Pakistan Textile Journal.January index

Heimtextil 2008: The show hightlights and the latest trends in hometextiles

Heimtextil, International Trade Fair for Home and Contract Textiles, in Frankfurt am Main launched the new business year for the sector with an excellent set of figures: 86,378 visitors (2007: 85,824) from 125 countries and 2,844 exhibitors from 65 countries.

"2,844 exhibitors from 65 countries - a statistic confirming that the Heimtextil has been able to achieve a stable result compared to the previous year. Of particular significance is the echo from Germany with companies from the manufacturing, finishing, design, import and textile publishing segments having booked more space than last year", says Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. Thus, the Heimtextil is anticipating a trend predicted by the German Association of the Trade Fair Industry (Ausstellungs- und Messeausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft - AUMA) for the domestic participation in fairs held in Germany in 2008.

The level of internationality at the fair, which, as in 2007, has reached a very high 84%, reflects the power of attraction exercised on companies from all over the world. In line with tradition, the bulk of exhibitors (around 57%) come from Europe. The top ten nations include Germany (468 exhibitors), Turkey (180), Italy (155), France (102), Spain (93), Belgium (87), Great Britain (82) and Portugal (77). The best-represented Asian exhibitor nations are India (389), China (309) and Pakistan (162).

Besides the process of consolidation, which has been going on in Europe for many years and which has now also led to a drop in Turkish export sales, especially of lace and tulle, there are two other main trends in the sector: the worldwide increase in demand for branded articles, particularly in the premium and luxury class. In the booming Chinese market, this means greater opportunities for the world's branded-product manufacturers to boost their sales. On the international plane, however, it is likely to result in more takeovers of brands, licenses and brand-name companies by Chinese companies wanting to increase their presence in the branded segment of the Chinese market. In many export-oriented nations, such as India, the weak US dollar is causing a fall in revenues and this has had a negative impact on the number of exhibitors.

The Heimtextil 2008 has already broken the record for most number of visitors set in the previous year. The exhibitors from Pakistan also received an overwhelming response from the buyers of major home furnishing groups of the world.

Over 162 Pakistani exhibitors of home textiles, who have displayed their top line products at the world's largest event of home textiles, have remained busy in negotiating orders with the buyers during the last two days. They are hoping for a better performance this year as some of the buyers have quoted higher prices.

The GM Export of a major Pakistani textile firm said he was hopeful of attracting orders for the entire season in 2008 despite many problems at home including increasing yarn prices.

He said that the second day of the fair was more crowded than the inaugural day as he remained busy in negotiating prices with customers throughout the day. The exporters from China and India are also there, but the Pakistani exporters would compete with them with their better quality and designs.

Under the umbrella term 'More', the Heimtextil presents the range of products offered by premium suppliers of household and, for the first time, home textiles in a more differentiated and target-group oriented way than ever before, in accordance with market and marketing principles. 'More Clarity' and 'More Style' cover household textiles of the 'bed', 'bath' and 'table' products groups. Thus 'More Clarity' (Hall 9.1) unites European textile manufacturers with classic designs, some of whom also work with exclusive batch sizes, and high-grade products while 'More Style' in Hall 9.2 presents international brands with fashion and trend-oriented design and licensees. For the first time this year, the Heimtextil is also providing an exclusive forum for manufacturers of high-grade home textiles: 'More Living' brings together exhibitors of the 'window', 'upholstery' and 'floor' product groups and stands for a clear emphasis on leadership in terms of design and quality - subdivided by producers and textile publishers.

The specialist trade and interior decorators rank among the most important Heimtextil target groups and three of the new initiatives are aimed specifically at them. The 'Concept Square' showcase in Hall 8.0 focuses on shop concepts and space-management systems by exhibitors from the 'bed' segment, and presents their product and corporate innovations.

With 'Crystal Waves' in Hall 9.3, the Heimtextil presents a bathroom scenario of the luxury class in cooperation with Swarovski, Kludi, Bisazza and Hoesch. Bathroom textiles from exhibitors of the 'bath' segment round off this extravagant showcase.

The 'Competence Square' in Hall 4.0 is the result of a poll of exhibitors at the Heimtextil: in particular, visitors interested in furniture and decorative fabrics want more information about products and services. The new Furniture Fabric Centre of Excellence also takes account of this. The 'Upholstery' library of Tr

evira CS fabrics contains new designs for the contract business while 'Creativity meets Technology' provides a forum for fabrics with intelligent supplementary functions - from the lotus effect to protection from electro-magnet radiation. 'Testing' offers insights into the most important methods of testing furniture fabrics. The 1st 'Young Contract Creations Award: Upholstery' goes to young designers for outstanding furniture projects using textiles. This new award creates a link to hotel and restaurant furnishings, which are developing into the leading lifestyle area of application for home textiles.

