07 May The Hot NEW UnZipped Pillow Collaboration
Hello Fabulistas!
From your living room to your bedroom, adding decorative pillows with color and texture is the perfect way to enhance your space and give it that extra “je ne sais quoi.” I’m excited to introduce you to Deborah Main, aka The Pillow Goddess! She and I collaborated to bring you the hot new UnZipped Pillow collection, available exclusively at RobinBaronDesign.com.
About the Pillow Goddess
Robin: Deborah, my darling, I’m so excited to finally be launching our pillow collab! Tell me, where did your nickname “The Pillow Goddess” come from?
Deborah: It started 18 years ago when I was schlepping my pillows around in my car to present to stores. They used to say “Oh yeah, I’ve heard about you, you’re the pillow lady”. Then Houston House & Home interviewed me and dubbed me The Pillow Goddess. It has stuck ever since.
Robin: That’s so fun! How did you get into designing and making pillows?
Deborah: Well, originally, I was in non-profits most of my life and after having some serious health problems, I couldn’t work anymore. One day, I walked into a fabric store and had this amazing epiphany. All of a sudden, I was at the cutting table and I created my first pillow.
Robin: It’s amazing how something like that can happen and completely change the course of your life into a reimagined beautiful new career.
The Meeting of Two Creatives
Robin: We met quite a number of years ago…at the Dallas Market Center, right?
Deborah: Yes! But we met online way before that. You were showing your beautiful line of home-furnishings at a showroom at Dallas Market. I went to meet you because I loved your design work and you were a fellow New Yorker.
Robin: Aaah, the power of social media!
Deborah: Yes, we were already friends for the longest time on Facebook and then when you meet in person for the first time, it’s like cementing the relationship. You just pick up where you left off online. It’s really amazing how that happens.
Robin: Absolutely!
Deborah: Right after we met, you invited me out to dinner with you. Actually Robin, you were the very first interior designer to invite me out to dinner. That meant so much to me, and I instantly felt like I could trust you as a friend. I knew we shared common values, and I also knew right then that I wanted to collaborate with you.
Trust is Key in Collaboration
Robin: I remember that we had dinner together a second time and that’s when you shared your idea for a pillow collaboration with me. And your design really piqued my interest!
Deborah: Then in December 2020, after you launched your new e-commerce site, I gave you a call to congratulate you and continue our discussion about a collaboration. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an entrepreneur you need to ask for what you want and go after it.
Robin: That’s right! And I’m so glad we connected to create The UnZipped Collection! A collaboration has to feel right and both partners have to have trust and great communication. You and I certainly have that.
Let’s Talk About the Pillows
Robin: So, tell me more about the pillows!
Deborah: The UnZipped pillows are very provocative, sexy, and super-soft. We made them in 8 different colorways of luxurious velvet. You can have the exposed zipper all the way up, down, or in between and it reveals this beautiful complementary fabric on the inside. We do the reverse colorways too so people can shop all 16 color combinations to find what’s right for them.
Robin: One of the things I love about them is they’re super chic! You can use them in a lot of different ways like a cool modern space or mix them into something more transitional or traditional. It gives any space a little bit of an edge. I love the idea of styling a smaller pillow in front of a larger pillow in the opposite color.
Deborah: Yes, we have 3 different sizes and they look really great together. And while The UnZipped Pillow Collection is brand new to the public, it’s been in my brain for several years now. Robin, when you and I began this collaboration, you helped me perfect it and make it look as great as it does today. And it was so much fun to decide the colors, wasn’t it Robin?
Robin: It was! First of all, I love color. I loved playing with all the different color combinations for fabrics, zippers, and tassels. Speaking of which, let’s talk about this dramatic tassel, Deborah. It’s very long and it’s an important design element.
Deborah: That’s right Robin. The tassel is about 10-11” inches long. It’s handmade out of suede. It really does add a special and seductive touch! And sometimes the zippers are contrasting, sometimes they’re not. I really enjoyed working with you since you have so much experience selecting and pairing different colors. Robin, you’re a pro and very decisive.
Fashion Designer Laisa Macias; Photography by Juan Macias.
Inspiration Behind The UnZipped – Blending Fashion and Interiors
Deborah: Fashion is my number one inspiration. I actually started my design career by winning Best Home Accessories Designer in Austin Fashion Week for 3 years in a row.
