Market Report — New York Tabletop
By Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts and Dec, 11/3/2006 6:07:00 AM
November 2, 2006 — The New York Tabletop Market is quite different from your average gift show, the main difference being that it’s an appointment-driven show. As a result, the traffic never appears to be as heavy as at other markets. Yet despite the quiet buildings, showrooms were reporting a busy market; most said they were having a good show and were pleased with how things were going.
WATERFORD WEDGWOOD
Two of the many introductions at this Tabletop Market were the Marc Jacobs Waterford collection and the Robert Mondavi collection for Waterford. Marc Jacobs, best known in the fashion world for his quirky, edgy designs, created a collection of dinnerware, stemware and crystal giftware that is elegant and refined. The collection features six patterns, each named for Jacobs’ friends and loved ones.
The Robert Mondavi by Waterford collection features a selection of wine glasses crafted for specific types of wine. The collection includes champagne flute, Fume/Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and martini. All of the shapes are simple — this collection is all about the experience of drinking the wine .
Waterford has also teamed with glass artist Robert Held to create a limited edition of decorative glass pieces in a pair of designs, each in two sizes. Crucible Bowls feature a swirled effect and incorporate 24-kt. gold in the design. Art Nouveau vases are reminiscent of early 20th century art glass, and feature a peacock feather design.
Wedgwood introduced Eternity, a simple white bone china pattern that the company hopes will inspire consumers to use every day. Krayl Funch of Wedgwood told Gifts & Decorative Accessories that the company conducted a consumer survey asking brides and newlyweds if they use their china every day, and when the common answer was “no,” Eternity was born. It comes as a four-piece place setting, or sold as four dinner and four salads.
UK designer Kelly Hoppen takes a clean approach to her designs, and likes to incorporate woods and metals through her accessories. Her collection for Wedgwood includes three patterns: Ripple, Clouds and Waves. The designer also created a collection of wood trays, metal chopsticks, wood chargers, as wells as glassware to coordinate with the lines.
SHOWROOM HIGHLIGHTS
Over at Haviland, we were surprised to see that the company’s newest pattern, In Time, was quite modern — a departure for the traditional Limoges dinnerware manufacturer. In Time uses black, white and red to create a minimalist pattern with an Asian influence. The second introduction, Allure, is more in tune with the company’s traditional look, featuring interlocking ovals and a band that comes in four colors: Graphite, Pearl, Blue and Satin Platine. Haviland also debuted its crystal collection of hand-blown stemware, barware and giftware. In all there are 10 patterns, five of which are available in four colors: Smoke, Amber, Green and Amethyst.
Christofle introduced Ora Ïto, a new flatware storage case made of black resin. The case, which has various compartments, can be configured to any shape to fit into a drawer or used for serving on a buffet table.
With this new piece, Christofle is encouraging customers to use their silverware every day. In addition to some line extensions, the company introduced Charlie Bear, a children’s silver collection made up of a music box, photo frame, bank, spoon, cups, tooth box and jewelry. In accessories, the Christofle came out with a collection of crocodile-inspired gifts, including a cigarette case, portable ashtray, lighter holder, travel frame and eyeglass case.
No Limit is Rosenthal’s newest dinnerware pattern. The traditional round plates — five in all — are all about color: blue, yellow, green, white and red.
Moser introduced Pyramid, a glass sculpture in the shape of a pyramid, which comes in four colors: clear, orange, smoke and lavender. At $210 retailers might find this a great gift for men.
Royal Doulton’s big news was the Gordon Ramsay collection of dinnerware, cookware, bakeware and stemware. Well-known chef and host of Hell’s Kitchen, Ramsay will use the new collection of copper and stainless steel cookware in his new New York restaurant, London NYC. The dinnerware is plain white or with a simple platinum band because, as far as Ramsay is concerned, it’s all about the presentation.
Reed & Barton introduced Arbor, a collection of nature-inspired serveware in leaf designs. Cast in polished aluminum, the pieces can go from the freezer to the oven to the table. The company also introduced baby giftware, most notably the Rain Globe from the Something Duckie line.
Accoutrements by Anna Griffin was the big introduction at Lenox this market. Griffin, best known for her botanical stationery line, created a dinnerware pattern in tune with her paper products. The collection’s three patterns — Cornelia Cream, Charlotte Green and Sweet Briar Rose — come in coordinating glassware and flatware that has an antique feel.
