Liberty presents two Futurism-inspired fabric collections

This report details observations from the Interwoven fabric show, held from May 7-9 in High Point. The event showcased upcoming trends and designs in fabrics and leathers that are expected to influence the marketplace in the latter half of the year and early next year. Fabric manufacturers and importers presented their latest collections, offering insights into the business and fashion trends poised to appear on upholstery frames and drive retail traffic. Culp introduced new designs featuring a mix of textures, colors, and patterns, aiming to provide unique narratives for retail presentation. Sunbrella also presented a wide array of new offerings, catering to diverse style preferences among consumers with its broad design palette. Richloom's booth attracted visitors like Aamir Thobhani of Innnotex Solutions USA, who explored the new fabric selections. Key industry figures were present, including Bob Meloy of Big House Fabrics, who met with Bob Gorman, vice president of sales and merchandising at PMT Fabrics. R. Sackett Wood, CEO of Moore & Giles, showcased the company's new leather collections. J. Allen Fabric highlighted its Revive performance fabric line, with Miron Yaghoubi, partner and CEO, discussing new additions with Mike Willoughby, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Nice Link unveiled eight new collections, including Waters Edge, totaling 60 patterns and 600 SKUs, demonstrating a wide range of colorways. RM Coco displayed its comprehensive line, encompassing multipurpose solids, prints, wovens, embroideries, silks, performance and outdoor fabrics, sheers, decorative trimmings, and hardware, located in the fifth-floor Pavilion area of Market Square. Nassimi LLC, represented by Executive Vice President Iwan Nassimi, presented new vegan leathers, featuring commercial-grade fabrics designed for both style and durability in residential applications. Z-Wovens showcased a diverse mix of indoor and outdoor fabrics from its core Z-Wovens and Sunbelievable lines, engaging customers with its extensive offerings. Valiant Fabrics also exhibited in the fifth-floor Pavilions of Market Square, where attendees gathered information on their latest fabric introductions. The show provided a platform for participants to observe and understand the evolving landscape of textile design and material innovation within the home furnishings industry. #InterwovenShow #FabricTrends #TextileInnovation #HomeFurnishings #UpholsteryFabrics #LeatherCollections #PerformanceFabrics #RetailTrends #HighPointMarket

The project "Knowing the Ropes," initiated by designers Brynhildur Pálsdóttir, Þuriður Rós Sigurþórsdóttir, and Theresa Himmer, delves into the ubiquitous nature and varied applications of rope, challenging conventional perceptions of this utilitarian material. This artistic endeavor explores the cultural and structural significance of rope within a Scandinavian context, specifically focusing on its dual existence in interior design and maritime industries. The designers utilize two historical production facilities, Hampiðjan in Reykjavík, Iceland, and Aarhus Possementfabrik in Denmark, both established in the early 20th century and employing similar machinery. These facilities represent the divergent paths of rope production: one for marine use and the other for interior textiles. The core of the project lies in highlighting the unexpected aesthetic and functional intersections that arise when examining a material with such diverse applications. The genesis of "Knowing the Ropes" dates back to 2017. Over time, the project evolved from its initial conceptualization into a comprehensive body of work, culminating in a publication and an exhibition featuring objects and video installations. The initial exhibition was held at the Reykjavík Art Museum in 2021, showcasing the designers' innovative interpretations and creations. The artists further developed their project by presenting an evolved version at the Hallwyl Museum in Stockholm. This particular venue, a meticulously preserved Victorian home from the turn of the 20th century, provided a unique juxtaposition for the contemporary design pieces. The museum's ornate and traditional environment offered a striking contrast to the modern and unconventional objects crafted from rope, creating an unexpectedly modern aesthetic within a historical setting. The exhibition features a range of objects that reimagine the use of rope in everyday items and art installations. These pieces include floor lamps with rope-wrapped bodies and exposed light bulbs, demonstrating how rope can be integrated into lighting design to create a distinctive texture and form. Pedestals made entirely from rope showcase the material's structural capabilities and its potential as a sculptural element. A standing round mirror, framed and supported by intricate rope work, highlights the material's versatility in creating decorative and functional home furnishings. A modern three-legged table also utilizes rope in its construction, presenting it as a primary material rather than a mere accent. Additionally, arch-shaped shelving units, crafted with rope netting, illustrate innovative approaches to storage and display. Through these creations, Pálsdóttir, Sigurþórsdóttir, and Himmer prompt viewers to reconsider the inherent qualities of rope and its potential for artistic and design expression. The project not only celebrates the craftsmanship and heritage associated with rope making but also pushes the boundaries of how textiles can be perceived and utilized in contemporary design. The juxtaposition of modern designs with a historic setting further emphasizes the timeless appeal and adaptability of this fundamental material, inviting a deeper appreciation for the overlooked elements of our material world. #TextileArt #RopeDesign #ScandinavianDesign #MaterialExploration #ContemporaryArt #ExhibitionDesign #InteriorFurnishings #DesignInnovation

