From a kitchen table startup to an international trendsetting partyware brand, Meri Meri celebrates its 40th birthday next year. Founded in 1985 by Meredithe Stuart-Smith, the company began with San Francisco mothers crafting cards from home and selling to Bergdorf Goodman. By 1990, they had five employees in California, growing to 30 in the US and UK by 1996.
Today, with one head office in Cheltenham, UK, and another in Reno, Nevada in the United States, Meri Meri has 85 employees and sells in 80 countries, through over 5,000 shops and online. Its online retail site, launched in 2017, features a magical mix of tableware, partyware, costumes, and toys, alongside inspirational craft and party ideas.
I love working in the children’s and partyware industry because…
It is completely joyful. I have the incredible good fortune to make fun, happy, and colorful products to celebrate life!
The brand is best known for…
We are famous for our cupcake kits! It’s a product we invented in 2007 to make cake decorating playful.
My biggest achievement to date is…
My biggest achievement, of course, is my two children and three grandchildren. However, building and maintaining a team of extraordinarily talented and kind people also makes me very proud.
We’re inspired by…
We are like magpies; if it’s shiny and new, we gravitate toward it. Our collections are inspired by travel and trends.
The current party trends we’re loving are…
Colourblock rainbow place settings are so much fun. We have a few great examples on our Instagram feed.
Favourite party pieces from the collection are…
I love our large hanging paper flower walls.
My favourite place in the world to skip the crowds is…
I always want to be in Maine. I have a summer house in a historic coastal town called Castine.
The best people to follow for parenting inspo are…
Dr. Becky has the best parenting advice I have ever heard.
And finally, what’s next for Meri Meri?
We are working on projects to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2025, including a big new collaboration with a 150-year-old heritage brand.
Discover Meri Meri’s dreamy range of colourful partyware on their website at www.merimeri.com, and follow their Instagram at @merimeriparty.
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