Steve Mazarakis, president of Hellenic Rug Imports, Howard Fineman, managing member/CEO and Nicole Reardon, director of designer and business programs for Ashley Furniture HomeStore Jacksonville pose with Bob Mackie in front of the store's interior waterfall.

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Designer  Bob Mackie unveiled his new line of home accent rugs during a private, VIP reception at the Ashley Furniture HomeStore in the St. Johns Town Center here. The Bob Mackie Home accent rug collection will be offered in Jacksonville exclusively by the Ashley Furniture HomeStore.

"We feel very privileged to be the exclusive retailer of Bob Mackie Home accent rugs in Jacksonville and are honored Mackie was able to unveil his collection to our community in person,€VbCrLf said  Howard Fineman, managing member/CEO of Ashley Furniture HomeStore - Jacksonville.

Interior designers, builders and local vip's enjoyed an evening of cocktails, hors d' oeuvres, prize giveaways and industry networking as they perused the new Mackie rug collection along with the 200  room settings featured in Ashley Furniture HomeStore's 40,000-sq. ft. showroom.  Several prizes were awarded including a Bob Mackie Home accent rug valued at $2,000. 

The rugs are part of the Bob Mackie Home program that includes home fashion accessories and lighting as well as rugs. The rugs are distributed through Hellenic Rug Imports and  feature Mackie's original artwork in tufted and hand-knotted wools.

Ashley Furniture HomeStores sells Ashley Furniture exclusively. There are currently over 190 HomeStores in North America, with 15 in the state of Florida.

Bob Mackie, best known for his work in television, stage and film, has dressed everyone from Fred Astaire to Carol Burnett, Cher and even Barbie.  Mackie is the only costume designer in the Television Academy Hall of Fame and has earned three Oscar nominations, 31 Emmy nominations and nine Emmy Awards in his career. Mackie's resume includes the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Cher's "Farewell Tour,€VbCrLf an 11-year run with the Carol Burnett Show, "Lady Sings the Blues€VbCrLf with Diana Ross, "Pennies from Heaven€VbCrLf with Steve Martin, and "Funny Lady€VbCrLf with Barbara Streisand.

 left to right: Steve Mazarakis, president/CEO Hellenic Rug Imports; Howard Fineman, managing member/CEO Ashley Furniture HomeStore Jacksonville; Liz Lansaw, Hellenic Rug Imports representative, Designer Bob Mackie; Joe McFate, executive design coordinator Bob Mackie Design Group, Ltd, and Nicole Reardon, director of designer and business programs, Ashley Furniture HomeStore Jacksonville

10.12.05