LAS VEGAS - The new collection of 17 rugs by iconic fashion designer Josie Natori for Kalaty will star at the grand opening celebration of the rug maker's Las Vegas showroom (B-455) on Monday, Jan. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m.  But the drama began on Jan.8 with the collection's unveiling at Atlanta International Rug Market where the designer was on hand  at Kalaty's AmericasMart showroom to meet and greet buyers. Tomorrow's event will include cocktails, dinner and entertainment.

At the Atlanta party RugNews.com met with Josie Natori and Mike Kalaty of Kalaty, where they explained the genesis of the collection.  "We are a fashion-driven company and this partnership is a natural fit.  Josie brings a fashion sensibility to her collection of rugs that complements her other home products from bed linens to home accents. Rugs complete her total home offering," Kalaty said.  "Indeed, Natori's vibrant black, red and white dragon rug, which she describes as traditional but in a modern graphic way, complements the Fretwork Dragon motif in her current bedding collection."

Rugs at the premiere were displayed with the intricate textile inspirations for each design, the same archival textiles she's been collecting over the course of 40 years that inspired her fashion collections long before the introduction of her home licensing program 10 years ago.  "Since we began, we've been using an Asian aesthetic to build a distinct brand that melds the visual appeals of both the east and the West," Natori explained.  "The delicate silk fabric inspired the undulating lines of the NT308 rug Dynasty rug," Natori said. "I believe art is a gift to enrich one's life, a luxury to experience and enjoy every day, and that is the philosophy behind our rug collection."

The Shangri-La collection consists of six rugs in contemporary tone on tone looks. The designs are hand-knotted in wool and bamboo silk blends or in Lori-Loomed wool. The Dynasty collection are hand-knotted wool and often landscape inspired.

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