Growing interest in city breaks, cultural trips and luxury holidays has lead to a design boom in the worldwide hotel sector: more and more designers are creating and signing design or boutique hotels, extravagant resorts and suites on land and at sea or at breath-taking skyscraper heights. Thus, they comprise a highly-promising growth market for the contract business, on which the Heimtextil has focused for many years with the 'Contract Creations' product segment.

One of the highlights of the Heimtextil is the presentation of the trend prognoses for the coming 18 months. For the trends, 2008/2009, the Heimtextil organized a Trend Table with five with five internationally acclaimed design studios: stijlinstituut amsterdam (The Netherlands), Carlin International (France), bora.herke (Germany), Concept Magenta (Switzerland) and Alvisi e Alvisi (Italy). The designers have summarized the four main trend currents under the motto, "It's time to be... Visionary, Original, Magical, Vibrant".

With the 'Campus' special show, the Heimtextil aims to give universities the chance to make presentations and show their students' work. Thus, 17 universities from all over Europe took part in this special show in Hall 1.1, which was organized and coordinated by the Chemnitz-based association, 'rooms for free e.V.'.

The 'Heimtextil goes City' consumer campaign, was organized in conjunction with the Interior Decorators' Guild, Frankfurt am Main. On Saturday 12 January 2008, 29 interior decorators, specialist bed shops, workshops and, for the first time, two bookshops, opened their doors to consumers in order to provide practical tips and information about creative (textile) furnishing.

It wouldn't have taken anyone on the hunt for trendy colours at Heimtextil 2008 long to find them. Purple, of every conceivable shade, played a starring role - from darkest aubergine and plum to lilac, the colour was represented in practically every collection. This elegant colour would add a touch of sophistication to any fabric or decor. Often, purple was combined with petrol blue, lime green or greige to liven up the character of the design.

In general, a clear trend towards more muted colours was identifiable. Higher quality fabrics, in particular, featured subdued shades of blue, red, yellow and green, making them more stylish and delicate in effect. This year far more frequently than last year, colour was up-graded with metal and bronze, brass, gold and silver glitter yarns were woven into the fabric. Red has maintained its popularity but mostly in paler shades.

Black & white and grey & white patterned fabrics, predominantly featuring graphic designs but of late more whimsical or exotic mo

tifs, are gaining ground. However, the colours are combined far more imaginatively than in previous years. For example, ice blue accepts or cool pink freshen up sludge colours like umbra and blue-grey is juxta-posed with muted mandarin and turquoise. Dark background colours are to be found much more frequently, supporting the coloured designs so that they appear more effectively to their best advantage.

In terms of style, three trends are apparent: Firstly, calm, non-colour fabrics in white, cream, greige or grey, with a delicacy derived from the clever structure of the weave, often with a high definition, raised effect.

Secondly, opulent wovens with Baroque-style design nuances. Motifs are kept discreet and small in size and usually limited to tone-in-tone. The glitter yarns woven into the fabric shimmer distinguishingly and mysteriously.

And thirdly: On offer for young living are fabrics with a lively, optimistic image, featuring clear or whimsical patterns in high contrast colour combinations like pale yellow, purple, petrol blue and brick red. They are lively in effect, without being pushy.

All three trends feature on decorating fabrics. A raised effect is produced by a crushed finish, which may resemble folded paper, or patterns created using a Jacquard technique, i.e. expansive floral and geometry designs, or different yarn combinations, either floating or tightly secured. Often, the raised effect is created by combining a matt cotton or linen base with an iridescent polyester yarn in the patterning. Double wovens were more in evidence than before, featuring a structured effect due to their volume and accentuation of the seam joining the two textiles together.

Chintz is celebrating a comeback. Primarily comprising a cotton/polyester mix, its delicate sheen is bang on trend. The colour spectrum is wide, frequently spanning over 50 shades.

