Fabrics & Furnishings - Summer 2014 Issue by Fabrics & Furnishings International

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Volume 24, Number 3

Summer 2014

The Global Home & Contract Furnishings Newspaper

North American Fabric Jobbers Generally Report Positive 2014 Sales Results With More to Come Second Half Kravet Says Many Positive Business Indicators Push Business in the Right Direction! Sipco News Network

North American home fabric wholesalers report an improved sales result for the first quarter of 2014 after a rocky 2013, with many executives enthusiastic about the balance of the year.

“Business is the best it has been since the recession of 2008,” says Cary Kravet, President and Principal of Kravet Corp., Bethpage, N.Y. He had just finished corporate sales meetings in Canada, Florida and New York

when F&FI caught up to him. “If you don’t move forward, you’re in trouble. We have no choice,” he says. Two areas earmarked for bigger growth is Canada, where Kravet just appointed Gary Searle

as its first Vice President of Sales in that market, based in Toronto. Searle moved to Toronto from his native South Africa earlier this year to run that business. He reports to Cary Kravet. Searle (continued on page 20)

EuropaTex International Builds Huge Trim, Fabric Business Kiriakou Family Plans Third Warehouse In Just Ten Years

Cary Kravet

Keystone Weaving Plans Sale to Burlington Technologies • Page 8 •

Grateful Dead poster from Jonathan Mark Rosenthal’s extensive collection. See his new contract wall covering collection on page 18

iriako Greg K

Sipco News Network

ERSEY CITY, New Jersey — Quietly, EuropaTex International has become an important force in trimming in the USA with an annual sales growth of ten percent (continued on page 12)

Brunschwig & Fils Unveils Revamped Showroom in NYC • Page 20 •

Sunil Gupta (Partner, Swadeshi Silk)

The Golden Era of Indian Pure Silk Furnishing Fabrics Export Has All But Ended • Page 12 •

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FF&FI FI NE L EW T TSE R S The Global Home & Contract Furnishings Newspaper

Keystone Weaving Plans Sale to Burlington Technologies Lebanon, Pennsylvania — Mike Durham, President, CEO of Burlington Technologies and Sloan Caplan, President, CEO of Keystone Weaving announced May 7 that BT has signed a letter of intent to purchase KW. The purchase will include the KW Brand and its business in both the Home Fabrics and Apparel Fabrics Markets. The core businesses for Burlington Technologies currently include its two flagship companies, Se7en, which provides woven jacquard fabrics for Home Furnishings and Bentex which produces woven fabrics for the Contract Market. Its BMS Division dyes and prepares yarns for the weaving and knitting trades. Caplan stated that his family has been in the weaving business for more than 80 years and the family decided they want to apply their energies to other interests. “We have been extremely pleased with our growth in the Home Fabrics arena but my father Eli Caplan, and my uncle, Perry Caplan and I felt this was a good time to sell,” said Caplan. Under his leadership the company has become highly diversified and not only provides a variety of apparel fabrics to that market but has developed a strong business in the Home Fabrics field. Keystone designs and manufactures jacquard and dobby woven fabrics for new furniture, jobbers, hospitality, converters, and retail.

Durham stated that Keystone is recognized for its use of natural and recycled fibers which is unlike Se7en and Bentex who primarily utilize synthetics. “Another major plus is the enormous dobby capacity they bring to the table,” he said. “There is little overlap between the two companies and Keystone will function as an independent division.” He added that all Keystone manufacturing and services will be moved to North Carolina and there will be no interruption of service. He said, “everyone in BT is excited about this merger and we believe it is a major step for all of us involved to continue developing critical mass to strengthen our company’s ability to service the American and World Markets”. Bob McKinnon and Ray McKinnon who were instrumental in directing Keystone’s entry and establishment in the Home Fabrics field will join BT continuing with their Keystone duties as well as becoming engaged with some new responsibilities. McKinnon stated “that this is a perfect move at the perfect time for all concerned. With reshoring taking place and the Home Fabrics Markets on the upswing, BT and Keystone together can provide more and better products for their customers, “ he said. He also said that Se7en and Keystone will remain in their current showrooms and will operate independently. Ray McKinnon further added that Keystone and Se7en will maintain separate design staffs but she and Bob will interface with both.

Table of Contents F&FI Summer 2014 | Vol. 24, No. 3 Square Yard’s Brian Katz Changes 20 Year Business Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimison Joins Para Outdoor Fabric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunbury’s Truslow Sees $100 Million Sales Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Schaich Leaves Maharam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Golden Era of Indian Pure Silk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swadeshi Rises Up Against the Trend Away From All Silk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunschwig & Fils Unveils Revamped Showroom in NYC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Naturtex Finds Successful Niche in Woven Synthetic Leather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crowson Ltd. Closes, Founder Derek Crowson Retires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Searle Named Vice President, Sales, Kravet Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Ralphs Buys St. Leger & Viney From Gary Searle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Covington’s First Jennifer Adams Collection Features 58 Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courtney Named Silver State Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ozer Ozbarut Starts Up New Ecommerce Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MoOD New Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tissus Metridis On A Growth Track As Greece Moves Forward Again. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contract/HospitalityNews Fidelity Consultant Jonathan Mark Rosenthal, 35 Year Industry Design Veteran. . . . . . . . . . . Valley Forge Reports Big Year So Far for Hospitality Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 10 10 10 12 12 20 21 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 26 18 18

DESIGN

Edgy Design Rules the Future. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Departments

Photo Gallery - Sunbury. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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EDITOR & PUBLISHER USA, EUROPE & CHINA Eric Schneider Tel: 001.917.251.9922 E-Mail: eric@sipco.net

ART DIRECTOR Roxanne Clapp Tel: 001.813.991.1860 E-Mail: rox@sipco.net

WEB DEVELOPER Rocco Cerullo, Artisian Designs Tel: 001.954.914.4758 E-Mail: recerullo@artisian.com

ADVERTISING SALES

TURKEY INDIA ITALY, GERMANY, SPAIN, FRANCE Sevim Keskinci Rekha V. Isa Hofmann Tel: 90.532.236.25.24 Tel: 91.80.26685821 Tel: +49 611.890.59640 Fax: 90.216.390.20.27 Cell: 91.93.42821379 Fax: +49 611.87086 Email: skeskinci@gmail.com Email: info@ihofmann.com Fax: 91.80.26684670 Email: s_wishwanath@hotmail.com

