Starmount, Nautica unveil lifestyle collection
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, November 2, 2009
HIGH POINT — Starmount Home Furnishings and Nautica made their debut as licensing partners here with two case goods and upholstery collections bearing lifestyle looks that represent the apparel brand.
The product is expected to hit retail in early 2010.
Starmount President Michael Foster and Nautica officials began planning their strategy earlier this year. Nautica's previous license with Lexington Home Brands had expired in 2008 and Nautica sought a new partner that could keep its brand vibrant in residential furniture.
Foster, a former Pennsylvania House, Lexington and Broyhill executive, formed Starmount — named after the Greensboro, N.C., neighborhood where he lives — with Mike Shyu, the CEO of Chinese chair and case goods producer Hainan Topywood. The two have known each other for years, and Hainan produced wood product for Pennsylvania House when Foster was there.
Foster knew Nautica was seeking a new partner, so in January, he contacted Kerry Glasser, a licensing agent who helped put the original Nautica deal together with Lexington.
Maria Vicari, president of global licensing for Nautica, said the agreement with Starmount came together quickly, partly because Foster was familiar with the brand.
“The capabilities of Starmount because of their vertical sourcing made this a very good fit,” she added. “Their solid structure and strong platform and ability to provide speed to market allowed us to expedite what normally would be a very lengthy process.”
One collection Nautica and Starmount designers created is Henderson, a 32-piece contemporary bedroom, dining room and occasional collection made with beech solids and quartered ash veneers in a mid-tone brown finish. Five beds retail from $899 to $1,499, while two five-piece casual dining sets retail from $1,499 to $2,499.
Governor's Island is a 35-piece contemporary bedroom, dining room and occasional collection that takes design elements from private yachts. It is made with prima vera veneers in a tobacco finish and has polished nickel hardware. Four beds retail from $999 to $1,699, while three five-piece casual dining sets retail from $1,699 to $2,999.
Each collection also has upholstery that will be produced and warehoused at a former Hickory Hill plant in Valdese, N.C. Frames are available in 120 exclusive Nautica fabrics.
Foster said both collections are set to ship in January. Wood products will be shipped container-direct from China as well as from the North Carolina warehouse.
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