Profile

When it first opened in 1958, Circle Visual solely provided fabric for theaters, interior designers, and window dressers. Thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations, it expanded in 1993 to a full-service production company that makes everything from a single tablecloth for a boutique to Victoria's Secret window displays. Taking up the 16th floor of its garment district building and accessed by an old-fashioned elevator, most of the space is filled with a diverse selection of textiles, including denim, damask, and silk organza. Eclectic display props like disco balls and pink fringes, as well as books of swatches, line walls of a small room where Circle Visual staff consults with clients on any kind of visual project except apparel manufacturing. Though the setup is best suited to visual merchandising professionals who know what they want, the company also conducts a tour each semester for F.I.T. students and will work with individuals and companies of any size. Customers can provide their own fabric for projects, choose from the stock, or special order textiles through the company. — Caroline Kinneberg