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F FI NE W S

Square Yard’s Brian Katz Changes 20 Year Business Model Sipco News Network

AS VEGAS, Nevada— Square Yard, a 23 outlet retail chain based here has turned to a more traditional purchasing model to better suit the industry wide growth in Chinese and Indian textile sources according to company principal Brian Katz. Katz returned to this business about one year ago after leaving it in the hands of family members for several years while he was away. Historically, Square Yard specialized in converting its

own lines offshore. By designing and converting the majority of its products in China, India and Europe and processing and distributing them through company owned facilities, Square Yard gained a reputation as a price driven merchant in all product categories, reportedly offering even the best products at prices 30-40% below competitors. With the current market offerings, it is moving towards purchasing direct from the world’s mills in lieu of converting. Square Yard began life as a

retailer of moderate priced apparel fabric, but the company became a home decorating resource at every price level including high end lines. Square Yard operates stores in California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Texas and Florida. It also sells coordinated accessories such as tassels and tiebacks and offers custom fabrication and reupholstery services. Katz declined to comment further while his strategy is in the process of further change. F&FI

Square Yard headquarters in Las Vegas Brian Katz

Jimison Joins Para Outdoor Fabric 15 Years After Establishing Outdura® Brand

Jeff Jimison

Sipco News Network

ILAN, Italy — Parà has appointed Jeff Jimison

National Sales Manager for Temp®otest USA to lead sales for the company’s line of performance fabrics for awning, casual furniture and marine applications. Jeff has an extensive background in outdoor performance fabric, having been involved in these markets for 15 years. Jeff’s previous position was Vice President of Business Development for Sattler Corp and was instrumental in the development and growth of the Outdura brand from its inception in 1999. “I am excited and honored to be chosen to lead Parà’s sales team in North America and to be associated with such a wellrespected, technically advanced textile company such as Parà. Their

commitment and investment in their company and products from a design, marketing, quality and manufacturing perspective is world class”. Marco Parravicini, CEO of Parà Group said “Jeff’s knowledge of solution dyed acrylic fabrics from both a technical standpoint and his industry knowledge is exactly what we need as we make this push to establish Parà’s brand as strongly and as respected in North America as it has been for generations in Europe. We have opened our Dallas, TX distribution facility and we are carrying stock of the entire Tempotest line for awning and marine as well as our Tempotest Home fabrics for casual furniture.” Tempotest USA is

Now Independent Consultant headquartered in Dallas, TX where it stocks the entire line of Tempotest marine and awning fabrics as well as the Tempotest Home Collection. Parà is a vertically integrated weaver of solution dyed acrylic fabrics as well as a producer of residential interior fabrics with in-house dying and printing capability.Parà has been involved in the textile business for more than 90 years and is family owned and operated by the Parravicini family. F&FI

Sunbury’s Truslow Sees $100 Million Sales Potential Novelty Yarn Focus Brings More Higher End Goods Sipco News Network

OHO, New York—Sunbury Textile Mills celebrates ‘Decades,’ a new collection of 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s inspired fabrics at its showroom on Broome Street here. Another decade was also celebrated with the tenth anniversary of Sunbury as an employee owned company (ESOP) which Hank Truslow Jr., President & CEO, feels will reach its true potential when it hits $100 million in sales. The 200 employees made a pretty good bet on the company because the stock has risen 176 percent in the past ten years since 2004, Truslow says. ”Every employee owns a piece of the company,” Truslow explains.

Schaich Leaves Maharam

Truslow, notoriously not one to He also says that all segments of his business are “growing” in volunteer much information about 2014; at least 10 percent in fact is Sunbury was feeling expansive, even expected for the full year. “Export jubilant in making his comments is also pretty good with the UK, to F&FI during a cocktail party Europe and Australian markets for ‘Decades.’ Decades are a 100 moving ahead for us.” He says he sku, 25 pattern collection covering is committed to a program of mod- four Decades. The line ernization and upgrades at the mill was designed under the in Sunbury, PA. but the best thing watchful eye of Jennifer he did during a slow period several Hendren, Vice President years ago was to invest in novelty of Design for Sunbury, yarn spinning through outside Korten developed this suppliers in the USA and globally, exclusive design with he says. “Sunbury is now running Sunbury/Sunbrella for three shifts and is capitalizing on Silver State, the Salt Lake even high end fabrics in an ultra City, UT based jobber.” high niche. We continue to find new outlets Kate Korten, New York based designer with Hank for what we Truslow, President, Sunbury Mills create.”

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who challenged the in house design staff to be creative with the past— covering residential, contract, performance and furniture design groups at the mill. More details including who was there—inside. F&FI

Sipco News Network

EW YORK, New Yerk—Annette Schaich, Vice President of Business Development for Maharam Fabrics, a major contract jobber, left the company in early 2014 after 14 years. She is now an independent consultant and could not be reached for comment about her departure. She held that post for a little over one year but had been with Maharam since July, 2000 in various marketing/business development posts. She was a Product Manager at Knoll from 1995-2000 prior to joining Maharam. Maharam was acquired by Herman Miller, the office furniture manufacturer for $156 million cash on April 29, 2013. Since it was acquired, several executives have left Maharam including Schaich and Bruce Shawles, head of quality control. He joined Knoll, it was learned. F&FI

Annette Schaich

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F FI NE W S (Continued from Front Cover)

EuropaTex International Builds Huge Trim, Fabric Business since 2004 with 20 percent more growth expected in 2014 according to Greg Kiriakou, President. EuropaTex has 75 collections of fabric and trimmings, 40 sku’s in each and back up, on the shelf stock of 1500-2,000 yards per sku from $1.25 to $25 a yard, he says. “Companies usually add trim as an accessory but we started the business with both fabric and trim.” “We have been geared to exports from the start but the domestic U.S. market started to move about eight years ago and now we’re starting to see a trend toward international business again,” he says. About 70 percent of the business is in the USA with 30 percent geared to export. The company operates out of a showroom with 20 fulltime employees and 25 sales representatives on the road in the USA. Greg is looking for more reps in Southern Europe and The Middle East. The warehouse is 22,000 square feet, is stocked to the ceiling with a second warehouse nearby in Patterson and a third is coming soon somewhere in North Carolina to service the furniture trade. Larisa Dervisec is Director of Sales and has been with the company since its inception ten years ago. She also works as a trim designer for the company. She received her MBA in Finance at Brooklyn College and picked up her design experience on the job, she says. When F&FI visited her, she was preparing a shipment of trim to Japan, one of the many export markets she serves personally. Kiriakou is constantly adding sku’s in fabric which is the fastest growing part of his business today, he says. EuropaTex sells jute and abaca trims in a 27 yard package and covers the medium to high end market. “We’re always looking for new designs from existing suppliers. We have our own designers working with us overseas on the new lines.

