NEW YORK–Kravet will begin representing Ralph Lauren Home products, including fabrics, wall coverings and trimmings in 25 to-the-trade showrooms under a new agreement announced by the two companies.
Kravet will also show Ralph Lauren lighting and window hardware in selected locations.
The move represents an expansion of the Ralph Lauren product mix into the designer showroom channel of distribution where it already shows furniture and some other products. Folia continues as the licensee for decorative fabrics and was one of the partners in this new arrangement.

COSTA MESA, Calif.—Steve Strickland has assumed the newly created position of vice president of marketing at Anna’s Linens.
Strickland is responsible for the marketing operation of the specialty retailer, and in particular for expanding the brand awareness of Anna’s Linens to the national consumer audience. He reports directly to Alan Gladstone, founder and chief executive officer.

NEW YORK–More than $100,000 was raised at Gift for Life’s recent Kings & Queens Casino night, which was held Jan. 31 and attended by 250 gift and home industry representatives.

NEW YORK--The 230 Fifth Ave. showroom building has announced a slate of new showrooms and expanded showrooms.
Among the building’s new tenants are The Mega International, which specializes in textiles for the kitchen, bathroom and living room, in room 405A,; Vivatex Home, a manufacturer of textiles for the window, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, on the street level ; Eagle Global Group, which produces bedding, in room 403, which produces bedding; and Luxury Home Textile, an importer of comforters, curtains and blankets, in room 1606.

NEW YORK–The International Furnishings and Design Association will present industry consultant Hermine Mariaux in “Maison & Objet Defines Home Trends for 2010.”
The session is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25, at the New York Design Center. Mariaux will deliver visuals of her recent trip to the Paris trade show, with highlights of the products, fabrics and color trends seen at the show.
The event will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m., followed by a photo “tour” of Maison & Objet from 9-10:30 a.m.

PHOENIX–Supima, the promotional organization for U.S. cotton growers, has introduced a marketing program for brides-to-be involving a Web site and social-networking sites.
The group has unveiled supimalastingmoments.com, on which brides-to-be can share their stories, and is encouraging brides-to-be to use Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to commemorate these special moments. The site also provides links to bridal registries, retailers and tips for visitors. Participants can also upload videos about their special moments, and visitors can vote for their favorite “lasting moment.”

DUQUESNE, Pa.–American Textile Co. has received two industry awards for its marketing programs for the Rest Right and Aller-Ease protective bedding brands.
Graphic Design USA has chosen Rest Right pillow protectors as the winner of the 2010 American Package Design Award in the home-goods category, for the design of its package, which American Textile developed in partnership with Source Inc.

NEW YORK–A panel of trade and consumer editors bestowed Home Textiles Market Week “Best New Product Awards” to five companies, with Designers Guild named “Best of Market” for its Watelet Duvet.
Home Textiles Market Week runs through Thursday, Feb. 4, at the New York International Gift Fair at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94; 230 Fifth Avenue; and 7 West 34th Street.

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 new products. 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.
The deadline for New York Home Fashions Market materials is Tuesday, Feb. 9.

PARIS -- ­Springs Global is presenting Court of Versailles, its luxury brand, at the Maison & Objet trade show, which began on Friday, Jan. 22, and runs through Tuesday, Jan. 26.
This marks the first time Springs has shown the luxury brand at an international trade show.Joe Granger, president of Springs Branded Businesses, called it “an exciting milestone” as the company seeks to extend the brand’s appeal to retailers, consumers and designers beyond the United States.
Springs is showcasing the brand at Maison & Objet Hall 2, Booth F85.

NEW YORK–Shabby Chic, the iconic brand known for its blend of English elegance and California casual, is returning to the wholesale home furnishings world with new programs with Guildmaster and Miles Talbott that will debut to the trade this April at the High Point Market.

NEW YORK–Twelve new permanent tenants will debut their showrooms at 7 W New York during the upcoming New York Gift & Home Textiles Market Week.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Kay LeGrange has been named president of sales for Hollander Home Fashions.
LeGrange will oversee the Hollander sales team, and is responsible for working with the company’s merchandising, marketing and product-development departments “to provide sustainable growth for Hollander and its customers,” according to a company statement. She reports to Chris Baker, chief executive officer, and replaces David Sides, who retired from Hollander last year.

ATLANTA–Home Source International has opened a new distribution center that provides both direct-to-consumer and direct-to-retailer fulfillment.

NEW YORK–The 7 W New York showroom building has slated a number of events for the upcoming Gift and Home Textiles Market Week, including the introduction of the NYC Baby & Gift Fair on the building’s 11th floor.

NEW YORK–Guardian Capital Partners, a Philadelphia-based private equity firm, has purchased Sure Fit from D.E. Shaw Group.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to a joint statement from Sure Fit and Guardian Capital, Wells Fargo Business Credit, Sure Fit’s senior lender, and Argosy Private Equity provided additional financing for the transaction.

GUANGZHOU, China–The Intertextile Guangzhou Hometextile China will take place March 18-21 featuring the latest products, designs and information in home textiles from over 200 exhibitors.
Last year’s show had more than 16,000 domestic and international buyers, according to show organizors. Th 2010 show, located in the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex, has been reconfigured to be better connected to the seven other home-related trade events taking place at the China International Furniture Fair.

NEW YORK-Abhishek Industries/Trident Group and Mundotextil Industrias have formed a joint venture to distribute home textiles worldwide.
According to a joint statement from the two companies, the proposed venture will supply luxury linens and other home textiles, with a focus on the countries of the European Union. Abhishek/Trident currently produces and exports terry towels to more than 60 countries, with Europe and the United States accounting for 90 percent of its exports, the statement said.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.–Pioneer Linens is set to open a new boutique in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., later this month.
The new store will be the luxury-linens retailer’s second storefront location, and will extend its mission to provide luxury textile products to upper-income consumers, according to a Pioneer Linens’ statement.
The new store offers hand-woven cashmere sheets, Siberian white goose-down pillows, Egyptian cotton towels, yachting bedding and towels embroidered with nautical monograms, and table linens geared specifically toward owners of yachts.

NEW YORK–Services were held here yesterday for Alvin L. Levine, long-time executive with Perfect Fit Industries and one of the home textiles industry’s more notable figures.
Levine died on Dec. 9 at his home here “peacefully” according to his family. He had been ill for some time.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has bestowed its third annual “Leo” award to Bob Lange, special projects manager for the company’s plant in Frackville, Pa.

NEW YORK–With cotton in low supply throughout the world, cotton futures prices have headed drastically northward in recent months—and appear to be headed even higher in the very near term.

NEW YORK-The Chatwal New York, a hotel slated to open here in the theater district in spring 2010, has formed collaborations with several home-furnishings products manufacturers.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Art and design licensing show Surtex has launched its new branding initiative, which includes a revamped Web site, a new logo and a new marketing campaign.
“Our newly released brand positioning sets an energetic pace for the coming decade, which looks brighter than ever for the industry,” said Penny Sikalis, GLM vice president and show manager. “It’s a crucible, the place where designers and licensees come together to fashion a host of products that add style and beauty to people’s lives around the globe.”

WOOLRICH, Pa.-Woolrich will appear at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Market for the first time this January, in the High Country Lodge, #N07-11, in AmericasMart Building 1, Floor 2. It chose to exhibit in the High Country Lodge because of Woolrich’s nature-inspired collection. The company will show two of its newest licenses, Lynn Haney Collection and Rowe Pottery Works.
The Atlanta show runs Jan. 8 to 11.

MONTES CLAROS, Brazil–Springs Global reported net income of $7.6 million in the third quarter, reversing a $34.4 million net loss in the third quarter of last year.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Showtime will celebrate its 40th anniversary in December with a trend presentation, a panel discussion of fabric-industry issues and other educational and social events.

ATLANTA-MFG.com, the global sourcing provider, has unveiled a new online platform for the sourcing of textiles.

NEW YORK—7W New York has announced the following schedule of events for New York Home Textiles Market Week, which will run from Friday, Jan. 29 through Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010:
Friday, Jan. 29:
•International Buyer Appreciation Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: open for all international buyers with showroom specials, raffles, giveaways and specialty refreshments.
Saturday, Jan. 30:
•Opening of NYC Baby & Kids Fair, Jan. 30, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: in-suite events with a spotlight on home textiles.

MARIETTA, Ga.–Wools of New Zealand will launch a new fiber integrity brand called Laneve this February at Surfaces with 17 manufacturers and importers on board to support the brand.
Laneve provides “farm-to-floor accreditation,” and includes farming practices, animal welfare and sustainability along with the performance and quality of the finished product.

DALLAS-Jason Needleman has been named chief executive officer of Peacock Alley.
Needleman thus assumes charge over the luxury-bedding manufacturer’s overall strategic leadership, business development and operations. Mary Ella Gabler, who founded the company 37 years ago, has become chairman.
Needleman’s most recent position was as vice president of ReelFX, in which he oversaw commercial business development and headed the launch of an online game for children, according to a statement from Peacock Alley. He served as president of Peacock Alley from 2003 to 2005.

CHICAGO-The January edition of the Chicago Market: Living and Giving will feature the Fair Trade Pavilion, a section devoted to artists and products from the Fair Trade Federation.
The federation is a trade association dedicated to supporting North American organizations that are committed to fair trade. These organizations work to alleviate poverty by building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships.

