AF Lighting signs Candice Olson

AF Lighting, a division of Interline Brands, will launch The Candice Olson Collection at the Las Vegas Market next January. Interior designer Candice Olson, who is also a contributing editor for Home Magazine and Women's Day magazine, is known in the United States and Canada as the host of HGTV's Divine Design.

"To me personally, Candice Olson epitomizes what today's fashion is about in home furnishings," said Kit Bolliger, vice president of sales, home furnishings division of AF Lighting, adding she contacted Olson's licensing office on a "hope and a dream." As it turned out, Bolliger's timing was right on track. Olson has been personally involved since step one.

"Candice has designed this collection from the line art to the final sample," Bolliger said. "These are her pieces — the only thing we are doing is providing the manufacturing."

Encapsulating a modern, luxurious feel, The Candice Olson Collection will launch with approximately 100 to 120 designs, including table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, chandeliers and stand alone pieces that are accessory and lighting combinations. "It's not limited to contemporary or traditional — it's upscale elegance with a little bit of both," Bolliger said. "Uniquely, it can go into multiple design statements." Retail prices will range from $99 to $500.

AF Lighting is planning for four launches a year. Also in 2006, Candice Olson will debut upholstered furniture, accessories, case goods, area rugs, tabletop and fabric. Olson will be present for the initial lighting launch in January.

"Just to give you an idea of the popularity of this collection, we don't have the samples generated and we have retailers contacting us for exclusivity," Bolliger said. "This is unbelievable. I've been in the business for a long time, and I've never seen anything like it."

Candice Olson