Bringing together almost 3,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries, Germany’s annual Heimtextil returns to Messe Frankfurt on January 14-17. Alongside a unparalleled collection of textiles, carpets and interior design products — including a growing focus on hospitality and healthy sleep — from around the world, the landmark trade fair (which attracted close to 50,000 visitors in 2024) is complemented by a carefully curated array of programming, including a wide range of sustainability talks, tours and seminars, a bespoke installation by Patricia Urquiola, and an inaugural trend forecast collaboration with Alcova.
Curated with an ongoing emphasis on the theme of “econogy” — a portmanteau of ecology and economy inspired by Canadian biologist David Suzuki — many of the fair’s exhibitors, talks and tours pair sustainable design aspiration with entrepreneurial thinking. Along with daily tours highlighting sustainable manufacturers, the events series includes a talk by IKEA’s Calvin Woolley, focusing on the Swedish giant’s evolving sustainability agenda and global supply chain network, as well as a discussion of innovation in natural fibres, cotton traceability, and the impacts of the European Green New Deal.
Meanwhile, the marquee Heimtextil 2025 installation sees visionary designer Patricia Urqiola transform an exhibition hall into an invigorating and welcoming design hub. Dubbed among-us, the 650-square-metre lounge space creates a sociable nexus, incorporating Kettal lounge islands upholstered with Kvadrat fabrics, floating textile artworks by cc-tapis crafted from recycled nylon yarn by Aquafil, and Moroso seating, as well as sculptural structures by Cimento. On January 15, Urquiola will also deliver a participatory talk, pulling back the curtain on her celebrated design process — including her extensive work with textiles. “We engage with everyone interested in textiles, aiming to listen as much as we present, valuing personal exchange,” says Urquiola ahead of the fair.
For the first time, 2025 sees Heimtextil welcome a collaboration with Milan-based design platform Alcova. An annual highlight of Milan Design Week since 2018, the eclectic and forward-looking exhibition has recently expanded to North America with a pair of well-received Miami editions.
This year, Alcova co-founders Valentina Ciuffi and Joseph Grima set their sights on Germany, leading up the Heimtextil Trends 25/26 showcase. Looking beyond passing fads, Alcova’s curation focuses on the thought-provoking theme of “Future Continuous,” a concept that situates the coming era within a sense of perpetuity. In other words, the future is a state of mind — one’s that’s always in the process of being negotiated in the present. What does that mean for textiles? We can’t wait to find out.
More information about Heimtextil 2025 is available via the fair’s official website. The Heimtextil 2025 website also features dedicated pages for Econogy, Alcova’s Future Continuous and Patricia Urquiola’s Design Hotspot, as well as a full directory of exhibitors and events, and this year’s special program on sleep health.
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