Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer Partners With :Classic Leather, Inc. For MGM Home' Branded Lines Of Fine Furniture

Furniture World Magazine

Legendary Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer today announced it has partnered with North Carolina's Classic Leather, Inc., the leader in high-end leather upholstery and case goods produced in the United States, to create the MGM Home Division to design, manufacture and market two lines of home furnishings, the "Classic Collection" and "On Location." The new MGM Home division is an outgrowth of the MGM Brand portfolio initiative launched last year by the studio to establish a collection of brands designed to reflect the glamour, romance and excitement synonymous with MGM's heritage. The new venture will unveil approximately 50 pieces of furniture on April 14 at the annual International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC. Designed by Raphael Zenie, the "Classic Collection" line of home furnishings is inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood and reflects design elements popular during the deco and moderne eras. Made of the finest grade leathers, fabrics and hardwoods, the line includes a queen size bed, sofa, dining room, case pieces, upholstered chairs., coffee tables, side tables and other home furnishings. "On Location," inspired by exotic movie locations, debuts with a contemporary collection of primitive, rustic furniture from Africa. Made of eucalyptus wood, the collection includes various chairs, a desk, day bed, sun lounger and Jungle bed. This-decorative home and lifestyle collection reflects American confidence at home against a backdrop of locations from around the globe. "MGM's rich heritage lends itself to lifestyle merchandising in a unique way," says Linda Berman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, MGM Consumer Products. "'We have a glamorous and sophisticated brand, with a pedigree based on 75 years of Hollywood Style. However, we were not looking for someone to 'reproduce' or 'recreate" pieces of furniture from old films. It was always our intention to look at our past through a decidedly modern lens. I think Classic Leather has done just that." "It is exciting to have the opportunity to partner with MGM to create pieces of furniture that are influenced by the history of Hollywood and MGM Studios," says Thomas H. Shores, President, Classic Leather, Inc. 'The diverse and always glamorous background of MGM has allowed us to create looks that we have not offered in the past - from deco and moderne in the 'Classic Collection' to exotic as seen in 'On Location'." "The phenomenal success of the movie Titanic gave us huge exposure for The RMS Titanic Collection last year, proving the power of Hollywood over the American and world psyche," says Ron Freeman, Director of Business Development, Classic Leather, Inc. "The opportunity to further tap into consumer's fascination with Hollywood by partnering with MGM - the most famous and glamorous of Hollywood studios - was a natural next step for Classic Leather, Inc. MGM Home will be a powerful furniture brand and design influence." MGM Consumer Products manages Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.'s retail and brand development activities and the worldwide licensing and merchandising of MGM and United Artists characters, properties, and logos. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE. MGM) is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of entertainment product,, including motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, licensed merchandise, a library of more than 5,000 films, and a significant television library. The Company's operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists Pictures, Orion Pictures, G2 Films, MGM Worldwide Television Group, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Home Entertainment and Consumer Products Group, MGM Music, and MGM Interactive, among others. For more information on MGM, visit MGM Online at http://www.mgm.com . Founded in 1966 By Thomas H. Shores, Classic Leather, Inc., located in Hickory, North Carolina, is a family and employee owned furniture manufacturer. Initially specializing in traditionally styled, high-end leather upholstery, Classic Leather, Inc., has grown to include a full complement of furnishings through three additional wholly owned subsidiaries - St. Timothy Chair Company, Statesville Chair Company and Kaiser Kuhn Lighting, Ltd. Together these four companies represent the most complete, high-quality selections and best values in the furniture market today, serving the residential, office, hospital, hotel, banking and university markets.