How does the textile business

If you think that somewhere in the world there is a place where there are workshops under the sign KENZO or KVADRAT with large weaving machines and pretty weavers – then you are mistaken.
Textile business is cleverly arranged, especially in the high segment. There are factories, and there are so-called publishers. They differ from each other in much the same way as the usual “Russian” publishing houses for Russian ears differ from printing houses. That is, the publishers develop the design of the fabric (in a broad sense, from the color palette, drawings, to the way of interlacing and composition), and then place an order at the factory. They take the received copies to their warehouse (usually several kilometers at a time for one color!) And then they gradually sell them off.

So at one of the main European exhibitions Maison et Objet in Paris, a huge pavilion, which is called Editeurs, was allocated. And every year in May, the Proposte exhibition is held at the Villa Chernobio on Lake Como, where only (and only!) Manufacturers can exhibit.

Everyone does their own thing.

Publishers organize sales, maintain dealer networks, contain huge warehouses with the remnants of fabrics, research the market and, most importantly, are engaged in development. The most striking example of such a publisher is Kvadrat. This is one of the main innovators in textiles, whose products arouse great respect. Kvadrat fabrics are made in various places, from the USA and Europe (the most technologically advanced) to Turkey (most wool is woven in Ankara), but all the processes, methods of fiber processing, weaving and joining of threads / materials and so on are all developed by the publishing house and is under his careful control.

And this work has a recognition – Kvadrat fabrics are used by almost all top players in the furniture world: B & B Italia, Fritz Hansen, Moroso and … of course, Smart Balls 🙂 All the furniture for our first European stand at Salone del Mobile 2011 in Milan was manufactured in close collaboration with Kvadrat specialists.

But still, what’s stopping the factory from organizing its own warehouse? Nothing!

Many do so. BUT! If the factory does not seriously invest in the development, then the output fabrics will be the same as self-made calendars and other souvenir products that ordinary Moscow printing presses regularly use to us before the new year.

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. And the exceptions are outstanding – first of all, wonderful Thai textiles Jim Thompson and American brand Maharam. These are manufacturers who pay great attention to scientific development and design, and achieve incredible results. But not only the quality, but also the pricing policy of these companies makes it possible to classify them as a publisher.

It seems that the price is already serious, and the composition is good, and the technical characteristics are not bad – but why, why is it so boring?
Unfortunately, all large warehouses of interior fabrics in Russia do not work with publishing houses, but carry everything directly from factories. It is easier and cheaper. And in a factory, people are usually simple … they will do what they are told. Will do “conscientiously.” But where will they get what they need to do, who will tell them? … Therefore, even in the segment of high-quality fabrics on the Russian market there are so few interesting materials.

Of course, the worst of all with pictures. Surprisingly, even a decent strip in Russian warehouses is very difficult to find. We think that this is due to the imposition of two factors: the taste of simple Italian (or, God forbid, Turkish) guys “from the factory” and the taste of our buyers … And as a result, horror comes to Russia in beige and brown tones. And then in the midst of this, children grow up, grow up – and as a result we have such a dismal household and social life …

But if we confine ourselves to only monophonic variants or, in rare cases, classical patterns, among the “factory” sentences one can find quite worthy things. At the same time, the price of them may be several times lower than the cost of similar materials sold by the “older” brothers-publishing houses.

But if you want a bright, good pattern, with which you can live side by side for many years, then you need to wait a month until this fabric arrives from Europe.

Fabrics from which Smart Balls bags are sewn
Fabrics for bean bags
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