May 21 2015

Joe Ruggiero Introduces “Exotic Lands” Sunbrella® Fabrics Collection for June Showtime

Ruggiero Brings Exotic Locales, Luxurious Textures and New Colors Home

Home décor authority Joe Ruggiero has made a career of traveling the world in search of inspiration for his fabric designs. It’s these foreign adventures that have influenced Ruggiero’s latest collection of Sunbrella® fabrics – “Exotic Lands” – set for introduction during June Showtime in High Point.

Persian influences can be seen in Delhi and Delhi II, which feature large-scale, floating “buta”, or “paisley” as the Persian droplet-shaped motif is called in English. Persian flair can also been seen in the bold colorways of Berry, Indigo, Pesto, Wren and Frost.

Ruggiero also drew inspiration from India; a wood block imported from India and found by Ruggiero at a local shop in California kindled Sari. Of the same name as the popular women's draped garment in India, Sari features an allover “stripe” pattern of flowers and leaves. Available in Periwinkle, Wren, Frost, Pesto and Berry, Sari evokes images of the kimono textiles Ruggiero encountered while traveling with his daughter, Beth. The family now has a tradition of bringing back fabrics for one another from their travels.

“Instead of postcards or trinkets, my daughters and I give each other beautiful fabrics we have encountered across the world,” Ruggiero said. “It’s a tradition that’s close to my heart and has helped inspire many of my fabric designs.”

From India to Southeast Asia, the popular Malaysian ikat dyeing technique in which fabric is tie-dyed and then woven led to the design of Agra. Reminiscent of rain drops, the pattern features splatters of color in Indigo, Wren, Pebble, Pesto and Berry.

Traveling to the cultural exchange of the Mediterranean Sea, Structure is based on Moroccan decorative fretwork. The octagonal design is often seen in the exteriors of Moroccan buildings or on room dividers. Structure features an interesting texture with both high and low weaves and is available in Sesame, Honeydew, Cameo, Mist and Parchment.

From the lively beaches and mountainous landscape of the Catalonia region of Spain where fashion is a way of life, Ruggiero pulls from the espadrille shoe for Espadrille II of the same canvas construction. This classic ticking stripe is traditional and simplistic and is available in Raspberry, Cameo, Denim, Mist, Jade and Pebble.

Cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale inspired an entire culture of Chinese fretwork and was later adopted as an American motif. Ruggiero’s interest in Chippendale fretwork led to the design of Chipper, which can be a stand-alone or a go-with pattern. Chipper is available in Cameo, Mist, Denim, Raspberry, Jade, Wren and Pebble.

A form of Spanish and Portuguese tilework in which small stones (azulejos) were used to create decorative patterns for sidewalks and building exteriors inspired fabric design Lemond. The fabric features a grid pattern with clusters of small squares and is available in Indigo, Stone, Frost, Wren and Raspberry.

Sensation and Harris are both herringbone weaves, one of the oldest forms of weaving. Herringbone features a distinctive V-shaped pattern and goes back to the Roman Empire where it was used in linen weavings thousands of years before Christ. Sensation is a tighter and smaller herringbone while Harris has a more textural appeal. Sensation is available in Parchment, Cameo, Mist, Denim, Pebble, Wren, Jade and Char. Harris is available in Parchment, Wren, Barley, Pesto, Cameo, Dusk, Mist, Denim, Slate, Stone, Cocoa and Putty.

“My travels—and my daughters’ travels—have always inspired me, and the fabrics in my newest Sunbrella collection further illustrate the different and uniquely beautiful cultures in our world,” Ruggiero said. “I look forward to showcasing these fabrics at the June Showtime Market and hope to help bring these exotic locales, luxurious textures and new colors home.”

About Joe Ruggiero
Joseph Ruggiero & Associates, Inc. is a multi-media home design and television production company based in Los Angeles. In addition to his Sunbrella fabrics collection, Ruggiero also designs upholstery for Miles Talbott Furniture, an MT Company Collection; casual furniture for Terra; wood furniture for Gat Creek (American made with wood from sustainable forests); decorative throws for Textillery; decorative trims for Phoenix and bedding and drapery for Casa Fiora. On the web at joeruggiero.com, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, Twitter and a blog.

About Sunbrella Fabrics
Introduced in 1961, Sunbrella revolutionized the way the world thinks about how beautiful fabrics look, feel and perform. The Sunbrella brand is the leading premium fabric choice for awning, marine and furniture manufacturers, offering legendary durability, fade resistance and ease of cleaning.

Upholstery fabrics from Sunbrella are continually advancing in design sophistication and comfort, resulting in applications both outside and inside the home for coordinated décor. Sunbrella fabrics have been certified by GreenGuard, an international standard, for contributing to indoor air quality.

Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, a 134-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide. For more information on the Sunbrella brand, including fabric resources, visit sunbrella.com.