AP launching Olsen youth line
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, March 14, 2005
Laurier-Station, Quebec — AP Inds. is launching a licensed youth line next month with teen celebrities Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
The Olsen twins, known from their TV show "Full House" and a slew of movies, have developed a brand with a wide range of products, from apparel to perfume to optical frames. The sisters' corporation, Dualstar Entertainment Group, has a Dualstar Consumer Products division that manages the brand. Dualstar reported retail sales of about $1 billion in 2004.
AP said the "mary-kate-andashley" furniture collection will have about 20 pieces, including beds, nightstand, armoire, desk/vanity, hutch, dresser, storage chest, bench and freestanding mirror. The goods will be made at AP's facility here, using solid birch and veneers. Beds will start at $699 U.S. and dressers will target $799.
"This brand new collection has been specially designed to meet the needs of girls," particularly ages 4 to 18, said AP President Daniel Benjamin. "And with our wide selection of items and colors now, they'll be able to create their own bedroom style just like Mary-Kate and Ashley."
Each piece has "a number of distinctive and customizable design elements, including detailed moldings and curves," added Judy Swartz, Dualstar Central Design Studio senior vice president and executive designer. Consumers will be able to choose from an array of color finishes and wood or metal hardware. Safety features include rounded top corners, side rollerglides with stops, and tip-over protection.
"Stylish home furnishings for young people are hard to find, and we recognized the opportunity to create something cool, customizable and perfect for girls everywhere," said Ashley Olsen. Added Mary-Kate, "Quality and style are both very important to us, and we created the collection with these elements in mind."
The Olsens won't attend the High Point market, but will hold a media launch in New York City on March 25.
In January 2004, Shaw Living introduced an Olsen twins rug line targeting teen and "tween" girls, from kindergarten to college, consisting of about 20 styles.
Fortune magazine last year estimated the twins were worth $137 million each. In addition to running Dualstar and pursuing careers as actors and producers, the sisters are students at New York University.
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