NEW YORK- The deadline is Friday, Dec. 11, for sending in new product information and high-resolution images for possible inclusion in HFN’s coverage of the January markets ‹ Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, Heimtexil, Dallas Total Home & Gift Market (including the lighting market), New York Home Textiles Market and New York International Gift Fair.

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.–Vermont Organic Fiber Co., manufacturer of organic wool yarn, fabrics and blankets, has entered the mattress-pad category with its new O-Wool patented line of pads.

NEW YORK–The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will host a program describing ways for companies to engage social media sites.

CHICAGO–Betsy Evenson has been appointed to the newly created position of national account manager in the hospitality division for Protect-A-Bed.
Evenson is responsible for sales and education efforts geared toward owners and operators of hotels and motels. She provides information to this customer base on how to protect their mattresses and works toward solutions for bed-bug infestations. She reports to Petra Minoff, vice president of hospitality sales.

NEW YORK-Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed Thursday, Oct. 29, as Home for the Cure Day.
The mayor issued his proclamation yesterday to honor the fourth annual Home for the Cure fundraiser, which was held last night at the offices of CHF Industries on Park Avenue here. Breast-cancer survivor Elizabeth Miller, a longtime Karastan executive and founder of Home for the Cure along with Executives Working in Home Textiles and the International Furnishings and Design Association, was honored at the fundraiser for her work in fighting breast cancer.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has named Jannice Cameron to the newly created position of vice president of marketing.
Cameron is responsible for directing and executing the company’s overall marketing strategy, and will oversee the art department and the overall packaging direction. She will also lead all initiatives involving advertising, public relations, promotional activities and special events; and will evaluate market reactions to advertising programs, merchandising policy and product packaging. She will report to Beth Mack, chief merchandising officer.

NEW YORK–Five industry associations are joining forces to honor Elizabeth Miller, founder of Home for the Cure and a breast-cancer survivor, at a fundraiser to be held at CHF Industries’ offices at One Park Ave. here on Thursday, Oct. 29.

NEW YORK–Frette and Brunschwig and Fils have formed a partnership through which Frette bed linens will be featured on Brunschwig and Fils beds in the latter’s show spaces in the Decoration & Design Building here and in the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, Fla.
The Brunschwig and Fils beds will display Frette couture, jacquard bed sets, luxury furs and cashmere, decorative pillows and an assortment of decorative pieces, according to a Frette statement. Frette will take custom orders in these spaces that entail personalized colors and embroideries.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J.—Hunter Douglas has named Ron Kass executive vice president of marketing, and has appointed Jim Mathews senior vice president of marketing.
Both positions are new to the window-treatments manufacturer. In these new posts, Kass and Mathews are jointly responsible for the company’s consumer brand marketing and dealer-support programs. Kass reports to Marv Hopkins, president and chief executive officer, and Mathews reports to Kass.

NEW YORK–The entire Calvin Klein Home collection, including tabletop, bedding, rugs and its newly introduced furniture, will be all-together at the brand’s first shop at ABC Carpet & Home here, starting this week.
The shop will officially open onThursday with an invitation-only cocktail party hosted by Elle Décor editor Margaret Russell.

SAN FRANCISCO–Designer Eileen West has begun a collaboration with AQ Textiles on a collection of fashion bedding.
The initial grouping includes a solid-color and woven-stripe program offered in 10 colors and made with supima tencel. The sheeting is 400 thread-count and features details such as pin-tucking, pleats, lace, embroideries, prints and jacquards.
Along with this fashion-bedding collection, AQ will offer a couture collection called Eileen West Black Label, which combines 800 thread-count Egyptian cotton and other fabrics with special trims and embroideries.

NEW YORK–The 7 W New York showroom building will debut the first NYC Baby & Kids Fair during the New York Gift and Home Textiles Market in late January and early February of next year.
The event will take place on the building’s 11th floor from Saturday, Jan. 30 to Monday, Feb. 1. Exhibitors will display baby and kids’ apparel, accessories, furnishings, gifts and textiles.

AT THE MARKET–Town & Country Living has entered the beach towel category at this week’s New York Home Fashions Market with Beach by Town & Country. This newly formed business unit is directed by Ronnie Gindi, vice president of Beach Division and formerly of Sara Max.

ALBANY, N.Y.–PrimaLoft and Downlite have partnered on the “Support Your Dreams” campaign, which is designed to support women and children who have been afflicted with domestic abuse.
Through this program, the two companies will donate pillows to residents of domestic-violence shelters, lead donation drives to benefit local shelters and create an online pillow-purchase program, with the proceeds going to benefit domestic-violence services. The events in the campaign will take place in October, which has been designated National Domestic Violence Awareness month.

NEW YORK–The New York Home Fashions Market opens today and is scheduled to run through Friday, Sept. 18.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Six new directors have joined the 13-member International Textile Market Association’s board of directors. ITMA produces the semiannual Showtime fabric events here.
New directors include Ismail Arslan, DeLeo Textiles; Wesley Mancini, Wesley Mancini Ltd.; Art Reilly, Van Lathem Inc.; and Robin Starnes, Covington New York. Board members serve a three-year term. In addition, Regenia Payne, Taylor King Furniture; and Jim Calhoun, Miles Talbott/Michael Thomas Furniture, have joined the board as industry liaisons.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has appointed Tim Landers as vice president and business manager for mattress pads and comforters.
Landers is responsible for the management of the company’s mattress-pad and comforter product lines, including developing and implementing merchandise strategies focused on creating new products. He reports to Beth Mack, chief merchandising officer, and succeeds Raoul Lopez, who has left the company.

NEW YORK–7 W New York will introduce the first NYC Baby & Kids Fair during the New York Gift and Home Textiles Market this coming February.
The event will highlight exhibitors of baby and kids apparel, accessories, furnishings, gifts and textiles. It is scheduled to take place on the showroom building’s 11th floor from Feb. 1-3, 2010.

CONCORD, N.H.–To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Company C will host a Colorful Living event on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in its showroom at the World Market Center in Building B, showroom 348, from 3-6 p.m. In addition to hors d’oeurves and wine, guests can have caricature drawings made of themselves.
“We are thrilled to mark 15 years of colorful living with our valued customers, friends and employees,” said Christine Chapin, design and product development director. “This season’s colorful designs truly showcase our colorful point of view.”

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–The dates and locations for next year’s two New York Home Textiles Market Weeks have been announced by GLM, which owns and manages the concurrent New York International Gift Fair.

ROCK HILL, S.C.–Springs Creative Products Group has appointed Scott Frisch to the newly created position of sales and merchandising manager for its specialty fabrics division.
Frisch is responsible for overseeing all sales and operations for the specialty group, along with the development of new specialty products. He reports directly to Derick Close, Springs Creative’s chief executive officer and owner.

HIGH POINT, N.C.—For the first time, the High Point Market here will offer the Softgoods & Textiles Pavilion on the top floor of the Suites at Market Square during the October market.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–More than 40 new exhibitors will join the Suites at Market Square for the upcoming High Point Market, Oct. 17-22.
In the High Point Pavilion, the new exhibitors include furniture companies Belka Furniture and Shimna, rug company Creative Accents, accessories company Sea Stones, and steel company The Steel Appeal.

DALLAS–Loloi Rugs has opened its first New York showroom, in the 295 Fifth Avenue building, in time for the New York Home Fashions Market scheduled for Sept. 15-19.
Located in showroom #1009, the 1,300-square-foot space will showcase Loloi’s selection of scatter, bath and area rugs.
“We’ve been dabbling in the textiles market for awhile,” said Amir Loloi, president. “This is the right time for us to get serious and create a presence in New York City, where most of the majors in home textiles go to do business.”

LAS VEGAS–The third Industry Wide Web Summit will be held on opening day of the Las Vegas Market, Monday, Sept. 14.
The event, which gives hands-on information on how the home industry can do business online, is co-sponsored by the Home Furnishings Independents Association and the World Market Center Las Vegas, as well as The Lively Merchant.
David Lively of The Lively Merchant will be one of the key speakers at the event, which runs from 1-4 p.m. on the ninth floor of Building C at the market center.

LAS VEGAS–Attendees and exhibitors at next month’s Las Vegas Market are invited to participate in a Texas Hold’em poker tournament to benefit Walk Now for Autism Speaks.
Doug Krinsky, sales manager for Restonic and the parent of a child with autism, will serve as co-host. The tournament will be held at Binion’s Poker Tournament Room on Tuesday, Sept. 15, beginning at 7 p.m. The entry fee is $125 and registration begins at 6 p.m.

NEW YORK–The Green Bamboo Outdoor Pillow from V Rugs & Home was awarded Best of Market at the New York Home Textiles Market Week portion of the New York International Gift Fair.
Awards for best new products were also given in separate categories. For the bed category, the winner was Plover Organic for its Cartouche Quilt. Finalists in the category were Traditions for its Simone bedding, and Papillon Linens & Dreamfit for its Dreamfit quilted sheet set.

MONTES CLAROS, Brazil—Springs Global transformed a $7 million net loss from the second quarter of last year into net income of $11.4 million in this year’s second quarter.

