Designer and entrepreneur Kathy Ireland, center, visited the Nourison showroom here to celebrate her new partnership with the company and preview a licensed line of rugs. She is welcomed by Julie Rosenblum, Nourison’s executive director of licensing, and Alex Peykar, a principal in the company.Kathy Ireland is bringing her sense of style to Nourison.
The Saddle Brook, N.J.-based floor covering company announced a licensing agreement with Kathy Ireland Worldwide at the High Point Market. Ireland made a personal appearance on Sunday to introduce the line of rugs at Nourison's showroom at IHFC Interhall 101.
Ireland said Nourison stood out when she searched for a rug collection partner.
"They're the only company we considered. Many fashion- forward companies wanted to work with us," Ireland said.
This licensing agreement includes the brands Kathy Ireland Home, as well as Kathy Ireland Designs Jardin by Nicholas Walker, Kathy Ireland Designs Acafe Society by Chef Andres and Kathleen Marie. In addition, Nourison will be creating decorative accessories under this agreement.
"Nourison is thrilled to be partnering with such an exciting leader in the home furnishings industry, said Alex Peykar, principal of Nourison, in a press release. "She is a true expert in this field. We are confident that together, Nourison and Kathy Ireland will create a dynamic, fashion forward and highly successful duo of home design."
Thomas Itty, marketing director for Nourison, said both parties were ready to go with the line launch.
"There was some interest on both sides. This thing came together pretty quickly in the past couple of weeks," Itty said. "We put together these collections pretty quickly. At this point, we're getting it off the ground. By sometime toward the end of the year, it should be a full-blown collection."
