This weekend’s Top Drawer S/S (London Olympia, January 12-14) will mark the formal launch of MAKE International under the Forma House stable of brands. The distributor has signed a deal to distribute MAKE’s products across the UK. The new partnership will be celebrated at Top Drawer with a competition to win a day’s private pottery class at the studio of MAKE’s head of design (and recent judge on BBC2’s The Great Pottery Throw Down) Keith Brymer Jones.
Simon Maghnagi, business development manager at Forma House commented: “We are thrilled to be taking over the distribution of MAKE International here in the UK and look forward to building on the team’s work over the coming months. Head of design Keith Brymer Jones really is the ‘best of British’, producing the most beautiful of ceramics and we are proud to be distribution partner of choice.”
MAKE was established 12 years ago in 2005 by director Dominic Speelman and joined forces with renowned ceramicist Keith Brymer Jones in 2008. Keith’s experience stretches back over twenty years, having started as an apprentice at Harefield Pottery aged 18, before hand-making ceramics from his London studio for retailers such as Conran, Heals, Habitat, Marks & Spencer, Ted Baker, Laura Ashley, Monsoon, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York and Anthropology.
Keith continues to throw every shape in all of the ceramic ranges produced by MAKE on his potter’s wheel at his studio, a converted bakery in Whitstable, Kent. He then works with MAKE’s expert product supervisors in China to sample the products on the factory floor and match the same high specifications as the pieces made in his studio. To ensure Keith’s exacting standards are always reached, every item is checked at least three times once it is made.
All of Forma House’s customers that place an opening order at Top Drawer (minimum value £300 ex vat) for MAKE International products will be entered into the competition to win the private pottery class for three people.
“This is an incredible opportunity for one of our customers to win a day to truly remember with one of the UK’s most renowned ceramicists,” said Simon. “We look forward to welcoming everybody to our stand to view the latest collections by Keith and the MAKE International team. Good luck everybody!”
Meanwhile, Dominic Speelman (founder and managing director of MAKE International) commented on the new distribution arrangement: “Forma House has adapted and succeeded in a very tough and competitive landscape. The team have the passion, drive and vision, which it will need to make further strides in this competitive market. We are both excited and confident, and we are very much looking forward to being part of its success going forward.”
MAKE International joins Forma House’s impressive portfolio, which includes Sagaform, Eva Solo, Zuperzozial and Dreamfarm.
Top: Kitchen collection from Keith Brymer Jones by MAKE International.
