Valdese Weavers to produce exclusive Wesley Mancini collection

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/31/2006 12:50:00 PM

Valdese, N.C. – Wesley Mancini will design and develop a decorative textiles collection for Valdese Weavers under a long-term agreement signed between Valdese and Wesley Mancini Ltd. that is scheduled to begin July 1, 2006.

Valdese will merchandise, market and manufacture the collection that will be known as the Wesley Mancini Home Fabrics Collection, designed and developed by Mancini. The collection will be targeted to each of the channels of distribution that Valdese already serves "and will be in addition to our current in-house design effort," stated Mike Shelton, Valdese president and ceo.

"Wesley will work directly with Laura Levinson, Valdese senior vp, product development and design, to distinguish the individuality of product lines as they are developed," he added.

"I’m very excited about this new venture," Mancini said. "I’m looking forward to creating upper end looks in designs I’m known for – dramatic designs, large scale – and I’ll be doing velvets and embroideries as well as jacquards." But he emphasized, "I’m still working on the Home collection, and I’m really proud of this, my last line." Mancini has designed the Home line for nearly a quarter century.

For Valdese overall, Shelton said, "The market has an insatiable appetite for fashion and new product, and Wesley will give us the opportunity to supply the market with new and different product. He has his own style and handwriting."