Textillery jumps in with both feet

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 7/7/2003 12:00:00 AM

BLOOMINGTON, IN —

After 25 years of serving strictly the high-end market with its domestically made handwoven goods, Textillery Weavers is marking its silver anniversary with two milestones — its first step into licensing and its entry into mass market-level price points.

Textillery is licensing its signature color stories, designs and textural looks to Quebec-based Huntingdon Mills, pairing the known designs of Judith Rose with Huntingdon Mills' knitting and finishing capabilities to create a collection of washable throws and pillows at moderate retail price points.

Huntingdon is a synthetic-fiber manufacturer of apparel and home goods. It produced its first line of finished home textiles products in March.

"We are opposites, yes, but together we have an opportunity to serve our customers in two ways," said Judith Rose, vp and head designer, Textillery Weavers. "It will provide us a line that is machine washable and will give us an entry into more affordable price points." Rose co-founded the company with her husband

John, who added: "This will give us the chance to tap into a broader, more price-driven market searching for quality designs."

The two companies will co-promote and co-market the new line, branded Textillery by Huntingdon, through Huntingdon's new Huntingdon Home division for finished goods.

For Huntingdon, the line is another offering that targets an existing customer base of mid-price and specialty chains.

The initial collection, set for soft preview in August at the New York International Gift Fair followed by formal introductions in September at both the New York Home Textiles Show and the High Point International Home Furnishings Market, is composed of 24 to 48 designs — a combination of some of Textillery's best-selling looks and some new concepts.

All of the Textillery by Huntingdon products will be made at Huntingdon Mills' headquarters facility in Quebec for distribution to retailers throughout North America.

Retail price points will range from $40 to $125, as opposed to Textillery's hand-woven chenille, cotton and mohair products, which sell for $125 through $500.

All of the products are available in coordinating collections.

Moreover, Textillery Weavers continues to look for partners to produce other product categories for the moderate retail level, Judith Rose said. Rugs will be the next concentration. The company started out making rugs initially but has since ceased production.