Six textile trade shows held recently in New York City focused on the Spring 2009 season. Although each show had its own viewpoint, there was commonality. Sustainability is a prominent topic. Bold colors, prints, shine and fluid fabrics are in demand, and technology advances offer new performance fabrics and finishes.
Exhibitors at Direction and PrintSource, two surface design shows, agree that print design is overtaking application treatment. Enormous flowers, ikats, global ethnics and unique stripes are the news.
Florals at New York City-based Tom Cody Design were romantic, bohemian, whimsical, exploding and graphic. There were spontaneous, bursting blooms; washy flowers that look like warp prints; bold, outlined flowers with striped petals or dotty stems; exuberant, brightly colored pop art forms; and countless other garden varieties.
Along with flowers, animal-skin and tree prints turned up at The Style Council, New York City. Go Green is a strong story. London-based Mirjam Rouden showed large nature-inspired prints and striped geometrics. There were blurred ikat effects and African ethnics at Catherine B. Designs, New York City. Sylvie Jessua Creations, France, specializes in geometric and floral all-overs, and her prints evolve from her own artwork.
A special section at Direction was devoted to sustainability. Exhibitors included the Netherlands-based Rubia Pigmenta Naturalia, growers and producers of natural dyes; Earth Pledge, New York City, which offers information and assistance in providing and using eco-friendly products; and Green Textile, Spartanburg, a circular and warp knitter of organic cotton and recycled polyester.
Many of the PrintSource exhibitors specialize in childrenswear prints. Purplethum Design, New York City, showed T-shirt graphics with environmental themes. Whimsy, Pop Art and ikats were in evidence at New York City-based Splash Ltd., representing global studios. Fresh Squeezed Designs, New York City, has a collection of bright fruit and heart designs. Australia-based Little Design Horse is into stenciled and graffiti florals, textured graphics, and folkloric and scenic conversationals.