Larisa Dervisevic

China offers the best prices but India offers better products, especially embroideries and is closer in quality to Turkey today, especially since the Indian Rupee has dropped like a stone against the dollar,” Greg says. “On the other hand, these prices have gone up since the RMB is now 6.3 to the dollar where ten years ago, there were nine RMB to the dollar. We locked in our prices ten years ago and that has been good for our customers. We only had one price increase in the past seven years.” “When you buy from India, it is a good idea to buy your own yarn to control the final product,” he points out. That’s exactly what he does as a converter and importer. He says that EuropaTex is a financial partner to several mills which produce to his specification. “Our trim mill produces for only four companies in the world and we are one of them,” he points out. Another trend he sees overseas is towards wide width drapery goods in the 118 inch width and this will become more important in the USA in the next decade, he feels. “Our new collections come in both single and wide widths in copyrighted designs. Our fabrics are exclusive to us in the USA and some exclusive to us worldwide.” EuropaTex participated in its first Heimtextil last year and plans to be back there in 2015. Twice a year Showtime is also on the show roster as is Dallas, Las Vegas and Atlanta for the home sewing show there. EuropaTex, International is a family business which started life as a trimming specialist and curtain panel supplier ten years ago which rapidly expanded into upholstery fabrics, sourcing goods from China, India and Turkey. It sells its lines China to China; India to China and sells directly to U.S. furniture and drapery manufacturers as well as jobbers. Kiriakou says he also sells every major fabric retailer in the USA on a direct basis. “We have become a jobber resource and while a lot of suppliers are selling cut order, EuropaTex does not,” he says. “We have grown our business exponentially by offering good service, good prices and good product,” Kiriakou explains. He admits to spending seven days a week in the business because he wants to, “loving every minute of it. The demand is there and the growth still comes. It makes me feel good,” he adds. He spends a lot of time airborne traveling to India, China and Turkey and sorting out

The Golden Era of Indian Pure Silk Furnishing Fabrics Export Has All But Ended Silk exporters are diversifying to silk blends, linen and polyester by Vishwanath.S

ANGALORE, INDIA— Indian silk fabric production and export has hit the wall after almost three decades of ever increasing sales from 1985 to 2008 according to manufacturers and buyers. Indian silk exporters that were highly sought after by American and European buyers for almost three decades are now struggling to survive in the business. Instead, fabrics made from silk blends and other natural fibers are being attempted instead of pure silk alone. Chaitra Prints, a regular exhibitor at Frankfurt has stopped exhibiting since three years ago. “My customers from Spain and other markets said there is no demand for silk fabrics as the prices are high and their customers cannot afford it anymore,” says Manohar. M.N., a principal of Chaitra Prints, Bangalore. “The feedback from the customers was also clear that they would not visit the trade show any more, he added. “But we still remember the good old days where each order was valued at Euro 80,000 and is now down to Euro 15,000,” he recalled further. What ruined the business? Suppliers say it was the more than doubling of Chinese silk raw material prices and at the same time, the 35 percent depre-

ciation of the Indian Rupee in the last 18 months. “Overseas buyers have found a good replacement in the polyester blended lookalike ‘silk’ look fabrics that are easy to clean and maintain. These are also far cheaper and therefore has replaced pure silk substantially,” observes Vikram Tantia, Managing Director of Globe (India) Limited, Kolkata. Trends have also moved towards linen and cotton instead of the shiny silk. But a revival is not foreseen in the near future unless silk prices correct downwards and the International market cannot afford these high prices, he added. The percentage of pure silk furnishings in the entire turnover has reduced largely and it has been strongly replaced by linens, cottons and blends.” Unfortunately Chinese silk price started doubling coinciding with the melting down of US markets in 2008 as the purchasing power of American consumers dried up and Europeans followed suit. Chinese silk yarn prices went up from $26 a kilo to 56. As a result, exporting silk fabrics became a nightmare. (It is a fact that Indian silk exporters cannot use the local yarn as ideally Chinese silk thread is comprised of 18 to 20 filaments but the Indian filament count fluctuates between 10 and 20 making weaving difficult). Normally, Indian silk is being

used as a warp yarn for making Dupion fabrics only. For the weft, Chinese yarns are a must as silk is made from dried cocoon while Indian silk is made from fresh cocoons.This results in frequent yarn breakages. Silk alone was not an answer and commercial considerations were crucial to stay on course. China has its own problems in producing enough high quality silk cocoons. Its demand of silk has hit the bottom and arrival of lookalike polyester blends, which are cheaper and easier to clean will dent its silk demand. The urbanization of Chinese provinces, mainly silk-producing areas in the Shanghai region has reduced the cultivation of mulberry plants whose leaves are the only food for silk worms. Meanwhile China is said to be developing other regions but the cost of cultivation and labor has shot up making the silk worm production unattractive. Equally, China is making its best efforts to bring in new technologies and new facilities that will support latest high-end silk manufacturing machinery to further improve both the quality and the quantity of its silk. Though time consuming, once fully implemented some benefits are bound to accrue. The RMB appreciation and increased labor costs are adding up to keep silk price high in the marketplace and will keep silk fabrics demand subdued. F&FI

Swadeshi Rises Up Against the Trend Away From All Silk But Also Produces Polyester Blends by Vishwanath.S

ANGALORE, India — The business of pure silk exports is now a thing of the past but companies like Swadeshi Silks, Bangalore, chose to adapt to the new realities rather quickly. Swadeshi currently sells US$6 million a year and is targeting $10 million in the next 5 years. “The company expects

new sources of supply. When he is not in the air, he tends to his family in New Jersey or spends time in Chalkiviki in Northern Greece. His father spends most of his time in his native Salonika, Greece while his brother Billy handles in house administration. He is looking at Spanish suppliers currently, because he sees

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to further focus on strengthening its weaving techniques with different silk blends in natural fibers. These constructions will be adapted to suit the market driven price points with pure silk limited to only 20 percent of our collection,” he said. “I joined my family business in 1991 and assumed that I am joining a big business entity and soon realized that we had just six

them as the lowest cost producers in Europe today with the lowest labor rates. “Some Spanish suppliers are now producing in Morocco. My dad dealt in textiles for 40 years before starting this company and still helps me out in the sourcing end of the business.” Greg’s grandfather was in the fur business but Greg’s father was

handlooms for weaving,” begins Sunil Gupta, partner at Swadeshi Silks. The company now has 12 jacquard looms, two dobby and several other power looms. Export began in 1998. “Backed by a six designer team, we offer three exclusive collections each year as our in-house designs gain acceptance by global editors. This is driving our business”, he explained. F&FI

the first to try his hand at textiles, ultimately selling sold every major American jobber years ago. The current business actually started on Walker Street in downtown New York over the Holland Tunnel but that location was changed with the move to New Jersey when that area gentrified and became a sought after housing market. F&FI

Summer 2014 n

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Sunbury Sunbury Hosts ‘Decades’ Introduction Featuring Updated Collections from the 30’s-60’s

Scott Kravet, Kravet Inc., Bethpage, NY with Thomas Notaro, Vice President, Sales & marketing, Sunbury Mills Inc., Sunbury PA.

