Pillow Suppliers Follow the Silk Road

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM

New York — —

New York — The Silk Road is the path many decorative pillow suppliers traveled during last month's New York Market, and silk — real and faux — bedecked showrooms.

Home Fashions International offered “more varieties of silk,” from Dupioni to satin, jacquard, and taffeta styles, explained Amy Bell, vice president. The company made a 75-sku silk statement that centered on a core grouping of 40 solid colors. Other designs included plaids and stripes. Retail price points go from entry level to high end, starting at $12.99 up to $49.99.

American Dawn Inc. (ADI), has called silk its focus for the past year, and going forward, said Allen Josephson, national sales manager of the home division.

“Last year, we had more plaids and stripes,” he said. “Then we went into prints, and this year, we're adding more value with embroideries and embellishments.”

Price points at retail are set to hit from, $17.99 to $29.99 for ADI's silk decorative pillows which come in both down feather or polyester fills.

Arlee Home Fashions is concentrating on more promotional, opening price point looks with faux polyester silk styles. Its line, titled Silk Road includes dupioni, tafetta, and crushed faux silk looks, many featuring embellishments like beading and trims. One style, titled Convertible, features four double-sided envelope flaps for eight different two-toned facings.

“Who doesn't want a silk convertible?” asked Robert Panko, vice president of product development.

Brentwood originals had its share of formal “more elegant” looks in the way of silk with real and faux varieties, said Loren Sweet, president.

“We are responding to the market and customer requests to address this trend,” he said.

Town and Country Living upshifted its design direction with more upscale look in decorative pillows with several silk styles that coordinate with textured chenille, leather, flocked velvet and other posher styles.

“It's a whole different statement for us,” said Arthur Greenspan, vice president of decorative pillows.