High-end leather lines spotlighted
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, October 28, 2002
High Point — Several Italian leather upholstery manufacturers kicked things up a notch this market by topping off their assortments with high-end lines.
Natuzzi, DeCoro and Interline Italia were among those segmenting their established product lines.
The Pasquale Natuzzi Collection, as Natuzzi's upscale assortment is called, emphasizes such elements as fine woods, metal legs and whip-stitching.
Pasquale Natuzzi, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Natuzzi, said the line follows up on the success of "all of the high-end product we introduced last market and the market before that."
"The issue here is not price," Natuzzi said. "Instead, the line addresses fashion, style and a strategy fitting in with my own knowledge, passion and experience."
The new collection will be identified with the "U" insignia on a specially designed hangtag.
DeCoro added DeNovo, an affordable luxury line of contemporary designs highlighting wood-trim sofas, motion sofas, microfiber entries and some leather sofas with rattan accents.
With a core business addressing promotional and medium price points, DeCoro saw a need to step up to European styling, said Luca Ricci, president and chief executive officer.
"We offer premium features, including American hardwood frames, tailored Elmo leather and feather-fill cushions," he said. "A lot of dealers committed."
Each frame features a special hangtag containing a mini CD-ROM with information about the company, its product line and leather care.
DeCoro opened an adjacent 5,000-square-foot showroom to accommodate the new line.
Interline introduced the Premiere collection, priced above its core Interline and promotional In Linea brands. The new program encompasses full anilines, said Johne Albanese, president of Interline U.S.A.
Peroda USA, meanwhile, unveiled a collection from F&T Salotti, a high-end producer from Parma in northern Italy. Peroda already markets leather upholstery from promotional to midpriced producer T&T Salotto.
