Fabrics are becoming more technological, more environmentally friendly, are being made in colours of many subtly different shades and are reflecting their ethnic roots more deeply. Four trends that will be showcased at the upcoming Textilhogar.
Valencia, 26th June 2017.- Designs that combine technology and the environment, high performance textiles, technical treatments of colour and ethnic inspiration are the defining features of next season’s textile collections. Home Textiles Premium by Textilhogar, staged by specialist fashion and design consultancy Contexto Comunicación, has identified the four major core concepts that are driving next season’s trends and has put names to them: ‘De Rerum Natura’, ‘Farbenlehre’, ‘Lux Perpetua’ and ‘Pan Oikos’.
As has happened at the last two editions of the fair, these trends will be represented in an exhibition at Madrid’s Caja Mágica that will run for the three days of the fair. Titled ‘Trends 2018’, this exhibition is being curated jointly with Interiores magazine, with which Home Textiles Premium by Textilhogar is running a campaign to promote and publicize the culture of textiles to the design trade.
The four major trends for next season can be broadly described as follows:
- De Rerum Natura: Man’s commitment to his surroundings.
Technological advances are being applied to sustainable solutions that can be seen in the hybrid blends of natural, artificial and synthetic fabrics and are based on organic textures with ‘open’ weaves – intricate, porous surfaces. Science in concert with conscience: a solution that reflects a commitment to survival, with high performance ingredients and breaking the boundaries of technology and textile manufacturing processes. In doing this, the trend offers a strong story regarding sustainability and reduced use of water and energy in the production process, combined with innovative finishes and sustainable dyes.
Technology that can be worn and intelligent sensors combined with decorations and finishes that react to ambient changes boost results and afford unparalleled protection. Wellbeing can also be achieved through smart medical textiles that heal and nourish the body and improve its performance.
- ‘Farbenlehre’ (the theory of colours)
This trend is about colours that are bright and full of life, energetic and hallucinogenic, optimistic and stunning; it is about playing with physiological colours (those that the human eye generates rather than sees – guessed at, imaginary, fantastical, accidental or spectral), physical colours (those that are created by light passing through water, glass or haze) and chemical colours, also called corporal, material or permanent, all to promote a kaleidoscopic, multi-faceted appearance.
High performance textiles tested under conditions of maximum stress, textiles that reflect the strength and fair play of sport, the limits of human endurance. Technical treatments of textiles that seek to create stronger colours by means of semi-lustre, lustre and mega-lustre finishes and combinations thereof.
The starting point for this concept is tension as the epitome of a way of life on the edge of reality, a border that can sometimes be crossed over as if passing through the looking glass, like Alice, to play a game of cards with the Mad Hatter.
- ‘Lux Perpetua’.
Thanks to advances in science and technology, the capacity for research and developing new technological products has benefitted textiles as the industry seeks to remove all trace of handiwork and confer upon fabrics that divine quality that comes from manipulating light – capturing, reflecting and changing it.
Thus the new generation of light-infused fabrics is visually deceptive as it uses super lightweight surfaces that the eye can perceive in slightly different ways. The keys to achieving this effect are refrigertion technology and iridescent threads.
These are high technology fabrics that are micro-woven – and even nano-woven – so that the weave is almost invisible to the naked eye. They are ultra-lightweight and include natural, fine fibres refined to the ultimate degree and blended with synthetics. The finishes look like something out of science fiction, with reflective, iridescent, prismatic colours.
This is definitely a fresh interpretation of the transparency of light, facilitated by digital processes. Shiny lacquered finishes and gleaming holographic finishes that seem to create the sense of rippling water make the fabrics come alive.
- ‘PanOikos’
The words refer to identifying, recognizing and discovering what different cultures and their artistic and creative outputs have in common and incorporating them in a way that is natural, relaxed and exciting. It is about reviving the pleasure of re-discovery and understanding in order, eventually, to appreciate the richness of diversity and the fun of what to include and what to leave out.
It is also about highlighting imperfection as one facet of beauty (wabi-sabi) or reinforcing the value of the imperfection when it is a fault by embellishing the repair (kintsugi), as intelligent solutions for preserving the shared home.
The next edition of Home Textiles Premium by Textilhogar opens its doors on 7th September at Madrid’s Caja Mágica, closing on Saturday 9th September. The fair will be gathering more than 80 Spanish and Portuguese businesses and brands together to showcase a select range of the finest textiles for the home, upholstery and décor.
