Marge Carson Promotes Laurie Reed to Creative Director

November 19, 2018  by Laurie Northington in Designer Weekly, Executive Changes, Industry   

Prior to joining the company last month, Reed served as vice president for Theodore Alexander. In her new role, she will be responsible for showroom layout and design, fabric-to-frame applications and visual merchandising. She also will serve as part of the product development team. She will report jointly to CEO Jim LaBarge and President Will Sharp. 

“Laurie’s broad range of experience and understanding of higher-end furnishings, along with her skill set and high level of taste and sophistication make her a great fit for Marge Carson,” said Sharp.

Before her five-year stint at Theodore Alexander, Reed was at Century Furniture for 13 years, where she served as creative director.  She also had previous experience at Hickory White, Henredon and Beacon Hill.

“When I think of Marge Carson, I think of refined quality that embodies chic, elegant design,” Reed said. “Their attention to detail and customization capabilities present a unique opportunity for product and display. I look forward to being on board with such a well-known fashion leader in our industry.”

Reed replaces Marge Carson’s most recent creative director, Michael Delgaudio, who passed away unexpectedly on November 10. Delgaudio was a mentor and friend to Reed for 28 years, she said.

According to Sharp, Delgaudio approached the management team at the recent October High Point Market with a desire to begin slowly moving towards retirement over the next year, and he made suggestions of several individuals who had the skills and experience to be his successor.

“At the top of the list was Laurie Reed,” Sharp said. “During the interviewing process we quickly agreed that she was the right person and would be immediately capable of doing the job. She joined the company in a matter of days. Laurie, like all of us, is grateful for the way Michael prepared us to move forward.”

Reed said, “Michael had a passion for furniture and design that was infectious. He was a team player, and made us all better and more successful at what we do. He was excited to explain to me all the wonderful attributes of Marge Carson, and I’m thankful to have learned that from him. My goal is to maintain and develop the same level of design excellence and leadership that he brought to Marge Carson.”