Aussie kitchen tools brand, Dreamfarm, is really making its mark on the international market after scooping another two wins at the gia Awards on Saturday evening.
Winning the award for Sharple (kitchen hand tools and cutlery category) and fluicer (kitchenware category), the company has proven it’s a force to be reckoned with.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be coming home from Chicago with a gia win for the fourth consecutive Inspired Home Show, but to have taken out two separate categories is even more special for our team,” enthuses chief operating officer, Cate McDermott.
“It confirms for us that our design team’s ability to consistently identify gaps in the market and provide high quality solutions time and again is what keeps our customers coming back for more and we can’t wait to show you what we’re launching next.”
Other winners included Sempli’s Monti-mini decanter and Monti-rosso. Founder Danne Semeraro was born in Sweden, then moved to Italy in 2000 and now lives in California where he started the brand.
“When wine is decanted, the oxygen exposure allows the flavours to develop in seconds, not years, so you get a brighter bouquet and clearer tasting notes,” he notes about the decanter.
“While pouring, the wine falls on top of the peak and aerates in a beautiful cascade down the mountain. Holding up to a full standard 750ml bottle of wine, the decanter and its glass centre peak showcases the inspiration of the Italian Alps for this creation.”
Dreamfarm and Sempli are two of the 14 homewares suppliers ranging from well-established brands to first-time exhibitors who were honoured as Global Honourees of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Excellence in Product Design at the gala dinner.
“Congratulations to these Global Honourees of the 2023 IHA Global Innovation Awards for Excellence in Product Design; they represent the cutting-edge innovation and creativity that is driving the housewares industry today,” says Derek Miller, IHA president and CEO.
“Product innovation is the engine that keeps the home and housewares industry vibrant and profitable. It is our pleasure to honour the brands and designers that continue to push the envelope and delight both buyers and consumers.”
The Iha also announced the 2023 gia Global Honourees for Retail Excellence which included Tiendas Landmark (Argentina), Ambiente Living (Columbia), Illums Bolighus (Norway), La Iberica (Uruguay) and USA’s A. Dodson’s.
In addition, the Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising was awarded to Tiendas Landmark of Argentina and the gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing was awarded to Illums Bolighus of Norway.
Representing Australia at the gia Awards was Minimax and while the retailer didn’t win, CEO Andrea McCormick says the experience was invaluable.
“It was incredible to be a part of the gia awards where you have the opportunity to meet other world class retailers in the housewares industry,” she says.
“A particular highlight was meeting the winners from Argentina who had extraordinary window installations, that had considered every detail and created a level of excitement and theatre in store. There is plenty of inspiration to bring back to Australian retail.”
