Stilleben visits Portugal

Stilleben visits Portugal

Stilleben visits Portugal

Stilleben's Memphis Stoneware Collection is produced in close collaboration with our partners in a ceramics factory near the coast of Portugal, just south of Porto. 

Earlier this year, we visited the factory and was able to experience the production facilities up close. With a common love for the material and its possibilities, we enjoyed the opportunity to discuss stoneware and talk about new product designs, glazes and colours. 

Clay factory worker finishing a mold. Hands are still involved in every step of the process

Portuguese stoneware factory visit from Stilleben

Large scale production and craftsmanship combined

Originally, the Memphis Stoneware consisted of a very limited, handmade collection. Even though the production is now large scale, the crafted sensibilities remain and the original design has largely been unaltered. 

Human hands are still involved in every step of the process, and the stoneware and glaze are both dynamic, lively materials, retaining the distinctive feeling of craftsmanship in the design.

Stilleben Memphis plate in the making

Human hands in large scale production, Stilleben Memphis Stoneware

Sustainable production and local raw materials

The journey towards being sustainable is continuous and one of the most recent efforts is reintroducing ceramic surpluses into the production process, making sure to use as much as is currently possible in the production. 

Portugal has a centuries long history of stoneware production and the raw materials used in production are sourced locally from natural resources, minimizing the ecological footprint.

Across the road from the ceramics factory, less than 2 minutes away, the clay supplier is situated, and there is a constant stream of clay going back and forth between the two sites. As part of an ongoing focus on developing sustainable practises, unused clay is being recycled and reused, either directly at the facility or via the supplier. 

Raw materials in stoneware production

Clay to be recycled and reused by Stillebens ceramics factory

Single-fired production and circular energy

The ceramics factory combines centuries of knowhow in European stoneware production with the latest technologies. It has developed a unique single-fire technology, burning both the stoneware and the glaze simultaneously. This energy saving process both results in an incredibly strong and durable stoneware with a unique glaze and significantly lowers the carbon footprint of pottery production.

Apart from the single-fired technique, the factory also reused heat from the kilns to other equipment and has renewable, solar energy sources.


Memphis Stoneware Collection

Discover the Memphis Stoneware Collection here

Stilleben has teamed up with Rue De Tokyo to launch a new project based on a unique selection of bedlinen and unisex sleepwear in a limited edition. 

New life to dead stock fabrics

Going through the archives of beautiful and high-quality Rue De Tokyo textiles, we decided to give them new life by creating a limited series for the bedroom from these various premium materials. Resulting in a unique selection of beddings and sleepwear in various patterns, structures and mellow tones.

David, creative director at Rue De Tokyo, tells: 

»Looking back at some of the textile stock we have at Rue De Tokyo, we wanted to give it new life. Material and texture have always been of great importance in my creative process and many times initiates my design. So, with these past high-quality fabrics at hand and the world’s resources in mind me and the STILLEBEN team decided to make a series of very limited products, that suited their assortment and was made from these so-called dead stock fabrics.«

Fashionable sleepwear for everyday use

Sleepwear as a casual outfit is a fashion trend that has been popular for years. It can be a fun and comfortable way to express your style and personality. There are many ways to style your sleepwear for different occasions and seasons. The styles has a classic and fashionable cut, and is made from crisp high-quality cotton for lasting use.

Limited stock – only in our Flagship Store

The Stilleben x Rue De Tokyo will be sold exclusively in our Flagship Store and comes in the models Harper pillowcase in 63x60 and Hagi duvet cover in 140x200, and unisex Skylar and Paxton.

Exclusively numbered

The series of very limited products are made from these so-called dead stock fabrics. And just like all limited series garments, these too will have an information label, stating the total amount of product produced and what number in the batch you’ve got in your hands.