Claudia Schiffer’s New Dinnerware Line Serves Up Elegant Autumnal Vibes

Juliet Izon
·5 min read

Photo: Moeez. Styling: Lucie McCullin.

Supermodel Claudia Schiffer is quite the Renaissance woman. In addition to decades of high-profile jobs in front of the camera and her role as a UNICEF UK ambassador, Schiffer also has an eye for design. Her talent is on full display via her latest collaboration with two Portuguese brands: Vista Alegre, a storied glass and porcelain purveyor; and luxury ceramics label Bordallo Pinheiro, which is known for its whimsical vegetable and animal-themed offerings. Items from Schiffer’s new collection range from a seven-piece dinnerware set to water jugs to vessels shaped like oversized acorns. And while this is not the first time she’s teamed up with the two manufacturers, it does mark her first foray into porcelain.

The line draws upon the model’s memories of her upbringing as well as her fondness for fall. “Autumn feels like nature’s way of reminding us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of change,” Schiffer tells AD. “I designed all the pieces to bring those warm hues of fall into my home.” Below, the multihyphenate elaborates on the influences behind her latest work and how she’ll fold the pieces into her seasonal celebrations.

With their organic-themed designs, the pieces translate well from indoor to outdoor settings. “I’m inspired by all the different aspects of the European countryside, from the animals and insects to the leaves and flowers,” Schiffer tells AD.
With their organic-themed designs, the pieces translate well from indoor to outdoor settings. “I’m inspired by all the different aspects of the European countryside, from the animals and insects to the leaves and flowers,” Schiffer tells AD.
Photo: Moeez. Styling: Lucie McCullin.

Architectural Digest: This is your first collection incorporating porcelain. What made you want to try this medium?

Claudia Schiffer: I wanted to complement the softer, more organic feel of the ceramics collection with the porcelain, since the latter is very refined and elegant. Its fine texture is perfect for the hand-painted drawings.

What inspired the collection?

“Gudrun,” my late mother’s name, is the name of both the porcelain collection with Vista Alegre and ceramic collection with Bordallo Pinheiro. It’s dedicated to all my childhood memories connected to the countryside: watching the squirrels from my bedroom window, collecting acorns and drawing on them while my mother gathered the fall leaves, listening to the woodpeckers, and falling asleep to birdsong. These memories inspired me to create these new collections. The drawings are very me and I’m so proud of the outcome.

The design of the dinnerware is meant to showcase an embrace of fall, from leafy patterns to autumnal colors. “I love watching the landscape transform and enjoying the comforting rituals that come with shorter days, like a nice glass of red wine in front of a crackling fire,” Schiffer says of the season.

What drew you to this color palette?

I’ve been drawn to earthy tones ever since my childhood, so I wanted the color palette to include those lush greens, browns, and russets, as well as the richer shades such as mustard, ochre, and crimson, which signal the change of season.

Do you have a favorite item?

My favorite pieces are the teapot and the cups for tea or espresso. They look lovely on display, and I drink tea and coffee throughout the day, so they get the most use.

“I’ve happily embraced the English tradition of taking tea now that I’ve settled in England,” Schiffer says, noting that the teapot is among her favorite pieces from the line. The model is pictured here in her Suffolk abode.
“I’ve happily embraced the English tradition of taking tea now that I’ve settled in England,” Schiffer says, noting that the teapot is among her favorite pieces from the line. The model is pictured here in her Suffolk abode.
Photo: Moeez. Styling: Lucie McCullin.

The acorn pieces are so unique. How did those make their way into the collection?

For me, a fall landscape isn’t complete without a layer of acorns on the ground. I used to collect them and turn them into tiny canvases for my drawings, so when I started brainstorming, they were one of my first design references.

How are you using these pieces in your home?

The small ceramic bowls work well as purely decorative items or as a safe place for my keys and sunglasses. I use the porcelain pieces every day and add in the ceramics when we have guests. I enjoy curating the dining table, mixing porcelain and ceramics, choosing different glassware, and adding lit candles as well as my favorite green or white hydrangeas.

“I grew up with very formal matching crockery and I realized that I prefer to mix it up,” Schiffer says of her tablescape preferences.
“I grew up with very formal matching crockery and I realized that I prefer to mix it up,” Schiffer says of her tablescape preferences.
Photo: Moeez. Styling: Lucie McCullin.

What kind of events do you like to host in the colder months?

We’ve hosted many Halloween-themed kids parties for our children and friends after an early evening of trick or treating in London. Guy Fawkes [Day] is also a lot of fun; we have a large bonfire and fireworks, again with all our kids and friends. I love the way it brings everyone together.

I also follow the German tradition of St. Nicolas. On December 6, kids put out their shoes hoping they will be filled with goodies and presents! Since mine are grown now, we all still do it to get the German candy you can’t find in England. Christmas generally is big in our house. I decorate the tree with German wood-carved ornaments from my childhood and host a cocktail party, followed by German Christmas on the evening of December 24 and then the English version the next day.

Then we get everyone back together for our annual New Year’s Eve party. It’s a great way to end the year and it’s always themed, so everyone is in costume, all ages coming together. We invite all our close friends and family and really let our hair down.

“Gudrun” by Claudia Schiffer for Vista Alegre and Bordallo Pinheiro launches in stores worldwide in early October.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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