NEW YORK—HFN is preparing its coverage of September’s Las Vegas Market, and has extended the deadline for new-product materials to Wednesday, Aug. 19.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the September New York Home Fashions Market.
Exhibitors at the market 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 table linens 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

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Franklin Corp. and Lam Lee have taken new showroom space at the International Home Furnishings Center.

ANDERSON, S.C.–Glen Raven’s manufacturing center here has earned certification under the International Organization for Standardization after undergoing a series of inspections by an independent auditor, which covered all phases of its operations.
The certification covers the plant’s environmental procedures, processes and planning activities, as well as continual improvement programs in environmental management. The process also included all of the Anderson facility employees, who are trained in environmental standards and procedures, according to a statement from Glen Raven.

NEW YORK–Barbara Garnes, chief executive officer of SoHe Designs, will deliver a presentation on the home-textiles industry on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 11 Penn Plaza here.

NEW YORK–WestPoint Home cut its second-quarter net loss by one-third and posted its lowest sales decline in some time.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in September.
Exhibitors at the market 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 table linens 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, alillo@hfnmag.com.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Huntsman Gay Global Capital, a private equity firm, has purchased a stake in Hollander Home Fashions.
Jeff Hollander, executive chairman of the basic-bedding manufacturer, told HFN he could not disclose the amount of the investment or the size of the stake Huntsman Gay has acquired—or whether or not he is still the majority owner of the firm his grandfather, Bernard Hollander, founded in 1953. However, Hollander said he still has the final say in all decisions regarding the company.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.–Mike Baumann, a long-time sales representative in the home-textiles industry, has died. He was 59.
Baumann, who headed his own firm, Baumann International, passed away after a short battle with cancer. His long career in the textiles industry included positions with Wamsutta, Audrey and Foreston Trends. He is survived by his wife, Nancy.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.–Mike Baumann, sales representative with Standard Fiber, has died. He was 59.
Baumann passed away after a short battle with cancer. His long career in the textiles industry included positions with Wamsutta and Foreston Trends. He is survived by his wife, Nancy.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in September.
Exhibitors at the market are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight in their showrooms. Manufacturers should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor, at dgill@hfnmag.com.
The deadline for New York Home Fashions Market materials is Friday, Aug. 14.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Surtex, which is scheduled for next week, will include a number of educational seminars focusing on the fundamentals of doing business in the applied-art field.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden–Bemz, the Web-based slipcover manufacturer, has formed a collaboration with Marimekko, the print design house, on a line of slipcovers for Ikea furniture.

NEW YORK–George Bardwil, owner of Bardwil Linens, has been arrested for assaulting a housekeeper at his apartment here, according to published reports.
Bardwil was charged with third-degree assault on his maid, after allegedly hitting her head with a heavy metal ashtray, the reports said. Later, he reportedly said he feared that the maid was stealing from him.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of September’s Las Vegas Market.

LAKEWOOD, N.J. -Tony Kirsimagi, who helped make J.C. Penney the largest retailer of home textiles products in the country during the 1990s, died on July 19 following a brief illness. He was 73 and a memorial service will be held here this Saturday.

PAWTUCKET, R.I.-Colonial Mills invites its reps and retailers to submit pictures of their updated CMI point-of-purchase displays for its Summer Photo Contest. Winners could garner such prizes as flat-screen televisions, digital cameras and iPhones. Due by Sept. 30, all entries will receive a surprise gift for the store and sales rep. The drawing takes place Oct. 15. For an order form, visit colonialmills.com.

NEW YORK–Bardwil Linens has reached an agreement with Tommy Bahama Group for a licensed collection of table linens under the Tommy Bahama brand.
The collection, which will be formally unveiled during the September New York Home Fashions Market, will include tablecloths, napkins and placemats, according to a joint statement from the two companies. The first shipments to retailers are scheduled for spring 2010, and the channels of distribution will mirror those of other Tommy Bahama home products, which include department stores and specialty stores.

SARASOTA, Fla.–Laurie Jenkins, founder of Laurie Bell Fashion Accessories has introduced Laurie Bell Fabrics, a new company that is unveiling a decorative-pillow collection for outdoor spaces as its first product line.
The new company is basing its product lines on better-quality fabrics and trims, according to a statement. It has also created an online quick-ship program that provides consumers with a means to integrate the most important trends in outdoor looks into their spaces.

NEW YORK–Bardwil Linens has reached an agreement with Tommy Bahama Group for a licensed collection of table linens under the Tommy Bahama brand.
The collection, which will be formally unveiled during the September New York Home Fashions Market, will include tablecloths, napkins and placemats, according to a joint statement from the two companies. The first shipments to retailers are scheduled for spring 2010, and the channels of distribution will mirror those of other Tommy Bahama home products, which include department stores and specialty stores.

NEW YORK–The next edition of Printsource New York is scheduled for Aug. 4-6 at 7 W New York here.
A showcase for providers of textile and surface designs, the show includes exhibitors of hundreds of collections from textile- and surface-design studios from around the world. Exhibitors come from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Australia, as well as the United States. Attendees include manufacturers of home textiles, apparel and paper goods.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the charitable organization for the gift, stationery and home decor industries, has added eight members to its board, for a total of 29.

NEW YORK–The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will offer a two-part brown-bag breakfast learning series on intellectual property rights, copyrights and licensing.
The first session, “Copyrights in Creative Designs,” is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, while “Trademarks in Designs, Product Shapes, Logos and Brands,” the second session, is slated for Thursday, Sept. 10. Both sessions are scheduled for 8:30 to 10 a.m., and will take place in the New York Design Center’s Conference Room, located at 200 Lexington Ave. here.

NEW YORK–For a limited time, specially priced tickets will be available for the January 2010 “Kings and Queens Casino Night,” fundraising party for Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization.
Until September 22, tickets are available for $100 each. After that date the price will increase to $150.

NEW YORK–Plans are underway to create a show-stopping experience for buyers shopping Forty One Madison during the New York Gift Show, August 16-20. Thirty-seven of the building’s 80-plus showrooms will be open and ready to show off the best of the best in gifts, along with distinctive selections for babies and children, Christmas and the bridal registry.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Producers of “green” and sustainable products will be among the featured exhibitors during New York Home Textiles Market Week in August.

NEW YORK—Friday, Aug. 14 will be International Day at 7 W New York, the showroom building.
On that day, international buyers who will be attending New York Gift Week in the building will be able to take advantage of showroom specials, raffles, giveaways, specialty refreshments and other amenities. The day will be sponsored by the 7 W Exhibitors Association. Buyers will also have the opportunity to drop their business cards at a building location for a chance to win several New York City-related prizes.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–GLM has launched online registration for attendees at the August version of the New York International Gift Fair.
Retailers can register on the gift fair’s Web site, nyigf.com, which also provides hotel discounts and advance planning tools, including an online catalog gallery and directory search. These features allow attendees to source products before and after the show through a keyword search. A preview of the August market will be posted on the site on April 1.

HUDSON, Ohio–Jo-Ann Stores posted fourth-quarter net income of $20.4 million, down 26 percent from the fourth quarter of last year.
The drop was partly due to a decline of 150 basis points in the retailer’s gross margin during the quarter, due to markdowns taken to sell seasonal merchandise. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of net sales to 34.9 percent from 34.5 percent in last year’s fourth-quarter—even though SG&A on a dollar basis decreased by 1.2 percent.

NEW YORK–Loftex USA has launched an upscale bath collection by intimate apparel designer Josie Natori. The new Natori Bath Collection, unveiled during this week’s New York Home Fashions market, promises to take “the residential bath to the next level” with a mix of comfort and luxury.
The collection includes both solid and patterned bath towels that are designed to mix and match, and beach towels in fiber reactive prints and jacquards.

NEW YORK–Bardwil Linens has launched a complete line of Vera textiles that showcases designs from artist Vera Newmann’s work from the 1960s and 1970s.
The collection, the result of a newly signed license, was unveiled during New York Home Fashions Market this week. It is geared toward department and specialty stores and will ship in early fall.

NEW YORK–Tickets are still available for tomorrow’s Scholarship Awards Breakfast sponsored by the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Home Fashion Products Association.
The Kahn family, which owned Croscill for 50 years, and Paulette Cole, president of ABC Home in New York, will be the honorees at the event, which is a benefit for students in the Home Products Development program at FIT.

NEW YORK–The International Furnishings and Design Association has made a monetary contribution to the Museum of Arts and Design.
In a special ceremony, Maureen Klein, 2008 president of IFDA’s New York chapter, presented a check to Barbara Tober, chairman of the museum’s board, and Holly Hotchner, director of the museum. Klein said IFDA’s mission to encourage good design was a key factor in bestowing the gift on the museum. Recently, the IFDA New York chapter honored the museum with its Big Apple award to commemorate the opening of its new location at Columbus Circle here.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–GLM has appointed Melissa Engongoro and Randi Mohr to sales-manager positions connected with the New York International Gift Fair.

SEATTLE–Pacific Coast Feather has purchased two new facilities and is set to consolidate several manufacturing and distribution centers into those new locations.

NEW YORK–Calvin Klein Home will join forces with Art in America magazine for the Calvin Klein Home for Art in America lounge at the The Armory Show, The International Fair of New Art.
The show is scheduled for March 5 through March 8 here at Piers 92 and 94, and the lounge will open at a special preview event today. It will feature pieces from the new Calvin Klein furniture collection, including furniture from the Curator Collection by Calvin Klein Home and the Calvin Klein City, Weekend and Destination lines.

