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What can you find at MoOD?

MoOD is a specialist trade fair, an outsider with an international profile offering three categories of textiles: upholstery, window and wall coverings. At MoOD, you encounter companies that produce textiles on contract for, or in collaboration with, 'éditeurs', furniture producers interior designers, purchasers, wholesalers and department stores.

These are producers with their own production facilities and often with their own collections designed for interested specialists. Leather and imitation leather are also available at MoOD. So it is primarily a sourcing fair, where you can buy the knowhow and creativity of our exhibitors and consult with them on the production of your own collections. It is also the largest trade fair in the world with this specialism. In other words, a fair that cannot be compared to any other.

MoOD opts for cosy and compact - Same size, new hall configuration

Trade fairs are increasingly focusing on their real value: quality, innovative products conveniently collected together in a warm, inspiring atmosphere. A specialist fair like MoOD needs to provide an accessible, coherent exhibition space and measure its success by the valuable contacts and inspiration that visitors gain as a result of their participation.

This is the reason for the biggest innovation to the next edition of MoOD, in September: the fair will be concentrated into 3 convenient, accessible halls. There will be 270 exhibitors and a project in each hall: the innovation platform, the trend forum and Contract Square. MoOD promises to be a not-to-be-missed contemporary, inspiring and exciting event.

International trend team consults for MoOD

People don't want to hear science fiction but they are interested in near-future scenarios. The MoOD trend watchers meet annually to discuss the social changes, technological innovations and consumer responses happening worldwide. This year they numbered 18 hailing from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Australia and the US. Most of them are true global citizens, cool hunters tracking change and the future of the textile industry.

Last year in our trend book, we announced a textile renaissance. We perceived the first signs of this in the renewed interest in textiles of consumers, architects and purchasers. We also saw that volume has to make way for quality, that there is a peak demand for natural fibres and that the gap between extreme luxury and mass production is growing. But it is the high end creations that define the new image of textiles and this looks like a continuing trend for the next few years. Two tendencies became clear during the discussions: humanity is looking for its lost identity and it is increasingly finding it in the intimacy of the home. But this identity is becoming more versatile. It is a multi-identity that looks for gratification in many different ways, partly as a result of communication technologies. The slowing down principle is gaining pace and ecology is snuggling up with design. Keep close track of us in the following editions of 5 Minutes MoOD!

MoOD is a 3 Day Trade Fair and Online Market Place.

MoOD is the first and most authentic international trade fair for 3 categories of textile that perfectly complement each other and meet the demands of its public: upholstery, window and wall coverings. These days, 'éditeurs', furniture manufacturers, (interior designers, buyers, wholesalers and department stores) tend to purchase complete collections rather than one isolated product.

MoOD puts producers in the forefront of the fair. They come up with the original designs, they have the knowhow and they ensure straightforward negotiations with no middleman. This concept is unparalleled in the entire world and is therefore of great strategic importance to all target groups in the residential as well as in the contract business.
On the MoOD website, we cover 'hot' news and relevant market information.
MoOD is also the only online market place in the world to feature producers who have total ownership of their collections. Watch this space!

Blue Drop award winner Textiles de France (FR) adds to its success

A real first was presented to the Blue Drop panel of judges during the build-up period to last year's show. But Karim Chigri didn't bring in any fabric to show them; instead he presented a pouffe. He explained that they had discovered a technique for producing the pouffe straight from the loom – without the filling, of course.

The product immediately attracted a great deal of attention, including on the stand, where they also exhibited a sample pouffe with light-emitting fibres for outdoor use at night. As a result of winning the Blue Drop award, Textiles de France gained a number of opportunities that they otherwise not would have had. They also brought in a designer to give their première a more sexy image. All done with great panache, as you can see from the photo. Marine Peyre not only added colour to the design, but also 'toyed' further with the concept originated by Textiles de France.

Karim Chigri: "We are working on developing a whole family from these products. It's all very exciting at the moment, because we are getting lots of interest from major retailers. Things are also going well with our light-emitting fibres. We are currently developing a fibre that is even more powerful than the one we exhibited at MoOD. "The company didn't want to tell us everything, of course, but Textiles de France will certainly have something very interesting to unveil at the next edition of MoOD. Will we be able to let the cat out of the bag in the coming months? You bet we will! In a future edition of 5 Minutes MoOD.

Blue Drop should become a standard, says Antecuir (ES)

Last year, Interfabrics – Antecuir (ES) received a Blue Drop award for their 3D furniture fabric. They then took full advantage of this accolade in order to launch the product on the market with more energy. Javier Miro: "It's important to win awards. I think that having a unique prize for textiles is an excellent idea".

"Of course Blue Drop is still very young and not everyone knows what it is, but we realise that there is a great deal of knowhow behind it and that items are very carefully and knowledgeably selected. We were awarded our Blue Drop for our 3D fabric and took the opportunity it provided to contact a number of potential customers. It got us a lot of attention, too, even if they weren't immediately interested in the winning fabric. Which was a good thing for our business.

We are now working on developing our fabric further, although we can see that the market is not altogether ready for it. So for the time being we're using it as our show pony to demonstrate our technical abilities." Antecuir will certainly not hesitate to send in its best fabric for the next MoOD.

'Of the Sublime' is the new trend theme for MoOD

Animated conversations between trend-watchers only really become exciting when there's a difference of opinion. But, of course, there are also themes that everyone agrees about. Colour, for example. Although there is some discussion about who are the big innovators and who are the big losers, the members of the MoOD consultation panel agree about one thing: it has been a long time since colour was as clear-cut as it is at the moment.

It's like we're emerging from a dark tunnel and wondering at the beauty of spring colours. Colour, as we know, is a positive sign that heralds new economic prosperity. But in addition to colour, we are also looking for things that are beautiful. No more chilly rationalism. We want to be enchanted and moved again by what we 'feel is unimportant', as Kant put it so well. Gottfried Pank , member of the MoOD consultation panel and fashion information trend-watcher, agrees wholeheartedly. In his view, beauty can result from a combination of authenticity and innovation.

For Marie Demaegdt from CELC Masters of Linen, beauty is more ethereal and intangible, a moment in which emotion and aesthetics meet. For her, it is very important to be able to share that experience of beauty with someone. Axel Venn , the charming colours professor from Berlin, describes beauty as an old-fashioned 18th century notion in which a little can still excite a lot, and despite that can be found everywhere. Whatever, we at MoOD are convinced that beauty offers comfort and calm, because it is a safe value in times of (too much) rapid change and an offering that often catches us off guard and is hard to tie down. More about that in our next 5 Minutes MoOD.

Joint Venture Deslee Interior and Tissat International (BE)

The recent joint venture between two leading Belgian textile manufacturers, Deslee Interior and Tissat International, is making waves in the industry. As a result of this collaborative venture, three brands are now pooling their resources: Deslee, Tissat and Versari. The trading activities of jacquard specialist Versari were acquired back in January by Deslee, although the Versari brand continues to exist.

Deslee and Tissat are now taking a 50% holding in the new company, which will be set up in April. In addition to an expansion of the range in the higher and mid-segment, the two companies working together will result in particular in their establishing a stronger position in both the residential and contract markets. In fact the major benefit of the joint venture will be greater than the sum of both companies.

Deslee Interior enjoys an excellent reputation in fine curtain fabrics with top-quality finishes and will be launching dual-purpose materials on to the market with Versari. Tissat is a major player in furniture fabrics and semi-transparent window coverings. We spoke with Henk Dedecker from Deslee. He expects this integration to generate a technical and creative boost, along with a turnover in excess of 15 million EUR in 2011. He is also not ruling out any further acquisitions. The trading name of the new venture is TissatDeslee Interior Fabrics, although whether this will also be the name of the new company is not yet clear. We will keep track of the situation for you.

Dina-Vanelli (TR) strong in the contract market

The contract market is becoming increasingly important for the Turkish fabric manufacturer, Dina-Vanelli . The company is also expanding its Trevira CS collection. Currently it is still tied in with the trend colours, but clearly natural colours will follow soon, with cream, beige and soft browns setting the tone.

In terms of materials, 'natural looks' and especially wool are the fabrics most in demand from the Turkish market leader. The new threads used in Tervira CS are also unrivalled when it comes to imitating nature. And you have to be an expert to see the difference. Confidence in the contract and hospitality of these fabrics is particularly high. Vanelli is also getting recognition in that area from Trevira. Last year it won the prestigious Trevira Award for its wonderful collection.

Eijffinger gets a Blue Drop for a strong avant-garde product

Wallpaper is enjoying an unstoppable resurgence. This was demonstrated at MoOD where a number of leading manufacturers presented their latest creations. One of the Blue Drop winners was Eijffinger with a truly avant-garde design. This ikat pattern wallpaper is undoubtedly one of the trendiest products on the market.

A brightly coloured version was shown at MoOD, but other models prove that it is very classy in more muted colours. It is indeed a golden age for wallpaper, with not only a growing demand for the product itself but also for professionals to install it. Who says we’re living in DIY times?

Hyosung Corporation (South Korea) leads the way in innovation

There is often a creative idea behind a Blue Drop for innovation winner. This is the case with the window covering by Hyosung Corporation. It is primarily an elegant window dressing that darkens a room and plays with shadow effects. But it is more than that. It is a technological wonder that comes off the loom in one go, ready to use.

You can’t see that and that’s what makes it so interesting. The Blue Drop is a confirmation of Hyosung’s expertise. The company’s market share is growing slowly but surely. The product is doing very well worldwide. Hyosung is rapidly turning more innovative and therefore building itself a new image as an innovator. The photo shows a contract market application.

Libeco-Lagae (BE) enters the market for niche fabrics in flax

Libeco-Lagae continues to specialise in manufacturing niche fabrics in flax and to this end took a stake in the Belgian company LINEO in mid July 2008. LINEO is a young and innovative company specialised in the use of flax as a strengthening fibre or tissue in the production of composite materials. This market is clearly on the rise and offers almost unlimited applications.

Flax fibres have previously been used for technical applications such as tarpaulins, canvas, fire hoses, bags and even airplane wings. However, synthetic fibres took over for the most part and it’s only now that we are seeing a movement in the other direction. For example, linen tissues are now included in the core of composite fibres resulting in an unusually strong, lightweight and shock absorbing material. You see it increasingly used in sports items, shipbuilding, aviation, the automotive sector, wind turbines and so forth.
Libeco-Lagae illustrated the remarkable properties of linen with the construction of a 40 foot sailing ship that participated in the Route du Rhum. The hull and other parts of the ship are made of 100% linen composite. Libeco-Lagae was involved in this project through its stake in LINEO.

Saros Fabrics (Turkey) designs window coverings on an embroidery machine

Manufacturing window coverings on an embroidery machine sounds unlikely, but the result is very aesthetic and fun. The pattern falls somewhere between geometric and unstructured embroidery. The design was instantly snapped up by a project design group in Dubai. Their choice was corroborated by a Blue Drop award for Saros.

The project has completed in the meantime and can be admired in the photo. But there is more, much more. This beautiful window covering is now available in many more versions and from over 1000 distribution points around the world. Saros is especially proud to announce that it is already feeling the effects of success. Saros will be showing new designs at the next MoOD. We certainly look forward to it!

Of the Sublime is all about honesty

This week, the MoOD trend book is appearing in Belgium for the first time. It’s about beauty. Beauty is differently perceived these days. It was primarily the elusive, the immaterial nature of beauty that was seized upon for inspiration. Today, a remarkable form of beauty compels fascination: the beauty of honesty. The honesty of materials, of design.

