SPOTLIGHT ON Italy
Italian Manufacturers Offer High Quality, Innovative Textiles
and Trendsetting Designs to U.S. Market

Italy and the United States have a long-standing tradition of cooperation in the home fashions industry. For many years, Italy has been an important resource for high quality fabrics and home furnishings. Italian suppliers are well known for providing fashion-forward designs based on cutting-edge color and style trends. Italian manufacturers are continuing to expand business in the U.S. and around the globe, and a variety of companies from Italy are participating in Global Home Textiles® in Las Vegas May 6 to 8, 2008. Following is an in-depth look at just a few of these suppliers:

Fabbri Ricami Spotlights Classical Styling In High Quality Home Fashions

Fabbri Ricami has a well-established reputation for providing luxurious bed linens, bath fashions and accessories.

The privately-held company was founded in 1960 by the Fabbri family and continues to be run by family member Riccardo Fabbri today. Fabbri Ricami originally specialized in hand embroidered linens, but has expanded over the years to offer a wide variety of fabrics and embellishments, including appliqué and woven designs.

"We offer a wide range of items, going from simple, high quality sheet sets in the softest cotton to sumptuous 480-thread- count damask, sheer silk, the most traditional and comfortable 100% linen, and many other fine fabrics: in a word, the best for any bedrooms, any tables, and any bathrooms," Fabbri states. "We provide innovative solutions for colors and materials with different combinations."

Fabbri Ricami has a well-developed business in the U.S., particularly with retailers based in New York and other East Coast locations. The U.S. represents about 70% of the company's total business; the United Kingdom accounts for about 20% of the company's sales.

"We think that the right balance between expertise, quality and service, combined with the evolution of our classical production is our real strength in the U.S. market," Fabbri says, noting that the company is showing at Global Home Textiles in May and hopes to expand its sales in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Dallas.

Fabbri Ricami
Contact: Riccardo Fabbri, owner
Email: info@fabbrilinens.com; riccardofabbri@fabbrilinens.com
Tel: 39-573-790-063
Fax: 39-573-791-155
Web: www.fabbrilinens.com

Spaziale Splendy Provides Superior Innovation in Robes and Accessories

G.I.L. Srl, the manufacturer of Spaziale Spendy® robes, is developing a worldwide reputation for innovation and high quality.

Founded in 1990, the company specializes in patented bodywear and accessories made from Splenditex®, a special microfiber that creates a superior product. "We have the lightest, most compact, fastest drying body robe in the market and the only one that is made from 100% microfiber and patented in most major markets," explains president Emilio Mina. "The main and innovative characteristics of our products are that they occupy very little space, are very lightweight, dry extremely fast, are hygienic and consequently offer new options in bathrobe and home wear.

"Our products are highly technical as well as being practical, permitting us to extend our collections to outside of the home," Mina continues. "We are following the consumer to the spa, the gym, the swimming pool, on the boat or beach and on vacation. We have made designs that have features that suit the end-use as well as coordinated colors and accessories."

The company is currently the number one supplier in Italy, with annual sales of U.S. $9 million. Exports currently account for about 15% of the company's total business, with Spain representing the largest market. "The collections are of the highest quality, made in Italy for the modern consumer," Mina points out. "Spaziale Splendy products are currently selling in most southern European markets and have recently expanded into northern Europe and Japan."

The Spaziale Splendy line will be featured at Global Home Textiles in May. "We are hoping to launch our products in the USA, where we would be considered a top of the market fashion item," Mina predicts. "We hope to find distributors with good contacts at the high-end retail and department stores whose buyers understand the potential of our products."

Spaziale Splendy
Contact: Emilio Mina, president; Silvia Cirillo, sales/marketing
Email: info@spazialesplendy.com
Tel: 39-02-7063-6911
Fax: 39-02-2361-867
Web: www.spazialesplendy.com

Cottimaryanne Highlights Luxurious And Creative Home Fashions

Italian producer Cottimaryanne has developed a global reputation for supplying superior quality bed, bath and table linens since 1974.

The privately held company was founded by the husband and wife team of Valerio and Mariella Cotti as a small home based business, creating exquisite embroideries in the basement of their home in the historical center of Florence. Since that time, Cottimaryanne has steadily expanded its production and distribution, offering a wide range of refined designs to the finest Italian retailers, including upscale boutiques. Today, Cottimaryanne's luxurious coordinated home fashions are sold worldwide in the finest high-end boutiques and most famous department stores.

"Cottimaryanne items are entirely conceived, designed and manufactured in Italy to ensure a superior quality, guaranteed by careful inspections that are perfor

med before, during and after production," explains Jacopo Cotti, export manager. "Each collection comes out of the company's passionate commitment, in which quality is the primary objective. The skill and dexterity of our workers ensure that each item has a contemporary style that satisfies the wishes of our sophisticated and exacting customers who appreciate Italian elegance, innovation, creativity and tradition."

The company has steadily expanded its export business to Europe, the U.S., Middle East and Far East, and exhibits at major international trade shows, including Global Home Textiles in May.

"Cottimaryanne products are distinguished by a high level of quality and creativity and are aimed at the top end of the market," Cotti points out. "Quality is guaranteed by the fabrics and accessories used which are selected from the finest available on the market, often produced exclusively for us. Each item is manufactured as if it were made exclusively for customers who appreciate what goes beyond timeless fashion but who feel at ease in a balance of elegance that is in harmony with their lifestyle."

Cottimaryanne Srl
Contact: Valerio Cotti, owner; Jacopo Cotti, export manager
Email: info@cottimaryanne.it
Tel: 39-055-641-744
Fax: 39-055-645-755
Web: www.cottimaryanne.com

For more information on Global Home Textiles®, please click here.

For more information on home fashions color and design trends, please click here.