NEW YORK–Qi took the honors as the Best of Market new product for Home Textiles Market Week at the New York International Gift Fair’s At Home featuring Home Textiles section.

The Plaited Cable Blanket is a 100 percent cashmere product knitted with mouline and solid threads to create visual and tactile features. Among the other winners, Sefte’s Seda throw, made of 20 percent silk and 80 percent baby alpaca, was the winner in the bed category. In the bath category, the winner was Pluto On The Moon for its Kaneka blue robe, made of blended wool and nylon.

NEW YORK–The American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) New York Metro Chapter has picked seven exhibitors in the At Home section of the New York International Gift Fair as “Best of the Best.”

The recipients are Tempo Luxury Home Collection for imaginative product presentation; Ercole for innovative product design; Bevara Design House for social responsibility, ecological sensitivity and universal design awareness; Vivify Lighting for lighting; J. Fleet Designs for accessories; Rani Arabella for textiles; and Pheromone by Christopher Marley for wall art.

NEW YORK–Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) has named Margaret M. Smyth to its board of directors.

Most recently, Smyth served as vice president and chief financial officer of Hamilton Sundstrand, part of United Technologies Corp. Prior to that, she was United Technologies’ vice president and corporate controller. She also served in financial positions with 3M, Deloitte & Touche and Arthur Andersen.

NEW YORK–Ellery Homestyles will add 1,000 square feet to its showroom at 295 Fifth Ave. here in time for the March New York Home Fashions Market.

In a statement, the company said it is enlarging the show space “to accommodate continued growth in its business.” The expansion follows on Ellery’s renovation of the space last year.

By Allison Zisko

It may be coincidence that fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi will move into a new home at about the same time he unveils his new home collection, but the timing couldn’t have been better. The designer said he thinks about home all the time, but never more so than when he started developing the tabletop portion of his new home collection and started envisioning his new kitchen cabinets and all the additional space he would have for more dinnerware.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Nearly 25 percent of registrants for next week’s New York International Gift Fair have expressed a specific interest in “Made in the USA” products, said show owner and producer GLM.

“More than 400 of NYIGF’s 2,800+ exhibitors identify themselves as producers of ‘Made in the USA’ products,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “NYIGF presents an ideal sourcing opportunity for retailers seeking American-made products across the gift, home and lifestyle spectrum.”

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Trade-show manager GLM has named Penny Sikalis vice president of business development, in charge of researching and evaluating new trade-show launches and potential show acquisitions.

In her new role, Sikalis reports directly to Charles McCurdy, GLM’s CEO. She also maintains her current position as vice president and show manager of Surtex.

NEW YORK—HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in March.

Vendors are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight in their showrooms. Manufacturers of bedding, bath products and window treatments should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor, at dgill@hfnmag.com. Vendors of area rugs should submit their information to Andrea Lillo, senior editor, at alillo@hfnmag.com.

CHICAGO–Protect-A-Bed has begun a contest  inviting consumers to submit videos about how a good night’s sleep will help them in the New Year.

NEW YORK–Royal Heritage Home has acquired the assets of Allergy Control Products, a manufacturer of allergy-control products.

The deal adds Allergy Control Products’ line of allergy mattress protectors, HEPA air-purification systems, sinus-relief products, bed-bug treatments, respirator masks, water filters and asthma products into the Royal Heritage portfolio. The company sells these products both directly to consumers and through wholesale, according to a Royal Heritage statement.

GUELPH, Ontario–Protect-A-Bed is opening an office here to serve as its customer base in Canada.

The company has also appointed Marc de Grave vice president of business development for its Canadian operation. In a statement, Protect-A-Bed said de Grave has more than 25 years of sales and customer-relations experience in the Canadian retail, pest-industry, hospitality and health-care markets.

ATLANTA–Manual Woodworkers & Weavers is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, and has redesigned or relocated several of its showrooms.

At the Dallas Market Center, the company has moved to room 1355, near the west entrance. At AmericasMart in Atlanta, Manual Woodworkers has redesigned its room 697 show space in the West Wing, and is leasing room 10-C-96 in The Gardens.

NEW YORK–Alok International has signed a worldwide license agreement with Kathy Hilton Home & Design for a collection of bed sets, duvet covers, blankets, towels and window treatments.

Arun Agarwal, Alok’s president and CEO, said the line will be available in both retail stores and in the hospitality market. Hilton and Alok will jointly design the complete line, which will be drawn from Hilton’s recently renovated home in Bel Air, Calif. Agarwal said Hilton “represents the quintessential American lifestyle.”

NEW YORK–Avanti Linens will make its first appearance at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market next week, and will feature some of its collections under its license with Williamsburg.

The company’s temporary show space will be in Building 1, seventh floor, section J-15. Among the products it will spotlight at the show are Pembroke, a line of bath towels, shower curtains and bathroom ceramics in a damask pattern; and Catesby Palms, a bathroom accessories collection featuring a tropical motif.

RICHMOND, Va.–Carpenter Co. has introduced a new chemistry called IsoFresh, which neutralizes the smell of new foam bedding products.

CHICAGO–The Chicago Merchandise Mart will feature both new tenants and expanded showrooms for the upcoming Chicago Winter Market, Jan. 19-25.

By David Gill

The textiles industry’s biggest international trade fair, Heimtextil, is prepared to open its doors as the New Year begins.

The show is scheduled for Jan. 11-14 at its traditional location, Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany. According to Messe Frankfurt (also the name of the show’s owner and manager), the show is looking forward to receiving the same positive responses this year as it did in January 2011.

ATLANTA—AmericasMart will present numerous seminars and celebrity design demonstrations during the International Gift and Home Furnishings Market Jan. 11-18 and the International Area Rug Market Jan. 12-15.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.–Online purchases accounted for 10 percent of all home-fashions dollar sales in the 12 months ending in November, according to new research from The NPD Group.

NEW YORK–This year proved to be a strong one for the 7 W New York showroom building, with “record-setting attendance” at three markets, according to a statement from the building.

The building hosted more than 20,000 buyers from big-box retailers, independent specialty stores and off-price retailers at the 2011 markets, the statement said. Also, more than 100,000 visitors attended various trade and consumer events held in its 11th floor event space.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Home Textiles Market Week in January, which comprises both the New York International Gift Fair and the markets at 7 W New York and 230 Fifth Ave. in New York City, will offer up a number of new exhibitors and space expansions.

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–The Hydraluxe Cooling Gel Pillow from Comfort Revolution has been chosen as one of the 12 healthiest gifts for 2012 by Dr. Oz, host of the health and nutrition television show.

MINNEAPOLIS–Target will debut its Shaun White home collection during the week of Dec. 26.

The limited-time-only line will be available at both Target stores and on target.com through June 2012. It consists of bedding, lamps, wall decals, curtains, storage bins, a skateboard rack and piggy banks. Prices on the collection will range for $9.99 to $89.99.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Design will be the highlight of the winter edition of the 2012 New York International Gift Fair.

Thirteen companies have been selected to join the juried Accent on Design division of the fair, an Accent on Design retrospective exhibit will debut, and a new design-focused blog will launch as an extension of NYIGF’s “Driven by Design” campaign.

LAS VEGAS–World Market Center Las Vegas announced yesterday that Saro has nearly doubled its showroom space for the upcoming Winter 2012 Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2012.

The manufacturer and importer of linens, accessories, tabletop and gift has signed a multi-year deal for a 4,000-square-foot showroom in Building C, Suite C-804.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that trailblazing architect and developer John C. Portman, Jr. will receive a special Legend for Life honor at the organization’s gala event to be held here on Jan. 29.

This award, which is being presented upon the 20th anniversary of Gift for Life, recognizes Portman’s more than five decades of entrepreneurship and service to the industry.

WHEELING, Ill.–Protect-A-Bed has moved its U.S. headquarters to a location here from Northbrook, Ill.

The facility includes 20,000 feet of office space and 200,000 square feet of warehouse area. James Bell, CEO of Protect-A-Bed said the new location will help with the company’s expansion plans and will help accommodate its customers’ needs. Bell said the facility will help the company increase its business by four or five times the current size.

NEW YORK–Sheldon Good, vice president of merchandising at Revman International, passed away unexpectedly Thanksgiving morning.  He was 47.

Good began his career in home furnishings by joining Revman International in 1998 as part of the sales team in the newly launched Tommy Hilfiger Home division. In 2003, he moved to the Revman division as a brand manager and in 2007, he was promoted to vice president of merchandising.

As usual, next year’s six-month trade show calendar starts with a bang with a plethora of January events. Trade shows from Hong Kong to High Point, N.C., beckon members of the home furnishings industry through June. Here’s a partial list of trade show happenings. See the full calendar of events at hfnmag.com.

By David Gill
T’is the season to cover the bed. As temperatures drop across the nation and the holidays approach, consumers are in the mindset to find that extra bed covering (or coverings) to make sleeping that much more comfortable.

COSTA MESA, Calif.–Anna’s Linens has launched efforts to benefit charities during the holiday shopping season.

For the third straight year, the home specialty retailer has aligned itself with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign, a holiday program designed to raise awareness and funds for the children’s cancer hospital. People who shop at Anna’s Linens from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 will be asked to donate to St. Jude, and donations will be accepted at all Anna’s Linens stores nationwide and on its website.

GONZALES, La.–Second-quarter net income for juvenile-products vendor Crown Crafts fell 12 percent to $1.1 million, with the soft retail economy and the continuing decline in the birth rate the prime culprits, according to E. Randall Chestnut, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

LOS ANGELES–Crown Crafts Infant Products has formed an alliance with nursery designer Wendy Bellissimo to develop, market and distribute a collection of infant bedding, blankets and room decor.

The Wendy Bellissimo line is expected to be in stores by the fall of 2012. It will include multiple collections for crib sets and coordinating rugs, organizers, lamps, shelves, mobiles, wall decor, window treatments and other accessories.

NEW YORK–WestPoint International posted a net loss of $9 million in its fiscal third quarter, compared to the $14 million in red ink reported in the third quarter of last year, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing by its parent company, Icahn Enterprises.

NEW YORK-Dates have been set for Home Textiles Market Week next year. The event is produced and promoted cooperatively by New York International Gift Fair and permanent showroom buildings 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 W New York.

The winter 2012 edition of the show will take place Jan. 27 – Feb. 2 at 7 W New York, and from Jan. 28 – Feb. 2 at the NYIGF at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center & Pier 94, and at 230 Fifth Avenue.

NEW YORK—The Bombay Co. has reached license agreements with four home furnishings companies.

