From super-strong knits to fabrics that have been twice recycled, these tantalizing textiles from the likes of Maharam, C.F. Stinson, Designtex and others caught our eye at last week’s NeoCon.
1 Polartec by C.F. Stinson
In the early 1980s, Polartec, a manufacturer of performance fabric, partnered with cold-weather apparel company Patagonia to create synthetic fleece. Now, in time for NeoCon, they have launched the Fit by Polartec collection. The fabrics – five durable knits, from mesh to wool, for upholstering furniture and panels in high-traffic environments – integrate moisture barrier technology.
2 Suno for Knoll Textiles
For Knoll’s third fashion collaboration (earlier ones have featured design houses Proenza Schouler and Rodarte) the company joined forces with Suno to come up with seven upholstery and two drapery textiles in mixed wovens. The collection was inspired by the womenswear line’s recent runway collections, which take cues from Indian embroidery, vintage origami and African costumes.
3 Abito by HBF Textiles
Meaning “suit” in Italian, Abito features a linen heathering with natural slubs (the small knots that give the natural textile its nubby texture). The material is woven in Italy at a family-run mill that produces some of the most luxurious proprietary textiles worldwide. Offered in six sophisticated neutrals, the collection includes a high performance Nano-Tex finish.
4 Loop to Loop by Designtex
The New York company debuted an upholstery product made by recycling already recycled textile waste, a first for the contract fabrics market. Loop to Loop takes Steelcase’s post-consumer fabric – composed of PET water bottles – and reprocesses it into new polyester yarn. It will also be designed and manufactured for future recycling to give it multiple lives.
5 Modern Couture by Robert Allen Contract
The Las Vegas textile company invited Dwell Studio to create this line of hospitality upholstery for seating and walls. Motifs range from ikat-inspired prints and textured plaids to clean, playful stripes and metallic accents. A variety of fashion-forward palettes are available, from cobalt and chartreuse to watermelon and oxblood (shown), as well as outdoor options through Sumbrella Contract.
6 Confetti by Maharam
The scattered placement of tiny circles on Hella Jongerius’s latest pattern for Maharam appears to make the fabric dance. Confetti combines cotton and wool with metallic nylon yarn to create depth and texture. The pattern comes in nine colours and was created alongside Trees, another Jongerius textile launched at NeoCon in similar colourways.
