Zeba Opens First U.S. Store in SoHo

By Michele SanFilippo -- Home Textiles Today, 11/8/2004 12:00:00 AM

New York —

Indian vertical textiles manufacturer/retailer Zeba recently launched its first U.S. store at 69 Greene St. in SoHo.

The two-floor, 6,500-square-foot home shop features up to 550 skus of bedding, table linens, window panels, decorative pillows, floor cushions, hand-made rugs, and such accessories as lampshades, parasols and handbags.

The main floor highlights mix and match collections from Zeba — the core product line known for hand embellishments and textures with a contemporary flair — plus couture items from the brand-new Krsna line peppered throughout. The Zeba concept is to offer more collections in smaller quantities so that designs can be swapped out in three to five weeks.

The lower level will house a design studio this spring, with plans for a learning space to serve the local art community.

Products are constructed of cotton, silk, linen, organza, chenille, brocade, velvet and blends embroidered in traditional styles or adorned in cutwork, appliqués, pearls, beads, sequins, lace, tassels or feathers. Prices range from $100 to $225 on bedspreads, quilts and duvets; $15 to $150 on table linens; $12 to $150 on pillows and throws; $90 to $1,000 on rugs, dhurries and kilims; and $10 to $55 on fabric by the yard.

The SoHo flagship store will be run by Gulu Mahtaney, president of Zeba Home USA.

“Although this is our first foray into the United States, we've already established Zeba as an international brand with (22) stores in India, Spain and the U.K,” said Krsna Mehta, Zeba's design director. “We're globally focused on every level, from materials and trend research through to our retail presence.”

Ten percent of grand opening weekend sales will go to Children's Hope (India).