NEW YORK–Andrew Skobe has been named chief financial officer of WestPoint Home.
Skobe, a 20-veteran of financial-management positions with several companies, will direct WestPoint’s financial operations from its headquarters here. He reports to John Piazza, president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Nelson Griffith, WestPoint’s controller who was interim chief financial officer.

FORT MILL, S.C.–Springs Global has restructured into two distinct business units.
Joe Granger will head the company’s Branded Business unit, which oversees its Springmaid and Wamsutta brands along with its licenses, Walt Disney World, Court of Versailles and Serta, among others. Harvey Simon is in charge of the Private Label business unit, which encompasses the company’s private-label products. Both executives report to Tom O’Connor, group president of Springs Global U.S.

MARBLE HILL, Ga.–After 39 years in the floor covering and home textiles industry, Wes Connelly, now North America area manager for Wools of New Zealand, will retire as of March 1. Connelly began his career at Woodside, a division of Dan River Mills, which specialized in apparel fabrics. He then spent 11 years at Monsanto before going to the Wool Bureau, where he remained though the evolution of Wools of New Zealand. And though he is retiring, he still plans to consult for Wools of New Zealand and other businesses in the industry.

King of Prussia, PA—Designer Chris Madden’s efforts in providing blankets to wounded soldiers in Iraq earned her a presidential commendation from the 2008 president of the International Furnishings and Design Association, Dave Gilbert, in his last official act, a statement said.

NEW YORK–Rich Roman, president of Revman Industries, has been elected president of the Home Fashion Products Association.

PORTLAND, Ore.–Pendleton Woolen Mills celebrated its 100th anniversary yesterday by rededicating its original mill and launching a year-long series of events and a new line of apparel and home products.

NEW YORK–CHF Industries has reached an agreement with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams to produce a line of bedding designed by the furniture company.

ATLANTA–The Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market will take place together with The Atlanta International Fine Linen & Home Textiles Market next month.
Both trade shows are scheduled for March 14 to March 16 at AmericasMart Atlanta here. Collections can be viewed at 3,000 showrooms in the Home Accents and Fine Linens Center, Building 1, floors nine to 13; and in the Home, Holiday and Floral Center, Building 1, floors 16 to 20.

NEW YORK–The Color Association of the United States has launched a new executive education program targeting industry professionals, designers and color consultants, marketing and research and development professionals, and design students. The program includes a seminar series on the color basics called Color Theory and Frameworks segment, and another on more advanced topics called Color Best Practices and Application. The association also offers knowledge-intensive color seminars in such areas as color research, color design, and color strategy.

NEW YORK–Textiles company Park B. Smith has moved its permanent showroom space.
The company has moved out of its ground floor space at 295 Fifth Ave. and relocated a few blocks away to 230 Fifth Ave. It is occupying temporary space on the 13th floor of 230 Fifth until its intended showroom on the 18th floor of the building is renovated, according to Diane McDowell, director of marketing and planning for the company. The move has been in the works for a year, she said. “We really wanted to be in this building,” she said. “We’re really excited about it.”

LITCHFIELD, Conn.–Rug manufacturer Emma Gardner Design has added distribution in two more markets, as it has partnered with Kuhl-Linscomb in Houston and Apadana Fine Rugs in the Cos Cob neighborhood of Greenwich, Conn. Both showrooms are open to the public but receive most of their business from the trade.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–GLM has rescheduled the start date for the summer version of the New York International Gift Fair to Saturday, Aug. 15.
Previously, the scheduled start date for the show was Friday, Aug. 14. In a statement issued last week, GLM said the new date is a return to the traditional Saturday-to-Thursday staggered opening-closing date pattern. The gift fair will conclude on Thursday, Aug. 20.

NEW YORK–Bloggers from design and trend-watching Web sites chose innovative products and emerging trends at the Accent on Design division of the recently completed New York International Gift Fair.
The first-ever Bloggers’ Choice Awards included the following:
• Hollister Hovey of HollisterHovey.blogspot.com chose the Strida MOOF bike by Areaware for its classic European bike elements and modern, simple construction.

NEW YORK–Barry Leonard is a regular on US Airways flight 1549, from LaGuardia Airport back to his home in Charlotte, N.C.
But there was nothing regular at all about that flight two weeks ago on Jan. 15 when Leonard, long-time industry veteran and president of Ex-Cell and Croscill, along with 154 other people landed not at Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, but in the middle of the Hudson River.

NEW YORK–Nautica has signed an agreement with Welspun USA to enlarge their license arrangement to include fashion bedding, bath accessories, window treatments and indoor area rugs.
Before the new agreement, Nautica’s license with Welspun encompassed free-standing sheets, bath rugs, bath towels and beach towels. Welspun will begin distributing the first grouping from the newly added products this spring, according to a statement from both companies. The line is being geared toward department stores and specialty stores in the United States and Canada.

NEW YORK–Leigh Van Swall has been named senior director of licensing, and Jack McKenney has been appointed director of marketing at Brand Matter.
Van Swall is responsible for leading the new business development team and for sales initiatives for Brand Matter’s apparel brands. McKenney heads the company’s marketing and public-relations activities for the entire portfolio of brands. Both executives report to Rick Platt, the company’s president, and both positions are new in the company.

HANNOVER, Germany–Domotex Hannover, scheduled for Jan. 17 to 20, will attract 1,400 exhibitors from some 60 countries who will be presenting the latest products and innovations in carpets, textiles and resilient floor coverings, laminate floorings and wood parquet.
On a total display area of nearly 100,000 square feet, market-leading suppliers from Germany and many other countries will be giving a foretaste of future trends with new materials and all the latest combinations of color and pattern.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in March.
Exhibitors at the market are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight at these shows. Manufacturers of bedding products—including bed ensembles, top-of-the-bed products and basic bedding—should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor, at dgill@hfnmag.com. Submissions for bath products should go to Allison Zisko, group editor, at azisko@hfnmag.com.

FORT MILL, S.C. –Laura Ashley Inc. has granted licensing rights to Brazilian textiles manufacturer Artelassê Indústria e Comércio Ltda. to produce and distribute a collection of fashion bedding and bath products and table linens in select Latin American countries.
The collection will offer a range of casual, traditional and formal styles in bedding coordinates, including comforters, duvet covers, dust ruffles, sheets and decorative cushions, as well as a coordinating line of bath textiles and accessories. Additional home textiles will include tablecloths, napkins and placemats. 

NEW YORK–Showroom building 7 W New York, located on 34th Street here, has several events slated for the upcoming New York Gift and Home Textiles Market Week.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J.–Beginning on Feb. 1, Hunter Douglas will offer its Stop the Great Energy Giveaway promotion, designed to educate consumers about the energy-saving benefits of the company’s window treatments.

LOS ANGELES–The Kenneth Brown Collection, a grouping of luxury linens and decorative accents from the interior designer, will launch on QVC on Jan. 12.
The line includes comforter sets, duvet cover sets, sheet sets, throw pillows, throw sets, rugs, runners and bed skirts. The designs stem from Brown’s signature looks, which blend styles from the South with Southern Californian lines in rich colorations. The collection features two style choices, Freedom Medallion and Bayville, with customization options through a variety of color palettes.

NEW YORK–Iconix Brand Group has formed a joint venture with New Brands Americas to develop and promote Iconix’s brands in Latin America.
The joint-venture company, called Iconix Latin America, will market the brands through existing and new licensing agreements in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean region. New Brands, a member of the Falic Group, has received a 50 percent interest in the joint venture in exchange for $6 million and other commitments, and has the option to purchase rights to future brands that Iconix may acquire.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of February’s Las Vegas Market.
Exhibitors at the show are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight at these shows. Furniture manufacturers should submit their information to Duke Ratliff, executive editor. Home textiles manufacturers should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor. Submissions for floor covering products should go to Jennifer Alexis, senior editor. Materials for new lighting products should be submitted to Andrea Lillo, senior editor.

WATERFORD, N.Y.–Robert O’Connell has been named executive vice president of sales and marketing at Soft-Tex, a manufacturer of basic bedding.
In this newly created position, O’Connell is responsible for all sales and marketing, building on Soft-Tex’s business with existing customers and establishing relationships with new customers. He reports directly to Arthur Perry, the company’s president. Soft-Tex’s product line includes bed pillows in fiber, feather and foam; mattress pads; featherbeds and fiberbeds; and memory-foam pillows and toppers.

GREENFIELD, Mass.–U.S. acreage devoted to organic cotton rose 9 percent in 2008, to 9,279 acres, according to figures from the Organic Trade Association.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York International Gift Fair in January and February’s Las Vegas Market.

FRANKFURT, Germany–The sixth annual Architecture, Textile and Contract Business Innovation Prizes will be awarded at the Heimtextil show in January.

BALDWYN, Miss.–Hancock Fabrics posted a net loss of $2.5 million in the third quarter, compared with a third-quarter net loss of $6.1 million last year.
The fabrics retailer also managed a 1.3 percent increase in third-quarter sales, which totaled $70.6 million. Also, same-store sales rose 2.1 percent, which the company attributed to a boost in the number of store transactions.

NEW YORK–Showroom building 7 W New York has introduced the 7 W E-Catalog Gallery, an interactive online resource that allows retail buyers to prepare for buying trips to the building from their personal computers.

