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Waterford Wedgwood calls on designer for new tableware line

10 December 1998: Irish designer Paul Costelloe has signed a three-year royalties-based contract with the ceramics arm of Waterford Wedgwood Plc to design four ranges of tableware that will be launche…

10 December 1998: Irish designer Paul Costelloe has signed a three-year royalties-based contract with the ceramics arm of Waterford Wedgwood Plc to design four ranges of tableware that will be launched next year, the group said recently. “This agreement with one of the world“s most popular and dynamic designers is in keeping with the group“s history and our diversification into home enhancement,” Wedgwood Chief Executive Brian Patterson said. “Paul Costelloe, working closely with the Wedgwood design team, will create unique new tableware ranges to be sold world-wide under the Paul Costelloe and Wedgwood trademarks,” the group said in a statement. The company noted its “significant successes” with other international designers – including Versace, Fornasetti, Tricia Guild and Jasper Morrison. It said the Costelloe lines, aimed at younger consumers, would be launched in Britain and the United States in late 1999. “The group will be investing considerable resources in the Paul Costelloe ranges to target both new customers and new markets,” it said. Margaret Michell, the group“s head of communications, said the contract was on a royalties basis and would help Wedgwood access other markets beside its traditional ones. The group“s German porcelain maker Rosenthal is also working with Bulgari to launch new tableware and giftware collections in February 1999, the statement said. The performance of Waterford Crystal“s John Rocha Collection launched last year had exceeded initial expectations by more than 100%, it said. “Tableware has become more aligned to the world of fashion in recent years. The agreement with Wedgwood allows me to continue my work in a different medium while satisfying the new demand for seasonal tableware,” Costelloe said. Paul Costelloe, the designer arm of Silk Industries Plc, made a loss in the six months to 31 August but the designer has predicted his business will make a profit for the full year.

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