Kathy Ireland Home goes into botanicals

Botanica by LABS has joined with Kathy Ireland Worldwide to manufacture permanent florals, foliage, trees and keepsake ornaments.

Kathy Ireland Home by LABS debut of more than 400 SKUs is planned for April 2005 at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. Botanica by LABS will import product from around the world and assemble, package and ship from its 70,000-sq.-ft. factory in Atlanta.

"This exciting new partnership will change our overall design direction and strengthen our position at retail," said Stew Aaron, president, Kathy Ireland Home by LABS. "With the Kathy Ireland brand's strong awareness and brand equity in the marketplace, we intend to bring many wonderful innovations and creative design styles to today's families under the Kathy Ireland Home brand that will serve our retail partners."

Kathy Ireland Home by LABS will complement the specialty brands Acafe by Chef Andre Carthen, J du J cultivated by landscape designer Nicholas Walker and the Quilts of Gee's Bend.

"Chef Andre and Nicholas Walker have brought much inspiration and design direction from the great cafes and gardens around the world," Ireland said. "Our most exciting and challenging collaboration will be in translating the brilliant artistry found in the Quilts of Gee's Bend into permanent florals. The initial concepts are just beautiful."

"Kathy's unique design philosophy and Style Guides offer us an unprecedented opportunity to expand our product assortment," said Andy Schwartz, vice president, Kathy Ireland Home by LABS. "Kathy's design, trend and color inspiration from around the globe poises us to bring truly creative, beautiful and affordable products to market."

Kathy Ireland