LAS VEGAS -- The Palmetto Living by Orian showroom at Las Vegas Market was a hub for big name retailers packing the space to get a first-hand look at the company's hot new introductions.
"Las Vegas is our biggest show for volume," CEO Rob Morrow told RugNews.com. "We are going full-bore in Vegas with our new lineup -- I'm very excited about the new collections we are launching -- and we're getting a great response," he said.
"Softness is integral in our new releases; we continue to see that softness is key," Morrow added. "And shag remains very popular. Some of the ideas that our product development team is showing are softer in hand than anything in the market -- others like our machine washable Swash rugs and Origanic yarn system are firsts for Orian." And another market hit, the Hereford range, is Orian's first polyester program to be offered at all retail price points.
Swash Washable Rugs
With the new Swash collection Orian brings even more convenience to the indoor-outdoor category. "The Swash collection is our first line of fully washable rugs. It's also completely foldable because it has no jute backing -- and it goes flat in seconds, which reduces shipping costs and helps maintain retail price points," Morrow explained.
Because the foldability allows the consumer to store the rugs like linens, Orian is merchandising Swash rugs as an easy-to-change fashion item. "We're able to offer the Swash collection in a lot of different colors. We want consumers to be able to own multiple rugs so they can warm things up in the winter, and cool down the look in the summertime," he continued.
To make the collection even more appealing, the new in-out rugs can be washed in the washing machine. "We've test-washed it over and over again. You can hang it up, or fold it up and store it on a linen rack, and it goes flat very quickly," he said.
Organic Yarn System
Orian introduces the Origanic recycled polypropylene yarn system in rug designs in the Boucle program. Shown, a detail of the Ironwood design in Harbor Blue and Natural featuring Origanic yarn.
Another big draw for Las Vegas Market shoppers, Origanic, is a recycled polypropylene yarn system designed for customers who are environmentally conscious. A play on the name Orian and the word organic, it launched in the company's best-selling Boucle program at market. "Boucle is the first we are showing it in," Morrow explained, noting that Origanic will be used in combination with virgin polypropylene in ratios from 20% to 50% recycled yarn in additional collections going forward. "Based on the design, the threshold is higher or lower. The more face yarn you have, obviously the less recycled yarn you have," he said. "But we want to be as green as we can."
Orian's new Origanic program features a recycled polypropylene yarn system. Shown, Thornburn in Natural/Silverton
Since research shows that even customers who want to be green often resist paying the higher price for recycled materials, Orian is not up-charging for the recycled polypropylene content. "It's a great product and we're happy to offer it at the same price as virgin yarn. We bear the expense; we don't want to pass it on to the consumer, and our [retail] customers here in Las Vegas certainly appreciate that. Organic becomes an option at the same price as regular polypropylene. We want our customers to be able to have the ability to offer the consumer fabulous products with recycled content and be super competitive."
Hereford Polyester Program
The Orian Hereford collection in polyester previews in Las Vegas . Shown, Subway Tile in beige.
On the heels of the sweeping success of its popular Cotton Tail polyester program, Orian previewed the brand new Hereford range to positive reviews from winter market attendees. "Hereford is our first polyester program that will be available at all retail price points," Morrow told RugNews.com. "We've put it at price points that people can really afford, and it's having a great reaction." Hereford ticks off all the boxes for buyers in the market for softness, and it also features more defined patterned images that the market has been craving. "We're finding everyone wants defined images, and the colorations are perfect." The debut designs, among them Subway Tile and Solano, bring plush dimension to multi-colored neutral palettes.
Above, Orian introduces the Hereford collection at its Las Vegas showroom in defined patterns such as Solano, shown above.
My Texas House
A new direction -- rugs with a touch more color and vintage flair -- has emerged in the My Texas House by Orian partnership with blogger and social media influencer Erin Vogelpohl.
Following her inaugural textural patterns, most famously in white or pale netural tones in Orian's Boucle quality, new Vegas designs like The State House, which features slight distressing for an heirloom feel, were shown at Las Vegas Market. The center medallion polypropylene rug is family-friendly with non-staining, anti-fading properties -- all important criteria for millennial fans of Vogelpohl's shoppable My Texas Home design site.