It was standing room only when TV chef, presenter and author Nadiya Hussain took part in a live Q & A at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) earlier this week.
Nadiya was interviewed by Jessica Blue, SVP, Global Licensing Group, where she talked about her journey from being crowned winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2015 to becoming a TV chef, presenter and author. She also discussed the concept behind the launch of her first licensed range of homewares for BlissHome. “I was completely hands on from the very beginning,” emphasised Nadiya, “with meetings taking place over tea and cake in my kitchen at home.”
The range, available from November 7, has been inspired by Nadiya’s love of vibrant colours and tactile designs and is the result of her passion to produce something beautiful and handcrafted that can be used every day. It features eight different designs across the full tableware range, as well as kitchen candles, spice racks, aprons, oven gloves and tea towels.
The textiles display a signature Talipot palm leaf in memory of her grandfather. “It was very important for me to include this, as it evokes memories of my grandfather who planted one his garden in Bangladesh. The tree is very special as it only flowers once every 100 years,” she explained, with the hand painted leaf design is reflected throughout the collection. “It was important for me to include a little bit of what really matters to me.”
Speaking exclusively to GiftsandHome.net, Nadiya also revealed that she is a compulsive gift buyer. “When I see something I like for a friend or a family member I have to buy it, therefore I’m always buying gifts,” she laughed. “I buy randomly and at random times of the year regardless of birthdays and other special occasions.”
Top: Nadiya Hussain shows off her new homewares range for BlissHome, which includes kitchen candles and textiles.
*Since winning the sixth series of The Great British Bake Off, Nadiya has presented The Chronicles of Nadiya, Nadiya’s British Food Adventure, Nadiya’s Family Favourites, as well as co-presenting The Big Family Cooking Showdown and Junior Bake Off. She is also a regular on the One Show. She has written seven cookery books and one fiction book, has a column in The Times, and works with BBC Good Food. Married to Abdul, she has three children.
