Off to Market… ITA Showtime Market!
This summer’s Showtime fabric market was certainly a family affair. Building relationships over the years with our clients and seeing them face to face helps to make our visit worth while. Held twice a year in June and December in High Point, N.C., the internationally acclaimed ITA (International Textile Alliance) Showtime Market offers the most comprehensive fabric, leather and trim presentations in the country.
Designer Custom Source Product Development Director Melinda Merijanian with Todd Nifong, President of ITA Showtime and Altizer & Co. Decorative Textiles
Al Fresco Fabrics
We visited all of our fabric vendors to take a gander at their showrooms and new upcoming lines. Todd Nifong, President of ITA Showtime and Altizer & Co. Decorative Textiles, is always a treat to chat with, as well as his staff. We saw the new Wesley Mancini Outdoor Collection line for Al Fresco fabrics and was amazed by these true works of art done by Mr. Mancini himself. We loved the gallery display of these textile creations which was a great first impression of their large and open showroom.
Behind the counter is Meghan Brewer, Director of Design for Altizer Co.
The one common thread of ITA showtime is the overload of textiles. Whether they are hung, draped, wrapped or cloaked; textiles are everywhere at Market. Hanging fabric is a great way to dress up walls and display textiles for buyers. Below are several from the new Wesley Mancini line.
Fabricut Fabrics
Just around the corner from Al Fresco was where we met the infamous designer Vern Yip. He was debuting his brand new collection for Fabricut. We were so excited to meet such an amazing talent. He is truly one of the nicest and most gracious people we have ever met. It was great to share in conversation with Vern, his partner Craig and all the Fabricut staff. What a welcoming bunch they were!
Product Development Director Melinda Merijanian, Designer Vern Yip and Anita Winter DCS Art and Media
Standing in front of Vern’s stunning collection is myself, Craig Koch and Melinda. Craig is the creator and owner of Wagalot.com. A doggie daycare whose mission is to provide the health and welfare of dogs through exercise, diet, social interaction, agility, mind stimulation, human companionship and community outreach. It was a pleasure getting to know him. Vern and Craig make a great team.
Anita Winter DCS Art and Media, Owner and Developer of Wagalot, Craig Koch and DCS Product Development Director Melinda Merijanian
Below are more of Vern’s creations! We are excited for this upcoming line. So many fresh colors and patterns that will speak to many.
Lovely pillows made up in new navy prints and floral fabrics by Vern. I’m already eyeing certain fabrics for my own home.
And if meeting the HGTV design star himself was not enough, we shared in a delicious four course meal with the entire Fabricut team! Yum!
Robert Allen Fabrics
Robert Allen Showroom was a treat. We not only got to review the new fabrics with the Director of Fabric Design, Donna Rinaldi, but we got to stay and eat some of the best coconut cake I have ever had! Needless to say the beautiful fabric that surrounded us and all the lovely people, were the best treat of all!
Robert Allen Design showroom
It was wonderful to see all the efforts and time Donna put into creating these textiles. We saw a new twist to modern nomadic designs, tribal and global views with African influence. The new trend is color! And it was everywhere at market!
Donna Rinaldi Director of Fabric Desgn, Robert Allen @Home with Product Development Director Melinda Merijanian
My favorite was this thick upholstery weight tapestry woven ikat called Jakori Cognac. I was so impressed and in love with this fabric (as you can see)!
Robert Allen Jakori Cognac
Martin Choate, our new sales representative was enjoying her first taste of showtime as well. We are looking forward to working with her and all the RAD team!
Sales Representative for Robert Allen Martin Choate and Anita Winter
Sunbrella Fabrics
Sunbrella Showroom was a sophisticated and homey vibe as we walked in and met with Greg Rosendale – Market Manager/Residential Furniture Fabrics and Sunbrella Designer Emily Weiss. Displayed below are some of the new fabrics to come. We were pleasantly surprised by all the new fabric creations done by their design team. It was fun to help them narrow down our favorites and see what will actually show up in their sample books in the following years to come.
Sunbrella showroom
Sunbrella really is wonderful at building their brand. It’s really all about Good Design and Great Performance!
“Design matters. Without great design, the spaces in our homes lack meaning and inspiration. The perfect combination of color, texture and pattern not only adds beauty, but has the power to invigorate and rejuvenate. Living with great design is what Sunbrella® fabrics are all about. Fabulous collections with unparalleled performance that are both stunning enough for a formal piece of furniture and durable enough for the sofa you sink into at the end of the day.” ~ Sunbrella
Every hour/Every Day Sunbrella. It’s a a superior product that will always be our staple in our business.
We loved this display! Such a unique and beautiful board.
Premier Prints
We met with the cool and stylish David Cherry, General Manager of Premier Prints. It was a pleasure seeing all the new and fresh designs his team (Lead Designer Clint Wright and Sales Agent Kevin Smith) are putting together. With the new Scott Living (HGTV Property Brother’s duo) recent line of fabrics, a new permanent showroom at High Point Market and the production of new base cloth textiles, these boys have a lot to celebrate.
Learn more about Premier Prints
Catania Silks
It was so wonderful to meet Dada from Catania Silks. We have carried their lovely silk fabrics for several years but I had never met him personally until market. Catania Silks makes over 50 different styles of silk fabrics and each style comes in different colors and patterns. They also have trims and tiebacks imported from China and Thailand. They have so many beautiful products that it is worth you checking out. We are looking forward to adding more fabric beauties very soon.
Learn more about Catania Silks
Anita Winter with Dada Patel CEO of Catania Silks and Product Development Director Melinda Merijanian
All in all it was a successful trip. We got to meet with some wonderful people from all parts of the country and world. We were most struck by the friendliness and positive attitudes. My theory and conclusion is … An artful world seems to produce happy people!
Leaving Market Square…until next time
Au Revoir!
