In the Industry - February 2008

It’s Time To Be…
By Wanda Jankowski

Forward-driving 2008-09 trends created by five international design firms and issued by Messe Frankfurt

Since 1992, Messe Frankfurt has published annually a home and contract furnishing textiles trend book that features the four most prominent trends in color palettes, patterns, textures and materials.
The 2008-9 trend book, presented in January at Heimtextil in Frankfurt, is titled It’s Time To Be… and explores concepts called Visionary, Original, Vibrant and Magical. It is a result of the collaboration among these five international designers: Anne Marie Commandeur, Stijlinstituut Amsterdam; Mayouri Sengchanh, Carlin International; Claudia Herke, bora.herke stilbüro; Marion Becella, Concept Magenta; and Fulvio Alvisi, Alvisi e Alvisi.

Here are details on the color palettes and material qualities for each trend.

Visionary

• Icy, frosty looks like cellophane, iridescence, transparents, opals and sequins.

• Metallic surfaces, finishes
and yarns.

• Technical aspects as seen in chintz and technical silks.

• Shiny finishes, chromolux
and changeants.

• Compact softness in bondings and foambacks.

• Ultra-modern forms such as elastic yarns, technical jerseys, vinyl, rubberized qualities, latex, silicone and polyurethane-based materials.

• Patterns inspired by architectural materials such as mineral effects and marbled looks.

• Perforated surfaces in mesh structures, tulle and outcuts.

• Plainness in ultra-fine poplin, taffeta and fine cotton.
Colors are cool, pastel and plain, used together with a shiny accent.

Original

• Experimental felt looks, layerings and worked leather.

• Upgraded ethnic looks like Chinese, Ikat and Batik.

• Extra large knits and wovens.

• Structured effects such as bark and wood structures, boucle looks, hammered, smoked and crushed effects, embossing and pleats.

• Organic materials such as hemp, bamboo, pineapple, banana,
nettle and soy.

• Hairy textures such as woven skins, sheepskin and mohair.

• Fluid designs such as blurred prints, pixelated and oxidized motifs and abstract jacquards.

• Skins like treated leather, suede and elephant hide.

• Warm and compact materials such as wool, felt and tweed that is creased, roughened, boiled and knitted. Colors are inspired by nature, supplemented by pink and combined with fresh accents.

Vibrant

• Designs include typography, wavy lines, digital prints, comics, oversized motifs, flock prints, holograms, ethnic mixes and color effects.

• Experimental techniques with multi-processed, overprinted, embroidered, dyed, thermoplastic, wrap-around and laser
cut fabrics.

• Plastic looks with transparent qualities, foils, vinyl, latex, silicone, lacquer, high gloss, liquidity, reflectivity, luminosity, fluorescence, and LED and neon effects.

• Rainbow effects, colored sequins and Memphis-inspired patterns.

• Sporty looks with parachute nylon, blow-up, padded and sweatshirt qualities. The neon spectrum is supplemented by neutrals and combined with black and white.

Magical

• Radiant looks in lacquered surfaces, satin and vinyl.

• Iridescent looks, taffeta, facets, changeant and metallic surfaces.

• Futuristic glamour in glitter, brocade, sequins and crystals.

• Luxurious warmth of velvet, cashmere and feathers.

• Creative designs that are quilted, plaited, plissed, origami, embossed or pleated.

• Military-inspired designs using Arabesque, geometric brocade
or moiré. Dark, mysterious colors and violet are combined with light accent colors.

Resources

LDB INTERIOR TEXTILES is published by EW Williams Publications Company
2125 Center Avenue, Suite 305, Fort Lee, NJ 07024-5898, USA Phone: 1-201- 592-7007 Fax: 1-201-592-7171