NEW YORK  â€“ Safavieh  will introduce a collection of home furnishings products designed by Isaac Mizrahi. The retail debut is scheduled for Spring 2013.

Safavieh's licensing agreement with Xcel Brands, Inc. includes the design of  rugs, furniture, decorative pillows and lighting which Safavieh will market and distribute under the Isaac Mizrahi New York brand.

"This licensing partnership expands our reach to Isaac Mizrahi’s loyal customer base, which is huge.  He is among the top-trusted designers in the country and that too is important to us," said Arash Yaraghi, a principal of Safavieh. 

"When we look for a licensing partner, we are most interested in his or her design talent.  The next factor is their ability to get placement.  Isaac Mizrahi delivers both exceptionally well.  We are excited to work with him and his team to create an Isaac Mizrahi home furnishings lifestyle with coordinated rugs, lighting and decorative pillows that will complement his furniture," he added.

"The right home makes for a happy life," noted  Mizrahi, who is creative director of Xcel Brands, "I believe that if a person surrounds themselves with light , happy, wonderful furniture, rugs and lighting,  they will have a light, happy, wonderful life!”

 â€œI am very excited to partner with Safavieh to launch our furniture, rug and lighting collection. This license is a cornerstone our home business,” said Robert D’Loren, chairman and chief executive officer of Xcel Brands, Inc.

Isaac Mizrahi introduced his first fashion collection in 1987.  Mizrahi’s designs have come to stand for timeless, cosmopolitan style. He has received four awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), including a special award in 1996 for the groundbreaking documentary “Unzipped.”