Heimtextil- the world’s biggest trade fair for the international home and household textile industry- which opened under the motto “style is more than an attitude”. Has once again proved to be the foremost venue for home and contract textile sector considering the fact that 2844 exhibitors have unveiled their latest & innovative collections and also the huge turn out of visitors from across the globe.
India is among the leading exhibitor contingent at the exhibition with 389 companies exhibiting an array of home textile products. The Indian participation this year is low-key when compared to the earlier years. The appreciation of the rupee has taken the toll on exports on account of which many Indian companies have not taken part at this edition of Heimtextil, it may be noted here.
Meanwhile, level of internationality at fair, which, as in 2007, has reached a very high 84 percent, reflect the power of attraction exercised on companies from all over the world including India. In line with tradition, the bulk of exhibitors (around 57 percent) come from Europe. The top ten nations including Germany (468 exhibitors), Turkey (180), Italy (155), France (102), Spain (93), Belgium (87), Great Britain (82) and Portugal (77). Along with India, the other best represented Asian exhibitor nations are China (309) and Pakistan (162).
Commenting on the exhibition, Mr. Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt said: “2,844 exhibitors from 65 countries – a statistic con.rming that the Heimtextil has been able to achieve a stable result compared to the previous year. Of particular signi. cance is the echo from Germany with companies from the manufacturing, fishing design, import and textile publishing segments having booked more space than past year”,
Under the motto, ‘Style is more than attitude’- Heimtextil this year re.ects a major conceptual modifcation to the fair. Under the umbrella term ‘More’, the Heimtextil presents the range of product 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 and market and marketing principles. ‘More Clarity’ and ‘More Style’ cover household textile of the ‘bed’, ‘bath’ and ‘table’ products groups.
Thus ‘More Clarity’ unites European textile manufacturers with classic design, some of whom also work with exclusive batch sizes and high grade products while ‘More Style’ presents international brands with fashion and trend oriented design and licensees. For the first time in this year , the Heimtextil is also providing an exclusive forum for manufacturers of high grade home textile: ‘More Living’ brings together exhibitors of the ‘window’, ‘upholstery’ and ‘floor’ product group and stands for a clear emphasis on leadership in term of design and quality subdivided by producers and textile publishers.
The specialist trade and interior decorators rank among the most important Heimtextil target group and three of new initiatives are aimed specifcally at them. The ‘Concept Square’ showcase in Hall 8.0 focuses on shop concepts and space management system by exhibitors from ‘bed’ segment’ and present their product and corporate innovations.
With ‘Crystal Waves’ the Heimtextil presets a bathroom scenario of the luxury class in cooperation with Swarovski, Kuldi, Bisazza and Hoesch. Bathroom textiles from exhibitors of the ‘bath’ segment round off this extravagant showcase.
The ‘Competence Square’ 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 Center of Excellence also takes account of this.
The ‘Upholstery’ library of Trevira CS fabrics contained new design for the contract business while ‘Creativity meets Technology’ provides a forum for fabrics with intelligent supplementary functions from the lotus effect to protection from electromagnetic radiation. ‘Testing’ offers insights into the most important methods of testing furniture fabrics. The 1st Young Contact Creation Award: ‘Upholstery’ goes to young designers for outstanding furniture projects using textiles.
HEIMTEXTIL 2008/09 TREND PREVIEW
Exclusive sneak peak for home fashion trends were presented at the Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany by the newly formed international trendtable January 9-12, 2008. These hot-off-the-press textile trends are sought after by all corners of the globe.
The latest trendbook “It’s Time To Be…” claims that this new millennium is a time for change, an era where new perspectives, new attitudes, and new concepts are under way. Leading towards this new purity, the buzz is focused around objectivity and clarity, authenticity, honesty and ambition, the appreciation of perfection and the understanding of imperfection. Contradictions are evident – intelligence with intuition, minimalism and luxury, the marriage of ecology and high-tech. The vision “It’s Time To Be…” .fows from last year’s forum with the themes of Visionary, Original, Magical, and Vibrant.
The trend philosophies for 2008/2009 are:
Visionary - ultramodern, structural, pure, metallic, pared down, high quality, minimal shiny, sensual. Colors are cool pastels accented with shine. Fabrics and materials are inspired from frosty looks, metallic aspects, technical feels, iridescent looks, compact softness, ultra-modern forms, architectural patterns, perforated surfaces, and plainness
Original - eco design, experimental, handmade, whimsical, unique, ethno- futuristic, fun recycling, natural/technical, intellectual, innovative imitation of nature, bionic, high class, top quality. Colors are natural accented with pink. Fabrics and materials are experimental,upgraded ethnic, extra large, structured, organic, hairy, .uid, skins, warm and compact.
Magical - luxurious, elegant, metropolis, futuristic glam, sparkling, shimmering and shining, perfectionist, decorative, mysterious, feminine, new aesthetic. Colors are dark, mysterious and violet with light accents. Fabrics and materials have radiant looks, iridescent looks, futuristic glamour, luxurious warmth, military inspired designs.
Vibrant - humor, plastic, blow-up, graphic, artifcial, psychedelic, fast, sporty, supersmile. Colors are neon mixed with neutrals combined with black and white. Fabrics and materials encompass many designs, experimentation, plastic looks, sporty looks.
This gallery of images reviews three of the four trend philosophies. “It’s Time To Be…” trendbook details the trends and gives six colors and two accents with Pantone references for each trend. Trendease subscribers may purchase it for 40 euros. For more information on Heimtextil visit the website.
