Novelty dec pillows bow in America

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 3/24/2003 12:00:00 AM

BROOKLYN, NY —

After a run in Japan and parts of Europe, the Mogu decorative pillows will debut in the United States at the New York home textiles market later this week.

Decorative pillow supplier Burney Products recently became the U.S. distributor for Mogu, a line of novelty pillows made in Japan with a Lycra elasticized fabric shell and filled with polystyrene beads that measure 0.5 millimeters in diameter.

"[The pillows] are lots of fun, and there is a degree of novelty to them," said Henry Burney, president, Burney Products.

The line is manufactured by the Japanese company, Ebisukasei.

Burney Products has already previewed and made placements for the line with some specialty stores.

At market, the company will show an assortment of sizes, shapes and colors in bright hues like fuchsia, yellow and red. Included are throw pillows, bed cushions, neck rolls, balls, chiropractic support pillows and shaped styles including hearts, stars and flowers.

"But we are able to make custom styles," Burney said. For one private label collection launching at a specialty store this fall, the company is creating an earth-tone color palette.

Retail price points will range roughly from $25 to $40.

Burney Products will also debut some other new collections under its house label. They include: the Leath & Suede collection of real leather and suede pillows; the Ottoman/Bohemian collection of jacquard velvets and plain jacquard pillows with fringe; the Celli & Kelly collection of pillows made of polyester faux fur in quilted square design; and the Southwest/Gaucho collection of chenille and woven cotton pillows depicting South and Central American Indian traditional designs.