SPECIALTIES SHOWROOM
Presents . . .
west. The sports-gear and
leisure-wear company was start-
ed in 1920 by Eddie Bauer, a cel-
ebrated sportsman and
marksman who invented the
first quilted-down jacket. Eddie
Bauer Home made its debut in
1991, five years after Bauer's
death. The catalogue promotes
"Casual Style" and "True Eddie
Bauer Comfort," beige curtains
that are "Easy to Live With," and
a blue sofa "As Comfortable As
Your Favorite Jeans." Indeed, it
is upholstered with stone-
washed denim from a line of
Bauer jeans.
The England-based company
Laura Ashley, by contrast, de-
veloped as a "crossover" design
house almost from the beginning.
A 500-store emporium of the
English-country-garden look in
apparel and home furnishings,
Ashley considers itself a "print
house" and is known primarily
for floral prints and traditional
tailoring.
The company reached its
height of popularity in the '70s
and early '80s, when Lady Diana
was often photographed in Ash-
ley and even chose Ashley prints
for her first private rooms at
court. Then Laura Ashley
stopped evolving, fashion-wise.
Says a spokeswoman: "We do not
keep up with the times."
s designers diversify, they
also must become multi-
faceted businesspeople.
Tokyo-based fashion de-
signer Jurgen Lehl is a case in
point. He has been an object of
interest and curiosity in the New
York fashion world ever since
CNN's Elsa Klensch delivered a
segment on his gorgeous dress-
es, jewelry and captivating non-
angular furniture. The furniture
was not intended for sale, but the
designer recently has announced
plans to produce tableware and
home linens for sale throughout
Japan. Trade talks not with-
standing, it seems only a matter
of time before his products reach
America.
And as designers make the
crossover, many retailers who
previously specialized in one de-
sign field or the other are fol-
lowing them.
"We're likely to see more
crossing over," says Wid Chap-
man, chairman of the depart-
ment of interior design at
Parsons School of Design. Stu-
dents from the departments of
fashion and interior design are
training together more than they
used to, he notes. "Maybe this is
trickling down from the com-
mercial." El
A
MARVEL WINE GROTTO
Finally, here's the wine storage
appliance that is perfect for anyone's
wine collection. The Marvel Wine Grotto
illuminates and displays your wine collection
while providing the perfect storage
environment. An interior light comes on
automatically as the door opens. The Marvel
Wine Grotto provides the perfect environment,
$685. 0 °
free from excessive light and vibration, necessary for
perfect wine storage. Quality Marvel products are on display at
Specialties Showroom.
Specialties Showroom is the premier upscale appliance showroom. Our kitchen
displays, featuring built-in appliances, offer you the opportunity to explore options
and make confident decisions. Come visit Specialties
Showroom and see how we have reinvented the
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appliance shopping experience.
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SPECIALTIES
SHOWROOM
2800 West Eleven Mile Road
Berkley, Michigan 48072
Telephone: 810-548-5656
For this and other
innovative kitchen accessories,
come visit our premier showroom.
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