LONDON — “Zinc Textile already has created sales above $10,000,000 in 2011,” said Justin Marr, creative head of the Zinc brand, a considerable feat given that the brand only debuted in 2010. 

As a result, Zinc is the Romo owned brand that has enjoyed the most growth since its launch,   Marr said. To celebrate, Romo Group threw a coming out party for its new freestanding Zinc showroom here early in 2012. Romo now owns and operates five brands, namely Romo, Kirkby Design, Villa Nova, Mark Alexander and Zinc Textile.Justin Marr, creative director of Zinc Brand

“Zinc’s modern, masculine, urban aesthetic lends itself to being rolled out into other product areas,” he said. For this reason, it was decided to give Zinc Textile its own space, where these developments can be showcased. The Zinc Textile design office is located on a mezzanine level overlooking the showroom.  

Zinc still retains its showroom within the Romo showroom in Chelsea Harbor Design Center in London.  

Marr joined the Romo Group in mid 2008 in order to develop and launch Zinc. Zinc Textile launched in January, 2010. Prior to this, Marr had spent 12 years spearheading the home textiles division at Andrew Martin International, a London based editeur. 

He attributes Zinc’s immediate success to innovative, well considered designs, produced for us by a diverse base of weavers and printers, each with their own specialty plus “smart, aspirational photography.” Marr also said he has the back up of “Romo Group’s unparalleled customer service and commitment to maintaining high stock levels.” He also pointed to Romo Group’s extensive international distribution channels as key to Zinc’s success so far. Zinc London Showroom

The new Zinc Textile showroom is located in an old converted wharf building, on the bank of the river Thames.  The 2,800 square feet space is double height, flooded with light, and in keeping with Chelsea Wharf’s industrial origins, it has been fitted out with polished concrete floors, galvanized steels, and exposed brickwork.  This strong masculine look is the perfect backdrop for showcasing Zinc’s ever growing collections of modern fabrics and trimmings. Wallcoverings, carpets, and furniture are in the pipeline for Zinc’s future expansion.

Located just 300 yards from Chelsea Harbor Design Centre (which is home to the main Romo’s original London showroom)t, the new Zinc space uses iconic 1970’s furniture from designers such as Milo Baughman, Tobia Scarpa and Michel Ducaroy, to show to great effect, Zinc’s newest upholstery offerings.  F&FI