This year’s NeoCon at THE MART and Designer Days at Fulton Market in Chicago unveiled an array of groundbreaking textile trends, setting a vibrant tone for the future of interior design. As industry leaders converged in these high-profile events, manufacturers showcased innovative materials and patterns that promise to transform how spaces are conceived and experienced. From cutting-edge, sustainable fabrics that cater to the eco-conscious consumer, to technologically enhanced textiles that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal, the fairs presented a vision of the future where design meets practicality.
Delving deeper, the focus at NeoCon was on durability and adaptability, reflecting a growing demand for versatile interiors in both commercial and residential spaces. THE MART also had a focus gallery that highlighted textiles on display, which was a nice cultural touch, and indicative of THE MART’s plans to include more cultural exhibitions that highlight the potential of where design is going. Meanwhile, over at Fulton Market, many of the established furniture brands highlighted their company’s textile division’s offerings that showcased innovation, sustainability and beauty.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Together, these events not only forecasted emerging trends but also highlighted the textile industry’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, providing a comprehensive overview of how fabrics are evolving to meet changing consumer expectations and environmental needs.
Here are some of our favorite picks:
The big news in the textile world is that three brands: Maharam, Knoll Textiles and Edelman Leathers opened a cobranded showroom on the sixth floor of THE MART, the first in a series of four to open this year between North America and Europe. The multi-brand space was designed by architect Neil Logan as a gallery to showcase the potential of each brand’s collections. The showroom showcases the textile companies’ common values of sensory design and a strong minimal tactility derived from natural materials. Custom wooden shelving systems offer a beautiful and easy-to-use library where customers can browse, select and touch the many fabric and leather samples for a welcoming and luxurious retail experience.
The other big news in textiles is Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings award-winning collaboration with British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori, who brought his signature vibrant art style to the commercial design landscape. This Best of NeoCon award-winning collection reflects the artist’s bold, vibrant works that draw inspiration from his dual heritage, and includes five textiles and three wallcoverings, each reflecting Ilori’s love for color and joyous design.
Wolf Gordon’s Crossings collection, by Dorothy Cosonas, honors the culture, education, and craft of Dorothy’s late mother and includes four upholstery patterns – Fable, Dreamweaver, Odyssey and Sampler – in multiple colorways that were designed to be combined and presented with other Wolf-Gordon offerings.
Winner of Best of NeoCon sustainability award, CF Stinson’s Sea Change is collection of six, artisanal textiles that reflect the depth and beauty of the oceans while helping to fight marine plastic pollution. Each fabric is uniquely crafted with a residential point of view while providing superior durability for commercial applications
Premiering at NeoCon is a new sustainable textile collection designed by Pallas Textiles. Its In Good Company collection features Seaqual Yarn made from Upcycled Marine Plastic. “This collection not only offers beautiful, high-quality textiles but also contributes to the vital mission of ocean conservation, with a portion of the proceeds from In Good Company sales directly supporting the Seaqual Foundation,” said Dean Lindsley, vice president of Pallas Textiles.
Arc-Com’s Explorer Collection is inspired by the captivating wonders of the cosmos, and this dynamic trio of patterns will transport you to the far reaches of the galaxy. Andromeda, Moon Phase, and Rover each capture the mesmerizing essence of celestial shape, color, and light. Each dynamic design is meticulously crafted to capture the ever-changing beauty of the cosmos.
Luna Textiles’s Return Collection is inspired by Mexican architecture, and comprises of three sustainable fabrics, crafted using natural and recycled materials. Embracing bold graphics, vivid coloration and textured surfaces, Corner Curve, Flora and Terrene evoke a “soft modernism” to enrich commercial and hospitality interiors. Commenting on the launch of the collection, Vice President of Design Dena Molnar said: “Inspired by the work of architect, Luis Barragán, the vibrant hues and interplay of dimensional geometries, make The Return Collection perfect for a range of commercial settings. Sustainability and modern craft are artfully blended within the collection, without compromising performance and durability.”
Bernhardt Textiles’ Community Collection, designed by Nana Boateng, is a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, capturing the rich mosaic of cultures and experiences from Boateng’s travels, career, and family. Showcasing materials of cotton, linen, wool, and leather, the palette is a curated selection of five patterns in 30+ neutrals, skillfully punctuated with a few added pops of color. Pattern names Bangkok, Istanbul, Kumasi, London, and Roma are derived from influential cities in Boateng’s life.
Designtex’s new collection is inspired by the art and science of joyful design. Named Joy, the versatile collection of high-performance textiles featuring the organic shapes, vivid colors, and textural details that science says make us feel happy. These distinctive textiles promote uplifting and harmonious interiors and are rooted in evidence-based research on the connection between aesthetics and our emotions. The exuberant collection of woven and coated textiles features abstract motifs inspired by nature, hidden features that encourage visual exploration, harmonious colors, and orderly geometric patterns.
The Idyllic Collection from Concertex is an ode to that inner landscape and is an invitation to enter a place of peace within, one of serenity and joy, calm and contentment. The collection features 13 high-performance upholstery patterns, including Aura and Hanabi reimagine coated fabrics with a beautiful ombre and a unique interpretation of a collage; and Vista, which reflects a beautiful view of landscapes with a large multi-color rectangular pattern with matelassé accents, creating a dimensional quilted look.
Ultrafabrics launched its Sanctuary Palette, a collection of its products inspired by its partnership with Pantone and the 2024 Color of the Year “Peach Fuzz.” Nestled between pink and orange, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is a velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul. Nicole Meier, director of branding at Ultrafabrics, said, “We have seen an incredible response to our partnership with Pantone’s Color of the Year with a worldwide audience of creatives in architecture, furniture, automotive, marine and aviation. That continues to be the purpose of our collaboration, to inspire conversation with people building our collective future.”
HBF Textile’s latest collection, Memorable, is a collection of textiles celebrating the stories and experiences that have shaped the journey of Mary Jo Miller, former vice president of design and creative direction for HBF Textiles. “Each design is a personal reflection, a tribute to the remarkable people and moments that have inspired me,” said Mary Jo Miller. Memorable features sustainable attributes from rapidly renewable fibers to yarns sourced from recovered plastics from the ocean (Seaqual) to a leather from one of the most recognized sustainable tanneries in the world. Applications range from upholstery to unadhered acoustical wrapped panel applications.
The Botanique Collection from Mayer Fabrics embodies the essence of the French word botany, celebrating the beauty and discovery found in nature and elegant gardens. The collection features five upholstery patterns: Bloom, Flora, Sanctuary, Valley, and Vista.
to enter a place of peace within, one of serenity and joy, calm and contentment. Left to right: Aura – Daybreak, Vista – Coastline, Hanabi – Dhalia, Gaia – Stella.