The brand has licensed with JLA Home on a collection of bed linens, bath accessories, window treatments, decorative pillows, throws and rugs. It has licensed with Zrike on a line of tabletop, and with StyleCraft on a grouping of table and floor lamps, chandeliers, pendants and electric wall sconces. Its new license with MVP Group covers luxury candles and scented products.

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.–Manual Woodworkers & Weavers will mark its 80th anniversary in business next year.

The manufacturer of throws, decorative pillows and home accents, will conduct celebrations at the upcoming winter markets. These will include the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, both of which take place in January. At the latter show, Manual Woodworkers will formally open its new location in room 697 of Building 2, West Wing, of the Dallas Market Center.

NEW YORK-The Natori Company will launch barware and table linen collections with licensee JLA Home at the tabletop market here next week.

The barware collection evokes a contemporary point of view to Natori’s East-West sensibility, the company said, and features a variety of different metals and intricate techniques, including three-dimensional dragon details, a fretwork pattern and wood grain carved in metal. Items include entertainment pieces such as an ice bucket and tongs, cocktail shaker, wine coaster, serving trays and cocktail swizzle sticks.

OAKBROOK, Ill.—1888 Mills has swung a deal to acquire Beacon Looms, one of the oldest family-run businesses in the home textiles industry.

NEW YORK–Dennis Keehn has been named to handle the advertising, marketing and website for 230 Fifth Ave.

Keehn’s appointment marks a return to 230 Fifth Ave., also known as the New York Market Center. From 1991 to 2008, he created advertisements for the showroom building.

Keehn’s career has included 35 years of experience in marketing and advertising. His clients have included Bloomingdale’s, Timex, the 225 Fifth Ave. Gift Building, Colgate-Palmolive, the 200 Lexington Ave. Design Center, Kurt Adler and Signooria.

NEW YORK–Ralph Lauren Corporation has appointed Ian Sears to the position of president of the Home Collection Division.

Sears succeeds Frank Guzzetta who will assist with the transition ahead of his upcoming retirement.

Prior to joining Ralph Lauren, Sears was chief marketing officer for Restoration Hardware where he also served as senior vice president of the direct-to-consumer business and played a senior role in the merchandising area.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.–Sue Murphy, buyer of decoratives at Hicks Nurseries in New York, was the winner of the iPad grand prize in C&F Enterprises’ 35th birthday raffle.

Taking home iPods in the giveaway were Jane Riley, store manager of Echoes, The Manassas Museum Store, and Carol Davis, interior designer for Interior Home Store.

C&F held the raffle at the summer market shows where the company exhibited; on its Facebook page, facebook.com/cnfei; and on the cnfei.com website throughout the summer.

BOCA RATON, Fla.—Hollander Home Fashions has named Mark McKenzie sales vice president.
 
McKenzie is responsible for sales to the company’s key accounts on the West Coast, and is based in San Francisco. He reports to Kay LeGrange, president of sales.
 
Before joining Hollander, McKenzie operated his own sales firm, Full-McKenzie, which he founded in 2009. He also worked in various executive posts for Bullocks, Springs Global and Westgate Home.

By David Gill

Speaking of his first months on the job, Norm Savaria, who became president and CEO of WestPoint Home in June, characterized this period as “managing a lot of change.”

WestPoint Home as a whole has been managing a lot of change for the past several years, and Savaria—and Taran Chernin, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, who also joined the company in June—are only the most recent changes.

SHELTON, Conn.-Latex International, which purchased a 51 percent stake in Pure LatexBLISS last year, has signed a letter of intent to acquire the remainder of the marketer of mattresses, bed pillows and mattress toppers.

Terms of the deal, which was expected to close at about this time, were not disclosed in a Latex International statement. Pure LatexBLISS will thus become a wholly owned subsidiary under Latex International. Kurt Ling and Joe Hunt, co-founders of Pure LatexBLISS, will remain involved in the management of the brand.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The 26th annual Surtex is slated for May 20-22, 2012, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

NEW YORK–Royal Heritage Home has unveiled a new website with information on dust mites.

Called dustmites.org, the site includes a database of articles about dust mites, dust-mite allergies, dust-mite treatments and bed-bug problems. Jeff Tauber, Royal Heritage’s chairman and CEO, said “Our hope is to become the leading destination for people with allergy and bed-bug problems seeking information.”

According to the website of the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, at least 45 percent young people with asthma are allergic to dust mites.

NEW YORK–Frette has formed a partnership with interior designer Suzanne Rheinstein to support and raise awareness for Children’s Institute.

The organization is dedicated to working with children traumatized by violence. The campaign will begin tomorrow at Frette’s recently opened flagship store on North Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, with an evening of cocktails and shopping. It will continue through Oct. 4, during which Frette will donate 15 percent of all sales to Children’s Institute.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Beginning next month, the New York International Gift Fair will hold 100 Days of Design, an initiative that is intended to connect the show’s attendees with design resources.

The program, which will begin on Oct. 20, will feature a 100 Days of Design blog, which will present daily guest posts during the weekdays, and which will be written by NYIGF exhibitors and design authorities. The blog will encourage industry participation and will be promoted through Gift Fair marketing and social-media channels.

NEW YORK–Jay Franco and Sons has reached a license agreement with Nickelodeon on a line of bedding, beach towels and decorative bath accessories featuring a number of the television channel’s signature children’s programs.

NEW YORK–Under new leadership, WestPoint Home will present itself at this week’s New York Home Fashions Market as a reenergized home textiles resource as it seeks to reverse its sales slide of recent years.

Norm Savaria, president and CEO, said he hopes to highlight WestPoint’s core competencies to the retail buyers and merchandisers who visit the showroom. “We need to show them our strengths in manufacturing, product, innovation and brands,” he said.

NEW YORK–Pacific Coast Feather and United Feather & Down, which merged earlier this year, have moved into one showroom for next week’s New York Home Fashions Market.

That space is Pacific Coast Feather’s showroom on the third floor of 1071 Avenue of the Americas. “Together in one showroom, (the merged companies) offer more choices, including the best in product innovation born from generations of success, led by an executive team of highly creative industry experts from both companies,” said Brandon Palmer, co-president of United Feather.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Beginning next month, The New York International Gift Fair will offer series of “market readiness” webinars to exhibitors participating in the winter 2012 edition of the New York International Gift Fair.

Produced jointly by NYIGF and Right Angle Strategies, a business strategy and coaching consultancy, the series includes four pre-show webinars, one post-show webinar, and free, 15-minute business consultations during NYIGF.

NEW YORK—Avanti Linens and Royal Heritage Home will introduce their first collections under their recent license agreements with Williamsburg at next week’s New York Home Fashions Market.

Avanti’s first Williamsburg line encompasses 11 patterns in bath, including towels, shower curtains, porcelain accessories and bath mats. Also part of the line are kitchen and table linens, including kitchen towels, pot holders, tablecloths, placemats and napkins. Some of the kitchen and table linens coordinate with some of the bath collections.

DUQUESNE, Pa.—American Textile Co. is launching a refreshed marketing approach for its AllerEase line of anti-allergen bedding products.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.–Rio Home Fashions has signed a license agreement with kathy ireland Worldwide to produce basic-bedding products under the kathy ireland Home brand.

The collection will include memory-foam bed pillows, memory-foam mattress pads and toppers, fiber -and featherbeds, comforters, mattress pads and bed pillows. The license agreement calls for the expansion of this line into hospitality customers as well as retailers, and will offer designs within the kathy ireland Home Acafe Society and kathy ireland Home Jardin collections.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair has successfully concluded its month-long “Like for Life” Facebook campaign, according to show owner and operator GLM. The campaign benefitted Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home décor industries’ sole charitable organization.

FARIBAULT, Minn.–Faribault Woolen Mills, one of the oldest textiles manufacturers in the United States, will reopen its manufacturing facility here next Thursday.

The company, which was founded in 1865, was one of the largest manufacturers of wool blankets until it closed the facility in 2009. In July, it was purchased by Chuck Mooty, former CEO of Dairy Queen, who is now CEO of Faribault; and his cousin, Paul Mooty, who is chief financial officer.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair has invited designers, artists and manufacturers to submit applications for several juried, design-focused divisions at the winter version of the trade show.

NEW YORK—Homes will be smaller and furniture will have multiple purposes in the year 2020, according to a report issued by the International Furnishings and Design Association.

Titled “20/20: IFDA’s Vision for the Future,” the report is the result of a survey of nearly 2,000 IFDA members across the nation and abroad. Among the predictions for 2020 are:

•Americans will be living in smaller spaces and fewer rooms.
 
•Modular, moveable and smaller-scaled furniture will take the place of built-ins and larger pieces.

By David Gill

For Creative Bath, the Central Islip, N.Y.-based manufacturer, the past five years has seen what Chief Operation Officer Bob Weiss called an “explosion” in business—but not in bath products.

The 38-year-old company began producing housewares about eight years ago, and in the past five years, this category has mushroomed into its biggest growth area. Creative Bath’s offerings in housewares (labeled Creative Ware on the company’s website, creativebath.com) now encompass serveware, drinkware, tabletop and storage and organization products.

 By David Gill

A small warehouse in Gardena, Calif., was the birthplace of Softline Home Fashions, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in business last month.

Softline has evolved over the years from a small vendor of fabrics into a resource for both fabrics and finished home textiles. It will be showing the latest introductions to its line of window treatments and decorative pillows later this month at the New York Home Fashions Market, in its showroom at 230 Fifth Ave. in New York City.

Hollander Home Fashions will launch its new Live Comfortably brand of luxury basic bedding at the New York Home Fashions Market.

By David Gill

This month will bring a revamped home textiles department to Target stores across the nation.

The mass merchant is changing the look of its domestics sections, creating a presentation more focused on components rather than ensembles. Target announced its plans in August, on a conference call of top executives speaking to financial analysts who cover the company.

LAS VEGAS–Las Vegas Market’s “Up on the Roof” charity cocktail event for Gift for Life during the summer show earlier this month sold 500 tickets, and raised more than $12,000 for the Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids (DIFFA).

The supportive turnout of industry leaders and gift attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, live music and prizes. Among the guests were designers Roger Thomas and HGTV’s Monica Pedersen. Prizes included raffle items such as a Peter Lik photo, autographed Bill Clinton books, and show tickets.

NEW YORK–New tenants and expanded showrooms will be among the offerings from the 7 W New York showroom building during the September New York Home Fashions Market.

NEW YORK—The Home Fashion Products Association’s Young Professionals (YoPros) have scheduled the Market Jam for next month’s New York Home Fashions Market.

The event will take place on Sept. 20, beginning at 9 p.m. at Legends at 6 East 33rd St. here. It will feature live music and guests.

Admission will be $20, with all proceeds going to benefit  the YoPros scholarship fund.

