Bath diversifies with mix-and-match

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 10/12/2001 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

NEW YORK - Spreading out into a mix-and-match of many fashions and a renewed focus in towels on jacquard are among the trends bath product manufacturers are focusing on for this market.

The looks range from tropical, spa and botanical styles to metallic accents to gingham and tufting. Vivid tropical scenery is the inspiration for Terrisol Corp., based here. For its new wildlife-oriented licenses - National Wildlife Federation and the Hautman Brothers - the company will make several new introductions of towels featuring some photographic tropical and wildlife scenes. The collection includes larger towels, at 34' x 64' dimensions.

North Vernon, IN-based Regal Rugs' new Footprints collection by designer Sharon Pierce McCullough includes three tropical patterns: Tropical Toucan, Bird on Frog, Tropical Fish, and Buddies. They are made of 100 percent acrylic and are machine washable. Tropical Fish and Buddies are complete bath ensembles including accessories and shower curtains.

Spa is not so much a look as a feeling of comfort for Cobra Trading, based in New York. The importer is adding new amenities to its spa collection with new robes and bath sheets for a more luxury-oriented offering.

Creative Bath Products, which is also based in New York, will introduce completely coordinated collections of spa-like designs such as Florabunda, which includes a 100 percent cotton shower curtain; Falling Leaves, which includes ceramic accessories; and Golden Orchid, which includes a textured polyester shower curtain.

The botanical look is another popular trend many vendors are looking to cash in on. Long Island City, NY-based Koko Company's new Botanical drapes line is comprosed of white and colored embroideries in cotton organza. It is available in three botanical styles.

Tufting on gingham - "a new exciting trend," said Dianne Weidman, director - will be the biggest push this market for Cincinnati-based Saturday Knight Ltd., with its new Gingham Garden collection.

One of the most prominent introductions by New York-based Ex-Cell Home Fashions this season also uses gingham, but instead combines it with small but plentiful embroidered designs on shower curtains.

Shiny, soft and new is the approach that Lacey Mills, based in Cartersville, GA, is taking with its new Precious Metals collection, made up of plush and white bath rugs accented with gold and/or platinum colored yarns.

The new Fleur collection of wooden bath accessories by Cypress, CA-based Lady Jane Ltd. features golden accents to add elegance to the company's expanding line of accessories for the bath, and now also the bedroom.

Luxury is the route Sugar Valley, GA-based Mohawk Home is taking this season with its new bath rug collection featuring updated yarn systems, coloring processes, tufting techniques and printing technologies to cater to more high-end customers.

Likewise, New York-based Park B. Smith Ltd., looking to grow in a new area of luxury bath rugs, is introducing its new Nature Spa collection of soft bath rugs.

New York-based Revere Mills is introducing seven new double-jacquard bath ensembles made in Turkey to help the company expand on better towel offerings with new looks.