Lazzaro Leather Adding New Styles, Categories For High Point

Furniture World News Desk on 10/6/2015

Lazzaro Leather reported that it is expanding its core line of seating and occasional furniture with a range of fresh style and product categories at the October High Point Market that reflect its newly developed brand identity as "the destination for global style."

Introductions include an assortment of innovative contemporary dining tables with mixed-media elements, such as birch, steel and aluminum; a completely updated dining chair and barstool program, in leather and fabric; a new line of fashion-forward upholstered headboards; and a variety of creative seating and occasional models in traditional, contemporary, modern and industrial styling. In addition, the company is adding two new design categories to its mix this market - Scandinavian and cottage - and also working with some new materials, including brass, which is featured on a dramatic drum table being introduced in High Point.

Along with its many furniture introductions, Lazzaro is also debuting a new accessory program of chic handbags under the AYL brand that showcases the company's expertise in fine leather craftsmanship.

"Our theme this market is a 'journey through craftsmanship,'" said Lauri Cryan, president of Lazzaro Leather. "We've put together an eclectic mix of designs that reflect our increasingly global world. These designs draw inspiration from everywhere, because we think the world is an amazing place to be in - and a home should be, too."

Known for its quality leather upholstery and popular steamer trunk program, Lazzaro is steadily expanding its line to become a whole-home resource. While leather and occasional will continue to be cornerstones of its lineup, the company plans to grow its presence in other categories such as dining room and bedroom to offer a full range of products for every room in the home.

"We're focusing on the upper-medium segment of the market, where customers are looking for fresh designs and high-quality construction," said Cryan. "To enhance our value proposition, we are upgrading our quality - which was already at a high level - to include enhanced styling and construction details."

One example of this approach can be seen in the company's new upholstered headboards. Lazzaro's headboards are fully upholstered from top to bottom so that they work with any size mattress, rather than only partially upholstered, like much of the competition. The Lazzaro headboards also feature hand-crafted wood trim that is "perfectly molded to the shape of the bed," Cryan said. "We're taking a close look at every product we offer, enhancing the level of craftsmanship to make sure it's the very best it can be."

Lazzaro Leather builds its upholstery by hand with kiln-dried, solid-birch frames and high-density foam cushions. Frames are bolted for stability - not simply glued and stapled - and leathers are made from top-grain U.S. hides tanned in the company's own facilities, ensuring consistent quality and color.

Lazzaro currently services a mix of Top 100 retailers, medium and smaller independents and e-commerce sites. With its new product direction, the company aims to continue building this base while also expanding its presence with a new channel of distribution - interior designers. To support customers, the company offers 48-hour turnaround on orders from its High Point, N.C., warehouse, where it maintains a deep stock of best-sellers.

Lazzaro Leather also offers a direct-container program for volume purchases. Lazzaro Leather is the exclusive distributor for the United States, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica of Guangdong Sunton Leather Goods, which has its own tannery and furniture factory in Shunde, China. Formerly an OEM supplier of leather upholstery to other manufacturers, Guangdong Sunton Leather Goods launched Lazzaro Leather in 2009 to sell and market its own furnishings brand.

As part of a large, vertically integrated company, Lazzaro is able to offer high quality and fast service at very sharp prices, according to Cryan. "We provide a top-quality, luxury product that's loaded with value."

This market, Lazzaro is exhibiting in a dramatic new 16,122-square-foot showroom in the IHFC's Commerce wing, Space C-1003. Much of the showroom is being designed with a travel theme, with a reception area capturing the feeling of a classic hotel lobby and a variety of dynamic, globe-trotting vignettes, including safari and Colonial Shanghai-inspired rooms. Other featured settings will explore current trends in the marketplace, such as Americana and Steampunk - an emerging design direction that blends technology and industrial design with science fiction and fantasy.

Lazzaro's market presentation will also include a "leather workshop" highlighting the company's expertise and craftsmanship in leather, and a special AYL handbag display.

About Lazzaro Leather: Lazzaro Leather is the exclusive distributor for the United States, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica of Guangdong Lazzaro Sunton Leather Goods, a 26-year-old leather tannery and quality furniture manufacturer located in Shunde, China. The frames of Lazzaro's upholstered furniture and other furnishings are constructed of kiln-dried birch hardwood indigenous to the Shunde area that is virtually knot free and bolted for stability. Lazzaro uses only 100 percent U.S. cowhide in its tannery - covers that are known for being larger and having fewer defects. Lazzaro offers solid-color leathers with a slight waxy hand for its more contemporary designs as well as vintage antiqued leather finishes for more traditional models. Since the company tans its own hides, it is able to monitor the quality in all facets of the tanning process to ensure consistency as well as quality finishes.