 Category Focus - February 2008  |
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On The Right Foot
Sophisticated, smart products help kids and young adults ease into a new school year The younger generation today, accustomed to the luxuries of technology, demand smarter designs for their study and living spaces, while parents continue to look for functional choices to help their youngsters ring in a new school year. After a bit of homework, home fashions manufacturers and suppliers are ready for the back-to-school crowd. For the student space, Dan Gullicksen of Tag Ltd. says that students today are far more worldly and sophisticated and want products that are comfortable and unique, but economical and space savvy. The leaf print pattern of Tag’s back-to-school pillows are for the student who wishes to lounge in a subdued, but stylish setting. To sculpt out the perfect hang-out area that will be conducive as a place to do homework, Milli Home offers functional products with clean lines like its tufted floor pillows in faux suede with a handle, available in burgundy, chocolate and khaki. Park B. Smith’s Salsa Chindi rugs, available in lime and blueberry, are an easy way to mark a cozy corner or set off a student’s study area. When it’s time to read a book, what better way to comprehend than to get comfy. A steady seller for the past 25 years at Maine-based Brahms/Mount Textiles is its Ticking Stripe Blankets. Every year, Brahms/Mount changes the colors to reinvent the blanket’s classic design. “The bed is like the office when it comes to late night homework. So whatever it is you have on it, it’s got to be modern and innovative,” says Claudia Brahms. Chicago Textiles celebrates back-to-school with another seasonal favorite. Funky and bold colors and patterns make for smart furniture, like the Puff® Rocking Chair, an item that has proven to be a keepsake time and time again. “I have spoken to many people stating, ‘I had that chair in college. I got a new cover for it and still have it in my house today,’” says Cheryl M. Welk of Chicago Textile Corp. Decorative pillows are also picking up on student tastes. Microplush pillows from Thro Ltd. feature color-blocking and textures ranging from a sparkly skull and bone appliquéd pillow to an embroidered “Diva” pillow for college well-suited for dorm rooms and teen bedrooms. New decorative pillows from Edie, Inc. feature Bauhaus-inspired patterns with modern shots of color for the young adult who likes a touch of traditional styling, but with a twist. For the successful student, organization is key. Companies like Suburban Silk are making it hip to keep class notes, papers and miscellaneous tools in order. Silk Laptop Cases make carrying a laptop stylish rendered in 100 percent Thai silk with faux textured leather handles. The Jokari Back-to-School Collection is for anyone that needs extra space to store school supplies. The DoorStor pack and the Back Pack Rack both come with eight adjustable patented hooks that actually increase their ability to hold heavy items by putting more weight on them while hanging over a door. This maximizes space and provides a way to keep needed items right at hand and out of sight. As a reminder of what the following Spring semester will bring, Famous Home Fashions’ Spring Break bath collection uses designs that are fun and whimsical for a youth’s bathroom. While heading to class, Twinkle handbags from Donna Sharp in flirty red, yellow, green and blue plaid accented by ribbon, fine stitching and sequins make the commute like a catwalk for fashionable students. After a long day of school and studying, kids and teens need to rest up to be ready to do it all over again the next day. The Arabian Nights Seventeen Bedding from Hearst Brand Development is made of cotton and polyester. The bedding targets the trends for what Hearst considers are “in” for back-to-school ’08: pattern play and colors as diverse as the pattern, from tonal to high contrast. Kimlor Mills also introduces a poly cotton bedding ensemble in Leopard, a pattern tailored for the adventurous youth. Greenland Home Fashion’s Madras Stripe quilted coverlets mix trendy shades of warm and earthy taupe, blue sage, and red in yarn-dyed fabrics. Multiple yarn-dyed fabrics tightly quilted together in strips are luxuriously oversized and reverse to a neutral stripe pattern. Lawrence Home Fashions’ Enigma bedding from its Point Zero Deco™ Collection has reinterpreted the urban contemporary apparel styling for bedding décor. Enigma is laid back and sophisticated with a classic plaid design in caramel tones. Decorative pillows combine distinct fabrics, appliqués and grommets that complete the ensemble. Messina and Zucker’s fashion bedding transforms its hotel bedding into a popular contemporary ensemble that will brighten up a teen’s room or dorm room. Sheets sets are available in red with white hem, black with red hem, navy with light blue hem and hunter with light green hem, all with matching comforters. Down Lite’s dorm-friendly pillows feature an EasyRepel® finish and are filled with two of its exclusive options: PrimaLoft Free® or Memory Gel®. “Our goal was to create a line of low-maintenance products that last longer, looks whiter, smell less and could stand the rigors of their cramped and damp quarters,” says Stephan Hunter, director of marketing, Down Lite. With so many new products, the back-to-school market certainly is maturing. Resources
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