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Innovations And Trends In Textile Design At Heimtextil

Innovations And Trends In Textile Design At Heimtextil

The exhibition designed by Patricia Urquiola featured pioneering textile design in a futuristic space. approach.

Heimtextil 2025, where the newest innovations and trends in textile design are unveiled, celebrated its 55th show in January at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany. More than 3,000 companies from around the world presented their innovations and latest collections with 50,000 attendees representing 142 nations. Heimtextil is the world’s largest and leading textile trade fair.

Throughout the massive exhibition space, exhibitors unveiled many unprecedented and ground-breaking design concepts. (Click here for 2024 Pursuitist coverage of Heimtextil)

The numbers speak for themselves with both growth in exhibitors and a 10% increase in visitors, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. “Trade fairs are in more demand than ever,” he says. “In times of persistent inflation and low purchasing power, resilience and market presence are key. This is exactly how Heimtextil enables industry and retail to access new markets and thus actively shape global competition.”

Heimtextil 2025, the world’s leading textile trade fair, took place n January at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany.
Heimtextil is the world’s leading textile trade fair, takes place every January at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany. Photo by Carrie Coolidge
Heimtextil is the global launching pad for new patterns, materials and colors in addition to where fresh insights in global design and local market needs are addressed. “This year the high design at Heimtextil was very impressive,” says Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt. “Heimtextil continues to be the platform for launching new trends and innovations.”

Two important highlights of the show were the “among-us” installation by star designer and architect, Patricia Urquiola and the exhibition, “Heimtextil Trends 25/26”, that was presented by Alcova Milano. It featured innovative textiles presented by exhibitors at the fair.

The exhibition designed by Patricia Urquiola featured pioneering textile design in a futuristic space. approach.
The exhibition designed by Patricia Urquiola featured pioneering textile design in a futuristic space. approach. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

“among-us” Installation By Patricia Urquiola

Patricia Urquiola, the acclaimed designer and architect, created an immersive installation entitled “among-us” for Heimtextil. The 650-square-meter installation demonstrated the vast potential of textile-based solutions in both architecture and interior design. The exhibition featured pioneering textile design in a futuristic space with both a functional and innovative design approach.

“The ‘among-us’ space gave me the freedom to explore new and different technologies,” explains Urquiola, who points out that all of the pieces blend together while each can also stand on its own. “It was a very convivial textile space.”

The installation brought to life a unique and fantasy-like experience for visitors and showcased vibrant colors, innovative forms as well as inspiring ideas with futuristic designs created by Urquiola Furniture. Sculptural fabric-covered forms were constructed/upholstered by such firms as Kettal, Moroso, and Kvadrat. Urquiola designed seating outside of the center that took the form of lounge islands.

Designer and architect Patricia Urquiola with Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. Photo by Carrie Coolidge
Designer and architect Patricia Urquiola with Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. Photo by Carrie Coolidge
Four double-sided and colorful floating tapestries were manufactured by CC-Tapis and crafted with recycled nylon yarn made by Aquafil were made in India. One resembled a fungus with striking eyes while others featured words, notes and quotes related to design, sustainability and conviviality. Each tapestry provided a sound absorption barrier.

Located in the center of the exhibition space was an extended polymix-filled sofa in a serpentine-like shape. With seating on both sides, it was covered with an innovative and textured 3-D printed fabric. It was accented by several oversized fabric-covered sculptural forms including one that resembled a group of mushrooms, which represented hybridity “and the complexity of the world in which we live,” says Urquiola, who is renowned for industrial product design, architecture, art direction and strategy consulting.

“I like to force the boundaries of what is possible with the use of technology,” she adds. “I am not afraid to push boundaries to do more that is less artificial while finding a way to not lose color which can be a very empowering element.”

The Heimtextil Trends 25/26 area entitled “Future Continuous” was curated by Milan, Italy-based design platform Alcova. Photo by Carrie Coolidge
The Heimtextil Trends 25/26 area entitled “Future Continuous” was curated by Milan, Italy-based design platform Alcova. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

Heimtextil Trends Installation “Future Continuous”

As a vital source of inspiration, the Heimtextil Trends 25/26 area entitled “Future Continuous” was curated by Milan, Italy-based design platform Alcova, and presented innovative solutions for the industry. The main focus of the installation was textiles with more than 400 fabrics exhibited and organized into different themes and color groups.

Future Continuous represents how future trends relate to the past, explained Valentina Ciuffi, co-founder of Alcova.

“Everything eventually comes back,” explains Ciuffi. “Trends are not really the future as every year they are previous trends that have returned. After 20 years, things come back. It is important to understand that everything that is new is a regeneration of something from the past.”

