Purples, metallics shine at Heimtex
By Carole Sloan -- Furniture Today, January 20, 2008
Frankfurt, Germany — Purples, running the gamut from amethyst to mauve and lilac, were among the style statements at the Heimtextil fabric fair here this month.
Livening the mix were a variety of sparkles, including metallics and Swarovski crystal embellishments.
In addition, the silver-to-gray palette that has been emerging in the last year at European markets was even more apparent at Heimtex, as was last year's favorite — black and white, now a more basic color combination than a fashion thrust.
Decorative fabrics exhibitors here appeared to have more substantial traffic than the ready-made home textiles suppliers. Overall, show exhibitors reported a marked decline in attendance.
For several U.S. exhibitors showing here, however, the results were positive.
"We had a great show — our target customers showed. Orders were OK, but this has become a show and tell event," said Billy DeSousa, vice president, international sales at Westgate by ADF, which moved to a new space in Hall 4 among other decorative fabrics exhibitors. "We benefited from the change and we had a markedly upgraded show presentation as well as an expanded space size."
This was the second year that Valdese Weavers has shown at Heimtextil after an absence of several years. This year, Valdese upgraded, expanded and relocated its space, said Cynthia Parrish, international sales and marketing manager.
"The show was good for us in terms of increasing our connections and exposure, as well as sample orders," she said.
Lee Silberman, senior vice president of Duralee, said Heimtex "was much better than I expected — from traffic to business. The number of Asians was unexpected as well as people from India and South America."
David Finer, CEO of Fabricut, echoed the sentiment that results were stronger than anticipated. He said he expects the company will show again next year.
"It's been a busy couple of days," added Stephan Sayer, sales director for de Ball. The company was trying for more exposure "and we had reassurances from customers about continuing business after all we've been through last year."
For longtime exhibitor Rockland Mills, Heimtex was "in a word, outstanding," said Stan Fradin, president. "The floodgates opened — we had new customers and even people we hadn't seen in a while showed up."
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