The Textiles of the Future are Colourful and Biodegradable
Do sustainable materials have to be earthy and raw? Absolutely not, according to the trend forecast for Heimtextil 2022.
Thomas Helbing
11 September 2021
The design and decor industry is raring to go. After a long pause due to the pandemic, everyone is hungry for fresh ideas and interpersonal exchange – as well as for change in the industry. At an online event, the Heimtextil trade show’s Trend Council presented their design predictions for the upcoming 2022/23 season. The forecast offers a first taste of what will be exhibited on location in Frankfurt, Germany, at the next edition of Heimtextil on January 11–14, 2022.
All photos by SPOTT for Heimtextil. Hemp fibre could be a material for the future. Already used in antiquity, hemp is easy to cultivate and is low maintenance, grows quickly, is resistant to pests, uses far less water than cotton and produces more biomass than most other cultivated species.
The first steps are not enough
The Corona pandemic has highlighted the importance of a comfortable and beautifully decorated home. Textiles certainly play a part, but sustainability is also important. Where is the textile industry headed? One thing is clear to everyone involved: more of the same is not an option.
“Sustainability is no longer a choice or a desirable add-on, it’s an absolute imperative,” says Caroline Till of London studio Franklin Till. “The detrimental impact that we’re making on the planet is abundantly clear. So, for individuals, brands and manufacturers alike, having a clear approach to sustainability is of paramount importance.”
And mass production? “We are in a period of transformation,” says Anja Bisgaard Gaede of Spott Trends & Business from Denmark, who was part of the Trend Council – alongside Franklin Till and the Stiljinstitut Amsterdam, represented by Anne Marie Commandeur – who researched and presented the new trends for Heimtextil.
The first steps are not enough
The Corona pandemic has highlighted the importance of a comfortable and beautifully decorated home. Textiles certainly play a part, but sustainability is also important. Where is the textile industry headed? One thing is clear to everyone involved: more of the same is not an option.
“Sustainability is no longer a choice or a desirable add-on, it’s an absolute imperative,” says Caroline Till of London studio Franklin Till. “The detrimental impact that we’re making on the planet is abundantly clear. So, for individuals, brands and manufacturers alike, having a clear approach to sustainability is of paramount importance.”
And mass production? “We are in a period of transformation,” says Anja Bisgaard Gaede of Spott Trends & Business from Denmark, who was part of the Trend Council – alongside Franklin Till and the Stiljinstitut Amsterdam, represented by Anne Marie Commandeur – who researched and presented the new trends for Heimtextil.
Textile design without chemicals is possible, thanks to natural dyes, sustainable printing, sun printing and digital printing, as in this example from VIA University College in Denmark.
“We do still have large-scale production, which we need to change to a more sustainable path. We are looking into serving you … the continued push to do so and the continued inspiration for how to do so,” says Bisgaard Gaede.
“This generation of emerging designers is inviting us to challenge the mainstream discourse surrounding the climate emergency,” says Till. “They’re offering innovative, impactful ideas that align with their strong sense of environmental and social values.”
Radical thinking
The Trend Council makes it clear that for a product to be sustainable, it is no longer sufficient to just stick an eco label on it. “We need to think radically differently about production today,” says Bisgaard Gaede. “The future of home textiles is [in] really understanding nature’s intelligent system … In order to not create imbalances, we need to learn how nature actually balances itself.”
“We do still have large-scale production, which we need to change to a more sustainable path. We are looking into serving you … the continued push to do so and the continued inspiration for how to do so,” says Bisgaard Gaede.
“This generation of emerging designers is inviting us to challenge the mainstream discourse surrounding the climate emergency,” says Till. “They’re offering innovative, impactful ideas that align with their strong sense of environmental and social values.”
Radical thinking
The Trend Council makes it clear that for a product to be sustainable, it is no longer sufficient to just stick an eco label on it. “We need to think radically differently about production today,” says Bisgaard Gaede. “The future of home textiles is [in] really understanding nature’s intelligent system … In order to not create imbalances, we need to learn how nature actually balances itself.”
Sustainable textiles do not necessarily have to come in earthy colours. Pictured is fabric made out of patterned offcuts and raffia palm ribbon by Christina Engsig.
Till presents two possible approaches: “to either retain naturally derived materials within the biological cycle and let them degrade, or utilise only synthetic materials that can be retained wholly in the technical cycle, within infinite loops”.
“The future of objects should simply not create waste or imbalance,”as the Trend Council’s video statement put it.
Biodegradable textiles, out of mycelium, animal innards or agricultural waste, or bacteria that dye textiles naturally, are some examples raised in the presentation. An emphasis on traditional craftsmanship can also fuel a sustainable shift.
Till presents two possible approaches: “to either retain naturally derived materials within the biological cycle and let them degrade, or utilise only synthetic materials that can be retained wholly in the technical cycle, within infinite loops”.
