National Geographic Unveils Latest Home Collection At Atlanta Gift Markets

Furniture World Magazine

The National Geographic Home Collection, which launched with tremendous success last October, will unveil its latest line of home accessories at the Atlanta Gift Show Jan. 11-20, 2005. Several of the nine licensees behind this eclectic collection, including Palecek, Sferra Bros., Toyo and Zrike, will showcase products that have all been inspired by the cultures National Geographic has explored and captured on film for over a century. National Geographic's net proceeds from the sale of the National Geographic Home Collection go to the World Cultures Fund, which helps support the work of archaeologists, cultural anthropologists and artists worldwide. The newest National Geographic Home Collection licensee, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers, will debut its line of area rugs from Jan. 20-23, 2005, at the Atlanta Rug Show. The other licensees behind the Home Collection brand are Lane Home Furnishings, Sugo, Wildwood and iPHOTOART Inc. This October National Geographic won two prestigious awards for furniture design. The Tropic Winds and West Indies collections won the 2004 Pinnacle Design Achievement Award for Major Collections from the American Society of Furniture Designers. The Chart Desk received the American Furniture Award from Home Magazine. National Geographic unveiled its two new Home Collection lines for next year - the South America Collection and the Marrakech Collection - at High Point in October. The South America Collection draws inspiration from the Andes Mountains region. Spanning the western edge of South America, the Andes Mountains are a looming yet beautiful reminder of the continent's long and varied history. From indigenous natives to European settlers, the unique blend of cultures has brought a definitive style to the region's designs. Merging mysterious native traditions with classic colonial influences, the exceptional South America Collection captures the enchantment of spacious terraces, arresting vistas and terra-cotta tiled roofs. Elegant wood carvings, finely tooled leathers, softly woven textiles and intricately forged wrought iron details are reminiscent of local artisan craftsmanship that has flourished through the Andean region since the time of the Inca. This year, National Geographic and the licensing design teams behind the Home Collection went on an extraordinary 10-day trip to South America for inspiration. They visited local craftsmen and weavers as well as private homes, museums, palaces and national landmarks to fully capture the way of life behind the cultures represented in the South America Collection. “The best way for us to capture the cultures and flavors of the lands we were interpreting was to witness firsthand life in the Andes,” said Krista Newberry, National Geographic's vice president, licensing, soft lines. “Almost every piece within the collection can be traced back to a specific fabric, photograph or artifact from our trip.” “It was a privilege to travel with the National Geographic team,” said Allan Palecek, president and founder of Palecek. “They have so much knowledge about the various cultures of the region, and I was truly inspired by the rich blend of history, architecture and design.” The Marrakech Collection was inspired by the magical ambience of the lush, luxurious oasis at the edge of the barren Sahara Desert. Blending design traditions from North Africa's eclectic influences with contemporary European ornamentation, a sophisticated 21st-century collection with a global aesthetic emerges. Durable woods carved with elaborate geometric patterns, precisely woven area rugs and soft, inviting textiles in a vibrant, rich palette are the hallmark of Moroccan design. Decorative motifs with strong dimensions that add both texture and color create a mesmerizing fusion of Moroccan, Mediterranean and French elements. For more information on the National Geographic Home Collection, log on to www.nghome.com. About National Geographic: Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Its mission is to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural, historical and natural resources. National Geographic reflects the world through magazines, television programs, films, books, videos, maps, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society's official journal, published in 24 languages, is read by some 40 million people each month in every country in the world. The National Geographic Channel reaches more than 230 million households in 27 languages in 151 countries. Nationalgeographic.com averages around 50 million page views per month. National Geographic has funded over 7,500 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geography illiteracy. For more information, log on to nationalgeographic.com, AOL Keyword: NatGeo.