Story since the 70’s
Jeremy Fry and a French architect Didier Bertrand designed and made the original art nouveau plate rack in the early 70’s for his own personal use. Following clamorous approval from all quarters, Jeremy embarked on a production run of a dozen plate racks from his workshop in Bath, Somerset. These were duly given away to friends and family.
Fast forward 20 years and his son Cosmo recommenced production of the plate racks, firstly in Somerset and latterly in Vietnam. These racks were sold in 1992 through Cath Kidston’s first London shop. In the interim, Cosmo commissioned Carl Toms (stage, film, opera and ballet designer) to design two alternative complementary styles. Tom’s gothic revival and arts and craft designs now make up the plate rack family.
Happily, it is now more cost effective and offers better quality controls to have the plate racks made in the UK, embracing more modern methods of fabrication and ensuring a millimeter degree of accuracy. The plate racks have now come home after a journey of some 45 years and all the component are sourced in the West Country and assembled in Bath.
The original Art Nouveau prototype
The very first prototype Plate Rack still in situ in France since 1975