The article explores the latest textile and wallpaper trends for 2025 as previewed during Paris's Déco Off, Déco Home, and Maison&Objet; in The City events. These industry showcases highlight innovative approaches to home interiors, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and advanced manufacturing techniques. The future of interior design, as presented by leading brands, appears focused on elegance, incorporating iridescent weaves, imaginative color palettes, and enduring earthy tones. Rubelli's new "Teorema" collection, designed by Formafantasma, features patterns that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary vision. The collection introduces wool and chenille fabrics with abstract and geometric motifs, notably the "Zig Zag" line, which reimagines embroidery techniques using shiny viscose thread for a modern, textured effect, pushing boundaries in decorative textiles for home transformation. Dedar's collections introduce material variations and new production methods within its "Contemporary Archives" family. The brand's soft figurativism enriches textiles with painterly depictions of natural elements like mountains, waterfalls, and starry skies. A highlight is the "Thank you for sending me an angel" line, crafted from kid mohair, which offers a luxurious, curly velvet texture that evokes the feel of fur without being actual fur, providing an elegant and pleasant tactile experience. Métaphores, an Hermès textile chain brand, presents "L'Echappée" by art director Emilie Paralitici. This collection draws inspiration from travel and exploration, translating distant memories into new fabrics. It celebrates iconic English beauty with exotic and oriental influences, incorporating tweed and tartan in vibrant colors suitable for contemporary spaces. The collection also includes textured fabrics with abstract patterns reminiscent of nautical cords, designed for both indoor and outdoor applications. Fischbacher 1819 collaborates with Marcel Wanders for the "Ancient Memories" collection, presented in Paris's Rive Droite. This line introduces an "archeology of time-traveling fabrics" that bring lightness to modern spaces. Developed with artist Caterina Roppo, the collection features decorative elements and canvases that convey poetic and emotional narratives. A notable inclusion is the "Nature's Dialogue" line, showcasing cotton lace embroidery that merges traditional craftsmanship with new technologies. Fortuny's "Armonia" collection, created in collaboration with designer Chahan Minassian, was unveiled in an art gallery during Déco Off. This collection merges Fortuny's historical legacy with Minassian's distinctive design approach, aiming for a timeless yet forward-looking aesthetic. The resulting patterns reflect on fabric's versatility in living spaces, integrating the traditional Venetian aesthetic with contemporary artistic vision. Lelièvre's "Métamorphose" collection emphasizes nature as an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The collection is characterized by designs that embody the rhythm of the seasons through visual and tactile patterns, delicate transitions, and blurred contours. The "Ammonite" line, for instance, features a fossil-inspired motif that connects to the origins of natural forms, refreshing the brand's aesthetic. Élitis introduces the "Brera" collection, which pays homage to the Milanese aesthetic of neoclassical style found in historic palaces and villas, particularly those in the Porta Venezia district. The collection reintroduces printed velvets and fabrics reminiscent of sophisticated clubs, creating a theatrical and elegant atmosphere in modern homes. This collection merges themes of nature, travel, and contemporary living through its upholstery, textiles, and accessories. Maison Pierre Frey's "Paralleles" collection explores the interplay of stripes, solid colors, and varying fabric thicknesses. The collection offers a vibrant range of palettes for contemporary homes, blending elegant, classic, and ethnic influences. The brand's installation, "Desert," presented in Paris, showcases wallpapers and fabrics that reinterpret 18th-century interiors with a modern twist, rejecting static interiors for dynamic, life-welcoming environments. Little Greene's "Storybook Papers" collection delves into childhood nostalgia, featuring designs inspired by archival materials and 20th-century aesthetics. Curated by the National Trust, the collection transforms wooden toy designs into two-dimensional motifs for wallpapers. Each wallcovering is accompanied by suggested paint selections, making them suitable for children's bedrooms, nurseries, bathrooms, dining rooms, and entryways, refreshing and renewing home spaces. CMO's new collections prioritize sustainability, utilizing natural fibers such as abaca, palm leaves, raffia, linen, silk, wool, and cashmere. These materials are processed using methods that blend ancient craft techniques with modern approaches. The brand focuses on preserving rare artifacts and traditional skills from remote villages, ensuring these unique practices are not lost to industrialization, thereby contributing to both design innovation and cultural heritage. #TextileTrends #WallpaperDesign #MaisonEtObjet #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LuxuryFabrics #SustainableMaterials #ParisDesignWeek #DesignExhibition

The article discusses the launch of Weft, an innovative online platform aiming to revolutionize the woven fabrics industry. Developed by Brooks Hagan, an associate professor of textiles at RISD, and Steve Marschner, a computer science professor at Cornell, Weft provides direct access to manufacturing for custom woven fabric orders, starting from as low as three yards. This platform distinguishes itself from surface-printed fabric providers by focusing on true woven designs, offering a unique service in the market. The project received research support from the National Science Foundation and a Small Business Innovation Research grant, highlighting its technological and entrepreneurial significance. Weft empowers users to personalize their fabric designs by allowing them to select colors, weave structures, and quality parameters, as well as define repeat sizes. This level of customization is particularly beneficial for independent designers working on smaller-scale projects, enabling them to create unique textiles without the high minimum order quantities typically associated with custom manufacturing. Users of the Weft platform have the flexibility to upload their own designs or photographs, integrating personal artistic vision into their fabric creations. Alternatively, they can customize existing designs available on the site. Beyond custom design, Weft also features a curated selection of limited-edition textile designs created by various artists. The article names Stephanie Pender, Kevin Zucker, Julia Dault, John Caserta, and Julian Kreimer as some of the collaborating artists, emphasizing the platform's commitment to artistic diversity. Hagan explains that the selection of artists from diverse fields was a deliberate choice to demonstrate the software's accessibility and utility to a wide range of creative individuals, regardless of their background. This approach aims to democratize access to custom fabric production, making it available to more designers and artists. In addition to custom orders, Weft operates an online shop offering ready-made woven jacquard fabrics. These fabrics are manufactured in the U.S. and include open-source options, further promoting customization. The versatility of these fabrics makes them suitable for various applications, including upholstery, drapery, and apparel, catering to a broad spectrum of interior design and fashion needs. Weft ensures efficiency by fulfilling custom fabric orders through its network of partner mills, boasting a quick turnaround time of as little as three weeks. This rapid production cycle is a significant advantage for designers and businesses seeking timely delivery of specialized materials. #WovenFabrics #CustomDesign #TextileIndustry #RISDInnovation #DigitalLoom #ManufacturingAccess #IndependentDesigners #ArtisticCollaboration

