Heimtextil has concluded last week after four successful trade fair days in Frankfurt am Main. The show welcomed almost 70,000 trade visitors, compared to 68,277 in 2016, from across the world, who attended the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles.

Growth was driven primarily by Brazil, China, the UK, Italy, Japan, Russia, the USA and United Arab Emirates. A total of 2,963 exhibitors from 67 countries presented their new textile products and designs across 20 halls.

“The figures speak for themselves: Heimtextil grew once again in 2017 in terms of its visitor and exhibitor numbers. But it’s no longer about quantity and hasn’t been for a long time. I am especially pleased about the high quality of the products exhibited as well as the intensity of discussions between purchasers and exhibitors. Frankfurt is the international meeting place and beating textile heart of the interiors industry,” commented Detlauf Braun, CEO of Messe Frankfurt.

Textile design

The colourful fabrics and varied designs by well-known designers and young talent were very popular and attracted a lot of attention at the exhibition. “For me as a designer, Heimtextil is extremely interesting, in particular, because I can see myself designing bed linen, pillows and other home textiles in future in addition to wallpaper,” commented star designer Michael Michalsky, who presented his new wallpaper collection at the trade fair.

“At the world’s leading trade fair, competitors are present in great numbers. Here, I can experience marketing of products at close quarters and get direct feedback on my own new products.”

The enthusiasm for beautiful and high-quality textiles also brought together numerous celebrity guests. At the opening of Heimtextil, top model Eva Padberg talked with Detlauf Braun about the trends of the coming season, the interest of end consumers in sustainability and the common ground between fashion and interior design. She then used the opportunity to take a tour of the Theme Park trend area and the trade fair.

Trend towards more materiality

Home textiles are celebrating their comeback in private homes. Curtains, carpets and decorative cushions are decorating people’s own four walls and lending them a personal note. “We can also confirm the trend towards more materiality. In addition to our new wallpaper products, we have seen an increased interest from visitors in our new fabric collections,” said Andreas Zimmermann, CEO Zimmer + Rohde. This trend is boosting orders at Heimtextil.

“The quality of visitors was very high: we met very high-quality, good international purchasers and excellent potential new customers. We are therefore very satisfied with our attendance at Heimtextil.”

Sleeping as a lifestyle

After nutrition and fitness, sleeping will be the next big lifestyle theme, according to organisers. This was also proven by the numerous innovations seen in the bed segment. Mediflow from Hamburg, for example, presented an improved version of its water pillow capable of full adjustments for firmness and supportive effect.

“This year, we had lots of new customers at our stand who had heard about us and wanted to know more about our products or even ordered them directly,” said Robert Kocher, European CEO of Mediflow. “Visitors primarily came from the Middle East, China, the eastern European region and Scandinavia. We also enjoyed intense discussions with American and German customers. This is also the great strength of Heimtextil. You’ve can shake hands with the world here. It is not just about sales, but also communication and establishing relationships or simply getting direct feedback on our products.”

The next Heimtextil will take place from 9-12 January 2018 in Frankfurt am Main.

www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com