For more than 100 years, the Danish company Eva Solo, founded in 1913, has believed that Good Design is Everything. Known for its distinctive functional and stylish products for kitchen, bath, home and garden, each Eva Solo product begins with an idea for an item that enhances life at home. Such good design results in beautiful products that are a joy to use and to own. Now under the leadership of the founding family’s fourth generation, Eva Solo builds on its heritage while exploring new possibilities for a continuing design evolution.
We spoke with Yossie Bitton, managing director, Eva Solo North America, based in Rochester, Minnesota, to learn more about the company’s approach to design.
Yossie, tell us about how Eva Solo creates such unique products.
Design is not just about outward appearance. Good design is simply at the heart of everything we do. By pushing the boundaries of materials, production methods, functionality and aesthetics, we arrive at new solutions for everyday needs.
Eva Solo products often fulfill more than one function. Beginning in 1949, with the introduction of a flour shaker whose lid was also a citrus squeezer, we started the concept of “Yes, it is a …but it is also a….” This simple “Yes… but” formula brings something new to the user and has delivered many classic multi-functional products.
Eva Solo works with designers who excel within their respective fields. Over the years our products have won more than 150 Danish and international design awards, including a 2015 Discover Design gia award last year for our new electronic scale.
Currently Eva Solo works very closely with Tools Design team. Tools was founded in 1989 by designers Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbæk. A few decades later, with more than 200 international design awards to their name, Tools Design is one of Denmark’s leading design firms. Their designs are characterized by a simple and innovative approach to the product and its function. And in the hands of these skilled designers, the result is stunning products which are truly functional. The Tools team has been collaborating with Eva Solo since 1997. Eva Solo also collaborates with other notable designers such Ole Palsby, 3PART design team, and DESIGNWRIGHT.
A Design Classic Zips Up a New Brand
In 1997, the Evo Solo line introduced items that became the company’s signature. The collection consisted of individual products—or “solo” items, which met the growing needs of 1990s consumers who wanted to create their own unique mix of home products. The line premiered the Café Solo coffee maker, an elegant glass carafe for pour-through coffee brewing. Its snug, zippered, neoprene jacket kept the carafe warm. Café Solo was joined by the sensuous form of the companion Tea Maker. The cold beverage server line followed—the Fridge Carafe, an easy-grip form also in a zippered cover to keep contents cold. The line now includes a Picnic Flask and Drinking Bottles, with patented drip-free pouring lip. The company known as “Eva” at the time was renamed Eva Solo in 2010 because of the success of this new brand.
Eva Solo expanded beyond the kitchen and table with bath accessories; home décor items including hurricane lamps, flower vases and self-watering plant pots; and garden items like torches and bird feeders, along with outdoor grills and barbeque equipment.
Can you give us a preview of what you will be showing in your booth in Discover Design?
Eva Solo debuts new product collections twice each year – spring and fall and this year is no exception. We will introduce new, exciting and innovative products, as well as new vivid spring and summer colors added to our popular collections.
Tell us about your previous experience with Discover Design. Did our Show help build your relationships with buyers and media?
Eva Solo participated in several Discover Design presentations and we have always had a positive experience and great customer response. We watched Discover Design grow over the years and we appreciate and admire the professional and dedicated management and staff. They work very, very hard to make each Show a success every time!
We are very excited to see Discover Design get the trade recognition and with that the dedicated and upgraded space to take the expo to new highs. We really like the new location and the composition of many great design brands—new as well as returning—and are looking forward to a whole new experience.
Thank you, Yossie, for tempting us with this peek at your new introductions. We look forward to seeing your presentation at your booth N8324.
To learn more about Eva Solo products, visit www.evasolo.com.
Discover Design is the premier destination at the International Home + Housewares Show for trend spotters who make design their priority. The Discover Design Expo will be located at the front of the North Building, set beside well-known, design-focused exhibitors such as Umbra, Design Ideas and Casabella.
Anchored by brands such as Alessi, Nambe and JosephJoseph, Discover Design welcomes new exhibitors, including Chilewich/Sultan LLC and Cookut, and introduces 10 emerging companies in the Design Debut incubator. Additional fresh offerings from veteran design-focused exhibitors such as Dreamfarm, Koziol and Three by Three will also inspire your choices for the coming year.