The next edition of world-leading domestic and contract textiles fair Heimtextil, taking place in Frankfurt between 14-17th January, will feature Theme Park, a new, engaging concept of trend forecasting …
As one of the world’s largest trade fairs for home and contract textiles, Heimtextil has a special function as a trend barometer and benchmark for high-quality textiles characterised by excellent design and innovative functionality. Against this background, Messe Frankfurt launched the Heimtextil Trend Show back in 1991 and has expanded it continuously since then.
Every year, the Trendtable of international experts filters out the most important general trends and provides valuable orientation and reliable trend prognoses for product developers, creative teams, furnishing experts and designers. For Heimtextil 2015, Messe Frankfurt is preparing a new, expanded trend concept called the Heimtextil Theme Park. Stijlinstituut Amsterdam has curated the Heimtextil trends for 2015/16, which will be presented here.
Experience is the superordinate Heimtextil trend theme for this year. “Textiles are the perfect vehicle for inspiring, sensory and interactive experiences,” explains Anne Marie Commandeur of Stijlinstituut Amsterdam. “In both the Heimtextil Trend Book and the Theme Park at the fair, we present a selection of spectacular projects, which can be experienced with all the senses.”
For the first time, the Trend Book comes with interactive print elements, which enable readers to obtain supplementary information in digital form by scanning the parts of the book marked and then watching animated images on their smartphone or tablet.
The first part of the Trend Book revolves around social, political, technological and artistic themes – all key themes that have a decisive influence on designers. The second section looks at trends that are set to have a direct influence on interior design and home textiles in 2015 and beyond. To this end, the trend experts proposed four design themes – Sensory, Mixology, Discovery and Memory.
The new Heimtextil Theme Park and its accompanying media emphasise the challenges and opportunities for the retail trade, the contract business and the tourist sector. The Retail and Hospitality blocks spotlight pioneering projects and are a source of ideas for new business concepts. Additionally, the focus of the trend prognoses is on technology and sustainability.
A large number of young designers specialising in microbiology and computer sciences play an important role in the Technology and Sustainability blocks. By way of contrast, others work on projects involving low-tech handicrafts, recycling and re-use.
Sensory – the well-being factor
Designers create new products for the home, which appeal to our growing interest in tactile and sensory impulses. They find solutions via the link between science and design and thus increase our feeling of well-being. To this end, they use intelligent textiles with built-in responsive technologies that, for example, react to changes in the source of light. Inspiration also comes from the beauty and wellness industry.
Super-sensory fabrics draw on the great variety of tactile effects that stimulate our senses. As a sensory contrast, fabrics with polished surfaces or varnish-like lustre and uniformity are used together with paper surfaces and oily finishes.
Mixology – inter-cultural exchange
Cultural fusion has given rise to a modern ethnic heritage. Experimentation and the interaction of different identities is becoming more popular. Patterns, prints and colours collide almost chaotically with each other. African tribal design meets 3D rave motifs, retro with futuristic, digital with organic.
At the same time, people are enthusiastic about recycling and product hacking. New applications are found for waste materials with due consideration being given to material properties. The result is valuable design objects and – no less important – the feeling of independence from conformity of any kind.
Discovery – predicting the future
Designers are taking ever-greater account of the planet’s valuable resources. They look over the shoulder of astrophysicists and investigate the properties of lunar rock and meteorites, the haptic qualities and dark strength.
Observing the cosmos and the micro-cosmos, they come across dark, light-absorbent space black and stellar coruscation. Light plays a key role in this connection – it dazzles and illuminates, it sketches and plays tricks with the eye.
Memory – reflection and re-evaluation
People strive for a simpler, purer and more ethically correct way of modern life, away from consumption stress and rigid must-haves – towards favourites and a genuine feeling of well-being.
The materials that decorate life together in the home will be honest, useful fabrics, such as denim, wool and linen. Familiar patterns stimulate the capacity for recall. Tomorrow’s designers will combine handicrafts and tradition with an innovative sense for modernity whereby their software abilities are an additional benefit. Thus, handicrafts and technology can join forces to create new, timeless values.
These trend prognoses are supported by an extensive website with detailed background information and project presentations at www.heimtextil-theme-park.com.
This article was featured in the January issue of Furniture News magazine.