The straightforward avowal of what you stand for without needing to hide behind hollow slogans and false promises. Our society craves this type of inner beauty. This is also true when it comes to textiles. This means that natural fabrics keep their natural colours. That linen looks like linen, wool like wool and leather like leather. This isn’t to say that synthetics are out of fashion. Absolutely not. But a certain commitment is demanded today. The undertaking to recycle, for example, or low carbon production. Beauty is also frequently associated with innocence. A girlish sincerity and sensitivity. Today, it isn’t a flower power movement that opposes the gothic style but a movement based on the beauty of genuine emotion. This isn’t sentimental but finely designed and evokes your first innocent attempts to draw something you find lovely. The return of the print is an inevitable result of this trend.

Of the Sublime

Globalisation, digitisation and the emergence of new economic powers. Every individual, each company sees the disappearance of old certainties. One value however, remains unchanged: beauty.

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We strive for beauty in everything we do, whether it is designing or decorating. More than ever. Never before were there as many people in the west who exercised some form of art. Like no other, this illustrates the growing need for beauty and the beauty experience. This renewed focus on beauty coincides with the need for slowing down. Anyone who has an eye for beauty, will take the time to reflect, to understand and above all to enjoy. Not only the result but also the creation process itself. Even in the treatment of the matter itself there is a beauty we risk losing sight of.

Therefore, the central theme for the trend booklet that MoOD proposed to its exhibitors is beauty. Let it be clear: textiles and textile design has never been as trendy. Many young creative minds feel themselves drawn to this. They approach their creation just like Michelangelo did back then. According to him, the artwork had already been contained in the brutal matter herein. The artist only had to remove the excess. He sent a team to Carrara to search for the proverbial sculptures between the stones.

OF THE SUBLIME distinguishes three themes, each of them set out a different aesthetic beauty experience:

#1 Soul Kitchen is an appreciation of the invisible beauty of our daily surroundings. It shows an optimistic, naive and childlike view of the world. Its innocence so beautiful, that it leaves no-one untouched. It requires an openness and a positive attitude to discover the beauty that has remained unexplored for too long because in our rush it has passed us by. Soul Kitchen is a search for the soul and the beauty that can be found in your own "kitchen".

#2 <H>UGGS stems from the honesty and deep respect for the brutal matter. The materials remain true to themselves while the design is thoughtful and tasteful. A design that is reminiscent to the brutalism of the 50's to the 70's. <H>UGGS draws its added value from the inertia and the genuine quest for perfection. The creations are often handmade and are exclusive to say the least. Many traditional techniques have been forgotten with emerging technology. Strangely enough it is also technology that is responsible for their comeback. The story behind this, is an integral part of the product.

#3 UTOPIA searches for the elusive beauty. The utopian beauty in the purest sense of the word. Because we are now witnessing a new golden age of science. Science and beauty go hand in hand because science and beauty belong to the rare certainties of our time. Unseen images from the beautiful, elusive universe are brought closer by the Orbiter Cassini and we are on the verge of deciphering the secret of the few seconds before the big bang. UTOPIA also teaches us that indigo, as described by Newton, was a colour that is somewhere between blue and violet but that is almost invisible to the human eye. Thus, Utopian. It is therefore very appropriate that this colour belongs in UTOPIA.

Colour me beautiful

Each theme comes with a specific colour palette that is available on MoOD's website.. Below we already provide you with an overview.

Indigo is a key colour. Blue is the colour of honesty. But indigo's story begins with a vegetable dye that was already being copied synthetically in 1897. It is a colour that plays an important role in both Soul Kitchen as well as UTOPIA. White with its inevitable counterpoint in shades of black is also rising fiercely. It is the most honest and purest contrast and inevitable in this theme.

We also see earthy colors like browns that tend towards deep reds, which are strongly connected to soil. To create a real experience of brutal rust , they sometimes approach the delicate sienne brûlée. But there are also pale washed browns which tend towards beige. And orange. A dynamic accent reminiscent of tangarine.

Green disappeared a few years ago, as suddenly as it arrived on the scene. There was too much hype, and trendsetters soon lost interest. But green is back. Different, more honest and above all very modest.

Niek Deprest
MoOD Trend Coordinator

Flemish Masters ready for second edition

Following a successful first edition, which received an enormous amount of attention by the international trade press, 13 companies are working together again in the biennial project Flemish Masters. The purpose of this project is to once again stress the innovative force of Flemish manufacturers of upholstery, curtains, glass curtains, wall coverings, furniture and beds on an international level.

The unique way in which companies work together in close cooperation from the start of the development of a new product, is inspiring en demonstrates the dynamic qualities of these Flemish companies. The participants can moreover appeal to the Flemish Masters think tank (with renowned industrial designer Axel Enthoven as chairman). This think tank can be consulted for advice by the companies during the development phase.

The prototypes/objects that are developed within this experimental context are shown during MoOD – Meet only Original Designs – and Meubelbeurs Brussels. Both fairs are leading podiums with a wide international appeal. These realisations are shown in an ‘other than other’ press file which illustrates the innovative character of the Flemish Masters and will be distributed among the international trade press.

For Flemish Masters 2011 five objects are realised.
These are the result of the cooperation between the following companies:
- Recor Bedding NV - Deslee Clama
- Passe-Partout NV - Beaulieu Fabrics NV
- De Zetel NV - HSH Aerospace Finishes - Concordia Textiles NV
- Joli - Flocart N.V.
- Drisag NV – Orotex Belgium NV

The Flemish Masters think tank consists of:
Axel Enthoven (EADC)
Inge Van Gheel (Design Studio Inge Van Gheel) Siegrid Demyttenaere (DAMn°) Maxime Szyf (MAXIMALdesign) Marc Geysen (©-Desk Design Consultancy)
Flemish Masters is organised by MoOD – Meet only Original Designs – in cooperation with Optimo; Fedustria and Meubelbeurs Brussels.

Première:
From 13 till 15 September during MoOD - Meet only Original Designs – in Brussels Expo

MoOD 2011: cosy, compact and legible

What will the third edition of MoOD 2011, the fair which takes place on 13, 14 and 15 September in Brussels Expo in Belgium, bring? The answer to this question consists of two parts. On the one hand, MoOD (Meet only Original Designs) relies on its known basic principles; on the other hand the organisation meets the demand of both visitors and exhibitors for the creation of a better and more dynamic environment. In this way a cosier, more compact and more legible fair comes about.

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Three halls

During MoOD 2011, three product categories are highlighted: upholstery fabrics, window coverings and wall coverings. During this very internationally oriented fair, it is only producers who show nothing but own designs, for both the residential and the contract market. Keywords are quality and selectivity.

Thus far the unaltered basis. But obviously there are a number of adjustments to the 2011 edition. One of the most striking is the reduction from four to three halls: halls 7, 9 and 11. This deliberate choice was made to use the number of square metres in the best possible way. In doing this, the spaces are better filled, the atmosphere is better, the fair stays about the same size and it is confirmed that worldwide the fair remains the biggest market forum of its kind.

Sister fair Indigo moves from hall 9 to hall Patio and the space that becomes available goes to MoOD exhibitors. Expofil Déco, which from now on is integrated as a MoOD product in hall 9, gets a new name: MoOD Yarns.

Three days + Online marketplace

During the previous edition, the length of the MoOD fair was reduced from four to three weekdays and this continues in 2011. At the same time, MoOD was also put in the market as an online marketplace and this approach is strengthened further. Specifically for MoOD 2011: the website is made ever more vivid, the ‘5 Minute MoOD’ becomes the means of communication all year long and there are the digital catalogues on the Blue Drops and the Innovation Platform. New is that MoOD for the first time can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

Three conclusions from visitors survey

Because a fair cannot exist without its visitors it is of vital importance to know what the needs are. That is why a thorough visitors survey was conducted which led to the following conclusions: MoOD receives three types of visitors: they range from the pure buyer to those who put together a collection, to designers and prescribers... Each group has its own need for information and we respond to this.

Another conclusion: MoOD is extremely attractive as far as contract business is concerned. No less than 16% of the visitors indicate they only come to Brussels for contract and/or outdoor business, 53% say they ‘also’ come for contract. Conclusion: MoOD clearly has a much stronger position in the field of contract than other fairs.

The survey also learns that visitors attach a lot of importance to a higher legibility of a fair, which we improve on three different levels. First, the number of tools for the best possible prepared fair visit is optimized (website, smart Phone, Twitter,...). During the fair, each hall gets its own information - point of interest and finally, the legibility on the fair itself is dealt with through improvement of the signs of the stands according to sector and activity.

Effects on MoOD 2011

As we indicated, the three halls each get their own, specific accent. We look at the effects hall by hall.

Trends, Blue Drops and Belgian café in Hall 11: here space is cleared for, respectively, the trend presentation, the Blue Drops story and a ‘Belgian café’. All three of these initiatives are surprisingly different...

The Trend story is no longer told by means of a sample bank, but through a presentation from the ‘cahier’, using a concept and a colour story. For the quality label ‘Blue Drops’, MoOD 2011 chooses a selective story of ’50 labels’. The 50 best products of the fair are selected, with a feedback (and signs) towards the exhibitors. From these ‘Best of the Best’, the seven Awards are chosen, three product Awards and four thematic Awards. The Belgian café becomes a cosy meeting point ‘in the Belgian way’, with space for the informative side of things. In this café seminars are organized. New is that this space can also be used for the organisation of workshops and as a starting point for ‘guided tours’ through the fair.

Innovation platform in Hall 7: thanks to the Innovation platform, hall 7 has a complementary programme built around innovation. This breaks down into three parts: the classic sample bank and two totally new initiatives: “Stop innovating, start implementing”, illustrating the daily use of innovative products, and the Flemish Masters, taking the implementation one step further still. Flemish Masters shows six finished prototypes/objects developed within an experimental context: they are the culminating point of implementation.

Contract in Hall 9: the hall of long-term partner Trevira CS is logically the contract hall. In the middle of this hall a selection of contract collections that are present at the fair are displayed in an inspiring and guiding arrangement, as was the case during MoOD 2010.

Outdoor in the transitions between halls 7 and 11 and halls 11 and 12: In the outdoor story we strive for cooperation with the numerous leading Belgian producers of outdoor furniture, delivering the MoOD collections a suitable framework.

MoOD 2011 ‘in a nutshell’

MoOD 2011 in short? It is bound to be a fair that is at the same time cosy, compact and legible, with an impact all year through. MoOD 2011 moreover deals even better and more dynamic than before with the demands of its visitor. As a result literally every minute pays off during a visit, and this for the three days the fair lasts!

Patrick Geysels
General Manager
May 6, 2011

OLAF: a concept that illustrates the power of Weaving on Demand – Enzo Degli Angiuoni (IT)

With its new OLAF collection, Enzo Degli Angiuoni demonstrates that it believes in the flexibility of small yardages combined with an unprecedented sense of perfection. Increasing numbers of customers are looking for personalised textiles. However, these fabrics must be of the highest quality and be produced exclusively for the customer in question.

OLAF draws its inspiration from the wonderful portraits by the photographer of the same name and is presented on panels. The soft black-and-white nuances are so subtle in the shadowy areas that you might think they were made out of woven fabric. Enzo Degli Angiuoni frames the sober blacks and whites with a colourful series inspired by women’s suits from the 1950s. Fragile, feminine and just a tad Coco Chanel. This typical look is achieved via a stylish mix of chenille and fancy threads. Despite its pronounced texture, the fabric still achieves a Martindale abrasion rating of 40,000. The impressive design betrays the hand of the master: Mrs Degli Angiuoni. Always in the background, but already discovered by designers and manufacturers such as Patricia Urquiola and B&B Italia. They select from the collection or design in conjunction with Enzo Degli Angiuoni, depending on a particular project.

