Style leaders split on design and color trends

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/21/2003 2:00:00 PM

Frankfurt, Germany — The industry's design mavens are split on design and color direction on their return from Heimtex. Product offerings were termed "safe" or "easier on the eye," a reference to the more brilliant color palette and bold designs of past shows.

Here's a sampling:

• Andy Pacuk, senior vp, Robert Allen Group, termed the offerings "safe and utilitarian."

• David Byers, director of designs for Wearbest, called the show, "warm in feeling," noting also that the high-tech, detailed jacquards were "standouts."

• Joan Karron, executive vp, CHF Inds., observed, "Fabrics just can't be plain solids anymore. They have to be crushed, pleated, shrunk, embellished, which is also a high-profile technique."

• But M.J. Ramos, head of woven goods for Duralee, pointed to citron green with orange and cantaloupe, from pastels to vibrants. "There's a host of new flower favorites — birds of paradise, poppies, dogwood and tiger lilies."