Greeting card company Raspberry Blossom has certainly ‘blossomed’ in the latest Top Drawer Paper Award, clinching wins in two of the four categories. The talented publisher, headed up by Rebecca Crouch, won the Emotive Design and Exciting Use Of Colour for two of its vibrant ranges. Type and Story won the Engaging Print award while Sleepy Bee Studio won the Best Stationery Design award.
Commenting on her wins, Rebecca said: “We are over the moon about picking up two awards, especially when there are so many wonderful shortlisted finalists. It caps off what has been a full on but exciting six months after the arrival of our little girl Ophelia Trixie. We can’t wait to showcase all 85 of our new designs at Top Drawer in a few days time :)”
The winner in each of the four categories receives a prize worth more than £1,000 and their products (as well as those of the runners-up) will feature in the Greetings & Stationery area of the show, which opens its doors at London’s Olympia this Sunday (January 12) and runs up until Tuesday 14 January.
Among the card publishers exhibiting at the show are Cath Tate Cards, Belly Button Designs, Five Dollar Shake, ArtPress, James Ellis, Lagom Design, Ohh Deer, Up With Paper by Noel Tatt and Poet & Painter.
In addition, an engaging line-up of inspiring speakers will be sharing their knowledge across two stages at Top Drawer: RetailFest and Design Talk.
Keynote RetailFest speakers include Jack Norman, store experience manager at Selfridges; Holly Tucker MBE, founder of Notonthehighstreet and Holly & Co; and Marks & Spencer’s Charlotte Verdeyen.
On the Design Talk stage, designer Oliver Heath, founder of Oliver Heath Designs, Anita Burles, co-founder of Run For The Hills, Judith can Vliet, senior designer at Clariant Colourworks, EMEA, and Sam Crocker, ceo of Especial, will be among those sharing their expertise.
Taking the theme of Live Design, show director, Alejandra Campos explains: “Passion for design is at the very heart of our DNA and shared by everyone who is part of Top Drawer – from retailers, exhibitors and designers to our curators, speakers and organising team. The 2020 Live Design campaign captures both the individuality and togetherness of this design community, and celebrates its love and passion for innovation and creativity.”
For the second time, the show has partnered with global cultural strategy agency Flamingo to share five key trends for the coming year: Playful Chromatics (rainbow palettes of block colours); Rare Bloom (bright pigmented florals); Refined Elementals (minimal luxe in subtle shades); Serene Warmth (a relaxing natural theme with touches of glamour); and Unadorned Tactility (interpretations of traditional materials and techniques).
The show spans ten distinct product sections – Home, Gift, Fashion, Greetings & Stationery, Play, Food Emporium, Craft, Pulse, Spotted and Wellbeing.
The Eco Trail, curated by Jeremy Corner, managing director of Blue Eyed Sun, will be returning to the show, highlighting brands with eco-friendly products and green practices at the heart of what they do.
Top: A trio of PaperAwards winners. (Left-right) Raspberry Blossom, Type and Story and Sleepy Bee Studio.
