Paul McCaffrey, Director
Once again it’s that time of year when the great and good of home and interiors make their yearly pilgrimage to Frankfurt for Ambiente. This year the show did not disappoint.
The 8 football pitch-sized halls were brimming with trends from around the world. I was there to visit my client Vitamix’s impressive stand as they celebrate 95 years of blending to encourage healthier lifestyles. The brand displayed a raft of machines from its rich history showing that innovation is key to the company’s success.
Loving my client’s @VitamixUK through the ages display at #ambiente16 @Publicasity #homePR pic.twitter.com/5pp1UBqsjx
— Paul McCaffrey (@PaulMacca1976) February 12, 2016
Away from the green smoothies, brands put on an impressive display of evolution and craftsmanship to show Europe, and indeed the rest of the world what we can expect in the next 12 months.
My personal favourites were Le Creuset whose new collection not only innovates and introduces the brand to a new audience but also stays true to its heritage. Villeroy and Boch’s mammoth display really showed why they are still the ones to watch with crowds queuing to enter its white palatial stand.
Italian brand Alessi excelled as always but it was in tableware where the exciting stuff was happening. Iittala has crafted an ingenious partnership with Japanese couturier Issey Miyake with a range of origami inspired products that unfold from intricate art pieces into useable products.
Do Italians do it better? #ambiente16 #homepr @Publicasity pic.twitter.com/J009zLLBgN
— Paul McCaffrey (@PaulMacca1976) February 12, 2016
In glassware Riedel and LSA International really led the way with innovative creations that show why craftsmanship is still key when it comes to home. LSA introduced beautiful tri-colour three-storey vases unlike anything I’ve seen, tying together sugar palates with traditional sculpted glass.
The show which is open for another three days is certainly worth a visit. As a leading homewares show, it certainly delivers on the inspiration and innovation that it so eagerly promises, meaning that once again this sector is an exciting place to be in in 2016.