The new ancient porcelain, Lladrò turns 70
“We have elevated the status of porcelain from a traditional decorative item to a contemporary art form, combining artistic expression, technical mastery, and a forward-thinking approach to design”. A conversation with Ana Rodríguez Nogueiras, CEO of Lladró
Lladró today is the result of 70 years of innovating and revolutionizing handcrafted creations in porcelain. Their goal is to continue revitalizing porcelain and to further explore the creative possibilities it offers us.
Kicking off the 70th anniversary year, Lladrò inaugurated a new store in New York, marking the brand's first venture into the United States with its new concept dedicated to showcasing its most innovative creative designs and collaborations.
The common desire to innovate brought Lladró and Jaime Hayon together in a relationship that began in 2006 and was consolidated after the launch of various collections such as The Fantasy or The Guest. A happy meeting that would mark a milestone both for Lladró and Hayon.
Celebrating the 10-year milestone of The Guest project and the 70th anniversary of the brand, Jaime Hayon once again exemplifies Lladró's unwavering dedication to preserving and enhancing its legacy of craftsmanship through contemporary and conceptual designs. In his latest piece, Embraced, Hayon captures the very essence of Lladró's artistic and technical audacity.
Embraced, as described by its designer, portrays a figure contorting itself to embrace and find comfort within its own being. This creation symbolizes the significance of self-care, embodying that innate part of ourselves that chooses to live life with enthusiasm and unwavering optimism.
This 70 years of Lladró also correspond with the launch of The Porcelain Revolution book. Designed by our art team in collaboration with Odosdesign studio from Valencia, the book offers a journey through our most innovative creations. It showcases the artisanal quality and deep connection with our history.
One of the keys to Lladró's success lies in its unique artisanal processes and artistic knowledge gained through years of experience. All pieces are handcrafted in the brand's workshop in Valencia, following an artisanal process.
With our brand we have contributed to the art of porcelain by developing its own techniques and creating new processes that have revolutionized this field. In addition, the company's constant curiosity has led it to explore new aesthetic paths with external collaborators, turning it into a creative laboratory at the forefront of craftsmanship.
Lladró's introduction of limited edition series and collaborations with prominent artists and designers have solidified the brand position as design innovators. These special collections have brought fresh perspectives, unconventional forms, and unique interpretations to porcelain, attracting collectors and enthusiasts from around the world.
In these years, we have carried out an intense task and have organized artistic production under three main categories: Heritage, New Concept, and Lighting, each of which includes different product lines. It has been and continues to be a comprehensive development. For example, Heritage encompasses creations linked to emotions, traditions, or culture, including the High Porcelain collection, which represents the most artistically and technically complex creations.
New Concept, on the other hand, encompasses the most innovative proposals and serves as a space for experimentation. It ranges from collections designed by internationally renowned artists to jewelry, home fragrances, and wireless lighting.
Lastly, we have the lighting line, which benefits from the exceptional qualities of porcelain. It is customizable and immersive, and we have developed significant collections and collaborations such as the Soft Blown collection by Nichetto Studio, which we recently presented at the Salone del Mobile.Milano, or Mokuren, in collaboration with Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa.
All this diversified creativity requires a well-coordinated structure involving all areas, and our challenges include becoming increasingly flexible to quickly adapt to new trends and the evolving needs of our customers.
We aim to continue experimenting with new ways of conveying our proposal and values to the new generations and emerging markets (such as China or Latin America) while exploring the creative possibilities offered by porcelain.
We believe that the key lies in the way of storytelling, in the various expressive paths.
We continually embraced artistic innovation, employing talented designers and collaborating with renowned artists to create groundbreaking porcelain sculptures and decorative pieces. They have incorporated modern aesthetics, contemporary themes, and experimental techniques into their designs, breaking away from the traditional notions of porcelain art.
Renowned artists and designers continuously infuse their unique and creative visions into the brand's expertise. From The Guest project, featuring collaborations with distinguished names such as Paul Smith, Henn Kimm, Ricardo Cavolo, Gary Baseman, and many more, to our most recent lighting collections designed by notable talents like Luca Nichetto, Naoto Fukasawa, Olga Hanono, and Marcel Wanders, just to mention a few, the brand thrives on this intriguing exchange.
In recent years, as part of a multichannel deployment plan that includes the opening of its own boutiques and pop-up spaces, as well as continuous development of the e-commerce channel, the company has made a significant investment to consolidate its presence in strategic markets across all five continents.
Kicking off our 70th anniversary year, we inaugurated a new store in New York in the Meatpacking District. Visitors have the opportunity to gain insights into Lladró's creative and craftsmanship processes through virtual technology experiences.
The new retail concept is also rolling out in select Lladró spaces and pop-ups around the world, including Beijing, Berlin, and Venice, all recently opened. This novel format is in harmony with the current concept of Lladró boutiques and the brand’s Madrid flagship.