Heimtextil made a welcome return to the calendar this year at Messe Frankfurt, running from 21st - 24th June. The decision was taken because of the cancellation of the regular Heimtextil in January due to the pandemic. This show is anticipated to be a one-time Summer Special parallel to Techtextil and Texprocess with a return to the usual January schedule in 2023.

Designers showcased collections that combined strong visual and haptic aesthetics, bringing technology and hand techniques with ease and sophistication. Alongside this were brands focused on sustainability as well as the pandemic-propelled consumer demand for wellness and health with sleep at the forefront of a number of innovative developments. The three key strands ran alongside one another with sustainability, health and wellness frequently intertwined making the show easy for visitors to navigate. 

Dutch designers had a strong presence with Eugene van Veldhoven and Héléne Dashorst in particular with print and woven textiles respectively. Most eye-catching amongst van Veldhoven’s designs were his exploration of 3D printing techniques using PLA to produce fabrics that were both print and structure. 3D printing geometric red pattern onto a woven wool blend the result is a design offering visual and tactile contrasts. Employed as a structure, it offered a delicate but physically strong lace-like quality.

Read the full report on Innovation in Textiles