Joe Ruggiero’s career as a designer and television host has allowed him to travel the globe, resulting in a wellspring of design inspirations. The leading home décor authority digs into this extensive archive of international inspirations for his new Sunbrella® fabric designs during June Showtime in High Point.

From his Italian heritage to the study of Native American history, and from travels to Africa to excursions throughout Europe, Ruggiero’s fabrics for Sunbrella celebrate sophisticated aesthetic that stands the test of time.

“This collection is all about texture, new constructions and subtle colors,” said Ruggiero. “Sunbrella performance fabrics have advanced greatly and I am continually amazed by the myriad ways my designs are interpreted into beautiful, soft fabrics that are made for everyday living.”

Nine new Sunbrella fabric patterns in two groupings – Apparel and Tribal – will be shown during Showtime and reflect Ruggiero’s passions for fashion runways and global travels.
    
Apparel
Runway-enthusiast Ruggiero pays close attention to the apparel industry believing that interior design closely follows fashion. The fabrics in this grouping combine subtle yet intricate details with soft textures reminiscent of apparel fabrics. Inspired by cobblestone streets in Ireland, Cobble is indicative of menswear tweed and is available in Latte, Mist, Spring, Barley, Slate, and Charcoal. Caftan features a raised, textural stripe similar to Moroccan linen cloaks and is available in Lagoon, Spring, Mist, Wren, Wheat, and Sunset.

Goia features the classic Bargello flame stitch pattern which originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello Palace in Florence. The pattern has been interpreted into many of today’s fashions. Goia is offered in Lagoon, Spring, Mist, Wren, Wheat, and Sunset. The fabric Visions also pulls from menswear design with a salt and pepper effect that has a tweed appearance on upholstery. This pattern is offered in Sea, Grass, Sunbaked, Stone, and Grey.

“Sunbaked is going to be a very important colorway,” Ruggiero said. “It’s warmer than beige but yet not an ‘in-your-face’ color.”

The Apparel grouping is rounded out by Blooms. Originally inspired by architecture in the south of France and floral patterns from runways around the world, Blooms is available in Putty, Silver, Sage, Charcoal, and Denim.

Tribal
Fabrics in the Tribal grouping highlight Native American, African and Arabian designs. While it may appear Zipper draws clear inspiration from the apparel industry, less obvious is that this pattern is a popular motif in African weaving. Ideal for interior applications, Zipper is available in Putty, Silver, Sage, Charcoal, and Denim. Cobi features tight woven stripes with subtle shading reminiscent of Native and African baskets and is offered in Sunbaked, Oat, Putty, Mist, Mesa, and Ebony.

Meaning constructed and refined, Sanskrit features a beautiful construction with raised characters giving the impression of needlepoint. Inspired by the ancient language, Sanskrit is available in Sunbaked, Wheat, Grey, Mist, Charcoal, and Ebony. Rounding out the Tribal grouping is Zimba, a reflection of African art and architecture. Zimba’s weaving creates a weathered look and is featured in Sky, Grass, Sunbaked, Stone, and Sand.

“The fabrics in my newest Sunbrella collection are ideal choices for indoor upholstery, even in the busiest rooms in the house,” Ruggiero said. “The care and attention that went into each of these designs is apparent and I look forward to sharing them with visitors to Showtime who will have the opportunity to see these subtle details and experience their soft hand.”

About Joe Ruggiero
Joseph Ruggiero & Associates, Inc. is a multi-media home design and television production company based in Los Angeles.  In addition to his Sunbrella fabrics collection, Ruggiero also designs upholstery for Miles Talbott Furniture, an MT Company Collection; casual furniture for Terra; wood furniture for Gat Creek (American made with wood from sustainable forests); decorative throws for Textillery; decorative trims for Phoenix and bedding and drapery for Casa Fiora. On the web at www.joeruggiero.com, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, Twitter and a blog.

About Sunbrella Fabrics
Introduced in 1961, Sunbrella revolutionized the way the world thinks about how beautiful fabrics look, feel and perform. The Sunbrella brand is the leading premium fabric choice for awning, marine and furniture manufacturers, offering legendary durability, fade resistance and ease of cleaning.

Upholstery fabrics from Sunbrella are continually advancing in design sophistication and comfort, resulting in applications both outside and inside the home for coordinated décor. Sunbrella fabrics have been certified by GreenGuard, an international standard, for contributing to indoor air quality.

Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, a 133-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide. For more information on the Sunbrella brand, including fabric resources, visit www.sunbrella.com.