I
t makes sense that Copenhagen, one of the
happiest cities in the world, is also the source of
some of the most renowned feel-good designs.
Porcelain maker Royal Copenhagen is a leading
light in Denmark’s long history of design
perfection — and it’s now available in Australia.
The basics For lovers of heritage, hygge and all
things Danish, Royal Copenhagen is the ultimate in
handcrafted porcelain. Founded by Denmark’s Queen
Juliane Marie around the same time Captain Cook
was traversing Botany Bay, the 244-year-old company
is officially setting up shop in Australia — thanks to a
new partnership with department store David Jones.DESIGN
Royal Copenhagen
A curated collection of the beloved Danish porcelain maker’s
HANDCRAFTED pieces is now available in Australia.
By Verity Magdalinolia?Apparently Australians
than most about Danish
Blameourloveaffairwith
dernistfurnitureandlighting
(thankyouArneJacobsenandPoul
Henningsen), Australian girl-next-door
turned Crown Princess Mary of
Denmark, or Jørn Utzon and his Opera
House. “There’s no one in the world who
doesn’t know that one building,” says Tom
Nørring, Denmark’s ambassador to Australia.
“That in itself is a good platform for Australians
to understand Danish design, which is centred
on simplicity but also sophistication.”
A Danish love affair Prized by collectors across the
globe, Royal Copenhagen is as intrinsic to Danish
culture as Uluru is synonymous with Australia.
Niels Bastrup, creative director of Royal Copenhagen,
says affection runs high for the pieces on home
ground. “Either you’ve seen it at your grandmother’s
home or maybe your mother handed it down to the
next generation who loves it. It is something that
we, as Danes, are very familiar with.”
What makes it unique? The craftsperson who’s
painted each piece has also signed it. “You don’t
just buy a piece of Royal Copenhagen. “It’s an
investment, something you really cherish. You use
it every day and although each piece may look the
same, with the same blue colour, you’ll find
individual nuances. You’re buying something with
a person behind it. It’s not just machine-made.”
Happiness in a cup Now instore is a curated
collection of original 18th-century designs, including
the famous Blue Fluted Plain. “It’s the very first
pattern we produced back in 1775,
when Europeans first cracked how
to produce porcelain,” says Bastrup.
“Our biggest asset is the loveliness of
some of the old Royal Copenhagen
products that still fit beautifully
with designs we make today.”
A new generation A younger fan
base is also embracing Royal Copenhagen, says
Bastrup. “Instead of buying something for daily
use and having something else for special occasions,
we’re finding both men and women are collecting
at a very early age,” says Bastrup. “They’re buying
Royal Copenhagen and daring to use it every day.
Like a pair of jeans, it can be dressed up for
a party, or it can be very basic and used just for
coffee. I think that’s what a lot of people enjoy.”
What’s coming next? For the first time ever, Royal
Copenhagen will be showing at Milan’s Salone del
Mobile in April 2019 to launch a yet-to-be-revealed
collaboration with a world-renowned designer. “We
strongly believe in keeping the brand relevant,” says
Sjoerd Leeflang, vice president of business. “We’ve
been here for 244 years but it’s our responsibility
that we will also be here in another 244.” VL
royalcopenhagen.com.auFROM ABOVE LEFT
Niels Bastrup, creative
director of Royal
Copenhagen. Blue
Fluted Mega and Blue
Elements plates.76 vogueliving.com.au
VLife