Tom Notaro, Sunbury with Teri Figliuzzi, Director of Design, Bernhardt Textiles, New York

David Kennedy, Vice President of Contract for Design Within Reach, Stamford, CT with Allen Gant III, Glen Raven Mills LLC.

Greg Voorhis, Design Manager, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, Burlington, NC, maker of Sunbrella® in front of Sunbury performance design inspired by 1950’s

Sunbury design taken from a door in the Chrysler Building, New York, 1920’s.

Greg Rosendale, Market Manager, residential fabrics, Geln Raven with Jan Jessup, Director of Merchandising, Calico, Kennett Square, PA and Jennifer Mayer, Merchandise Manager, Fabric, also Calico

Sunbury design inspired by Paul Klee, The Bauhaus School (1930’s-1940’s)

Jennifer Hendren, Vice President, Design, Sunbury with Sherri Donghia, Donghia Design, New York

1920’s Deco design by Sunbury

Kevin Calica, Strong & Simple®, with Sara Zatkow, Director of Design, Contract with Frank Cassata, Frank Cassata Design Inc., and Lisa Craft, Contract Designer, Sunbury, all New York based

Thomas Canning, Sunbury sales with Cortney Wilkins, Anna French, a Thibaut brand, Newark, NJ and Patricia Shanahan Hoffman, woven fabric designer, Thibaut with Hank Truslow

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Sunbury furniture group design taken from the 60’s

Rebecca Lee, Sunbury with Lydia Morgan Senior Designer, Momentum Group, Minneapolis, MN, featuring Momentum, Loomsource and Textus brands

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F FI NE W S

Contract/HospitalityNews C/HNEWS I Fidelity Consultant Jonathan Mark Rosenthal, 35 Year Industry Design Veteran Unveils His First Licensed WallCovering Launches First Signature,Wallcovering Collection Under ‘Jonathan Mark Designs.’ Sipco News Network

ORAL SPRINGS, Florida— Fidelity Industries Inc. in Wayne, NJ, has launched its first licensed signature collection for Jonathan Mark Designs, a new brand introduced by Jonathan Mark Rosenthal, a wallcovering designer who has worked in the wallcovering industry for 35 years. He is now in discussions with an important wholesaler of fab-

rics about designing a Jonathan Mark Designs textile collection and he hopes it will lead to other home products, both residential and contract. Rosenthal is an avid collector of rock music posters and this fact does not get lost in the names of his wallcovering designs like ‘Cream’ and ‘Penney Lane.’ He even plays the base guitar. His father was a fine artist and Jonathan went to Fashion Institute of Technology for textile

design. Before joining Fidelity as a captive independent wallcovering consultant for 25 years, he worked for General Tire, Omnova and David & Dash in the early days of his career. His new collection features 150 sku’s, 12 designs in 12-16 colors. Each one is stocked by Fidelity to the tune of 1,000 yards and represents an investment of at least $500,000. The designs are geared totally to contract and fea-

Valley Forge Reports Big Year So Far for Hospitality Business Michael Dobin Hopes His Company Sets a New Record in 2014 Sipco News Network

OMANO BEACH, Florida— Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc. expects to cap its best year in its 37 year history according to Michael

In line with that statement, Dobin says that Valley Forge has made a big turn towards Made in USA fabrics for the hospitality trade. Several American mills are benefiting from this trend including Valdese Weavers and Abercrombie. For this reason, Dobin will be spending his time visiting his Southern U.S. suppliers at Showtime USA in June as opposed to traveling abroad, he says. However, Ahmet Sapmaz, Vice President of Sourcing for Valley Forge, is actively visiting mills worldwide, but especially Turkish suppliers who are gaining

Mike Dobin Dobin, President, if the first four months of 2014 is any indicator. Valley Forge is the largest wholesaler of decorative fabrics to the hospitality trade in the world and Dobin, second generation family management of the firm with his sister Diana is very bullish on the future of his business in the USA.

Ahmet Sapmaz

ground with Valley Forge this year. Faux leathers especially, are being bought from US suppliers as Valley Forge has completely eliminated the Asian sources of these products, Dobin points out. “With the American suppliers of faux leathers, we know exactly how they are making these products. You can’t be as confident with the Chinese suppliers of faux leathers in this regard,” he adds. “We are supporters of sustainability and using the right components in the manufacturing process. We trust the American suppliers to do this. He commented that he was pleased to see that O’Sullivan has rebooted its vinyl fabric business in Virginia at the hands of Konrad Hornschuch of Germany. Valley Forge prides itself on making delivery dates and expects the same from its suppliers. “You can have a product that is a 7-10 on attractiveness but if you can’t get it from the vendor on time, it’s not worth much to us no matter how great the design it may be,” he explains. F&FI

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Jonathan Rosenthal ture tip printing and multiple pass printing on embossed grounds. His schedule has been the same for 25 years; Monday through Thursday in the Fidelity strike off and design studio in Patterson, NJ and Friday through Sunday, he spends home in Coral Springs, Florida. Rosenthal has two million air flyer miles from these trips. MDC is the distributor of the Jonathan Mark Designs collection in the USA and Levey Industries is the distributor in Canada. Internationally, Fidelity has a secret list of distributors but the industry is so competitive, Shmulick Karp, owner of Fidelity, will not release the list. Currently, there are about 7,000 wallcovering books dedicated to Jonathan Mark Designs .The distributors buy the books and give them free to design clients. The line was introduced at Heimtextil

in Frankfurt this past Jauary, the largest exhibition for the wallcovering industry today and new designs will be added for Neocon, Rosenthal says. “Coordinated textiles and (continued on page 21)

MDC stepped into the contract wallcovering industry as a familyowned business almost 50 years ago. According to its website, through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, it has become one of the wall designs leaders in the United States. Today, the company provides a broad array of products that suit the aesthetic preferences and functional needs of designers/clients in the hospitality, healthcare, education, government, corporate and retail/store planning arenas. MDC’s sister company, Winfield Thybony, serves the high-end residential market.

