Textiles 'Alliance' Moves to 7 W

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/9/2006 12:00:00 AM

New York — —

New York —7 W New York opened last year as the new home for gift suppliers set adrift by the conversion of the 225 Fifth Ave. gift building. Now it's also drawing a collection of home textiles suppliers — especially design-oriented firms that look beyond the big-box market.

A number of textile companies will debut at the space — so named for its location at 7 W. 34th St. — during the January 2006 New York Gift Week, Jan. 26 - Feb. 2. The launch involves five companies with contiguous spaces:

• DownTown Co.: Down comforters and bed pillows, decorative bedding from Portugal and bath towels from Brazil.

• Emdee International: Italian-made drapery panels, throws, area rugs and decorative pillows under the Casabella label as well as SocietyClassic Italian linens

• Fino Lino: European woven jacquard bedding, luxury silk pillows and bedding as well as hand-embroidered table linens. Also distributes iron beds from Old Biscayne.

• French Market Collection: linens inspired by 18th- and 19th-century French interior décor.

• Katha Diddel Home Collection: handmade needlepoint pillows, rugs, totes and shoes.

“The home textiles category is an important one for our buyers, and we will continue to seek new resources to add,” said Chris Collins, vice president and general manager, 7 W New York.

The newcomers join more than 30 other home textiles companies that either operate showrooms or are represented by agent showrooms in the building.