executive interview series:

David Zarin on Preserving Craftsmanship in a Rapidly Changing Design World

Today we’re speaking with David Zarin, President of Zarin Fabrics—a third-generation, family-owned fabric business based in New York City. Renowned for its expansive in-stock selection and long-standing relationships with designers, architects, set decorators, and everyday New Yorkers, Zarin Fabrics has been a cornerstone of the design world for more than 85 years. The company has supplied materials for everything from landmark restorations and luxury hotels to Broadway productions, restaurants, and thousands of private interiors across the country.

Much like Skyline Windows, Zarin Fabrics operates at the intersection of form and function—where aesthetic vision must meet technical standards. Under David’s leadership, the company has modernized its operations while preserving its deep-rooted commitment to quality, customization, and hands-on expertise. Whether collaborating with seasoned professionals or first-time homeowners, Zarin brings the same level of care, precision, and resourcefulness to every project.

We sat down with David to hear how Zarin Fabrics approaches complex work, sustains craftsmanship, and continues to evolve while honoring its legacy.

Q: David, what do you see as the biggest advantage of leading a family-run business in today’s design and construction landscape?

A: You inherit credibility. Clients walk in already trusting the name, especially in New York. But more than that, you inherit relationships—with mills, designers, theater people, architects, upholsterers. So when someone needs a discontinued pattern matched from 30 years ago, or 300 yards of commercial velvet yesterday, we have the network to make it happen. Whether they’re a designer on a deadline or a homeowner renovating their first apartment, we’re used to meeting people where they are.

Q: How do you balance staying current and innovative while preserving the heritage that makes your business unique?

A: We updated our backend systems—inventory tracking, shipping, CRM—but the customer experience is still hands-on. Clients don’t just want to see samples. They want to talk to someone who knows how that fabric will look in southern light, or whether it’ll pass a fire rating for a hotel lobby. We make it easy to move fast without dumbing down the service. You’ll still get someone on the phone who knows textiles cold.

Q: Zarin often collaborates on projects that intersect renovation and architecture. What makes your team a strong partner in those environments?

A: We understand that the fabric is rarely the only constraint. You might be dealing with code, budget, timeline, or historical preservation guidelines. We’ve done fabric walls for prewar buildings, noise-dampening installations for offices, banquette coverings for restaurants that need to seat 200 a night. We’re not just selling fabric—we’re solving use-case problems. That’s what makes us useful to contractors and architects, not just designers.

Q: In addition to fabrics, Zarin offers custom services like drapery, roman shades, and upholstery. How does that part of business operate, and what differentiates it?

A: It’s a huge part of what we do, especially for designers who don’t want to juggle five vendors. We fabricate everything in-house or through trusted local workrooms we’ve partnered with for decades. If a client wants custom pinch-pleat sheers for an entire brownstone, we’ll measure, fabricate, and install them ourselves. Same with roman shades, re-upholstery, headboards—you name it. What sets us apart is quality control. We’re not sending out fabric and hoping it comes back right. We oversee the entire process.

And just as often, we’re working directly with the end user—a couple who wants to reupholster heirloom chairs, a restaurant owner building out a new space, or someone renovating their apartment without a designer. We guide them through the process from start to finish so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. That level of hand-holding is something they don’t expect until they experience it.

Q: What advice would you offer to other family-run companies working to remain competitive in an industry with ever-rising expectations?

A: Don’t worship your own tradition. If it doesn’t serve the customer anymore, it has to go. But don’t follow every shiny new thing either. Most of what lasts in this industry is timeless: clear communication, deep product knowledge, and being there when things go sideways. You can’t fake those. That’s what separates legacy from nostalgia.

Q: What’s next for Zarin Fabrics – any new directions or priorities on the horizon?

A: We’re leaning into national reach. Designers from L.A. to Atlanta are ordering from us now because they can’t find what we have anywhere else. And we’re investing in education—fabric guides, swatch videos, care instructions. Because once people understand what we do, they stick with us. Like Skyline, we’re not the cheapest or flashiest—we’re the ones who get it right the first time.