Veteran Tomchin plans next 'life'

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/28/2002 12:00:00 AM

SAN FRANCISCO —

Before Julian Tomchin began divulging his plans for retirement, which begins Feb. 1, he noted, "First, I'll clean out the apartment."

The legendary style and trend maven of home furnishings and consumer attitudes, most recently as senior vp, special merchandising projects for Macy's West, is looking forward to going back to school, to taking painting lessons and to travel, both to familiar places and new ones.

"It'll be another kind of life," he added. The decision to retire had been brewing for some time, Tomchin admitted, and he felt that as he approached age 70, it was time to move on.

Tomchin has been with Macy's West since 1993, when he was recruited for the special projects slot by then chairman and ceo Michael Steinberg. His career spans three distinct, but related, segments — apparel, retailing and home furnishings — in which he was recognized with numerous awards, from the Vogue American Fabric Award and the Coty American Fashion Critics Award to the HFPA's HomeTex Design Award and just last year, the HFPA's Paradigm Award.

His career included design direction for Wamsutta and Pacific as well as a later stint at Fieldcrest Cannon as vp, creative services and earlier as head of Bloomingdale's home furnishings design office.

At Macy's West, Jerry Sullivan, chairman and ceo, cited Tomchin's "creations at the South Coast Plaza Home Store as forever advancing the merchandising and presentation of home product at Macy's West."

Bob Mettler, president and coo of Macy's West, called Tomchin "a treasure. The interesting thing about Julian is that despite being in the business for so many years, he always approaches the business with a passion and a spectacular understanding. He's been a personal friend as well."

No successor has been named at this time, he said.