Heimtexil featuring two new fabric programs

-- Home Textiles Today, 12/27/2007 11:54:00 AM

Frankfurt, Germany – Furniture fabrics will receive additional focus at the Heimtextil home textiles fair here from Jan. 9 to 12 with a new awards program and a special trend display.

The Young Contract Creations Award 2008, sponsored by fiber producer Trevira and the publisher Verlag M. Ritthammer, will honor a design student who creates an innovative fabric and seating setup for a hotel lobby, restaurant or bar using Trevira CS polyester flame retardant fabrics.    

The new display – called the Furniture Fabrics Centre for Excellence – will showcase an internationally diverse product range with an emphasis on function and fashion. It will be housed in the new Competence Square area in Hall 4.0.

In addition, a section called Creativity Meets Technology, will focus on “smart textiles” – fabrics with stain resistant or antibacterial qualities and fabrics that improve indoor air quality or protect against electromagnetic radiation.

Overall, Heimtextil 2008 also will put new a focus on premium fabric and home textiles products under the umbrella term “More.”

“More Living,” a banner for cutting-edge design and quality, will debut in Hall 3.1, featuring premium suppliers from the upholstery, window and floor segments. As part of the “More Living” area, Heimtextil will include an “Outside In” showcase that features stylish concepts for sleeping, living and dining in a luxury town villa.

Heimtextil also will continue to expand its emphasis on the contract side of the home textiles and home fabrics businesses. More than 400 suppliers to this segment of the market, identified by the banner “Contract Creations,” will be participating in the show.

As part of a growing emphasis on high-end furnishings for hotels, sources from Asia will be featured for the first time in Hall 6.0 under the banner “Contract Vision.” Small pieces of furniture and lighting will be shown along with textiles.

The annual Heimtextil trends display keys on the theme of “It’s time to be…
visionary, original, magical and vibrant.” Visionary is represented by minimalist, ultramodern themes rendered in unconventional materials. Original represents living in a natural habitat with nature; it combines the handmade with quirky material mixes.

Magical is represented by the Atomium structure in Brussels, Belgium, which designers call a fusion of modern luxury and Art Deco. The vibrant theme is represented by high tech, sporty stripes, 1960s design themes and recollections of the legendary Memphis furniture and accessories collection.