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With Heimtextil and Paris Deco Off around the corner, we look back at Proposte and how it may inform both, planting seeds for new trends.
Among international trade shows, Proposte is small. Just 79 curated vendors exhibited at the 2024 edition of this high-end trade fair, with 31 Italian brands and 48 from abroad. But within those, there were thousands of cutting-edge furnishings fabrics for indoors and out, curtains, trimmings and wallcoverings. Proposte represents a 1.2 billion Euro industry. It is also the setting—Villa Erba in Cernobbio, on the shores of Lake Como—that is dear to the hearts of all attendees and exhibitors. A typical commute to the show is a 15-minute boat ride, and as enjoyable as a local gelato.
So, it was exactly that venue and its rumored change that had most everybody buzzing with dismay. Most vendors I spoke to were not in favor. Some went to far as to say they wouldn’t return if the show moved.
“Como IS Proposte,” said one. “it’s about the romance. People love to come here.”
Fortunately, the show will return to Como, at least for 2025. And beyond? Fingers crossed.
Each year there’s a special staging in the Padiglione Centrale, the central rotunda of the sprawling Mario Bellini-designed glass, brick and steel building, which, not coincidentally, resembles a conservatory (his inspiration). The focus was seating—chairs, benches, poufs—strategically positioned, each piece upholstered in new textiles, many of which were rated for outdoor use. Some fair goers chose to sit, chat, check messages or just relax. Hopefully many took note because here were some of the best examples of technical achievement.
The theme of the show—Textiles to Ideas—was additionally expressed on the flip side. A return of textile artists connected the dots between artwork and finished product, allowing for customization, also possible for buyers working directly with mills.
Although product typically doesn’t appear in trade showrooms for about a year, here’s what should be on your radar.
Natural fibers
More core than trend, the demand for organic fibers—wool, cotton, linen and silk—is sure to remain high throughout 2025. Hemp, already rising, is poised to make more inroads, especially because of an emerging range of versatile weaves. Of note: paper, most intriguingly used as a trim.
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Texture
From stone to wood, and from metal to glass, tactility has consistently been the word in home décor since last fall. In textiles, texture will continue to play an integral role in most every category, including wool, velvet, linen and cotton intended for indoor and outdoor use. Expect lots of show-off technical skills in weaving, especially luxury jacquards. Bouclé and chenille weaves are poised to continue in strength, even in outdoor applications. Nuance makes them fresh, for example, on-trend color palettes and the use of multiple yarn types.
Weaves and Tech
There’s much to be said about the power of the loom, or of a particular kind of weave, like fils coupé, eyelash weaves (a variation was referred to as “eyelash bouclé” at the High Point furniture market). Embellishments like embroidery, sequins woven into sheers, combining different types of threads including metallic or playing with warp and weft, like alternating to create a heathered effect, is another part of the story.
Of note: MINERALDYE is an innovative yarn dyeing process that uses minerals and stone pigments to color yarns, saving water. MARM\MORE, a surface dying process, colors cotton, linen, silk or tech wool with real marble powder, replacing chemical pigments harmful to the ecosystem. Both processes are offered by the Fili Pari brand.
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Patchwork
In stone and wood, sampler styles are a recycling story. Patchwork is used as a device to show off a range of textile weaves, something also seen at The Rug Company at Heimtextil. At Proposte, complex weaves showed off loom skills. In addition, some cool patchwork looks were created by displaying different textiles in “panes” of folding screens.
Surface design
It will be difficult to find a stripe that isn’t a winner in 2025. Whether skinny, fat, cabana, serape, asymmetrical, horizontal, vertical or tone-on-tone corduroy-like looks in a range of ribs, stripes will make a major statement. This will even be true for outdoor velvet.
Artistic references occupy the opposite end of the design spectrum from regimented stripes. From graphic scribbling strokes à la Keith Haring to faithful reproductions of original paintings, art as a muse will show off expertise in translating from paper or canvas to textile, and from woven to digital printing.
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Sustainability
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Textured waterproof fabric is made from recycled waste at CDC Studio.
There is no doubt as to the future—and the impact—of sustainability initiatives for textiles. Some brands, such as Delius, pride themselves on their recycled materials (mainly PET), which also can be recycled after use. In addition, that brand takes back its fabric as well. One of the startup companies exhibiting, CDC Studio, uses patented cōēo technology to turn waste into a resource. FLOCUS™ Studio supplies a lightweight wonder fiber made from non-edible pods of the kapok tree.
Color Notes
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Linder’s cinnamon and blush shades.
Nature-driven green, omnipresent today, morphed into a neutral, where it is forecasted to remain for at least the next 18 months. Best companion: brown, although cinnamon made the biggest impact at Proposte. Terra cotta and ochre accents round out this earth-inspired range.
Sunrise/sunset hues, like medium-pastel rose, apricot and lavender, offer a less-intense variation on the earth-tone theme. We have already seen how striking they can look in solid-color mohair velvets and linens. What really makes these hues special is unexpected pairings, such as mustard-plus-blush. This unusual-yet-lovely combination showed up at Proposte in a fabulous outdoor fabric with terrific potential.
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