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Atlanta Rug Show exhibitors introduce new looks
HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today,
7/15/2011 2:51:31 PM
Atlanta - During the second day of the semi-annual Atlanta
Rug Show, it became clear that while price is still an
issue, color is king. Today's news:
- Calhoun, Ga.-based Jaipur Rugs debuted its new Raymond
Waites collection for the first time here, following its
original launch at High Point market in April. Sectioned
into three groups, the designer licensed collection comes in
three constructions and style stories. At the top of the
echelon is the collection's Uptown grouping, which comprises
hand-knotted high-end constructions featuring updated
traditional looks in unexpectedly welcome color palettes and
combinations; Midtown, which at the mid range spans tufted
varieties; and Downtown, a grouping of Tibetan weave
contemporarily-styled rugs targeting a younger customer.
- Momeni Inc., said it is giving shoppers a chance to walk
away from "boring browns" and tired transitional looks that
have long been prevalent in the marketplace with its new and
affordable collection of traditional-inspired rugs, Vintage.
The company drew inspiration from Old World prayer rugs and
the one-of-a-kind patchwork styles made by stitching
together pieces of old rugs and came up with its own version
that can retail for $599 versus the $10,000 originals.
Marlys Giordano, director of marketing and product
development, explained to HTT that she has been developing
Vintage for the past nine months.
"For so long, people have been buying neutrals and
transitionals because they are safe in this kind of economy
and they can sell for $299," she said. "But now people are
getting bored of all the browns and tans. People want to
come home and be happy, and I think these rugs help do
that."
But because shoppers continue to be price conscious,
Giordano needed to come up with a viable ticket.
Her first try at Vintage resulted in $799 rugs. "The economy
is still not ready for that," she said. "So we redeveloped
it and came up with a $599."
Made of 100% New Zealand wool, Vintage collection rugs and
made on an eight-color loom in Egypt.
These rugs feature the same color effect of their more
costly overdyed Turkish chobi counterparts, and compensate
in the stitching detailing and antique look with special
techniques that Momeni employed in creating its new rugs --
including hand-sheering, color variety, and finishing,"
Giordano noted.
Of the 12 designs currently in Vintage, two are ikats and
the others include solids and patchworks.
For the January rug show, Momeni will add about 10 new
designs.
- Central Oriental, sister
company to Natco and based in West Warwick, R.I., just
ramped up its capacity with the purchase of a new loom - the
company's eighth. Last summer the company bought its seventh
loom.
"Our factories are very busy, and we're doing very well,"
Jim Thompson, vp of sales, told HTT. "We continue to expand
our U.S.-made offerings, while sprinkling in some imports
that we can't do oursleves," such as hand-carved and some
shag styles from Turkey and elsewhere overseas.
Central Oriental brought several new and expanded
collections to market. Among them is the Fusion collection,
which employs a chenille-and-polypropylene blended
construction that ismade domestcially. It is set to retail
for $149 for a 5-by-8.
Also new is the Stone Creek collection, which is made in a
one-million-point construction with drop stitching. These
rugs are priced to sell for $299.
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