Floral patterns are more popular than ever, although more all-encompassing and climber-like in structure. Roses continue to bloom but do so less boldly than before. Birds and butterflies remain favourite decorative motifs, although the designs were somewhat less prete

ntious. Stripes were featured in interesting sequences of varying width, from wafer-thin to 30 cm wide. In addition to ‘naïve' base colours, plain block stripe patterns were also featured in more ingenious shades. Country house style fabrics are also less rustic with historic embroidery motifs, for example, providing the inspiration for the printed designs. Often the background is dark which makes a more high value impact. High-quality decorative velvet features fluid colour graduations, varying from purple and petrol, red and gold, green and bronze, originating apparently from the treasure trove of Venetian palaces.

Sixties style designs are on the wane. Something new, on the other hand, are large repeat patterns in bold colours evocative of the paintings of l'Art Informal or Kandinsky motifs.

The majority of base fabrics are still pale but are supplemented by more coloured fabrics. Even wafer-thin voiles are now available in darker colours like nougat brown and black. Transparent and semi-transparent fabrics are single-colour or printed with pattern emblems (usually generously distributed) and feature attractive stripe patterns or fanciful embroidery designs or are slotted or embellished with Swarovski crystals, metal studs and fabric appliqué. Not infrequently, designs are hand worked. Fine organza fabrics are upgraded with appliqué flowers, the outlines of which are framed with hand-sewn cord embroidery. Alternatively, an openwork design is applied to the fabric allowing the holes to be cut out by hand in between the pattern elements. Most transparent fabrics are 300 cm wide, avoiding the need for a vertical seam during make-up.

The thread curtains of the fifties have been rediscovered and are now available in trendy colours like purple, lime green, nougat, black, silver and gold. Decorating and transparent fabrics are colour-coordinated to allow combination.

When it comes to new transparent fabrics and upholstery material, their special appeal often lies in the composition of the material. Among the mixes are cotton/viscose/polyester; viscose/cupro fibres; linen/acetate/polyester and viscose/metallic yarn/cotton and polyester. In each case, this produces a totally different look. Chain and weft yarns of different colours create an interesting flecked look on the background fabric. Formerly, flame-resistant fibres like Trevira-CS were used for contract fabrics but now, thanks to advances in fibre development, they are used for many new, homely or even elegant fabrics. Outdoor fabrics for balcony or patio are enjoying a new-found popularity, thanks to attractive colours and patterns. Most are made of spin-dyed acrylic fibres and are ultra fade- and mould-resistant. A Teflon coating ensures that they are also moisture-repellent.

When it comes to curtain poles, the trend is also towards the more discreet. Pole, ring and tie-back designs are more restrained, more delicate. For opulent décor, header tape is now available up to 15 cm wide and pole push-through tape is on offer for ring-top curtains. In good textile collections, the colour of the trimmings coordinates with the fabric.

Roman or pleated blinds are made to measure in hundreds of colours and designs by the manufacturer to fit the exact dimensions of the window. The range of panel blinds, which serve as pull-across window dressing and sit behind one another, thus saving lateral space, is also getting bigger all the time. The offer includes plain coloured and patterned, laser-cut, openwork panel blinds ready-to-fit, in a host of fabrics, Japanese paper and other materials.

Once used for offices and showrooms, 25 cm wide vertical blinds are now available, making them more homely. They also fall better as a result of the absence of a seam. Just like slatted window dressings, they offer light regulation and concertina into a compact package on one side.

Fabric adds the final touch to sofas and chairs. The palette extends from traditional and trendy plains or patterns on velvet to fine rib and linen structures and salt and pepper designs. Stripes and Arabesque designs are on feature in both traditional and unfamiliar cheery colours. Flat weaves acquire an interesting profile with burls, cross-pieces and herringbone pinking, with chenille yarn often used to frame the pattern. Chenille fabrics, for their part, get an opulent touch from the glitter yarn woven into them.

Graphic stripes, string and dogtooth checks are often executed in black and white or black and grey. Traditional folklore and paisley motifs are also on show in these colour combinations, acquiring a modern touch in the process. Compelling sales arguments as far as upholstery fabrics are concerned continue to be durability, ease of care and flame-resistance.

The palette of bed linen designs appears infinite, extending from simple, imaginatively interlocking check designs and ingeniously combined multicoloured stripes to arabesque decorative braid and em-broidered flowers, generously distributed across the cover. In many case, the covers have different patterns front and back. Decorative climber arabesques are combined with striped designs, picturesque jungle leaves link up with graphically laid out bamboo stems. Cotton bed linen, delicately embellished with a men's shirt design in elegant colours are back, mainly for hotels, with a masculine accent, in noble, muted colours like griege, midnight blue and grey.

