Rebirthed Lladro

My impression of Lladro was formed by family collections of little porcelain birds, clowns and willowy dancing girls, all in a sweet, soft focus style a grandma could love and appreciate. One of the great 20th century cultural exports of Spain and a proud example of Valencian industriousness, things of undoubted quality but as bland, boring and predictable as...well, Lladro.

Flip to 2006 and now they have launched new ranges that feature contemporary designs (admittedly influenced by traditional styles but that's not unusual) at design fairs such as Valencia design week. This renewal is being led by one of Spain's young designers of the moment, Jaime Hayon. He seems to be everywhere at the moment.

Apart from the expected vases and figurines they have branched out in other directions such as room dividers. Unfortunately they are nowhere to be seem on www.lladro.com ...