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–Michael Fux will become chief executive officer of Sleep Innovations, the bedding producer he founded, when it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
According to a statement issued this morning, Fux will also become a part owner of the company and will provide additional liquidity as it emerges from Chapter 11. Fux founded Sleep Innovations—which produces memory foam mattresses, pillows and mattress toppers—in 1996, and sold it to investors in 2005. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 3.

NEW YORK–The Home Fashion Products Association will honor Paulette Cole, president and chief executive officer of ABC Carpet & Home, and the Kahn family, former owners of Croscill, at the Fashion Institute of Technology breakfast.
Cole will receive the Retailer of the Year award from HFPA. The Kahn family, which sold Croscill to Patriarch Partners in November, will receive the Distinguished Family Leadership award.
The FIT breakfast will take place on March 10, during New York Home Fashions Market Week, at Cipriani’s here. It will begin at 7 a.m.

By Warren Shoulberg
Jeff Portman was talking about AmericasMart’s timing when it comes to expanding the Atlanta Market Center.
“When we expanded the gift market in the early 1990s, we had the savings and loan crisis. When we did the apparel mart expansion, it was when the Internet collapsed.
“Every time we’ve had an expansion, it’s been during some very difficult economic times.”
What Portman, president of the Mart, doesn’t have to say is that each of those expansions has worked out quite well despite the precipitous timing.

NEW YORK–The Home Fashion Products Association will hold its annual members meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 W New York.
Featured guest speakers at the event, which will take place in the 11th penthouse suite of the showroom building, will be Mary F. Pisarkiewicz and Steven Mazur, founder and chief creative officer and managing director, respectively, of Pisarkiewicz Mazur & Co., a branding consultant firm. Pisarkiewicz and Mazur will speak on current issues facing HFPA members and adapting to change as a means of surviving in a difficult economy.

NEW YORK–The Steve Madden collection, the latest in a series of designer programs from Revman International, is being prepared for shipment to targeted retailers.
According to Sheldon Good, Revman’s vice president of merchandising, the initial line consists of three patterns available in twin, full and queen sizes. Each set includes sheets, pillowcases, a comforter, standard shams and two decorative pillows. Suggested retail prices for the line are $149.99 for a twin set, $179.99 for a full set and $199.99 for a queen set, Good said yesterday in an interview with HFN.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil–Springs Global U.S. has debuted the revitalized Springmaid brand in the Brazilian market.

ROSLYN, N.Y.–Shay Auerbach, founder and chairman of The Northwest Co., died on Nov. 10 after a long bout with cancer. He was 82.
Auerbach founded Northwest in 1985 after a career as an executive in the apparel industry, and served as chairman until his death. According to Stan Mieskowski, Northwest’s vice president of sales and marketing, Northwest’s current annual sales are close to $100 million.

NEW YORK–The sale of Croscill to Patriarch Partners by the Kahn family, which closed yesterday, is the direct result of two very strong factors: a significant drop in Croscill’s sales volume due to changes at retail and the premature death of company president David Kahn in 2005.
Interviews with Croscill executives confirmed that each factor played a critical role in ending the family’s three-generation ownership of the textiles company. They also said that Patriarch would give the company a strong foundation for the future.

NEW YORK–The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will introduce the 2008 “Rising Stars of Interior Design” at an event on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

NEW YORK–WestPoint Home posted a third-quarter operating loss of $10.5 million, less than one-third of its operating loss from the third quarter of last year.

NEW YORK–Third-quarter net income for Iconix Brand Group rose 8 percent to $18.3 million on a 29 percent increase in revenue.

NEW YORK–Textiles industry veteran Rick Platt has been appointed president of Brand Matter, a newly formed company that manages fashion brands.
Reporting to Bill Sweedler, chief executive officer, Platt is responsible for leading the Brand Matter executive team in marketing, licensing and growing the company’s stable of brands. Platt will also aid in the company’s pursuit of strategic acquisitions.

ALBANY, N.Y.–PrimaLoft has launched a new Website dedicated to its trademarked yarn line, PrimaLoft Yarn, primaloftyarn.com.
The site is geared toward allowing manufacturers to find and download information about PrimaLoft yarns, and includes product information sheets, color cards, hang-tag information and design. It also offers behind-the-scene views of the process of manufacturing the yarns, with a video that demonstrates the blending, carding, drawing, roving and spinning processes of PrimaLoft yarn blends.

NEW YORK–Pendleton Woolen Mills has inaugurated the celebration of its 100th anniversary in business.

SAN DIEGO–Lenzing Fibers has reached an agreement with Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide to develop environmentally friendly bedroom textiles, draperies, bath products and spa products for hotel and resort properties.

NEW YORK–Iconix Brand Group, Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with Jay Imports for its Royal Velvet brand to create a collection of Royal Velvet home fragrances including candles and diffusers that will debut at the New York Tabletop Show next week.

LAS VEGAS–In what amounts to a direct conflict with the High Point Market, World Market Center Las Vegas just announced this afternoon that it will shift to a fall and winter schedule for its market weeks in 2009, instead of the summer and winter rotation it has had since its start.
The winter 2009 dates, Feb. 9 to 13, had previously been announced, but the big news is the second show, which will now be held Sept. 14 to 17, instead of the last week of July. Each Vegas show will be reduced by one day to a four-day schedule as well.

LAS VEGAS–In what amounts to a direct conflict with the High Point Market, World Market Center Las Vegas just announced this afternoon that it will shift to a fall and winter schedule for its market weeks in 2009, instead of the summer and winter rotation it has had since its start.
The winter 2009 dates, Feb. 9 to 13, had previously been announced, but the big news is the second show, which will now be held Sept. 14 to 17, instead of the last week of July. Each Vegas show will be reduced by one day to a four-day schedule as well.

ATLANTA–Lissa Schaus has been appointed director of bedding design for Home Source International.
In this newly created position, Schaus is responsible for the development of products under the Portico brand, which Home Source has just licensed, and for other licensed and in-house brands. She reports to Phyllis Moore, vice president of bed product development, and John Fraley, chief operating officer.
Before joining Home Source, Schaus was design director of home fashions for Westgate International and designer of bed products for Pillowtex Corp.

LA JOLLA, Calif.–Consor Intellectual Asset Management has been retained to sell the Dan River name and remaining intellectual property and intangible assets.
Dan River’s parent company, India-based GHCL, decided to close down the textiles manufacturer after Dan River filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April. Among other services, Consor provides representation to distressed companies looking to sell or auction trademarks, patents, brands or domain names.

NEW YORK–Printsource New York, the textiles and surfaces design show, will offer a new area devoted to art licensing at its next show, which takes place Jan. 13 to 15.

TAMPA, Fla.–Nearly three weeks after the resignation of its chief executive officer, Bob Hellyer, Spring Air has restructured its management.
The company has named Steve Cumbow, chief operating officer, as interim chief executive officer. Kevin Damewood, who was executive vice president of sales and marketing and who assumed Hellyer’s CEO responsibilities with Cumbow after Hellyer’s resignation, has left the company. Also, Al Podratsky, senior vice president of supply-chain management, and Greg Moore, vice president of human resources, have departed.

GONZALES, La.–Olivia Elliott has been appointed vice president and chief financial officer of Crown Crafts, the producer of infant and toddler textiles and accessories.
Elliott thus assumes charge over the company’s financial operations, and reports to E. Randall Chestnut, chairman and chief executive officer. She succeeds Amy Samson, who has stepped down for personal reasons. Samson remains as Crown Crafts’ vice president and chief accounting officer, responsible for all of the company’s accounting activities.

PRINCETON, N.J.–Greg Wallace has been appointed national sales manager for Christmas and gift for Shavel Home Products.
In this newly created position, Wallace is in charge of the management of Shavel’s sales representatives in these product categories, and the development of new and existing businesses in multiple channels of distribution. He reports to Jon Shavel, president and chief executive officer.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has committed to reaching zero waste in its manufacturing operations by 2010.

WARE, Mass.–Mei Higgins has been named vice president of product development at Berkshire Blanket.
In this newly created position, Higgins takes on responsibility for all of Berkshire Blanket’s product development and design. She reports to Thomas Bowles, chief executive officer. She has been with the company for the past three years, serving as director of product development.

NEW YORK–High Point Market exhibitors are invited to submit new product photography and press releases to HFN for its High Point Market show coverage. The deadline is Monday, Sept. 29.

NEW YORK–Nautica Apparel has reached a licensing agreement with Welspun Mexico to manufacture, distribute and sell home-fashion products in Mexico.
The collection includes bedding products, blankets, bath towels, bath accessories, beach towels and window treatments. It will be sold in major department stores and specialty stores in Mexico beginning in spring 2009. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

WEST WARWICK, R.I.–Natco Home, a supplier of flooring and home textiles, has agreed to acquire Windham Weavers, a tabletop, pillow and accent rug supplier.
“This transaction, first and foremost, adds depth and breadth to our senior management, product development, creative and marketing team within Natco Home,” said Michael Litner, Natco Home’s chief executive officer. “Secondly, it brings a host of new and exciting products to the group.”

