Market briefs

NEW YORK — Arlee launched a shower curtain line during the New York winter home textiles market last week, according to Bud Frankel, president and ceo.

Available in 18 designs, including embroidered and airbrushed styles, the shower curtains are all free-standing and include a vinyl liner and a matching valance. They are all imported from China.

More colors will be added to the line for the upcoming spring market, the company said. Frankel explained that Arlee will only carry shower curtains for its bath offerings and will not explore other coordinating bath accessories businesses.

NEW YORK — Building on its growing table linens business, Fashion Industries has added kitchen textiles items to its line, Carolyn Winderbaum, vp, said.

The new line includes pot holders, oven mitts, aprons and dobby kitchen towels, with terry varieties being added in March. Styles include hand-embroidery and embellishments. The line is made in India.

"We're trying to take a little bit of a different approach, a more fashion-oriented approach to kitchen," Winderbaum said. "Everyone has resorted to basics, so we think there's a need out there for more fashionable kitchen products."

NEW YORK — Table linens and kitchen textiles supplier Avonhome recently partnered with designer Raymond Waites to produce and market a new high-end collection within these categories, as well as coordinating chair bows.

Previews took place lst week during mini-market, but the official launch is slated in March during the New York Home Textiles Market.

For the new line, which targets department and specialty stores, Avonhome will import offerings from China, Taiwan and India.

Constructions include heavier weights with special printing techniques applied. Tableclothes will be available in several varieties, including damasks, printed damasks, high-end yarn dyed clothes and vinyl-coated fabrics.

Shipping to stores is scheduled in August and September.

Avonhome's other licensing partners include Croscill, Martha Stewart, B. Smith and Vera.

MOONACHIE, NJ — Building on its popular embroidered guest towel business, Avanti introduced at winter market a new line of sheered velour guest hand towels depicting embroidered French labels in 18 different designs, said Michael Tauber, president.

At 16" x 28", the new collection is intended for cross-over merchandising into the kitchen textiles area as well, he added.

The suggested retail price point for each is $9.99.

RICHMOND, VA — Decorative pillow and top-of-bed supplier Ashford Court is gearing up to add comforters to its line at the upcoming New York Home Textiles Market in March, said Neil Zuber, president.

The comforters will be made with fabrics by Textile Fabrics Associates, designed by Michael Day.

The quilted comforters will be both imported from India and China and manufactured in the United States.

The retail price points start at $159 for a queen. The line targets mid-tier, specialty, furniture and high-end department stores.

NEW YORK — Chenille took center stage at Park B. Smith at winter market, when the multiple-category supplier debuted a large line of accent and bath rugs.

Five Indian-made collections were introduced: a 100 percent chenille large loop titled Plush Chenille; a flat-woven rayon-cotton chenille blend titled Royal Chenille; a woven rayon-cotton chenille blend titled Times Square and Dover Stripes; a woven rug with ribbed texture chenille titled Majestic Chenille; and a chenille jacquard in several traditional and Baroque designs, including Marlowe and Baroque Tiles. Available sizes include 18" x 27", 20" x 34", 26" x 36", 27" x 42" and 39" x 56".

Suggested retail price points for a 20" x 34" start at $9.99.