Well-Upholstered

In the ongoing crossover spirit from fashion runways to interior design showrooms, watch this fall for tapestry to wear and tapestry for your chair.

Cecile Bradbury of the Bradbury Collection in the Pacific Design Center claims fashion designer Ralph Lauren married the fashion and furniture fields when he established his interior design line several years ago. “The colors and fabrics are almost parallel now,” she says.

She notes that Italian designer Romeo Gigli’s choice of silk brocade and Indian silk fabrics for his fall ’90 collection are the same fabrics used by many interior designers right now.

Sally Sirkin Lewis, textile designer and owner of J. Robert Scott on Melrose Avenue, recalls that Los Angeles-based designer Michael Novarese purchased several upholstery fabrics from her to use for his daywear and evening gown designs.

Utah-based Mary Coldesina bought tapestry fabric at an upholstery outlet in her area and made a cropped jacket that depicts colorful flowers. The “Kitty Chair,” from the Vermillion II showroom in the Pacific Design Center, is upholstered in a similar tapestry fabric.