Interview with Antoni Anglès i Cantó, CEO and fifth generation of Cerabella

1. Cerabella is synonymous with tradition and craftsmanship. How do you keep that heritage alive while adapting to the new demands and tastes of the market?

At Cerabella, we view tradition as a living process in constant evolution. Since 1862 and for five generations, we have harnessed the artisanal expertise that is part of our identity; knowledge that each generation has known how to reinterpret to respond to its time.

Nowadays, this evolution has been poured into design, material innovations, sustainability, and the creation of pieces capable of generating an emotional connection with people and with the contemporary way of relating to everyday objects. The artisanal essence remains, but it is expressed in a current aesthetic and cultural language.

2. How does the Cerabella product relate to current interior design? How do candles help to create atmospheres and spaces?

Candles are no longer a mere afterthought. They have become an intrinsic part of contemporary interior design language. At Cerabella, we understand how candles can modulate the perception of the environment through light, shape, colour, and matter.

Today's interior designers are looking for well-being, authenticity, and richer sensory experiences, and here, the candle adds warmth, rhythm, and an emotional dimension to the place we inhabit. They introduce pauses, accompany everyday moments and respond to a growing sensitivity towards objects with their own identity and presence.

Furthermore, the candle resonates well with a more relaxed, mindful way of life, especially with the Mediterranean culture that inspires our brand.

3. Beyond what we see, are there more 'types' of candle today than we imagine? In this regard, how has it changed in terms of aromas and product presentation?

Without a doubt. The world of candles has grown enormously in recent years, and a plethora of different proposals coexist sculptural candles, decorative pieces, aromatic pieces, technical pieces, or even objects conceived as design or collectable pieces.

At Cerabella, we understand this diversity as a natural evolution of the product. There are candles where the focus is on shape and design, others where scents create sensory experiences, and others where light and matter are the main focus. They all belong to one world, but they awaken different emotions and perceptions.

The scent aspect has also evolved a lot. Fragrances are now developed with greater depth and sophistication, not only as pleasant perfumes but also as means of evoking memories, emotions, and moods. Even so, it does not replace other dimensions: the design, texture, and presence of the object remain fundamental.

Presentation is also more important. The packaging, materials, and packing are part of the product's language. The candle is designed to be a complete object that begins to communicate even before you light it.

4. What is Cerabella working on now? What new developments or lines are you currently working on?

At Cerabella, we are developing collections that stem from our approach to the candle as a meeting point between craftsmanship, design, and culture. Barcelona and the Mediterranean are a constant source of inspiration: their light, colours, rhythm and relationship with the everyday are very present in our work.

We are currently exploring particularly organic shapes, sculptural candles, and new aromatic experiences, always from a contemporary perspective and closely linked to design. At the same time, we are strengthening our ties with the world of interior design and decoration, understanding each piece as an object capable of adding character and personality, and refining the atmosphere surrounding it.

5. Cerabella works according to a painstaking artisanal process. Do you think that the end customer values that dedication behind the product?

Yes, that is a growing trend. In a society marked by immediacy, there is increasing appreciation for things made with time, knowledge, and care.

In our case, craftsmanship is not rhetoric, but a way of working. "Each candle is created with a process that requires expertise, precision, and care throughout, and this is evident in both the finish and the performance and quality of the product. There is a growing sensitivity towards honesty and authenticity.

6. From the aspects that stay the same and those that evolve, what constants are essential in a gift product, and what has changed for good?

The essential factor remains its ability to create an atmosphere through light. There is something profoundly universal about the candle that remains unchanged: its ability to transform the perception of a place with a very simple gesture.

What has evolved, however, is its contemporary interpretation. These days, candles include new dimensions linked to design, aroma, sustainability, and aesthetic intent.

Consumers want more than a light. They want things that add identity, coherence, and emotion to the environments they create.

7. Intergift is a crucial meeting point for the sector. What does it mean for Cerabella to participate in the fair, and how valuable is this direct contact with trade customers?

Intergift is a very important event for Cerabella because it allows us to directly share our brand vision, our new products, and our understanding of the candle as a design object and an experience.

Beyond the product, it is an opportunity to talk to professionals in the sector -interior designers, specialised shops, concept stores and distributors- which helps us to better understand the market, detect new sensibilities and continue building long-term relationships of trust.

The event also highlights connections between design, decoration, and new ways of inhabiting the home, a territory with which Cerabella fully identifies.