Craft Focus - October/November 2020 (Issue 81)

26 Well frequented fabric days set a positive sign for the industry There was noticeable enthusiasm and a good visitor frequency at FABRIC DAYS which exceeded all expectations after a successful three days this September. The condensed and business-focused trade fair format in Munich was the first fabric fair after the lockdown and was convincing that a physical event is accepted and needed by the industry in these times. Thanks to the great support from suppliers, the trust of the industry and the close cooperation with Messe München, the organisers have succeeded in creating a good example for the following trade fairs under the new conditions. At FABRIC DAYS, around 3,600 national and international visitors from 30 countries gathered new designs and inspiration for autumn/winter 21/22. Long-term partners as well as exciting newcomers presented their developments in the six areas: Fabrics, Additionals, Denim & Sportswear, Innovations, Design Studios and Sourcing – whereby the condensed hall layout offered optimal conditions for cross-segment communication and networking. ‘Hopetimism’ was the seasonal theme of the visionary Trend Forum at the show – and was very fitting in the current climate. For further information on Fabric Days and the upcoming January show, Munich Fabric Start, visit the website: https://www.munichfabricstart.com/welcome.html Creativeworld Trends 2021/22 The Corona pandemic has changed a lot of things: the last few months have been characterised by more time at home, more time with the family and so, time for hobbies as well. Whilst everything has become more digital with the home office, home schooling and video conferences, analogue and haptic things have become more important. This is clearly reflected in the 2021/22 Creativeworld Trends, which send positive signals that show a good deal of freshness and respect for nature. Whilst creative ideas were very varied and inventive at the beginning of the lockdown, the creative spirit gradually dwindled over the course of the weeks and months. On behalf of Messe Frankfurt, the Stilb ro bora.herke. palmisano has developed the 2021/22 Creativeworld Trends, taking inspiration from this newfound time and the latent creative energy. “We’re looking at upcoming trends in terms of the motto: ‘the ways are the goal’, because we need time for most things in life. Time that we rarely have. But we have been given this time through Corona. We were suddenly no longer in a hurry and needing to achieve quick successes”, says Claudia Herke, from the Stilb ro bora.herke.palmisano. “We’ve been able to apply ourselves to creative pursuits with discipline, patience, continuity and energy. We’ve taken up techniques and methods again, whilst accepting successes and failures. This is why we have seized on the old saying ‘The way is the goal’ because it’s so important at the moment and particularly appropriate for the creative sector.” With three trend worlds – ‘second strategy’, ‘flower treatment’ and ‘natural procedure’ - the designers show a variety of creative ideas that provide fresh input for creative hobbies. Second strategy: sustainable and individual In a society where we consume things more quickly than we can use them, the ‘Second Use Idea’ comes to the fore. Clothing is made new, as it were: two different pieces become one, knitwear is repaired and defects in clothing become highlights. Sustainability is also reflected in this trend world with ideas for recycling. This applies to materials, cardboard and glass packaging, ceramics and worn-out items: everything becomes a valuable craft material in the ‘Re-use Workshop. Flower treatment: delicate and restrained Flowers and blossoms in all their facets play the lead in ‘flower treatment’. It’s all about a feeling of transience, poetry and expressiveness here. There’s a sense of lightness and joy in the motifs, where blossoms can be painted on linen fabric, high-quality paper and textiles, with a few simple brushstrokes and watercolour, lead or clay pencils. However, a number of techniques used in the ‘flower treatment’ theme also require a creative commitment to an artistic task, as well as patience and discipline. This is because the techniques involved are also elaborate and challenging. For example, traditional skills such as Irish crochet (crocheted flowers) are being rediscovered. These blooms can embellish clothing, postcards and jewellery, making unique, one-off pieces. Speaking of jewellery: this plays an important role in this trend world. Brooches, bracelets and necklaces with floral shapes and patterns catch the eye. Natural procedure: natural and free The need for nature and freedom is quietly and simply reflected in ‘natural procedure’. This trend theme offers a multitude of possibilities whereby objects found in nature become stamps, colours or everyday objects. In keeping with the motto: ‘dirty hands – happy minds’ it is all about experimental techniques and working directly with and within nature. Wood and natural materials are very popular, but clay and natural colours are also used. Thus, natural colours are obtained from chard, beetroot, turmeric and nuts, using traditional methods. In addition, in the ‘natural procedure’ theme, classic DIY techniques, such as weaving, plaiting and modelling, come into play. Natural materials are used: willow, jute, rattan and cane particularly lend themselves to this purpose. “This forecast for the 2021/22 Creativeworld Trends promises much variety and the desire for new things. There’s something for every creative here”, says Michael Reichhold, director of Creativeworld, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. “I particularly like the sustainable concept that occurs in all three trend themes: if the Corona pandemic has brought about one good thing, it’s the temporary deceleration that no one has been able to escape from, and the return to regional things and the nature that surrounds us.” Next year, Creativeworld will be offered in digital format within the framework of the Consumer Goods Digital Days from 17 th to 20 th April, 2021.