Taking a cue from Ralph Lauren whose chic, pricey home designs have enamored fans across the Atlantic, some top European fashion designers, including Emanuel Ungaro, Gianni Versace and Claude Montana, are trying to woo American clients with their own luxury home accessories lines.
Design buffs bored with traditional print sheets and flower-sprigged china now can sample Italian and French collections that emphasize bold colors, offbeat patterns and motifs inspired by everything from Roman ruins to African prints.
Naturally, the cachet of a European designer’s name on a sheet or teacup doesn’t come cheap. A four-piece Versace place setting runs from $295 to $325; a single roll of Paloma Picasso wallpaper from $35 to $70.
“Obviously, a big part of the appeal is the name recognition, plus the quality and beauty of the designs,” said Joan Engel, a spokeswoman for Bibb Co., the parent of Royalton, which licenses bed linens for Fendi and Claude Montana.
Last month, Versace launched a collection of area rugs, throw pillows and duvets in the United States, following a debut in Europe, according to spokesman Robert Wolf. “It’s blowing out of the stores (Europe) there and we expect it to do the same here,” he said.
The home decor merchandise, like the designer’s fashions, is recognizable by its rich, intricate patterns and vivid colors embellished with gold. These are not subtle designs. But then Versace fans, who include a slew of European royals and American rock stars, tend to appreciate flamboyance.
Down-filled duvets come in lush baroque prints, silk throw pillows are patterned in leopard spots and Versace’s riotously colored “Miami prints,” while the dramatic 7-by-7-foot rugs are inspired by designs Versace has done for theatrical productions. The four china patterns, all of which are lavishly embellished with gold leaf, include motifs of Medusa’s head and Roman ruins.
The linens are carried by Gianni Versace boutiques (101 E. Oak St.) while the china is available at Bloomingdale’s, 900 N. Michigan Ave.; Neiman Marcus stores and some specialty stores. An area rug is about $8,600; a twin duvet, $1,500 and a throw pillow, $250 and up.
Between the sheets
Also new to the American market is a line of bed linens by French designer Emanuel Ungaro for Crown Crafts. Ungaro’s signature mixes of contradictory prints-checks and florals, stripes and paisleys-dominate the collection. Of his three bedding designs, Botticelli is the most striking: A black-and-white houndstooth print is combined with boldly colored motifs of cards, cherubs and flowers. The collection is carried by Bloomingdale’s; queen-size sheets are priced at $100; a set of standard-size pillow cases is $75.
Paloma Picasso, whose name is already affixed to jewelry, accessories and perfumes, has added wallpaper and fabrics to her expanding empire. The color palette of Paloma Picasso La Maison Collection is heavy on black, tobacco and the designer’s signature scarlet, while patterns run to stripes, checks, plaids and paisleys. A delicate red and white chintz and a colorful hydrangea print are two of the few floral motifs among her elegant, contemporary patterns.
Prices for fabrics range from $40 to over $200 a yard. The collection is available through designer showrooms and select retail outlets, including Thybony Paint & Wallcoverings stores, 5440 N. Clark St., and in Evanston, Glenview and Mundelein, and Back Drops in Highland Park.
New linen collections
Although the Claude Montana and Fendi bed linens have been available in the United States for more than two years, they both just introduced new collections.
In addition to Fendi’s signature tan-and-black stripe, the new patterns include a pastel Italian garden motif, complete with classic balustrade and a soft blue-and-gold Tuscan tile print.
Montana’s line features a Mondrian-inspired color block print; a black and maize design influenced by African cloth and a jewel-tone patchwork print.
Both collections are available at Marshall Field’s stores. Twin sheets from both lines are about $15. A Fendi twin comforter set is $160; a Montana set is $170.
