Showtime to Add Window Fashion Segment

Will Debut at June Fabric Fair in High Point

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

High Point, N.C. —

June's Showtime fabric fair here will add a new market segment featuring exhibitors that supply workrooms and manufacturers of window fabrics and bedding.

The International Textile Market Association, producer of the twice-a-year show, is expanding into the segment with a pavilion is sponsored by Grace McNamara Inc., producer of Vision09: International Window Coverings Expo and publisher of Window Fashion Vision magazine.

The pavilion will include a trend sampling area, which will exhibit the latest window fashion products and will show global trends influencing window fashion design and innovation, the association said. The next Showtime is scheduled for June 7 to 10.

ITMA director Catherine Morsell said the textiles group wants to support all segments of home furnishings and manufacturers who attend Showtime. She said she expects the window treatment pavilion will help serve that purpose.

"The buyers who attend our show are diverse and we believe this addition will add value for window fashion manufacturers, bedding manufacturers, workrooms, retailers and more," she said.

Shannon Leclair, director of partnerships for GMI, said the window design communications firm is "excited to have this opportunity to showcase window fashion trends and bring awareness and create buzz about the window fashion industry as a whole."

Leclair also said GMI is interested in future partnerships with ITMA's educational outreach. This partnership may expand into educational elements that incorporate Window Fashion Vision into the ITMA student program Concept to Consumer, as well as possible CEU education tracks for attendees.

Reported by Gary Evans for HTT's sister publication Furniture Today.