“Future Continuous” highlighted contemporary colors, material qualities, techniques and production processes. Several highlighted themes included ‘Naturally Uneven’, ‘Radically Restructured’ and ‘Regenerative’, while highlighted fabrics are long-lasting and high-quality while also meeting ethical and ecological standards. This year’s color palette featured shades ranging from Revival Mud and New Green Deal to Syntropic Forest.

Trends Spotted at Heimtextil

Several trends were spotted at the show ranging from digital printing to AI-driven design and sustainable production processes, all of which are the the future of interiors in the interior design, retail and hospitality sectors.

The Macaron table by Niso is an example of the company’s technological and artistic capabilities. The leather, which features a design by Niso called Vasco de Gama, was digitally printed by Kornit. Photo courtesy of Niso
The Macaron table by Niso is an example of the company’s technological and artistic capabilities. The leather, which features a design by Niso called Vasco de Gama, was digitally printed by Kornit. Photo courtesy of Niso

Digitally Printed Textiles: Israel’s Kornit Digital and Niso

Customizable digital printing on textiles is an emerging trend spotted at Heimtextil. This was seen through a collaboration between two innovative companies both based in Tel Aviv, Israel: Kornit Digital, which offers a new printing technology, and Niso, a well-known furniture maker and designer. Together, these companies are revolutionizing furniture production and the technology they use is the future for the home décor space, in addition to many other industries. (Click here to read more about the collaboration between Kornit Digital and Niso)

Kornit Digital offers an on-demand direct-to-fabric printing that applies designs to all sorts of fabrics including synthetics, blends and naturals, including leather. Kornit’s printers can produce 3D premium effects with XDi technology on fabrics. Its cutting-edge technology enables Kornit to print for the fashion, apparel and home décor industries. This custom printing is sustainable as the inks Kornit uses are pigment-based and ecological as they are GOTS, ECO Passport and Bluesign certified.

Niso's design was digitally printed on leather by Kornit Digital
Niso’s design was digitally printed on leather by Kornit Digital. Photo by Carrie Coolidge
“You really have to touch and feel to understand the kinds of effects we are able to do,” says Ronen Samuel, the chief executive of Kornit Digital. “We can apply things like embroidery. We can do all sorts of other things very uniquely with multiple colors and designs.”

Founded by Niso Adut in 1974, Niso is a family-owned and operated business that offers high-end furniture design and is run by three generations of Adut family members. The company’s in-house team of designers use advanced software to design and create its furniture. Kornit Digital prints its fabrics, including leather, which Niso’s artisans use to handcraft furniture in its workshop in Tel Aviv. A blend of precision, originality, and personal touch ensures every creation is high-quality and customized to the preferences of Niso’s clients.

A customizable service reduces wasteful production as it eliminates the need for Niso to carry inventory by producing only what is needed, when it is needed. This saves the company money and reduces waste.. “We have this philosophy that is the more people utilize our technology, the better it is for everyone, including the environment,” explains Samuel. “The more successful we are, the more we are helping the planet.”

Lion Adut, co-owner of Niso agrees. “Our collaboration with Kornit Digital reflects our shared vision of combining creativity and technology to redefine furniture design,” he says. “This is a new era in home decoration, where innovation knows no boundaries.”

Raghav Gupta, Director at The Rug Republic.
Raghav Gupta, Director at The Rug Republic, with rugs his company designed with the use of artificial intelligence software. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

Rug Design with Artificial Intelligence: The Rug Republic

The Rug Republic, a Delhi, India-based family-owned company, uses Artificial Intelligence to design some of the rugs it manufactures. For example, it uses text-to-art commercially available software, which uses key words to inspire the design. For example, it used key words including “minimalist”, “Japandi”, “geometric”, “clean and simple”, “beige”, “earth colors” and “chocolate colors” to create designs for a new rug collection it exhibited at Heimtextil. “We also use words to describe the fabric that will used to make the rug, such as wool or jute, when using A.I. to create design concepts,” says Raghav Gupta, Director at The Rug Republic.

Founded in 1858, Libeco manufactures fabrics that are sustainable and luxurious.
Founded in 1858, Libeco manufactures fabrics that are sustainable and luxurious. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

Sustainable Belgian Linens by Libeco

Belgian-based and family-owned and operated Libeco Belgian Linen is a one-stop shop for high quality linen. Founded in 1858, Libeco manufactures fabrics that are both extraordinary and luxurious. The company’s main focus is on sustainability. It uses local production with raw materials sourced in Belgium, France and The Netherlands while all of its weaving is done in Belgium. The company uses no fast-known chemicals. Because it uses wind and solar power, it considers its products to be “future proof”.

