Raymond Waites Designs has reorganized its design responsibilities with Waites creating the designs and direction for Raymond Waites Couture. Stacey Testa, senior vice president of design, will head the design group for the balance of the company's home furnishings activities.

“I felt I wanted to go out and do things that were much more specifically design oriented,” Waites said. Laneventure, a longtime furniture licensee, “would become the backbone of our Couture Collection,” he said. “They have the prototype customer for what I'm planning – the best store in town, privately owned and staffed by interior designers.”

Other licensees to date in the Couture program are John Richard and The Phillips Collection.

Discussing existing licensees, which target mainstream design and price points, Waites said, “Stacey is a very creative and talented designer and she will oversee everything. She has been with me from the beginning, some 14 years.”

Current licensees include Swavelle/Mill Creek for decorative fabrics, Next Creations for bedding, Toyo for accessories, Allure for bath accessories, Cambridge for flatware, Certified International for dinnerware, Framed Picture Enterprise for wall art, and Enchante for storage and albums.

Another project on the agenda is Raymond Waites Artworks Gallery for fine art that will be launched at the next High Point market. Galleries are planned in Palm Beach, Fla. and the Hamptons on Long Island. — Home Textiles Today

Raymond Waites