Issey Miyake and Reality Lab  just won the  best design in the category of fashion at the Design Museum’s fifth annual Designs of the Year Awards 2012 for these amazing garments  created from computer algorithms.

132 5. is a unique fashion project developed by Issey Miyake and his in-house team of scientists from Reality Lab. The process by which the clothing is made is groundbreaking, using a mathematical algorithm: first, a variety of three-dimensional shapes are conceived in collaboration with a computer scientist; then, these shapes are folded into two dimensional forms with pre-set cutting lines that determine their finished shape; and finally, they are heat-pressed, to yield folded shirts, skirts, dresses etc. These clothes are significant not only for the process by which they were made but because they are also made using recycled PET products, sometimes in combination with other recycled fibers.

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Textile and leather suppliers showcased their newest looks in early December at Showtime in High Point. This show gives us a sneak peek of key looks we’ll see at the April High Point Market, with upholstery manufacturers shopping Showtime for fabrics.

Key looks and color trends at Showtime included:

1. Teal and burnt orange were strong color contenders, closely followed by apple green and bright lemon.

2. The neutral grays are morphing into driftwood or raffia.

 3.Botanicals are back, particularly in silhouetted prints of trees, ferns, or gingko leaves. Figurative florals are also key.

Pierre Frey + Deyrolle

4.Prevalent patterns included paisleys, cabana stripes, suzanis, toiles, lace, and Florentine tiles.

5. Menswear designs inspired leather looks, including a houndstooth pattern on a hair-on-hide.

Kyle Bunting Hair on Hide pillows

6.Crocodile featured strongly on fashion runways this fall, and it’s back in a very big way for leather suppliers.

7.Novelty patterns included folk-art birds, postcards, scientific equations( think Big Bang Theory), china plates, round chickens, and hamsa (a palm-shaped design).

8.In trims, look for tassels to start appearing again, particularly Deco-inspired designs that step away from the traditional shapes.

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I’m forecasting textiles with a bright & youthful styling  and a new breed of intense, yet understated luxury that is meant to be admired rather than envied. Design studios at Surtex and Heimtextil said one of the strongest demands they have been receiving is for hand-painted designs, many noting that hard lines and computer-generated creations are less in demand. I concur that the free flow of the hand is growing in popularity and that artisan looks are  key.

What better way to do that than with florals. These florals are not the viney, mid size motifs from past years. Those have given way to large sometimes ethnic influenced full blown blooming florals in size, scale and motif.   

Pillow: Bluebellgray Fashion: Christopher Kane

Big blooms are making an impact in both fashion+ home. One of our favorites is Bluebellgray.

 We saw this new fabric collection at M&O introduced by two young gun Scottish designers influenced by a love of color and all things floral.  The designs are something unique and special; each design is painted by hand in the Bluebellgray studio before being printing onto natural cottons and linens using state- of- the- art digital printing.

 Digital printing enables every brushstroke and color to be captured, enhancing the feel of the hand painted design. The pieces above have a sense of provenance and the designer behind the product, adding to the feeling of exclusivity. (Hard to believe they are digitally printed!)

 Shortlisted for an Elle Decoration Design award at TENT London last month for their collaboration with Roger Lewis, the design philosophy behind the brand adheres to the ‘eclectic mix’ school of thought.  As Fiona says ‘it’s ok when things don’t match, if you love it- go with it!’ The designs are aimed at people looking for something unique and individual for their home, an antidote to mass production.

More Evidence:

Amrapali Fall/ Winter 2011 Designer’s Guild

Collier Campbell for Fabricut VPR 36"

Catalina for Duralee

Wall panels from Jakob Schlaepfer

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Elizabeth Hamilton Collection

Elizabeth Hamilton Collection at Hollywood at Home

Elizabeth’s lifelong love of textiles drew her into marriage and partnership with Peter Fasano. Now, Elizabeth is branching out with her own distinctive collection. The Elizabeth Hamilton Collection reflects Elizabeth’s particular point of view – stylish, fresh and with a bohemian-chic perspective, much like Elizabeth herself. She is drawn to traditional patterns using the tones of plant dyes; patterns found in nature; prints that are simple, yet lyrical. Fluid floral patterns – monochromatic with easy-on-the-eye color – are coordinated with smart stripes and modern geometrics and all are hand screened.

  Linen, hemp, and cottons are the soft textiles of choice.

Charlotte Moss for Fabricut

At several design centers across the country, Charlotte unveiled her 100-sku  collection with Fabricut. The collection is brimming with alluring wovens, divine prints and stunning trimmings in crisp, refreshing colorways. Charlotte’s inspirations came to life in the form of fabrics as she went through the collection and shared the names of her fabrics, all of which were named after women.

“My inspiration came from the beautiful women around me,” said Charlotte. “Not to mention, wicker baskets in my garage and everyday items, like Hamacas!” ( The result seen in the red/white print she wears in the ad and which I am coveting!)

Charlotte's Inspiration shots-Photo courtesy of Visual Vamp

“My first collection through Fabricut stresses the decadence of life and the intimacy of fabrics,” says Charlotte. “Decorating is about luxury and love for your home, your guests and the company you keep. Entertain brilliantly and love every minute of it!” Moss urges us  to embrace her  philosophy “to live passionately, decorate luxuriously and always, always entertain beautifully.”

de Le Couna

Bernie de Le Cuona founded what is now the world’s largest own brand linen collection in her kitchen in 1992. They have also recently expanded their range to include bespoke curtains, paints and a small furniture collection. Her fabric designs are most notably the extensive collection of linen textiles with a luxurious drape and handle, wide range of hand woven paisleys, and eclectic mix of rich textured materials that accomplish a look of soft glamour and understated elegance. By harnessing unique methods such as metal detailing and the use of materials like alpaca wool and eel skin, she has evolved the brand into a company with an urban edge to compliment their previously known subtlety.

“The Grace Collection” is a wide range of textured materials ranging from embossed Art Deco inspired velvets to plaids and herringbones akin to the suits of Saville Row.

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