Rafael Catalá (ES) has had enough of the sombre years – colour has begun infusing even the most classical collections

Rafael Catalá has been choosing soft, timeless and classical colours for years, but today his more optimistic joie de vivre approach is increasingly on display. The showroom is now dominated by fresh colours and dry fabrics.

The company is reprising designs that have been in the collection for 5 years, but with soft greeny yellows and natural greens and pinks, the silk has been transformed into what looks like dried blossoms. A rough feel and natural look also feature in the Trevira CS collection. These plain fabrics have the rough look that is currently in vogue. ‘A real success,’ says Graham Round, export manager for Rafael Català. ‘We have had enough of the grey crisis colours and are looking for some more positive signs. The designs hark back to the 1950s, when there was a similar movement.’

Nelen&Delbeke (BE) reveals African designer

There’s a palpable ‘African Spirit’ at Nelen&Delbeke. How light and positive are the colours, how delicate the fabric. The linen collection plays a subtle game with the early summer sun. Clearly ‘something is going on’ with the design feeling young and exotic.

It was the African textile designer, Aida Duplessis, who brought a fresh breeze into the creative department at Nelen&Delbeke. In her homeland of Mali, she produces handwoven fabrics with fibres made from nettles. Working with the designers at Nelen&Delbeke, her creations have translated into a prestigious and daring collection that includes some wonderful window coverings. There is a strong handicraft feeling that is reinforced by the soft ocean blue, which in turn is contrasted by a black graphic line drawing. Africa has not left Nelen&Delbeke unmoved, but what they have done with it is specific rather than a stereotype. The colours literally blur across the lines and they are already coming up with designs in natural colours.

How do you go about colour forecasts in a trend book?

The MoOD trend book features three themes, each with its own colour palette. People often ask us what they need to do with colour forecasts in trend books. This is a delicate area, because colour forecasts are created in consultation with people from various sectors. The trend team at MoOD includes colour specialists from the textile and automotive industries, building paints and dyes, and interior decoration.

There’s even a professor who works with colours on a scientific level. The result is a forecast of a fairly general nature. Translating all that knowledge into a textile is not a simple process. First and foremost it is very important in creating the design to take account of the target audience. Are you working for a high-end hotel chain or for a teenage collection? Does your audience have more of a conventional taste or are they trendsetters? What is the effect you are seeking to achieve? Pleasantly noncommittal, agreeably functional or something more chic?
Take green, for instance. Green is a colour that in all probability is going to become more important. Natural green in particular is starting to emerge as a popular colour. Green is the colour of hope and nature. Giving green a ‘browny’ effect makes you think of trees. So trendsetters who attach importance to the environment are more likely to respond to green positively. Mustard yellow is something of a compromise colour, a combination of yellow and green that will appeal to a fashion-conscious audience. The colours that you come across in the MoOD trend book are linked to three themes: SOUL KITCHEN, <H>UGGS and UTOPIA, which are mainstream, eco-design and high-tech respectively. Depending on your target audience and the effect you wish to create, you can opt for a mix of trend colours and binding colours that match. These colours are intended to provide inspiration. They may encourage you to take them further or – and why not? – to break out into something more radical.

Calusiese Manifattura Outdoor Tessile: Infinity Colour - New outdoor generation

Infinity Colour is the latest outdoor collection created by Manifattura Tessile Calusiese s.n.c., developed for the garden furniture market. Starting from a techno-polymere of polyester, M.T.C. has developed a wide range of products and colours which satisfy the European and non European outdoor market requirements, in respect of the most known international legislations.

Infinity Colour fabrics attracts less powder and soil, are more easily washable and it easier to remove stains from them. They absorb less water, are more elastic and more resistant to rubbing and abrasion. The lightfastness to weather is 7/8 degree, to water chlorate and sea water is 5 degree and it has 60.000 turns of Martindale. Fabrics are soil-resistante, mould-resistant, oil and water repellent with a Teflon finish. Infinity Colour made in 100% polyester solution dyed is the new outdoor generation 100% made in italy!

Kinnamark corporation with Borås Tapeter

Kinnamark has made a corporation together with wallpaper company, Borås Tapeter and designer Hanna Werning. Kinnamark has produced the same designs on textiles that Borås Tapeter presents in wallpapers. Hanna Werning stands for an own unique style, inspiered by nature. This is a good example of typhical Scandinavian design.

Thevenon: Printed fabrics

Some prints by Thevenon.

Width : 280cm - 100% cotton

Italian Renaissance at Fiorete (IT)

Hooray for archives! Especially when they deal with the Italian Renaissance. The Italian company Fiorete dug deep into antique documents and precious paintings from this period to find inspiration for their new classic collection.

They combined the elegance and taste of the 13th and 14th centuries with our generation technology. The 'Classic' collection by Fiorete includes both upholstery fabrics and beautiful curtains that evoke the grandest palaces of the Venetian Republic's heyday.

Diametrically opposed but executed with equal flair comes the innovative contract collection 'High Tech'. With gossamer transparencies that blur the boundary between technology and beauty, Fiorete stays true to the manneristic style of the High Renaissance.

Follow MoOD on Twitter and Facebook!

Fast markets, snappy communications: if you want to stay up-to-date, with your market and ours, you can find MoOD on Facebook and Twitter. Powerful and concise information, as it should be. Keep a finger on the textile sector pulse. Be a part of the virtual conversation. Join us today.

Extra features are making textiles sexy

UTOPIA is the third theme in the MoOD trend book. UTOPIA concerns both utopian beauty and the utopian functionality of textiles. Fabrics lead the way when it comes to innovations in and around buildings. Textiles can be so strong that they are capable of containing a blast: ideal for the luggage holds of airplanes.

Many of the UTOPIA inspirations issue from space travel. Many innovations in aerospace applications are used today in the home. From discussions with companies that develop innovative textile products, it appears that adding new functions to textiles leads to new business opportunities. The rising cost of raw materials can be partly offset by textiles that do more than function as decoration.

According to research, the market is willing to pay more for additional features. Indeed, today the market prefers a non brand product with additional functionality over a brand product without those features. And what is truly fascinating is that the building interior is virtually virgin territory for innovative textiles.

Nature also plays a role. Think of the giant spider of Madagascar that makes the world's strongest fibre: 100% organic! The military are already standing in line to use it. UTOPIA believes in the beauty of such innovations.

Learn more on OF THE SUBLIME, Inspirations 2012/2013

Epengle Textiles was the first Turkish exhibitor and contract specialist at MoOD (Decosit)

For 50 years, the Turkish company Epengle Textiles has produced high quality velvets. This is an anniversary that it is proud to celebrate and so is MoOD. For Epengle was the first Turkish exhibitor to bring its collection to Brussels and this did its image no harm at all.

Epengle has become a reference point for other manufacturers of high quality velvet. Epengle has particularly made its mark in the international transport sector, for, among others, Croatian Railways, Iranian Railways, M.A.N Trucks, Mercedes Benz Turkey and Melbourne Tramway Seats Australia.

Its share in the Turkish hospitality market is gradually increasing too, and its reputation along with it, with the fitting out of the Anemon Hotels, the Cafe London in Istanbul and the Dedeman Hotels and Resorts International in Antalya. All contract fabrics contain Trevira CS fire retardant yarns.

It's clear that Epengle has been working hard over those 50 years!

The French Savoir-Faire highlighted at MoOD / Indigo Home Edition

Espace Textile was set up to serve companies in the French textile industry. It brings together a team of specialist experts and offers services aimed at supporting manufacturers in terms of strategic management, from creation to innovation, and commercial motivation in both national and international markets. Its aim is to promote the sought-after French quality and creativity.

Under the banner 'French Savoir-faire', 25 exhibitors will group their strengths at MoOD / Indigo Home Edition. They are well-known for their know-how and style sense and will offer several categories of products to professionals world-wide: from the design to the fabric (curtains, lace curtains and soft furnishings).

Come to discover their newest collection in Brussels and get inspired!

List of the 25 French exhibitors on MoOD / INDIGO Home Edition 2011
MoOD: MATISSE, M.F.T.A., OLIVIER THEVENON SELECTION, TEXTILES DE FRANCE, TISSAGES DE LA LYS.

Indigo Home Edition : ANTOINETTE ET FREDDY, B. STUDIO, CACHEMIRE ET FLEURS, COSMIC ZOO, CREETEX, DESSIN ET COMPANIES, ELYSEES TENDANCE, EPPENDAHL DESIGN STUDIO, JACARANDA CREATION, JEROME THILLY DESSINS, KATE ET LILI, LES PETITES SOURIS, MARIE ADELINE, SAUDEMONT DESIGNS, STUDIO PHILIPPE DUFOIS, TANA BANA BY OKIO, TEMPO, THEOLY, TIPHAINE FOUQUET.

Protection through innovation for architectural and protective purposes - Sioen Fabrics (BE)

Textiles are looking for new markets. And at the same time, new markets are looking for textiles. Architecture is one of these new markets, where textiles are able to combine the aesthetic with the functional.

MoOD is proud to welcome a new exhibitor who operates to great effect in these niche markets. Sioen has been present in the classical outdoor textiles market with tents and tilts for a long time and has now created FLEXout, a new productline in this area: a double side PU-coated knit that is stretchable & waterproof and that meets the severe M2 fire classification. The stretch of the fabric makes it possible to shape architectural creations, such as Bedouin tents, sun shading and cut-to-size constructions. Sioen Fabrics Coating is part of the Belgian group Sioen Industries, a worldwide integrated and leading manufacturer of technical textiles.

Antonio Ferre (SP) adds up the eco-effects of its recycled collection

A Ferre is a medium-sized company that was founded in 1914 and believes firmly in the power of sustainable business practices. This strongly-held conviction is now bearing fruit, particularly in terms of the environment.

In developing its new collection, the company conducted a survey to find out how consumers are dealing with the notion of sustainability. The research shows that 74% of the people questioned believe that they are able to make at least a small contribution by consuming sustainably. In the year ahead, 89% of respondents said they intended buying ecological products. Antonio Ferre fully understands that consumers are unwilling to make compromises, so the company has developed a beautifully colourful collection created from recycled cotton. RECICLADO also carries the respected 'made in green' logo. In addition, Antonio Ferre wanted to find out what effect all their efforts are having on the environment, coming to the following conclusions: producing one ton of RECICLADO textiles requires 16.5 kg fewer chemicals, generates 3,500 fewer litres of wastewater and frees up 1990 m² of agricultural land to be used for growing food rather than cotton.

BN Wallcoverings (NL) creates a world first with ELEMENTS: concrete, weathered wood and old newspapers!

BN Wallcoverings is much more than just a benchmark in the market for wall coverings, because it is also a new MoOD exhibitor. And now the company is creating a world première by introducing its ELEMENTS collection at MoOD. Which in turn enables MoOD to raise the bar even higher once again with this impressive newcomer.

ELEMENTS is all about the most elementary materials that we find all around us: concrete, wood and old yellowed newspapers. Unrefined, but honest materials that are currently genuine bestsellers. BN Wallcoverings brings these unusual materials to life in a very special way, with wall coverings in vinyl that hark back to industry and the city, where concrete weathered by rain and the elements has a certain nostalgic charm. Or the romantic outdoor life in the summerhouse, with its grey, seasoned timber and old discoloured newspapers lying patiently in a pile waiting to be read. ELEMENTS gives every space the right atmosphere, using materials that are full of character. Timeless and yet so 'now'. The results are so amazing that no-one can doubt that the materials are genuine. BN's wall coverings are aimed at both the contract and residential markets. All of these creations have been designed and developed in the company's own laboratory.

