Complete Solutions for Home Fabrics

TELA BELLA. INTERVIEW WITH JACQUELINE ROBERTS

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What is your background and why did you decide to set up Tela Bella?

I’ve lived in Spain for 20 years and done a number of things. I worked as a freelance writer and then as a publications editor. I set up my own business in 2004 doing magazines for other companies and also a range of other services such as graphic/web design, marketing, PR, etc. I set up a business importing fabric from the UK and curtain tiebacks from Morocco and wholesaling in Spain (and elsewhere in Europe) in 2007. After the crisis I had stock so I opened Tela Bella.

Tell us more about the services you offer…

In addition to selling fabric we also offer a full make-up service for curtains, blinds, soft furnishings and upholstery. We have now branched out into offering full solutions to businesses such as real estate agents, offering full after-sales services including: soft furnishing packs, furniture packs, kitchen and linen packs. We also work with some of the Coast’s best interior designers to offer a full bespoke interior design service. In addition, we are specialist trade suppliers for wedding and event planners, and work with many of them, as well as venues, on the Coast providing fabrics for decoration.

What brands do you work with and how did you come about choosing them?

We obviously sell our own brand of fabrics that we wholesale, but we now stock a range of other brands. Jane Churchill from London – really the top end – and we chose them to represent that bracket for our clients. Prestigious Textiles and Weymiss – both English – chosen because they offer quality fabric at mid-range prices. SIMTA – Italian brand – offers double width fabrics (mainly voiles), and a huge choice of fabrics and price ranges. We also stock a range of velvets that are pretty unique and come direct from Asia.

How do you see the future of the fabrics industry?

In Spain, the fabric shop where customers can actually browse fabrics and buy directly from the roll died a death during the recession. I hope it recovers. Most sales now are on order when people actually want something made. The future for the Coast is looking up – as real estate once again starts to move, the interior business follows on its heels. People are looking to spruce up buy-to-lets in addition to new homebuyers purchasing curtains, furniture, etc.

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