This article explores a selection of new fabric launches designed to enhance home interior schemes. The right fabric, whether patterned or plain, can significantly influence the aesthetic of a room. The piece highlights eight distinct collections and designers, each bringing a unique approach to textile design. First, Haines, an online platform for salvaged fabrics, has collaborated with Gabby Deeming of Daydress to create a limited-edition collection. This collection features surplus textiles repurposed into fabrics and soft furnishings, characterized by pretty, ditsy floral patterns in fresh colorways, emphasizing sustainability and unique design. Next, London-based textile designer Beki Bright presents a range of hand screen-printed fabrics, cushions, lampshades, and wallpapers. Her designs draw inspiration from the English countryside of Suffolk, utilizing a signature palette of muted blues, pinks, soft peaches, and mustard yellows, reflecting a natural and serene aesthetic. Beata Heuman introduces a 'Jumbo Gingham' print, which pays tribute to traditional 18th-century Swedish checked textiles. This fabric offers a modest yet playful element, aiming to impart a homey feel to any interior without overwhelming the space. Sophia Frances showcases fabrics that blend traditional British textile heritage with contemporary twists. Her collection includes bold zigzags, painterly florals, large-scale stripes, subtle flowers, and delicate geometrical repeats, providing a versatile range for various design preferences. Zoe Glencross expands her style with the 'Aventura Collection,' inspired by her travels to Mallorca, Seville, Lisbon, and Porto. This collection incorporates Moorish mudejar and Portuguese azulejo patterning, with an earthy color palette of warm terracotta, pinky-beige tones, rich ochres, vibrant apple greens, and coastal blues, bringing a worldly and colorful dimension to interiors. Blithfield, known for its color-driven designs, launches the 'Bancroft Collection.' This collection combines historical references with a contemporary feel, featuring striking printed designs in signature colors. It includes new versions of Ikat Check, a printed stripe named Lambert, and two woven designs: the antique-inspired Jasper and the classic Bailey. Henry Prideaux, in collaboration with Christopher Farr, has re-imagined iconic designs from the Christopher Farr archives, including works by Michael Szell, Raoul Dufy, and Kit Kemp. The recolored fabrics are curated within a palette of terracotta and blue, aiming to infuse renewed sophistication and a modern quality into these classic prints. Finally, Susie Watson introduces 'Natasha,' an Uzbek-style fabric hand-printed on rustic linen. Inspired by the founder's travels, this heavyweight material is stonewashed to achieve a subtle, vintage effect. Available in 'Catkin,' 'Dusty Pink,' and 'Smokey Blue,' it is suitable for curtains and blinds, and can be accented with a pom-pom trim. The article also mentions Fermoie’s 'Circus' design, which features a repeating geometric pattern inspired by the movement of acrobats and jugglers. Fermoie emphasizes traditional printing methods on linen and cotton, using only natural pigments and colors. These launches collectively offer a wide array of choices for interior decorators, ranging from sustainable salvaged textiles and countryside-inspired prints to traditional patterns with contemporary twists and culturally rich designs, all aimed at enhancing the aesthetic and feel of a home. #FabricLaunches #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TextileDesign #PatternedFabrics #SustainableFabrics #DesignerFabrics #HomeTextiles #DecoratingTrends

The year 2025 has introduced a variety of new indoor and outdoor fabric collections, providing extensive inspiration for interior design. This overview highlights eight notable collections that offer distinct aesthetics and innovative features for refreshing living spaces. William Morris At Home's "The Forager Collection," derived from the William Morris Gallery, features nature-inspired patterns, wovens, and cut velvets. The collection evokes a woodland aesthetic through vibrant fruit designs and popular patterns like Acorn and Willow Bough, aiming to add a whimsical touch to any interior. Sanderson's "Highgrove Collection," a collaboration with The King’s Foundation (founded by King Charles III), draws inspiration from the flora and fauna of Highgrove Gardens. This collection includes wallpapers, fabrics, weaves, embroideries, and stripes, integrating design elements from Sanderson's 165-year archive. A standout is the Highgrove toile, which depicts motifs such as yew tree hedges, pots, the Oak Summer House, and a topiarised English yew, along with King Charles III’s bust. The "Brown Jordan x Kravet Collection" is a partnership between two established brands, offering over 40 luxurious outdoor performance fabrics. Designed for outdoor relaxation, this collection features a natural color palette to blend seamlessly with various outdoor environments. Notable options include Bloom Steel, admired for its subtle design, and Balance Marine, recognized for its bold stripes. These fabrics are exclusive to Brown Jordan and can be used on many of the brand’s signature furniture pieces. Rubelli's "Teorema Collection," designed by Formafantasma, marks the brand’s initial venture into wool fabrics, alongside silks. Characterized by bold geometric patterns and striking colors, these fabrics are soft yet durable. "Fortunato" is a jacquard velvet within this collection, featuring an alternating pattern of cut velvet and higher pile trapezoids, which creates a dynamic, shimmering effect. Dedar's "Weaving Anni Albers Collection" is a collaboration with the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, reinterpreting iconic Bauhaus textiles for contemporary use. The collection integrates Albers’ textile works with Dedar’s manufacturing techniques, preserving the beauty of handwoven textiles through modern methods, as exemplified by fabrics like Under Way 1963. S. Harris’s collaboration with Sasha Bikoff presents a collection that embraces maximalism and draws from fashion history. This colorful assortment of fabrics, wallcoverings, and trimmings offers youthful designs for creative expression. Examples include the Beating Hearts trim paired with the French Kiss fabric for an exuberant combination. James Dunlop’s "Alfresco Collection" emphasizes durability, sophistication, and texture for both indoor and outdoor applications. These textiles, made from solution-dyed olefin and recycled yarns, feature FibreGuard stain resistance, ensuring superior colorfastness when exposed to UV rays. Airlie, an indoor-outdoor boucle woven in Turkey, is highlighted for its low-maintenance luxury. Meredith Ellis Textiles’ "The Botanical Collection" is inspired by the Texas Hill Country, featuring richly layered designs. This collection includes seven new prints, two decorative borders, and one woven design, resulting in 40 fresh patterns. It evokes themes of sun-baked afternoons and an Americana spirit, blending Southern influence with whimsy through patterns such as Hyder and Huntington stripe. These collections collectively represent a fusion of heritage, innovation, and design, suitable for enhancing various interior and exterior spaces. #FabricCollections #InteriorDesign #TextileInnovation #HomeDecor #LuxuryFabrics #OutdoorFabrics #NatureInspired #GeometricPatterns

