BLACK+BLUM : NEARLY 30 YEARS OF ECO-DESIGN: FROM A LONDON STUDIO TO THE FRENCH MARKET

Since 1998, Black+Blum has established itself as a leading British name in eco-conscious design. Founded in London by industrial designers Dan Black and Martin Blum, the brand has evolved over nearly thirty years, growing from a small design studio creating clever, thoughtfully designed products into a specialist company internationally recognised for everyday objects designed to last.

THE EARLY DAYS: CREATIVITY WITHOUT LIMITS

In its early days, Black+Blum designed and manufactured any product that seemed like a good idea: lighting, fans, barbecues, candlesticks… This creative freedom enabled the two founders to establish their own style, but without a clearly defined target market, the brand struggled to find its place and build a genuine commercial identity. In 2012, the brand launched its first adult lunch box, followed by a “Binchotan” activated-charcoal filtered water bottle. This marked the starting point of an approach aimed at changing the way people eat and drink away from home through products designed to last.

THE TURNING POINT IN 2014: CHOOSING TO SPECIALISE

In 2014, Dan Black took the helm of the company and initiated a decisive strategic refocusing, with Black+Blum now dedicated exclusively to food & drink on-the-go products. Insulated water bottles, lunch boxes, thermos flasks… the brand focused its expertise on products designed for everyday use while helping to reduce reliance on single-use plastic. This repositioning marked the real take-off of Black+Blum, which appointed Nick Cornwell as Managing Director in 2018 to support its growth. All products continue to be conceived in the brand’s London design studio, where design and sustainability go hand in hand. Glass, stainless steel, cork and bamboo are favoured for their strength, longevity and low environmental impact.

SOLID INTERNATIONAL GROWTH

Black+Blum products are now distributed through more than 1,000 points of sale across 60 countries. The recipient of more than 25 international design awards, the brand is available from many leading retailers. During our recent trip to London, we notably found its collections at John Lewis and Harrods. Following Brexit, the company strengthened its European organisation by establishing Black+Blum Europe, based in Belgium. This structure enables it to ensure a smooth supply to its partners within the European Union while supporting its continued development.

FRANCE CONFIRMS THE BRAND’S POTENTIAL

France is now one of Black+Blum’s most dynamic markets. Present in department stores as well as specialist retailers, concept stores, independent shops and networks dedicated to more responsible lifestyles, the brand benefits from a particularly diverse retail presence. Its partners include Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché, Nature & Découvertes, Du Bruit dans la Cuisine, Alice Délice, Fleux, Merci, Monoprix and Altermundi. The past two years have confirmed the success of the “Multifunction” range, which now accounts for nearly 38% of Black+Blum’s revenue in France. Combining a lunch box with a food-storage solution, these microwave-safe stainless-steel boxes and bowls meet new needs associated with batch cooking, meal preparation, food transportation and more sustainable consumption. Dishwasher- and freezer-safe, with bases that are also oven-safe, they are available in three shapes and seven sizes to suit every use. This variety naturally encourages consumers to purchase several products. For Black+Blum, this growth is part of a vision that has remained unchanged for more than fifteen years. “Our mission remains to design eco-conscious products made from quality materials, moving away from gadget-like objects to create products that users genuinely need. Objects designed to last a lifetime,” explains Gwladys Ayefouni, the company’s International Sales Director. The company is continuing this momentum with the launch of “Stack + Nest”, a new generation of containers made from tempered borosilicate glass. Available in four sizes and also offered in different sets, this collection follows the principles that have made the Multifunction range successful. Stackable, nestable and compatible with the same interchangeable lids, these containers are suitable for use in the microwave, oven, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher. This development complements Black+Blum’s offering while strengthening the consistency of its product ecosystem. The collection will be presented at Maison&Objet in September.

EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENTS FOR RETAILERS

Maison&Objet will also provide an opportunity for Gwladys Ayefouni to highlight Black+Blum’s customisation offering. The brand works with several of its partners to develop exclusive products, as in the case of Fortnum & Mason, the famous London luxury department store, for which several dedicated products have been created.

A CONCRETE COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING FOOD WASTE

Black+Blum is pursuing its development as part of a responsible approach. A member of the 1% for the Planet network, the brand donates a portion of its revenue to City Harvest, a British organisation that collects surplus food and redistributes it free of charge to more than 375 partner organisations, including food banks, schools, shelters and soup kitchens. This initiative helps fight food waste, support the most vulnerable communities and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste.

Source: Home Fashion News #62 – Sept 2026 / Translation: Leila Ahmad