By Lissa Wyman  

HIGH POINT, NC -- Raymond Waites has entered the hand made rug business in a new licensing partnership with Orient Express Rug Importers, the Los Angeles-based importer.

The first Raymond Waites  hand tufted rug designs were unveiled at the Orient Express showroom during last week's High Point International Furniture Market.

The rugs embody many distinctive Raymond Waites design themes, including Russian and French empire looks and contemporary animal skins. "My current efforts represent a fusion of the styling dichotomy that is currently at work in the marketplace:  rich, luscious vintage looks and the more modern geometry based on African and other ethnic themes,€VbCrLf said Waites.

"The new designs for Orient Express range from opulent neo-classical looks to leopard and zebra designs edged in leather. We've even got one or two very contemporary geometrics and a few traditional styles that are taken to a new level with fresh color palettes.€VbCrLf

Orient Express, which is based in Los Angeles, is best known for its high end hand knotted rugs. "This is our first venture into the hand tufted field and we are already seeing a tremendous response to this product,€VbCrLf noted Daniel Bani-Esraili, a company principal. The rugs will retail for $600 in 5 by 8 size.

Raymond Waites has been involved in licensing programs with machine made manufacturers for many years. Currently,  Mohawk Home manufacturers power-loomed Raymond Waites rug designs.