Domestics Update: Fabric meets tech

NEW YORK Domestics Week approached a wrap up on Thursday, but a few buyers lingered to check out a wide array of product innovations and introductions.

Springs Global introduced Wamsutta Essentials, a cotton rich sateen blend that is used on sheets fabricated to get softer with washings. Wamsutta FresHome incorporate a proprietary Sanitized technology to control bacteria for at least 70 washings in 300-thread-count 100% cotton sheets. Springs also revived Wamsutta's pure, a percale plain weave 100% cotton, 300-count sheet made with minimal finishing chemicals in a scallop and solid, for the market.

On the bath side, Springs introduced the QuickDry towel. The introduction is part of a trend, as WestPoint also debuted a towel designed to dry faster and, thus, use less energy in the laundry.

Finally, the company used a bed of flowers to signal market goers that a significant reworking of the Spring brand is forthcoming, one that will focus on the indoor/outdoor lifestyle and introduce new fabrics designed for backyard and deck use into the line.

At Hollander, Obusforme got the spotlight. The Canadian brand is coming south of the boarder and will be distributed by Hollander under the Conair label. The launch will include one, two and three chamber pillows designed as sleep solutions for various consumer sleep styles. Also launched was Artic Down with a combination 75% duck and 25% goose down. It was developed for retailers who promote the prestige of goose but want to take advantage of the more reasonable costs associated with duck down.