Heimtextil to debut new fabric programs
Carole Sloan -- Furniture Today, January 7, 2008
Frankfurt, Germany — Furniture fabrics will receive additional focus at the Heimtextil home textiles fair here Jan. 9-12, with a new awards program and a special trend display.
The Young Contract Creations Award 2008, sponsored by fiber producer Trevira and publisher Verlag M. Ritthammer, will honor a design student who creates an innovative fabric and seating for a hotel lobby, restaurant or bar using Trevira CS polyester flame-retardant fabrics.
The new display, the Furniture Fabrics Center for Excellence, will showcase an internationally diverse product range with an emphasis on function and fashion. It will be 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.
Heimtextil will put a new focus on premium 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. An "Outside In" showcase will feature 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, with more than 400 suppliers showing under the banner "Contract Creations."
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.
Heimtextil's annual trends display keys on the themes, "visionary, original, magical and vibrant."