This article celebrates the centenary of Lucienne Day, a pivotal figure in post-war British design, renowned for her vibrant, modernist textile designs. Lucienne Day, born on January 5, 1917, in Croydon, south London, studied at Croydon School of Art and the Royal College of Art (RCA) in the late 1930s, where she met her future husband, furniture designer Robin Day. Her RCA diploma show featured hand-block and screen-printed bold repeats, displayed alongside her husband's furniture, illustrating a nascent collaboration that would define both their careers. While their works often complemented each other, Lucienne Day forged a distinctive path in textiles, driven by a resolute modernist vision. Paula Day, Lucienne's daughter and director of the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation, draws parallels between her mother's enduring influence and that of William Morris, highlighting the timeless quality of Lucienne's work. Paula suggests that Day's designs possess a "startling power and originality" that distinguishes them from many retro-style patterns. Lucienne Day sought to invigorate the textile industry with fresh, contemporary designs, drawing inspiration from modern artists such as Paul Klee, Joan Miró, and Alexander Calder, as well as decorative traditions from her studies at the V&A Museum. Plant forms, for example, consistently reappeared throughout her body of work. Her breakthrough came with 'Calyx', a stylized floral textile design launched at the 1951 Festival of Britain. This design, mixing muted and acid colors, was a radical departure in pattern aesthetics. Despite initial skepticism from Heal's fabrics director Tom Worthington, 'Calyx' proved immensely successful, leading to a two-decade-long collaboration with Heal's, during which she produced approximately 70 patterns for the brand. 'Calyx' remains in production today, a testament to its enduring appeal. Lucienne Day's style was characterized by continuous evolution, a responsiveness to fashion trends without merely following them, and an exploration of new artistic techniques. Early 1950s designs, such as 'Dandelion Clocks' and 'Trio', showcased quirky motifs rendered with fine black lines on solid colored backgrounds. Later, she experimented with monoprint techniques, creating textured effects through drawings on acetate sheets applied to tissue paper collages, as seen in 'Cadenza' and 'Night and Day'. Her architectural designs of the mid-1970s, including 'Apex' and 'Lucienne', led to her invention of "silk mosaics," a new textile medium using one-centimeter squares of richly colored silk to form strong abstract patterns. Among her vast portfolio, Paula Day finds 'Night and Day', a tea towel designed for Irish linen manufacturer Thomas Somerset in 1961, particularly poignant. This design, which perfectly balances a strong monoprint drawing of an owl with textured paper sun rays, symbolizes the relationship between her parents. Over her 60-year career, Lucienne Day collaborated with numerous prominent brands, including Liberty, John Lewis, Cole & Son, and Rosenthal, applying her distinctive flair to fabrics, wallpapers, carpets, homeware, and ceramics. Her unique combination of color, line, form, and composition created a recognizable style that continues to resonate decades later. Lucienne Day received significant accolades, becoming the first woman to be made master of Royal Designers for Industry in 1987 and awarded an OBE in 2004. She passed away in 2010 at the age of 93. In commemoration of her centenary, the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation has released 100 previously unseen images of her work, which are featured on a 'Lucienne Day 100' poster and will be showcased in exhibitions, events, and awards throughout 2017. #LucienneDay #TextileDesign #ModernistDesign #BritishDesign #PostWarDesign #PatternDesign #MidCentury #DesignCentenary #DesignIcon

Morris & Co., the esteemed firm founded by William Morris in 1861, continues its legacy of preserving and reinterpreting the textile luminary's iconic vision through strategic partnerships with like-minded manufacturers. The "Pure Morris" collection takes this commitment a step further, delving into the archives to adapt 19th-century aesthetics for contemporary living. This initiative is driven by a recognition of modern preferences for simplicity and essentialism, prompting Morris & Co. to explore alternative perspectives on their historical designs. The head designer for Morris & Co., Alison Gee, articulated that the current cultural desire for simpler living and a return to fundamental principles made it an opportune moment to present a different interpretation of their heritage. Within the "Pure Morris" collection, a series of eight wallpapers and nine fabrics have been meticulously crafted. Notably, the Pure Sunflower wallpaper is a testament to this blend of tradition and modernity; it was originally hand-printed using the 1879 block, then digitally replicated and enlarged to suit contemporary design demands. The color palette of this historical pattern, once vibrant and multicolored, has been refined and simplified with a neutral scheme comprising silver, stone, and graphite. Similarly, Pure Willow Bough, another distinguished design, has undergone a transformation from its former multicolored rendition to a more subdued, neutral palette, emphasizing a contemporary aesthetic while retaining the original pattern's integrity. Further examples of this archival reinterpretation include Pure Bachelors Button, a wallpaper design that draws inspiration from medieval murals, incorporating motifs that evoke historical artistry in a refreshed context. The fabric collection mirrors this approach, with Pure Strawberry Thief standing out as a notable inclusion. This semi-sheer linen fabric is an adaptation of the well-known Strawberry Thief wall covering, demonstrating how Morris & Co. bridges different material applications while maintaining design continuity. The meticulous process behind each item in the "Pure Morris" collection ensures that the essence of William Morris's original artistry is upheld, while the designs are made relevant and appealing to 21st-century lifestyles and interior design trends. The collection serves as a bridge between historical craftsmanship and modern sensibilities, offering timeless designs that resonate with today's appreciation for simplified elegance. #MorrisAndCo #TextileDesign #Wallpaper #Fabric #AlisonGee #InteriorDesign #HistoricalRevival #PureMorrisCollection #WilliamMorris

