Short videos & high tea in Frankfurt – experience the United Kingdom first-hand.

Dylan Macdonaldblog

From 10 to 14 February, the United Kingdom is to become the sixth Partner Country at the world’s leading consumer-goods fair, Ambiente, following in the footsteps of Italy, the USA, Japan, France and Denmark. Some 150 companies from the Partner Country will be promoting themselves and their products at this leading world trade fair in the Dining, Living and Giving sections, including brands such as Arthur Price, Bluebellgray, Dualit, Hudson of England, Joseph Joseph, T&G Woodware and Wedgwood.

There will be an extensive display – the Partner Country’s presentation ‘Providence & Provenance’ in the Foyer of Hall 4.1 – to showcase the products of the British exhibitors. This exhibition will be curated by British designer Janice Kirkpatrick. “Janice Kirkpatrick has extraordinary skill as a designer. Born in Scotland, she is one of the United Kingdom’s leading graphic and product designers. We are very much looking forward to working with her and to putting her creative ideas for presenting the United Kingdom at Ambiente into practice. Her realisation is sure to be impressive,” says Nicolette Naumann, Vice President Ambiente. Under the heading of the ‘Graven Design Log’, the Graven Design Studio will be presenting ten one-minute videos that are being published on their site at Graven.co.uk. The final sequence will appear for the first time at Ambiente. Kirkpatrick speaks from 30 years’ experience as an international designer and from her work on international projects for demanding and high-profile clients in a multiplicity of different sectors. “I am taking advantage of the Graven Design Log to show its audience what design is and how it can make an essential contribution to the future success of the United Kingdom,” explains Janice Kirkpatrick.

The Café Jade Serenity, in Hall 4.1, offers a place to relax and reflect. It has been created by designer Bethan Gray exclusively with items from her furniture collection. She works with soft colours, gentle shapes and natural materials that awaken associations of the Welsh countryside. For that is the home of this creative designer, who combines cutting-edge design technology with traditional craftsmanship.

This year’s Partner Country will be issuing invitations to discussions and high tea in the best British tradition. The UK Pavilion in Hall 11.1, stand F21B, will be promoting selected products relating to gifts, lifestyle and household goods, all with the stamp of British design. The Department for International Trade will, in conjunction with British Jewellery & Giftware International and the British Home Enhancements Trade Association, be inviting people to join them in the UK Pavilion on Friday 10 February. From 4:0 p.m. to 6:0 p.m., visitors will be able to see for themselves both the latest products and the bestsellers that are all ‘made in the UK’. In addition, Mark Garnier, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for International Trade, will attend as representative of the British House of Commons. Buyers can look forward to acquainting themselves with the new products from British companies over traditional afternoon tea on both Saturday (11 February │4 p.m. – 6 p.m.) and Sunday (12 February │4 p.m. – 6 p.m.) in Hall 4.2 │ Room ‘Dimension’. In addition, on 13 February, the dedicated Partner Country Day, visitors can expect numerous promotions at the stands of exhibitors from the United Kingdom. Detailed information is contained in a special Partner Country Brochure, which will be made available at the show.