Marla and I always had an optimistic view of business when we headed up Wesco Fabrics. We didn’t know all the answers but we were pretty resourceful. There were, of course, those times when we were “stumbling towards opportunity.” As in all businesses, things change creating either great obstacles or if the right doors were opened,…new avenues for success. We felt since we were importing decorative fabrics from around the world why not sell them internationally as well. We began this adventure when we were in Hong Kong to meet our new agent. I can’t believe how young we were on this trip. Please don’t laugh at my fashion sense,…or that crazy fanny pack!

This was our very first trip to Asia and everything was so strange. We plunged right in and loved every second of it!

“Dick,…please take off that fanny pack!”

Hong Kong was unlike any place we had ever visited with the throngs of people, the sounds, smells, and frenetic pace. We didn’t exactly know what or where we were going but we loved the sense of an exciting and new experience!

Marla looking like a seasoned traveler!

After being impossibly lost we finally found our Hong Kong agents office! Her showroom was filled with samples but we did our best to convince her she needed Wesco Fabrics! She liked what she saw as our really unique fabrics in those days were exclusives from Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Finland, Holland, Switzerland, and Denmark, etc. These were the days before Chinese fabrics became so pervasive. We really had gorgeous fabrics!

Stumbling toward opportunity….in our new showroom.

When we first opened our showroom at the Denver Design District we knew we needed more than just decorative fabrics and window coverings to attract interior designers as there were over 50 fabric lines being represented at the time. The question was “WHAT?” Marla and I had collected Japanese antiques so we thought,…”let’s give it a try in the showroom and feature an assortment of Asian antiques to the trade along with our other products.” Another question was “HOW?“

We knew we needed to find the most beautiful products at the best prices! We began sourcing from a great Japanese importer in San Francisco. After a while the owner said,…”You really need to purchase directly in Japan!” “Why don’t you work with my brother?” This was the beginning of sourcing for furniture and accessories around the world. We were still stumbling but at least our compass said we were going in the right direction! Marla and I agreed we would plan a trip to Japan.

We stayed a few nights in Tokyo to get used to the time change before taking the train to Kyoto. Being a “fabric guy” I’m checking out the drapery and lining at our hotel.

Mr. Nakura met us at our hotel in Kyoto. He set up a busy schedule for us to look for interesting items. The adventure begins.

Our first stop was a private home near Lake Biwa. The owner was selling a number of beautiful antiques. Note the traditional tatami mat floor.

We found a number of Meiji Period blue Imari plates.

We found an old hibachi in the backyard.

Marla inspects the inventory at an antique warehouse near Lake Biwa, outside of Kyoto.

They had a wonderful collection of Edo & Meiji Period tansu chests.

I purchased a number of old millstones to be used in the garden paths. Some designers used them upright as sculpture.

Bargaining and more bargaining!

Loads of interesting pieces!

We worked late into the evening. Mr. Nakura took us to a warehouse with some fascinating 19th-century Japanese dolls. We had to have a few!

Marla is giving me that look which is code for,…”Do you know what is in this soup?”

We both admire the simplicity of Japanese design.

We purchased a few very large Mizuya kitchen tansu chests. They didn’t last long on our Denver showroom floor.

We both fell in love with this Meiji Period Sendai style tansu chest. We purchased this one for us!

Dinner in Kyoto.

Marla “poses” in front of a traditional tea house in Gion district of Kyoto. She should have dressed as a Geisha!

It is fun to go way back in time to our buying adventures with Wesco fabrics as we “stumbled toward opportunity.”. We made two buying trips to Japan and our daughter helped us with a third when we could not go because of illness. ( She was already in Kyoto.) We moved away from Japanese antiques as we felt the showroom needed a new look and direction. Also, tansu chests were becoming very expensive to buy especially for a wholesaler like us. Our next direction was direct importing from Thailand and Bali where we imported over 45 full containers over the years. We also purchased antique European furniture buying direct in Holland, with “brocante” dealers in France, and in Paris.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.