De Rycker and Starmore Launch Heritage Design Collections
December 12, 2000
Partners Hope that Original Textile Interpretations Score Licensing Contract With Editors
New York — Raymond De Rycker is a man who can't work enough. Before "retiring," a year ago, he worked at companies such as Avon (cosmetics), United Distillers and V.F. Corporation (jeans). After what he calls a "one-year sabbatical," De Rycker, now CEO of De Rycker Enterprises Ltd, has formed a partnership with the Scottish textile designer Alice Starmore.
Starmore's designs are interpretations of historical artifacts. De Rycker discovered her work when he was on a vacation, traveling in Ireland last year. "I found a book in a coffeeshop by Alice Starmore. She is in the universe of knitting wools and creates designs for sweaters. I thought, 'Here is a creative person. Maybe I should try to connect with her to try to start a new business selling curtains, draperies, upholstery and wallpaper."
De Rycker tracked her down in the Hebrides and Heritage Design Collections was launched in May 2000. Currently, Heritage offers two collections: wovens and prints. "She has begun with a collection of original designs based on her own Celtic culture. It's beautiful and it brings history into your living room. Next year we will have Tudor geometries," he said.
De Rycker said he and Starmore are directing their effort toward the editors. Starmore is expanding the design portfolio to include 50 designs in three size ranges and six colorways each, De Rycker said. "We expect to be ready to visit the key editors in New York by April," he said. "We hope that an editor will like the portfolio and that we can conclude with a licensing contract."
At press time, De Rycker said that he and Starmore would visit Ireland in December to present the designs to a major fabrics and furnishings company.
New York — Raymond De Rycker is a man who can't work enough. Before "retiring," a year ago, he worked at companies such as Avon (cosmetics), United Distillers and V.F. Corporation (jeans). After what he calls a "one-year sabbatical," De Rycker, now CEO of De Rycker Enterprises Ltd, has formed a partnership with the Scottish textile designer Alice Starmore.
Starmore's designs are interpretations of historical artifacts. De Rycker discovered her work when he was on a vacation, traveling in Ireland last year. "I found a book in a coffeeshop by Alice Starmore. She is in the universe of knitting wools and creates designs for sweaters. I thought, 'Here is a creative person. Maybe I should try to connect with her to try to start a new business selling curtains, draperies, upholstery and wallpaper."
De Rycker tracked her down in the Hebrides and Heritage Design Collections was launched in May 2000. Currently, Heritage offers two collections: wovens and prints. "She has begun with a collection of original designs based on her own Celtic culture. It's beautiful and it brings history into your living room. Next year we will have Tudor geometries," he said.
De Rycker said he and Starmore are directing their effort toward the editors. Starmore is expanding the design portfolio to include 50 designs in three size ranges and six colorways each, De Rycker said. "We expect to be ready to visit the key editors in New York by April," he said. "We hope that an editor will like the portfolio and that we can conclude with a licensing contract."
At press time, De Rycker said that he and Starmore would visit Ireland in December to present the designs to a major fabrics and furnishings company.
