LA FRANCE INDUSTRIES TO LAUNCH NEW DICK IDOL COLLECTION New Line of Home Textiles Designed by Popular Wildlife Artist LA FRANCE, S.C. (Nov. 30, 2000) - La France Industries -- a division of Mount Vernon Mills -- one of America’s most venerated textile manufacturers, has announced a licensing partnership with well-known authentic outdoorsman and wildlife artist, Dick Idol. Widely recognized as one of the world’s most talented sculptors, painters and creators of wildlife art, the Montana-based Idol is working with La France Industries designers to create a line of products including tapestry throws, pillows, table runners and wall hangings inspired by the great outdoors. First designs are currently in production and are now available. La France, which also produces an exclusive PGA Tour line in partnership with the Professional Golfers Association Tour, is known for its insight in providing consumers and designers the new looks they want in high-quality products for the home. La France was among the first companies to recognize the growing market for authentic, outdoor lifestyle-inspired home furnishings and has now partnered with outdoor icon Dick Idol to make an immediate impact on that segment of the industry. “We personally flew to Montana to meet with Dick and to spend some time getting a feel for his ideas,” said Scott Goodman, vice president of marketing and sales for La France Industries. “Dick took us into the mountains and was able to show us, through examples in nature, his vision for the line. When we got back to his studio, I was amazed by his ability to translate that beauty of nature into works of breathtaking art. That’s when I knew we would be able to create something truly unique for our customers who want to bring the outdoors into their homes.” The La France Dick Idol Collection will be distributed nationwide in department, specialty bedding, gift, home furnishings, outdoor specialty, and resort stores, as well as catalogs and Internet sites. Dick Idol Ventures, LLC was founded in May 2000 in order to meet the demand for authentic outdoor lifestyle products. Although best known for his bronze monuments of whitetail deer (some measuring over 30 feet high) and his wildlife sculptures and paintings, Dick Idol is also widely recognized as one of America’s premier outdoorsmen. He is co-founder of North American Whitetail Magazine and is a writer and speaker on conservation and outdoor subjects. When he’s not on one of his frequent trips to unspoiled locations, Mr. Idol works out of his home studio in Bigfork, Montana, two miles from the closest road. La France Industries, a division of Mount Vernon Mills, produces a variety of flat and plush fabrics including upholstery for the automotive market, decorative home and office furnishings such as pillows, afghans and napery. The town of Autun, S.C. was renamed La France in the 1930s in honor of the town’s largest employer. Greenville, South Carolina-based, Mount Vernon Mills is one of America’s leading textile companies with roots dating back to the 1830s. Today, this $800 million company boasts a diverse product line that includes yarns, fabrics and finished textile consumer products produced in 17 separate plants. For more information about Dick Idol Ventures, please visit www.dickidol.com. For more information about Mount Vernon Mills and La France Industries, please visit www.mvmills.com and www.lafranceindustries.com.