The trade show attracted more visitors than before, up 3 percent from 2014 to over 68,000. In total, 2,759 exhibitors from 68 countries gathered to unveil the best in the worldwide textile industry. There were particularly large increases in the number of European visitors from Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
A huge selection of products from across the textiles industry were available for viewing. New technologies were also available to experience including innovative 3D printers designed for textile production. These new products enable more precise, intricate designs than before that can be printed onto any fabric, increasing the scope for future homeware items you may own.
Style trends reported included an abundance of earthy, brown-shaded African inspired designs. Geometic shapes and styles also feature heavily, indicating the direction that future fashion is heading for.
New upholstery fabrics were also around in abundance alongside other assorted household items like woven acrylic throws, exquisite pillows and cushions and embroidered tapestry weaves.
Of particular notice was the launch of new blankets by German manufacturer Biederlack that include intelligent anti-microbial fibre. Designed to reduce allergic reactions to the fibre, the company promises a fresh and healthy sleep environment when using the anti-allergy products.
The expo is important because it highlights the latest fashion in the fabric industry and displays new technologies that could be coming to your home in the near future. Its sheer size and worldwide influence is impressive. Above all though, this year’s event has shown how more than ever computers are entering an industry previously dominated completely by manual labour and sewing as 3D printing gains a hold.
