Busy opening for Showtime
Fabric trade show runs through Wednesday
Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, June 4, 2007
HIGH POINT — Business was brisk Sunday as the Showtime fabric fair opened, according to a number of exhibitors, who think the semiannual High Point event is as important as ever.
The show runs through Wednesday.
“Sunday typically has a lot of editorial people and people looking for trends, but we did a lot of business today — more than we expect on opening day,” said Tom Notaro, vice president of sales and marketing for Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills.
“Showtime is crucial for a number of reasons,” said Doug Henderson, vice president of sales at Tietex Interiors. “It forces us to finish up our line, for one thing; and our line is very large — the reps can’t carry around 18 bags. Showtime is the best chance to spotlight and highlight everything in its full glory.”
Tietex President Mike Durham agreed that even though the whole “show” — including everything from samples to fabric display boards — will be packed up and recreated in a hotel suite in Hickory, N.C., next week, Showtime continues to be crucial. “Showtime gets your story out more completely — including the colors and fashion trends that are launched here and then continue to roll out through the season.
“You just can’t get that effect working out of a bag. I think it would be great if Showtime was a solid week long — there could be an early Showtime and a late Showtime. Then we could have special days for the High Point and Hickory customers — especially those who avoid the show now that it has grown and changed — they find those changes distracting,” Durham said.
To reflect its more upscaled line, Tietex has redecorated its showroom with seating from Vanguard Furniture and framed antique fabric documents.
Quaker Fabrics’ showrooms also were busy on opening day. The company more than doubled the amount of product in its Quaker Global line of fabrics sourced from China, adding 88 patterns to the 85 that debuted at the last Showtime, according to Tom Muzekari, vice president.
“It’s a lot, but we can do it successfully because we have a good arrangement with our joint venture partner — it works better when you just have one source,” Muzekari said.
“As far as ‘green,’ we’ve had recycled product for two or three years and have had great success in the contract segment with that, and now some of our major customers have asked for recycled product in the residential segment so we’re responding to that with our Replay recycled story,” he said. “It costs more — it’s not a premium — it just costs more because it costs more to produce, but it’s good because it provides a story beyond just price.
“‘Green’ isn’t an item,” Muzekari said, “it’s a program and you have to be committed to it.”
At American Silk Mills, in addition to new products and colors in its jacquard, silk and wool plush lines, there was news about Sensuede, the high-end suede fabric from Japan exclusively distributed by American Silk. The line is now made with 100% post-consumer, post-industrial recycled polyester and is certified for OekoTex and ISO 14001.
According to the company, the suede’s high-tech manufacturing techniques and the use of special water-dispersed polyurethane eliminates the need for harmful organic solvents that it says are used in the manufacture of other manmade suede fabrics.
The International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. hosted a social Sunday afternoon in the Suites at Market Square, aimed at encouraging fabric sales reps to join the trade association.
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More fabrics eco-friendly
Jun 10, 2007 -
Price Volatility a Hot Topic at Showtime Fabric Show
Dec 16, 2010 -
Showtime gets new attitude
Jun 15, 2009 -
Organics, colors star at Showtime
Dec 14, 2008
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