Messe Frankfurt Exhibition
The Future Laboratory identified four trends for 2011/12, which they illustrated in four pavilions, using fabrics from exhibitors at Heimtextil
(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

Last week we sped over to Frankfurt to take in the gargantuan Heimtextil fair, where over 2,600 exhibitors unveiled their latest fabrics and papers for every conceivable surface. Whether it was freelance designers showing new patterns ready to be put into production, big brands unveiling their latest collections, or contract houses revealing fabrics with new acoustic and olfactory benefits, there was plenty to inspire within the fair's epic 11 halls.

To bring a little focus to proceedings, show organisers, Messe Frankfurt, called in the trend gurus at The Future Laboratory to deliver their prophecies for 2011/12. Looking at signals in the worlds of art, fashion and design, they condensed these into four themes, summed up by their names: sobriety, wilderness, mix mash and utility. While perhaps already quite familiar ideas, the team certainly produced a beautiful edit of fabrics from exhibitors at the fair, many exploring new technologies. These were presented in four imaginatively conceived pavilions.

Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's biggest trade fair organisers and Heimtextil is one of its stalwarts, now in its 41st year. The first trade show of the year, it provides some indications about the shape of the industry over the next 12 months, and, with a growth in exhibitors and visitors on last year, it bodes well for 2011. All in all, the future is looking good.

'Utility' is about rough-hewn textures and an industrial aesthetic

'Utility' is about rough-hewn textures and an industrial aesthetic

(Image credit: press)

More fabrics in the Utility pavilion

More fabrics in the Utility pavilion

(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

Textiles

A Tosunoglu Tekstil swatch

(Image credit: press)

More Utility samples, including a cork swatch by Pongs Textil

More Utility samples, including a cork swatch by Pongs Textil

(Image credit: press)

A Chaman Sultana Fabrics swatch

A Chaman Sultana Fabrics swatch

(Image credit: press)

More Utility swatches, by the likes of FAF Design (right)

More Utility swatches, by the likes of FAF Design (right)

(Image credit: press)

The 'Wilderness' concept is about a mix of natural fabrics and raw textures

The ’Wilderness’ concept is about a mix of natural fabrics and raw textures

(Image credit: press)

Wilderness fabrics

More Wilderness fabrics, including a swatch from the 'Into' collection by Liina Blom (centre)

(Image credit: press)

The 'Mix Mash' look is about a vibrant mix of cultures

The 'Mix Mash' look is about a vibrant mix of cultures, patterns, techinicraft and colour

(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

More colourful examples of Mix Mash

More colourful examples of Mix Mash

(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

An Ekelund Linneväveriet swatch

An Ekelund Linneväveriet swatch

(Image credit: press)

Throws from Silkeborg UAB

Throws from Silkeborg UAB, shown as part of the 'Sobriety' pavilion - about minimal luxury, authenticity and a rethink of midcentury style

(Image credit: press)

Bark Cloth samples in the Green Exhibition

Bark Cloth samples in the Green Exhibition

(Image credit: press)

Bark Cloth samples

Bark Cloth samples

(Image credit: press)

Sustainable fabrics at the Green Exhibition

Sustainable fabrics at the Green Exhibition

(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

A throw from Silkeborg Plaids, elsewhere in the exhibition

A throw from Silkeborg Plaids, elsewhere in the exhibition

(Image credit: press)

More from Silkeborg Plaids

More from Silkeborg Plaids

(Image credit: press)

Fabric swatches from Dash+Miller

Fabric swatches from Dash+Miller

(Image credit: press)

Multi-functional seating

'Linkki' by Morgane Joly - part of of the 'Young Contract Creation Awards: Upholstery' exhibition, for which designers were challenged to create multi-functional seating

(Image credit: press)

'Pivot' by Mikka Mattsson

'Pivot' by Mikka Mattsson

(Image credit: press)

Fabrics from Fleuresse

Fabrics from Fleuresse

(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

'Rhythm' bedlinen by Hugo Boss, with furniture by Maxalto

'Rhythm' bedlinen by Hugo Boss, with furniture by Maxalto

(Image credit: Mattieu Carpentier/Isabelle Laforge)

'Dandy' bedlinen by Hugo Boss, with furniture by Roche Bobois and Maxalto

'Dandy' bedlinen by Hugo Boss, with furniture by Roche Bobois and Maxalto

(Image credit: Mattieu Carpentier/Isabelle Laforge)

Vescom fabrics

Vescom fabrics

(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

Horn textiles

Horn textiles

(Image credit: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.