Kahns, Cole honored at HFPA/FIT breakfast

-- Home Textiles Today, 3/11/2009 10:28:00 AM

At the New York Market – Braving the cool dawn as this year’s industry icons were honored at the HFPA fundraiser for the Fashion Institute of Technology Home Products Development yesterday, home textiles vendors and retailers applauded the honorees – and the newest set of Home Products Development students.

Paulette Cole, the co-founder, creative director and ceo of ABC Home, spoke about a sense of mission. As Retailer of the Year, she urged all merchants and suppliers to see themselves as agents of change, and to act upon their better instincts regarding environmental and ethical matters within the industry.

As the Distinguished Family Leadership Award was bestowed upon the Kahn Family for their 62 years of building Croscill Home, there were accolades in abundance as brothers Stanley and Mike Kahn, along with Mike’s sons Doug and the late David Kahn, were spoken of in terms of respect – both for their unparalleled business acumen and their apparently endless appetite for food and talk – by HFN publisher Warren Shoulberg.

Doug Kahn assured the audience of his conviction that the home textiles industry will enjoy some very good years ahead, for those companies that position themselves for the resurgence of home-centered consumer activity in a reviving national economy.

Elizabeth Miller of Karastan, left, after giving a testimonial speech to Paulette Cole, who received the Retailer of the Year Award.

Doug, Stanley and Mike Kahn glow after receiving the Distinguished Family Leadership Award.