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Brunschwig & Fils Unveils Revamped Showroom in NYC Sipco News Network

comprised of Doug Garfinkle Stephen EW YORK, New York — and of With much anticipation, Elrod Brunschwig & Fils’ largest show- Brunschwig & room worldwide opened its reno- Fils; renowned vated doors on the 12th floor interior designer of the Decoration and Design Michael Smith and the Montreal Building here. firm The flagship showroom of design de this venerable textile company ‘Atelier launched a new look as well as an L’Opera.’ “The result is expanded offering of services and products to meet the needs of the a showroom that greater New York interior design respects its roots Michael Smith-Michael Smith Inc., Margaret while forging community. Russell-Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest, Brunschwig & Fils’s iconic ahead toward a Mario Buatta plaid and bold red logo served as broader future, an inspiration for the new design, and it’s one that which was truly a collaborative reflects the elegance of classic York City edge.” According to effort by design dream-team French design with a bit of New a Kravet spokesman. With the completion of the showroom renovation, Brunschwig & Fils has also added a new selection of carpets and broadlooms from J.D. Staron to its existing assortment of exclusive products Brunschwig & Fils was founded in 1900 as a tapestryweaving mill in Aubusson and Bohain, France. Since then, it has evolved into one of the industry’s most prestigious names in fabric and furnishings. The company, which was acquired by Kravet Inc. in 2011, is best known for The Family Kravet: Front row: Ray Burke, Ellen’s husband; Ellen its chic, colorful archival-based Kravet, Cary Kravet and son Sander; Lisa, Cary’s wife. Second patterns and its legacy of iconic row: Leslie Kravet, Scott’s wife, Scott and his son Daniel French design. F&FI

Margaret Russell-Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest magazine; Cary Kravet and Mario Buatta, the ‘Prince of Chintz’

Brigette Ple-Brunschwig & Fils, David Easton-David Easton Inc., Savannah Emerson-Kravet Inc., Cobus Gouche- David Easton Inc., Lisa Kravet-Kravet, Jimmy Steinmeyer David Easton Inc, Cary Kravet

(Continued from Front Cover)

North American Fabric Jobbers Generally Report Positive 2014 Sales Results With More to Come Second Half Kravet Says Many Positive Business Indicators Push Business in the right direction! was the former owner of Leger & Viney in Johannesburg which continues to represent the Kravet brand after 20 years. The other area branded for outsized growth is Brunschwig & Fils. After acquiring Brunschwig & Fils just two years ago, Kravet has opened a 12,000 square foot show-

room in the New York Decorator & Design Building which has put a positive spin on this exclusive brand. “Whenever you pay attention to a small turnover, it grows much bigger,” he said about the acquisition. This business is meeting his expectations, he said. Not everyone agreed with

Kravet. R.M. Coco thinks that “business is just so-so,” says Jim Rust, principal of R.M. Coco in Cape Girardeau, MO. “We’re moving our large format hanging samples into showrooms, especially in Asia, which is a new outlet for us. We’re opening up accounts all over the world but

Jim Ennis

David Neufeldt

Jim Rust

www.fabricsandfurnishings.com

Europe is not so great for us right now-- so our export efforts have increased.” RM Coco sent its product manager, Jocelyn Anderson to Proposte this year and she expects to attend Heimtextil in Frankfurt next year. “We’re looking for more high end lines to match our growth in the showroom business,” Rust says. “We had a great January but the weather slowed things down since then,” says Manoli Sargetakis, a principal in Silver State wholesalers in Salt Lake City, UT. While the company specializes in hospitality, it is moving ahead in the residential side of the business with a new ‘Ready to Wear’ fabric collection featuring 50,000 double rubs. Sargetakis recently replaced himself as sales manager for the company so he can concentrate on product development with key accounts. “Our business has been good, ahead of last year,” says Jim Ennis,

principal of J. Ennis Fabrics and Vision. He says that J. Ennis had a gain in 2013 by focusing on upholstery sales with linen and linen looks. The company has a Canadian warehouse and a U.S. branch in Indianapolis. “Our China based operation has also kicked in based in Ningbo. We can deliver to furniture maufacturers in China, Thailand and Vietnam,” he points out. Ennis’ big push in the USA has led to a 20 man sales force, equal in size to the Canadian operation. “This is a 24/7 business day in and day out, he adds. “Our business is gaining every month,” says DAVID Neufeldt, President of Norbar Fabrics, a national wholesaler based in Boca Raton, FL. “Consumers are redecorating their homes nationwide. Customers are actually coming out of their shell this year and doing renovations.” F&FI

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Naturtex Finds Successful Niche in Woven Synthetic Leather Sipco News Network

LICANTE, Spain — Naturtex sales of high end woven synthetic leather rugs, trims and fabrics produced a 35 percent sales gain in 2013 with more of the same expected in 2014 according to Sales Manager Fernando Belso.

Since 1997, Naturtex has developed a line of synthetic woven leathers for the home fabrics and trim industry using techniques developed in the apparel and handbag industry he says, a business started by his father in 1959. Fernando and his brother are running the business today. Naturtex is selling woven synthetic leather used in headboards and ceilings and its rugs deck the floors of some major hotel properties in Europe including the Hyatt Marrakech. The company originally bought the special looms to weave the collections of synthetic leather trim and fabrics which combines the use of natural materials like linen, raffia, cotton and chenille into new looks for the hotel room and high end residential applications. Naturtex markets the lines of high end rugs, trims and fabrics to the jobber worldwide as well as to architects and specifiers and retailers. Naturtex has one sales agency in the USA in Novus, headed by Stefano Scarmana in Austin, Texas. In Europe, Naturtex sells directly to the high end furniture stores and interior designers in 27 countries, Belso explains. F&FI

Fernando Belso

(Continued from page 18)

C/HNEWS I “Jonathan Mark Designs” wallcovering collections never really took off. Even today, designers want to make their own textile selections. They don’t want an exact match with fabric and wallcoverings,” says Rosenthal, a consummate designer who has designed wallcovering lines for Mayer Romanoff and Patty Madden as well as special lines for DesignTex and ArcCom. You don’t see exact matches in wallcovering and textiles in hotel rooms today. The designer wants to make the choice and not have it made for them.” Fidelity, geared 100 percent to distributors, is one of the survivors of the wallcovering industry and also has prospered as one company after the other left the wallcovering field. For example, Omnova closed their factory several years ago. J. Josephson (Hackensack, NJ) bought what was left of it. Many competitors picked up the business left by Omnova in the process. Three years ago, Fidelity bought out Sellers & Josephson, another contract wallcovering manufacturer and this was followed up by the purchase of Surface Design Center in Carrolton, Alabama. With this latest acquisition, Fidelity can do finished screen printed and embossed samples before committing to expensive cylinders. This gives their distributors finished wallcover- ‘Tiffany’ wall covering design available from MDC. ing samples for pitching the hotel business. Fidelity also produces the Command brand and its sister division is the Rigo brand, a separate business managed by Laibel Karp, Shmulick’s brother. “The residential wallcovering industry is dead in the USA. People are painting their home today and have been for some time,” Rosenthal points out. Contract is the wallcovering business, especially hotels; this represents 80 percent of Fidelity’s volume today, Rosenthal says. Most of the product made comes from the USA from suppliers like Fidelity, J. Josephson, LSI (Louisville, KY) and RJF in Ohio. Contract wallcoverings is a uniquely Made in USA business with the UK as the only other major country in this business, he says. Export markets for American made wallcoverings include Russia and China. F&FI

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F FI D E S I G N

Edgy Design Rules the Future By Jennifer Castoldi

In a sea of design, what stands out and catches your attention? These global movements are just a few of the directions on the cutting-edge.

