And so does Parviz Yathrebi, the owner of Woven Treasures, 2221 South Street. Open since 1986, Woven Treasures has provided its clientele with a wide-variety of Turkish and Persian rugs. In recent years, Woven Treasures, has expanded its operation to include a Turkish and Persian tile gallery on its ground floor as well as museum quality repairs, appraisals, cleaning and hand-washing services for its rugs.
In many respects, a visit to Woven Treasures, approximates a visit to a museum showcasing artifacts from Middle Eastern and European cultures. But just because the beautiful tiles, artifacts, gift items, jewelry and rugs found at Woven Treasures honors cultural traditions of the past, does not mean that Parviz isn’t interested in finding the latest fashions of the present. And, Woven Treasures recently won "Best in Philly"! So with that in mind, Parviz travels to the European Continent at least one or twice each year. Last summer, Parviz journeyed from France to Turkey. There, he found the Kilm patchwork rug in Paris and in Turkey both the Arabian Rugs, made by Iraqi Marsh people as well as the Suzani needlework made in Uzbekistan.
Some of what Parviz found, like the Kilm patchwork rugs, represent entirely new designs. Whereas other finds, like the Suzani, represent an updated version of an ancient custom.
Take for instance the recent rage in Paris: the Kilm patchwork rugs. It’s the latest in floor covering," Parviz said. "Its designers," Parviz explained, "take old rugs, sheer them down, dye and recycle them, sewing the old rugs together in a patchwork design." According to Parviz, "they’re multi-colored and much less expansive than the traditional rug." For example, at Woven Treasures, patchwork rugs cost $25 per square foot. Thus far, patchwork rugs have proved so popular throughout Europe that one of Parviz’s colleagues sold all 8,000 of his at a recent show in Paris.
Like the patchwork rugs, the Arabian rugs Parviz found in a Turkish village, are also multi-colored but extremely bright. Parviz refers to the design and coloring of the Arabian rugs as reminiscent of a "childhood painting." Notably, while Parviz discovered the rugs in Turkey, they originate from the Marsh people in Iraq. Known as fishing people, who uphold ancient customs, Saddam Hussein, tried but didn’t succeed in draining water from the Marsh people’s lands in an attempt to modernize and control its populations, explained Parviz.
Traveling then to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Parviz discovered the latest renderings of the Suzani pieces. Suzani, which means "needlepoint" in Turkish are designed in a variety of fashions including pillowcases, bedspreads, table clothes, table dividers, wall hangings as well as handbags. Suzanis, hand-stitched on either velvet or silk materials, "are very creative," Parviz remarked. Also more affordable than traditional rugs, Suzani handbags, cost $60 each at Woven Treasures. And like Arabian rugs that come from Iraq but purchased from Turkey, the Suzani’s originate in Uzbekistan.
"We’re very stocked up on every item we need," Parviz said of his store’s collection, also pointing to his trivets. Styled after ceramic tiles, the trivets found at Woven Treasures cost only $12 a piece. "They’re great for plates or wall hangings," Parviz explained.
2012年10月10日星期三
2011年6月14日星期二
Quicksilver shares jump as domestic sales rise
Shares of Quiksilver Inc (ZQK.N) rose more than 12 percent on Friday, a day after the clothes retailer posted results that beat Wall Street expectations, buoyed by strong domestic sales.
The Huntington Beach, California-based company was the third-biggest gainer on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, even as the bigger S&P Retail Index .RLX was down 2 percent in morning trade.
Quiksilver, which makes clothes inspired by surfing and other action sports, had seen sales weaken in the U.S. and Europe, its two key markets. But a turnaround has made analysts positive about its prospects.
"Perhaps the most encouraging data point was an accelerating 23 percent U.S. comparable sales growth against tougher sequential comparisons," Jefferies analyst TaposhBari wrote in a note.
The analyst, who holds a "buy" rating on the stock, said sales at the company is likely at an inflection point, which could trigger an upgrade cycle on the stock.
"Going forward, we are modeling gross margins to be down in the second half of the year, but see an improving European business, favorable FX currents and continued retail outperformance providing an upward bias to gross margins," analyst Bari said.
Quiksilver shares were trading at $4.94 around midday on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Huntington Beach, California-based company was the third-biggest gainer on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, even as the bigger S&P Retail Index .RLX was down 2 percent in morning trade.
Quiksilver, which makes clothes inspired by surfing and other action sports, had seen sales weaken in the U.S. and Europe, its two key markets. But a turnaround has made analysts positive about its prospects.
"Perhaps the most encouraging data point was an accelerating 23 percent U.S. comparable sales growth against tougher sequential comparisons," Jefferies analyst TaposhBari wrote in a note.
The analyst, who holds a "buy" rating on the stock, said sales at the company is likely at an inflection point, which could trigger an upgrade cycle on the stock.
"Going forward, we are modeling gross margins to be down in the second half of the year, but see an improving European business, favorable FX currents and continued retail outperformance providing an upward bias to gross margins," analyst Bari said.
Quiksilver shares were trading at $4.94 around midday on the New York Stock Exchange.
2011年4月17日星期日
Help Quicksilver and Holly Find Lasting Homes
This week, we wanted to take some time to spread the word about a kind, hard-working organization joining in on the fight to save pets’ lives. The non-profit, A Dog’s Life Rescue, works hard everyday to save dogs and other pets from a harsh, undeserving life on the streets.
Volunteer for the organization Noelle Valdivia explains, “A Dog's Life makes a concerted effort to track down homeless animals, catch them, socialize them and find them homes.”
A Dog’s Life rescues animals that are abandoned, abused or neglected and finds these dogs new lives through loving homes. It isn’t easy caring for the dogs and other animals while they are under the care of a Dog’s Life Rescue.
“[We're] definitely a grass roots organization … we have only two employees, our founders,” Valdivia said. “We've been taking on a lot of animals lately and are working to spread the word on our shelter … We need all the help we can get.”
The non-profit works hard to receive the funds needed to provide these animals with shelter, food and medical attention while they wait for a home. The organization has adoption events every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of the month at Centinela Feed, 11055 Pico Blvd. in West Los Angeles. A Dog’s Life can make private arrangements for you to meet a dog anytime, if you contact them for an appointment.
The organization is currently featuring Emma—a beautiful and gentle Rottweiler who desperately needs a home. Despite Rottweilers having a reputation for being on the tough side, Emma is a sweet girl who is ready to be loved. For more information on adopting and how you can help volunteer, please visit A Dog’s Life official website or Facebook page.
Volunteer for the organization Noelle Valdivia explains, “A Dog's Life makes a concerted effort to track down homeless animals, catch them, socialize them and find them homes.”
A Dog’s Life rescues animals that are abandoned, abused or neglected and finds these dogs new lives through loving homes. It isn’t easy caring for the dogs and other animals while they are under the care of a Dog’s Life Rescue.
“[We're] definitely a grass roots organization … we have only two employees, our founders,” Valdivia said. “We've been taking on a lot of animals lately and are working to spread the word on our shelter … We need all the help we can get.”
The non-profit works hard to receive the funds needed to provide these animals with shelter, food and medical attention while they wait for a home. The organization has adoption events every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of the month at Centinela Feed, 11055 Pico Blvd. in West Los Angeles. A Dog’s Life can make private arrangements for you to meet a dog anytime, if you contact them for an appointment.
The organization is currently featuring Emma—a beautiful and gentle Rottweiler who desperately needs a home. Despite Rottweilers having a reputation for being on the tough side, Emma is a sweet girl who is ready to be loved. For more information on adopting and how you can help volunteer, please visit A Dog’s Life official website or Facebook page.
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