Fashion Inds. nabs license

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 9/22/2003 12:00:00 AM

AT THE NEW YORK MARKET —

Fashion Industries has paired up with pajama brand Nick and Nora to create a licensed line of table linens and kitchen textiles using summertime themes.

"Nick and Nora's cosmetic bags and pajamas are really hot right now, and they have designs that translate well to table," Carolyn Winderbaum, vp, designs, told HTT.

The line comprises tablecloths, placemats napkins, runners, napkin rings, potholders, oven mitts, pot mitts, kitchen towels, aprons, chair pads, cocktail napkins, coasters, wine glass charms and kitchen rugs. Constructions for tablecloths, runners and placemats are available in cotton or vinyl. The rugs are made of 100 percent nylon.

There will be seven Nick and Nora designs, including the popular Pink Flamingos and Summer Cocktails styles.

Of the seven collections, four include all product categories and constructions. But all seven include kitchen placemats, napkins, runners and napkin rings and kitchen textiles.

All products are imported from throughout Asia.

For the annual holiday market in February, Fashion Industries will add three more designs to the line. Also for this market, the company is planning on creating a gift-to-go packaging concept. In April, four to six more designs will be added.

Winderbaum said she also hopes to add more products to the mix, including cocktail stirrers.

Retail price points have not yet been set, but the line caters to department and specialty stores.

The Nick and Nora license represents Fashion Industries' first in the past four years or so.

"This is our first licensed line in a while," Winderbaum said. "We're looking to do more of it."