NEW YORK–Peking Handicraft has designated new assignments for a number of its top executives.
Annie Lo, co-owner of the company with her husband Dicky and formerly president, has been named chief executive officer responsible for all of the company’s functions. Mark Grand, formerly chief operating officer, has been named president and has assumed charge of Peking Handicraft’s sales, product development, design and financial matters. Grand reports to Annie and Dicky Lo.

NEW YORK–WestPoint Home has reached an agreement for a strategic partnership with Edison Nation, a development company for new products, to create what a WestPoint statement termed “innovative products.”

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.–London Luxury has named Gail Nicholson vice president of design and product development and Judy Kaganowich creative director.
Both positions are new ones for the company. Nicholson is responsible for the development and creation of London Luxury’s new-product initiatives, while Kaganowich oversees the visual direction at point of sale and the packaging and branding of the company’s product lines. They both report to Marc Jason, chief executive officer.

Pacific Market Center Hosts Independent Retailer Event
SEATTLE–As part of a new initiative to support independent retailers and buyers, Pacific Market Center, together with its showrooms and local downtown associations, is hosting a VIP: Vibrant Independent Proprietor event for independent businesses.
The interactive event takes place Sept. 22 and 23; hosts independent retailers and businesses in the region; and includes educational sessions, giveaways and networking opportunities.

NEW YORK–Iconix and Novel Fashion Brands of Hong Kong have completed the structure of Iconix China, their joint venture which will market the Iconix brands—including its Cannon, Fieldcrest, Royal Velvet and Charisma home-textiles offerings—in China.

NEW YORK–Loftex USA has appointed Jeff Williams senior vice president.
Williams, who reports to Gretchen Dale, chief operating officer, was formerly vice president of retail account management.
“Jeff has made major contributions into charting Loftex’s future as we grow the business,” Dale said in a statement. “Jeff has established himself with great credibility with all our accounts and has developed strong programs with our factory to service our customers.”

NEW YORK–Permanent showroom building 7 W New York is welcoming several textiles companies to its temporary market suites for the New York Home Fashions Market next week.
The suites, located on the 11th floor of the building, debuted earlier this year during other trade shows.

MASON, Ohio–Downlite has reached an agreement with Kassatex Fine Linens on a strategic partnership that will give the down- and feather-bedding manufacturer market penetration and distribution channels throughout the Caribbean, Central American and South American regions.
Under the terms of the alliance, Kassatex will have sole representation rights, exclusive of institutional accounts, for all Downlite products in these areas. Other terms were not disclosed.
Based in New York, Kassatex distributes bath textiles, including towels, bathrugs and bathrobes.

CARLSTADT, N.J.–Color authority Pantone has announced the availability of Pantone ColorMunki Create, a software and hardware solution to create, manage, search, verify and share color palettes.
Part of the ColorMunki portfolio, ColorMunki Create provides a starting point for designers whose primary objective is color palette creation.

NEW YORK–CHF Industries heads into the textiles show here next week with two new licensed lines.
The company has partnered with Alex, an award-winning toy company, on a new line of bedding and bath products that marry Alex’s graphic, whimsical style with solutions for everyday parenting dilemmas. For example, traditional home textiles items will have an interactive element that makes the transition from bathtime to bedtime easier.

HUDSON, Ohio–Jo-Ann Stores posted a net loss of $11.7 million in its fiscal-year 2009 second quarter, down from the $18.4 million net loss it reported for the second quarter of last year.

NEW YORK–CHF Industries has formed a partnership with Alex, the toy company, on a line of bed and bath textiles for children.

NEW YORK–Home products will be among the offerings on Calvin Klein’s new e-commerce feature now available on its Website, calvinklein.com.
Starting today, Web shoppers in the United States will be able to access products from the Calvin Klein Home collection, including bedding, bath textiles, table linens, dinnerware, flatware, glassware, home decor and gifts. Shoppers from abroad will be automatically taken to the company’s global branding site, which supports all Calvin Klein brand offerings.

NEW YORK–The Palace Gates knitted blanket from the Andrew Morgan Collection has received the New York Home Textiles Market Week Best of Market award at the New York Gift Fair.
Made of 100 percent innova polypropelene and stain-resistant, the blanket was judged the best overall new product by a panel of editors of both trade and consumer publications in the market’s Best New Products awards. The panel also picked winners from the bed, bath, dining and home-accessories product categories.

NEW YORK–The Palace Gates knitted blanket from Andrew Morgan Collection has received the New York Home Textiles Market Week Best of Market award at the New York Gift Fair.
Made of 100 percent innova polypropelene and stain-resistant, the blanket was judged the best overall new product by a panel of editors of both trade and consumer publications in the market’s Best New Products awards. The panel also picked winners from the bed, bath, dining and home-accessories product categories.

NEW YORK–HFN is still accepting information and images of products that will be introduced during the September New York Home Fashions Market.
Vendors are urged to send information about new bedding products to David Gill, senior editor of textiles and bedding, at dgill@hfnmag.com. New-product information about bath textiles should go to Allison Zisko, group editor for textiles, at azisko@hfnmag.com.

NEW YORK–David Conn, executive vice president of Iconix Brands, will be leaving the company.
According to a statement from Iconix, Conn’s employment agreement with the company expired earlier this year. Over the next several months, Conn will transition his responsibilities to other Iconix executives while he serves in a non-executive capacity.

FORT MILL, S.C.–Springs Global has been recognized by Sam’s Club with an award for the sustainability focus of its licensed Serta Two Pack Bed Pillows.

NEW YORK–HFN is collecting information on product introductions and high-resolution images for the upcoming September Home Textiles Market.
Vendors should send information about new decorative-bedding and basic-bedding products to David Gill, senior editor of textiles and bedding, at dgill@hfnmag.com. Product information about bath and kitchen textiles should go to Allison Zisko, group editor for textiles, at azisko@hfnmag.com. The deadline for these submissions is Monday, Aug. 18.

WAYNE, N.J.–Babies “R” Us has forged an exclusive partnership with designer Amy Coe to offer an extensive collection of baby merchandise that includes modern infant furniture, colorful bedding sets, room decor, trendy diaper bags and whimsical gifts.
The Amy Coe Collection, which launched this month, is the largest product introduction by an exclusive designer in the company’s history. It debuts this month in more than 230 Babies “R” Us stores and online.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Seventeen vendors from five different countries will make their debut at Accent on Design, the exhibitor space for design-led lifestyle and gift merchandise at the New York International Gift Fair.

NEW YORK–HFN is beginning to collect information on product introductions and high-resolution images for the upcoming September Home Textiles Market.
Vendors are urged to send information about new bedding products to David Gill, senior editor of textiles and bedding, at dgill@hfnmag.com. New-product information about bath textiles should go to Allison Zisko, group editor for textiles, at azisko@hfnmag.com. The deadline for these submissions is Monday, Aug. 18.

AT THE MARKET–The Las Vegas Summer Market opens today, highlighted by the opening of Building C, the 2.1 million-square-foot addition to the home furnishings campus.
Nearly 1,500 companies are exhibiting in the more than 5 million squre feet of showrooms in the three buildings.
A new destination at the show is the Lodge Living area, a 25,000-square-foot glass-enclosed showroom in Building C with products inspired by outdoor living such as offerings from Woolrich.

NEW YORK–A cocktail reception for notable home textiles industry executives will take place at 7 W New York on Monday, Sept. 15, during Home Textiles Market Week here.
The event will be sponsored by 7 W New York, LDB Interior Textiles and the Home Fashion Products Association. That evening, attendance for the event, scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., is by invitation only.

CARTHAGE, Mo.–Leggett & Platt has created and filled new positions in its Consumer Products Group.

NEW YORK–The Home Fashion Products Association has launched its new Web site, homefashionproducts.com.
The new site carries information for members of HFPA, prospective members, students and consumers. It provides an extensive description of the association, its activities and related industry events. The goal of the new site is to heighten awareness of individual textiles manufacturers, and the site includes links to HFPA members’ sites.

NEW YORK–CHF Industries has signed an exclusive licensing and consulting agreement with Nicholas Graham, founder of Joe Boxer, to create new CHF brands for home-fashions products.

NEW YORK–This is the last call for Las Vegas Market exhibitors to send product photos and releases to be considered for HFN’s special market coverage in our daily show issues and the national issue that get distributed at market.
Please send by the end of the day today. After that, we cannot promise that any materials received after the deadline will get in.

NEW YORK–Raymond Waites Design has signed a licensing agreement with Westex International for a line of basic bedding.
The products include comforters and bed pillows, made from both down and synthetic materials. Under the terms of the license, Westex will promote and sell the line to retailers in both the United States and Canada. The products will also be featured in special packaging designed to “enhance it on the selling floor,” according to a Raymond Waites statement.

NEW YORK–This is the last call for Las Vegas Market exhibitors to send product photos and releases to be considered for HFN’s special market coverage in our daily show issues and the national issue that get distributed at market.
Please send as soon as possible, but no later than this Wednesday, July 9. After that, we cannot promise that any materials received after the deadline will get in.

CHICAGO–The Chicago Market: Living and Giving will feature its fourth green-themed display home during the Chicago gift show later this month.
The concept home offers design ideas and inspiration for lake homes, cottage retreats or second homes, and encourages retailers and designers to incorporate green product into their stores and clients’ homes.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–IMC Licensing has entered into an agreement with Borghese, an international cosmetic and fragrance company, to develop a licensing plan and portfolio of home products.
An IMC representative said home products to carry the brand would include both hard and soft goods for bed, bath and kitchen.

