Direct from Market: Frankfurt
Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts and Dec, 2/16/2011 3:40:59 PM
Frankfurt, Germany - The aisles were buzzing and vendors were happy during the Ambiente fair in Frankfurt. Powerhouses like 
Villeroy & Boch, Rosenthal and WWRD were all very busy and it was so busy in some sections of the Messe that it was difficult to get down an aisle - a welcome problem for sure. And while Ambiente attracts buyers for around the globe, it was noted that there were many American and Canadian buyers walking the show, as well as vendors familiar to the American market.
Ed Kilduff, COO of Prepara, was very pleased with the show this market. "It's a great show. It's less about the price and more about the design," he said.
And the positive attitude was heard by many throughout the show. Paul Stewart of Stewart/Stand was exhibiting at Ambiente for the first time and told Gifts & Decorative Accessories that he was having a very good show.
In fact, many vendors find Ambiente to be their best European show. "This is a great show. It's actually our best show because you get buyers from all over the world - America, Armenia, Argentina," said Maurizio Rispoli, senior international sales manager of Joseph Joseph.
What's for Dinner?
Villeroy & Boch
Villeroy & Boch's biggest dinnerware introduction actually made its debut at the October Tabletop show in New York. Farmhouse Touch and Farmhouse Touch Blueflowers are simple in design, and the blue cornflowers add a country element to the table. New Wave remains one of the company's most popular collections. In the New Wave Caffe line, Villeroy & Boch introduced Colours of Brazil, featuring bright hues and exotic motifs. The company also introduced the Amazonia collection of giftware that is inspired by the Amazon. Authentic Avant Garde is a new collection of giftware whose patterns are based on Villeroy & Boch tiles from the 19th century. The line includes an espresso cup, plates and serveware, and the pieces come in a gift box.
Spode is breaking from tradition and offering a selection of dinnerware with a
Spode
more contemporary look. This market the company offered six new designs, two of which are slated for the American market. Lucia is a colorful traditional floral pattern with a scallop-shaped plate and Christina is also a floral pattern, but done in a more modern black and white.
Exotic themes were on display at the Wedgwood booth. Kilim is a new dinnerware collection from Jasper Conran that features an ikat pattern in several colors. Conran's Mosaic and Diamond Embossed dinnerware is done in black and white and navy and white, respectively.
Rosenthal's new dinnerware collection, Format, is a white collection 
Rosenthal
featuring basic architectural forms such as cylinders and cones done in thin blue lines. The look is very mid-century modern.
Weiss is another new collection with five patterns within the line: Weiss, Pixo, Gallant, Lagoon and Guilloche.
In Versace, purple was the color of the moment. Le Grand Divertissment was designed by Donatella Versace and features the purple hue in her current fashion collection. And it's important to note that purple is still a strong color - it was seen not only in dinnerware but in decorative accessories as well.
Also within the Versace brand, La Doree is a collection of gift items done in gold. The line includes coffee cups, platters plates and more.
White Hot
White was a big color seen throughout the fair in both dinnerware and home accessories. ASA Selection featured a
ASA Selection
collection of white decorative accessories and at Kahla, Centuries dinnerware was available in various patterns, including Festoon and Marguerite.
White accessories were also spotted in furniture at the Riverdale and Van Roon Living booths.
Friendly Materials
New types of eco-friendly materials were also seen at the show. Spanish 
XD Modo
manufacturer Oga Pora introduced a melamine collection made from 100 percent biodegradable bamboo fiber. The material is called Tritan and it is a BPA-free material that is made by American company Eastman.
XD Modo offered a products made from cornstarch, a PLA bioplastic.
London Calling
As in the States, British motifs were spotted throughout the fair. KARE, G. Wurum, Lazis and Steen Design all featured decorative accents featuring the Union Jack. In fact, Steen Design's Miss 
Lazis
Marple & St. Mary Mead collection is all about British design and includes chintz, plaid and pub design elements.
Tech Gear
With all of the gadgets we carry around, it's time to cash in with tech gear and accessories. All around the Young & Trendy section of the Ambiente fair, buyers could find some kind of accessory for the iPod, iPad, ereader and more. Driin is a mobile phone holder. When your phone needs charging, simply place the Driin over the plug and rest the phone onto it. Bobino is a sleek little item that you can wrap your cord around to keep things neat and tidy.
Music Rocker offers ottomans and other chairs which you can plug your iPod into and play your music. And 
Music Rocker
's new Zikmu Parrot speaker was getting a lot of attention. The sleek speaker is designed by Phillipe Starck and comes in various colors.
Happy Anniversary
Several companies which are celebrating anniversaries in 2011 had special booth displays set up throughout the show floor. Rosenthal is celebrating 50 years of its Studio line. And to celebrate the company is 
presenting a limited edition of 50 vases that were selected to reflect the diversity and innovation of the line. The vases are limited to one size per design and are offered in black or white porcelain. As part of the anniversary, Rosenthal is offering a collection of ten mugs without handles featuring designs from the past 50 years.
Reisenthel is celebrating 40 years in business and Arzberg is celebrating 80 years. The company set up a separate display that chronicled the company's history.
We would love your feedback!
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