Libeco fabrics are used for upholstery, drapery and even clothing. “Like fine wine that varies from year to year, our production varies with different colors annually due to sunlight, rain and other conditions as the recipe for the dyes is always adjusted to the base cloth,” says Anthony Goesaert, Sales Manager at Meulebeke, Belgium-based Libeco.

Salgado Group, a Lisbon, Portugal-based manufacturer, makes three innovative fabrics made with milk, pineapple and nettle fibers.
Salgado Group, a Lisbon, Portugal-based manufacturer, makes three innovative fabrics made with milk, pineapple and nettle fibers. The pineapple fabric is seen here. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

Salgado Group’s Fabrics Made with Pineapple, Nettle and Milk

Salgado Group, a Lisbon, Portugal-based manufacturer, makes three innovative fabrics made with milk, pineapple and nettle fibers. Milk, pineapple and nettle fibers are mixed with cotton (the pineapple fabric, for example, comprises 10% pineapple leaf fiber and 90% cotton) to create sustainable fabrics while reducing waste. Pineapple and nettle fabrics resemble linen and are ideal for tabletop use, such as napkins or placemats, while milk fabrics are soft and is ideal for bed coverings.

The pineapple fabric, for example, is 100% natural and biodegradable. It is strong and durable and extremely soft. It is also breathable and hypoallergenic.

Wall!!Supply's UltrAcoustic Natural Oak panels have acoustic deadening qualities.
Wall!!Supply’s UltrAcoustic Natural Oak panels have acoustic deadening qualities. Photo courtesy of Wall!Supply

Acoustic Wall Tiles by Wall!Supply

At Heimtextil, Wall!Supply, a Kerkrade, Netherlands-based wall covering manufacturer, showcased its UltrAcoustic Collection which has natural wood veneer. Its three-dimensional acoustic wall tiles are aesthetically pleasing and improve acoustics. They can be used as a headboard placed behind a bed, for example, or to accent the walls of different living spaces. The UltrAcoustic Natural Oak panel seen here is made with 70% recycled PET felt, MDF slats, and a natural oak veneer. The thickness of the felt determines the price and hence the acoustic deadening qualities.

Marburg's innovative collection, “Celsius”, has aluminum pigments on its surface that enable it to retain heat.
Marburg’s innovative collection, “Celsius”, has aluminum pigments on its surface that enable it to retain heat. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

Heat-Retaining Wall Coverings by Marburg Wallpaper Factory

Marburg Wallpaper Factory was founded in 1845 and is led by the fifth generation of the founding Shafer family. Based in Kirchhain, Germany, the wallpaper manufacturer showcased several innovative wall coverings at Heimtextil 2025. One innovative collection, “Celsius”, has aluminum pigments on its surface that enable it to retain heat. In other words, when heat is turned on in a room, the room temperature will be two degrees warmer because of the heat retention properties of the wallcovering. At Heimtextil, the company also exhibited its luxurious Terra collection of clay-based wallpapers.

Holden Décor Limited, a Darwen, Lancashire, England-based wallcovering company, featured several wallpapers. Its collection, “Tales of the Manor”
“Tales of the Manor” wallpaper by Holden Décor. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

Whimsical Wallpapers by Holden Décor

At Heimtextil, Holden Décor Limited, a Darwen, Lancashire, England-based wallcovering company, featured several wallpapers. Its collection, “Tales of the Manor”, featured wallcoverings and murals inspired by an English country manor. One design was a whimsical pattern of porcelain plates decorated with personified animals: a rabbit wearing a suit jacket and tie while pouring tea, a stag wearing a shirt and vest, a frog sitting on a rock in a stream while holding a fishing rod and a fox with a bird sitting on its nose. “It’s a great conversation piece because of the reaction it gets from people who see it,” says Adrian Wilkinson, International Sales Manager at Holden. According to Wilkinson, several other new wallpaper designs are currently trending including one by Holden Décor that features lemon trees and birds.

Elastron Group offers fabrics, including matte velvet, that are pet friendly, scratch resistant, liquid repellent and anti-stain as seen in its, Casino, Chanel, Opera and Milano fabric collections.
Portugal’s Elastron Group makes fabrics, including matte velvet, that are pet friendly, scratch resistant, liquid repellent and anti-stain. Photo by Carrie Coolidge

Liquid Repellent, Scratch-Resitant Matte Velvet by Elastron

Based in Portugal, Elastron Group offers fabrics, including matte velvet, that are pet friendly, scratch resistant, liquid repellent and anti-stain as seen in its, Casino, Chanel, Opera and Milano fabric collections. A representative of the company poured coffee on a sample which immediately formed a ball of liquid that was easily absorbed by a paper towel. The fabric was left stain-free and dry after the demonstration.