The article discusses the new Bedford Park collection from Morris & Co., a textile brand named after the influential British textile artist William Morris. The collection, spearheaded by lead designer Jessica Clayworth, aims to honor Morris's iconic Arts & Crafts designs while introducing a modern and unexpected twist through bold and supercharged color palettes. Clayworth's vision was to disrupt the market by reimagining classic patterns with punchy hues and dramatic color combinations, drawing inspiration from the psychedelic tones of the 1960s and '70s. The development process involved delving into the company's archives to select both well-known Morris bestsellers and lesser-known works by other significant Arts & Crafts designers. The goal was to bring attention to designs that had previously received less recognition and to highlight the contributions of artists like C.F.A. Voysey, Allan Francis Vigers, and J. H. Dearle, who were also impactful during the Arts & Crafts period. The Bedford Park collection features 15 wallpaper designs and 14 fabrics. Clayworth provides insights into several key patterns within the collection. For instance, the popular 'Pimpernel' pattern, originally characterized by soft, muted colors, has been reinterpreted with brighter, stronger colors such as Shamrock and Watermelon. This reinterpretation caters to customers seeking a more vibrant and audacious aesthetic. Another pattern, 'Spring Thicket,' which was Morris's last wallpaper design, has been updated from its original subtle peachy ground to striking bright blues, incorporating a lilac punch to modernize the colorway and enhance the floral and leaf motifs. The collection also introduces designs by C.F.A. Voysey, including 'The Savaric,' which features his signature bird motif. While Morris's designs are often described as structural, Voysey's style is noted for its naivete. The updated 'Savaric' maintains a gentle color palette, such as Garden Green, to align with Voysey's original vision while introducing his work to a broader audience. Voysey's 'Glade' and 'Laceflower' patterns are also part of the collection. 'Glade' stands out with its structural, stylized botanical design and Art Nouveau influence, offering a departure from some of the more elaborate patterns. 'Laceflower' reintroduces Voysey's characteristic birds, integrated within floral stems for a more dimensional effect compared to 'The Savaric.' Allan Francis Vigers' 'Campanula' design, with its dense field of vibrant flowers, is presented in a Sunburst colorway that closely honors the creator's initial vision, with colors slightly enhanced for impact. The wallpaper print for 'Campanula' also pays homage to the wooden printing blocks used during the Arts & Crafts era, reinforcing the collection's authentic origins. Many patterns in the Bedford Park collection are available in both fabric and wallpaper, allowing for maximalist decorating schemes. The collection is designed to evoke a sense of rebellion and statement-making, aiming to impress and inspire awe in observers. #MorrisAndCo #TextileDesign #ArtsAndCrafts #InteriorDesign #Wallpaper #Fabric #WilliamMorris #BedfordParkCollection #ColorCombinations

Renowned textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen has collaborated with Sunbrella, a prominent manufacturer of performance textiles, to launch the Larsen Performance Collection. This partnership marks Sunbrella’s first venture into developing an entire collection with Larsen, building on their existing history of collaborations. The collection introduces a vibrant array of multi-use performance textiles that mimic the luxurious appearance and feel of high-end fabrics, while incorporating inspired designs. Larsen, a key figure in 20th-century craftsmanship, draws inspiration from his ambition to integrate design into unexpected contexts, reflecting individuality and global influences gathered during his travels. His familiarity with performance fabrics stems from his work at LongHouse, the 16-acre nature reserve and sculpture garden he established in East Hampton, New York. The collection emphasizes the integration of art into everyday environments, offering intricate and rich patterns that are also durable, fade-proof, and easy to maintain. Larsen has delved into his extensive print archive to reinterpret multicolor floral and stripe designs, transforming them into woven jacquard patterns. These patterns feature soft chenille textures, bringing a new level of tactile comfort to both indoor and outdoor living spaces. Larsen highlights the revival of “Midsummer,” his most popular floral print from the 1950s, now re-imagined as a woven jacquard. His long-standing interest in basket collection also informs the designs, with the Interlacing pattern serving as an exploration of basic basket weave constructions translated into textiles. He emphasizes the importance of durability in fabrics, stating that textiles need to resist fading for various applications, including children’s areas, workspaces, and living spaces, drawing a parallel to the strength of a well-woven basket. Larsen describes the collection’s colors as possessing a “crispness, cleanliness, bright or not,” suggesting their versatility across numerous settings and their ability to create coherent aesthetic themes both indoors and outdoors. A key element of the Hieroglyph design is its fabric pattern, for which the Sunbrella design team developed a performance-grade “horsehair” yarn. This yarn incorporates bi-colors that blend matte and shine finishes, contributing both luster and enhanced durability to the pattern. Similarly, the Chinoise fabric showcases an all-over matelassé pattern, delivering a subtle yet captivating motif with a soft, tactile quality. Larsen expresses his satisfaction with the jacquard facilities and the capacity to use multiple colors to produce patterned fabrics, which he believes bring joy. He acknowledges the significant advancements in fabric technology, noting the rising importance of multi-use spaces and the availability of fabrics that resist sun fading, rot, mildew, rain, and wear. Larsen summarizes the collection’s diversity, ranging from “quite bold, to subtle, to crisp,” and reiterates his belief that the colors are adaptable to many environments. The collection aims to provide high-quality outdoor style solutions, as Larsen remarks on the pleasure of outdoor entertaining. The Larsen Performance Collection is currently available through Larsen Fabrics, offering a range of textile options that blend artistic design with practical performance characteristics for contemporary living. #TextileDesign #PerformanceFabrics #JackLenorLarsen #SunbrellaCollaboration #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #JacquardPatterns #FabricInnovation

