Creative Leisure News - Scene & Heard

Reports on shows, trends, and more

New York Home Textiles Show

The hottest fabrics, patterns, and more.

by Ellie Joos, Ellie Joos & Associates (March, 2004)

The trends in fashion are often the precursors for what we see in home dec, and this show was a very clear example: what we shop for in apparel influences the fabrics we choose for our homes.

Beautiful, lively, technicolor textiles and creative embellishments, including embroidery and beadwork, were everywhere in pillows, bedding, and even tabletop fabrics. The red family, from lovely corals to tomato and fire engine red, were very strong, as were pure, clean blue and lime green, accented by yellow. Very pretty sherbet colors appeared in towels, which looked especially refreshing in coordinated groupings of shades of colors displayed together. There was some interesting fashion-influenced color mixing: the use of chocolate brown and blue in pillows and bedding.

Fabrics and Patterns.

Silk and silk-type fabrics for bedding, window treatments, and comfort clothing (from the several exhibitors at this show and the Extracts show also taking place at the Javits Convention Center) were the top fabrics. They are perfect "canvases" for the embroidery and beading work.

The Lord of the Rings influence was also evident with great textured mohair throws and sheepskin-type fabrics from several New Zealand exhibitors. As for patterns, dots in bright colors, animal prints, and large florals, either tropical types or vintage looking, appeared strong, and I saw some bold graphic prints for pillows.

Taking its cue from the quilt and craft market, IL Fiore has a line called My Photo Pillow which will transform their customers' photos into pillows, purses, and wall hangings. Lace, another fabric that's also a trend in fashion, appeared in colors of pink, sage, aqua, and pale gold in pillows and window treatments from Bella Notte Linens. Mogu America's TouchSensation spandex fabric was used for the company's fantastic, brightly colored "squishy" pillows.

Products.

I saw some gorgeous placemats and napkin rings embellished with beads or shells, and some unusual feathered placemats attracted attention. As I stopped to admire some of the beaded mats, I overheard one buyer also admiring some of the large beaded placemats saying, "It�s like your placemat�s a toy." By large I mean, these were 1" beads wired together in rows to form the mat.

Wellness Bedding.

The trend in aromatherapy and wellness is permeating bedding and towels. One company used seaweed extracts in their wellness bed linens, another highlighted the use of Aloe Vera in their bedding products, and the IKT Corp. has the ultimate in bedding that is good for you and the environment. Their electricity is generated by wind power to make their bamboo and organic cotton beddings which have natural deodorizing and antibacterial properties!!

The Extracts Show.

The exhibitors at this show display products for the growing personal care/spa market. Aromotherapy is getting stronger with candles, soaps, lotions, body washes � even writing pens � with scents that will relax, rejuvenate, invigorate, relieve stress, etc.

Natural and organic products are getting stronger as are "cosmeceutical" functional products to treat specific problems such as sun damage and aging. Sales of products for the "tween" market are expected to rise to $8 billion by 2008, so many manufacturers had specific lines in cute, young colorful packaging. Not to be forgotten, pet products are also gaining in popularity.

Note: An article in Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine reported that the Hispanic and Asian markets will grow to $1.9 billion by 2006. According to G&DA, Hispanic consumers are more interested in natural and organic products, and spend more than the average consumer on such items.

Note: Ellie is president of Ellie Joos & Associates, a marketing, pr, and product development firm. To read Ellie's reports on other industry-related shows, click on the titles in the right-hand column. To contact Ellie call 908-459-9269 or email eleapple@hotmail.com.

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