Judy George the former CEO of Domain Home announced that she is back with a hip, new design partner and a bevy of powerful, strategic collaborators.
George, is launching Judy George International (JGI) with the designer Kim Salmela who has overseen a succession of high-profile design projects and businesses from the age of 23. The partners say that they plan to revolutionize the home furnishings industry and provide their retail, manufacturing and importing clients with a considerable competitive edge.
The new company offers big picture thinking to an industry hard hit by the recession. George, who earlier in her career made headlines by being one of the first in the industry to raise substantial capital from the venture capital community, has set her sights on creating new strategic business models and turn-key concepts that will provide concrete ROI for clients, improve sell-through and better margins. JGI develops breakthrough brand concepts and private label for retailers and brings brands to life by tapping an “A” team of collaborators – the best firms in their respective fields from sourcing to manufacturing, sales to distribution and investment to marketing.
One of JGI’s first projects is Hotel Maison, for which the partners have teamed with Steve McKee of Home Furnishings International Brands for sourcing, manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution. Steve’s extensive background in home furnishings provides invaluable industry connections and unique insight.
Additional JGI projects on deck are GG Boudoir and XY Factor Design. JGI has strong interest from important retailers in home furnishings and beyond, and is previewing concepts at an exclusive pre-launch event at High Point in October. The partners even have caught the attention of Hollywood for a reality show concept based on one of their ideas.
With 45 years of combined retail experience, George and Salmela understand that today’s consumer needs a new reason to buy and must feel an emotional connection before they make a purchase. Here the partners will not disappoint with fresh products and concepts that tap into the consumer zeitgeist and longing for home as refuge and restful haven. Most importantly, they bring a willingness to listen and make the consumer the hero, acknowledging the challenges he/she is facing. As retailers, both women were known for constantly seeking out new, innovative product and they will continue to travel extensively to find inspiration from products rarely experienced beyond elegant hotel walls or glossy magazine pages. JGI is currently developing exciting home furnishings concepts for launch in 2010 and 2011 each with a distinct personality and accessible price points including:
- Hotel Maison: Hotel Maison unlocks the door to the luxury suite experience at home. With unique, hotel-inspired collections, the stage is set for consumers to escape to their own homes and find privacy, personal space, peace and quiet. No check-out time required. Hotel Maison will offer a first-of-its-kind online “concierge service” including customer service, design assistance, trend and style information, inspiration from Judy and Kim’s world travels and interactive consumer elements.
- GG Boudoir: GG Boudoir includes sexy, fun and playful looks for young women. With a focus on creating a personal lair where the GG Boudoir girl can relax and dream, the line offers looks most girls only dream about. The collection pulls from trendy fashion influences and then injects those looks with a sophisticated edge – at value prices. The GG Boudoir concept will be extended broadly to encompass furniture to lighting, perfume to accessories, sleepwear to intimates and tells an environmental story to boot.
- XY Factor Design: XY Factor Design is an eclectic and modern home furnishings collection designed by a Gen X and Y team for a Gen X and Y customer. With accessible and affordable designs and an emphasis on minimizing environmental impact, this collection offers bright colors, clean lines, dual functionality, modular units and stacking elements.
About Judy George International: Judy George International creates exciting, world-class products and brands that enhance the lives of consumers, increase market opportunities for retailers and develop strategic advantages for manufacturers and importers. Visit www.judygeorgeinternational.com.