The increasing emphasis on sustainability in textile production is driving innovation in contemporary furnishing fabrics. These new textiles demonstrate high standards of quality and are becoming an integral part of overall design, moving beyond merely being a differentiating feature. The article highlights a pioneering approach that addresses current ecological challenges by exploring the mechanical and sensorial properties of materials, from fibers to finishes, to enhance their expressive richness while minimizing environmental impact without sacrificing beauty or performance. This evolution signifies a shift where fabrics are central to the creative process, prompting even educational institutions to focus on textile culture through specialized courses and masterclasses on durability, reuse, recycling, and disposal, thereby fostering a circular economy model. Several companies are leading this charge with innovative fabric collections. Edra's Verde Alpi/Every Stone, for instance, draws inspiration from nature. Monica Mazzei, Vice President of Edra, describes it as a luminous fabric resembling a sunlit meadow, creating a three-dimensional, irregular material that showcases tonal variations. This fabric is designed to withstand light and the elements, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, reflecting continuous research and exceptional craftsmanship. Its reliability is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and thoughtful material development. The Racines collection, a collaboration between French producer Élitis and the Luma research laboratory, embodies bioregional design principles. It utilizes Arles merino wool and involves a regional industrial ecosystem to achieve a delicate, nuanced color palette derived from living organisms and agricultural by-products. This approach fosters a deep connection to the local landscape, reimagining textile sourcing and production by reclaiming abundant natural resources, which results in a vibrant, organic visual quality and a new way of living. Fischbacher 1819’s BENU Recycled Upholstery collection focuses on recycled materials. These flame-retardant fabrics are made from post-consumer PET bottles, industrial remnants, and fashion-industry offcuts. They are re-engineered into textiles suitable for intensive yet refined use, maintaining exceptional aesthetic and tactile value. The collection offers a range of textures, including thick bouclé and soft velvets, as well as double-face blackout fabrics and graphic jacquards. Featured examples include the Benu Bouclé Recycled FR, with its rich, soft looped texture available in nine colors, and the Benu Velvet Dstripe Recycled FR, a fine-striped velvet suitable for upholstery and drapery, offered in eight shades. Linificio e Canapificio Nazionale’s LINOX yarn is another example of innovative sustainable textile production. This patented yarn combines linen with an ultra-fine 100% stainless steel thread, resulting in a fabric that is soft, pleasant to the touch, and reflects light beautifully, adding an elegant and sophisticated character. Available in raw and vibrant colored versions, Linox showcases the company's dedication to balancing beauty, innovation, and environmental respect. Its production uses 100% Italian-cultivated flax, guided by principles of regenerative agriculture, which ensures fair income for farmers and promotes eco-friendly cultivation methods, thus preserving and reviving flax-growing traditions. Finally, Rubelli’s Teorema collection, designed by Formafantasma, features upholstery fabrics made from fine New Zealand wool, expertly spun and twisted in Italy, blended with a chenille thread. This blend makes the wool softer and more appealing, both visually and tactilely, while providing exceptional durability. The Sherlock fabric, part of this collection, uses wool in the warp and chenille in the weft to create a dense, compact, and tactile canvas. It is flame-retardant and possesses a subtle iridescent effect, offered in 27 colors, predominantly neutral tones. These examples collectively illustrate the industry's commitment to combining aesthetic excellence with environmental responsibility and creative innovation. #UpholsteryFabrics #SustainableTextiles #EnvironmentalResponsibility #InteriorDesign #MaterialInnovation #CircularEconomy #EcoFriendlyDesign #HomeFurnishings

The article highlights a growing trend among luxury brands to utilize their boutiques as spaces for artistic and design installations, moving beyond mere retail outlets. This phenomenon is exemplified by Delvaux's Brussels flagship, designed as an art gallery, and Loewe's Mayfair store in London, which showcases an eclectic art and design collection. The Row's first European flagship in Mayfair also integrates expertly curated and purchasable design objects, such as pieces by Charlotte Perriand and Corbusier, into its retail environment. Since taking over Jil Sander in 2017, Lucie and Luke Meier have significantly enhanced the brand's artisanal identity through various architectural and artistic collaborations. Notable examples include a Tokyo flagship designed by John Pawson and a living installation at the Milan headquarters in collaboration with artist Linda Tegg during Salone del Mobile 2019. This strategic approach culminated in the announcement that Jil Sander's Via Saint Andrea store in Milan would be exclusively dedicated to temporary installations and exhibitions, thereby complementing the fashion collections housed at its Via Pietro Verri flagship. For the inaugural installation at the Via Saint Andrea store, the Meiers presented large, bulging sculptures crafted from padded down inflation. These sculptures were a direct reference to their ongoing fascination with architectural and buoyant silhouettes, reflecting a deep-seated interest in fabrication. This interest was previously evident in the label's S/S 2020 women’s collection, which featured intricate designs incorporating raffia, paper, beading, and elaborate intarsia techniques. The Meiers explained that these installations offer a platform to showcase items that do not fit into the typical runway or campaign presentations, allowing for a broader expression of their creative vision. Jil Sander's second installation at the Via Saint Andrea space is dedicated to Japanese denim, a material widely recognized for its superior quality and craftsmanship. The installation transforms the space with long curtains of dark denim, illuminated by tubular strip lighting. This dramatic backdrop showcases a new range of unisex denim styles, alongside men’s denim shirts and women’s shirt dresses, emphasizing the versatility and aesthetic potential of the fabric. The Meiers underscored that the Via Saint’Andrea space provides a unique opportunity for experimentation and exploration, suggesting a continuous evolution of thematic installations. The article underscores that these installations are not just about displaying products but about creating an immersive brand experience that physicalizes the artistic and design inspirations behind Jil Sander's work. By transforming retail spaces into cultural venues, brands like Jil Sander are engaging customers on a deeper level, offering more than just merchandise but a glimpse into their creative philosophy and craftsmanship. This approach solidifies the brand's position at the intersection of fashion, art, and design, promising an exciting future for their exploratory installations. #JilSander #JapaneseDenim #MilanFashion #FashionInstallation #LuxuryBrands #ArtAndFashion #LucieAndLukeMeier #TextileInnovation

