Expofil Exhibition Unveils European Constructions
August 6, 2002
''Furnishings Forum'' Underscores Importance of Materials in New Woven Aesthetic
Paris - Although many exhibitors at Expofil, Europe''s leading fibers and yarns shows, also operate in the home furnishings sector, their products had never benefited from the presence of a dedicated fashion showcase.
But in June 2001, Expofil management inaugurated a 300 square meter Furnishings Forum at the twice-yearly show. This included a specific palette of colors and a selection of around 20 woven furnishing fabrics developed by the Expofil fashion team, headed by fashion director Sylvie Tastemain with Julie Voizot coordinating this section.
At December''s Expofil, the forum focused on decoration. "We chose a theme that fits in clearly with the general trend in the furnishings world," said Tastemain. "Materials are coming to play an increasingly important role in furnishing fabric aesthetics, hence the need expressed by manufacturers in this sector to find new sources of supply.
"With such a competitive environment, the main players in the furnishings sector have to keep moving forward," she continued. "At the same time, globalization is forcing companies to develop an extensive product range to cater for the differing tastes of individual markets."
The Furnishings Forum aims to encourage professionals to start thinking in terms of materials and not just design. Sophisticated developments on show in Paris included flame retardant and laser-cut fabrics, an aluminum-finished blind reminiscent of a "moucharaby" (a balcony enclosed with lattice-work), a jacquard fabric produced from a floating gimp yarn, an all-over embroidered duvet cover with the evocative name of "calligraphy," and a light net curtain fabric with a filigree check pattern that looked like a dragonfly''s wing.
With more household textiles going down the decorative route, Tastemain noted that interactions between color and materials are also taking advantage of current research into fibers and yarns. "Furnishings are now ''consuming'' novelties faster than ever," she said. "Research is essential in this field as textile constructions are extremely complex." F&FI
Paris - Although many exhibitors at Expofil, Europe''s leading fibers and yarns shows, also operate in the home furnishings sector, their products had never benefited from the presence of a dedicated fashion showcase.
But in June 2001, Expofil management inaugurated a 300 square meter Furnishings Forum at the twice-yearly show. This included a specific palette of colors and a selection of around 20 woven furnishing fabrics developed by the Expofil fashion team, headed by fashion director Sylvie Tastemain with Julie Voizot coordinating this section.
At December''s Expofil, the forum focused on decoration. "We chose a theme that fits in clearly with the general trend in the furnishings world," said Tastemain. "Materials are coming to play an increasingly important role in furnishing fabric aesthetics, hence the need expressed by manufacturers in this sector to find new sources of supply.
"With such a competitive environment, the main players in the furnishings sector have to keep moving forward," she continued. "At the same time, globalization is forcing companies to develop an extensive product range to cater for the differing tastes of individual markets."
The Furnishings Forum aims to encourage professionals to start thinking in terms of materials and not just design. Sophisticated developments on show in Paris included flame retardant and laser-cut fabrics, an aluminum-finished blind reminiscent of a "moucharaby" (a balcony enclosed with lattice-work), a jacquard fabric produced from a floating gimp yarn, an all-over embroidered duvet cover with the evocative name of "calligraphy," and a light net curtain fabric with a filigree check pattern that looked like a dragonfly''s wing.
With more household textiles going down the decorative route, Tastemain noted that interactions between color and materials are also taking advantage of current research into fibers and yarns. "Furnishings are now ''consuming'' novelties faster than ever," she said. "Research is essential in this field as textile constructions are extremely complex." F&FI