Circa 1801 to launch Susan Hable-designed fabric line

Plans biggest slate of intros ever at Showtime

Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, November 24, 2010

CONNOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Circa 1801, a division of Valdese Weavers, will make its largest new product offering at next month's Showtime fabric show, include a 250-SKU collection created by guest designer Susan Hable of Hable Construction.

A series of ads announces sales promotions at Gorman’s to celebrate the Michigan retailer 70th anniversary.

The product presentation is under the direction of Tish Zagaroli, an 11-year veteran of Circa 1801 who has been promoted to creative director, responsible for the brand's style and merchandising direction.

In addition, Towson Smith has been promoted to design director and will manage the brand's customer projects and jobbing programs. Smith joined Valdese in 1999 and joined Circa 1801 in 2009.

Both were senior designers before assuming their new posts. They report to Laura Levinson, senior vice president of product development.

At Showtime in High Point Dec. 5-8, the company will present more than 1,000 new SKUs and will offer an array of new cotton warp shades. The range showcases cotton and linen components, hand-embellished looks, bold stripes and modern damasks.

That will include the line from Hable, a design firm known for enthusiastic color sensibility and hand-painted graphics. The 10-year-old company is owned by sisters Susan and Katharine Hable.

"The collection that we designed for Circa 1801 focuses on modern interpretations of simple inspirations," said Susan Hable. "We worked to keep the collection light, with movement and texture in varying scale. I looked to precious stones, water, emotions, basket weaving and wild flowers from my garden for inspiration."