Remixed Aesthetics are also referred to as modern graphic design with traditional artisanship, chaos theory, and textural printing. These designs are picking up momentum in wallpaper, bedding, floor coverings, and even tabletop: two or more visuals, patterns, graphics, or motifs are laid on top of each other to bring forward a new aesthetic.

Floral Medallions. Imagine medallions and flowers morphed together and applied to home products and this is what you get: a collection of wallpaper, tiles, rugs, bedding, and upholstery from the latest round of international trade shows.

Kasmir Hali Eijffinger

Vandyck Damai

Komar Products GmbH

High Wycombe in the United Kingdom was known for its manufacturing of linen in lace fabric in the Medieval and Tudor times and later came to be famous for furniture in the 19th century, particularly in chair production. The 20th century through to today has seen a steep decline in local manufacturing. Now there is an admirable furniture social enterprise known as Out of the Dark where experimental caning and dying crafts are reborn. Out of the Dark â&#x20AC;&#x153;recycles, restores and revamps salvaged furniture as a means to train, educate and employ young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.â&#x20AC;?

Out of the Dark

Acrylic Couture

PDM Consultancy

For the last few years warm metals have given chrome and steel finishes a run for their money. Copper and metallic copper coloring have been at the forefront of this trend. The story has evolved and now there is more than meets the eye. Experimentation is the name of the game and copper is the pretty package it is wrapped in.

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While traveling around the world to different design shows we are always on the lookout for new techniques and details in home fashions. One thing we have noticed that is gaining momentum is the look of an unfinished edge. To the untrained eye it looks unfinished, but sewing gurus know that serged edges are in fact complete.

Kenneth Cobonpue

Yasuke

Gervasoni Spa

The Finest Fabric Show is in Brussels, September 9-10 -11, 2014 International Trade Fair for Producers of Upholstery, Window & Wall Coverings Moving to the gorgeous Hall 5, the Patio and Hall 8

Jennifer Castoldi is the CEO and Chief Creative Director of Trendease International. Since 2004, Trendease has been providing cutting-edge and competitive design information to readers spanning over 170 countries. Trendease is an influential resource reporting on global trends and key international design events. Hundreds of images and forward-thinking articles are presented on www.Trendease.com each month, additionally videos and podcasts are available on www.Trendease.TV. moodbrussels.com

facebook.com/moodbrussels

twitter.com/moodbrussels

MoOD is organised by Textirama vzw, Poortakkerstraat 90, BE-9051 Gent, Belgium Phone +32 9 24 38 450 - fax +32 9 24 38 455 - email: info@moodbrussels.com

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Crowson Ltd. Closes, Founder Derek Crowson Retires Sipco News Network

CKFIELD, EAST SUSSEX, UK—Derek Crowson, founder of Crowson Fabrics

Derek Crowson

Ltd. in 1978, has announced his retirement and the closure of his furnishing fabric business due to ill health, effective on April 17, 2014. The closure marks the ending of Crowson Fabrics and its related brands, including Monkwell, Charterhouse, Dovedale, Design Archives and Hill and Knowles which were distributed worldwide through a network of showrooms. Crowson Fabrics was honoured to receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1994 and 1995. “I have thoroughly enjoyed creating and leading Crowson Fabrics, a company I founded in 1978 and one which has been

synonymous with designer quality furnishings for the last 36 years,” Crowson said. “During the 1980’s and 1990’s we were producing approximately ten million meters of fabric annually at our own print works partnership factories worldwide, supplying over 8,000 independent retailers and most of the major high street stores and furniture manufacturers in the UK and around the world. Our studios created our own in-house designs, with a team of designers based in the UK and worldwide. It gave me much satisfaction and pride that our unique apprenticeship scheme led to the launch of so many careers within the Textile industry.’’

Derek Crowson added: “I’d like to thank, with deep gratitude, my loyal and supportive customers and suppliers, both at home and overseas who have shown me so much kindness over the years, it has been my privilege to have made so many strong friends within this industry.” Crowson said his company has also built one of the largest archives of fabric designs and a substantial number of these extremely successful Crowson designs could be available to print under licence. Interested parties should contact Crowson Fabrics Ltd in writing at the address detailed below.

Crowson also said his company will continue to honor all its suppliers, staff and other creditors in full as well as giving continued Crowson support to all of its loyal customers for a period of time as there are substantial stocks still available. After that date some products will still be available for some time through its appointed selling subsidiary company Charterhouse Fabrics Ltd, based at The Pentex Centre, Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1PH. Account settlements will continue to be collected under the name of Crowson Fabrics Ltd. F&FI

Gary Searle Named Vice President, Sales, Kravet Canada Sipco News Network

ETHPAGE, NY—Effective June 1, Gary Searle has been named Vice President, Sales, Kravet Canada after an illustrious career as Managing Director and founder (1989) of St. Leger & Viney, an upper end wholesaler in Johannesburg, South Africa. He will report to Cary Kravet, President. “In 2012 the opportunity arose to move to Toronto, Canada, Searle explained. “Having lived my entire life in South Africa the chance for such a dramatic and exciting change was compelling.”

Searle moved from South Africa to Toronto last July in preparation for taking this position. “I renewed my acquaintance with Brian Donovan, Managing Director of Kravet Canada who has been a great business mentor,” Searle added. “In February this year I was delighted to accept an offer for the position of Vice President of Kravet Canada from Cary Kravet, with responsibility for championing and developing the Lee Jofa, GP&J Baker and Brunschwig & Fils brands.” “Having been the exclusive South African distributor of Kravet, Lee Jofa and GP&J Baker for more

than 15 years, it is a great pleasure to be more closely involved in this highly regarded company.” St. Leger & Viney Sold to David Ralphs. F&FI

Sipco News Network

T Gary Searle

Covington’s First Jennifer Adams Collection Features 58 Designs Sipco News Network

EW YORK — Covington Fabric and Design, LLC is introducing the Jennifer Adams Home fabric collection at June

Jennifer Adams

Showtime. “I couldn’t be happier with how this partnership is moving forward,” says Greg Tarver, Covington’s President and CEO. “The response we are getting for the collection has been phenomenal! Even before the official launch, important doors have opened for Covington due to our relationship with Jennifer Adams.” After first announcing the partnership in September, 2013, Jennifer Adams and Covington have been collaborating to create a refined collection of 58 fabrics that bring a new design aesthetic to the family-owned fabric converter, according to Stephanie Wotton, marketing director. “This new collection features simplified, streamlined designs, in a softer and more subtle color palette will appeal to