Poca Poc, which means “little by little” in Catalan — a Romance language similar to Spanish native to the region surrounding Barcelona —is a collection of dinnerware created by Marc Pascual. The designer buys blank plates in Limoges and hand glazes and hand-paints the patterns himself, offering the customer a unique dinnerware collection. A five-piece place setting goes for approximately $300.
Artel added a few new pieces to its line, including Weave, a modern yet conservative pattern. Artel takes the old way of cutting glass and reinterprets for today. David Wiseman also created a collection of glassware in an asymmetrical shape that can be used for drinking or decorating.
Royal Crown Derby introduced what is probably the ultimate in luxury items: a $1,000 covered cheese dish. Done in the Old Imari pattern, the solid gold banded dish also comes as a butter dish.
Rosanna is looking to focus on dinnerware, and has created six dinner and six salad plates that come gift boxed in sets of four. In response to the layering trend that’s going in fashion, this designer is looking to do the same on the table, allowing customers to mix and match patterns to create a table that reflects their personality. Also new is Let’s Play House, a children’s play set made up of a cupcake tray, cake stand and plates, all packaged in a dollhouse shaped gift box.
Arte Italica’s biggest introduction this time around is Splendore, alabaster glass dinnerware and accessories rimmed with pewter. Retailers can consider this striking design to make an eye-popping rustic Italian tabletop display.
Vietri introduced Francesca Blu at this market. The mustard yellow plates and accessories are accented with a sponge-effect pattern. Look for a solid blue dinnerware collection that will coordinate with it. Heirloom is also new; the creamy white dinnerware collection features flowers and country scenes in blue.
German manufacturer Ritzenhoff continues to create fun, edgy glassware and other giftable items. Light My Fire is a new collection that finds its inspiration in the old-fashioned table lamp. The porcelain base features fun motifs like flames and mod designs, and is topped with a clear glass shade. La Vela is a new collection of candles that glow from the inside when lit.
Next year marks Belleek’s 150th anniversary and to celebrate, the company has created 15 pieces to represent each decade the company has been in existence.
ASIAN INFLUENCES
Even though Asian scored rather low in the most recent Gifts & Decorative Accessories trends survey (coming in the December issue!), there were still quite a few introductions in the category at the Tabletop Market. At The Zrike Company, Tracy Porter’s new pattern Thalia features an Asian influence, and now the designer is turning to other materials to accentuate her dinnerware. The collection includes wood bowls, a bamboo tray, wood chargers and metal and bone and horn servers. Also from Porter is Art Under Glass. Zrike took the artist’s work and produced prints and then pressed them under glass in a selection of trays, mirrored placemats, cake stands; the looks are vintage. Porter has also created several giftables that can fly solo, including collectible mugs, bud vases and tea for ones.
The Zrike Company is participating in the Whatever It Takes charity. Celebrities give their message of hope, symbol of hope and self-portrait and Zrike takes the designs and incorporates them onto mugs. Twenty percent of the sale of each mug will go the celebrity’s charity of choice. George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and Coldplay are among those who have participated.
After Tracy Porter, Kellogg’s is the company’s best selling brand, so the manufacturer continues to expand on it. This market there is a Rice Krispies Treat serving bowl and tray with recipe on each, as well as a recipe for the microwave. Also new this market is the Kellogg Sport Series. The Kellogg line has done so well, Disney took note and the two plan to introduce a Disney collection in April 2007.
Villeroy & Boch’s big story is all about the gold. Golden Garden is an Asian-inspired bone china pattern featuring plates that are accented with yellow, green or pink blush flowers. Cascara takes the popular Country Heritage shape, a white pattern introduced last market, and adds a fruit motif giving it a vintage flavor.
Also rolling onto the market is New Wave Ocean, a collection that takes its inspiration from conch shells, whelks and oysters. The company also has a wide selection of Easter giftware that includes bunnies and eggs. Most impressive is a large egg-shaped vase, perfect for those spring bouquets.
The company is also creating more boxed gift sets, including appetizer sets, a fish platter and serving set, a set of four Country Heritage mugs and a serving set. The German manufacturer seems to want to make things easy for customer, so the company also added large-scale serving pieces in white that will go with any dinnerware pattern.
Herend featured a wide selection of new pieces this market. Most notable, its Asian-inspired accessories, including knife rests of a Chinese man in a number of reclining positions.
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