03192012 Executive Session: Cyrus Loloi on Loloi's Indoor Outdoor Collections

Executive Session:
LOLOI BRINGS INTERIOR HIGH
FASHION TO THE OUTDOORS

By Cyrus Loloi

DALLAS -- When indoor/outdoor rugs were first introduced over a decade ago, the market viewed them as a seasonal, fringe item that lacked the style and color of indoor rugs.

Now the texture, design, and colors of indoor/outdoor rugs have become increasingly fashionable. Today's customers expect indoor/outdoor rugs that have the durability to live outside during the Spring and Summer months, but also the style and sophistication to be used in the living room or kitchen in the Fall and Winter. Or any month of the year.

Patterns and textures now available in indoor-outdoor rugs are nearly unlimited, but the common denominator is that they are all made of 100% man-made fibers that resist damage from water, uv rays, mold and mildew.

"The diversity of today's  Indoor-Outdoor category is the result of new fiber technology and the use of both hand made and machine made constructions," said Amir Loloi, founder and president of Loloi.

"We now have products that were unheard of when the category first emerged about 15 years ago."

In fact, the durability and easy maintenance of indoor/outdoor rugs is a fantastic selling point for the consumer who wants a rug to place inside year-round, but is weary of stains from kids, dogs, or sloppy guests.

As a result, Loloi Rugs has introduced several versatile indoor/outdoor collections that look great outdoors, but have designs well-suited for inside the home as well. 

"Indoor/outdoor rugs have certainly emerged as a signature category for the entire industry, and as style and design motifs begin to borrow inspiration from interior trends, we’re finding that consumers are willing to place them inside during Fall and Winter seasons,”, said Loloi..

“Loloi Rugs is positioning itself as a fashion leader in the indoor/outdoor category with seven handmade and machine-made collections that range  in style from updated traditional patterns to sleek contemporary styles," he added.

Here are four Loloi collections that illustrate the diversity of designs, constructions, textures and fibers in the company's portfolio of Indoor-Outdoor rugs.

 
Loloi's Enzo collection won AmericasMart's first Magnificent Carpet Award in the new Indoor/Outdoor rug category. It is hand hooked in cut and loop texture. Made in China of polypropylene and polyester. approximate retail is $399 in 5x8.
 

Enzo, inspired by the popular ikat motif commonly seen in today’s indoor rugs is handhooked polypropylene and polyester rugs feature three dimensions of texture, and a bold palette of colors. “As the recent winner of AmericasMart Indoor/Outdoor category, the success of Enzo reflects a trend towards indoor/outdoor products inspired by interior design motifs,” Loloi noted.

 
Hampton collection combines hooked and braided constructions. Made in China of polyester, suggested retail is $449 in 5x8

The Hampton Collection features a unique combination of hand-hooked and braided construction. Versatile design themes cover a range of floral motifs, country living looks, aquatic themes and fruit and vegetable styles  “With its hand-hooked and braided combination construction, Hampton Collection achieves a look that’s as appropriate for the under the kitchen table as it is on the patio,” Loloi said.

Springfield collection is made in China of polyester in cut-and-loop construction. Suggested retail price is $499 in 5x8.

The Springfield Collection has a cut-and-loop pile construction with impressive texture and dimension. Springfield’s colors are well-suited for outdoor settings, but elegant enough to fit nicely with many interior settings as well," Loloi explained.

Zeina collections is a multi-textured hook. Made in Egypt of polypropylene. Suggested retail price is $219 in 5x8

 â€œThe  Zeina collection embraces freshness and freedom with an unexpected range of patterns including bold florals, animal skin patterns and contemporary designs like linear geometrics and modern mosaics," said Loloi

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3.19.12