Images Available Upon Request Launch: Neocon 2006, Chicago CF Stinson Booth # 8-4067, 8th Floor Contact: Julia Gillespie Office: 248.432.5712 Mobile: 248.860.5771 E-mail: Julia@cryptonfabric.com The Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Super Fabrics The First Textile Collection by this American Master Available through CF Stinson June 2006, West Bloomfield, MI Crypton Super Fabrics is proud to announce the first-ever fabric collection designed by world-renowned architect and American Master Michael Graves. Working directly with Crypton Super Fabrics, Michael Graves designed the collection with aesthetics, application, and, most important, performance in mind. Distributed exclusively through CF Stinson, the collection consists of nine jacquard patterns available in 95 vibrant, yet timeless colors ways. My work with Crypton has been a true artistic collaboration among the designer, the weaving expert, and the fabric mill. I believe the results are truly exceptional yielding a fabric collection that explores traditional themes in a very new and exciting way, says Michael Graves. Drawn from the Past with an Eye Toward the Future In designing his first textile collection for the contract market, Michael Graves drew from his past while clearly looking forward through the entirely new medium of textile design. Inspired from an important time that helped shape his career; this Crypton collection celebrates the landscapes, colors, and architecture of Italy as seen through the eyes of Graves as a student in the 1960s. My studies in Rome in the early 1960s transformed how I looked at the world around me. In this Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Super Fabrics 1
collection for Crypton, I recall, in a subliminal way, the magnificent and picturesque landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria through expressive pattern and color, continues Graves. Clearly romantic, yet decidedly contemporary, the collection evokes that time and those places, while also embracing a new medium, a new collection, and a new chapter in his career. This confluence of past and present influences is wonderfully articulated in this vibrant and perfectly coordinated collection. Form + Function Michael Graves sought out to partner with Crypton, wanting to create a textile collection that was as beautiful as it was functional. One that could stand up to high-use areas yet embody his high level of aesthetics. As the only fabric that has patented stain, odor, and bacteria resistance with an integrated moisture barrier, Crypton was his first and only choice. After we got over the shock of getting the call from the Graves group, we were both flattered and thrilled at the proposed partnership. The combination of Michael Graves talent and perspective coupled with Crypton s fabric technology creates a perfect marriage of aesthetics and performance, says Randy Rubin, co-founder of Crypton Super Fabrics. Now that the line is complete, and stunning I might add, it has been placed with CF Stinson, the perfect distribution partner. Their dedication and distribution excellence creates the perfect total solution for today s demanding commercial environments, adds Rubin. The resulting collaborative collection exceeds all contract heavy-duty standards for performance, including outstanding stain and abrasion resistance. All of the patterns in the collection exceed 60,000 double rubs while maintaining the beauty and integrity of Graves designs. The powerful combination of beauty and brawn makes this collection perfect for corporate, hospitality, and health care settings. I am absolutely pleased that that collection will be offered in so many different colorways. The variety of patterns and colors should make the collection very easy to use in different interior settings, adds Graves. Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Super Fabrics 2
About the Collection The collection itself evolves in the way one encounters a landscape... first from a distance where the trees and building outlines are what you see. Sketchbook quality, each design originates from Graves beautiful watercolors and sketches of the Italian landscape. As you get closer, the details of the trees and flowers eventually come into focus. During the design process, I attempted to express elements of the landscape at various scales of abstraction. For example, my Tuscan Garden pattern brings the landscape close to the viewer while my Tuscan Toile imposes a distance on the viewer s perspective, revealing an ancient hillside farmhouse and garden that is so common in the rural vistas of Tuscany, says Graves. Notes on Patterns Tuscan Toile This design is the benchmark of the collection as it captures the essence of the grand tour in a modernized toile design. Restful and pastoral, Tuscan Toile could work in a variety of hospitality, health care, and residential settings. Umbrian Rain This simple pattern makes an ideal companion for any of the other patterns in the collection. It could be used in a wide variety of settings and applications. Tuscan Forest This all-over, multi-directional design works both as a coordinate and on its own. Umbrian Village In this pattern, a series of crisply stitched lines step back with subtle shading to create the depth and perspective of an Italian hill town. Slightly more geometric in its approach, Umbrian Village could be wonderful on banquettes as well as a whole array of other seating types. Tuscan Garden Lovely and fresh, Tuscan Garden has an open, flowing quality that makes it cheerful and sophisticated at the same time. This transitional pattern will be equally at home in hospitality, health care, or residential settings. Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Super Fabrics 3
Umbrian Landscape This delightful pattern walks us into the countryside and provides a sense of distance and calm. Using a similar stitched line weight to Umbrian Village, Umbrian Landscape spans the gap between modern and traditional with great panache. Umbrian Stripe Intended as a versatile, multi-colored companion, Umbrian Stripe has endless possibilities to work with any of the other patterns. Tuscan Lattice Another classic, Tuscan Lattice has been given a sense of texture due to careful shading in the lattice. This pattern is also intended to work as a link between the stronger patterns in the collection. Tuscan Hills A more horizontal pattern, Tuscan Hills depicts a more abstracted hill with an occasional tree that creates a dynamic pattern, which is both soothing and clever. A soothing pattern with an element of quiet surprise. About Crypton Crypton is a patented engineered fabric technology. Available in over 15,000 patterns, with 50 million yards installed worldwide, Crypton Super Fabric combines the strength of its integrated moisture barrier with its commitment to providing safe, clean, and easy solutions for textiles. Not a finish or topical treatment, Crypton s stain, odor, and microbial resistance permanently encapsulates each fiber, enabling stains and spills to be easily cleaned. This permanent protection, coupled with Crypton s breathable, integrated moisture barrier, results in a fabric that guarantees clean, dry, and bacteria-free fabrics and cushions that it covers. Crypton s performance is permanent. About CF Stinson The Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Fabrics is available exclusively through CF Stinson, an industry leader in the supply of fabrics and vinyls to the contract, hospitality, and health care marketplaces. CF Stinson was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The company serves designers, architects, specifiers, and furniture manufacturers with a bias toward Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Super Fabrics 4
innovation, outstanding customer service, and technology. CF Stinson s products, including the new Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Fabrics, can be viewed on its industry-acclaimed website: www.cfstinson.com. For more information regarding Crypton, please contact Julia Gillespie at 248.855.6000 or Julia@cryptonfabric.com. For information regarding CF Stinson, please contact Keith Stinson at 248.299.3800 or kstinson@cfstinson.com. # # # Michael Graves Collection for Crypton Super Fabrics 5