Wedgwood was founded by Josiah Wedgwood, an entrepreneurial twenty-nine year old Staffordshire potter in 1759, it was his vision, creativity and passion that was to transform English pottery from a cottage craft into an art form and international industry.
Throughout its history Wedgwood has provided fine bone china tableware for entertaining and bringing people together. Today a dynamic in-house creative team, partnerships with high-profile designers including Jasper Conran and Vera Wang, and the much-loved Beatrix Potter collections has helped Wedgwood to continuously evolve and lead modern dining and homeware trends.
Precious skills are preserved through an apprenticeship programme, while Wedgwood’s Artist in Residence, celebrates Wedgwood’s renowned heritage of innovative and craftsmanship, with Japanese ceramicist, Hitomi Hosono, the latest artist to join the residency.
Craftsmanship is accessible to the public at the inspirational World of Wedgwood – Wedgwood’s global brand experience centre in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent. Attractions include the award-winning Wedgwood Museum; seeing the artisans at work during the factory tour; enjoying a pottery workshop and exploring Wedgwood at the Wedgwood Tea Conservatory – the heart of Wedgwood’s flagship store.
Fiskars bought Wedgwood in 2015, kicking off a brand journey to bring the spirit of its founder back in a new way and to make Wedgwood relevant again; evolving it from offering great products to consumer-centric experiences.
Wedgwood has partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which was founded by John Wedgwood (Josiah’s eldest son) in 1804. The RHS Flower Shows in 2019 – Chelsea and Chatsworth – form the perfect platform to show Wedgwood’s evolution and newness in a surprising and relevant context. At the Wedgwood Tea Conservatory – visitors will be able to enjoy the Wedgwood Tea Experience served in fine bone china from the Wonderlust Collection. The exceptional beauty of exotic florals and plants from different continents inspired these colourful, eclectic designs. Bernadine Tay, a global tea curator, has developed an original tea offering, the Wonderlust Tea collection, which has taken cues from culture and art in the spirit of the historic Grand Tour, to create innovative tea blends with extraordinary flavours.
The Wild Strawberry Gold collection, new for 2019, will also be on display within the Wedgwood Tea Conservatory. The collection features crisp, clean white porcelain decorated with finely drawn leaves, flowers and succulent red strawberries, and complimented with the addition of gold foliage and delicate butterflies. The classic design sits at the heart of Wedgwood’s celebrated tableware collection, and remains one of its best selling patterns of all time.
Discover Wedgwood at the RHS Flower Shows in 2019 or visit the World of Wedgwood in Barlaston. Follow the brand #wedgwood, and be the first to explore how Wedgwood continues to be an innovator of British lifestyle, making the everyday extraordinary.
www.wedgwood.co.uk
