Heimtextil increases global presence

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 12/18/2000 12:00:00 AM

FRANKFURT, GERMANY -Heimtextil, the giant home textiles, fabric and wallcoverings show, will be bigger than ever during its run next month from Jan. 10 to Jan. 13.

With 3,107 exhibitors for the 2001 event, the show will reflect an increase of more than 200 new companies, according to Daniel McKinnon, international marketing manager for Messe Frankfurt, the organizer of the show.

The global exhibitor base has expanded, in contrast to the American participation, which has declined significantly for the upcoming event, following a pattern set several years ago. In fact, an increase in the number of design firms showing at the upcoming show is bolstering the American presence.

Some 75 American companies including publications, design firms, home textiles manufacturers, fabric firms and basic suppliers will be present.

Heimtextil continues to grow as an international venue with 76 percent of the exhibitor base drawn from outside Germany. Interestingly, Italy and India were neck and neck with the most exhibitors in 2000, followed by France, Great Britain, Spain, Belgium, Pakistan and China. Fewer than 50 exhibitor firms separated France and China.

For the 2001 event, Portugal is the partner country. Portugal will have four national pavilions with about 90 companies represented across the exhibition halls.

Special exhibits and events are integral to the scope of the Heimtextil scene and 2001 will be no different.

Wonderland will feature high-end decorative fabrics and floor coverings in Hall 9.0; Deco Team will theme "Feel Good" in Hall 8.0; Curtains from Italy will hold forth in Hall 8.0; Tissime, fabrics from France, will be found in Hall 9.2; Walls of the World, a wallcoverings focus, will be in Halls 5.1 and 6.1.

In the manufactured products areas, La Piazzetta in Hall 1.2 features four high-end Italian companies; La Faubourg, also in Hall 1.2, showcases French high-end companies and Dreamland, again in Hall 1.2, embraces all home textiles at the high end.

As part of its evolution to focusing more on design direction and cultural trends, next year's Heimtextil will feature Trends 2001, which is being translated into an "experiential world."

The 2001 trend themes are Loft, a combination of a run-down factory atmosphere and an extreme lifestyle; Cafeteria, a relaxed mix of Latin sensuality, generosity and joie de vivre; Salon, the classic elegance of times past in harmony with Asian elements; and Camping, a bold and provocative, nonchalant blend of bourgeois ingredients and individual style.