by Capel Rugs found an enthusiastic audience for the latest additions to its COCOCOZY and Genevieve Gorder licensed rug programs at the October High Point Market.
“We had a very good market sparked by a strong slate of creative new rug designs across a variety of styles, constructions and price points,” said Cameron Capel, president — sales and marketing for Capel Rugs. “We weren’t sure what to expect as far as attendance because of the lingering effects of the pandemic, but we were pleasantly surprised by the large numbers of retailers and designers who came to our showroom looking for dynamic new rugs for their floors. People were in a great mood and looking for fresh ideas to keep their businesses growing.”
Celebrating A. Leon (Len) Capel Jr.: On Monday, Oct. 18, a large group of Capel customers gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of Len Capel Jr., a rug industry icon and retired second-generation company leader. The party featured cake, music and champagne.
Also helping to kick off the launch of her new round of introductions was Colette Shelton, aka COCO, who attended a “Coffee and Cocktails with COCO” event on Sunday, October 17 in the Capel Rugs showroom. “Customers were so excited to spend time with COCO and talk with her about the inspirations behind these stylish new designs,” Cameron Capel said.
Among the new COCOCOZY rugs generating buzz with Capel’s customers was Happy Day, a tufted loop construction sourced from India featuring 100% recycled PET yarns with a fun, upbeat design in meadow, marble and onyx colorways. “Texture continues to be a key element at retail,” Capel said. “Customers also liked Happy Day’s eco-friendly construction and the fun, happy design motif.”
Also generating excitement at market was Cobblestone, a transitional, Wilton-woven design in 100% olefin, which comes in cream/blue and mushroom colorways. “We offered two completely different colorations for this design: the first is very colorful, and the second is quite neutral,” Capel said.
During market, Capel Rugs also added two other transitional/contemporary collections to the COCOCOZY line. They include two hand tufted, 100% wool collections made in India: Escape, in denim and cloud colorways; and Pulse, in mineral/cream, graphite and mushroom/cream colorways.
The second celebrity designer receiving lots of attention at Capel Rugs this market was Genevieve Gorder, who added four Wilton woven machine made groups in easy care 100% olefin to her collection. Market hits included Deco, three architecturally inspired patterns in gray, natural and multi colorways with a high, 20-millimeter pile; Arrows, a group of three vibrantly colored geometric patterns in gray, natural and multi colorways; and La Fete de Dot, a high-pile design in a lively multi colorway. Also drawing attention from buyers were Tropical Fete, a no pile, lush and nature-inspired design in three unique colorways of blue multi, red multi and sunlight multi. Tropical Fete is indoor and outdoor, making it part of the Capel anywhere Collection.
In addition, the Genevieve Gorder for Capel Rugs line also added two new reversible woven dhurrie rug models in 100% polyester PET fiber recycled from plastic bottles this market. For use outdoors as well as indoors, these new collections include Azteca, which features simple and familiar shapes from ancient times; and Vintage Moroc, an artful dance of ancient shapes.
Criss Cross, a hand tufted cut-and-loop, hi-lo construction made in India of 100% undyed wool with natural and graphite colorways, rounded out the latest additions to the Genevieve Gorder line. Inspired by ancient basket patterns, Criss Cross features simple geometric shapes that are familiar yet new.
Along with these new licensed rugs, Capel Rugs also generated excitement with a transitionally styled introduction to its own line called Freeport. Inspired by the picturesque views of Casco Bay, Maine, Freeport is hand loomed in India of 100% wool. Available in six colors, Freeport enhances a similar collection already in the Capel line by adding a reversible construction with a tighter weave and changing the backing to make the design lighter, which reduces freight charges.
Also new for the Capel Rugs line this market are two new models added to the Metropolis collection — Braga, in a slate colorway, and Madeira, in a multi colorway. Metropolis is a Wilton woven collection of transitional and traditional designs made of 100% New Zealand wool. Capel Rugs plans to add more colors to the popular collection in early 2022.
