NANUET, NY—In its 20th year, LebaTex has introduced an anniversary collection with a series of patterns designed alongside 20 interior designers and firms across the country. The patterns are part of LebaTex’s M.O.D. (Manufactured-On-Demand) program, meaning each pattern can be modified for color and/or scale and printed on any LebaTex base cloth.
With the influx of boutique and lifestyle brands, LebaTex took note, including a pattern that honors mid-century art: Vedette.
“The design of Vedette itself is not something you would typically find on fabric in a hotel standards program; it’s more conducive to a boutique hotel with a historic element,” said Stacy Garcia, founder/CEO, LebaTex. “The unique or innovative aspect that sets this design apart is the ability to customize it and print on fabric for any end use—from a gorgeous, large-scale drape to a slightly scaled-down version on a chair or pillows. Something that was originally a nonfunctional piece of art on the wall can now be a functional piece of art within the space.”
And nowadays, adding that graphic accent pillow can make a white bed pop.
Garcia explained that as the demand for more experiential-type spaces rises, including unique room elements is becoming all the more important, which the Vedette pattern satisfies.
“Solid and textured neutral palettes are typical, but in the age of Instagram, you need something that will stand out without breaking the bank,” Garcia said. “A designed fabric like Vedette can do that—in the appropriate space, of course.”
Vedette was a collaboration with Michael Caradine, principal/director, Adrian Caradine Contract (ACC) Design, who took inspiration from the tapestry work of French artist Jean Lurçat.
“Lurçat helped revive tapestry weaving in Aubusson by applying modern designs to 15th-century weaving techniques, creating a new look in textiles,” Caradine said. “His work incorporated some of the mystical and historic iconography of French art prior to the Renaissance, but with a contemporary approach.”
Vedette is all about revival, bringing new life to hospitality designs and incorporating Lurçat’s stars. Caradine said that Vedette has a certain energy, as if the stars are dancing, also taking influence from French artist Raoul Dufy, who gave his work motion.
“In the pattern Vedette, we deliberately created a design that can take on different moods, depending on how color is applied,” Caradine said.
According to Garcia, application matters. Customization is key, as designers can use these patterns as they see fit. The patterns can take form in all different ways, and Vedette is just one of the many in the collection to work with.
She explained that, for example, designers in New York have gravitated to simple patterns and neutral colors, while designers in Florida have gravitated to some of the more complex patterns with organic elements and bright colors.
“The idea for the 20th Anniversary Collection was to highlight the amazing collaborative nature of the interior design community and some of the amazing designers within it,” Garcia said. “Each design that is part of the collection is a representation of the designer who created it. We have been working with designers for 20 years to make their ideas come to life. This collection is a representation of that.”
The collection works well in hospitality now because of the shift in the design community. Influences go well beyond art; they’re creeping into residential design and fashion, and Caradine doesn’t anticipate it will stop there.
“As a hospitality designer, I am constantly looking for fabric patterns that can give a project a fresh, fun look. I felt the hospitality market lacked fabrics that exude an organic whimsy but with a timeless sophistication,” Caradine said.
He added that a lot of his ideas are sourced from guests, who are becoming more knowledgeable about the influences behind design.
“We hope that designers will color this pattern in many different ways for a variety of environments,” Caradine said. “Stars are always above us regardless of where we are. We’re excited to see where the stars fall.” HB