NEW YORK–July’s Home Textiles Sourcing Expo here brought in more than 1,500 attendees, who visited 132 exhibitors from nine countries, according to a report from Messe Frankfurt North America, manager of the show.

WASHINGTON–Fabrictech has formed a partnership with the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) to distribute materials on sleep health to the public.

Under this agreement, Fabrictech’s PureCare brand of mattress and pillow protectors will now include a special NSF educational brochure in all of the products. The packages will bear the NSF logo as well. Fabrictech’s products are available at mattress and specialty sleep retailers throughout the nation.

According to a joint statement, the two partners plan to announce more products in the future.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–Novo Textiles has formed an alliance with T3 Recovery Products to produce a licensed collection of home textiles under the Ironman brand.

Ironman is a series of triathlons operated by World Triathlon Corp. that occur throughout the world, and T3, a sleep-products design company, holds the worldwide rights to design and sublicense The Official Sleep Products of Ironman. Under the terms of this agreement, Novo will manufacture and distribute bed pillows, mattress protectors, mattress toppers, duvets and blankets under the brand.

NEW YORK–7 W New York’s most recent Gift & Home Textiles Market Week was upbeat, show organizers said, and the building was “bustling with a steady flow of high-caliber buyers.” Building tenants were “widely optimistic” about the market, reporting healthy sales and happy clients.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.–Biltmore’s licensing division has been chosen by the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE) to host the 2011 Licensors Workshop. The event will be held at the Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville Sept. 10-14.

The SPLiCE Licensors Workshop provides members with a unique venue that affords an opportunity to speak with other licensors across industry lines. During the workshop, SPLiCE members will learn about the best practices in brand protection and how to leverage innovation through licensing.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–GLM has announced 2012 dates for the winter and summer editions of the New York International Gift Fair.

The winter edition will take place Sat., Jan. 28 – Thurs., Feb. 2 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 & 94 in New York City, while the summer edition will take place Sat., Aug. 18 – Thurs., Aug. 23 at the same locations.

NEW YORK–Target has set plans to change the look of its stores’ home textiles department, creating a presentation more focused on components rather than ensembles, according to Kathryn Tesija, the retailer’s executive vice president of merchandising.

NEW YORK-Color and trend connoisseur Doty Horn has launched a new color marketing firm called ColorVoyant.

Horn, who most recently served as the director of color and design for Benjamin Moore, has developed a 2013 color forecast titled Fusion, which she previewed this month at PrintSource.

Fusion fuses together emerging trends and common threads from the worlds of art, fashion and pop culture. ColorVoyant offers four supporting themes for 2013, including what she terms “cooperative,” “modern primitive,” “mutant” and “eruption.”

NEW YORK–Five companies participating in Home Textiles Market Week in New York were presented with Best New Product Awards earlier this week, with Aalamwaar Textiles receiving the Best of Market award for its Mandela Pillow from the Tranquility Collection.

All of the winners and finalists are exhibitors in At Home featuring Home Textiles, which runs through tomorrow at the New York International Gift Fair.

NEW YORK–Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) has been designated the charity of choice for the New York International Gift Fair.

The 26-year-old organization provides basic necessities, books, toys and other products to children who are underprivileged or who have undergone a disaster. It distributes products through a network of nearly 1,000 community social-service agencies in the United States and abroad.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Two industry veterans – Thompson Lange of Homescapes Carmel and David Gooding of Juliska – have joined the seven-member advisory board of the New York International Gift Fair. 

Comprised of both attendees and exhibitors, the board meets semi-annually with show management to offer strategic feedback related to the gift and home market in general and about the NYIGF in particular. The next scheduled board meeting will take place this Wednesday, Aug. 17, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where the Fair is currently taking place.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.–C&F Enterprises and its sister company, Gallerie II, have added four gift and home trade shows to its lineup.

The companies began with exhibit space at Wild Birds Unlimited Vendor Mart from June 27-29 in San Antonio, and followed with space at The Chicago Market: Living and Giving, which took place July 30-Aug. 3. Looking ahead, they will also exhibit at next week’s New York International Gift Fair and at the High Point Market, Oct. 22-27.

NEW YORK–WestPoint Home reported a net loss of $5 million in its fiscal second quarter, compared to a net loss of $6 million in last year’s second quarter.

ATLANTA-Independent agent Jeff Casner has been named as the agent who represents the licensing interests of The Vera Co., owner of the library of artwork, trademarks and copyrights of the late American artist Vera Neumann.

Casner handles the licensing and marketing interests of the company, and acts as a strategic business advisor. He reports to Susan Seid, president of The Vera Co. Before taking his new role, Casner was director of licensing for Franco Manufacturing, and prior to that, he was senior vice president for KN Ltd.

CORNELIUS, N.C.–Bob Hamilton, the long-time textiles executive who was a mainstay at Fieldcrest Cannon, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 67.

Hamilton was director of marketing with Welspun at the time of his death. At Fieldcrest, where he served as vice president of marketing, he was most closely associated with the Royal Velvet brand. A spokeswoman with Welspun described Hamilton as “a huge influence on the industry for many years, and was also a wealth of knowledge. Bob’s eloquence and charm always left a lasting impression with all who met him.”

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in September.

Vendors are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight in their showrooms. Manufacturers of bedding, bath products and window treatments should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor, at dgill@hfnmag.com. Vendors of area rugs should submit their information to Andrea Lillo, fashion editor, at alillo@hfnmag.com.

NEW YORK–Macy’s has extended its Bar III brand into a line of decorative bedding.

The new collection is now available at 100 Macy’s stores and encompasses five bed styles: Pinball, Garment Wash, Puffer, Textured Stripe and Vintage Scroll. Coordinating decorative pillows and sheet sets are also part of the new line. Pricing for Bar III bedding products ranges from $40 to $250.

LAS VEGAS–The foodie scene hits World Market Center Las Vegas just in time for Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market, which opened yesterday.

Attendees to Tendence, scheduled for Aug. 26 to 30, 2011, in Frankfurt, Germany, will not only see worldwide trends and products in home furnishings, but also new show features, such as the debut of a new Home&Trend Award, as well as special focuses on Austria and Africa. More than a month before the show opened, show organizer Messe Frankfurt announced that Tendence was already fully booked up, with 2,100 international exhibitors registered for the show.

CARTHAGE, Mo.–In what President and CEO David Haffner described as “a reasonably good quarter,” Leggett & Platt posted net income of $54.7 million, up 4 percent from last year’s second quarter.

NEW YORK–In what Neil Cole, chairman and CEO, said were record results for both the top and bottom lines, Iconix rang in with net income of $44.8 million in its fiscal second quarter, 66 percent ahead of last year’s second-quarter result.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–Williamsburg has formed a licensing partnership with Avanti Linens for collections of bath, kitchen and table linens.

The products will be unveiled at the Avanti showroom in New York City during the New York Home Fashions Market in September. The collections include Tulipomania and Charlotte, prints inspired by Williamsburg’s fabrics based on botanical motifs; Parterre and Sheraton Ikat, vivid graphic designs; and Isham Indienne, a look based on 18th century exploration and world trade.

NEW YORK–CreatedinFrance, sponsored by Ateliers d’Art de France and dedicated to promoting the work of French craftsmen and companies abroad, will unite French manufacturers at the New York International Gift Fair next month.

Ateliers d’Art de France is a French federation for craft professionals. Among the vendors exhibiting in New York are Alain Saint Joanis, Beauville, Claude Dozorme Cutlery and Laguiole en Aubrac.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The Accent on Design section of the New York International Gift Fair has sold out its space for the August show, according to GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

The section will feature the work of 200 contemporary design resources, nearly 25 of which will be showing in the section for the first time, GLM said in a statement. Two design collectives, JOIN Design Seattle and the American Design Club, will be positioned near the entrance to Accent on Design.

NEW YORK–Marimekko has debuted an e-commerce site for the United States on its brand site, marimekko.com.

The site showcases the brand’s offerings in home décor, textiles, apparel and accessories. Marimekko North America will be in charge of this new e-commerce operation.

NEW YORK–The International Furnishings & Design Association and the New York International Gift Fair will offer a seminar on color theory and its practical applications at the upcoming Gift Fair.

GONZALES, La.–Crown Crafts has reached an agreement with Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, its largest stockholder, on the slate of directors to be nominated at the company’s annual stockholders meeting.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–A number of vendors will be newcomers to, returning to or expanding their exhibiting space at August’s New York International Gift Fair and Gift & Home Textiles Market Week.

Target’s in-house brands are the focus in the presentation of its home textiles merchandise.

The store devotes a considerable amount of space to the department, which offers both basic and decorative bedding, bath products and soft-home accessories. Each aisle centers the products around one or two of Target’s private-label brands: Target Home, Room Expressions and Fieldcrest. Thomas O’Brien, the retailer’s licensed collection for home, also gets prominent displays in the section. In addition, it offers one run of Springmaid bed ensembles.

Loftex USA

Loftex has entered the world of social networking with a group of beach towels in which, as the company said in a statement, “the virtual becomes reality.” Tweetie Sweetie, pictured here, features a vividly colored depiction of a young lady relaxing on a tropical beach and thoroughly engaged in her smart phone. The collection includes a whopping 45 designs in all, and is designed to engage age groups from baby boomers to gens X and Y. It will be available for spring and summer 2012. loftexusa.com

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair has launched a new Wayfinder application for mobile devices, designed to help show attendees and exhibitors.

ATLANTA–Williamsburg will introduce a range of home furnishings and gifts at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here next week that blends trend and tradition, the company said. Some of Williamsburg’s vendor partners exhibiting product here include Creative Co-Op, Department 56, Jim Shore, Andrea by Sadek, Michaelian Home and Winward.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York International Gift Fair in August.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The New York International Gift Fair is now accepting online registration for the summer show, which is scheduled for Aug. 13-18.

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.–Manual Woodworkers & Weavers will offer giveaways of an iPad and a Kindle during the upcoming Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market.

The company will have a drawing for an iPad on July 16, which will involve all visitors to its space who place an order that day. It will also hold a drawing for a Kindle on both July 15 and July 16. All three drawings will take place at 6 p.m. on each day.

Manual Woodworkers’ showroom is in room 697 in AmericasMart Building 2, West Wing.

CHICAGO-Mark Falanga has been promoted to president of MMPI, succeeding Christopher Kennedy, who will step down July 23 from the post he has held for the past 11 years.

NEW YORK-Marci Zaroff, recently named chief marketing and sustainability officer with Portico Brand Group, will speak at the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) seminar here on June 28.

