How a New York Family-Owned Business Helps Weave Disney Stories

From grand theaters to thoughtfully designed guest rooms, every Disney space is built to tell a story.

Walt Disney Imagineering leads the creative vision and design for Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships and more. They also often work with companies that bring specialized expertise to each project.

For more than 20 years, New York-based Richloom has been one of those collaborators, creating custom fabrics and furnishings for Disney spaces — from pillows and drapery to furniture upholstery.

Watch the ABC Localish segment above to step inside Richloom’s headquarters and see how the family-owned business helps Disney develop custom textiles.

Disney Experiences’ U.S. Economic Impact

Disney Experiences’ nearly $67 billion in annual economic impact reaches communities across the country.
Thousands of small and family-owned businesses in all 50 states help support Disney’s destinations.

A Family Legacy in Textiles

Over nearly 70 years, Richloom has built a legacy of creativity and craftsmanship, beginning with late founder Fred Richman, who started a small fabric company in New York City with just a $5,000 loan.

For Michael Saivetz, Fred’s grandson and the company’s current President and Chief Operating Officer, the business is deeply personal.

“It began with my grandfather in 1957,” Michael recalled. “We’ve been in this office since the early 90s. My grandfather worked in this office. My uncle works in this office. I ran around this office as a kid, so it does have meaning.”

_{Three generations of the family behind Richloom — Michael Saivetz, Jim Richman and Fred Richman — pose together.}

_{Michael Saivetz, Richloom President and COO, poses with his uncle, Jim Richman, CEO, next to a photograph of Richloom’s original building taken by late founder Fred Richman. Photo Credit: Richloom}

Bringing New York Craftsmanship to Disney Experiences

From tracking down the right colors and textures to developing custom prints, Richloom helps Disney create environments that feel authentic to each story.

For example, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, Richloom helped create custom pillows in hues of olive, mustard and acorn, paired with furniture upholstery in crimson, auburn and ruby. The combination helps create a warm, richly layered environment inspired by the surrounding savanna.

_{Richloom helped create custom fabrics and textiles for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.}

Their other recent work can be seen at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, all three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line’s newest class of ships, the Wish class.

_{Richloom helped create custom velvet for Walt Disney Theatres on Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class.}

For Richloom, the collaboration has provided opportunities to take on increasingly ambitious projects.

“It’s really great to design for Disney because you’re able to see the characters come to life,” said Richloom textile designer Cameron Blake, adding that she enjoys working with Imagineers to find subtle ways to incorporate “hidden Mickeys,” or the iconic silhouette of Mickey Mouse, within fabric patterns.

_{Cameron Blake, a textile designer for Richloom, examines fabric used for custom pillows at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.}

Cameron works closely with Carla Schmiedt, Principal Interior Designer, Walt Disney Imagineering, who sees the impact of Richloom’s textiles firsthand.

“It’s amazing how much the textiles actually help us tell the story,” Carla shared. “They bring color and patterns to the space, and they really elevate the guest experience.”

_{Imagineer Carla Schmiedt highlights pillows and textiles made by Richloom at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.}

A hidden Mickey in a fabric pattern is easy to miss. So is the ripple effect of Disney’s work, with family-owned businesses like Richloom, which helps support local economies in communities nationwide.

Explore Disney Experiences’ economic impact in the U.S. and learn more about the businesses that help make the magic possible.