By Allison Parker
Fabric surrounds us in a quiet, kind manner in our daily life. We sit on chairs, walk on carpets, enjoy the aesthetic of an exquisite tapestry- never really realizing the complexities of what appears to be such a simple staple in our everyday lives. Yet somewhere out there in the world, perhaps India, China, or here in the Carolinas, there is an artisan hand knotting a tethered rug or a machining loom manifesting a colorful damask design for a bedspread or curtains. Taking a glimpse into the intricacies of fabric design leads to an icon in the industry, a talented yet humble creator behind the fabric names and labels-Wesley Mancini.
A spark in the heart of a young boy growing up in rural Connecticut lit the career of a lifetime. Growing up in a farming community, Wesley found a gateway to the world through his school art teacher. Yearning to explore the world of art after high school, Wesley chose to major in art for his undergraduate studies at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Initially, he thought perhaps the role of an art teacher, however, a penchant for his own creativity expansion led him to pursue studies at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Ironically, at first, a spot wasn’t available for Wesley. Not to be deterred, he sought to ready himself for school in a prestigious Swiss art institute by enrolling in German Studies at Yale. As fate would have it, a spot for Wesley surfaced at Cranbrook- Following his heart, Wesley became a self-proclaimed “Yale Dropout” and headed to study at Cranbrook with some lofty German studies fresh in his mind!
Working on hand looms can produce impressive pieces. The timing can be quite lengthy as Wesley notes, “It was not unusual for 1 inch to take a day or so to complete and 6 months to complete a piece.” Diligent in his endeavor, Wesley took top prize at the prestigious Columbus Museum of Art Show. He explored many avenues in his art experience including taking a year off to study the technical side of fabric design at another institution. Returning with this spark in the technical side of fabric design, he was engaged in a future career endeavor that led him to his current role in the fabric world.
Fabric Design encompasses so many intricate working details. Starting out working for a company in North Carolina in High Point placed Wesley in the mist of the fabric world. Career journeys ebb and flow. Wesley recalls,” After the company lost the high- end contract, I was asked to create (patterns) as ugly as I could make it. Interestingly enough, the browns, yellows, plaids requested sold.”
After three years working with the latter manner, Wesley was approached by Collins and Aikman to create designs of his liking to sell as an independent source into the mill. As independent designer, he would earn a small base and receive royalties on his creations.
With this opportunity, the world of fabric design opened up. From upholstery to woven media, prints and trims, Wesley would become the designer behind many re-labeled home items such as beddings, pillows, etc. Wesley incredible ‘behind the scenes’ design work was a hit in the industry. Wesley reflects, “I was behind the scenes but the word got out. I was recognized in Interior Magazine as ‘America’s Best Kept Secret’ and Metropolitan Home Magazine’s Design 100.”
As in any industry, change is inevitable due to outside economic factors and the like. Wesley explained, “After the tragic events of 9/11 and the lifting of the embargos in regards to trade textiles, things changed- yarn suppliers diminished, fabric dyers, finishers all decreased as work opportunities shifted in location.”
Wesley’s work has thrived through the years and changes. Carving out his niche, his company. Wesley Mancini, LTD, has been instrumental in allowing his creativity to flourish. His international reach has allowed him to work with mills worldwide even as far as India and China. The Wesley Mancini Collection of Home Fabrics is known for domestically produced furniture upholstery, bedding, and drapery fabrics. With a vertical design studio located in the trendy and hip south end of Charlotte, Wesley creates original art, weave structures, color, straight to the final product.
Wesley’s extensive resume of fabric work includes the hand knotted rug line of Due Process Stable Trading Company, print lines with Greeff and Portfolio Textiles, decorative trimmings for Conso Products, Bomar Trimmings and Classical Elements, velvets for C&A Velvet and Premium Textiles (including taffetas and plaids), and contract fabrics for C&A Contract, Main Street Textiles, and Valdese Weavers and down products for St. James. Wesley also has fabrics carried in well- known home décor departments of Nieman Marcus and Restoration Hardware. Wesley jokes, “I’ve seen my fabrics show up everywhere even in movies on the furniture of a set scene. “
Wesley’s path is still weaving its way in expansion as is Wesley’s contribution to the arts and the Charlotte community. Wesley’s passion for the arts extends to his personal art collection within his home as well as his studio. Having the opportunity to meet with Wesley within his home, one cannot miss the personal touches he has integrated including various hand knotted rugs and intricate, exquisite collection of Kuba cloths. (Kuba cloths are actually hand made by pregnant women in the Congo made of a Raffia fabric.) Wesley mentioned that the depth and unique beauty of the cloths has drawn attention from local museums such as the Mint in Charlotte for possible showings. With his travel adventures spanning 42 countries, Wesley’s eye for choosing distinct pieces from around the world is impeccable.
Wesley’s heart and passion of for the arts extends to a humanitarian level as well. In 2000, Wesley created the Wesley Mancini Foundation. The foundation was a pioneer for providing funding for projects that foster the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals as citizens in the Charlotte community. The foundation was funded with his own money as Wesley is deeply vested in the values of equality and inclusion. The Humanitarian Rights Campaign (HRC)honored Wesley in 2002 for his service to the Lesbian and Gay community with their Corporate Equality Award. Being a thought leader and community role model, Wesley was asked to be the Grand Marshall in the 1st Pride Parade in Charlotte 2013. With his early works, he was able to bring awareness and open minds within the community. Currently, Wesley has closed his charity yet his initial efforts have raised awareness- Currently, The Foundation for the Carolinas has a Charlotte Lesbian Gay Fund under its umbrella to support the Gay and Lesbian Community in Charlotte.
What stands out about Wesley’s path is that it’s woven in his passion for art and creating not just fabrics but sustaining an art form in a changing world. With being awarded the ITMA Lifetime Achievement Award, Wesley’s work has been recognized as a staple in the fabric industry. Weaving his love of the arts, his humanitarian focus, and his earnest efforts to develop the craft of fabric design, Wesley has forever weaved a stitch in not only the fabric world, but Charlotte and the world at large.