Anna Griffin Fabrics by the Yard

Growing up in a family of artists on both sides, Anna Griffin's inclination toward graphic design is no surprise. Her talent, combined with her love of antiques, textiles and prints, has inspired her company's success and remarkable growth. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Design from North Carolina State University's School of Design in 1988, Griffin gained experience working with The John Harland Company and Vera Wang. Griffin launched her own business in 1994 by creating one-of-a-kind, handmade wedding and event invitations. In 1996, the business expanded to include a wholesale division and Griffin introduced her first "imprintable" invitation with a custom look. This filled a void in the wedding industry by offering a much-needed alternative to the traditional engraved invitation. The consumer was now able to purchase a box of invitations from a local store, print them at home and have the result be as elegant as a custom designed product. Her signature vellum and ribbon, combined with her use of antique engravings, botanicals and fabrics, separated her products from the competition and continue to be very popular today. In 2001, the company launched Anna Griffin Decorative Papers, a line of beautiful papers and accessories for the scrapbook and paper crafting market. Designed exclusively for the more discerning scrapbooker, the line offered consumers beautiful, high quality papers. The line was a natural progression as Griffin's archives of images easily lend themselves to many new product categories. The line continued its expansion to include Social Stationery Collections and Home Office Collections, which have made a name for Griffin in the gift industry. "My collections are a reflection of my passion for antiques and fine textiles," reveals Griffin. "The antique botanicals can be found on the walls of my home, while the collection of French fabrics are images reinterpreted from antique markets and my grandmother's curtains! What inspires me regarding design are luxurious and intricate patterns and florals." Though Anna Griffin is no longer just for paper anymore, her design philosophy remains constant. Griffin has become a recognized authority when it comes to translating exquisite patterns evocative of old world style into modern, mix-and-match designs. As a result, there are currently over 1,000 Anna Griffin licensed products by brand leaders such as Lenox, Department 56, C.R. Gibson, Windham Fabrics, Plaid Enterprises, Bucilla, Wallies, Envelopments and Sterling Publishing. Each licensee incorporated the detailed and elegant artistry of Anna Griffin's pattern collections into product categories such as, home décor and lifestyle, wedding confections, do-it-yourself craft books, dinnerware and table top collections, holiday décor, luxury infant and cotton fabrics. All available in signature Anna Griffin style, consumers can choose from an endless array of elegance to add to their lifestyle.