon, Viners and Price & Kensington, which we recently reintroduced.

We feel that with these brands we can tell a compelling story in the US and the product ranges are best suited to the North American market.

What benefits does a showroom give you?

Forty One Madison is conveniently centrally located in NYC and benefits from high-quality, modern showroom space. The building has become an important destination due to the mix of international tabletop and houseware brands housed here. The 41 Madison team are also a key benefit as they’re both attentive and supportive.

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www.hlcdinnerware.com

Lenox Inspired by vintage Lenox patterns, this limitededition nesting set opens to reveal six bowls and two plates inside. Designed with luxe glazing and intricate carvings, it's an artistic centrepiece turned dinnerware. And only 130 pieces have been created!

www.lenox.com

Juliska Juliska will present its Spring 2020 product offerings, including its new Floral Collection, the Berry and Thread Floral Sketch, which features Wisteria, Jasmine, Cherry Blossom and Camellia flowers, and the glass collection, Gallerie, which features clear and pink coloured mouth-blown glass pieces.

www.juliska.com

Alessi Alessi will introduce its AW19 Collection, including Caffa by Giulio Iacchetti, a thermoinsulated travel cup with a vacuum cavity and conical shape; a small version of the Lisse kettle; and a nine-cup version of David Chipperfield's Moka coffee pot.

Alessi also expands its iconic Circus range by Marcel Wanders with new spice jars (pictured) and a new limited-edition cake stand, featuring new circus character, the seal. Alessi has updated its best-loved bowls and trays with relief decor in red and dramatic black in the Fibonacci sequence of its innovative Extra Ordinary Metal range.

www.alessi.com

Gibson

Did you know…?

In the Typhoon Group showroom, iconic British brand Mason Cash will present its Classic Collection Dinnerware, delivering on-trend earthy tones of green, grey and cream across contemporary stoneware shapes, all of which is dishwasher, microwave and freezer-safe. www.typhoongroup.com

The Show coincides with Gibson’s 2020 Trend Book (think style/design trends impacting the industry). The new direction incorporates a range of neutral earth tones to vibrant colours, tribal artistry to industrial verve with cultural influences spanning the globe and integrating harmoniously. And more than what you see, this upcoming year is also about what you feel, says the brand.

Design takes on a tactile dimension that sets the mood as well as the table. Discover the latest launches set by such trends.

www.gibsonusa.com

Mepra Italian metals company Mepra takes inspiration from the 1950s with a brand-new collection of cutlery and tableware, a re-introduction of a range that was a huge success for the brand in the economic boom of the 1950s.

The shapes and lines of Original Vintage are inspired by the 1950s and includes complete cutlery sets, including a knife for soft cheese, as well as hors d’oeuvre plates, from coasters to large serving trays and from ice buckets to carafes. Each piece is crafted from 18/10 stainless steel.

www.mepra.it

New colourway!

Royal Doulton’s popular Pacific pattern, which is inspired by the gentle irregularities of the seashore and surrounding landscapes, has been extended to include a new Mint colourway. The rich pastel mint colour adds a softness to the six bold and unique designs in the eclectic collection – think dots, splashes, texture, brushstroke, lines and circles. www.fiskars.com TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 93

Zak Designs

Taitu

Show Review Homi

Homi Outdoor

Clayre & Eef

With the outdoor category expected to grow 4.5 per cent per year, Homi Milano launched its debut edition of Homi OutdoorHome&Dehors, which ran September 13-16, and was dedicated to product and trends in the outdoor space

T

he new lifestyle concept from Homi Milano, Homi OutdoorHome&Dehors, made its debut at fieramilano in Milan in September (13-16).

Dedicated to the world of interior and exterior decoration and accessories, including tableware, for the outdoor space, this show – set to take to the stage every September – celebrated borderless living, where living spaces are no longer limited by external walls, but have opened up to incorporate outdoor spaces.

According to Homi Milano, the outdoor category has grown by 3.2 per cent, on average, annually over the last decade and is expected to grow by 4.5 per cent per year.

“We are seeing a surge in interior decoration for the outside, solutions to adorn balconies and enrich gardens, from tablecloths to planters and storage,” says Homi Milano. “We are also seeing the increasingly strong presence of natural materials such as wood, plant fibres, stone and raw fabrics used in the design of objects, from table centres to chandeliers.”

Product offer During the new exhibit, 361 brands, 40 per cent from overseas (19 countries including Germany, France, Spain and the UK), presented their new products for the outdoor space across categories including accessories, decorations, furniture, table art, green products, textiles and gadgets.

There was plenty of tabletop on offer: Taitu delivered its porcelain featuring botanical and bloominspired prints; while Greggio displayed its large serveware pieces, suitable for the outdoor space, along with mini vases and candles.

From wooden salad bowls and abaca food covers to linen napkins and bamboo cutlery, outdoor homeware company Fiorira Un Giardino delivered plenty of tableware among its contemporary outdoor product offer, all featuring a natural, organic yet modern style.

And home accessory manufacturer and wholesaler Clayre & Eef presented its mixed-material offerings in neutral tones of greys, creams and pastels – think ceramics, enamelware and wireware all in a country style theme.

Outdoor trends The dynamic layout of the new international show, which extended across Halls 18, 22 and 24 of fieramilano, further delivered a series of macro trends for both present and future lifestyles, with environmental awareness, craftsmanship and the merging of spaces taking centrestage.

The main trends spotlighted included: Green in DNA, a series of furnishing accessories with a focus on design and craftsmanship using cutting-edge materials; Plastic with an Eco Heart, a range of solutions and ideas for a sustainable lifestyle; and The Kitchen Across Boundaries, which presented the merging of outdoor and indoor design.

In addition, the exhibition hosted a national exclusive showcasing the winning projects in the Expo Dubai 2020 Design Competition.

In line with the Expo 2020 ‘Connecting Minds, Creating The Future’ theme, innovative product prototypes were presented, demonstrating how objects can connect spaces and people.

Don’t miss… Homi Milano January Edition

All the extras There was a rich programme of talks, workshops and seminars encouraging debate on key themes including the outdoor and sustainability. Training centred round the Innovation Hub, which was dedicated to talks on the latest techniques for designing indoor and outdoor spaces and innovative services dedicated to sales outlets.

In collaboration with the Platform Architecture and Design magazine, there was a programme of three sessions, which looked at the blending of indoor/outdoor spaces via 10 projects by key Italian designers.

Retail-related training was on offer, with the Casatile Workshops, which focused on sustainability and green issues, helping retailers to create a new product category and learn about shop window staging.

The next Homi Outdoor will take place at fieramilano, September 2020. www.homihomeanddehors.com

This edition, taking place January 24-27, will be the first edition of Homi devoted entirely to home furnishing styles in which furniture, tableware, kitchenware, home textiles and giftware will take centrestage. New and emerging generations, a return to the past, technology as a driver and sustainability are just some of the social trends Homi will be embracing. The Festivity Sector will return, opening two days before the show, and delivering a holiday theme focused on both age-old traditions and new trends. There will also be a rich programme of meetings and workshops, offering an overview of market trends, ideas and suggestions, to help retailers grow their business. www.homimilano.com 94 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

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