The article introduces Bengt Thornefors, the creative director of Sahco, a nearly 200-year-old textile brand, and his innovative approach to integrating fashion and interior design. Thornefors, known for his work in the fashion industry with brands like Acne Studios and Saint Laurent, was appointed to his current role in 2022. His background includes co-founding the bedware brand Magniberg, which, like Sahco, is now under the ownership of Kvadrat. This experience has equipped him with extensive expertise in fashion, which he now applies to the realm of textiles. Thornefors's appointment by Kvadrat's CEO, Anders Byriel, reflects a desire to inject fresh perspectives into Sahco, moving beyond traditional textile manufacturing to embrace broader cultural and artistic influences. Thornefors views interiors as having a special appeal, and his ability to navigate both fashion and interior design was a key factor in his selection. He aims to explore the interplay between historical textile traditions and contemporary design, creating collections that embody the essence of a true textile maison. For Sahco's inaugural press presentation at Kvadrat's New York City headquarters, Thornefors adopted an unconventional approach. He transformed the space into a white-box gallery, showcasing fabrics tailored into garment bags and hung on rolling racks, reminiscent of a fashion show. These textile displays were artfully combined with fine art photographs and furnishings from the esteemed Swedish institution Svenskt Tenn, demonstrating a fusion of art, fashion, and home decor. This presentation strategy was a deliberate effort to blur the boundaries between different creative disciplines, emphasizing the emotional and artistic value of textiles rather than just their functional aspects. The reception to Thornefors's innovative presentation was highly positive, even from discerning figures like Jonathan Olivares, the architect of the presentation space. His new collections for Sahco are characterized by a blend of heritage sensibilities, retaining Sahco's traditional decorative florals, with a contemporary Scandinavian aesthetic. Thornefors highlights examples such as lime-green embroidery on a jet-black background, which illustrates his modern interpretation of classic motifs. This design philosophy underscores his belief that Sahco sells more than just fabric; it sells emotions, aiming to evoke feelings and experiences through its products. The article concludes by noting that this story originally appeared in the September 2023 issue of ELLE DECOR, emphasizing its relevance and timeliness within the design world. #TextileDesign #InteriorDesign #FashionInfluence #BengtThornefors #Sahco #Kvadrat #HomeDecor #ScandinavianDesign #CreativeDirection

The article details Kirkby Design's 'Underground Vol II' collection, a collaboration with Transport for London (TfL), which was launched at the London Design Festival. The collection features contemporary patterned woollen textiles, specifically upholstery velvets, inspired by historical moquettes from TfL's seating fabric archives dating back to the 1930s. Creative director Jordan Mould explains that the idea for the first 'Underground' collection originated when he observed the unique fabric designs on a tube carriage during an empty late-night journey, sparking the idea for a partnership with TfL. The 'Underground Vol II' collection reinterprets these vintage designs by adjusting their scale, texture, and color palettes to create a more sophisticated and luxurious aesthetic suitable for modern interiors. While the essence of the original designs is maintained, the updated color combinations are trend-driven. Each design in the collection is named after the London Underground line it was originally featured on, which helps customers connect with the historical aspect of the textiles, often evoking fond memories of their travels around London. Mould highlights 'Northern,' a design from 1965 by Marianne Straub, in the 'Biscuit' colorway, as one of his personal favorites from the new collection, appreciating its graphic statement. The article suggests that there is a vast amount of material within TfL's archives, hinting at the possibility of future collaborations. The collection is available from £89 per meter through Kirkby Design and was featured in the October issue of ELLE Decoration. This initiative represents a fusion of historical public transport design with contemporary interior textile trends, transforming functional patterns into high-end decorative elements. #KirkbyDesign #LondonDesignFestival #TextileDesign #UpholsteryVelvets #TransportForLondon #InteriorTextiles #DesignCollaboration #MarianneStraub #HomeDecor

As summer transitions to fall, many seek opportunities to refresh their living spaces. Urban Outfitters has addressed this demand by releasing five new furniture collections, featuring over 80 pieces designed to revitalize any home. To commemorate these launches, the brand is offering a chance to win a $4,000 shopping spree at Urban Outfitters, encouraging customers to envision and create their ideal autumn-ready interiors. The Mikko collection, a continuation of UO's contemporary bohemian style, showcases natural arcs and textures. This assortment emphasizes concentric curves and woven materials, providing an eye-catching yet comfortable aesthetic. Notable items include a rattan-wrapped settee and a black bamboo room divider, both contributing to a bungalow-inspired atmosphere. The Huxley collection draws inspiration from mid-century modernism, a style celebrated for its enduring appeal. It features honeyed wood finishes and classic shapes, presenting essential items that seamlessly integrate with both vintage pieces and other contemporary furnishings. Highlights from this collection are a recycled-leather wrapped bed frame and a round dining table with hidden storage, optimized for apartment living. The Aria collection introduces lightweight steel designs with looping lines. Characterized by Marcel Breuer-esque contours, crisp white finishes, and playful rounded feet and castors, this collection offers versatile pieces that can either serve as focal points or complement existing decor. Key items include a vanity set and a matching vinyl record shelf, both distinguished by their light and lithe construction. For a touch of French country charm, the Virginia collection provides an airy flourish and hand-carved romanticism. This line features delicately carved mango-wood furniture, available in white or natural finishes, and adorned with charming aged brass details. A complete matching bedroom set, comprising a scalloped, low-slung bed frame and a tone-on-tone upholstered vanity stool, exemplifies the collection's idyllic aesthetic. Finally, the Lita collection embodies Scandi simplicity and striking geometry. It combines George Nelson-like slatted wood with natural woven accents, resulting in a design story that is conceptually complex yet visually uncomplicated. Standout pieces include a clean-lined petite bookshelf and a Donald Judd-esque platform bed with an integrated bench. These collections collectively offer diverse styles and functional pieces, inviting individuals to refresh their homes for the upcoming season. #UrbanOutfitters #FurnitureCollections #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #BohemianStyle #MidCenturyModern #ScandinavianDesign #FrenchCountry #HomeMakeover

