NEW YORK, New York – Richloom Fabrics Group has not changed its overall plan, but continues to adapt to the needs of the contract market and will launch its largest line ever come May, under the design direction of Sarah Wolfe.

"A couple of years ago, Richloom changed in the contract side," said Wolfe, director of design, contract wovens, Richloom. Her title encompasses the design for the whole contract line except for prints. Since she joined the company three and a half years ago, Wolfe has brought new attention to the company's contract offerings and has stimulated a synergy between the company's operations in the US and China.

She, like many in today's Internet-correspondence-driven world, must start her days by communicating between Richloom's global connections. "By the time I come in in the morning, our China office has ended their day, so I start mine with about 25 e-mails from China, and when working with them or Turkey or another country, I have to spend the first few hours of the day communicating with them," said Wolfe. But Wolfe's primary responsibility is to design and depending on the time of season, her tasks can shift from dozens of daily e-mails to just "gathering ideas" for designs, as she said.

"Every day is exciting," said Wolfe. "Some of my favorite days are when I get to be on the computer and start designing things, or sit down with yarns and figure out colors. My hands are in everything from the contents of the fabric to sampling."

Wolfe explained that since Richloom launched r bed, its hospitality-appropriate bedding line, the company has continued to bulk up its woven offerings for contract upholstery and drapery as well. In the upcoming launch there will be a new sheer book, a new Liz Claiborne collection, a vinyl book, introductions of some basic cloths, window sheers, a high-end organza sheer line and some new prints, according to Wolfe. Richloom will also be introducing a new r bed line with shower curtains.

Wolfe described the three different color stories within the upcoming Liz Claiborne launch as neutral, spicy and jewel-toned, respectively. All the names are still being worked out. "For the Liz line, we're doing three different color stories," she said. "The theme of the Liz collection is global orchestra, my working name for now. The books are more globally thought of. The designs have a touch of ethnic influence with a modern approach."

In regards to current global economic situations, Wolfe said that Richloom has always considered price points and will continue to do so even in the company's higher end offerings. "Even though our Liz line is our higher-end line, it's always about perceived value," she said. "That's what's helping us grow. As our division has evolved to broaden our product categories, we've always been aware of price points, but it's always been about value. It's also about filling holes in our overall collection. For sheers, we felt we needed that. We're trying to broaden our product line, our client base. Our look has definitely changed over the past four years."

But the economic situation seems to be working in Richloom's favor, according to Wolfe. The very high-end designers who may not have gone to Richloom in the past have recognized the company as a valuable alternative where they can find better prices and good quality fabrics.

"One of the reasons we're doing such a large product line (about 400 skus), is that where other people will be cutting back, we want to say, 'We're still here and we want those placements,'" said Wolfe. "We're not keeping our heads in the sand but we're trying to weather through it by continuing to offer products. We're trying to be very diverse and are hitting all areas for the use of fabric. We're trying to create opportunities since opportunities are going away."

As Tony Riggio, the contract division's director stated, "The world is not happening right now, it's going to be tough for the next six months." But both he and Wolfe are confident that the company's reputation for quality and value, along with Wolfe's expertise in the textile industry will help them get through the recession.

"Because my background is on the mill side, I know how to make fabric," said Wolfe. "I can really work closely with the mills." She continues to do so and the upcoming product line will reflect both her technical know-how and her globally influenced design sense.