MoOD heads 'Down Under' with the Innovation Platform

The MoOD Innovation Platform will be on display in Melbourne, Australia from 21 until 24 july as part of the more than interesting State Of Design Festival! In a resource and energy challenged world new materials will play a key role in successful innovation and environmental sustainability.

Think of liquid wood that can be injected or extruded and which has as many applications as textiles, or luminous fabric available by the linear metre. Explore materials that are responsive and sensory, biologically active and challenge your imagination.

The Innovation Platform is about more than aesthetics. The materials in this exhibition have been chosen for their innovation in process, technical properties, performance, integrated intelligence or contribution to the environment. If you're Down Under at that time, go check it out...

Follow the Guided Tour – start in the Belgian Café 3 times a day (Free)

MoOD Brussels is taking you on an inspiring journey of discovery. Literally!
In less than an hour, we'll guide you through the most interesting offer: we browse through the deliberations of the Blue Drop jury and focus your attention on the most promising developments.

And we explain about the demands placed on outdoor fabrics and point out the most inventive creations on the Innovation Platform.
Come with us on an inspiring journey through the future. From fabrics to leather. It's something that every visitor should be part of.

Tours depart from the Belgian Café in Hall 11:
10.00 am: Niek De Prest – trend coach MoOD
12.00 noon: Jennifer Castoldi – Trendease
3.00 pm: Niek De Prest – trend coach MoOD – not on Thursday

And don't forget to follow and add to the digital conversation via twitter #moodbrussels and Facebook.

Cavallo: an innovation that opens up new markets – Microfibres (BE)

Cavallo is not just strong, soft and beautiful, it is also a thoroughbred. Just like a racehorse. "So you know immediately why this collection is called Cavallo," says Robert Zwaak. He describes the new fabric from Microfibres as 'sublime' and 'supple to the touch'. "Cavallo is thick but easy to work with.

In terms of care, it achieves the maximum score: 'cleaning friendly', 'stain resistant' and over 100,000 Martindale runs. It's easy to compare it with synthetic leather, but in reality it's not. In actual fact, Cavallo can't really be compared with any existing alternative. The fabric itself is manufactured from a mixture of cotton and polyester, and is so soft to touch you can hardly believe it." Its exceptional strength, combined with its endless softness, make Cavallo extremely suitable for the contract market.

This is certainly the case now that leather has become 30 to 40% more expensive and many companies are looking for alternative products that stand up to comparison in terms of looks and character.

Cavallo has also been showered with superlatives and is very much in the viewfinder for industries such as the transport and automotive sectors. "Cavallo is opening up a number of new markets for Microfibres," reveals Robert Zwaak further.

R&D at Lameirinho (PT) develops new printing technique with a rubbery effect

Weaving is and remains the core business at Portuguese company Lameirinho, which has 200 looms and handles its own production from A to Z, from preparation to finishing. New collections and innovative technologies are developed and created in the company's R&D department.

And this year, the engineers at Lameirinho have surpassed themselves not only by coming up with a beautiful linen collection, but also by presenting an innovative new printing technique. Lameirinho will be introducing the results of this new technology to the textile world at MoOD. True to form, MoOD has already had a sneak preview of what it has to offer: it's a brand-new printing technique in cotton and linen that produces a 'rubbery effect'. And the great thing is that while it looks rubbery, it doesn't feel that way at all. The result is beautiful and soft and a real touch of luxury. The possibilities of this new technology are legion and the company is already looking out for response from the market and the countless challenges that it will no doubt have to face.

Stop Innovating, Start Implementing! The state of play with innovations in textiles

'Innovation' has been the buzzword of the century. You can't talk with any businessperson these days without the subject coming up. But what is happening with all these innovations and – more importantly – what is the textile industry doing with them?

For more than six years now, MoOD has been putting together a lovely selection of innovative creations for indoors and outdoors on the Innovation Platform, with MateriO. So we also thought that it was high time to take a look at how these creations are being put to use. Our search has resulted in an inspiring display that we have placed under the philosophical heading of 'Stop Innovating, Start Implementing'.

Looking for a good tip? Sensing Textiles is a young company from Barcelona that develops luminous textiles. Their products are used to decorate bars and hotels and are particularly successful. Come and admire these and other applications at MoOD.

MoOD, Hall 7, next to the Innovation Platform

"Behind all the best curtains there's an Edmund Bell lining" (UK)

This is the clever slogan being used to say that Edmund Bell offers one of the world's biggest collections of curtain lining solutions. Linings are big business in the UK because they make window decorations richer and more beautiful. And these days, linings are extremely trendy, often being used in a particularly pretty way.

Yet despite that, the importance of curtain linings is still being underestimated. In addition to their insulation and blackout properties, they also provide aesthetic enhancement to curtains. Used in contrasting and striking colours, or with special materials, the right linings can give curtains a frivolous and fun note. With increasing emphasis on linings, demand for luxury qualities is also on the rise. Certainly in the contract market, where the right lining not only protects the curtain fabric against sunlight, but also the carpet and furniture inside the room. Good linings also generate significant savings on energy bills and emphasise the drape of the curtains.

Edmund Bell will be presenting its famous linings at MoOD, as well as its latest contract collection. "Competitively priced with trendy materials, ranging from organza to linen," says Kathryn Yates, "And of course always meeting the French M1 standard."

Cruise ships in love with the wispy hair of the angora goat – SMM Textil (DE)

"The very best quality mohair is found in South Africa, the birthplace of mohair. These days, mohair is being called 'South Africa's new gold', because despite the enormous price rises, demand continues to increase," explains Herr Rochsburg of SMM Textil.

Like wool, mohair is naturally fire-retardant and so is very well suited to the contract market. SMM Textil's mohair fabrics now have a highly specialised destination: cruise ships. As well as Jewel of the Sea, the restaurants and bars aboard 5 ships are clad with mohair. Herr Rochsburg: "It is a very particular product that looks luxurious and we use our knowledge and respect of the business to create great upholstery with it. I believe that it is the scarcity of the raw material that lies behind the success of the product. Apart from that, the goats themselves are endangered because they need a lot of territory and often fall prey to jackals. They live at an altitude of around 1500 metres, on the Great Karoo, the second-largest area on earth where the summer temperatures climb to above 50°C, yet the winters are extremely cold. It's this unspoilt and inhospitable climate that creates the exceptional quality of the wool. Which is exactly what we are looking for when we want to give a special project added value."

With its extensive range of Trevira CS fabrics, SMM Textil is firmly established as one of the major specialists in the contract market. So MoOD is the just place to be for the company when it comes to introducing their very latest creations

Boyd Exports: 100% Eco Friendly Linen fabrics & Linen Blended fabrics

BOYD EXPORTS is a family-run Indian company specialising in the manufacture & export of 100% Eco Friendly Linen fabrics & Linen Blended fabrics in Plain,Textured & Dobby designs using a combination of Hand,Mechanical & Auto Looms.

We offer one of the most exhaustive range of Linen fabrics in Plain ,Dobby & Textured designs & weaves in Natural & in large range of Pastel & Dark colors. We are known for our Textured Linen fabrics in different weights from Light weight sheers to Medium to Heavy weight linens . We also offer huge range of Prints in Pure & Blended Linen from light to heavy fabrics. Every year we produce hundreds of designs as part of our collection which would be showed in Mood this year. Our Linen Fabric range is produced for usage in the following sectors: 1) For Curtains & Window coverings 2) For Decoration 3) For Table Linen 4) For Bed Linen 5) For Upholstrey Our Fabrics are sold under the following brands “ Boyd Linen ” & our made ups are sold under “ Boyd Home collection “

Ljungberg's Textile (SE) – NEW

The Swedish textile company Ljungberg's Textile offers exclusive interior textiles from their own production at Rydboholm, near Gothenborg. They enjoy working with creative minds from other disciplines and co-operate with independent Swedish textile designers who let them market their best patterns under the name of "Ljungberg's". All of it produced in Sweden – a choice for a better and healthier environment!

One of the designers is Sven Markelius, one of the most famous architects in Sweden during the 20th century. In 1952, when "Pythagoras" was created, he worked with Le Corbusier, Oscar Niemeyer and Bengt Lindroos among others in an architectural group designing the UN-buildings in New York. Sven’s task was to design the ECO-SOC session hall for economical and social issues. The stage was designed with "Pythagoras" in the background (printed on velvet by Ljungberg's), very "daring" for its time. This pattern is handprinted and one of the most complicated prints as they use eighteen screens in double repeats. Therefore it is their most exclusive textile.

"Pythagoras" is printed on 100% pure linen in two colour combinations, red and blue, and the pattern has also been recreated on an exclusive Trevira CS velvet quality in three colour combinations, where also a "lion-yellow" variant has been taken out of the archive. The small-scale pattern "Prisma", which is a contemporary design, is presented on their Trevira CS "Solo Structure" in four colour combinations and in white on Trevira CS voile.

Holland & Sherry (USA) from Savile Row to MoOD – PREMIERE

Holland & Sherry is a small American company with a very unusual history. It began 170 years ago in London by supplying the finest cloth (in silk and wool) to prestigious tailors and luxury brands. A long history of Scottish cashmere and pure worsted vicuña took them to all of the renowned cities of the world at that time.

There was even a Holland & Sherry warehouse in St. Petersburg, Russia, a successful market prior to the revolution and now being successfully renewed. Today, the head office for the apparel department is still in Savile Row, a location they are very proud of. The company's story of interior fabrics is much more recent, beginning in 2001 in New York. Yet it's amazing how much the feeling for nobility and finesse has remained. MoOD will see the presentation of a collection of at least 20 new designs. These are original designs in linen and wool. In so doing, Holland & Sherry for the first time is moving towards a promising collaboration with producers from all over the world. You can identify the company from its logo featuring a lion that is proudly looking out over a standard with the words 'Savile Row London'.

Exclusive MIX workshop to learn about colour direction for 2012/13

This is your opportunity to be part of an exclusive workshop by Global Color Research on 14th September 2011. You will learn about colour direction for 2012/13 and successfully use colour forecasting.

Direction, perspective and nuance: Colour excitement for 2012/13 by Mix At MoOD Exhibitions
Date: Wednesday 14th September

Conducted by: Sally Davies, colour and trend consultant at Global Color Research Location: MoOD Exhibition, Brussels. Belgium.
Language: English

From the colour consultancy house Global Color Research and publishers of Mix and Mix Trends, this is a special workshop aimed at individuals within the interior, textile and material industries who are keen on learning about colour direction for 2012/13 and how to use successfully forecasting information.
This workshop is conducted by the colour expert and trend consultant Sally Davies.

For more info on this event click here.

The silent power of customisation – AFW (BE)

The photo shows you the result of the collaboration between AFW and DURESTA, a top-quality furniture manufacturer in England. However, what it doesn't show you is that the partnership goes further than just an exchange of production and technical knowhow and design talent. According to Luc Callens, the key to a successful product lies in the market knowledge that they have accumulated through long-established partnerships all over the world.

“For DURESTA's new sofa, designer Tony Pett had a special creation in mind," he says. “We were involved in the project from an early stage and consulted closely about the design and strategy. We went for a velvet with a great pile and a classically inspired design. We are really cut out for assignments like this. Plus you should know that AFW is one of the few manufacturers able to offer a 140 x 140 face-to-face velvet produced on a double-sided loom. Once the design is in place, we are able to offer the appropriate qualities, patterns and colours. All based on the client's target audience and marketing strategy. In the meantime, trial orders have been delivered and we are looking forward to the official introduction of the sofas in September at the Long Point show."
Before then, visitors to MoOD can discover the silent power of genuine customisation in Brussels.

