Lladró, in collaboration with Rustan’s, organized exhibitions that showcased the richness of its creative universe from complementary perspectives. The two exhibitions explored, on the one hand, the dialogue between porcelain and pop culture and, on the other, the continuity of its sculptural tradition.
In this context, the Popcelain concept brought together under one umbrella creations developed in collaboration with major international brands. At Rustan’s Makati, the focus was on a selection of works linked to popular culture, reinterpreted in porcelain.
In this space, the collaboration with Pokémon took center stage, with Pikachu playing a special role. One of the most recognizable figures in global culture has been reinterpreted through Lladró’s artisanal craftsmanship to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse were also featured, as one of the most recognizable characters in the world of animation, now adorned with black doodles.
Joining them were Star Wars-inspired creations, from Darth Vader Grogu. The greatest superhero of all time, Superman, was also seen, in a limited edition of 500 pieces that stood proudly in his characteristic pose.
All of them share the same approach: translating global icons into Lladró’s handcrafted language, maintaining a balance between aesthetic fidelity and artistic expression.
Last May 19 at Rustan’s Makati, visitors had the opportunity to watch Lladró artists at work as they skillfully transformed beloved characters into a unique medium. Artist Nebot demonstrated working on the small flower that Pikachu holds in its hands.
The Spanish Horse, one of Lladró’s most iconic sculptures, represents an artistic challenge of the highest technical difficulty. It faithfully reproduces the magnificent horses of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.
Last May 20, a second demonstration at Rustan’s Shangri-La focused on the decoration of this masterpiece from the brand’s catalog. The process, which Nebot carried out on-site, highlighted the mastery of color, precision of line, and technical expertise required to imbue the porcelain with expression and character.
Both experiences offered a complementary view of Lladró’s creative universe. From reinterpretations of pop culture icons to the continuation of its major sculptural themes, the brand showcased the breadth of its artistic language and its ability to evolve without compromising its artisanal heritage.
On exhibit were Pikachu, easily recognized through black-tipped ears, red cheeks, and the signature yellow hue. The lightning-shaped tail adds the final distinctive touch and refers to its ability to store and discharge electricity. The porcelain recreation faithfully preserves the character’s identity. The yellow is worked with glossy enamels to keep the color clean and bright, while a light varnish on the eyes adds depth and a clear, precise finish.
Mickey Mouse, one of the most recognizable characters in animation and a cultural icon since 1928, inspires this porcelain interpretation that reimagines his silhouette through the language of freehand drawing. The character is crafted in white glazed porcelain, decorated with a black doodle pattern, a spontaneous line reminiscent of clever, light-hearted sketching.
The collaboration between Lladró and the Star Wars universe has given rise to a collection that combines the brand’s artisanal expertise with some of the most recognizable icons of contemporary culture.
Each creation, hand-sculpted and hand-painted, reinterprets unforgettable characters ranging from beloved figures as Grogu or droids R2-D2 and C3PO, to legendary heroes (Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia, Ahsoka Tano, or Rey) and the most powerful villain and his entourage (Darth Vader and the Stormtrooper). The collection that invites you to discover, in each design, new artistic interpretations of this legendary saga.
The ultimate superhero, Superman, has been reimagined in porcelain capturing the essence of the character: strength, integrity, and a quiet determination to make the world a better place. To recreate Superman’s outfit, Lladró has developed a special shade of blue and metallic reds exclusively for this edition. The combination is elevated by matte and satin gold luster detailing on the emblem and belt. Superman stands on a mineral-textured base representing Krypton, his home planet, the source of his strength and, paradoxically, the origin of his greatest weakness: kryptonite. Every detail has been carefully crafted, from the character’s anatomy and expression to the texture of the ground beneath his feet.
Spanish Horse (High Porcelain)
Spanish Horse pays tribute to one of the most admired equine breeds in the world. Inspired by the majestic specimens of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, this sculpture faithfully captures the beauty, poise, and natural elegance of the purebred Spanish horse.
Modeled with extraordinary anatomical precision, the horse is shown mid-stride, with one leg gracefully lifted, in a dignified and noble stance. Handcrafted in matte black porcelain, the base tone is enhanced by the deeper black of the blankets and the interplay of golden luster accents.
Through this collaboration with Rustan’s, Lladró reinforces its commitment to promoting porcelain culture and its desire to offer the public a comprehensive view of the creative process that transforms this noble material into pieces of contemporary design.
Lladró is a Spanish brand renowned worldwide for its mastery in creating artistic porcelain. Every Lladró piece is handcrafted with precision by sculptors and artisans at its one-of-a-kind factory in Valencia, Spain, from where they are distributed to over 120 countries.
