If we know one thing about the European shows, it’s that we’ll see so much and be so wowed by creativity our heads will spin. But, after those first couple of days, directions for the future begin to emerge. This year’s Heimtextil fair in Frankfurt was no different. From forward-thinking raw materials to new takes on time-honored themes, the ideas taking shape embrace beauty in many forms.
Cotton, linen, silk, wool… we know them well and can easily conjure images of their origins when we see them noted on a label. But what if that label informed of “leather” made from cactus, fabrics that use banana or pineapple as their base, bioengineered yarn made of corn, or carbon-negative pigment derived from algae? Such futuristic-sounding ideas were in the spotlight at the Future Materials exhibition. Curated by design futures consultancy FranklinTill, the showcase put the spotlight on going beyond sustainability to design that is regenerative, that will restore or renew resources, leave only a positive impact on the environment and help global communities to thrive. Cactus leather club chair, anyone?
Birds of a Feather
There’s a freedom we feel just watching birds take flight. Welcoming them into the home may not be a new idea but the movement and magnitude of the pattern direction is immersive and experiential. It’s a nod to artistry, to biophilia beyond the green wall, and to that uplifting feeling of soaring through life with the wind beneath your wings.
The Many Shades of Mauve
If you were a teen in the 1980s, you know this isn’t the first time mauve has had a moment. But this time, things are a bit different. This isn’t the mauve of prairie skirts and petite, polite florals. This mauve is bold, it swings from misty pinks to moody purples and it’s showing its might in myriad ways.
Power Florals
A bouquet of blooms will lift a day. And these blossoms are bursting, exploding in large format with all the joy of bright days and warm seasons. The idea is rebirth, celebration, an exuberant environment that lightens a mood and embraces Mother Nature’s generous side.
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