inspired home show - review A welcome return for innovation!


Sarah Selzer provides some ‘on the ground’ insight for Housewares readers, with a focus on new and unexpected product innovation.


Artisan Juicer. Verve is a women-owned business, designed to combat the mass- market, according to co-founder Jules Vertrees. Other items include hand-blown glassware from recycled bottles, knives & garden shears and hand-woven textiles. Once Again is run by Lynne Owens with decades of background in textiles. She has created a whole business focused on sponges, cloths and towels, which are sustainable to use and sustainably-produced. “It’s only been in the last few years that new production methods have arrived on the scene,” said Lynne. “Different ways to manufacture fabrics that can truly make a positive impact on our global future. This is exciting!” All Once Again Home products can be used many times, absorb five times their weight in water and dry quickly to stay fresh. Garlic Gator was a great example of the


I


nnovation and inspiration has always been at the heart of the international housewares event in Chicago, not only


throughout the three halls, but all the elements involved in the show. It has been a long three years without an in-person event – the 2020 show had to be cancelled at the 11th hour because the pandemic had taken hold. But both the vaccine roll-out and the measures put in place by show organisers the IHA, venue McCormick Place and city and state-wide authorities, meant the show could be put on with confidence. As in other settings (including the Spring Fair), visitors had to show a Covid pass and were asked to wear masks (as they will have been at airports and on flights). In practice, many exhibitors were happy for visitors to their stands to remove them.”


Innovation round-up Before the show officially opened on the first day, the Trending Today and New Exhibitor Preview events took place, which this year saw 90 new exhibitors from across the globe, with Health@Home the trend theme. This gives visitors a good opportunity to pick out some trends and brands they might want to see at the show - or, of course, have that conversation then and there! There are always some British buyers and distributors in attendance – and most brands are very happy to discuss the move into the UK and Europe. Some mentioned already selling into the UK via faire.com. The Inventors Revue section at the show


18 | housewareslive.net


celebrates ordinary people with neat ideas. Most of them have personal stories as to why or how they developed their product. Philip Jody from Colarado came up with the brilliantly-named Mugkini to wrap around mugs and glasses to reduce condensation. It’s microwave-safe and machine-washable and can be easily surface-printed. Joelle Mertzel from Kitchen Concepts in California began her housewares journey in the Inventors Revue six years ago with her one-piece butter dish Butterie and has been exhibiting in the main show ever since, adding to her range. “The Inspired Home Show exceed our expectations in every way imaginable. While it's typically not an order-writing show, we wrote more orders this year than ever before. In addition, because there were fewer exhibitors, the retailers didn't feel as spread thin and were able to spend more time with us. As a result, we have already opened up 2 new major accounts. It was, hands-down, the greatest show ever!” New exhibitor Nest Homeware had cast iron cookware made in the US and designed by Matt Cavallaro, with amazing photography by Rue Sakayama. “We’ve designed our cookware to be more than just a tool in your home,” said Matt. “It’s inspiration in your kitchen, art at your table.” The cookware has a gorgeous dull bronze look until it is used and then turns the more usual black. Verve Culture featured goods from artisans


in Thailand, Morocco and from Mexico - products including an industrial-looking Xl


• HousewaresLive.net • twitter.com/Housewaresnews March/April 2022


gems you can find walking round the show! A neat engineering solution to the mincing of garlic, ginger and, as co-founders Martin Payne and Sam Langner found, great for celery, peppers, shallots, cucumbers and squash - ‘just crack, mince and rinse!’ Big names kept the innovation coming


too, like Browne with the Cuisipro brand and featuring new lines like these silicone tools. They were also showing the Betty Crocker licensed collection of bakeware & accessories (currently only available in the US).


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36