Our “Almost” Factual Juliska journey through time. Caution…there is a heavy emphasis on “Almost”.
DAVID GOODING:
1971
David Gooding is born in London, England – first words were "eternally chic tableware."
1972
Impatient Gooding starts working in father’s tableware import company.
1989
Fresh-faced Gooding leaves England for America in search of his large pot of gold and Daisy Duke.
1993
Gooding graduates from Hobart College in NY. Daisy was not at Hobart.
1994
Gooding works for MacKenzie-Childs in NYC and travels the nation coddling Neiman Marcus stores.
1995
Ambitious Gooding founds Penshurst Trading Inc. (PTI), an import agency focused on selling luxury European tableware. PTI opens its first showroom (it was hot pink) in New York City.
1998
Lightening bolts strike – England allies with France – Gooding weds designer Capucine De Wulf. Ad revenue on Dukes of Hazzard re-runs plummets.
JULISKA:
1999
David and Capucine conspire to launch their own tableware brand, inspired by their love of entertaining and all things European (except Chirac). Their design philosophy: beautiful, functional and luxe for chic everyday living.
2001
The Goodings create "Juliska" and debut a small collection of 40 European glass reproductions. Mass hysteria and fainting ensue as buyers are overcome by the collection’s exquisite beauty. The emergency room installs a velvet rope. Longtime friend Elaine McCleary joins design dream team - white smoke seen billowing out of the Juliska Vatican.
2002
Gooding installs industrial espresso machine in the design office. The design team triples collection to 120 pieces, sales team melts down their 3rd fax machine, Czech glass blowers call for reinforcements.
2003
Gooding finally discovers his wife in the delivery room cradling their newborn daughter Lily Joy.
2004
Juliska Berry & Thread ceramics are born. The entire population simultaneously torches all non freezer-oven-microwave-dishwasher safe ceramics. Gooding overheard saying "go forth and do thou likewise". Juliska leaves NYC for CT and opens a spectacular flagship store in Stamford. Design sweat shop and warehouse are also re-located.
Bliss Violette Gooding is delivered with a mysterious “JJJ” on her head...
2005
Juliska`s first lighting collection is launched with chic silver-lined and clear glass lamps. Interior designers nationwide break the world record for the longest Mexican wave.
2006
Daylight-deprived design team is mistaken for Siberian farmers as the collection swells to 600 pieces.
2007
A little French monkey (named Jean-Philippe) wanders into the design office and is instantly cast as lead in the ceramic production of Petit Singe. Jean-Philippe calls in his unemployed cousins to sing backup.
Following a massive renovation, the Juliska flagship store is re-launched with a ground-breaking new concept in retail entertaining. The new store epitomizes sumptuous European living and the finest cappuccino and pastry at the "J Café".
Daisy Victoria Gooding is born during the re-launch soiree.
2008
The Jardins Du Monde ceramic collection is born. It’s so hot right now. Nuff said. Gooding sister, Deborah “Wobid Gnobid Dandooley” Holden joins Juliska to head the European Expansion. Brother/sister tableware dream team finally reunited after a 25 year interregnum. They both experience haunting flashbacks of father’s child labor practice – long days toiling in his warehouse for a lard sandwich and some boiled meat. 5 year old Lily Joy Gooding sings “Au Claire de la Lune” at the company Christmas party (she has not yet returned Céline’s calls).
2009
Juliska European debut at Paris’ Maison & Objet show! Against all odds, a few French merchants were not on strike. Realizing that his incurably unpopular English/American identity might be a handicap in France, Gooding confidently resurrects his childhood French language skills – confused customers wonder why they would want to rent a windsurfer. Sister Deborah sings backup in Carla Bruni’s new hit “Que J’adore ma nouvelle amour Juliska”.
Insiders close to the American royal family reported that Michelle Obama fell in love with the groundbreaking new Juliska Pewter glaze. Barack forces Congress to include a massive Pewter Stoneware order in the $787 billion stimulus. Pelosi never notices.
Global economy simultaneously blows up, melts down, and freezes over. But more importantly, Tiger Woods finally returns to the PGA after knee surgery. Hurrah! And then…um…well…oops…
2010
Scotland Yard interrogates Juliska designers who preposterously claim the new Classic Bamboo pattern is not actually edged with real bamboo. “yuv go’ a be maaad, eye can’ne put tha’ in ma dishwasha” blurts Chief inspector Harry “Jock” McTavish III who suspends the case pending laboratory testing.
Glowing Lab tests reveal “Jock” could also freeze and cook his juicy haggis in said Classic Bamboo. Jock was not immediately available for comment. When he was, it was impossible to understand. But he was very excited.
2011
Someone mumbles Juliska 10 year anniversary. Moments later Branson offers congrats and front row seat on moon flight. Flowers, jewels, and accolades descend upon Juliska HQ. The Queen considers knighthood and/or loaning some crowns “or an Aston”. William and Kate do not publicly reveal their favorite dinnerware pattern is the new Juliska Country Estate. But we know they want to. Thank you for keeping this under wraps, Killiam, it’s not for everyone.
Juliska's staff executes an astounding surprise 10 year anniversary/royal wedding knees-up…the paparazzi were in full effect…
On the way home from the party…Capucine discovers a shocking statistic – her husband’s insurgent grey hairs had defeated his ruling brown hairs in a daring pre-dawn raid.