Press
"we are delighted to welcome back Gift Focus and Attire Accessories as headline sponsors of Gift of the Year 2010.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS AND HIGHLY COMMENDED OF GIFT OF THE YEAR 2009 WELL DONE.
Made in the UK products shine for quality and design
Gift of the Year: a triumph
British designers of gift and home products have again proved why they are so respected around the world, according to Isabel Martinson, chief executive of The Giftware Association.
Judges of this year’s Gift of the Year competition praised the quality of entries when they met at The GA’s Birmingham headquarters to choose 2009’s winning and highly commended products. There were special bouquets for those Made in the UK.
Julie Goucher, director of buying for au naturale/Ethel Austin, said of this category: “It’s now commercial and there are some very good things in there at reasonable price points – and in these challenging times that has to be of prime importance.”
She applauded “some very good innovation” in the different product groupings and added: “There are quite a few things I have earmarked to follow up. I always like looking at the Under £10 category [won by Interplay UK] and I think that has been really good.”
Her fellow judge, Isabel Saiz, business development manager for The National Gallery, said that she was also “very impressed” with Made in the UK, which she described as “far and away the strongest category”.
“It has gone more from homespun, ‘crafty’ to be ahead of many other products – the quality, the finish, the packaging and the effort in design … that is very encouraging.”
She had also seen a huge increase in licensed product, with “more unusual brands represented”.
Retailer Kirsten Linton, owner of Cornucopia, had noticed a “lot of good things made in Britain”, and commented: “I have been judging this competition for a number of years and I think it’s very, very good this year. There are a lot of very interesting and innovative new products.”
Her particular favourite was the Marmite Pop Art range by ecp design, which won the Kitchen & Dining category.
Store owner Brian Wiseman, of Present Time, said: “Last year’s standard was very good and this year’s is markedly better – which I think is very encouraging at a time when, perhaps, we might have expected innovation and product development to be falling.
“I have seen some innovative products, but mostly good design – things that have really caught my eye. Not necessarily brand new ideas, but re-interpreted and beautifully presented. That’s what keeps this industry alive.”
He singled out “beautiful ranges” in Kids’ – the winning CWTCHES from Inch Blue and the highly commended Bunny Family Holiday (Fiesta Crafts). This category was also a favourite with Beverley Longton, buyer for Habitat of kids’ furniture, textiles, lighting, toys and creative accessories.
She commented: “I’ve seen things I’d like to buy myself for gifts or, as a mother, which I would buy for my children or other people’s children – definitely. I love the little boots [Inch Blue] – they make me quite broody.”
Citing Suck UK – a runner-up in the Home Accessories category with its Bookrest Lamp – Peter Burridge, owner of the Montpellier Gallery, said: “It’s good to see the familiar names, that are here year in and year out, still coming up with some good products and there are certain companies that shine through.”
Jenny Lockton of independent fashion and lifestyle retailer Bliss and Bohemia, thought the standard of entries was “undoubtedly better than last year”, with Kids and Branded Character categories “particularly strong”.
She commented: “At present, consumers are more price-conscious and are looking for products that are good quality and value for money. For me, the Wild and Wolf Ladybird Archive Collection [winner of the Branded Character category] ticked all the right boxes.”
Katie Campbell of Frankie Doodle – which has four shops in the North Cotswolds – said: “In my own buying I’m always looking for something that little bit different and this year’s Gift of the Year entries certainly provided plenty of choice.”
The mood of the judges was, perhaps, best summed up by Joanna Clark of Orient Express: “The Gift of the Year offers a wonderful opportunity for manufacturers and importers to showcase new items. It encourages product development and provides a terrific endorsement for those who win. Speaking personally, I find the judging really useful for spotting new trends and getting inspired.”
She was surprised at the strength of the Made in the UK category: “I wonder why some of these companies aren’t making more of the fact that their products are British-made. I think there is now a great cache in being produced in this country and that retailers are keen to honour local talent.”
