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Heimtextil Goes ‘gloBAL'
By Joanne Lembo

exhibitors descend on frankfurt for annual style fest

As always at the beginning of the year, the textile world is converging on Frankfurt am Main, Germany, January 11-14, 2006, for Heimtextil, the International Trade Fair for Home and Commercially Used Textiles. Messe Frankfurt, the show's organizer, is expecting approximately 3,000 exhibitors from more than 70 countries and 90,000 visitors from over 127 countries.

"Themes and trends are very important in 2006," says Elke Abate, international marketing coordinator for Messe Frankfurt.

The Circle Quilt and Veranda Stripe duvet cover from Amity Imports Inc. (626-334-6771, amityimports.com) are 100% cotton, with matching shams available in standard, Euro, king, and decorative pillow sizes.

First-time exhibitor Artscape, Inc. (877-729-0165, artscape-inc.com) shows its Stained Glass Textured Window Film with the look of the real thing.

Above: The Roc-lon® Deco Rest™ III in the Carrera™ pattern from Rockland Industries (800-876-2566, roc-lon.com) is a printed, all-in-one, flame resistant, blackout, decorative drapery fabric. It is available in 12 colors.

Interior designer Jamie Drake is creating the world's largest textile showroom in the Festhalle at the Frankfurt Fairground.

American interior designer Jamie Drake, founder of Drake Design Associates, is Heimtextil's first ever creative director. He is working under the theme "gloBAL" to transform the Frankfurt Festhalle into the world's largest textiles showroom. "You enter into a space that communicates a message of mystery and future, with a nod to the past - it's infinite, but contained," says Drake. "A magic carpet directs you to a view in the distance of a vast, circular room within a room."

The gigantic circular space is enclosed in 60' tall fabric walls, with a centerpiece of a fantasy solar system made of enormous planets covered in swatches of exhibitors' fabric.

Heimtextil is a must-see show for exhibitors trying to expand their businesses on an international level.

The Quilts of Gees Bend collection from Kathy Ireland Worldwide (310-557-2700, kathyireland.com) is being featured at Heimtextil.

Ramatex International (800-472-6283, ramatexinternational.com) offers its 90% acrylic/10% polyester blankets and pillows in (from left to right) Moose Creek, American Outdoor, Winter Adventure, Bear Adventure, Elk Adventure, Moose Adventure, and Fall Adventure patterns.

Reach-In Pocket packaging from Imex Vinyl Packaging (800-938-IMEX, imexvp.com) allows the consumer to feel the product inside, while still keeping the item enclosed in the vinyl packaging.

The "SmartBlanket" from Faribault Mills (800-533-0444, faribaultmills.com) is an Outlast/wool blend.

The US Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) has sponsored a US Pavilion at Heimtextil for the past 25 years. Lawrence Brill, director of the market expansion division, says that one of the goals is "to improve exports of US textile and apparel companies in overseas markets."

OTEXA believes Heimtextil is the best opportunity for US exhibitors to meet new buyers, distributors, and agents. Among those companies included in the US Pavilion are Faribault Mills, Waverly, Ramatex International, Artscape, Inc., Kathy Ireland Worldwide, and Rockland Industries.

Michael Harris, president and CEO of Faribault Mills, feels that Heimtextil is an important part of its business. "We are a global company - we have to have an international presence to have international sales." The company is showing two new products: a washable wool blanket called Royal Carefree and a wool/cotton blend blanket with Outlast fibers.

At Heimtextil, decorative fabric and wallpaper resource Waverly exhibits not only because it increases existing business, but "One-third of our meetings are with new customers," says Thomas Leahy, vice president, sales. "Exhibiting every year shows that you are committed to the business and to exporting. It's hard to pursue the export business from the US - the relationship just isn't there."

Exhibiting for the first time at Heimtextil is the Fairfield, NJ-based Ramatex International. "Heimtextil is a great step in expanding our business," says Dominique Todeschini, sales. The company manufactures Earth Ragz - a line of blankets and apparel made from 100% recycled fibers.

Also new is Artscape, Inc., manufacturer of decorative window film. According to Kristin Roberts, vice president of merchandising, its goal is to broaden retail diversity by branching out and starting new partnerships in Europe.

Kathy Ireland Worldwide chose to exhibit at Heimtextil for the first time in 2006 because it "is the most important research, design, and product market place for textiles," says Kathy Ireland. The company is focusing on its Quilts of Gee's Bend Collection, and is joined at the show by its partners at Shaw Living and Kathy Ireland Home by Arrow.

Right: In Waverly's (800-523-1200, waverly.com) Ashton Peony bed, from the Williamsburg Age of Exploration collection, the Ashton Peony comforter reverses to Peyton Ikat.

Below: The Pop Art bathmat is part of Sorema Bath Fashion's (sorema@sorema.pt, sorema.pt) new Springbath 2006 collection.

Stan Fradin, president of Roc-lon Mills, explains that the fair is very important for Rockland Industries' export business. "We make products in the US, and sell them around the world - Heimtextil is a good avenue for us."

Jennifer Chang, president of the San Francisco-based Kumi Kookoon, makers of fine silk products including bedding and loungewear, declares, "Heimtextil is important for us because it's the largest textile show where all the new trends and big corporate buyers go."

Imex Vinyl Packaging is showing the latest in vinyl bags and packaging, including Wire Frames, designed for sturdier storage, and a system called the Reach-In Pocket, which allows the consumer to feel the product without opening the package. Imex offers stock and custom designs in all of the Pantone colors.

Sorema Bath Fashion is showing its Springbath 2006 bathmat collection, which includes Mescla, Shaggy Bamboo, Pima Duo, Pop Art, Linen Twist, and Opulent Silk.

Amity Imports is presenting quilts handmade by craftsmen and artisans in India. Among its new products are the Circle Quilt, and Veranda Stripe duvet cover.

At this year's show, Hunter Douglas, headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is focusing on fabric and equipment development.

"Exhibiting at Heimtextil is a logical extension of being where our customers are," says Jim Mathews, vice president, marketing. "It's very important to us as an international business."

Heimtextil 2006 offers visitors a comprehensive view of the trends for the upcoming year, and gives exhibitors the chance to expand their business to new, international customers.