Villeroy & Boch at Ambiente 2009: New Products and Trends
New Products and Trends for Spring 2009:
Arden Lane
- new "Country" segment collections
- tableware with retro elegance
- gourmet glass series for connoisseurs and wine lovers
- gift articles and accessories of porcelain and glass
- new articles for all aspects of serving and dining
- the 2009 Christmas Collection
The motto of Villeroy & Boch's new 2009 spring tableware introductions could be expressed as "European tradition and timelessness, instead of short-lived trends." Following this idea, it is possible to recognise three main themes.
The "Country" segment traces the significance of nature for our modern society and expresses it in a rediscovery of individuality and a conscious deceleration of life's pace. Important catchwords here are healthy eating and the cultivation of private gardens as places for relaxation. Plain, clear shapes and subtle patterns comply particularly well with this attitude to life. Also extremely popular are traditional, floral motifs presented in light, fresh colours on long-established shapes.
A distinct return to traditionally European values can be observed in the "Classic" segment. While in recent years the top collections in this segment have been characterised by an opulent magnificence displaying lots of bright colours, quality precious metals and elaborate patterns – frequently inspired by oriental and exotic models – they are now being replaced by a more subtle style. Modelled on art-deco stylistic elements and patterns and on style forms of the 1930s to 1950s, Villeroy & Boch interprets a new esprit along the lines of neo-bourgeoisie. It is extremely decorative and elegant, but at the same time remains intentionally subtle with a certain understatement.
The third trend theme is also to be understood as a contemporary "back to the roots" concept – namely folklore presented in a modern interpretation. Familiar values with a European, yet also exotic, background are found again in many of the patterns and motifs – throughout the lifestyle segments: not only are the interpretations warm and harmonious in "Country", as is naturally expected, but also in the "Metropolitan" and "Classic" segments.
All of the new product introductions for 2009 display the unmistakable style of the European brand manufacturer. At the same time they combine trendsetting designs with perfect style and innovative technology with intelligent concepts.
New "Country" Segment Collections
Tableware in the modern "Country" segment has been newly defined for "New Cottage": it is subtle, balanced and clear. What has resulted is a shape which focuses on the harmonising characteristics of Nature, integrates the latest lifestyle themes and, at the same time, adheres to the design principle of lightness. The "New Cottage" range consists of fine china tableware in a pure white design and "Green Garland", a version displaying a lithographically-applied pattern. Matching these series are selected tableware items with the theme "Healthy Eating", cutlery made of forged 18/10 special steel and a set of crystal drinking glasses.
Special emphasis has been given once again to romanticism and nostalgia in the "Rêve en fleur" tableware series. For this purpose a warm, emotional pattern has been created which takes up the great tradition of nature themes and completes the spectrum of colours in the traditional "Country" segment. While "French Garden" presents the colours yellow and green, and "Cottage" is characterised by shades of red and blue, "Rêve en fleur" is laid out in the colours green and blue. The fine china tableware series is designed with a main line and two secondary lines.
Tableware with Retro Elegance
"Retro" constitutes a strong, stable trend in the furnishing sector. For the design of its new "Classic" collection, "Arden Lane", Villeroy & Boch has interpreted the latest "Re-Think and Re-Mix" idea. "Arden Lane" is manufactured on the "Anmut" form which was developed for Villeroy & Boch by Karl Leutner in the 1950s. A completely new feature is the balance displayed between masculine and feminine elements within a pattern. The colour scheme follows the fashion of the 1940s: natural shades, sandstone and taupe are given a contemporary revival by shimmering mother-of-pearl and copper features. The "Arden Lane" fine china tableware series is available as a complete dinner and coffee service. An elegant series of glasses has been created to match the service. Its delicate, chic appearance displays a hint of retro glamour. Perfecting the table setting is the cutlery series "Pegasus Aureus" from the existing range.
Gourmet Glass Series for Connoisseurs and Wine Lovers
Villeroy & Boch has launched a classically elegant series of special glasses for wine lovers who expect only the very best. Its name: "Allegorie Premium". The timeless wine glasses capture the basic characteristics of different types of wine. Terms such as freshness, fruity note, elegance, body or noble basic tone can be allocated to the shapes of each of the glasses. There is a choice of seven different glasses, all made of crystal and blown.
Gift Articles and Accessories of Porcelain and Glass
Villeroy & Boch has a great wealth of knowledge where the development and manufacture of exclusive porcelain and glass gifts and decoration articles is concerned. It is therefore presenting a selection of appropriate products for the year 2009.
An extension has been made, for example, to the collection of figurines "Benedikt & Friends" – which was created by the Viennese artist Rosemarie Benedikt. New figures and settings have been added to the categories Sport, Automobile and Wellness, and an additional new category, "Travel" is being introduced. Animal figures are being created for this category and will display typical activities for the respective tour destinations. The 2009 umbrella theme is "Africa". An extension has likewise been made to the "Benedikt & Friends Functional World" line by adding objects which have been detached from the dramatical network of themes and complement the collection functionally.
Additionally, there are new glass products which have been worked to the highest standards, for example the "Rivage" votive series and also extensions to the "Light & Flowers", "Fame", "Finery", "Helium" and "My Garden" series.
New Articles for All Aspects of Serving and Dining
Villeroy & Boch is contributing to the trend theme "Country Chic" with its new horn cutlery "Meadows". It presents a refined but also affordable variant of a cutlery series with horn-look handles.
Comprising practical basic products for the kitchen and table, the successful "Home Elements" series has again been extended, this time to include the latest functional products with clear , simple shapes in the series' typical design. A new feature is the colour jade, which matches a lot of styles and tableware series. The extended "Home Elements Preparing & Storing" segment now also includes a herb pot, a chopping board and a carving board. Following the "Breakfast" theme, the "Home Elements Serving" segment now offers a storage jar for coffee pads and also two jam pots.
Characterised by its combination of clear glass and cool special steel, the multifunctional "Hot & Cool" collection has likewise been extended to include new products in a plain, modern design. On the theme of "Beverages: Drink Specials" there's now a cocktail/martini glass and a schnapps glass, which is also perfect for presenting amuse bouches. A dish with stem/dessert dish and a dish have been included in the items offered on the theme of "Food & Finger Food: Desserts and Snacks".
The 2009 Christmas Collection
Products for the Christmas period have played a major part in Villeroy & Boch's range for many years. Again in 2009 therefore, the company is also presenting a large selection of imaginative, affectionately-designed articles for winter and the Christmas season.
A new introduction is the "Christmas Bakery" collection which illustrates the pre-Christmas period with its festive preparations and concentrates particularly on baking. The result is a series which is both decorative and functional, one which expresses the anticipation and pleasures experienced in Advent. In addition, an extension was also made to the romantic seasonal collection "My Winter". The tableware pattern "My Winter Forest" introduces motifs of forest animals and a festive red colour into the series. Complementing these collections is a selection of new accessories which are presented in plain white with delicate silver features and are ideal for use as subtle decorations. Further deco items and items for the laid table have also been created for the successful "Christmas Nostalgia" collection.
Your Press Contact:
Rita Schwaab
Product Press and Public Relations
Tel.: 0 68 64 – 81 27 17
e-mail: schwaab.rita@villeroy-boch.com