De Kabels (NL), one of the last hand printers, launches its new collection – PREMIERE

De Kabels is one of the last companies in Europe where satin, velvet, wool and linen still have wonderful patterns created using the authentic production process. The art of printing interior fabrics using a squeegee and mesh has all but disappeared under the pressures of economics.

But De Kabels is actually experiencing growth that can be attributed to its unique way of working. Silkscreen printing is done by hand. Each day the dye is mixed manually – just like in times gone by. The squeegee, or rubber blade, is used to press the dye through the mesh. Colour after colour, sometimes with up to as many as 12 passes on the press to create a single design. In addition to the pigment dye, other materials are also used to create the stunning patterns. Foil, for example, wafer-thin aluminium that is attached to the fabric with glue and then heated in the calender press. Or foam, which is a paste that is printed on to the fabric and then passed through the calender. The heat expands the paste to create a unique three-dimensional design. A number of leading producers have already found their way to De Kabels. They come with a design or idea to see Rob Viool, owner and designer, who then develops it until it is ready to be marketed.
At MoOD, De Kabels is launching a new and unique hand-printed collection: Anziniani. This is an absolute first that will be distributed worldwide and for which the company is still looking for new partners.

Discover the MoOD trendbook via Twitter and Facebook.

12 pages of the MoOD trendbook 'Of The Sublime' are now available as a download for you in an exclusive preview. All you need to do is to visit our Twitter or Facebook page.

One of the ways to keep up on the latest info on MoOD 2011 is to follow us via our social media channels which we have set up to keep you up to date.

We are happy to offer you this sneak preview. Follow or like us and feel free to share to inspire your friends and followers!

Featured chapter: Theme #3 UTOPIA

Utopia searches for the elusive beauty. The utopian beauty in the purest sense of the word. Because we are now witnessing a new golden age of science. Science and beauty go hand in hand because science and beauty belong to the rare certainties of our time. Unseen images from the beautiful, elusive universe are brought closer by the Orbiter Cassini and we are on the verge of deciphering the secret of the few seconds before the big bang.

Trendease report on the upcoming edition of MoOD.

Put on some comfy shoes and get ready for the tour! The 2011 edition of Meet only Original Designs — MoOD for short — is just around the corner, Sept. 13-15. This is the specialized international exhibition for upholstery, window and wall coverings where visitors can meet and buy novel creations directly from the producers.

Innovation and forward-thinking are key elements to be found here in the contract and residential categories. Follow us to MoOD where you will find design studios, spinning mills, the influential Innovation Platform featuring the Flemish Masters, the Inspiration Zone with the 2012/13 trends and Blue Drop selection, as well as the growing outdoor market. Members of the industry, this is not to be missed!

World's first genuinely organic leather from Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries (NL) – PREMIERE at MoOD

If you thought that organic leather had already been around for a while, no-one would be surprised. In fact there is a fair amount of confusion about this topic. All too often, though, people refer to just part of the tanning process (such as post-tanning) and not to the whole process.

Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries, a leading Dutch tanner located in the centre of a little Dutch village, examined all of the non-sustainable chemicals it was using and started looking for ways of replacing them with natural, sustainable products, for example from leaves and fruit, thereby adapting the tanning formulas it was using. In so doing, it succeeded in becoming the first organic tannery in the world. Hulshof is extremely proud of this achievement. They call it a great performance and a 'basic concept' for organic leather. Pim Appelman: "Our condition for success was that within a foreseeable period, the leather had to be converted into compost. All of the tests carried out demonstrate that leather from Hulshof meets that requirement. So we are happy to claim that we are the first nature-friendly tannery in the world." Hulshof is now researching to see how all types of leather can be processed in the same way. The company processes more than 280,000 cowhides a year, so it's not to be sneezed at. Their new organic leather is being showcased as a world first at the MoOD trade show in September.

This is the Blue Drop jury

Els Huygelen will chair the Blue Drop jury 2011. She is department head at KASK, the Ghent (BE) college with one of the most famous textile courses in the world. Students come from all over the globe to obtain a master's degree in textile design there. The many years of experience that Els has as a teacher and freelance textile designer mean that she views the future of textiles like no-one else. She worked in Belgium, The Netherlands, US, Germany, Scandinavia, Italy and is very successful in Japan.

She designs textiles, wall coverings and carpets for AO Almedahls (SE), Dellarobia (US), Sangetsu (JP), Zucchi (IT), IdeeMonto (CN). In other words, she knows the professional market like the back of her hand, both technically and from a business point of view.

A new jury member this year is textile engineer and specialist in technical weaving, Johan Vandamme, from machine manufacturer Vandewiele/Bonas. This company is the world leader in jacquard weaving machines and software, positioning itself increasingly as an innovative partner in the area of technical textiles and innovative finishings. Not for nothing is Vandewiele/Bonas' slogan 'innovation through creativity'. Johan has built up an impressive career in R&D and for the past 5 years has been involved closely in developing new bonds and qualities. His job is also to implement difficult technology worldwide and to support customers in developing new and innovative products.

The team will also include the follow jury members, who worked on the MoOD Trend Book 'on the Sublime':
Marc Geysen (textile designer): he selected the colours for the trend book;
Martine Geyselbrecht (textile designer), our guide on the Beauty and chair woman in 2010,
Michel Minne and Niek De Prest (trend coaches for MoOD Brussels).

The Blue Drop Awards will be presented to the press during MoOD, on Wednesday, September 14th at 1 pm in the Belgian Café, Hall 11. The catalogue will be available online.

Create Your Own Fortune – wall covering from Calcutta (BE) in a world first

"An amber sun setting above a bright blue sea, the perfume of an exotic flower caressing your senses or the glorious sensation of a soft breeze whispering its secrets into your ear. Happiness resides in life's natural delights, and we create our own good fortune by cherishing these pleasures."

In line with these poetic words, the Belgian wall coverings producer Calcutta has created a unique collection of wallpaper. It is an ode to natural beauty. It's a concept that has a resounding effect, too, and is also the first time that Calcutta has launched a world first at MoOD. And what a great start: hints from the ancient East are combined with contemporary designs and multi-coloured effects, creating new, fashionable style concepts for modern people who value the aesthetics of the past.

On the photo is BATOR. It refers to the famous arabesque pattern of ancient mosaics in oriental mosques and palaces, evoking an atmosphere of mystery and exoticism. BATOR comes in ten beautiful colours, each of them subtly reflecting the light and creating an eternal glow.

Window International (TR) shows special collection in powder pink, green, beige and cream

Besides traditional lines, the colours of the new Window International collection are powder pink, green, beige and cream. This Turkish specialist in window coverings is premièring an exclusive and romantic collection at MoOD. The fabrics are combined with an extensive range of the existing basic material and embroidery collections.

It is striking how Window's contemporary graphic patterns derive their influences from the Ottoman and Anatolic states. Their translation into the interiors of today has been particularly successful. It is also interesting to see how the mix of styles and periods is firmly on the march worldwide. We also notice that close attention to threads at Window International has now become a consistent feature. As has its focus on sophisticated machinery and service from A to Z. The young company (founded in 2002, but with 30 years of experience in textiles behind it) exports to 22 countries and works mainly with linen, cotton, viscose, silk and polyester. It has already become an established name in the contract market.

Be inspired by the beauty of the Turkish hotel suite – Contract Square Hall 9

With the 'The Whirling Poem Suite', 44 Turkish exhibitors have created an allegory of beauty. The room is a design by Michel Minne (BE), who draws his inspiration from the Ottoman culture. More specifically from the 'Whirling Dervishes', in which men chant poetry and make rhythmic rotating movements, inducing a feeling of soaring and mystical flight.

It's a symbolic journey towards maturity and a higher level of perfection, beauty and love. For the designer, depicting sweeping skirts on the bed-head is an allegory of the beauty of fabrics and the peaceful effect of the wind in the curtains. Subtle reference is again made in the three felt ornaments to the typical high-set headdresses of the dancers. The Whirling Dervishes have their roots in 13th century Sufism, making a major mark on classical poetry, calligraphy and expressive arts of the Ottoman culture. Through this concept, not only is the sublime quality of the 44 Turkish weavers emphasised, but also the vision of these exhibitors in relation to hospitality, luxury and cultural reflection in the design is made abundantly clear.

Adoksan Tekstil San.ve Tic.A.Ş.
Any Tekstil San.ve Paz.A.Ş.
Aydın Tekstil Tic.ve Paz.A.Ş.
Berpe Tekstil Ltd.Şti.&Sayan-ı Art
Berşan Tekstil San.ve Tic.A.Ş.
Bezz
Boyteks Tekstil San.ve Tic.A.Ş.
Burkay Tekstil San.ve Tic.A.Ş.&Demor
Canavar Tekstil San.ve Tic.Ltd.Şti
CEGI Tekstil San.ve Tic.Ltd.Şti.
Depar Deri Pls.San.ve Tic.A.Ş.
Dericioğulları Yapı Malz.A.Ş.
Dersiyon Tekstil Ltd.
Dina/Vanelli Tekstil San.Tic.A.Ş.
Donare-Selbi Tekstil San.Tic.Ltd.Şti
Epengle Tekstil End.ve Tic.A.Ş.
ErFun Tekstil San.Ltd.Şti.
Espiole Nursultan Tekstil San.Tic.Ltd.
ETG Tekstil San.ve Tic.Ltd.Şti
Evimteks Teks.İnş Tur.San.ve Tic.A.Ş.
Güleser Tekstil San.Tic.Ltd.
Gürle Suni Deri A.Ş.
Kaçar Tekstil A.Ş.
Kets Tekstil Turizm Tic.A.Ş.
Lüks Kadife Tic.ve San.A.Ş.
Marsteks Tekstil San.Tic.A.Ş.
Marteks Marmara Tekstil San.ve Tic.A.Ş.
Megaplast Dış Tic.ve Paz.Ltd.Şti.
On-Em Tekstil San.Tic.İhr.A.Ş.
Penelope
Polmen Upholstery Fabrics
Polyteks Tekstil San.Araştırma Eğitim A.Ş.
Prestij Mensucat A.Ş.
Rateks Tekstil A.Ş.
Reisoğlu İplik Mensucat San. Tic.A.Ş.
Rekor Dokumacılık San. ve Tic.A.Ş.
Saros Fabrics Ltd.
Teksko Tekstil Ltd.Şti.
Tepar Tekstil Ltd.Şti
Tosunoğlu Tekstil San. Tic.A.Ş.
UTİB & Turkish Home Textile
Ulusoy Tekstil San.Tic.Ltd.
Villateks Tekstil San. ve Tic.Ltd.Şti.
Window International(İpekçilik Tekstil Dekor San.ve Tic.Ltd.)

The Turkish Hotel Suite is a part of the Contract Square, a project in which MoOD exhibitors focus on the contract market provide an exclusive forum.

Always more premières at MoOD

"In the fragmented textile landscape, MoOD is like a beacon," a regular MoOD visitor said recently. And this is true for the following reasons: many companies at MoOD come looking for new collections and inspirations that have never been on display before. "Things often go incredibly quickly in this sector," added this person.

"One producer demands exclusivity for a certain design and reserves an entire collection for a contract project,… At MoOD deals are created at the very highest level. Here I can see inspiration for new collections and work with the exhibitor to find exactly what I want." This makes the exhibitors at MoOD unique: that's because they're at the source of the textile market. They turn a thread into a fabric, a hide into a piece of leather, a bolt of material into a whole collection. This is what more and more people are discovering – and is precisely why they opt for MoOD. The result is that increasing number of items are being displayed for the first time in Brussels premières. And this autumn there are an exceptional number of these 'firsts'.