Robin: Wow, I didn’t know that! I also started my career in fashion! High five, sister!
Deborah: That’s awesome Robin! Yeah, the exposed zippers and other decorative hardware on the back of dresses in fashion really helped to inspire this collection. That’s why I like to say that The UnZipped pillows are a fashion statement. It’s not just a pillow. It’s like a whole conversation piece
Robin: And that’s what appealed to me the most when you presented the idea. With the exposed zipper and dramatic tassel, I haven’t seen a pillow like this before, and I was excited to collaborate with you and bring it to market together.
Deborah: Well, you are a perfect match for me because I love to do everything spontaneously. So not only do we complement each other in that way, but like me, you are also a night owl. Some of my most creative thoughts are late at night, and it’s so wonderful to have that habit in common.
Robin: Yes indeed! And as with any new collaboration, there are many details to work out. It was great to be able to work so closely and efficiently, any time of day or night.
The Official Launch of The UnZipped Pillow Collection
Well Fabulistas, The UnZipped Collection is now OFFICIALLY launched! These pillows are luxurious, comfy, and the perfect fashion statement for your home. Available exclusively at RobinBaronDesign.com, you can browse the collection here. Handmade to order in the USA and ship out in about 2-4 weeks! Tell us in the comment section below which one is your favorite!
Xoxo,
Robin
The UnZipped Pillow Collection Facts
- Handcrafted bespoke pillows
- High-fashion/couture
- 16 luxurious velvet color combinations
- Available in 3 sizes: 22”, 20”, and 18” squares
- Made to order in USA
- Alternative down insert
- Ships in 2-4 weeks
Shop The UnZipped Collection!
UnZipped Pillow Giveaway!
Enter to win the brand new fashion pillow for your home today! Here’s how to enter:
1) Follow @robinbaronofficial and @thepillowgoddess on Instagram
2) Like the pillow giveaway post in Robin’s feed
3) Tag 3 friends in the comments who will just adore the UnZipped Pillow
4) Receive an extra entry for sharing the post to your story (and be sure to tag @robinbaronofficial!)
Good luck!
No purchase is necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be a legal resident of the United States. Entries are accepted until 11:59PM ET on May 17th, 2022. Winner to be announced on Instagram Live at @robinbaronofficial on May 19th, 2022 at 7PM ET.
NOTE: Blog post by Deborah Main for Robin Baron of Robin Baron Design. Photography by Deborah Main, Robin Baron, except where noted.
Janet Lorusso
Posted at 21:20h, 07 MayLove love love this collaboration and the gorgeous pillows that came out of it. I’m partial to that yummy teal 🙂 Congratulations to all!
Deborah Main
Posted at 10:41h, 10 MayOh I’m so happy Janet you love our new collaboration and The UnZipped pillows!! Glad to hear your favorite color. It’s hard for me to pick because I love them all. Thank you for your wishes! Means a lot to me. xo
LINDA MERRILL
Posted at 16:33h, 08 MayLooks like a wonderful collaboration Deborah! Congratulations!
Deborah Main
Posted at 10:43h, 10 MayThank you so much Linda!! It’s been a lot of hard work but very rewarding and Robin is amazing to work with! Thank you for stopping by the blog!
Lisa A Peck
Posted at 18:55h, 08 MayI really love these pillows and the story of your collaboration! Just stunning.
Deborah Main
Posted at 10:44h, 10 MayHi Lisa. I’m so happy to hear you love the new UnZipped pillows! Thank you for stopping by the blog and reading our story behind our exciting collaboration! xo
Christie
Posted at 20:32h, 09 MayThese pillows are so unique- they are amazing!!
Deborah Main
Posted at 10:45h, 10 MayThank you Christie! So happy you like them. Be sure to enter the free UnZipped Giveaway. So easy to do by going to Robin’s Instagram and tagging 3 friends. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog! 🙂
Stephanie Ziemer
Posted at 11:45h, 18 NovemberSuch a fabulous collection Deborah! I loved learning the story behind the pillows and the launch of your career as The Pillow Goddess! You are a Goddess in every sense of the word ❤️
Deborah Main
Posted at 15:07h, 18 NovemberThank you so much Stephanie!! Your kind words mean a lot to me. It’s been very fun to collaborate with Robin and see The UnZipped find its home on a national level.