© Eugenia Morpurgo

Heimtextil 2025, a groundbreaking edition in Frankfurt

INT.DESIGN had the honor of being invited by Messe Frankfurt to witness Heimtextil 2025, a show that truly outperformed itself for its edition. As the widest international trade fair for home and contract textiles, Heimtextil continues to set the standard for innovation, creativity, and sustainability in the textile industry.

Patricia Urquiola’s Visionary Contribution

© Messe Frankfurt/Pietro Sutera

Among the key highlights of the show was the presence of internationally renowned designer Patricia Urquiola and her team, who unveiled “Among Us,” a groundbreaking creative textile concept. This installation featured lounge islands by Kettal upholstered with Kvadrat fabrics, a special Studio Urquiola fabric made entirely from plastic waste sourced from the sea, AI-assisted floating textile artworks by cc-tapis, crafted from recycled nylon yarn by Aquafil and an elegant seating by Moroso, showcasing sophisticated design with a commitment to sustainability.

Urquiola, one of Europe’s most lauded and in-demand industrial designers, seamlessly bridged the gap between extraordinary spatial elements and sustainability. True to herself, her visionary floor installation introduced cutting-edge techniques, such as a 70% to 80% water-based printing process —a revolutionary advancement poised to reshape the industry.

With a career designing for esteemed brands like Alessi, Cappellini, Coalesse, Flos, Kartell, and Moroso, and serving as the Creative Director of Cassina since 2015, Urquiola’s influence continues to be profound. Part of permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Vitra Design Museum, and Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris to name a few, her Heimtextil installation opened the event, setting the stage for high-end, ecologically conscious, and creatively boundless possibilities in the future of textiles.

“Futur Continuous”: A Visionary Narrative

The show’s central theme, “Futur Continuous,” unfolded in three visionary acts: Naturally Uneven, Radically Restructured, and Regenerative. Curated by Alcova Milano, led by Valentina Ciuffi (Studio Vedèt) and Joseph Grima (Space Caviar), the exhibit explored the far-reaching significance of textiles in technological, cultural, and ecological advancements.

Their narratives embraced the redefinition of beauty through material irregularity. Celebrating uneven and imperfect surfaces and high-performing plant-based biodegradable fabrics, the approach challenged traditional perceptions of perfection and highlighted the evolving status quo in textile trends.

Sustainability at the Forefront

Heimtextil 2025 featured numerous presentations and discussions focused on the future of sustainable textile practices. Among the standout contributors were Designer Eugenia Morpurgo, whose work pushes the boundaries of sustainable design. Ilse Crawford and Christine Ladstätter, who shared insights into mindful design practices.

Dirk Vantyghem, offering perspectives on industry advancements and Zeefier, a pioneering female-owned enterprise with 15 years of technological advancements, producing an industrial dye made entirely from seaweed collected from waste streams. Their plug-and-play system for dye houses aims to revolutionize the industry. This innovation offers a sustainable alternative to the industrial revolution synthetic dyes, which pollute thirty percent of today’s water systems.

© Lottevan Uittert

© Messe Frankfurt/Pietro Sutera

With its inspiring installations, thought-provoking discussions, and innovative practices, Heimtextil 2025 proved to be a pivotal moment for the textile industry. Many thanks to the Heimtextil organization for inviting INT.design to be part of today’s broadcast and tomorrow’s discourse on the future of textiles. The event showcased a compelling vision where creativity, sustainability, and technological advancement converge, laying the foundation for a brighter, more responsible future in design.

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