If you would like to get a good picture of what MoOD has to offer, then in addition to the many projects, you can also go on a compact tour of the show three times a day, with commentary from someone who knows the show really well. The tour takes just under an hour, but will help save you time in the end.

Dizz Design (BE) is back. With a great collection, to boot!

Dizz Design is timeless window decoration with a unique price/quality ratio. But there's more, too. The company has expanded into DIAZ Sunprotection, a classic producer of sunscreens with international customer references. Thanks to its strong roots, DIZZ Design has all the knowledge required in-house when it comes to fabric quality and production.

Yet they don't over-stress the technical side of the fabric. Tom Vereecke: "We don't want to burden our customers with all of the technical aspects. We want them to focus fully on the materials, design and colours. These are becoming increasingly important all the time because more and more people are opting for durable products and timeless design. The price/quality ration is also becoming more important, which is something we excel in."

So expect to see Dizz Design presenting a great collection at MoOD, somewhere between classic and modern. Both printed and woven fabrics are on offer in this range, which is distributed worldwide, and the colours vary from soft, durable earthy shades to elegant feature colours. Most of the fabrics in the DIZZ Design range are also available in double widths.

Carbi.Pel (IT) ingenious with cowhides

Carbi.Pel only has a medium-sized space at MoOD. But it's well worth taking the trouble to go and have a good look round at their space. Any even if you have to move your appointments around because you're waiting your turn, you'll want to do so in order to speak with the people from Carbi.Pel.

Their trademark is the shaving, laser-cutting and printing of cowhides. However, they are so whimsical and creative in what they do that no-one has yet copied them. Using a colourful print on a partially shaved skin, they can transform a cowhide into arty leather. Which means they are not afraid of bright colours and fun effects. Yet Carbi.Pel also has an eye for the exceptional beauty of a natural, beautiful tricolour hide. A few very special creations are displayed for visitors to MoOD on the Innovation Platform. The rest you'll find on their stand at the back in Hall 11.

Nachik (IL) top innovators again! – another first!

No-one can deny that young-spirited Nachik is one of the most innovative companies of the moment. Two years ago, it unanimously won the Blue Drop Innovation Award. And year after year it keeps coming back with amazing new innovations. Now it has done it again. And this time with an entire collection.

POINT OF VIEW is inspired by magnificent sceneries from around the world. No doubt that the highest glamour content comes from 'Arctic Glaze', an impressive creation with an icy looking coating, produced in an unprecedentedly innovative way. Dry and warm is the mesmerizingly endless view of the desert, reflected in "Chesterfield", the amazing new development of a breathable fabric with a beautiful vintage leather look.

Nachik is masterful in creating special faux leathers. This can be seen in particular in 'Snake Pass' and 'Snake Charmer', two highly fashionable snakeskin faux leathers. What distinguishes the company is that through all the huge quantities of products, it is still able to develop an entirely individual style: young, dynamic, authentic and always with that touch of glamour: the ideal mix for success! This is a MoOD exhibitor that you certainly won't want to miss!

Greatex Mills (CA) and Art Novel (DE) announce special new embroideries

GREATEX MILLS and ART NOVEL are partners. They are presenting a new collection at MoOD, featuring special embroideries. They focus as much as possible on achieving a visual effect that is best appreciated from a distance and are created on flat or textured velvets and come into their own on both small and large items of furniture.

In particular, the refined and girly designs are very different. They are mainly abstract patterns, some geometric, some floral. One of the big strengths of this design is that they stand out in any interior, modern or classic, heavily decorated or minimalistic. The effect is timeless and they are easily combined with curtains and bedspreads in the same quality.
Greatex Mills also pays a great deal of attention in setting the right price. It is a company that concentrates mainly on large volumes for which it is perfectly organised and offers an innovative service.

Blue Drop Awards: and the winners are...

Seven exhibitors reacted very surprised when they saw us enter their stand. Most of the time, the reaction was one of disbelief and surprise: “Did we really win the Award? You must be joking!” One by one, these products are proof of the innovating power that is still in the world of upholstery fabrics, window coverings and wall coverings today. The organisation congratulates all of the winners and all of the contenders with their prizes and/or nominations. After all, whoever makes it to the last 50 is a winner anyway.

Best Window Covering: Deltracon
Impressions of my hometown Flanders

Deltracon inspired itself for the award winning window covering in 100% linen by the Flemish painter Leon Spilliaert and by typical Flemish elements such as the sea, the sky, cobble stones, the rawness ... The theme of ‘ceramics’ was added to the subtle inkjet prints. The colour variation gives a rather cold impression. Kathleen and Rudy Delchambre: “The available colours really ‘breathe’ Flanders: indigo blue, brown and grey and beige for the quality in voile. We want to emphasize that production outside Europe is not a must. The local story is important for us, because sustainability, quality and delivery terms are more certified. We are really happy to win this award.”

Best Upholstery: De Poortere Frères
Ingenious weaving technique

This fabric has been elected because of the ingenious weaving technique resulting in a very special visual effect. Marnix Ghesquière, commercial manager: “We tried to integrate a slub yarn not only in the weft, but also in the warp. An extra dimension is reached by using a black weft yarn that is not overpainted. This production process is really unique, because you get almost four dimensions here. The colours are plain dyed and the special effect is most visible in the light tones such as beige, lime, silver grey, green-brown, carmine, delft blue ... The product is most suited as upholstery fabric and mainly aims at the residential market.”

Best Wall Covering: Konrad Hornschuch
Printed animal hide looking real

This synthetic leather creates a very special result as wall covering. It looks like animal hide, but all is being printed. “We used the high quality skai Sanimalo material with a subdued tone-on-tone coat pattern”, says Bruno Lehmann, head of the Business Unit Fashion. “The natural haptics emphasizes the coat character of the material. It is available in five colours: wolf grey, cowbrown, blackbear, buffalo and camel. It can be used as wall covering, upholstery, decoration, cushions, head boards ... There is also an FR-quality that meets all European standards, given the fact that our main business is the contract market. Till now, the response we had is very satisfactory.”

Best Contract Product: De Kabels
Linen structure reflected in black print

De Kabels from Almere (The Netherlands) operates in the high end contract market. Nevertheless it is one of the last companies using the manual screen printing technique. Michèle and Rob Viool: “In the fabric ‘Square’, the natural colour of the linen has been maintained. We used a black print in which the structure of the linen is being reflected. This can only be done by hand, not by machines. The look of the linen fabric is both classic and modern. The print is also available upon silk and wool with a matt silver finish. These qualities are also very popular. We got our inspiration out of flax garbage with the same look and transferred this to the fabric.”

Best Outdoor Product: Torri Lana
As elegant and comfortable as living indoors

Torri Lana from Italy presents at MoOD its new outdoor fabric design collection DEHORS. Owners Massimo Belotti and Luca Carrara and stylist Laura Gazzaniga: “The innovative style, modern design and smooth touch make living outdoors as elegant and comfortable as living indoors. The fabrics are 100% solution dyed acrylic to guarantee maximum resistance to sunlight and bad weather conditions. The colours are bright and fresh thanks to the combination of frisè, mouline and double twisted yarn structures. There are eight different colours and nine different structures, which can all be combined.”

Best Innovation: Hyosung
Window covering woven in one piece

The jury was unanimous about this special innovative achievement by the South Korean company Hyosung. The main reason is that this window covering is being woven in one piece upon the weaving machine. “That is why Band 1, made of 100% polyester, can be installed immediately upon the window”, explain Hong Gi Lee and Hee Jin Cha. “It can be used in two positions, open and closed, and be pulled up at the same time. We were inspired by the old Korean tradition of wooden doors, which is re-enacted in this product. Band 1 is also 100% pvc-free and thus a completely eco-friendly window covering. It is meant to use in hotels, but also at home. We are really very proud of this award!”

Best Première: Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries
The first genuinely organic leather

Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries presents at MoOD 2011 the first genuinely organic leather in the world: ‘Puro’. “We are specialising in bullhides for furniture, automobile, aviation and leather goods”, testifies Herman Hulshof. “We examined all of the non-sustainable chemicals in the tanning process and replaced them by natural components such as leaves and fruit. We are extremely proud about this achievement. Our condition for success was that within a foreseeable period, the leather had to be converted into compost. All of the tests demonstrate that Puro meets that requirement. Of course we are happy to claim that we are the first nature-friendly tannery in the world.”

MoOD 2011 brings clarity

Cosy, compact and legible. Those are the three words that summarize the third edition of MoOD. Now the fair starts, we are putting these three terms under one and the same header: clarity. Meet only Original Designs has made the most of its well-known basic principles and this creates a cosier, more compact and more legible fair for both the exhibitors and the visitors. In short: MoOD brings clarity!

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Well-known basis

What MoOD stands for is well-known. It is all about three product categories: upholstery fabrics, window coverings and wall coverings. The criteria these products have to meet also sound very familiar: at MoOD producers show nothing but own designs, for both the residential and the contract market. The keywords are quality and selectivity. And finally, the sister fairs are once more Indigo (hall Patio) and MoOD Yarns (the former Expofil Déco in hall 9).

Thus far the obvious. Let’s move on to the ways in which MoOD creates total clarity. First of all, we need to take a look at four accents: Contract, Trends and Blue Drops, the Innovation Platform and Outdoor. These accents are divided over the three halls MoOD consists of from now on, and the transitions between two halls. The result is a beautiful and straightforward story that is told in halls, all of which have their own theme. Whilst discovering the story in each hall, the visitor is not left to himself, neither physically, nor virtually…

Four accents

The Trends and Blue Drops accent in hall 11 tells the Trend Story in a different way than before. Here, the Trend story is no longer told by means of a sample bank, but by using a concept and a colour story. For the quality label ‘Blue Drops’, MoOD 2011 chooses a selective story of ’50 labels’, with feedback to the exhibitors. From these ‘Best of the Best’, the seven Awards are chosen, three product Awards and four thematic Awards.

The second accent, the Innovation platform in hall 7, breaks down into two parts: the classic sample bank (including the MatériO selection) and the totally new initiative of the Flemish Masters. On the sample bank, the everyday use of innovative products is demonstrated, while the Flemish Masters in turn shows five finished prototypes/objects developed within an experimental context: these are the culminating point of implementation.

The third accent is the Contract story in hall 9. This takes place in close collaboration with long-term partner Trevira CS. In the middle of this hall a selection of contract collections that are present at the fair are displayed in an inspiring and guiding arrangement.

Finally there is the Outdoor accent (transitions between halls 7 and 11 and halls 11 and 12). In these transitions, various items of furniture are provided by a wide range of exhibitors. This furniture visualizes the various possibilities the market has to offer. This year as well, the Outdoor story is supported by Dolan.

Follow the guide

If a story wants to get a grip on its audience, it needs to be told in the right way. That happens at MoOD as well, in a manner that could not be more up-to-date and by which the fair not only has an impact during its existence in real life, but also as an online market place, many months after the halls have been cleared.

All communication can in fact be summarized under one header: Follow the guide. This ‘following the guide’ can be translated in both a literal and a figurative way of speaking. Literally, there is the way everyone knows: three times a day, a guide takes interested visitors along on a guided tour through the halls.