David Ralphs Buys St. Leger & Viney From Gary Searle

the furniture market. The collection does have an element of surprise with a printed butterfly design, Chambord, which has a fun, whimsical aspect to it.” The collection includes a mix of solids, embroideries, prints and wovens that are suitable for upholstery, drapery and multi-purpose. With ethnic inspiration, the attention to detail can be seen throughout the collection. For example, the two embroidery patterns, Carlton and Buckingham feature chain stitches. Bukhara, an ethnic stripe, has a raised dobby effect. Previewed with select customers, the collaborative effort has paid off with great response to the collection. Additional highlights of the collection include Ascot, an ethnic geometric strie; Tamarin, an ikat stripe and Croydon, a printed distressed ikat medallion on a cotton/linen cloth. F&FI

www.fabricsandfurnishings.com

ORONTO, Canada — David Ralphs, a longstanding friend of Gary Searle, has acquired the external shareholding of St. Leger & Viney (Johannesburg, S.A.) and took over as Managing Director in January 2013. Ralphs is a chartered accountant who completed his articles at Deloitte and has known St. Leger & Viney since its inception. He has served in various senior financial management positions in South Africa and was, for eight years, Managing Director of a fashion business in Milan. After a six month handover period at St. Leger & Viney, Searle arrived in Toronto in July 2013 and enjoyed a sabbatical during which time he renovated a turn-of-the-century home. St. Leger & Viney initially distributed and stocked locally printed and woven fabrics, and was established to provide a high-end alternative to imported English chintzes and printed linens which were all the rage at the time, Searle said. “At this time David Whitehead and Frame Textiles were the company’s major suppliers,” he remembers. “After a few years the company adopted a new strategy to act as a distributor for international brands. The first distribution agreement was with Jean Monro, now owned by

Turnell and Gigon. Soon after, Zoffany approached St. Leger & Viney, which has led to a longstanding business relationship with the Walker Greenbank Group. GP&J Baker was next, which ultimately led to a close involvement with Kravet Inc. “These small beginnings have led to personal friendships that span the globe as well as to growth for St. Leger & Viney, which enjoys international recognition as a premier distributor in South Africa,” Searle added. In 2009, St. Leger & Viney and Warwick Fabrics Australia entered into a joint venture in the South African and United Kingdom markets. This lasted until 2012 when Searle sold his shares in Warwick UK. St. Leger & Viney has continued as the exclusive distributor of Warwick Fabrics in South Africa and remains the largest export customer, he said. F&FI

David Ralphs

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Courtney Ozer Ozbarut Starts Up New Ecommerce Business; Leaves Oz-Is, The Family Trimming Business Named Silver State Sales I Manager Sipco News Network

Sipco News Network

ALT LAKE CITY, Utah—Silver State Inc. has named Peter Courtney National Sales Manager, a new position for this contract and residential wholesaler. He reports to Manoli Sargetakis, one of the principals. Sargetakis acted in the capacity of national sales manager prior to appointing Courtney. Sargetakis now expects

STANBUL, Turkey — Ozer Ozbarut, one of the founders of Oz-Is Trimland here, has left the company to start a new business outside of the textiles industry. Although he will continue to own a minority interest in the Trimland business, he will

have no day to day or long term responsibilities in the trimming business, he says. As an active partner, Ozer‘s responsibilities did include technical matters covering machinery, computers, marketing and merchandising. It is understood that Onder will absorb these duties in the wake of his brother’s departure. “In my new venture, I am

developing projects for online businesses at a very high level. It will take about one year to complete the online projects. Since September, I have been spending my time for the internet, mobile and online e-commerce businesses. F&FI

Ozer Ozbarut

Peter Courtney to spend his time developing new product. Courtney comes to Silver State after 12 years with Chesney’s, a supplier of antique and hand carved reproduction mantles and accessories. Courtney also comes back to the fabric industry after spending many years in sales with Schumacher and Scalamandre, where he went from managing accounts to managing territories. He is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Textiles & Sciences with a degree in Textile Management & Marketing. F&FI

MoOD New Location Hall 5, 8, Patio

Sipco News Network

RUSSELS, Belgium — MoOD 2014, September 9, 10, 11, will continue to focus on upholstery, window and wallcoverings in a new location, Hall 5, the Patio and Hall 8 at the Brussels Fairgrounds. Hall 5 is the largest Hall. MoOD also includes Indigo, The creative textile and design show as well as the MoOD Yarns exhibit which features yarns from European spinners. The Patio connects Hall 5 with Hall 8 and is located in line with the Atominium across the street. The available space is identical to space in the previous location in 2013, the show organizer says. F&FI

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F FI C A L E N D A R May 30- June 1 India International Home Textile Exhibition India International Home Textile Exhibition is the perfect platform for the leading suppliers who are going to target the domestic as well as international markets. This event is going to invite both national and international buyers who are going to take full advantage of the exhibition that is going to take place in this event. India International Home Textile Exhibition is going to hold a business networking forum as its important highlight which is going to invite the Chairmen, Managing Directors, Directors, CEOs, General Managers, Sourcing Manager, Purchase Manager, Marketing Head and Merchandisers and more benefit from it. Palace Grounds Bengaluru, India Jayamahal Road Bengaluru, Karnataka, India SS Textile Media Private Limited No. 34, Second Floor 17th Cross, Cmh Road, Laxmipure Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (91)-(80)-41151841 / 25544711 Fax: +(91)-(80)-25544711Contact Organizer Contact Person: Event Manager +91-80-25544711, +91-9845446570, +91-80-25541841

June 1 – 4 ITMA Showtime ITMA Showtime is one of the leading fabric industry trade events in America. The show serves as an ideal business platform for eminent corporate professionals to interact with each other and exchange the latest news, views and perspectives from the industry. The event is billed as the largest decorative items-related trade show

Advertiser Index For more information about one of our advertisers, see the page number listed:

Aqua Clean Fabrics . . . . 13 Classical Elements . . . . . . 1 Covington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Crevin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 D’Decor. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 Dicitex Furnishings. . . . . 27 Express Air Freight. . . . 25 GM Fabrics. . . . . . . . 14, 15 Kravet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Lead2Design. . . . . . . . . . . 8 Marcovaldo . . . . . . . . . . . 21 MoOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Richloom Fabric Group.11 Rockland Mills. . . . . . . . 2, 3 Vilber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 26

in the Western Hemisphere and it lives up to this hype by drawing in more than 800 trade visitors with direct purchasing power. Participants are offered the chance to participate in the several informative seminars, forums and discussion sessions that are organized during the show and home furniture items, fabric products, handbags and decorative fashion accessories are some of the chief items of exhibit here. The show is extremely popular among visiting participants and an average of 110 business appointments are scheduled during the event every day. Exhibitors at the show are also listed in the official ITMA Member Directory. High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau 300 South Main St, High Point, North Carolina showtime-market.com