A long-time activist for eco-friendly products, Zaroff has played a role in defining U.S. global organic-fiber processing standards and in the development of the world’s first Fair Trade Textile Certification, according to a Portico statement. GOTS defines the requirements for the organic status of textiles, including garment labeling.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York International Gift Fair in August.

SAN FRANCISCO–Peking Handicraft has added illustrator Clare Mackie to its stable of artist licenses, and is launching her designs on a group of holiday merchandise.

A native of Scotland, Mackie is noted for her use of vivid colors and playful representations. The initial collection will consist of decorative pillows and towels that will highlight Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, featuring elements associated with all three holidays such as bats, turkeys, Santa Claus and reindeer.

LONDON–Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), owner of GLM, said it is exploring “strategic alternatives” about the company’s U.S. trade-show unit—which, according to sources, could include a sale of the business.

The statement said, “The strategic review of GLM follows the conclusion that there is limited opportunity to leverage the GLM assets across the wider DMGT group, and that we should focus our events activities onto fewer areas ... such as our portfolio of energy shows and our activities in the Middle East.”

GONZALES, La.–Fourth-quarter net income for Crown Crafts totaled $1.6 million, down a precipitous 32 percent from the fourth quarter of one year ago.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.–Frette has opened the doors on its new flagship boutique here, which includes the company’s bedding products.

The 1,300 square-foot space is located on Rodeo Drive, and showcases the company’s bedding (including sheets, duvets and shams), bath towels, spa accessories and napkins, runners and tablecloths. Other home accessories range from cashmere throws to candles. A section of Frette to Wear lingerie and sleep accessories is also offered at the new boutique.

CHICAGO-Protect-A-Bed has begun a week-long contest themed around Father’s Day on the company’s Facebook page.

NEW YORK–J.Queen New York has appointed several key executives to its sales, supply-chain and product-management areas.

Neon hues have been hot both on the runway and in the home, and Pantone’s new Fashion + Home nylon brights collection addresses those colors with 21 vibrant shades to help designers working with this fabric. The new collection is the first time Pantone has specifically targeted nylon, and now provides a standard for accurate color selection, specification and reproduction in these hues for it.

By David Gill

The launch of the Umbra collection of soft window treatments, which occurred during the March New York Home Fashions Market, confirmed that Peking Handicraft has become a significant player in branded home textiles.

Umbra is the third of the three key licensed brands now offered by the San Francisco-based textiles vendor. The others, Trina Turk and MaryJane’s Home, debuted at last September’s New York Home Fashions Market, and also received huge play in Peking Handicraft’s New York showroom during the March market.

KENNESAW, Ga.–Invista has promoted Roberto Fontanillas to global business director for fiberfill.

In his new post, Fontanillas is responsible for leading the international Dacron fiberfill business. He also oversees efforts to increase consumer knowledge of Dacron-branded bedding products.

Before his promotion, Fontanillas was sourcing director of Invista’s North American polyester business.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has appointed Bonnie Wilson vice president of sales.

Wilson succeeds Dennis McDaniels, who is retiring from the company, and reports to Kay LeGrange, president of sales. Wilson, who is  based in Charlotte, N.C., is responsible for driving sales and profit growth with key customers in the southeastern U.S., the company said.

NEW YORK–Joan Karron, executive vice president and principal of CHF Industries, will be among those honored by children’s charity Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) here tomorrow.

FALL RIVER, Mass.–Textiles manufacturer Matouk has been honored with the 2011 Innovation Award from the Smaller Business Association of New England.

A panel of judges selected the company from 185 nominees that represented the region’s technology, services and retail/distribution industries. A Matouk statement said the company was cited for its “aggressive marketing strategy” and use of technology such as a robotic quilting machine, a solar-powered factory and automated embroidery machines.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.–Aid to Artisans, an international non-profit organization, has appointed Alfredo Espinosa as president. Beginning his position today, he succeeds David O’Connor, who was president from 2005 to 2010.

NEW YORK–Marking its 25th anniversary, Surtex has opened alongside its usual companion shows, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and the National Stationery Show.

This year’s Surtex has about 300 exhibitors that are presenting the artwork of some 1,000 designers and artists. Some 70 percent of the artists and designers in the show are from the United States, a turnaround from the early years of the show, in which the majority of the artists and designers were from Europe.

NEW YORK–Sunham Home Fashions has slated a fall launch for its upcoming Hugo Boss Home collection.

The collection will include bedding, bath towels and bath robes for both the home and the beach with designs including florals, bold stripes and classic neutrals. Retail prices will range from $13.50 to $95 for bath products and $75 to $350 for bedding.

The Hugo Boss Home collection will join the Lacoste Home, Bath & Beach line in Sunham’s product portfolio.

CHICAGO-In recognition of May as Better Sleep Month, Protect-A-Bed has introduced the Healthy Sleep Zone Solutions giveaway series.

During the weekly giveaways, consumers will have the chance to win a variety of Protect-A-Bed products by visiting protectabed.com/content/ProtectABed/CustomPages/giveaway.htm.The first round of giveaways will begin tomorrow and will take place every Friday through June 10, and will focus on allergy relief.

By David Gill

It’s a whole new synergy.

Several area-rug vendors have expanded their product offerings to include decorative pillows. The most recent of these is Safavieh, which brought decorative pillows to last month’s High Point Market for the first time. Others on this list are Surya, which debuted its first decorative-pillow line in 2010; Nourison, which introduced its pillows in January 2010; and Liora Manné, the designer brand that unveiled its first pillows in March 2010.

NEW YORK–Springs Global has formed a partnership with celebrity chef Paula Deen on a line of home furnishings.

The collection, scheduled for a debut in spring/summer 2012, will include bedding, bath products, lighting products and decorative accessories that will be “affordably priced,” according to a Springs statement. The design will reflect Deen’s “down-home style” and “southern charm and sensibility.” Joe Granger, president of Springs Global, described the “spirit” of Deen’s brand as “charming, humorous, inspiring and very American.”

NEW YORK-Qi New York, a brand primarily of knitwear apparel, has entered the home business with a line of cashmere textiles.

The collection includes seven cashmere fringed throw blankets, cashmere decorative pillows, throws, pillow covers and shams. It will debut at retail this coming August, with high-end department stores and specialty stores as the prime targets, and it will also be available on QiCashmereShop.com. Retail prices will range from $500 to $1,200.

Founded in 2002, Qi New York has centered its line on cashmere apparel.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–In line with last week’s Earth Day, Perfect Fit Industries has set a course for reducing the amount of manufacturing materials that go into landfills.

NEW YORK–The first quarter for Iconix Brand Group brought new records and strong growth in both net income and total revenues.

The bottom line for the quarter, which ended March 31, grew 28 percent to $35.1 million, while revenues from licensing and other sources rose 29 percent to $92.4 million. Neil Cole, Iconix’s chairman and CEO, said both totals were better than the company had expected. “Our outperformance was driven by strength across the portfolio of brands, most notably our direct-to-retail brands, which continue to gain shelf space,” Cole said.

STEVENS, Pa.–While a key indicator of luxury spending has gained ground in the second quarter, spending on luxury products has continued to lag since the beginning of this year, according to the latest luxury consumption index survey from Unity Marketing.

CHICAGO–Laura Dro Designs, a boutique design studio, has debuted its website at lauradrodesigns.com, and is gearing for a push of Dro’s work to the home-furnishings trade.

The site features new range of artwork available for licensing, ranging from acrylic paintings to digital designs. Her styles include classic looks, geometrics, damasks and florals.

HONG KONG–The Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair opened earlier today, and will both continue through April 23.

Both shows are taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. One key focus at both fairs is environmentally friendly products. The Houseware Fair includes a new Green Living Zone, which is showcasing “green” housewares products for homes and buildings, while eco-friendly products made of biodegradable materials or with green manufacturing techniques will be spotlighted at the Home Textiles Fair.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The addition of the Gourmet Housewares Show will be a key feature of Phase Two of the reorganization of the New York International Gift Fair.

NEW YORK–Manufacturers and importers predict that retail prices of cotton products such as sheets will jump this spring and summer, according to a survey conducted by Capital Business Credit.

DAYTON, N.J.–Triangle Home Fashions has moved to a new headquarters and warehouse facility here, from its previous location in Cranbury, N.J.

Jenny Zhu, president and chief design officer for the home-textiles manufacturer, said the move was necessary due to the growth of the company’s business over the past three years. “We now have the ability to react faster to our customers requests and become one of the most important manufacturers in the textile industry,” Zhu said.

NEW YORK–Su Hilty, vice president of marketing for 7 W New York, will retire in June.

Hilty joined the showroom building in 2004, after serving as vice president of marketing for the 225 Fifth Ave. showroom building. A statement from MMPI, 7 W New York’s owner, credited her with for playing a crucial role in establishing the building as a showroom location for vendors in the gift, home-furnishings, tabletop and textiles industries.

GOLD RIVER, Calif.–Sarah Richardson, host and co-producer of “Sarah’s House” and “Design Inc” on HGTV, will be the keynote speaker at the first Window Coverings Association of America’s conference and trade show, Inspire 2011.

Richardson will speak at Sept. 8 at the show’s location, the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. The show, which will mark WCAA’s 25th anniversary, will bring together members and guests from the association’s 31 chapters, including workroom owners, designers, decorators, installers, retailers and window-coverings dealers.

WAITSFIELD, Vt.–Verilux has named Janelle Schulenberg to the newly created post of senior vice president of marketing.

Schulenberg has thus assumed charge over the company’s marketing departments and functions, especially in formulated its marketing strategies in building the Verilux brand. She reports directly to Ryan Douglas, CEO.

Before joining Verilux, Schulenberg was managing partner for Tacet Consulting, a strategic-growth firm that serves global and regional organizations in sales, marketing and operations.

MONTES CLAROS, Brazil-Increased expenses for selling, interest and bank charges, and taxes drove Springs Global’s bottom line to a net loss of $10.4 million for 2010.

By Allison Zisko

Ralph Lauren is on a roll.

As the spring show season begins, Ralph Lauren Home executives are confident they now have all the components needed for an integrated lifestyle presentation, with two distinct brands that do not overlap in price point or design yet share a common viewpoint.

FRANKFURT, Germany–Preparations for next January’s Heimtextil have officially begun with the recent meeting of the Heimtextil Trendtable.

The Trendtable consists of seven design agencies, which met earlier this month. Marc Woodman, trend expert from Global Color Research USA, is the first U.S. designer to serve on the Trendtable.

The results of the Trendtable and the Heimtextil Trend Book for 2012-2013 will be published during the Tendence trade show here, from Aug. 26-30.

By David Gill

Nothing irks a pundit more than when nobody listens to him.

