Thomas Fuchs Cobalt/ Navy Dinnerware

A Franco-American Love Affair: Our 2025 Cobalt & Navy Melamine Collection

As a barware, lighting and home accessories design company, at Thomas Fuchs Creative we specialize in handmade goods.

Every week, we take you behind the scenes to explore the people, places, and things that inspire us. This week, we introduce you to our new classic color from our infamous hand poured Melamine Dinnerware Collection: Cobalt / Navy. 

Every great design has a story, and our 2025 color selection for our hand-poured melamine dinnerware line is no exception. This season, we’re embracing the deep, saturated blues that have long been revered in both art and fashion—a fusion of two iconic shades that represent two vastly different yet equally influential worlds.

French Artist Yves Klein

On one side, we have Yves Klein Blue, the electrifying ultramarine hue pioneered by the visionary French artist Yves Klein, who was known for his bold monochromatic works that defied convention. Klein, a leading figure in the post-war European avant-garde movement, sought to capture the immaterial and infinite through his signature color, officially registered as International Klein Blue (IKB). His belief that color alone could evoke emotion and transcend form made his work deeply influential in the worlds of art, fashion, and design.

Designer Ralph Lauren

On the other side of this color story stands Ralph Lauren Navy Blue, the epitome of classic American elegance. Ralph Lauren built an empire on the idea of effortless luxury, drawing inspiration from old-world aristocracy and blending it with a distinctly American sensibility. His deep navy blue is synonymous with tailored sophistication, timeless fashion, and the aspirational lifestyle that defines his brand. By combining Klein’s daring artistic expression with Lauren’s refined American classicism, our new dinnerware collection captures the perfect Franco-American marriage of color, culture, and creativity.

Veruschka in Vogue's Japan Shoot by shot by Avedon & styled by Polly Mellon

No design exists in isolation, and for the backdrop to our cobalt and navy collection, I found inspiration in a legendary Vogue photoshoot by Diana Vreeland, particularly her mesmerizing interpretation of The Tale of Genji, the world’s first novel, written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu in 11th-century Japan.

Vreeland, with her unparalleled vision, transformed pages of literature into lavishly styled visual storytelling, fusing historical elegance with modern glamour. The ethereal colors, intricate textiles, and rich storytelling of the shoot led me to curate a table setting that felt equally dramatic, elegant, and steeped in history.

Atlas Orange Siloh Tablecloth

Upon the advice of a close friend, I headed to Atlas Party Rental, where I stumbled upon the most stunning orange and white cherry blossom tablecloth—a perfect counterbalance to the deep cobalt tones of our dinnerware. The vibrant contrast between the rich navy and the fiery orange instantly evoked a sense of movement and energy, reminiscent of traditional Japanese art. As I scrolled through Instagram, I discovered Caspari’s Japanese Pagoda placemats, which became the visual cue I needed to complete the table. Inspired by their intricate design, I made a quick trip to Kinko’s to have them printed into custom menus, adding a final touch of curated elegance to the tablescape.

Caspari Placemats

As always, Thomas’ home-cooked cuisine was designed to complement the theme, ensuring that every dish was not just a meal but a visual and sensory experience. He began with his signature lobster bisque, its rich orange hue dramatically contrasting against the deep cobalt bowls, creating an immediate interplay of color and texture. Next came his green goddess salad dressing, a vibrant green element that added freshness and a striking pop of color to the tablescape.

Japanese Pizza

The main course was a Japanese-inspired “pizza”, created with layers upon layers of delicate phyllo pastry, mimicking the thin, textured sheets of traditional Japanese washi paper—a centuries-old art form made from bamboo, hemp, rice, and mulberry fibers. Finally, the evening concluded with a spectacular dessert inspired by The Great Wave of Kanagawa, the legendary woodblock print by Japanese artist Hokusai. Thomas sculpted white meringue into cresting waves, pairing it with homemade whipped cream to mimic the fluid movement of the sea, bringing both art and gastronomy together in a poetic finale.

TFC Cobalt/ Navy Bowl

To complement the meal and enhance the experience, we carefully selected Soto Sake, a premium Japanese sake brand that perfectly aligns with our ethos of craftsmanship, artistry, and global influence. Soto, which means “outside” in Japanese, embodies the brand’s philosophy of appreciating beauty beyond boundaries—an idea that resonates deeply with our own approach to design. Founded with the goal of bringing authentic Japanese sake to an international audience, Soto Sake is crafted in Niigata, Japan, a region renowned for its pristine water sources and exceptional sake brewing heritage. The brand stands out for its commitment to purity, using only the finest locally sourced rice, mountain water, and a meticulous brewing process that results in an ultra-smooth, clean taste.

SOTO SAKE 

Its sleek, modern packaging reflects the understated elegance of Japanese design, mirroring the thoughtful simplicity and refined aesthetic that define our melamine dinnerware collection. The subtle floral and mineral notes of Soto’s Junmai Daiginjo paired exquisitely with Thomas’ lobster bisque, while the delicate umami undertones perfectly balanced the richness of the Japanese-inspired pizza. Just as our cobalt and navy dinnerware celebrates the fusion of cultures, Soto Sake embodies a seamless blend of Japanese tradition and modern sophistication, making it the ideal accompaniment to our carefully curated evening

TFC Spring 2025 Japanese Tablescape

This dinner wasn’t just about celebrating our new cobalt/navy collection—it was about weaving together art, fashion, literature, and culinary creativity into a singular, immersive experience. From the bold blues of Klein and Lauren to the centuries-old Japanese artistry of washi and Genji, every element carried a story, a history, and an emotion.

And that, after all, is what true design is about—bringing people together, across time and place, to share in something truly unforgettable.

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A post shared by Michou Mahtani (@michou.de.brickell)

The 2025 Cobalt & Navy Collection is more than just dinnerware. It’s a narrative, its art, its a collectible — one we can’t wait for you to be a part of.

Have a great week,

Michou