Also much in evidence are Paisley designs featuring contemporary colours, like cheerful lime, pink and beige or sea blue and white. Many of the flowers are large, decoratively and artistically drawn, Baroque decoration is playfully defamiliarised. For the romantic, there's white linen with gold cord embroidery or a wide band of St. Gallen lace as the raised seam. Silk is no longer a rarity in the collections of bed linen manufacturers. Many collections offer nightshirts, pajamas and dressing gowns to match the bed linen.

The flame-resistant fibres like Trevira-CS were used for contract fabrics but now, thanks to advances in fibre development, they are used for many new, homely or even elegant fabrics.Trevira presented four themes: Secret Lullaby, Kalahari Heat, Sparkling Nightlife and Urban Greenhouse (Photos: Trevira)

It isn't unusual to find terry towels in over 40 different colours. Pale mauve, light apricot and Reseda green mirror the latest colour trends. Designs extend from stripes to Baroque climber designs. The more conspicuous the pattern, the more likely a tone-in-tone interpretation. Colour-coordinated, single colour goods are usually on sale to match the patterned towels. Black and white decoration is on the way in featuring narrow stripes and herringbone, pepper and salt or rhomboid patterns. Towels embellished with Swarovski crystals or metallic discs are glamorous and will survive washing at up to 60°C. Towels made of bamboo fibres are relatively new to the market. They are pleasantly dry to the touch and absorb significantly more water than cotton.

Lightweight toweling bathrobes with tie fastenings are ideal for travelling. Cute, hooded bathrobes for the kids are available in a wide variety of cheerful colours.

Tablecloths also move with the times and present a trend-conscious look in fashion colours like mauve and pistachio, black or copper. Almost all the tablecloths are sold with matching napkins. Designs are tailored to the various furnishing styles reinforcing the atmosphere of the interior. However, in general, a refinement of patterns and colours is noticeable. White tablecloths are reserved for festive occasions and, with their high-end woven design and glitter thread décor, look like matelasses. All the collections include table runners in a range of sizes, many made of linen or even silk, embroidered or welted, as well as transparent fabrics. Designs with blueprint appeal are some-thing new for kitchen towels and aprons.

In 2007, German wallpaper manufacturers recorded a 12% increase in sales - a welcome development. The reason for this is that wallpaper no longer forms an inconspicuous backdrop for the furnishings but is now used as a stand-alone design element in the home. Extensive, often large repeat patterns, cover the walls, creating the impression of depth, thanks to the ingenuity of the design. The more expensive the wallpaper, the more subtle the colour structure - cappuccino brown, greige, mauve or blackberry purple are the favorites. Together, background and decoration are generally calm in terms of impact, not garishly contrasting and therefore do not dominate the room. Moiré and crush effect wallpaper is frequently in evidence to go with an elegant furnishing style.

Baroque and paisley patterns are still en vogue, although interpreted in a modern way in terms of form and colour. Floral patterns are more generously and extensively designed.

Many of the new carpets on show at Heimtextil 2008 are almost too beautiful to walk on. They feature floral or geometric relief decoration which spans practically the entire width of the carpet, attaining a picture-like character in the process. Despite the size of the pattern their effect is subtle, as the majority are single coloured. Graphic designs generally predominate - stripes, rectangles and circles. Chessboard designs in two or more colours are on show in many collections. Traditional floral designs are modified in a contemporary way and occasionally combined with severe stripes. As with the fabrics, the colours are muted and pleasantly unspectacular - aubergine, grey-blue, nou-gat or sand, spiced up by embellishment in sage green, pale yellow or pink.

For the young living segment, the designers dug deep into the paint pot, with pink, blue and green flowers on a red background for example. Felt carpets broaden the range. Now, in addition to design in a severe design language, leaf, climber and loop decorations are on offer. The designs are executed in silk, pure new wool, knitted cord yarn or leather. Cheap glitter is frowned on for carpeting and overall the spectrum of colours is more varied. "Dry" curly velour is more frequently in evidence, and the multicoloured is also on offer, turquoise, pink and black or mixed with longer, iridescent spun thread. Rib patterns are multicoloured too, particularly black and white or umbra and black. An interesting innovation for floor coverings is a wallpaper for the floor. The wallpaper specially chosen by the consumer is glued to the floor and coated with a layer of transparent, fluid epoxy resin, turning it into a floor covering you can walk on.

Further information can be obtained from Claudia Franke / Christine Kern. Tel: 496975756738, Fax: 496975756099 email: claudia.Franke@messefrankfurt.com and www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com.