Last year at this time, I wrote a column about the March New York Home Fashions Market, in which I noted that retailers and manufacturers were still out of synch with each other on pricing. Actually, “out of synch” is putting it mildly—“at total war with each other” is more accurate.

NEW YORK-Lynn Tilton, founder and CEO of Patriarch Partners, has received the Luminary Award from Womensphere and The Urban Zen Foundation.

Patriarch Partners owns Croscill, Ex-Cell Home Fashions and Glenoit. The Luminary Award is given to women whose leadership, innovation and personal commitment “have illuminated and inspired the lives of millions and positively transformed the world,” said Analisa Leonor Balares, Womensphere’s CEO.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–Perfect Fit Industries has created new positions in its product-development group, appointing Kendall Dunlap and Terrie Zagorski merchandise managers, and thus signaling its intent to enter new product categories.

Zagorski oversees the company’s new initiatives in sheets, pet beds and furniture covers. Dunlap is responsible for product growth in key accounts. Both executives report to Carmen Waite, vice president of marketing and product development.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.—The International Furnishings and Design Association has designated Joe Ruggiero as this year’s winner of its Trailblazer Award.

WHITTIER, Calif.-Leggett & Platt Consumer Products has finished the transition of all of its home-textiles products to the Leggett & Platt brand name.

NEW YORK-Attendance in the showrooms at the 230 Fifth Ave. showroom building during the New York Home Fashions Market was triple the number at the spring market last year, according to a statement from the showroom building.

The statement said vendors in the showrooms reported “solid orders from set appointments as well as walk-ins.” Attendees were treated to special amenities provided by the building, including free massages, complimentary breakfast and lunch in the Antique Café in the lobby, and giveaways.

MASON, Ohio–Downlite has named John Finegan and Wayne Palach regional sales managers.

Finegan has become Northeast sales manager, while Palach is Midwest sales manager. Both positions are new to the company, and entail responsibility for the sales of the company’s product line to retailers in those regions. Both men report to Glen Alberi, national sales manager.

NEW YORK–7 W New York will get into the spirit of spring with a garden/outdoor dining and entertaining-themed Tabletop Week, April 12-15, which will run concurrently with Printsource New York’s show, a market for textile and surface design.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Bonnie Wilson has joined Perfect Fit as vice president of sales, a newly created position for the company.

In her new role, Wilson oversees the company’s account team in both the United States and Canada, and reports directly to Dan Hammer, president and chief executive officer.

Before joining Perfect Fit, Wilson held sales positions with Springs Global and Liz Claiborne Home. She has more than 25 years experience in the home-textiles industry across multiple product categories.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.–While solid light colors and patterns and prints remained the strongest colorways for home textiles, white textiles came the closest to returning to their prerecessionary levels last year, according to research in home textiles sales from The NPD Group.

NEW YORK–Marc Navarre has been named the president and chief executive officer of Croscill, Glenoit and Excell.

Most recently, Navarre was the president and CEO of Groupe SEB, North America, where he oversaw the management of housewares brands such as All-Clad, T-Fal, WearEver, Rowenta, Moulinex and Krups. Previously, Navarre served as the president and CEO of All-Clad Metal Crafters.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–A panel of industry experts will discuss the state of American design at the Surtex trade show in May.

NEW YORK-Comfort Revolution, the sleep-products company recently founded by industry veteran Michael Fux, has reached an agreement with Izod for a line of mattresses, mattress toppers, bed pillows and stadium cushions.

NEW YORK–Kravet has emerged as the winner of the auction for Brunschwig & Fils.

A fourth-generation family-run company, Kravet is expected to assume control of Brunschwig & Fils at the end of this month, pending approval by the bankruptcy court.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–Louisville Bedding Co. has named Rob Rudy executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, a new position for the basic-bedding manufacturer.

Rudy has assumed charge over the company’s human-resources, marketing, sales, quality and technical-development departments. He is also continuing in his current post as president of Louisville Bedding-Canada. He reports to Steve Elias, president and chief executive officer.

Rudy has been president of the Canadian unit, formerly known as AHF Inc., for the past 24 years.

NEW YORK–Sleep Innovations has formed an alliance with Dara Torres, the 12-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, on a collection of sleep products.

Torres will endorse and promote the line, which will debut at next week’s New York Home Fashions Market. The collection will then be featured in a multimedia and online advertising campaign going forward.

NEW YORK—Excell/Glenoit has just obtained the license for  Pflatzgraff for the categories of table linens, shower curtains and bath accessories, bedding, kitchen accessories, indoor and outdoor rugs and window treatments.

Concurrently, Mikasa has  teamed with Croscill Home for a line of products including placemats, table cloths, napkins and bedding and bath ensembles.

Both Mikasa and Pfaltzgraff are owned by Lifetime Brands.

By David Gill

For the first time, HFN has selected two retailers as Textiles Retailers of the Year.

The two stores are Macy’s and Anthropologie. They were chosen for their assortments and their presentations of the merchandise—and for the environment of their home-textiles departments, which in both cases is calculated to draw shoppers from the other surrounding departments.

By David Gill

Not surprisingly, innovation is a crucial element in the operations at Sleep Innovations, the basic-bedding manufacturer.

The word “innovation” has become a favorite among manufacturers of home furnishings in a variety of categories. Executives place innovation high on their lists of what they feel they need to do to differentiate themselves from their competition.

NEW YORK—Ellery Homestyles is producing a new collection of curtains in an agreement with the National Sleep Foundation.
 
Called the SoundAsleep line, the curtains are designed to block 99 percent of outside light, enabling consumers to get a better night’s sleep, Ellery said in a statement. The curtains are available in multiple constructions, in a diverse grouping of fabrics and colors.
 

NEW YORK–Lou Lombardi, president and chief executive officer of the 295 Fifth Ave. textiles showroom building, has slated an overhaul of the venerable building.

SEATTLE-In a move that changes the face of the basic-bedding industry, Pacific Coast Feather and United Feather & Down have reached an agreement to merge.

The newly combined company, which has a combined history of 325 years in the utility bedding business,  will have an estimated $300 million in annual sales, according to a statement from Pacific Coast Feather. Their presences are particularly strong in the market for down- and feather-filled comforters, bed pillows and mattress pads.

When I recently asked textiles executives about their current issues in sourcing, one CEO answered: “In one word…COTTON!!”

This reply…actually, this primal scream…reflects the textiles industry’s ongoing frustration. From about 50 cents a pound a year and a half ago, cotton prices have climbed to the point where $2 a pound is now in clear sight—and they might not even stop there, once they reach that level.

Plus, cotton isn’t the only cost crunch in textiles. Because of the multiplying turmoil in the Middle East, oil and gasoline prices are expected to spike, and soon.

ATLANTA–Sixty percent of the exhibitors in the Market Temporaries section of the Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market will be new to the show, according to a statement from AmericasMart Atlanta.

NEW YORK–MindsInSync has reached an agreement with Loews Hotels through which guests at the hotels who travel with pets receive a complimentary Microdry Ultimate Luxury Memory Foam Pet Mat.

The pet mat is part of the Microdry product group, which also includes a bath mat. Loews will offer the mat at all 18 of its locations in the United States and Canada during its Woofie Weekends promotion, which runs from now through April 30.

NEW YORK–Royal Heritage Home has slated the introduction of its licensed Williamsburg collection of top-of-bed products for next month’s New York Home Fashions Market.

NEW YORK–Brunschwig & Fils, the home-furnishings vendor that is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, said a number of companies are set to bid when the auction for the 110-year-old firm takes place in March.

NEW YORK–In spite of a wicked snowstorm that struck this area last week, the 7 W New York showroom building said the Gift & Home Textiles Market Week was “an upbeat and productive market” in terms of buyer attendance and business in its showrooms.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Attendance at last week’s New York International Gift Fair rose by more than 10 percent over the total at last year’s winter NYIGF, according to a statement from GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

Nearly 35,000 people attended the market, representing all 50 U.S. states and 86 countries, GLM said. Exhibitor numbers were also higher than at last winter’s show, with four show divisions—At Home, Handmade, Personal Accessories featuring Details and EX-TRACTS—all at full capacity.

GONZALES, La.–Higher costs for raw materials, labor, transportation and currency hurt Crown Crafts’ bottom line in its fiscal third quarter, which ended on Dec. 26, 2010.

NEW YORK–MindsInSync has promoted David Pan, general manager of China operations and development, to chief executive officer Asia Pacific of MindsInSync Shanghai, a new position for the company.

FRANKFURT, Germany–January’s Heimtextil show put the spotlight on new colors and designs, along with eco-friendly materials and manufacturing, across all of the featured product categories, according to a statement from Messe Frankfurt, the show’s owner and manager.

NEW YORK-Six companies exhibiting in Accent on Design at the New York International Gift Fair were presented with awards to recognize superior design creativity and innovative product design.
 
“These Accent on Design participants have emphasized functionality, without compromising aesthetics, across a broad spectrum of product categories,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “Their work stands out in a field of exemplary design.”
 

NEW YORK—HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in March.

Vendors are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight in their showrooms. Manufacturers of bedding, bath products and window treatments should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor, at dgill@hfnmag.com. Vendors of area rugs should submit their information to Andrea Lillo, senior editor, at alillo@hfnmag.com.

CHICAGO–Protect-A-Bed has launched a contest in which consumers can provide their best and proven tactics for potty training on its Facebook page.

The company has invited consumers to share their potty-training stories on facebook.com/ProtectABed, for a chance to win mattress-protection products. The grand-prize winner will receive a mattress-protection prize pack for the entire household, up to four beds, along with a potty-training protection kit. The winner will also be featured on Protect-A-Bed’s website, protectabed.com.

NEW YORK—Today marks the opening of Gift & Home Textiles Market Week here.

The showroom building at 7 W New York will be open today. Among the amenities at 7 W New York are Shop 7 W First on Friday, taking place today; the daily Gift Week Showroom Spotlight and Holiday Shopping Stroll; the Pop-Up Shop 101: One-on-One, taking place each day from Jan. 31-Feb. 2; Twilight Shopping tomorrow; and Winter Wonderland on Jan. 31, in which attendees will be able to shop the showrooms until 8 p.m.

NEW YORK—CreatedinFrance and the Japan Pavilion will be among the international exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair, which opens tomorrow.

Sponsored by Ateliers d’Art de France, CreatedinFrance will be dedicated to promoting the work of French craftsmen and companies. It will include both first-time and long-standing exhibitors displaying general gifts, tabletop products and textiles.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Four designers have been invited to participate in the A+: The Young Designers Platform within the Accent on Design section of the New York International Gift Fair.

