De Leo Textiles launching first outdoor fabric line

Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, December 5, 2011

Wilson, in various solids, is one of the fabrics in De Leo’s new Soleo collection of outdoor high performance fabrics.

HIGH POINT — De Leo Textiles is launching its first outdoor high performance fabric at Showtime here this week, with the initial collection containing seven patterns featuring a solid fabric, stripes, plaids and botanicals.

The Soleo collections meets specifications required by outdoor, casual and all-weather furniture and pillow manufacturers, the company said.

Its 100% outdoor-rated acrylic fibers provide light-fastness, resistance to liquids, resistance to oil-based products, high abrasion ratings and easy cleaning features. The fabrics also have a 99.7% antimicrobial rating, De Leo said.

The company said Soleo's features make it ideal for both outdoor and indoor high-traffic upholstery. The cleanability and durability inherent in the Soleo-branded fabrics are designed to appeal to the consumer looking for family-friendly indoor fabrics as well as those seeking to use it in outdoor living spaces.

The Soleo patterns had a soft opening at the Chicago Casual Furniture Market in October.

"The premiere manufacturers of outdoor and casual furnishings were extremely receptive to the Soleo line," said Cathy Smith, director of design and merchandising for De Leo. "They commented repeatedly that Soleo designs provided a new and different look in the outdoor fabric world, while providing the solid test results that consumers demand. Several of the patterns were deemed ‘spot on,' with the botanical looks repeatedly noted."

The company's Showtime showroom is on the second floor of the Market Square Textile Tower.