But the ‘guiding’ is also done metaphorically, in many other ways. New is the initiative of the so-called ‘bloc notes’. Just imagine a block-calendar for each of the four accents, on which the participating exhibitors are highlighted as ‘Specialists on Platforms’ by means of a colour on a floor plan. In addition the traditional catalogue is abandoned. The only thing that physically remains is a renewed guide, complemented by maximal use of a mobile catalogue that can be consulted through the iPhone. This mobile catalogue literally contains all information you can think of, from information about exhibitors, to hall plans and news. Just like the website it remains active after the fair. The aim is also clear: MoOD lives on after the fair because we continue to provide additional information, which makes sure the commercial contacts are optimally explored later on. During and after the fair, there is moreover the use of social media such as Twitter (another novelty at MoOD) and Facebook, bringing news ‘hot off the press’.

Belgian café

Finally a new initiative in hall 11 deserves to be highlighted, because it illustrates how everything we do at MoOD must be seen as part of a ‘Best of the best’-story. In a cosy Belgian café, a meeting-place ‘in the Belgian way and serving Belgian beers’, visitors and exhibitors are welcomed all day long, but every day there is a ‘happy hour’ from 5 till 7 pm. Only Belgian top beers are served here. In other words: ‘the best of local products’ are part of an international story.

My team and I invite you to convince yourselves with your own eyes of the strength of MoOD 2011. We hope that following your visit, you will come to the same conclusion as we do: yes, Meet only Original Designs brings clarity!

Patrick Geysels

General Manager

13 September 2011

Inspiration MoOD 2011

Of the Sublime: Social networking is changing the way we view the world. Influences come and go at a fast clip. Our hunger for the new thing is even more insatiable than ever. Online you are a drop in the perpetual river of information, flowing ever faster and closer to the surface. It is channelling the world and defining the new aesthetic norms.

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And then you have the ecological shift we are witnessing. Our unquenchable thirst always for more and newer is damaging our planet. We have to start consuming less. But can we do it?

We only find comfort in sustainable, durable, high-quality products. The comfort of beauty. That beauty can be found in a craft that is slowly being elevated to a status symbol. While the masses still think in terms of consumption, a small group of trendsetters is opting for a more sustainable approach to consumption.

Of the Sublime is about the resurgence of beauty in three themes:

#1 Soul Kitchen is the appreciation of subtle beauty that surrounds us every day. Look at how young people deal with pictures on the web and you know exactly what we mean. The copy/paste culture in which they take generic Internet pictures and turn them into humorous new creations is a prime example of Soul Kitchen. Soul Kitchen refers to the soul of common things and their concealed beauty. A beauty that is driven by the masses. Sometimes naive, sometimes girly, colourful and positive and with a very new type of humour.

Soft watercolours dominate this scene. Blue is sweet, sometimes leaning towards sky blue. Granite is a newcomer, together with a kind of burnt sienna. An all-time favourite combination is girlie pink with butter yellow. And green is back, but more honest and modest.

#2 <H>UGGS finds beauty in raw materials. Materials and techniques that remain true to oneself and that have respect for the slow treatment of the fabric. It is an ode to the raw power of the fifties to seventies, when hand-crafted production and the drive for perfection were central. Honesty is the buzzword of <H>UGGS. The underlying values and the story behind the product ensure that this scene has something elite about it. The unadulterated, warm beauty refers to the popular UGGS, perfect and unparalleled, hand-made. With a nod to plush toys. Although natural materials set the tone, there is also room here for synthetic materials and recycling. Provided they don't try to hide what they are.

The colours are also honest and connected to the earth. Browns, brownish greens and deep reds that have a touch of rust. A delicate sienna brûlée, accompanied by a pale, washed-out beige. Tangarine-esque orange provides a bit of pop.

#3 UTOPIA finds beauty in the unobtainable. The utopian beauty in its purest form. We are now witnessing a golden age of science. Science and beauty go hand in hand here, because in science we find beauty that is lacking elsewhere. It is science that offers certainty. That provides solutions and delivers images from a wide universe to our living room. Just think of the spaceship Cassini exploring Titan, the sixth moon of Saturn, and successfully bringing wonder yet again to needy humanity.

Humanity has the highest expectations of science when it comes to energy and recycling. It may be the last institution that still has our confidence and that is not driven by the masses.

Blue, especially Indigo, is the pre-eminent colour in UTOPIA. The story of indigo goes back to 1897, when the plant-based pigment was synthetically copied. There is also the unavoidable black/white contrast, with black often acting as a shadow colour for a splash of violet and white being close to off-white. We have chosen an accent colour that is a dynamic but emotional counterpart: red.

Niek De Prest
MoOD 2011 Trend Coach

Flemish Masters: Where textile & furniture meet

Belgian, and more specifically Flemish companies, are not largely recognised as team players. Rather, they’re individualists with strong personalities. As such, Flemish Masters’ idea of bringing together the furniture sector and textile companies and challenging them to work together on common projects is indeed unique.

Five partnerships have been formed, a cooperation between a textile manufacturer and a furniture producer. And in one of these five projects a third player has also joined up. After two years of preparation MoOD ‘Meet only Original Designs’, the Furniture Fair Brussels, Optimo and Fedustria proudly present the textiles, furniture and objects that the participating companies have developed together, simultaneously and in perfect harmony. The first public presentation will take place at MoOD and during the Furniture Fair Brussels 2011.

My thanks go to the manufacturers who gave their trust to this project; to MoOD, the Furniture Fair Brussels, Optimo and Fedustria that took the initiative; and to my colleagues of the think tank, Inge Van Gheel, Siegrid Demyttenaere and Marc Geysen.

Axel Enthoven - Enthoven Associates Design Consultants
President Flemish Masters think tank

Flemish Masters is organised by:

www.furniturefairbrussels.be / www.optimo.be / www.fedustria.be

For Flemish Masters 2011 five objects are realised:

Download the catalogue with all details here as a pdf file.

Or click here for the image gallery

Sleepsitting by Recor Bedding NV - Deslee Clama

Aragon Collection by Passe-Partout NV - Beaulieu Fabrics NV

Interplan Chairs by De Zetel NV - HSH Aerospace Finishes - Concordia Textiles NV

Touché by Joli - Flocart N.V.

Many Floors by Drisag NV – Orotex Belgium NV

The Flemish Masters think tank consists of:

Axel Enthoven (EADC)
Inge Van Gheel (Design Studio Inge Van Gheel) Siegrid Demyttenaere (DAMn°) Maxime Szyf (MAXIMALdesign) Marc Geysen (©-Desk Design Consultancy)
Flemish Masters is organised by MoOD – Meet only Original Designs – in cooperation with Optimo; Fedustria and Meubelbeurs Brussels.

Première:
From 13 till 15 September during MoOD - Meet only Original Designs – in Brussels Expo

Blue Drop Awards 2011: overview

An overview of the award winners plus the motivation of the Blue Drop jury. The winners are Deltracon (BE), De Poortere Frères (BE), Konrad Hornschuch AG (DE), De Kabels (NL),Torri Lana, Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries (NL) and Hyosung (South Korea).

For an overview of All Blue Drop Labels & Winners visit the Blue Drop catalogue.

Download this article with images as a pdf document

Best Window Covering
Deltracon (BE)
Hall 7 – Booth D11

This window covering in 100% linen was selected by the jury for its subtle print in indigo, which is produced so elegantly that it looks as though it is done by hand. The repetition of the pattern is barely noticeable. The quality is both superior and luxurious.

Best Upholstery
De Poortere Frères (BE)
Hall 11 – Booth C10

This fabric was chosen on account of its ingenious weaving technique that produces a very special visual effect. In particular, a slub yarn is woven into the pile and there is also a slub in the weft. This combination creates a relief that visually looks even deeper because the slub in the weft is black. The fabric is not merely a technical stand-out, but is also rich and of great quality.

Best Wall Covering
Konrad Hornschuch AG (DE)
Hall 11 – Booth D14 – E15

When it is used as a wall covering, this bio-synthetic leather creates a very special effect. It looks just like real animal hide, but in actual fact is an imaginative imitation that makes high demands on the printing technique used. But for all that, there is no denying that Konrad Hornschuch is particularly good when it comes to manufacturing sustainably. The product is also well suited both to the residential and contract markets. The combination of these elements has resulted in a well-deserved Blue Drop Award.

Best Contract product
De Kabels (NL)
Hall 11 – Booth A52

It calls itself one of the last companies that does silkscreen printing entirely by hand – which is pretty remarkable for a product suited to the contract market. De Kabels opted for linen on account of this material’s natural qualities. The natural colour of the linen has been retained and black was chosen for the overprint. An unusual and daring choice.

Best Outdoor product
Torri Lana 1885
Hall 11 – Booth A47

The jury made the award both to this fabric itself, as well as to the overall concept design for this outdoor acrylic material. Its soft touch is exceptional for solution-dyed acrylic, while the design is timeless and harmonious, not to mention highly contemporary. Torri Lana also created a very carefully thought-through presentation for this collection, which very appropriately is called ‘Dehors’ – or ‘Outdoors’.

Best Première
Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries (NL)
Hall 11 – Booth D56

The first genuinely organic leather in the world. This Dutch tannery examined all of the harmful substances used during the tanning process and replaced them with organic products. The result is the first ecologically manufactured leather that is totally biodegradable.

Best Innovation
Hyosung (South Korea)
Hall 9 – Booth C32

The jury was unanimous about this particularly innovative achievement. This window covering is woven as a single piece on the loom, meaning that the system is ready to be hung immediately. It can be used in two positions: in the open position and in the closed position, which lets in more light. Ingenious and never seen before, in the jury’s opinion.

Press release MoOD 2011 : The right customers were present

During the first two days of the fair, there was quite a lot of activity at MoOD 2011. These were intense days, both for the exhibitors and for the visitors. The stands hummed with business activity and this is probably in part the explanation for the positive, businesslike atmosphere that characterized Brussels. In view of the circumstances, all expectations were exceeded.

The above is summarized perfectly by the following comment we noted down in MoOD Report 3, the daily paper at the fair: “What I noticed is how the atmosphere is a lot more positive than last year. There is far less complaining at the stands, which also have more people in them. Most people are satisfied. There is no euphoria, but there is more than normal satisfaction!”

In 2011, visitors of fairs go about in an extremely professional way. A visit to MoOD is well-prepared, it is to the point and people are focussed. The true decision maker is the person who preferably visits a professional fair such as MoOD. This explains at the same time the very high quality of MoOD’s visitors.

MoOD 2011 was visited by 7,300 professional visitors in total.

80% of the visitors came from Europe. Belgium, Germany, France, England and Italy remain the most important visiting Western European countries. From Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation saw a considerable increase, which is also the case for Hungary. In Southern Europe, Turkey and Spain remain the key players. The Far East scores well, with positive highlights such as Japan, India and China.

The USA remains in line with the last 2 years. Mexico, Brazil and Chili score considerably well as far as Central and South America are concerned.

MoOD: the perfect host for quality

Time and again, the exhibitors mentioned that, in view of the current business climate, it is all about meeting the right and important customers. As a host, MoOD did an excellent job and this was once again emphasized by the exhibitor survey (80% of the surveys counted), where no less than 90% of the respondents are positive about the quality of the visitor.

83% of the respondents are positive about the number of contacts made. All of this results in an excellent score on the satisfaction of the participation in MoOD 2011: 80%.

Confirmation of the concept

The international breakfast meeting, which was organized at MoOD on Thursday September 15, confirms a number of fundamentals.

• The concept of MoOD is established. The fair radiates quality, in terms of exhibitors, information platforms and visitors alike.
• MoOD remains thé meeting platform for producers of upholstery, window and wall coverings.
• The first and second day of the fair were business days of a high level.
• The reduction from 4 to 3 halls is a deliberate, but succesful operation.

