To the delight of visitors to the first day of the Exclusively show yesterday (13 June), the legendary Dame Mary Berry was a star attraction on the Captivate stand (276). Meeting and greeting both buyers and the media, Mary was delighted to talk about her three tableware and houseware collections for the company – Signature (fine china), The English Garden (reflecting Mary’s love of gardening and birds) and the recently launched At Home range (focusing on the home baker and cook).
“I always wanted to have my own range, and the most important aspect has always been about the quality of the products, along with having items in the range that I would want for myself,” explained Mary. Talking about her new Mary Berry At Home range for Captivate, featuring kitchen gadgets, bakeware and utensils, she particularly highlighted the casserole dishes. “I can’t lift cast iron dishes, and don’t want to have to ask someone to help me, so these are perfect as they are much lighter,” she pointed out.
Also meeting up with visitors to the Captivate stand was award winning designer Yvonne Ellen, known for her passion for unique, quirky gifts and homewares. “It all started with a personalised, hand illustrated vintage tea set, made as a gift for my best friend’s wedding and has escalated from there,” Yvonne told GiftsandHome.net.
New Yvonne Ellen Captivate collections this year include gift-led, animal themed mugs, trinkets dishes, bowls, glassware, tins, water bottles, kitchen textiles and bakeware, as well as gift boxed slogan coasters, with storage jars brand new additions to the collection.
“My main aim is to create products that are fun and make people smile,” continued Yvonne, who also has a licensed home fragrancing collection with Wax Lyrical.
Elsewhere at the show, Denby’s master potter, Sean Flint, demonstrated his craft in the Exclusively Brand Showcase area. “All our products are made from locally sourced clay,” explained Sean, “with every piece touched by at least 20 pair of hands during the making process.”
Exclusively, which closes today, is taking place at London’s Business Design Centre.
Visit www.exclusivelyshows.co.uk
Top: Pictured on the Captivate stand at Exclusively, Dame Mary Berry holds a mug from her collection, The English Garden.