9 – 11 NeoCon 2014 Neocon World Trade Fair is one of the largest commercial interiors industry related trade events in the United States. The show facilitates seamless information transfer among eminent professional executives and decision makers, regarding all the latest business prospects and industry happenings. Held at the Merchandise Mart at Chicago over three days, the event welcomes more than 40000 highly qualified trade visitors. Attendees can browse through an exhaustive array of architectural supplies, furniture items, lighting solutions, textiles and several other associated items at the event and topical business seminars and conference sessions are also scheduled here. A special Student Program is arranged during the event as well. More than 700 exhibiting companies take part in the event and exciting showroom parties are also organized here. The products displayed at the show find widespread application in the medical, hospitality, residential and multiple other sectors. Top-notch networking facilities are also presented to all the participants here. Venue: Merchandise Mart 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 470, Chicago, Illinois, United States Of America neocon.com

July 4–6 India International Yarn & Fabric Show India International Yarn & Fabric Show offers textile, fabrics and garment industrial segments to exchange ideas and views and learn better modes of executing their production. India International Yarn & Fabric Show is divided into 200 booths and will present the best textile materials. More than 3000 attendees will be seen attending India International Yarn & Fabric Show. The professionals will be coming from textile and garment sectors and will go through the displayed products thoroughly and select the best one. Chennai Trade Centre Chennai, India CTC Complex, Nandambakkam Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600089, India

91 44 2231 5552 yarnandfabric.org/IIFS

China, 518048 chinaexhibition.com

22-24 Home Textiles Fabric Sourcing Expo

27 – 29 Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles

Home Textiles Fabric Sourcing Expo (HTFSE) is the only event in North America focusing solely on sourcing for fabrics and materials intended for home applications. HTFSE will provide a platform for manufacturers, retailers, jobbers, converters, contract specifiers and designers for a one stop sourcing venue where they can locate new materials and fabrics for their latest collections. Visitors’ Profile: Manufacturers, Designers, Research & Development, Wholesalers, Converters, Jobbers, Agents, Buying Offices are the target visitors. Exhibitors’ Profile: Cotton, Knits, Leather, Linen, Pile Fabrics, Prints, Silk, Silk Look, Synthetics, Trims, Vinyl, Wool. Venue: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 11th Avenue & 655 West 34th & 38th Street New York, NY, United States Of America usa.messefrankfurt.com

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles is held over a period of three days and brings together several renowned industry experts from this field. As many as 1159 professional exhibitors from 27 different countries participate in the event and different types of home textiles and other related accessories are showcased here. Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles boasts more than 41,018 trade visitors, who attend the show on a regular basis. Informative seminars and business forums are also held here. An exclusive brand launching event is hosted at the special Trends area set up at the show, which takes up a total exhibition space of 126500 square meters. Shanghai New International Expo Centre(SNIEC) 2345 Long Yang Road Pudong Area, Shanghai, 201204, China messefrankfurt.com

22 – 23 Premiere Vision-New York Premiere Vision-New York is a one of a kind fashion event providing a chance to introduce the new spring collection designs to best mills. The leading players in the fashion industry, come together to showcase their latest designs and styles to a large customer base. Detailed discussions provide a look into economic strategies and future plans of the textile industry. Demonstrations and interactive sessions from nearly 100 different fashion and textile companies also facilitate the creation of new ways to evolve the market for current tastes and choices. The various moods and themes reflected by particular materials and design structures are also debated upon. This event offers the very best in terms of creativity and quality from the stalwarts of the fashion and textile industry. The businesses involved also get a chance to increase their own professional networks and make more inroads in to expanding their discipline. Metropolitan Pavilion Pier 92 711 12th Ave, (between West 52nd and West 54th St), New York, NY 10019 USA premierevision-newyork.com

August 07-09 Home Furnishing Expo Home Furnishing Expo Shenzhen hometex is the biggest home textiles exhibition for imports to China and the best sourcing platform of household fabrics such as curtains, sheer, accessories, sun-protection products, wall coverings, carpets, upholstery fabrics, bed linens, etc. It greets 1200 exhibitors, 100,000 trade visitors under one roof of 130,000 sq.m. every year. Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center Fuhua Third Road, Futian District, Shenzhen,

www.fabricsandfurnishings.com

September 9-11 MoOD 2014 MOOD Brussels Residential & Contract brings together international exhibitors who carefully select products from their own collections with quality and added-value as a focus. Allparticipating companies are export oriented, giving an extra dimension to the global character of MoOD Residential & Contract.

Brussels Exhibition Centre Place de Belgique 1 1020 Brussels, Belgium moodbrussels.com

16-18 Premiere Vision-France Premiere Vision is regarded as one of the world’s largest textile and fabric shows. The event will showcase around 700 weavers from 28 countries across the world. The show is held twice a year and showcases the most creative fashion designs from across the world. The event will also have inspirational films, audio-visual presentations and fashion seminars to assist the professionals. Paris Nord Villepinte Allee des Erables, 93420 Villepinte Paris, France premierevision.com

24-26 Heimtextil Russia Organized by Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the Heimtextil Russia is four days of textile industry gatherings. Held at Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center, the event is directed towards exploring various avenues of the trading sector in all over world. Exhibitors include manufacturers from all sectors of the textile machinery industry, including spinning, nonwovens, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing, garment making, testing, software as well as dyestuffs and chemicals. Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center Krasnogorsk area, Box office Krasnogorsk-4 Moscow, Russia 10times.com/heimtextil-rossija

Tissus Metridis On A Growth Track As Greece Moves Forward Again Sipco News Network

THENS, Greece — After going through a severe economic crisis in 2008 which saw unemployment reach 1,400,000 people; the collapse of 35 percent of all Greek companies with more than 65 percent of all Greek companies closing down, Greece is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, according to George Metridis, a well-known Greek fabric wholesaler who has managed to survive in style! “That is why, NEOMAGIC in Greece has established again through the crisis a strong base and is moving with a 30 percent increase in meters sold, every year for the last two years. “2014 started with an increase of more than 80% in turnover from the previous one. We are working exclusively with companies like Alcantara (Italy) and ROMO Fabrics (UK) for the last 25 years, trusting the past and look-

ing towards the future to cooperate with” “Along the same path is the new contract division of Neomagic that from 2009 is undertaking hotel projects together with the Metridis architectural office, M2ARCHITECTS and aims at the medium to high level customers, thus creating always particular spaces either for the “one day traveler” or for the “full family vacations”. “NEOMAGIC is also selling exclusively the world-known fabric, MAGICAL, which is 100% cleanable and looks like real nubuck leather without losing the feeling of the everyday usage. “Greece as a country, even though it was in a most critical position financially and politically, is also in a particularly good geographical position that creates always new ideas for the future, “ Metridis points out. F&FI

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