Smeg launches ‘70s inspired limited edition Unity fridge in collaboration with Coca Cola

Those of us who are children of the 1970s would remember the iconic Coca-Cola Hilltop television commercial “It’s the Real Thing” in which some 100 young people of different nationalities assembled on a hill top in Italy to sing the catchy jingle “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” which was later released as the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” performed by the folksy Hillside Singers.

Iconic images of Coca-Cola bottles are combined with words and symbols representing the seventies, such as peace signs, flowers and ‘Love’, to evoke an array of nostalgia. The well-known phrase ‘It’s the real thing’ has become a renowned aspect of Coca-Cola’s branding, and is bannered across Smeg's  new FAB28 fridge in a swirling hue of psychedelic colours. There will also be an official numbered plaque on each fridge to indicate it is limited edition authenticity, with only 25 available to purchase.  Image courtesy of Smeg.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of Coca-Cola’s Hilltop TV commercial, the company is celebrating with the 1971 Unity Collection, while launching a series of capsule collections with more than 25 fashion, beauty and accessories brands.

Giving Smeg’s signature retro style FAB28 a makeover, the unique Unity design reflects the Coca-Cola TV Hilltop commercial’s theme of peace and harmony through its bold and colourful style,  reminiscent of the 1970s.   With a generous 270 litre capacity and a multi-flow cooling system to ensure the ideal temperature and humidity for food storage, this iconic Smeg FAB28 ‘Unity’ design brings together style with high-performance technology.
Image courtesy of Smeg.

Now the celebrated Italian appliance brand, Smeg, has revealed a new look for its iconic FAB28 Unity fridge, the result of a collaboration with Coca-Cola to mark  the half-century of  its famous Hilltop Commercial.  I remember the amazing impact of the lyrics on the era of folk songs and popular psychedelic culture.  My friends and I would sing along to the legendary tune “in perfect harmony”, and the lyrics are as relevant and powerful today as it was then. 

Featured on the new Smeg fridge are iconic images of Coca-Cola bottles, combined with words and symbols representing the 70s, such as peace signs, flowers and ‘Love’, to evoke an array of nostalgia. The well-known phrase ‘It’s the real thing’ has become a renowned aspect of Coca-Cola’s branding, and is bannered across the fridge in a swirling hue of psychedelic colours. There will also be an official numbered plaque on each fridge to indicate it is limited edition authenticity, with only 25 available to purchase.

The interior also utilises the highest quality design, providing removable glass shelving to maximise and utilise the space to individual needs. There is also a life plus compartment for preserving perishable foods and a fruit and vegetable drawer. Additionally, there is also an icebox for storing ice and frozen foods. 

The special edition Unity fridge will be exclusively available in Smeg’s UK flagship store in London St James and from shop.smeguk.com, where only 25 will be available.

Coke has partnered with more than 25 international brands to celebrate the TV commercial — including Timex, PacSun, Starter, Morphe, Casetify, Funko, Loft, Mark Feldstein, Round 2, AMC Textil, Blue Ocean, Bumpboxx, Castline, Chaser, Fifth Sun, Freman Shoes, Grade Africa, Koolatron, Only & Sons, Picnic Time, PopSockets, Ripple Junction, Rolla’s Jeans, Rookie Roller, Smeg, Spirit Jersey, Tafi AR Samsung, Tai Apparel and Vintage Vending —"to reflect the optimism and unique expression of the original Hilltop campaign,” according to Kate Dwyer in a recent interview with the WWD. 

Commenting on the collaboration, Kate Dwyer, Senior Director of Global Licensing for Coca-Cola says: “These new collections showcase the timeless values of peace, inclusiveness, diversity and optimism”.

Among Smeg’s recent collaboration was with Italian fashion brand Dolce&Gabbana in the creation of 100 numbered fridges, each featuring images by Sicilian artists: lemons, the trinacria (meaning three-pointed, derived from a myth about three nymphs) symbol, cart wheels, medieval knights and battle scenes – all distinctive elements of the poetic marionette theatre and the Sicilian Cart as well as important aspects of the aesthetic
of designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. 
Images of Smeg kitchen appliances in its London flagship are by Lucia Carpio for
My Fashion Connect Global.

Checks and stripes and all things nice for summer

In the UK these past two weeks have been disappointingly wet and cold, although it's a blessing that we are now allowed to dine indoors in restaurants, bars and eateries.  

Still we are earnestly willing the weather to improve so that it will be warm enough to be outdoors, especially to spend time with loved ones and friends in a great setting for picnics and relaxation.

Just launched in time for the British “staycation” by Heating and Plumbing London is the ultimate “Rainbow” Picnic Set that comprises a pure new wool blanket with grey waterproof backing in a rainbow pattern and yellow strap; and two matching rainbow pure new wool cushions also with waterproof backing, come supplied with a cotton keep-safe bag.  The set comes in various colours and designs, and also just launched is a new waterproof rainbow picnic blanket for kids.

And for the adults, complementing the picnic set is a Portable Champagne bucket with leather strap - Made in the UK and France, created for those summer evenings spent on the beach or in a local park calling for a nice bottle of rosé or Champagne that needs to be kept cool while enjoying the sunshine. The base of the Champagne cooler is shaped, so that the bottle is slightly tilted and can be nicely covered with ice and remain very cold. 

As we enjoy outdoor dining and activities, many check and stripe patterns have come to the forefront as a great way to brighten up our valuable time.

From Tori Murphy comes this classic Harbour Stripe Napkin set in claret (available also in other colours) made in 100% cotton.   Each napkin has been woven, made and hemmed in England.

Founded in 2012 by Royal College of Art graduate Tori Murphy, the brand was established with the simple aim to create products for the home with character and integrity, all woven and made in England.

After graduating, Tori worked in Milan designing prints for clients including DKNY, Fendi, and Christian Dior and it's here she experienced the factory floor for the first time and developed a sound understanding and love of textile production. Tori returned home and worked in English menswear manufacturing in the Midlands before combining her passions into one and focused on English textile manufacturing.

This zesty Lemon and Lime Stripe cotton tablecloth (150x230cm) from Walton &  Co  is complemented by calming sage green and ochre.

Based in North Yorkshire in the UK, Walton & Co has been owned by the Marshall family since 1991, and are creators of table linens, soft furnishings & nursery gifts, supplying to independent home & gift retailers, garden centres and department stores in the UK and Europe.  The firm commenced business in 1785 under the title of Walton, Oates & Co.  It has a history that is full of interest with archives dating back to the days of employment of hand-loom weavers. 

This delightful porcelain mug in gingham check for a modern country-style is from Wohnflair which offers a wide selection of Shabby Chic products from Scandinavian manufacturers and brands such as Au Maison, Clayre & Eef, but also Madam Stoltz, Van Deurs, Jeanne d'rc Living, GreenGate and Chic Antique.

Back in the comfort of our home, Antipodream has got a variety of designs to set us up in the bedroom, including the Society of Wanderers Lilac Check Pillowcase and Sheets in 100% French Flax Linen  and also with ruffles, such as these shown here, pre-washed and easy to care for, now available for pre-order.