The Launch Of Kylie Kwong's Oxfam Fair Trade Tableware Range, Woollahra

We’re in the Tim Olsen Gallery, Woollahra. The walls are a stark white, making a wonderful backdrop for the rich, tawny imagery of the “Highways and Other Recipes” exhibition by Luke Sciberras gracing the walls. My boots echo on the polished hardwood floors as I walk over to a large table in the centre of the room; the tableware set resting here is the reason for this entire event.

We’re at the launch for Kylie Kwong’s new tableware range that she’s designed in conjunction with Oxfam Australia and that has been produced by one of Oxfam’s fair trade partners in Vietnam. The set includes a rice bowl ($14.95), a soup bowl ($21.95), a small ($6.95) and large plate ($14.95), soup spoon ($5.95), teapot ($49.95), teacup ($10.95) and a coffee cup ($10.95). Kylie, who has a background in graphic design, stated that she wanted to design a range that reflected the Asian background of its origins and that also conveyed a connection to sustainability and the earth – thus the colours of the range were chosen. The outside of each piece is charcoal, the inside is a mossy green, and the hand-painted lotus design is a dusky pink.

Kylie says: “As part of my inspiration I looked towards the symbol of the lotus flower. To me the lotus flower is such a deep and meaningful symbol, which represents femininity, spirituality, and the importance of nature and the environment.”

The first hour of the launch was dedicated to mingling and admiration of the set, and I met a few bloggers I hadn't met before, including Simon Food Favourites, Wholesome Cook, Mish Delish and Fig & Cherry (and apparently Food Guru was there, but I didn't have the pleasure of meeting her). Delicious, dainty canapés were served throughout the launch, prepared by Kylie Kwong's restaurant Billy Kwong:

Kingfish Sashimi, Crispy Prawn Wontons, Balmain Bug Wonton, Japanese Pumpkin Canape

Eggplant Canape

Scallop Canape with XO Sauce

Beef Brisket

Ocean Trout on Wonton Skins

My favourites were the crispy prawn wontons and the eggplant canape, but all of it was wonderful and I really look forward to the day I get to visit Billy Kwong.

Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett and Director of Trading Nadine Silverberg

Soon enough, it was speech time. The speeches were all short and sweet, and served to introduce exactly what Oxfam Australia's role in the project was, some background information, and the development process of the tableware set.

Andrew Hewett said: "We've been working with communities for nearly 60 years... and we've learned that simply giving handouts is not the answer, we need to find ways to provide people with skills and resources to help them create their own solutions to poverty and injustice. This project epitomises what we're about, it's helping people help themselves."

Followed by Nadine Silverberg: "Raising awareness of fair trade and the benefits of fair trade is absolutely key to [helping people help themselves]... As a renowned chef and restaurateur, as well as a fair trade ambassador, we knew Kylie's profile and credibility would be a huge boost to the fair trade cause... I'd like to reiterate how much this project means to workers and their communities in developing countries around the world. Our vision is to make fair trade as accessible as possible, so it becomes an everyday choice for Australians - not just for food, but for everything for their home... We've seen increased interest in fair trade products here in recent years, especially in coffee, tea and chocolate, but many Australians don't actually realise that you can buy everything, from crockery to vases and jewellery to toys, that's made under fair working conditions, and for which workers receive a fair price."

Kylie Kwong

Kylie's speech was last: "When Oxfam Australia approached me to design a range of tableware, I absolutely jumped at the opportunity. I realised that this project could bring together my passion for cooking, my love of art and design, and my advocacy of a better deal for producers in developing countries... At its simplest, fair trade is about guaranteeing a fair deal, allowing people the opportunity to trade fairly, to give them the ability to invest in their children's education and their communities, environment , their health, their safety, their future.

(Photo courtesy of Bonnie Savage, Oxfam Australia)

"Designing the range I actually found quite difficult. As a cook I feel much more at home designing and making what goes into kitchenware - while I may seem able to articulate the essence of what it is I'd like to capture, I struggle to translate this into visual terms... I particularly loved [Henry] Matisse's cutouts, and that is what lead to the idea of the separated lotus petals. I wanted the colours to be of the earth... to act as a subtle reminder of the importance of sustainability, and to reflect a sense of groundedness that fair trade brings to communities.

(Photos courtesy of Bonnie Savage, Oxfam Australia)

"Several months later we travelled to Hanoi to meet with my producers, to check on the development of the range, and to see first hand how fair trade benefited the community. When we arrived at Hanoi, the first samples were ready for us to look at... We all liked the colours, we thought they worked well, but I was not completely happy with the lotus image; it looked a little clunky, and not quite how I imagined it... The one thing I couldn't help but notice about the Master Painter was that he had absolutely exquisite almond-shaped eyes... On the final day, I grabbed him in that bossy 'KK' way I have and that so often gets me into trouble, I dragged him into the washroom... I pointed to his eyes in the mirror and said "Master Painter, I want my lotus petals to look like your eyes... I want your beautiful face on every piece of my range.

"My Oxfam tableware range will be available in Oxfam stores as of the first of October, and I sincerely hope that you will support me in this collaboration with Oxfam; together we can make a real difference in the lives of everyone at Mai, and to those fair trade producers everywhere."

JasmyneTea attended the launch as a guest of Oxfam Australia. I'd like to thank Raina Hunter (Oxfam Media Coordinator) for the invitation, Billy Kwong for the delectable morsels, Kalleske Wines for donating their lovely organic wine, and Tim Olsen for such an amazing space.

Oxfam Australia

http://www.oxfam.org.au/

Billy Kwong

355 Crown St
Surry Hills, NSW
2010

Phone: (02) 9332 3300

http://www.kyliekwong.org/BillyKwongs.aspx

Kalleske Wines

6 Murray St
Greenock, SA
5360

Phone: (08) 8563 4000

http://www.kalleske.com

Tim Olsen Gallery

63 Jersey Rd
Woollarha, NSW
2025

Phone: (02) 9327 3922

http://www.timolsengallery.com/pages/home.php