The designers are Dana Cannam of danacannamdesign, Hongjie Yang and Jinseok Hwang of studioLOBOT, and Ricky Giacco of Concrete R&D LLC. Their products range from housewares to lighting, personal accessories and gardening accessories. The exhibit is curated by the American Design Club.

NEW YORK—Seven companies with new and expanded showrooms have opened in the 7 W New York showroom building, with the Gift & Home Textiles Market Week set for later next week.

FRANKFURT, Germany—Attendance by trade visitors at the recently completed Heimtextil totaled 73,000, three percent over last year, according to a statement from Messe Frankfurt, owner and manager of the annual textiles trade show.

In addition, total exhibitors increased five percent over last year’s show. Detlef Braun, member of Messe Frankfurt’s board of management, said the trade visitors came from 136 countries, up from 120 countries represented at last year’s Heimtextil. The number of exhibitors reached 2,061, representing 60 countries, the statement said.

NEW YORK—Fabric and home-furnishings vendor Kravet has made a bid to purchase Brunschwig & Fils, which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The deal is subject to a competitive-bid process that will take place in early March, according to a spokeswoman for Brunschwig & Fils.

Brunschwig & Fils is a supplier of fabrics, wall coverings, trimmings, upholstered furniture, lamps, tables, mirrors and accessories.

FRANKFURT, Germany—The 2011 Heimtextil trade show has opened and has logged a five percent increase in its exhibitor total, according to a statement from Messe Frankfurt, the show’s owner and manager.

BETHESDA, Md.—Valerie Bursten, a veteran executive in the window coverings industry, has died. She was 70.

Bursten and her husband, Steve, began their careers in the 1960s in the drapery-fabrics business. Together, they founded Decorating Den, an international franchise business, in 1969, in which Valerie Bursten served as instructor in decorating and window fashions. Early in the last decade, they founded Exciting Windows! and Window Coverings University, for both of which she was serving as an instructor at the time of her death.

NEW YORK—The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will present Color Forecast 2012 during the upcoming New York International Gift Fair.

CHICAGO—Rose Leahy has been promoted to key accounts manager in the retail division of Protect-A-Bed, a new position for the company.

Leahy is now responsible for expanding Protect-A-Bed’s relationships with retailers and ensuring that the company’s products and services meet its customers’ needs. She reports to Jared Bell, director of sleep-shop sales.

Leahy has been with Protect-A-Bed since October 2006. Her most recent post was customer liaison.

NEW YORK—Kelli Turner, chief financial officer for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, will leave the company in the near future, according to the company.

An MSLO statement said Turner will “join a private company in the near future,” although it did not specify which company. MSLO has also begun a search for a new chief financial officer.

During the search, Allison Jacques, the company’s controller, will serve as MSLO’s principal financial and accounting officer.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—GLM, owner and manager of Surtex, has scheduled an hour-long webinar to help Surtex exhibitors with moving in and setting up their booths.

Titled “Operations Basic: Logistics for a Smooth Move-in/Set-up,” the webinar will take place Jan. 12 at noon Eastern Standard Time. Mike Edson, GLM’s operations manager, and John Kelly, sales manager for GLM, will be the presenters.

MIAMI—Trivest Partners, a private investment firm, has finished its recapitalization of Ellery Homestyles, the manufacturer of window treatments, bedding and throws.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Perfect Fit Industries has inaugurated a strategic initiative focused on health-related products, which is geared toward extending its business into the hospitality and health-care markets.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Surtex has named five judges for its designext competition, scheduled to take place at the next Surtex this coming May.

NEW YORK—Printsource New York, the textile- and surface-design trade show, is scheduled for Jan. 10-12 on the 11th floor of the 7 W New York showroom building.
 
The show features collections by international surface- and textile-design studios. More than 2,500 fashion and home-textiles executives, editors, retailers, merchandisers, product developers, architects, designers and creative directors are expected to attend.
 

By David Gill

From the downbeat atmosphere of the 2009 show to the cautiously optimistic mood at last year’s event, the 2011 Heimtextil is ready to take place this month with a textiles-industry surge apparently within sight.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—More than 300 international companies, representing six continents and 47 countries, are slated to exhibit at the winter New York International Gift Fair, according to a statement from GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

STAMFORD, Conn.–Exhibit and conference organizer dmg :: events has appointed Galen Poss to the newly created role of chief operating officer, reporting directly to Suresh Kavan, chairman and chief operating officer.

Poss will oversee the growth of the company’s five business units, one of which includes several trade shows, such as the New York International Gift Fair and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

CHICAGO—Protect-A-Bed has appointed Chris Taylor director of sales for the company’s furniture retail division.

In this newly created position Taylor oversees product sales directly to retailers of home-furnishings, which is a new direction for Protect-A-Bed, which had been selling its products through distributors. He and his team work with current and prospective customers across the nation to train customers on the features and benefits of the product line. He reports directly to Clive Goldin, the company’s president.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Perfect Fit Industries has opened a new pillow-manufacturing plant in Monroe, N.C.

The factory, which represents a capital investment of more than $2 million, has the capacity to produce more than 20 million pillows a year, according to a company statement. Its opening is part of a Perfect Fit strategy to increase its domestic manufacturing, and it was designed using the concepts of lean manufacturing and zero-waste production.

CHICAGO, Ill. – Trade Associates Group, Ltd. (tag) has named Floyd Sullivan marketing manager for the company’s line of gifts, decorative accessories and tabletop products, as well as its tfg line of contemporary furniture. Sullivan’s duties will include all tag and tfg advertising, public relations, e-marketing, trade show planning, and other wholesale support responsibilities.

Sullivan succeeds Nancy Michael, who left the company to join Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., and reports to Joe Fahy.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—Mass merchants and home improvement stores, known for their wide product assortments, are the channels of choice for consumers making home indoor or outdoor home decor purchases for the holiday season, according to a survey by The NPD Group.

NEW YORK—Ralph Lauren Home, the home-textiles division of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., will assume all of the operations of the Lauren by Ralph Lauren Home brand’s decorative bedding and bath business effective May 1, 2011.

NEW YORK–Portico Home has formed an agreement with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, the hotel and resort company, that marks the eco-friendly products brand’s first appearance in the hospitality market.

SEATTLE–BedVoyage has reached an agreement with interior designer Kelli Ellis to produce a collection of bedding textiles.

The collection, which will be introduced next spring, includes duvet covers, pillow shams, Euro shams and bolsters, all designed by Ellis. As part of the agreement, Ellis will serve as spokeswoman for BedVoyage’s entire line of bamboo linens, duvets, towels and blankets, and will serve as designer for future BedVoyage products.

NEW YORK–A wide range of product categories, materials and design inspiration will be presented by newcomers to the winter 2011 edition of Accent on Design at the New York International Gift Fair, which takes place Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, 2011 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here.

Accent on Design, one of 10 categorized divisions of NYIGF, is a juried collection of nearly 200 contemporary and innovative suppliers across all gift, home, and lifestyle categories.

NEW YORK–The Teen Vogue bedding collection, a grouping of three bed ensembles geared toward teenage and 20-something women, has reached retailers.

The collection is manufactured by Idea Nuova under a license agreement with the magazine, which provides news about fashion and beauty for women in these age groups. The initial three ensembles are now available on J.C. Penney’s website, jcp.com. According to Eleanor Banco, spokeswoman for Teen Vogue, the collection will be open to both online and brick-and-mortar retailers when new looks are introduced.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–A series of enhancements to the New York International Gift Fair website—nyigf.com—includes more interactive search tools designed to deliver more targeted and comprehensive search results, according to GLM, which owns and manages the show. The new product search tool, complemented by NYIGF’s Online Catalog Gallery, offers retailers access to more detailed product and vendor information through a simple keyword search.

NEW YORK—WestPoint Home recorded a net loss of $14 million in its fiscal third quarter, compared to the $10 million net loss in the third quarter of last year.

The loss occurred in spite of a 23 percent increase in net sales for the quarter, which were $116 million. It marked the second consecutive quarterly sales gain for WestPoint, which had been experiencing a long string of quarterly declines in sales.

NEW YORK—Keith Sorgeloos, president and chief executive officer of Home Source International, will become the next president of the Home Fashion Products Association.

Sorgeloos was elected to succeed Rich Roman, president and CEO of Revman International, by the HFPA board at yesterday’s annual meeting of the association. He will assume the post on Jan. 1, 2012. Roman will then become president of the HFPA Foundation, succeeding Barry Leonard, president of Welspun U.S.A.

NEW YORK–Home-textiles vendors exhibiting at this week’s International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show said both traffic and the mood among attendees was upbeat.

Indeed, attendance seemed to be strong at the show, with the aisles at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center full of representatives of hotel and restaurant chains, independent hotels and restaurants, and distributors to these establishments. “It’s more upbeat than last year’s show,” said Jyl Davis, creative manager for Downlite. The attendees “are in a mood to buy, more so than last year.”

NEW YORK—The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will team up with designer Jamie Blake to present the fourth annual “Rising Stars of Interior Design.”

GONZALES, La.—Second-quarter net income for Crown Crafts totaled $1.2 million, up 51 percent from the second quarter of last year.

The company accomplished this on a gain in net sales of 9.2 percent to $23.7 million in the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2010. Details on selling, general and administrative expenses were missing from Crown Crafts’ statement on its results, but its reported 41 percent increase in income from operations indicated the company successfully kept expenses in check. In addition, the company’s gross margin rose 300 basis points to 23.8 percent.

NEW YORK–Janine Finkle, vice president of market intelligence for Design Research Reports, will be the featured speaker at the annual membership meeting of the Home Fashion Products Association on Nov. 16.

Finkle’s topic will be “Macro-Trends Affecting the Home Furnishings Market: Tracking Consumer Attitudes and Behavior.” She is a veteran analyst of markets in home furnishings, home decor, housewares, luxury goods, bridal products, entertaining products and gifts.

BOCA RATON, Fla.—Hollander Home Fashions has signed a license agreement with Iconix Brand Group for a collection of basic bedding branded under Iconix’s Waverly label.

The collection will include bed pillows, comforters, mattress pads, blankets, feather beds and fiberbeds, all to be available in both natural and synthetic fills. The retail pricing will be in a good-better-best format—with pillows in the “good” tier priced at from $7 to $8.99, “better” pillows from $9 to $10.99 and “best” pillows at $12 to $14.99.

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y.–Mathias “Mat” Meinzinger, founder and chairman of Creative Bath Products, died of pancreatic cancer on Oct. 31. He was 74.

A native of Hungary, Meinzinger founded Creative Bath in 1973. He served as president until last month, when he became chairman and Bob Weiss, vice president of sales and marketing, was named president. In 1997, Meinzinger was named Long Island’s Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year.

