Avanti adds Cheri Blum license for mini-market

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 1/8/2001 9:13:00 AM

MOONACHIE, NJ - More bullish about winter mini-market 'than we've ever been before,' Avanti Linens has added a new and third license to its offerings for holiday 2001, president Michael Tauber said.

Cheri Blum, the Maryland-based artist who designs licensed products for more than 20 manufacturers of home, office and decorative goods, will now also design ensemble towel sets - bath, hand and tip - for Avanti.

'Her artwork has a very subtle and beautiful look. She has a very talented hand,' Tauber said. 'Cheri is becoming a world-renowned artist in the retail community.'

Avanti's Cheri Blum collection for winter mini-market, scheduled Feb. 4 to 8 in New York, will include six designs: a flying reindeer; two reindeer kissing; a snowman; a wreath; a topiary tree; and Santa.

The colors will be traditional Christmas red, green, navy blue, champagne and white on direct embroideries.

Cheri Blum is the third license Avanti acquired, and it will be introduced at winter mini-market.

The first is New York-based GT Marketing's 'Rudolph the red-nose reindeer,' for which Avanti is creating hand and tip towels for the third season. And last year, Avanti started making ensembles for the Spode 'Christmas Tree' license. Tauber said that, along with items from the Cheri Blum collection, Avanti will also introduce new pieces for the other two licenses this upcoming winter market.

Other manufacturers that are licensees of Cheri Blum include Croscill Home Fashions for bed and bath collections; Manual Woodworkers & Weavers for tapestry throws, wall hangings and pillows; and Tweel Home Furnishings for kitchen textiles.

Tauber added that items from the Cheri Blum collection are designed for department and specialty stores.