I think I have ceased being a human and have instead become a pack animal. At least that's how I felt by the end of my first day at the Heimtextil trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. I had four bags of catalogs, color cards and CD-ROM's over my shoulder as I walked the six blocks back to the hotel … [Read more...]

Some companies are thrilled to have a member of the international press visit their stand at Heimtextil. Others are suspicious. That’s because there are some people who manage to secure press credentials but are not really writing about or reporting on the fair. They are the ones that make it … [Read more...]

Some of the shaped bath rugs shown in the stands at Heimtextil (the world's largest trade fair for home textiles; it takes place each January in Frankfurt, Germany) were eye-catching because of embellishments like crochet appliqué flowers, added here and there by Atenas M. Redondo Broto, S.L. or … [Read more...]

There were WAY too many cats and dogs dressed in medieval garb for my taste at Heimtextil, the world’s largest trade fair for home textiles in Frankfurt, Germany. They weren’t roaming the aisles in the literal sense, but did so figuratively, showing up on pillow after tapestry pillow, just as … [Read more...]

In the December 1999 issue of The Trend Curve™ I set out a forecast of about a dozen trends for the decade ahead. Aging Boomers Drive Innovation in Lighting was one of them. I wrote about how people need incrementally more light to see and to perceive color as they age. “You begin to notice this … [Read more...]

There are lots of ways to display products at a trade fair. At Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany this week, some stands took a predictable approach to showing their textiles and trims. Others, however, splashed on a bit of fun or pointed out the home and apparel connection that is growing … [Read more...]

I stopped to visit at Santens N.V. today—my second trend-spotting at the Heimtextil trade fair. This is a company I really like because of their color palette and their approach to design. I also like that they were among those who embraced bamboo fibers early on. Having done well with their … [Read more...]

There is always something new to see at Heimtextil, but I cannot help but be delighted when I see an exhibitor that has not shown in Frankfurt before. Today I came across two that I liked very much. Kentia S.A. has been around since 1977. This Greek company’s sheets and pillowcases are … [Read more...]

I am laying on the sofa in my family room watching an episode of Sherlock Holmes starring Jeremy Brett, whom I consider to have been the best Sherlock Holmes since Basil Rathbone. Although I am anxious to keep working on our Trend Album™ from Heimtextil 2005, I am going to relax tonight. With … [Read more...]

I arrived at the Heimtextil international trade fair at 9am ready to see what is new in the world of textiles. I strapped on my camera, opened my notebook and headed off to Hall 10, ready to work my way backward to Hall 1 by the end of the fair. Hall 10 is devoted to Asian suppliers. This is … [Read more...]