MUMBAI, India—Welspun India, the parent company of Welspun USA, said its fiscal second-quarter operating profit fell about 7 percent to approximately $22.2 million, after the currency conversion.

Profitability fell in spite of a 24 percent gain in sales for the quarter, which totaled approximately $123.4 million after the conversion. In a statement announcing the quarterly results, Welspun India said the decline in profitability occurred because of huge increases in raw material costs, in particular cotton, yarn, crude oil and energy.

Ellery Homestyles

A major trend in window treatments, as well as other home furnishings, is the use of fabrics that can go either indoors or outdoors. The company is addressing this with ParaSol, a collection of indoor/outdoor window panels and cushions. ParaSol is designed in fun and bold prints. It’s made with a multipurpose outdoor fabric that consists of durable, easy-care polyester, produced to meet the demands of outdoor living in terms of resisting the elements. elleryhomestyles.com

Louis Hornick & Co.

FRANKFURT, Germany—The January Heimtextil will offer a lecture program titled “Let’s talk about it!,” which will focus on trends in the home-furnishings market.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Next month’s International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) will feature both exhibitors from past shows and newcomers in the home-furnishings industry.

Among the exhibitors in the home area are Electrolux Professional, Standard Textile and Tempur-Pedic—all of which will return to the show after a brief absence, according to GLM, owner and manager of the show. Hollander Home Fashions will be exhibiting at the show for the first time.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced yesterday that it will be a beneficiary of the charity golf tournament to be held at English Turn in New Orleans on Nov. 18, during the 8th annual Gift and Home Trade Association conference.
 

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Perfect Fit Industries has named David Jackson to the newly created position of vice president of corporate strategy.

Jackson is responsible for inventory analysis and action plans; reviewing product lines, systems and procedures; and determining the profitability and feasibility of new lines of business in his new post. He reports directly to Dan Hammer, who became Perfect Fit’s chief executive officer in June.

NEW YORK–International licensing agent Hermine Mariaux will present “Maison & Objet Market Review 2011” on Oct. 26 at an event sponsored by the New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.– Beginning this month, GLM will hold seminars for exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair to prepare them for the winter Gift Fair in February.

PITTSBURGH–American Textile Co. will hold an 85th anniversary party for the company at its headquarters near here, in Duquesne, Pa., on Oct. 2.

The event will be a 1920s-themed celebration in recognition of the company’s founding in 1925. In a statement announcing the event, Reid Ruttenberg, American Textile’s chairman, said the company is “focused on aggressive growth for 2011.” Among the company’s brands of mattress and pillow protectors, bed pillows and mattress pads are Aller-Ease, Rest Right, DermaTherapy and Cool Sensations.

NEW YORK–Springs Global has set a new organization for its U.S. business, moving all of its branded and store-branded products here under the leadership of Joe Granger, president of the branded business.
 
The relocation affects the company’s bedding, bath, tabletop, furniture, lighting and freestanding window products. The design, product development, merchandising, marketing and sales functions for these categories will all locate here from Fort Mill, S.C.
 

LOS ANGELES–The Lenzing Innovation Pavilion will be a feature at the upcoming Los Angeles International Textile Show.

The pavilion will be located in the penthouse of the California Market Center, where the show will take place from Sept. 27-29. It will spotlight Lenzing-affiliated exhibitors and products offering innovations in the use of fibers. The companies in the pavilion include:

NEW YORK–Ellery Homestyles took advantage of this week’s New York Home Fashions Market to introduce its new decorative-bedding brand, Vue.

In its initial launch, Vue consists of six ensembles, all with coordinating comforter sets, shower curtains and bath accessories. Retail pricing is expected to fall in the range of $179 for a full/queen comforter set.

NEW YORK–The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will serve as a sponsor for the “Design Walk at High Line Park” on Oct. 2.

By David Gill

This month’s New York Home Fashions Market will take place in the midst of what Michael Lichtenberg, president of S. Lichtenberg & Co., called a “soft and steady” year for the home-textiles industry.

The industry has picked up some steam, but not a lot, in the first eight months of 2010. “Overall, the business has been pretty good at the vendor level,” Lichtenberg said. “At retail it’s been erratic. Retailers saw a big surge in both February and March, but then in April the realities set in and the business pulled back.”

By David Gill

NEW YORK–London Luxury has signed an agreement with Claritin, the allergy-medicine brand, to manufacture a line of Claritin-branded bedding.

The collection will be made with allergen-barrier fabric, engineered to function as a barrier to dust mites, pet dander and other allergens. It is being introduced at this week’s New York Home Fashions Market.

Claritin is a brand under Merck Consumer Care, the global consumer-products division of pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co.

NEW YORK–While some vendors had appointments with customers during the weekend, the showrooms formally open today for this week’s New York Home Fashions Market.

COSTA MESA, Calif.–Anna’s Linens has appointed Steven Jackson as vice president of real estate and construction.

Jackson will oversee the retailer’s store expansion along with assuming real-estate responsibilities when he assumes his new role on Sept. 20. He will report directly to Scott Gladstone, chief operating officer.

Before joining Anna’s Linens, Jackson served as senior vice president of real estate at The Sports Authority. His career also includes real estate-related posts with PetSmart.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–Borghese, the global cosmetic, skincare, fragrance and spa company, has reached licensing agreements with Veratex and Spa Cre8tions.

According to a statement from IMC Licensing, Borghese’s licensing agency, the Veratex agreement covers fashion bedding, basic and decorative towels, shower curtains, bathroom accessories, accent bathroom rugs and decorative pillows. This line will be targeted at upper-end department stores, club stores, specialty stores and television shopping channels.

PITTSBURGH–American Textile Co. is opening a new office in Davidson, N.C., and has named new executives to its product development and marketing teams.

NEW YORK–Laura Ashley, Inc., has signed a licensing agreement with Best Brands Consumer Products to develop a line of kitchen textiles and tabletop linens for North America.

Best Brands plans to launch the Laura Ashley kitchen textiles collection at retail in the fall of 2011. In addition, Laura Ashley has expanded its current partnership with home textiles leader PEM America to include a range of decorative throws.

NEW YORK–The Home Fashion Products Association’s Young Professionals have scheduled a showroom “crawl” for Sept. 17, the Friday of the New York Home Fashions Market.

According to an HFPA statement, the crawl will serve to introduce students to the home furnishings business. Industry experts will be in each showroom to explain the scope of their companies, talk about the products and discuss opportunities available to young professionals in their companies.

CHICAGO–MMPI has appointed Jennifer Sergent director of marketing for the Washington Design Center.

Sergent oversees the center’s overall marketing activities in her new role, and reports to John Brennan, executive vice president of MMPI’s design centers. She succeeds Mitchell Ammons Walters.

Before joining Washington Design Center, Sergent was senior editor of Washington Spaces magazine. She has also written articles and blogs on local design for the Washington Post and Washingtonian magazine.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.—Beginning this fall, Sears and Kmart will offer a collection of bedding and bath textiles created in partnership with Cristina Saralegui, the journalist and talk-show host.

NEW YORK—The 7 W New York showroom building will play host to both the New York Home Fashions Market and the New York International Carpet Show in mid-September.

The carpet show is scheduled for Sept. 12-14, while the textiles market will take place from Sept. 13-17. To pull the two events together, 7 W New York will present the 7 W Designer Day on Sept. 13. At this event, Laurie Pressman, vice president of fashion, home and interiors for Pantone, will lead a presentation on general trends in color and its role in carpet design.

 NEW YORK—Emil Giliotti has been named interim chief executive officer of Croscill/Ex-Cell Home Fashions/Glenoit.
 
Meanwhile, Patriarch Partners, parent of the three home-fashions companies, has begun a search for a successor to Barry Leonard, who left the CEO post and will become president and CEO of Welspun USA on Sept. 6. Giliotti, who is managing director of Patriarch Partners’ Consumer Goods Platform, reports to Lynn Tilton, Patriarch Partners’ CEO.
 

NEW YORK–Springs Global has formed a partnership with environmental designer Sami Hayek to launch Espacio Sami Hayek, a design company that will produce home furnishings, accessories and home design solutions.

SHANGHAI, China–Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles entered its second day here, with both business and the weather on the steamy side.

The show, considered the leading home textiles event in Asia, hosts more than 1,000 exhibitors from 24 nations, including a few U.S. companies, often represented by their Asian partners or distributors.

NEW YORK–S. Lichtenberg & Co. has given new titles to its top executives.

Richard Lichtenberg has been named chairman of the board, the same title his father, Alan, held until his death in 2003. Michael Lichtenberg has become president, taking the title held by his father, Herbert, until his death last October. Scott Lichtenberg, also Herbert’s son, has been named chief operating officer, a newly created position. Previously, all of the Lichtenbergs were vice presidents.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn.—The Seidman News Bulletin turned 60 last week.

Celebrating the anniversary, Seymour Seidman, the weekly publication’s editor, reflected on his career as one of the industry’s most respected commentators in an interview with HFN. That career also includes several years in the 1990s as a columnist for this publication (then called HFD) and recognition by the Home Fashion Products Association as a Dean of the Industry in 1996.

NEW YORK—The Orangerie Cushion from Designers Guild was honored with the Best of Market award in textiles at the New York International Gift Fair.

The trade show also designated four other companies as Best New Products in their product categories. These were:

•Bodmer Blankets for its Jaspé blanket in the bed category

•Brahms Mount for its Linen Towels in the bath category

•Blissliving Home for its Samsara table linens in the dining category

•Alicia Adams Alpaca for its Travel Set in the home-accessories category

NEW YORK—The Charisma brand has debuted a new marketing campaign starring model Gabriel Aubry.

According to a statement from Iconix Brand Group, owner of Charisma, the campaign will appear beginning in October in shelter and lifestyle magazines such as Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Gotham, and will be featured online. In the advertising, Aubry will pose on beds made with Charisma linens, and in a bathroom wearing a Charisma towel.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Al Farias is leaving his current role at Louisville Bedding as vice president of sales and marketing.

Farias will take on a new role with the company that will focus on special projects and account sales. He will continue to focus on certain accounts and will also retain his membership on the Louisville Bedding board of directors. He will also continue to report to Steve Elias, the company’s president.

NEW YORK—Janine Finkle, vice president of market intelligence for Design Research Reports, will be the featured speaker at the annual meeting of the Home Fashion Products Association.

Finkle has a background in home furnishings, home decor, housewares, luxury goods, bridal products, entertaining and gifts. Her experience is in tracking design and macro-societal trends tied to market statistics, from which she derives trends in consumer needs and desires.