The year 2023 heralds a significant evolution in interior textiles, moving beyond previous trends like bouclé to introduce a diverse array of fabrics and trims. This shift is evident from recent industry showcases such as Paris Déco Off and upcoming collection previews. A prominent trend involves the reinterpretation of archival designs, with many fabric houses drawing inspiration from their historical collections. Texture is also a key focus, transitioning from coarse options to more refined materials like sleek-piled velvets and intricately woven tapestries. In terms of color, vibrant, saturated jewel tones maintain their popularity, with a particular emphasis on peacock blue due to its captivating and adaptable nature. Additionally, a notable development is the experimentation with monochromatic fabrics and trims, which aims to create depth and visual interest through inspiring neutral palettes. Several specific trends are highlighted for the upcoming year. "Making the Cut" signifies the emergence of cut velvet as a dominant textile. This material offers a tactile experience and comes in various colorways, providing a fresh alternative to traditional velvets. "Peacock Blue Is the New Neutral" underscores the versatility of this specific jewel tone, presenting it in a wide range of fabrics and patterns. This color is positioned as a sophisticated yet bold choice for interiors. "Fresh Takes on Tapestry" revives ancient craftsmanship, focusing on tapestry and crewelwork. Brands are either offering literal interpretations of historical verdure tapestries or whimsical reimaginings of nature scenes. Heritage houses like Morris & Co. are reproducing historical fabrics with original production quality, while Braquenié celebrates its bicentennial by reissuing over 50 fabrics, 30 wallpapers, and 10 rugs inspired by their archives and those of renowned cultural institutions. This approach merges historical elegance with contemporary design, as demonstrated by the layered display of Braquenié fabrics at Château de Louye during Paris Déco Off. "All That Glitters" introduces metallic threadwork and cording, adding a shimmering effect to fabrics. These metallic accents appear in themes ranging from underwater scenes to forest motifs, as well as abstract patterns, indicating a readiness among designers to incorporate sparkle. "Wanderlusting Prints" features Toile de Jouy and painterly scenic prints that evoke distant locales, creating a sense of travel and escapism within interior spaces. Finally, "White on White" addresses the resurgence of monochrome interiors by exploring innovative ways to add texture and depth to minimalist white palettes through techniques like tone-on-tone embroideries, fil coupé, and variations in fabric weight and sheerness. "Playful Passementerie" emphasizes the renewed interest in maximalism and historical details, making trimmings like ombré tassels and Art Deco fringe prominent design elements. Clarence House, for instance, is launching an extensive collection of solid-color trimmings to complement residential interiors, signaling a detailed and ornate approach to finishing touches. #FabricTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TextileInnovations #Velvet #Tapestry #JewelTones #MetallicFabrics #Passementerie

The 'Tokyo Fiber ’09 Senseware' exhibition, directed by graphic designer Kenya Hara, showcased Japan's advanced textile industry during Milan Design Week. The exhibition, held at the Triennale Museum, featured high-technology chemical fibers and innovative works developed by over 20 companies, designers, and artists. Each displayed project highlighted the practical and aesthetic applications of these cutting-edge materials. One featured exhibit was the 'Light Fiber Bench' by Gwenael Nicolas (Curiosity), which utilized ESKA plastic optical fiber to create a luminous seating concept. Another notable project from Nissan involved a 'Laughing Vehicle' wrapped in ROICA® high-stretch tricot, demonstrating the material's flexibility and aesthetic potential. Mintdesigns presented masks modeled after human and animal faces, crafted from SMASH, a highly thermoplastic nonwoven fabric, showcasing its moldability. Yasuhiro Suzuki contributed a 'Breathing Mannequin Frame' using BREATHAIR®, a 3D spring structure, illustrating its unique volumetric properties. Kosuke Tsumura designed a 'Cocoon Cradle' for a newborn baby, employing FELIBENDY, a tunable nonwoven fabric, emphasizing its soft and adaptable nature. Theatre Products created an 'Expanding Airy Tea Table' filled with wind, made from uts-ultfino, an ultramicro polyester material, highlighting its lightness and ethereal quality. Makoto Azuma's 'Planter for Moss Wafting in Midair' utilized TERRAMAC®, a biodegradable 3D material, focusing on sustainable and innovative botanical displays. Ross Lovegrove designed the 'Teardrop' ultra-lightweight backpack, incorporating T.W.F (fabric) and MELSET (fiber), a triaxial woven fabric, for enhanced durability and reduced weight. Shigeru Ban presented a 'Super Thin/Light-Weight Chair' made with TENAX® carbon fiber, demonstrating the material's strength-to-weight ratio in furniture design. Jun Aoki's 'Ultra-Long Arm Lighting Fixture' also employed TORAYCA® carbon fiber, showcasing its structural capabilities for extended designs. Panasonic Corporation Design Company displayed a 'Wiping Robot' that utilized NANOFRONT, a nanofiber, illustrating its fine texture and cleaning efficacy. Kashiwa Sato contributed 'Toys Comprising Visible Air,' made from BREATHAIR® 3D spring structure, emphasizing its playful and structural versatility. Hiroo Iwata presented a 'Robot Tile' incorporating KURALON® EC, a conductive fiber, to create a textile switching device, hinting at interactive surfaces. Finally, Kengo Kuma designed a 'Light Penetrable Concrete Construction' using ESKA plastic optical fiber, exploring the integration of light into architectural materials. Nendo’s 'Paper Lantern Blown Up Like a Balloon' used SMASH thermoplastic nonwoven fabric, showcasing its ability to form voluminous, lightweight structures. Antonio Citterio designed a 'Sofa with Electric Headrest' using FINEX® multi-layered stretch fabric, highlighting advanced textile applications in comfort and functionality. #TokyoFiber #SensewareExhibition #MilanDesignWeek #TextileInnovation #MaterialDesign #ProductDesign #JapaneseDesigners #FiberTechnology #IndustrialDesign