“The future of objects should simply not create waste or imbalance,”as the Trend Council’s video statement put it.
Biodegradable textiles, out of mycelium, animal innards or agricultural waste, or bacteria that dye textiles naturally, are some examples raised in the presentation. An emphasis on traditional craftsmanship can also fuel a sustainable shift.
The cloth of the future is responsive. This means it can react and adapt to the environment and the body. Or materials can come into contact with the natural world virtually, through augmented reality. Pictured: Reflective textile design from VIA University College.
“In the Western world our disconnection from nature has brought us to this state of ecological imbalance,” says Till. “But we can look to technology to provide a lens to help deepen and strengthen our connection to the natural world.”
Till sees the future in innovative production processes as well as in digital economic goods: products that are not physically present, and which we experience virtually through augmented reality. “People are actually willing to engage and spend large amounts of money – whether it be design pieces for the home or indeed fashion items – that house a virtual space or dress a digital avatar,” she says. “This is … exploring a future in which we … look to fulfil our sense of creativity and our desire to consume within the virtual realm.”
New materials for a world worth living in
The four trend themes – Deep Nature, Hyper Nature, Beyond Identity and Empowered Identity – are united by one basic thought: they show how the industry can use resources more responsibly in future.
“In the Western world our disconnection from nature has brought us to this state of ecological imbalance,” says Till. “But we can look to technology to provide a lens to help deepen and strengthen our connection to the natural world.”
Till sees the future in innovative production processes as well as in digital economic goods: products that are not physically present, and which we experience virtually through augmented reality. “People are actually willing to engage and spend large amounts of money – whether it be design pieces for the home or indeed fashion items – that house a virtual space or dress a digital avatar,” she says. “This is … exploring a future in which we … look to fulfil our sense of creativity and our desire to consume within the virtual realm.”
New materials for a world worth living in
The four trend themes – Deep Nature, Hyper Nature, Beyond Identity and Empowered Identity – are united by one basic thought: they show how the industry can use resources more responsibly in future.
The material in this photo was dyed with onion skins and avocado pits. There is ongoing research into the viability of these methods for mass production.
How will this lead to the fabrics of the future, and what might these look like? Here is an overview of the most important colours, materials and technologies for the coming season, put together by the Heimtextil Trend Council.
The new world of colour
Photo below, clockwise from top left:
How will this lead to the fabrics of the future, and what might these look like? Here is an overview of the most important colours, materials and technologies for the coming season, put together by the Heimtextil Trend Council.
The new world of colour
Photo below, clockwise from top left:
- Powerful pastel tones such as pistachio, peach and dusty sky blue, mixed softly with neutral tones like grey or light khaki. Bright yellow and orange provide accents.
- A lively and hyper-natural palette of unusual greens all the way to intense purple. This includes clear, bright shades as well as diffused green and grey tones. Salmon and raspberry serve as accents.
- Essential and organic colours: marshy, botanical tones, dye free shades like sandy beige or brown. Natural dyes create delicate and dusty blue shades and soft reds.
- Traditional primary colours (yellow, red, blue) are expanded with shades of coral, kiwi green and dusty lilac.
The new materials
Photo below, clockwise from top left:
Photo below, clockwise from top left:
- Natural materials and colours that can be obtained, worked and reused in circular processes, such as jute, flax, hemp, linen, plant skins, palm leather, coconut fibre, mycelium.
- Traditional technologies such as tufting, cross-stitch, weaving – or experimental stitching methods. Handicrafts like handwoven tapestries or modern takes on traditional patterns from around the world. Traditional Scandinavian textiles such as Fanø scarves, Hestedaekken textiles, ikat kitchen towels or klokkestrenge patterns (pictured), perhaps updated by prints or paint. Traditional woollen weaves with repurposed materials. Recycled synthetic fabric.
- Responsive materials, recycled synthetics, technical fibres with natural textures, smart textiles, microscopic structures, use of digital sustainable textiles.
- Hand-woven recycled polyester, printed digitally or with the use of light technology, which is then easy to recycle again. Using bacteria or natural plant pigments for dyeing. Pigments that change through use. Puff textiles out of microfibrillated cellulose. Traditional silks.
Your turn
Which trend hits the spot for you? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see a great addition and renovation? Check out this story: How a House With an Identity Crisis & No Flow Found Itself
Which trend hits the spot for you? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see a great addition and renovation? Check out this story: How a House With an Identity Crisis & No Flow Found Itself
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Good article!
@dreamdoctor "The drier lint is sign of clothes breaking down" The fact that I've never realized this is forehead slapping. Thank you.
Great article and very valid points below. We need to reuse, repurpose and use items until they really are finished. Time to stop all the fads and must have's of the moment. We can't go on like this if we want a planet.
I believe that these trends will probably come in useful and these sustainable alternatives won’t put additional pressure on our natural resources and harm our environment.