NEW YORK—Thirteen new and expanded showrooms at the 7 W New York showroom building will be open for Gift & Home Textiles Market Week, which begins tomorrow.

SHANGHAI, China—A special trend zone will be a focal point for the Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles trade fair later this month here.

Four themes – positivity, serenity, pleasure and personality – will be introduced, along with a series of seminars on trends in home décor and textiles.

The fair, Aug. 24 to 26 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, will feature over 950 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions. It is organized by Messe Frankfurt in conjunction with two Chinese trade organizations.

CHICAGO—Protect-A-Bed has launched the Long Live Your Mattress Sweepstakes on its Web site, protectabed.com.

The sweepstakes began yesterday and will run through Oct. 31. One grand-prize winner will receive $30,000 in honor of Protect-A-Bed’s 30th anniversary, and 10 first-prize winners will get bedding-protection sets valued at nearly $500.

The sweepstakes is open to all U.S. residents. The winners will be chosen after Nov. 1.

PLANO, Texas – The first exclusive products bearing the Liz Claiborne label – in women’s and men’s apparel – begin turning up on J.C. Penney shelves this week, part of a massive roll-out of the brand that will spread to home next January.

Some 30 different product classifications are included in the program, which positions the brand towards the upper end of the Penney product assortment. The exclusive arrangement was announced nearly a year ago.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in September.

Regence is one of the newest bed ensembles introduced by the company. Made of Egyptian cotton, it’s designed with an understated elegance that speaks to Yves Delorme’s focus on delivering an entire lifestyle embodying French “art de vivre”—which seeks to delight the consumer with their design and bring restful sleep with their softness.

NEW YORK–Ashley McBride, the home textiles resource that has concentrated on direct-import programs for larger retailers recently, will launch an open line, to be warehoused domestically, at next month’s textiles show here.

The new line, under the Wellington & Castle Purple Label brand, will feature ten comforter sets, in both four-piece and seven-piece put-ups. Designs will run the gamut from wovens to embroideries to quilted looks, with retails in the $69 to $119 range.

Distribution will be from the company’s East Coast warehouse.

NEW YORK–Second-quarter net income for Iconix Brand Group totaled $26.1 million, a hefty 25 percent ahead of the second quarter of 2009 and the highlight of a record second quarter for the brand-management company.

CARTHAGE, Mo.—Second-quarter net income for Leggett & Platt totaled $52.7 million, up an impressive 177 percent over the second quarter of 2009.

Healthy sales growth and expense controls produced the strong result. Leggett & Platt’s net sales rose 15 percent to $874.3 million, and selling, general and administrative expenses were flat compared with a year ago. Gross margin increased 112 basis points to 20.5 percent.

NEW YORK—HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in September.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions and HoMedics have reached an agreement for Hollander to produce and distribute a line of basic bedding branded under the HoMedics name.

Beth Mack, Hollander’s chief merchandising officer, said the line will include bed pillows, body pillows, mattress pads and comforters with both natural and synthetic fills. The construction will capitalize on Flexotech, the mesh fill material Hollander introduced during the March New York Home Fashions Market, using it in different parts of each product to create comfort zones.

VANCOUVER B.C.–Art In Motion is thrilled to be celebrating 25 years of publishing and licensing the work of creative artists from around the world.
 
“We are thrilled to be celebrating a quarter century,” said Tara Fortunato, chief merchandising officer with parent company ICA Home Décor. “Art In Motion is a leader in art and design. We are looking forward to continuing to be inspired by our brilliant artists and celebrating this incredible achievement.”
 

TEANECK, N.J.—Sung Oh has joined Beacon Looms as director of design and product development, a newly created position.

Oh is responsible for the design and development of all of the company’s window treatments, bedding and decorative pillows. She reports to Sandy McNeil, senior vice president of merchandising and sales.

Before joining Beacon Looms, Oh was senior vice president of Louis Hornick & Co., responsible for design, product development and sourcing.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich.–Crypton and Richloom Fabrics Group have signed a license agreement whereby Richloom will manufacture Crypton fabrics in its facility in Hangzhou, China.

GREENSBORO, N.C.–Leggett & Platt has signed on to sponsor WithIt’s annual education conference, “Leadership2: Take It to the Next Level.”

By David Gill

Texture has become a dominant factor in decorative pillows, as exemplified by the March New York Home Fashions Market.

This represents something of a sea change to the category. For many years, color was the key factor that drew consumers to the decorative-pillow sections at retailers. While color is still important, pillows that have a certain feel about them have begun to help drive business with many of the industry’s vendors.

CHINO, Calif.–Greenland Home Fashions is moving its showroom into a new space at 230 Fifth Ave.

The manufacturer of quilted bedding is relocating to room 1316 at the New York showroom building, from its previous space in room 816. Spencer Rogers, Greenland’s vice president, said the new showroom provides the company with more floor space to show its line of quilts and accessories. Noting that Perfect Fit recently chose to relocate its showroom on the same floor, Rogers added that Greenland anticipates “increased market traffic” on the 13th floor.

NEW YORK—Culminating one of the most eventful weeks in its 78-year history, Perfect Fit Industries is moving to a new showroom at 230 Fifth Ave. here.

The move comes one week after the company announced its purchase by The Anderson Group, and two days after it was revealed that the company had named Dan Hammer, a veteran of the home-textiles industry, as its chief executive officer.

The new space, which is two blocks down from its previous showroom at 261 Fifth Ave., measures 5,300 square feet and is in room 1305 of 230 Fifth.

SHANGHAI—The Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles 2010 trade fair has been enlarged from nine to 10 halls in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre here.

NEW YORK–HFN is beginning its coverage of the upcoming New York International Gift Fair and New York Gift & Home Textiles Market Week, both of which take place in August.

Manufacturers wishing to submit new-product information and images should send them to David Gill, HFN senior editor for textiles, no later than July 9, at dgill@hfnmag.com.

NEW YORK–Portico Home’s licenses with Home Source International and United Feather & Down have started momentum for the brand at retail.

NEW YORK–Diane von Furstenberg is home.

This morning, Springs Global debuted the full DVF product line of both soft and hard home products, in what is perhaps the most extensive launch in recent home fashions history.  

By David Gill

The tightness in global cotton supplies and rising prices for all kinds of cotton have become key concerns for vendors who are marketing organic cotton textiles.

The supply shortage and the price spikes could not have occurred at a worse time for this segment. Consumers are clearly showing an increased interest in organic products in all categories. They have increased their demands for products that are made through sustainable practices, with little or (if possible) no damage to the environment.

NEW YORK—Revman has signed an agreement with the Sean John label to produce a licensed line of bedding and home furnishings under the Sean John brand.

The initial collection will consist of comforters, sheets, pillows and shams. According to a statement from Sean John, Macy’s will offer the initial collection, with deliveries beginning in September. It will be available to other department stores at a later date, as well as the Sean John flagship store on 5th Avenue here.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hector Torres has been named vice president of merchandising at Hollander Home Fashions.

In this newly created position, Torres is responsible for merchandising activities concentrating on the company’s department-store and specialty-store businesses. He reports to Beth Mack, chief merchandising officer. Mack said Torres’ appointment is part of Hollander’s long-term growth strategy, which includes “investing in key personnel for specific areas of growth within our company.”

LAS VEGAS–Allstar Products Group has reached an agreement with Nickelodeon Consumer Products for a licensed line of merchandise featuring Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Among the products under this license are Snuggie blankets, Bendaroos building sticks and Touch N’ Brush hands-free toothpaste dispensers. The first products under this agreement will reach retailers and direct-response channels of distribution this coming fall.

The two companies announced the license during the Licensing International Expo trade show here.

NEW YORK–The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will present a breakfast program spotlighting trends from the recent Milan Furniture Fair and the New York Tabletop Show.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The upward surge of the retail economy helped to make last month’s Surtex into a positive experience for exhibitors and attendees, according to a statement from GLM, the show’s owner and manager.

The show drew more than 250 exhibiting companies, consisting of artists, designers, licensors and agents from throughout the world. GLM also said about 6,000 people attended the show, representing 41 countries and every continent except Antarctica.

GONZALES, La.–Crown Crafts has purchased the Bibsters product line from Procter & Gamble.

The deal, which was made through Crown Crafts’ Hamco subsidiary, adds the Bibsters line of disposable bibs to the company’s offerings of baby products.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J.–From June 1 through Aug. 15, Hunter Douglas will run the “It’s Sheer Genius” summer sale.

The event is designed to attract consumers to aligned Hunter Douglas dealers, and help those dealers close larger and more profitable sales, according to a company statement.

The program includes mail-in rebates on Pirouette window shadings, Silhouette window shadings and Luminette Privacy Sheers and Modern Draperies.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–Williamsburg has launched a co-branding venture with artist Kate McRostie that will include products featuring McRostie’s designs, inspired by the archives at Colonial Williamsburg.

Called “The Embroidered Garden,” the first artwork under this partnership will be introduced at the upcoming Licensing International Expo from June 8-10 in Las Vegas. The art has been developed for a broad range of gifts and home decor, and has additional potential for textiles, paper goods and tabletop products, according to a statement from Williamsburg.

NEW YORK-The upcoming Licensing International Expo will include a slate of seminars on business issues related to licensing.

“Using Licensing with Cause Marketing,” a session on linking a license to a cause-marketing effort, will take place from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on June 7.

NEW YORK–Exhibitors at this week’s Surtex show here said the business of licensing art should pick up momentum through the rest of this year, and identified home furnishings as a particularly promising opportunity for licensed art.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has named Kaye Johnson sales vice president and key account executive, and has appointed Adam Petricoff vice president of hospitality and healthcare.

Both posts are new positions for the company. Johnson has assumed responsibility for sales and growth initiatives for department stores and chain stores in the Dallas region. Petricoff oversees the strategic planning of Hollander’s efforts in the hospitality and healthcare markets. Both executives report to Kay LeGrange, Hollander’s president of sales.

Basic Bedding

ATLANTA–The Icon Honors national call for entries is now open.

Created exclusively by AmericasMart Atlanta in partnership with GHTA and HFN, Icon Honors is the first international program fully embracing the gift and home categories in an independent recognition of exemplary achievement across the industry for product manufacturing, product sales representative businesses and retailing.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The jury for the Accent on Design division of the New York International Gift Fair has accepted more than 30 additional companies to exhibit in the section at this summer’s Gift Fair.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Barbara Richardson, director of color marketing for AkzoNobel in North America, will supervise the design and installation of a three-dimensional color trends display for the upcoming Surtex trade show.

DES PLAINES, Ill.–United Feather & Down has reached an agreement with the Portico brand to produce a bed and bath collection geared specifically toward the hospitality industry.