USA Focus

While much of the world looks to America to lead the fight against global terrorism, manufacturers are also looking to this country to lead the global economy out of its doldrums. That seemed to be the signal at the February Ambiente show in Frankfurt, where new introductions by major tabletop companies were fewer than in recent seasons, and were geared primarily to the U.S. market. The situation made for a lot of crossed fingers at the Messe Frankfurt venue.

The current U.S. recession was caused mainly by a plunge in business spending. The American consumer's use of plastic has continued apace, however, and that was the focus of the introduction of lines such as Parkland, by Villeroy & Boch, a porcelain collection targeted to the American market. The Parkland transitional collection is part of Villeroy's House & Garden segment. Inspired by "the legends of nature," Parkland patterns feature trees, leaves, and seedpods in green, yellow, and off-white colors. A toile tree pattern, in spring green, covers the charger plates, while a large pitcher features an American elm leaf pattern on one side, with a legend describing the elm tree on the other.

Bonjour, part of Villeroy's Switch segment, is a casual, colorful breakfast set in plaid, floral, and polka-dot patterns. More pieces have also been added to the successful New Wave collection of the Metropolitan segment that Villeroy introduced last year.

But perhaps the most interesting Villeroy introduction was Russia, the first in a series of collectible holiday decorations celebrating "the great Christian nations with their traditional Christmas decorations." The porcelain Basilica centerpiece is made up of "towers" (10" to 13" high) and "fountains" of 19th-century Russian Orthodox design, either in all-white or hand-painted holiday colors. The fountains hold tea lights. Villeroy plans to introduce a new piece each year, featuring a different country.

Rosenthal Studio-Line has really taken America to heart with its Andy Warhol Collection: Pop Art on porcelain and glass. Beethoven and Warhol himself are the two first portrait images featured in the collection of limited-edition glass plates and porcelain mugs, which will appeal to consumers both as gifts and collectible pieces.

The artist's "Daisies," popularized in the 1960s, are the featured pattern on a dinner set, porcelain mugs, and table accessories, and, while one doesn't usually associate Warhol with Christmas, he was a fan of the holiday and often gave drawings of cupids to his friends. Rosenthal Studio-Line adapted the Golden Angels cupids for a Christmas Collection of porcelain espresso cups and saucers, candlesticks, votive holders, ornaments, and glass plates and drinking glasses.

Wedgwood continues its efforts to become a luxury home lifestyle brand with a modern, contemporary look. Strong colors and excessive decoration are out; pure white, neutral tones, and simple designs are in.

That's the image of the Jasper Conran at Wedgwood collection of china and crystal tableware and accessories. The fashion designer, son of British retailing tycoon Terence Conran, maintains a "form follows function" vision. The Conran collection, introduced in the U.K. last fall, features white china with an embossed swirl detail, as well as accent pieces such as large platters and bowls in jasperware and bone china, finished in pewter and ivory metallic hues. The accent pieces are both functional and decorative. The swirl detail is echoed in the spiraling ring designs of the crystal collection, which features large drinking glasses as well as bowls, vases, candleholders, clocks, and photo frames.

Another fashion designer, Paul Costelloe, created an earthenware collection for Wedgwood that debuted in 2000. It features informal, oversized dining pieces such as pasta bowls, dinner plates, and serving platters in a neutral color palette of cream, limestone, and gray. For spring 2002, the company has added six new pieces, smaller in size, including bowls and mugs.

Important structural changes have occurred at Messe Frankfurt and Ambiente with the opening of the new Hall 3 and the Forum Festhalle. The two-level Hall 3, an attractive addition to the site, was home to the fair's new Bel Etage section, composed of the former Country Home and Classic Interior sections. Bel Etage featured mostly upscale home decor and casual furniture vendors. One dominant trend seen this year was chandeliers, which were on sparkling display in numerous show booths. The glass, crystal, and beaded fixtures featured either electric light or candle glow, and came in a wide range of sizes. Bright colors — including hot "Latin" shades of red, blue, yellow, and green — were evident in textiles and accessories. But the most prominent color was red, from jewel tones to fuchsia hues. And the trend to large — even huge — clear glass vases, bowls, and other decorative containers continues in 2002.

The 2002 Tendence show will take place August 30 to September 3.