Retailers on the hunt for exclusivity will find Art Resources’ Exotic Fibers program, replete with their choice of sample colors and yarns on customizable sample rings.
NEW YORK – When The Rug Show 2024 opens its doors at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, from Sept. 7- Sept. 9, Art Resources will officially launch its customizable Exotic Fibers program.
Geared to high-end retailers, the program includes a range of luxury fibers, among them merino wool, alpaca, mohair, cashmere and mulberry silk. “We had a lot of customers wanting this because it is expensive for retailers to do a program on their own,” explained Jack Simantob, Art Resources principal.
“They relied a lot on the big guys to do it for them, but other wholesalers’ prices had become too high, and retailers didn’t like that their programs are offered to everyone. So they came to us, and asked if we could create exclusive programs for them.”
Art Resources’ custom luxury wools program best sellers include merino wool, alpaca mohair and more.
“Our business is retailers, specialty high end retailers, and most of them do custom. But many don’t want to invest in inventory, and that’s true for fine machine-made rugs as well as luxury fibers,” Simantob says. And because the company’s retail customers are high end, they typically have designers on staff to work with customers in creating their custom rugs and choosing yarns and colors.
A showroom display at Art Resources showcases its luxury exotic fibers options.
The program is offered in limited stock but can be special ordered in the designer’s choice of Pantone colors for delivery in three to four months. “Almost all the rugs are offered in solid colors, and we can do it any way they want." Simantob explains. “Our cost is $35 a square foot, and the retailer can choose the yarns and colors they want. We offer 1-foot x 1-foot samples on a ring, and standard or ARS custom colors.” The sample rings cost $1800 for all fibers and color swatches. “One of our customers bought two sample rings so one would be in the showroom if the other had been signed out.” Art Resources also offers retailers the option to consign its sample rings.
Art Resources Exotic Wools bestsellers are rugs crafted of merino wool (pictured), followed by alpaca.
The Exotic Wools program’s top seller is merino wool (shown) but Simantob says alpaca is a close runner up.
“They love the touch and feel of merino wool: because of the fiber length it is softer and plusher than other wools. Alpaca has its own distinctive qualities – it’s a matter of taste and the look the designer is going for.”
Many of the exotic wool fibers are also used in Art Resources’ Moroccan high-pile constructions of abstract or geometric patterns that are accented with tip shear finishing.
In addition to this custom program, the company will also be introducing a range of new styles from contemporary to classic traditional at its exhibit at The Rug Show 2024.
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Mulberry silk, renowned for its fine texture, softness and durability, lends Art Resources Fine Fibers lineup a sophisticated
solid wallop.
Prized for its softness and luxurious sheen, Art Resources' new hand-knotted Mohair area rug offers a high-caliber textural solid styling.