LAS VEGAS–SDH, the manufacturer and distributor of fine European linens, will open its showroom at the World Market Center Building C on July 28, the opening day for the summer Las Vegas Market.
To mark the occasion, the company will have in attendance Friedrich Leitner, president of Leitner KG, an Austria-based weaver of linens. SDH is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Leitner linens.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–DMG World Media, the parent company of show manager GLM, has canceled the Global Home Textiles and Global Home Decor shows and has eliminated 31 positions in GLM’s White Plains office.

SAN FRANCISCO–Dan Stengel has returned to Keeco, the firm he co-founded nearly 30 years ago, as president and chief executive officer.
Stengel has assumed charge of the leadership and direction of the company’s entire operations, reporting to its board of directors. He succeeds Mike Roach, who has left the company to start an importing business, according to a Keeco spokesman.

GREENSBORO, N.C.–Nominees have been named for the 2008 WOW Awards, hosted by Women in the Home Industries Today.
Winners will be honored at a dinner ceremony on Aug. 13 during WithIt’s Education Conference, Aug. 12 to 14, in Charlotte, N.C., at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel.
The annual WOW awards recognize business leaders nominated by their peers who have contributed to the success of the home furnishings industries; have at least five years of industry experience; and have demonstrated significant impact on his/her company and/or the industry.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–JLA Home, a top-of-the-bed products manufacturer, has purchased all of the assets of International Home Furnishings, a supplier of blankets and other top-of-the-bed products.

DANBURY, Conn.–Waterworks, the bath-products retailer and wholesaler, has scheduled a warehouse sale for June 28 at the Danbury Fair Mall here.
On offer will be items such as faucets, sinks, shower systems, bathtubs, toilets, lighting, mirrors, accessories, ceramic and glass tile, stone slabs, rugs and bath furnishings. Waterworks is discounting these items by up to 80 percent.
The company, founded by Barbara and Robert Sallick, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in business this year.

NEW YORK–Alan Kennedy has been appointed senior vice president of sales, and Linda Del Pozo has been named senior vice president of bath merchandising at WestPoint Home.

HUDSON, Ohio–Jo-Ann Stores reported net income of $3 million for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2009, versus a net loss of $1.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
Net sales at the fabric and craft retailer rose 5.2 percent to $446.1 million, fueled by a same-store sales increase of 4.5 percent. It was Jo-Ann Stores’ fifth consecutive quarter of improvement in same-store sales, and its seventh straight quarter of rising earnings per share.

NEW YORK–Carl Legreca has been named to the new position of president of Croscill, assuming charge over the marketing and merchandising of all of the company’s products.
Legreca, formerly president of the company’s bath division, will oversee Croscill’s bedding and window-treatment products as well. Reporting to him are Michelle Larovere, vice president of bedding, and Jack Mann, vice president of window products. Legreca reports to Doug Kahn, the company’s chief executive officer.
In addition, Julie Brady, president of bedding, has left the company.

NEW YORK–John Piazza has been named president and chief executive officer of WestPoint Home, succeeding Joe Pennacchio, who has left the company.
Piazza, who reports to Peter Shea, president of Icahn Enterprises, WestPoint Home’s parent, comes to the home-fashions manufacturer from Sara Lee Corp., where most recently he was CEO. His experience includes 22 years in the apparel industry and 32 years in the marketing and selling of consumer packaged goods.
Under Pennacchio, the company continued to lose top-line sales and was unable to post a profit.

NEW YORK–WestPoint Home has received the Wal-Mart Home Division Innovation & Quality Improvement Award for 2008.
The company received this honor for its trademarked HomeTrends True Colors towel program, part of a collection that also includes sheet sets and bath accessories. The program uses vibrant colors that are designed to remain bright through 50 chlorine washes, according to WestPoint Home.

NEW YORK–Sandra Lee, home and style expert and host of “Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee” on the Food Network, is featured as the spokeswoman for the Waverly brand in a new advertising campaign kicking off this month.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–A significant percentage of consumers plan to purchase sheets, bed pillows and mattress pads in the next year, according to a survey conducted by Louisville Bedding.
According to the results, 69 percent of the participants said they plan to buy sheets in the next 12 months. Also, 54 percent plan to buy pillows, and 34 percent plan to purchase mattress pads. In addition, a large portion of the survey respondents bought these products in the past 12 months—78 percent for sheets, 62 percent for pillows and 34 percent for pads.

LAS VEGAS–The Global Textiles and Global Home Decor shows are taking place this week amid continuing uncertainty over both the U.S. and world home-textiles markets.
Exhibitors at the shows said the shape of the global economy, in particular the U.S. economy, has held back sales growth for them so far this year. However, they still hope for positive results from the two shows.

LAS VEGAS–The Gourmet Housewares Show, the National Hardware Show, Global Home Textiles and Global Home Decor all open here today. “Going green” and sustainability is expected to be a big trend for vendors exhibiting at the shows. The events, being held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, run through Thursday, May 8.

NEW YORK–Iconix Brands Group has reached an agreement with Hong Kong-based Novel Fashion Holdings for a joint-venture firm to sell Iconix products in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao.

NEW YORK–Lara Parrish has been appointed vice president of sales for Levinsohn Textile.
In this post, Parrish will oversee Levinsohn’s sales force and coordinate the company’s new product line, Backdrop, a trademarked program of upholstered headboards. She reports to Adam Levinsohn, president of Levinsohn Textile. She succeeds Shira Lowry, who left the company to take a position in the craft industry, according to a company statement.

WILMINGTON, Del.–Dan River, in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has filed for debtor-in-possession financing—indicating that the principles might be trying to keep the company’s business going, rather than liquidating it.

WILMINGTON, Del.–Several days after sources said the company would be liquidated, Dan River Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 20.
Reports surfaced last week saying that the company, a division of India-based GHCL, would be liquidated perhaps as soon as early this week. The filing made at U.S. Bankruptcy Court here lists the city of Danville, Va., where Dan River’s headquarters is located, as the largest unsecured creditor, at nearly $2.3 million. Best Manufacturing Group, another division of GHCL, is the second largest at about $1.5 million.

NEW YORK–Dan River is close to liquidating, according to former company executives and sales representatives.
The sources said GHCL, Dan River’s India-based parent, could file in U.S. District Court for the manufacturer’s liquidation in the next few days.
“GHCL has decided it doesn’t want to be involved,” one former Dan River executive said. Calls to Dan River’s offices here and in Danville, Va., have not been returned.

NEW YORK–Nancy Koltes, designer and founder of Nancy Koltes Fine Linens, has partnered with the artist Gaialight to develop “Starlight in New York,” an exhibit that honors the annual Tribeca Film Festival.
“Starlight in New York” consists of bed ensembles designed by Koltes, combined with digital photographic collages by Gaialight. The exhibit will be installed at the Nancy Koltes At Home store on 31 Spring St. here, and will be on view from April 25 to May 24.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Children’s author and illustrator Peter Reynolds will exhibit his designs and illustrations at the upcoming Surtex show, which is scheduled for May 18 to 20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.
Reynolds, an author and illustrator of children’s books, will introduce his “Make Your Mark!” and “Time to Dream” lines at the show, and sign copies of his latest book, “Little Boy.”
Reynolds will be exhibiting at Booth 409 of the show. GLM said Surtex will feature 400 exhibitors and welcome 6,000 attendees.

NEW YORK–Revman International has reached a license agreement with WGBH, the Boston-based public television station, to produce a line of quilts under the Antiques Roadshow brand.

NEW YORK–The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association will team up with 7 W New York to host the Fashion Institute of Technology’s presentation of its Home Products Development Senior Project.

NEW YORK—Scott Maddalene has rejoined WestPoint Home, where he previously served in senior executive positions for more than 25 years, as senior vice president of Ralph Lauren marketing.

SAO PAOLO, Brazil–Springs Global has reported a net loss of $253.2 million for its 2007 fiscal year, compared with a net loss of $171.1 million for 2006.
In a statement accompanying the financial results, the company attributed the results to “the tremendous amount of work performed to adjust the cost structure of our North America subsidiary, Springs Global U.S.” This included the closing of nine manufacturing plants in the United States, the last of which was closed in the first quarter of this year.

NEW YORK–Nancy Koltes Fine Linens has launched its redesigned wholesale Web site, nancykoltes.com.
The company’s revamped site provides an online catalog and resource for its stores, retail customers, consumers and designers. Among the features are drop-down headings such as Company Profile, Store Locator and Linens. The latter is broken down into Nancy Koltes Basics, Jacquard/Coordinating Sheeting, Classic Wovens, Prints, New Introductions and Accessories. Each of these categories is subdivided by pattern or design.

NEW YORK–Kevin Jareck, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Bruce Nichol, senior vice president of product development and design, are taking on the day-to-day management responsibilities over Dan River Home Fashions, in the wake of the departure of Herb Briggs, president of the home fashions division.
According to a company statement, no immediate successor has been named for Briggs. Nor has the company yet commented on a search process for his successor. Both Jareck and Nichol report directly to Michael Flatow, Dan River’s chief executive officer.

