PORTUGUESE BRANDS ILLUMINATE MAISON & OBJET

From 4 to 8 September, Maison & Objet brings together in Paris, at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre, major European furniture and decoration brands, of which 16 are Portuguese companies  - AMR - Ana Romero - Armazém dos Linhos - Burel Factory - Castelbel - Claudia Nair Oliveira /Paperdolls - Deartis - Devilla – DolceCasa - Filipe Nogueira - Grilo Kitchenware - Hearts – Lona - Têxteis Iris – TmCollection – Vasicol/Maria Portugal Terracota - forming part of the Portuguese delegation, led by the Associação Selectiva Moda.

Castelbel presents in Paris its main innovations, in particular its special editions. “Castelbel Christmas special editions include air fresheners, candles and soaps with a highly refined image and delicious aromas of pine, mint, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, reminiscent of the delicacies of the season and days spent in front of the fireplace. The Portus Cale Gold&Blue collection will likewise be a highlight, with ceramic containers with a sophisticated aroma of pink peppercorn and jasmine, which will also include new products from the forthcoming season”, reveals Marta Araújo, the brand’s sales director. “Attending the Maison & Objet Paris is mandatory for those who, like Castelbel, export most of the decoration and lifestyle products they produce. September’s event is particularly important due to its proximity to the festive season, since many of the professionals who visit are looking for items that might be considered Christmas presents”, he adds.  

Returning to Maison&Objet, the Portuguese brand Filipe Nogueira presents its collection comprising suitcases, bijouterie and home textiles, where the colour palette is a particular highlight. “We have high expectations for this event, because we intend to promote our new collection, new products and essentially expand the FILIPE NOGUEIRA brand”, explains Filipe Nogueira, manager of the company.

Hearts, will present its Castelux brand, with new table linen textile products embroidered by hand, combining a modern design with ancient techniques of traditional embroidery from Terra de Sousa. “Hearts selected the Maison & Objet fair in the context of the company's promotional strategy and its CASTELUX brand, aiming to heighten visibility and recognition among international markets on different continents”, says Patrícia Costa, manager of the company.

“Entre Serras” is the motto for TM Collection’s autumn/winter 15/16 collection. This collection consists of a palette of soft colours, silky transparency and light cottons in flowing silhouettes that hang loose from the body, enriched with exquisite embroidery and patterns. A particular highlight is the range of digitally printed silks, patterns unique to TM Collection, special embroidered products that link to a universe of new colours and patterns. “This market has been chosen because it was the first destination of our brand, and observing the acceptance of the brand, we have decided to direct growth of TM collection towards France, incorporating the brand into two segments, lifestyle and fashion”, explains Fábia Campos, sales & marketing manager of the company. 

According to the ATP – Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal, in the 1st half of 2015, Portuguese exports of home textiles and other manufactured textile products rose 8% over the same period of 2014, amounting to 336 million euros, of which 235 million euros (around 70%) relate to exports of bed linen, table linen, dressing table textiles or kitchenware. Around 71% of exports of these products are intended for EU markets, with Spain (representing 24% of the total), France (15%), the United Kingdom (12%), Germany (5%) and Italy (4%) among the main destinations. The USA is the main non-community destination, accounting for 14%, followed by Switzerland and Angola, both accounting for 3% of Portuguese exports of home textiles and other manufactured textile products. The destinations that registered the highest growth in absolute terms in this 1st half of 2015 were Spain (an increase of 15 million euros, corresponding to a 24% rise), the USA (up 12 million euros, a 35% increase) and the United Kingdom (up 4 million euros, representing an increase of 12%).

The participation of 16 Portuguese companies in another Maison&Objet show is an initiative promoted by the Associação Selectiva Moda co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) under the POCI (Operational Competitiveness and Internationalisation Programme), Portugal 2020 and COMPETE 2020. The FROM PORTUGAL project consists of around 81 international initiatives that take place in the 2nd half of 2015 and 2016 covering the entire textile and fashion industry, spread across four continents, with a total investment of over 13 million euros.