Arthur Price, the UK's leading manufacturer of cutlery and gifts, is proud to announce the launch of a new range of cutlery produced in collaboration with renowned cookery and lifestyle writer, entrepreneur and designer Sophie Conran.

Sophie, a busy mother of two, understands the importance of practical homewares. She knows beautifully made, quality items should give pleasure and good service at every mealtime without sacrificing style and elegance - principles that Arthur Price has embraced for over 100 years.

Simon Price, Chief Executive, comments; “Coming from a dynasty renowned for their contemporary design flair and culinary passions, Sophie Conran is the perfect partner for Arthur Price. As the 'fourth generation' Price to run this company, I'm a firm believer in family values and Sophie's involvement, her personal style and vision really complements the principles that drive our brand”.

With Arthur Price's rich British heritage in producing exceptional cutlery, Sophie's designer range makes a wonderful addition to their collection. The pattern 'Rivelin' will launch at Spring Fair, NEC, Hall No. 2, Stand B29/C30. Sophie Conran will be personally attending the launch on the 9th February between 2pm and 5pm – tbc. (For an invitation to meet Simon and Sophie please contact Arthur Price.)

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Notes to Editors: For more information, images or product samples please contact: Becky George, Wonderberry 41-43 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8FH Tel: 020 7404 9594 Fax: 020 7404 9594 b.george@wonderberry.co.uk

SOPHIE CONRAN is the only daughter of designer and restaurateur Sir Terence Conran and food writer Caroline Conran. Sister of fashion designer Jasper, restaurateur Tom, artist Edmund and product designer Sebastian, Sophie has two children, Felix and Coco.

Sophie first cut her teeth in the world of design with her brother Jasper, starting on his fashion team, and then, over the years, working as his Colour Predictor and then Product Manager. She has also worked with her father, accessorising his restaurants, interior designing show flats at the newly opened Butlers Wharf development and give direction for his various retail and design projects. Working as a buyer at the Design Museum's shop and The Conran Shop, Sophie eventually set up her own shop Wong Singh Jones in Notting Hill. One of her first ventures at 19, was to set up a supper club, followed by a catering company with her brother Tom, where they organised glamorous and unusual parties and events together; an experience that still helps in her role as patron for Breakthrough for Breast Cancer's various campaigns. Even at 20, Sophie proved to be an astute businesswoman, buying her Bayswater flat, then a cluster of unpromising bed-sits. She reunited the rooms and renovated and decorated throughout. Once shown to friends and family, private interior design commissions followed! Her base to this day, Sophie recently bought an adjoining flat, renovated it and incorporated it into her beautiful home.

In the early 90's, Sophie lived in Australia where her projects included design direction and new product development for the home-wares range of Country Road. Whilst there, she fell in love with a rammed-earth shack tucked away in the rugged terrain of the state of Victoria. The shack was but a shell, replete with outside loo. Sophie's delicate hand turned it into a cosy weekend retreat. On returning to the UK, Sophie's love of the rural continued. Living in Devon, rearing pigs and growing vegetables, Sophie's horticultural skills, honed in Australia and at the Chelsea Physic Garden, were put to good use where she learnt about food and how to grow her own from scratch.

Sophie launched her first food range, Sophie Conran Pies, a capsule collection of handmade top quality, gourmet pies launched in 2004 - winners of 4 Fine Food Awards in 2005. Sophie's debut cookbook 'Pies' was published in November 2006 by Collins and was a huge success, with a mini version entitled 'Easy Pies' selling exclusively at Marks and Spencers. Her second book, Soups and Stews, was published by Collins in October 2008 and a further cookery book is in the pipeline. Sophie has written food & entertaining stories for many UK titles including InStyle and Living etc and she has been a contributing editor for Junior Magazine since 2006, with a 2-page Food and Drink column. As of November 2009, Sophie also has a monthly column with House Beautiful Magazine. Sophie has also been a contributing Editor of Instyle Entertaining Magazine, and a Food Editor at LivingEtc Magazine.

In March 2006, Sophie's 60 piece kitchen and tableware range for Portmeirion launched nationwide in the UK. It has been a phenomenal success, winning prestigious awards such as the Elle Decoration Style Award for Best in Kitchens 2006 and the House Beautiful Award for Best Tableware in November 2008. Sophie Conran for Portmeirion is currently sold in over 55 countries, and the range has expanded to now include storage, candles, wooden kitchen equipment and as of Autumn 09, a bathroom range. Due to the massive demand in America, Sophie has created a beautiful new fine dining range, White Oak, launched exclusively in the USA in April 2008, and in the UK and Europe from early 2009.

In 2008 Sophie began a collaboration with Arthouse to create an exclusive debut collection of wallpapers for B&Q. This range was launched in Autumn 2008 in over 300 stores around the UK. This range was then followed by Sophie's Pattern Book, a brand new luxury designer-wallpaper collection, comprising 10 new designs, and numerous colourways, launched in 2009, now in 450 outlets worldwide. A second Pattern Book to follow in 2010.

Sophie is currently working on various new and exciting design projects. In May 08, she teamed up with luxury bathroom store, Drummonds of Chelsea, to re-design their showroom. In June 2008 she started working with Harvey Jones, as brand ambassador for the prestigious bespoke kitchen furniture company and in July 2009, launched 'the Cook's Companion', their first piece of freestanding kitchen furniture. In Summer 09, Sophie launched Sophie Conran for Temple Guiting, a stunning barn and manor house in the Cotswolds offering luxury gastronomic experiences for guests to come and enjoy.

www.sophieconran.com