Isabel Martinson commented: “The standard this year has been quite exceptional. Companies are now making products specifically to enter into Gift of the Year, and the fact that good suppliers are looking to seize any advantage during the economic downturn has given us a fabulous 2009 competition. It has once again demonstrated why British designers are so respected around the world.”
The competition was particularly successful for Wild and Wolf, whose products won both Branded Character and Stationery categories. They also had other products highly commended in these categories and Outdoor Living.
Entries were judged on design innovation and originality; quality of manufacture; sales potential and commercial viability; presentation and packaging; customer appeal and value; retail profit potential; marketing and merchandising support to the trade and the consumer; the ‘X/WOW factor’.
THE RESULTS
Branded Character: winner – Ladybird Archive Collection (Wild and Wolf); highly commended Wallace & Gromit Range (Ecp Design), Penguin Notebooks (Wild and Wolf).
Body, Mind & Soul: winner – Di Palomo White Grape and Aloe range (Di Palomo); highly commended, Original Book Jackets (That company called ‘if’), GIRLFRIEND Microfibre Hair Towel and Turban (Natural Products).
Card & Wrap: winner – Papier Couture by Rob Ryan (Roger La Borde); highly commended, Lost in Thought Greeting Cards (Santoro London), SKIZZ (ZZ Designs).
Collect It: winner – Fossil Gift Box (Junior Geo); highly commended, Dora Mouse – Country Folk (Dora Designs), Crystal Gift Box (Junior Geo).
Eco Friendly: winner – Bamboo Silk Satin Welcome Blanket (Noonoo Design); highly commended, 5BagZ and 3BagZ (ZPM), Salopian Wine Cheese Plate (Sarah Hill).
Fashion Accessories: winner – Union Jack Bangle Collection (one button); highly commended, Heaven & Earth (Hazel Atkinson Jewellery), PP Purse (Disaster Designs).
Home Accessories: winner – Flower Bottles (Dartington Crystal); highly commended, The Hydro Globe (The Milford Collection), Bookrest Lamp (SUCK UK).
Hot Novelty: winner – Sound Machine (Worldwide Co); highly commended, I Duck (Peers Hardy), The Mighty Mini Speaker (The Novelty Gift Company).
Kitchen & Dining: winner – Marmite Pop Art (Ecp Design); highly commended, Spudski (black+blum), Modern Botanicals (Big Tomato Company).
Kids: winner – CWTCHES (Inch Blue); highly commended, Grow my first … (Canova), Bunny Family Holiday (Fiesta Crafts).
Premium Luxury: winner – Reflection (C.G.E. World Globes); highly commended, V&A Mugs (Creative Tops); My Little Travelwrap (The Travelwrap Company).
Made in the UK: winner – Rabbit Nightlight (White Rabbit England); highly commended, Original Seed Boxes (The Original Metal Box Company), Mans Candle – a candle for the man (Canova).
Occasions: winner – The Birthday Yearbook (Two Little Boys); highly commended, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Silver-plated Collection (Portmeirion Potteries), Totseat – 2009 al fresco range (Totseat).
Outdoor Living: winner – Totseat – 2009 al fresco range (Totseat); highly commended, Jonart Wine Bottle and Glasses Holder (Jonart Design), Patchwork Pretty Useful Tools (Wild and Wolf).
Stationery: winner – Ladybird Archive Collection (Wild and Wolf); highly commended, Receipt Storage Book (K TWO Products), Penguin Notebooks (Wild and Wolf).
Under £10: winner – Dangerous Books for Boys Science Kits (Interplay); highly commended, The Little Book Holder (That company called ‘if’), Crystal Garden (Essania).
Further information from Alan Monahan on 01923 774191. Product Images and Winners brochure available from Amanda on 0121 237 1105 or email Amanda.wilkins@ga-uk.org
The GA work together with PR consultants to gain as much national and regional coverage as possible for the Awards, the Winners and the UK gift industry, across both trade and consumer press.