NEW YORK–London Luxury has received asthma & allergy friendly trademarked certification for several of its allergen-barrier textile products from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
The certification is granted to selected products that have undergone thorough scientific testing, and have proven beneficial to consumers who suffer from asthma and allergies, according to a statement from London Luxury. The products are currently available at retailers across the country, and the certification will appear on the packaging.

LAS VEGAS–The Robert Allen Group will open a Robert Allen/Beacon Hill showroom to offer fabric and furniture in Building C of the World Market Center here.

NEW YORK–Stephen Palmer, co-president of United Feather & Down, has been re-elected chairman of the American Down and Feather Council, and Jeff Hollander, chief executive officer of Hollander Home Fashions, has been re-elected as the council’s vice chairman.

NEW YORK–The retail consulting firm of the Grayson Company has joined with the executive search firm E.A. Hughes to create Grayson/Hughes, a management service for retail, home fashions, apparel and consumer products. Principals are Bob Grayson, president of the Grayson Company, and Elaine Hughes, president of E.A. Hughes.
In announcing the newly formed firm, the principals said that the merger will offer expertise in retail strategy, merchandising, marketing, store operations, investor consulting and executive search.

NEW YORK–NexCen Brands, the parent company of the Waverly brand, completed its first full year of brand-management operations with a net loss of $4.6 million and revenues of $34.4 million.
The company said it posted net income of $4.9 million in 2007. The revenue total compares with $1.9 million for all of 2006, in which the company conducted less than two months of comparable operations. NexCen formally opened its brand-management operations in June 2006 and began acquiring brands that November.

HUDSON, Ohio–JoAnn Stores, the chain of textiles, fabric and craft shops, reported a gain of 6.6 percent during the fourth quarter ended Feb. 2, compared with the same period the year before. The quarterly gain, which translated into a 4.8 percent increase of $1.10 per diluted share, was realized on declining revenues.
Net sales for the period, at $585.9 million, were down 2.5 percent.

NEW YORK–Supima, an organization that represents U.S. pima cotton growers, will open a pop-up store here from March 14 to April 13 featuring apparel and home-fashion products made with supima cotton.

NEW YORK–High Point Market exhibitors should send new product photography and press releases to HFN editors for coverage in our April Market issue. We’re accepting product submissions now—please don’t send them any later than Thursday, March 13.

NEW YORK–The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association has named Maureen Klein, interior designer, marketing specialist and editor for several home furnishings/do-it-yourself publications, as its president, and has appointed an executive board of professionals for 2008.
The board includes Klein; Penny Sikalis, vice president of GLM; Susan Hirsh, interior designer and the IFDA New York Chapter president in 2006 and 2007; Agnes Freas, marketing specialist for Zeftron; and Susan Slotkis, author and educator on interior design.

NEW YORK–The business dimension of professional art and design will be the highlight of the Surtex 2008 show, May 18 to 20, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here.
Attendees will have access to nine seminars addressing general business, licensing and trends.
In a statement issued this morning, Surtex noted that the licensing seminars will explore art licensing basics, licensing agreements, copyright protection, and the pros and cons of working with an agent.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisc.–Kohl’s is rolling out Jumping Beans, an exclusive line of children’s soft home and apparel goods that marks the mid-market chain’s biggest kids’ program to date.
Jumping Beans home products will bow in May, while apparel is rolling out to stores now.
The line builds on Kohl’s growing mix of exclusive and private brands, such as the new Simply Vera home collection from bridal designer Vera Wang and the Food Network housewares program.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–U.S. retail buyers and merchandisers attended both Home Textiles Market Week and Ex-tracts “in force” during their recent runs, according to a statement from George Little Management [GLM], the owner and manager of both shows.

NEW YORK–Achim Importing, a supplier of soft and hard window products and flooring, has appointed Howie Mallow as executive vice president of sales and marketing. In this newly created post, Mallow will report to Marton and Isaac Grossman, company owners and co-chief executive officers.

NEW YORK–Paul Raffin has been appointed global group chief executive officer of Frette.
In his new post, Raffin oversees all of the operations of the Italian luxury-linens brand. He succeeds Enrico Marinelli, who is staying on as executive vice president in charge of licensing and emerging markets. Raffin joined Frette last year as executive in charge of the brand’s growth initiatives, including opening retail stores, expanding its wholesale operation, developing its new e-commerce platform, and directing product toward hotels and resorts.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its High Point Market coverage, and invites all exhibitors to submit new product photography and press releases to us by March 3.

NEW YORK–The Rebecca Moses collection, which is being unveiled this week at the home textiles market, takes Homestead into “concepts that stretch throughout the home,” according to Homestead’s founder and president, David Greenstein.

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.–International Home Fabrics [IHF] and Domestic Fabrics Corp. [DFC] have reached a joint agreement whereby IHF will handle the sales and marketing of all DFC-produced merchandise to retailers.
IHF is a sales, marketing and design company that sells blankets, both conventional and electric, under the Cannon and Beautyrest names, along with Simmons-labeled electric blankets. The company is preparing to launch a line of sheets, mattress pads and blankets made with DFC’s patented Wick A’ Way construction, at next week’s February Home Textiles Market.

NEW YORK—Westgate has purchased the Brazilian assets of Quaker Fabrics to increase its international reach.
The company has received the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s approval for the acquisition of Quaker Textil Do Brasil, which is based in Sao Paolo. Quaker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2007. The deal gives Westgate—whose parent, Home Furnishings International [HFI], is based in China and which has distribution centers in Shanghai, Belgium and Mexico—a base for expansion in South America.

NEW YORK–Tickets are still available for the Home Products Development Fundraising Breakfast, a joint effort of the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Home Fashions Products Association.

GREENSBORO, N.C.–Women in the Home Industries Today (WithIt) has named a new president and board for 2008. Tiffany Mullis-Brittain, director of communications, Vanguard Furniture, succeeds outgoing president Kelly Peterson, group advertising director, Hearst Integrated Media, who becomes chairman of the board.
Mullis-Brittain will spearhead the 2008 board’s charge to develop its leadership and outreach roles in the home industries.

NEW YORK–The Home Fashion Products Association has changed the dates for upcoming New York home textiles market weeks. The show will begin following a March/September schedule, beginning this September.
The fall market week will begin on Monday, Sept. 15, and extend through Friday, Sept. 19. In 2009, the winter market will last from Monday, March 9, to Friday, March 13, and the fall market dates will be Monday, Sept. 14, to Friday, Sept. 18.

NEW YORK–The Floating Bloom duvet introduced by Shades of India has received the “Best of Market” award in the New York Home Textiles Week Best New Products Awards.

NEW YORK–Lacoste Home, the textiles unit of the well-known apparel maker, has opened a permanent showroom for New York Home Textiles Market Week, and is creating a line of home products to mark the company’s 75th anniversary.

NEW YORK–Tickets are still available for the Home Products Development Fundraising Breakfast, a joint effort of the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Home Fashions Products Association.

CHICAGO–Twill Textiles has appointed Dennis Scully, a former Waterworks executive, to the newly created position of director of sales and marketing. In addition to overseeing the company’s sales and marketing programs, Scully, who reports to founder Suzanne Lovell, will direct communications for the company, including advertising and public relations.
Scully’s appointment is part of the two-year-old company’s expansion into national markets and the development of its brand.

NEW YORK–Designer Thomas O’Brien has signed with Creative Artists Agency, the talent and literary agency, for representation. CAA’s Lifestyle department will focus on expanding O’Brien’s brand beyond the home and into an array of areas where design is central, according to a statement from CCA and O’Brien. Additionally, CAA will seek opportunities in publishing and on the Internet that will broaden O’Brien’s media presence.

NEW YORK–Football fans, particularly those from New York and New England, who plan to attend the annual Gift for Life Party on Feb. 3 can rest easy: They will be able to watch the Super Bowl during the event.

NEW YORK–NexCen Brands has formed a partnership with Welspun USA that will expand the Waverly brand, one of NexCen’s holdings, into new product categories.
The agreement calls for Welspun to become the Waverly licensee for bath towels; bath, accent and scatter rugs; and down- and synthetic-filled comforters, blankets, pillows and mattress pads. All of these are new categories for the Waverly brand.
Rick Platt, Waverly’s president, called the agreement “a giant leap forward to the goal of expanding the Waverly brand into a complete lifestyle resource.”

NEW YORK–Australian-based Sleep and Dream has introduced a line of wool bedding products endorsed by baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.
The Cal Ripken Authentic Range includes comforters and underlays made of 100 percent Australian wool. Sleep and Dream is owned by Barry Young—a former player in the Australian Rules Football league—who will display the products at the upcoming New York Gift Show.
The company has launched a Web site, ripkenwool.com, where consumers can order the products.

UNION, N.J.–A pending lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey alleges that Bed Bath & Beyond and Synergy Inc. misrepresented the thread count in its two-ply bedding products sold in Bed Bath stores and on its Web site by stating the number of threads in the warp and filling directions in one square inch of fabric, rather than the number of yarns.

NEW YORK–Sales of organic and environmentally friendly home textiles, which have been growing by double digits in recent years, will continue on a strong upward track through the rest of the decade, according to research from Specialists in Business Information.

NEW YORK–Home-decor showroom building 7 W New York will increase its events, amenities and transportation-support offerings to buyers who will be visiting New York for the upcoming New York Gift Show and New York Home Textiles Market Week.