An American in Italy breathes fresh air into fabrics

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 12/7/2000 12:28:00 PM

NEW YORK - It wound up somewhat differently from the way most designers bring their fabric designs to market.

But that's typical of the way Pamela Ferrari, a fine arts painter in Florence, Italy, works. In her case, the manufactured product for home textiles came together before the decorative fabrics - and that may not be all bad. Both she and Concord Home, which is making and marketing her Giro del Mondo Collection (Around the World), insisted that everything be just right, from the fabric printing to the marketing program.

"Pamela has a very distinct, unique look in design and color palette," said Roger Burnim, vp, Concord Home. "She gives us another dimension."

And unlike so many American fabric companies that hide their designers as anonymous persons, Concord Home is fully promoting the Pamela Ferrari involvement, Burnim said.

The collection, with more than 50 skus and nine patterns, will be launched in January at Showtime in High Point, NC, and at Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany.

"Pamela has a European transitional look that appeals to all distribution channels and all age groups. And she adds a dimension that Concord Home is looking to develop beyond our own signature looks," said Burnim.