Under the slogan “Compact & Cosy”, indeed a deliberate choice was made to host the same number of exhibitors as in the previous edition in 3 halls. This intervention did not miss its effect and the visitor witnessed a compact and cosy fair, where doing business was a pleasant experience.

At the breakfast meeting, leading international companies are invited. These originate from the different sectors that are present at MoOD.

An information platform in every hall is received well.

This year, a choice was made to build an information platform in every hall, with a focus on Contract, Outdoor, Trends Blue Drop and Innovation.

Visitors certainly need specific information so they can quickly find their way to the specialists among the exhibitors.

The search for more innovation is an evolution we already saw last year. It is crystal clear this line is further pursued.

For a detail overview of Blue Drop Labels & Awards click here.
For an overview of Blue Drop as a pdf file click here.
For MoOD 2011 fair images click here.

MoOD Report with an analysis and comments will be distributed in week 41.

Next appointment: MoOD 2012: Brussels Expo, 11-13 September

MoOD: more exclusive and more specialised than ever

It was made abundantly clear at the latest edition of MoOD (13th - 15th September 2011, Brussels Expo): anyone who wants to launch their own collection – or wants to develop one – simply has to be at display at MoOD. The decision-makers who visited MoOD this year didn't come in greater numbers, but they did come with a more precise sourcing focus.

Editeurs, wholesalers, furniture manufacturers and young, dynamic companies (all hunting for textile products with an own special look) were not only well represented, but they also went home very happy. That much can be gleaned from the visitor survey, as well as from informal conversations conducted in the aisles at the show.

Without exception, the exhibitors at MoOD are at the top of the production chain and that is something our visitors know better than anyone. Our exhibitors are also working with the world's best textile designers and enjoy the recognition of some of the biggest brand names that belong at the very top of the tree. Add their technical weaving know-how, their versatility and nose for innovation and you realise just how important MoOD is for everyone.

Strong entries for the Blue Drop awards

In what turned out to be a marathon sitting, just before the opening of the show, the Blue Drop Jury went and collected the entries from the stands. Here and there exhibitors provided some additional words of explanation about the fabrics that they had made ready for the judging panel.

During the selection process that ensued immediately afterwards, it quickly became clear that the quality of the entries was at unprecedented levels. It also became an enthralling judging session that resulted in 7 well-deserved Blue Drop Awards. Marc Geysen, a member of the jury for some years now, put it this way: "The quality of the entries is higher than in previous years. MoOD is more compact now, but has become a lot more powerful."

Martine Gyselbrecht, also on the judging panel last year as chairman, is in a good position to make comparisons: "Beauty was the theme of the trend book and that was undoubtedly what we saw here." Johan Vandamme, textile engineer and a new member of the panel was surprised by the quality of the entries: "For me it was a very special discovery," he admitted.

In the meantime, it appears that the Blue Drops have become very much in demand in terms of recognition. It's a good way of standing out from the others in the marketplace, too, if the approach of Blue Drop Award winner Konrad Hornschuh is anything to go by.

Click here to view the full overview.

Missed the guided tours? Pity!

What started life as something of a try-out turned into one of the success stories of the show. Guided tours were conducted three times a day, setting out from the Belgian Café, next to the trend zone. Our guides led visitors entirely on a no-obligation basis right through the show and its projects.

Of course as a visitor you can go and see these projects on your own easily enough. But the added value of doing it on a guided tour seemed to be irreplaceable. Even for regular visitors … and exhibitors! In particular the tours generated a whole host of interesting and inspiring stories. Such as the story of Flocart, which has succeeded in softening a heavy-duty outdoor fabric with a flock that displays all of the qualities of outdoor materials. How all that came about and how this small creative player managed to do in barely 48 hours what others have been unable to achieve in 9 years, was one of the great tales of these tours. Or how it is that some creations have barely been on display for five minutes before they are snapped up by decision-makers who know exactly what they are looking for. Or the story of the American man who waxed lyrical to the camera about all of his purchases, but then afterwards did everything he could to stop the conversation from being published. On closer inspection, it seems he didn't want to reveal his sources. And then we haven't even mentioned the little inventive pearls which are proof of material knowledge and ingenious creativity. So for these and so many other reasons, it was a pity if you missed out on these tours. But rest assured, there's every chance that they'll be doing the rounds again next year: 100% in fact!

MoOD through the eyes of a visitor

"MoOD is much more than just a fair", says miss Saelens. It was the very first time she visited the fair. "I was glad there were guided tours. Thanks to these I didn't get lost and moreover got to know the inside story in a very short period of time."

"My impression of this fair? It is based on a very good concept and devotes attention to special initiatives, such as the innovation platform. MoOD connects the products that can be seen on the fair and the materials, which is a good thing. What I also like very much is the initiative of the Blue Drops and the awards. These really highlight the things that matter and that make the connection with the latest trends."

Never seen before!

The number of 'firsts' or 'premières' at MoOD was greater than ever. Premières are entire collections or individual fabrics that have never been displayed before at any other show. They are either specially designed for MoOD, or else MoOD has been chosen as the strategic launch platform. And this year there were amazing numbers of them.

Which speaks volumes about the creativity of the exhibitors at MoOD – and naturally also about the importance that they attach to the people who visit the show. The jury found some of these 'firsts' so innovative that they were whisked straight up to the Innovation Platform. These included work from Textiles de France, Bruvatex, Reisoglu, Nachik, Saros, De Kabels, Lameirinho and Nelen & Delbeke, to name but a few. All of these examples of creativity were on show for the first time at MoOD and very much deserved the attention lavished on them. But only one could go home with the Blue Drop Award for the Best Première: the much-feted introduction of the world's first biodegradable leather from Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries.

MoOD lives on, even after the fair has closed its doors

MoOD 2011 will live on for months after the fair has closed its doors. To this end, we use the most modern means of communication that are available.

First and foremost, we permanently post the latest news 1. on our website (www.moodbrussels.com). This news is also released by means of the social media Twitter and Facebook. The new iPhone app in its turn ensures the news is immediately and always available.

MoOD’s impact is made far more everlasting thanks to the 2. newsletter ‘5 minutes MoOD mail’, which is sent at least four times before the end of the year to a very large group of readers.

There are also the 3. digital catalogues of the Innovation Platform and the Blue Drops, among which the 50 best of the best were selected.

More exclusive and more specialized

This is how Niek De Prest, trend coordinator at MoOD looks at things: “Those who want to bring their own collection to the market or who want to design one themselves, simply have to visit MoOD. And they did.

The decision makers that visited MoOD were not more numerous, but were more focused sourcing it. Editeurs, wholesalers, furniture manufacturers and young and dynamic companies looking for textile products with a look of their own were not only well represented, they were also extremely satisfied. This is illustrated by the visitor survey and the informal talks we had at the fair itself.

The MoOD exhibitors must be positioned at the top of the production chain, and this without any exception. The visitors know this better than anyone else. Our exhibitors moreover work together with the world’s finest textile designers and get recognition from well-known brands that are the absolute top. Add to this their technical know-how concerning weaving, their flexibility and their eye for innovation and you immediately know why MoOD is of vital importance.”

MoOD 2011: compact, efficient and positive

MoOD 2011 continues to build on a unique and strong concept and this pays off, for the fair proved itself to be the perfect high quality host in all areas.

The unique MoOD concept is based on a number of strong key points:

• There was a strong international and

coherent range of producers of upholstery, window coverings and wall coverings.At MoOD one only finds producers who offer original designs, which is of great strategic importance to all of the buyers: no middleman.

• Creativity and innovation:

This year, the number of premières at MoOD was bigger than ever. Premières are collections or fabrics that have never been presented at another fair. They are especially designed for MoOD. This year, there were surprisingly many of them, which immediately illustrates the creativity of the MoOD exhibitors and of course also highlights the importance they attach to the MoOD visitors.

• Quality of the visitors:

The exhibitors reaffirm that the MoOD visitor was of an exceptionally high level. MoOD was a good place for doing business, for the right customers were present. At MoOD you are at the source and the professionals know this.

• Targeted information:

The Blue Drops are becoming a norm in the market. This awarding system brings a selection of the strongest products at MoOD and at the same time provides very targeted information about the products. So do the various projects one could see this year in each hall. Trends, outdoor, innovation and contract got their own and highly appreciated forum.

Flemish Masters on display at Furniture Fair Brussels. 6-9 November.

Flemish Masters’ idea of bringing together the furniture sector and textile companies and challenging them to work together on common projects is unique. After the première at MoOD you can discover the realisations at Furniture Fair Brussels from 6 until 9 November at Brussels Expo.

Brussels Furniture Fair has built up a broad appeal that extends far beyond the Belgian boundaries. presenting a beautiful fair, with an interesting and varied offer, a mix of contemporary, ethnical and classic furniture. The fair is an all-embracing event with a positive atmosphere and a high-quality assortment.

Click here for more info on Flemish Masters.

For more info on Furniture Fair Brussels, click here.

Outdoor in acrylic, soft as a baby's bottom – Torri Lana

Acrylic has a high reputation to uphold in the outdoor textile market. It's a product with no equal: weather resistant and unsurpassed in terms of lightfastness. Now Torri Lana's design shows us how amazingly soft acrylic can be.

The outdoor setting at MoOD was the perfect proof of this. The design, superior and timeless, can be used on either traditional furniture or on highly contemporary designs. Torri Lana also came out with a brilliant, sophisticated presentation for the trade fair.

Torri Lana 1885 srl

Hand printed linen for the contract market – De Kabels Amsterdam

"After MoOD we were very pleasantly surprised by the amount of attention we received!" says Rob Viool, who was just as surprised by receiving the highest distinction in the contract market: the Blue Drop Contract Award.

'Square' is a very heavy linen, hand printed with black paint. Over this is a transparent film. This gives a 'worn' effect, with the texture and natural colour of the linen remaining visible. The company was deluged with orders and is now busy coming up with a successor to 'Square'.

De Kabels Amsterdam BV

Velvet designed on the loom – De Poortere Frères

Few people realise how technical velvet is as a fabric. Plain velvet is particularly difficult to make. The slightest error is visible. A crack in a bobbin? A differently coloured thread? You see it immediately. De Poortere's core business lies in partially dyed polyester velvets, a discipline in which creativity is often subservient to technical limitations.

But not at De Poortere. The company's quest for innovations in structure and depth results in the play of slub yarns in the warp and weft. Slub yarns are fancy yarns with thick and thin sections and are almost never used in the warp because they make it very fragile. And yet the designers had the courage to use it. By also using it in the weft, you get a very special effect that is further accentuated with a black weft that doesn't change the colour during the dyeing proces. Experts know what has gone into it. The Blue Drop jury was stunned.

De Poortere Frères sa

Story of a conception – Flemish Masters do what no one else can

Axel Enthoven, the project leader and driving force behind Flemish Masters, led the quest himself for a soft, comfortable self supporting fabric that would significantly improve comfort. He hoped to find the solution from a Belgian specialist in flocking.

The stakes were very high as Ferrari had previously failed to achieve this. After 9 years of research, Axel Enthoven took over the challenge and brought it with him to Flemish Masters. The project was initially difficult and threatened to flounder. Until Flocart came on board. In just a few days time, they achieved what Ferrari couldn't in 9 years.

"The self supporting fabric is soft and comfortable to sit on, even on a warm day when you're wearing few clothes", explains Thierry Outtier, driving force behind the project that he has finalised together with furniture manufacturer Joli. Furthermore, it meets all standards for outdoor use: it is colourfast, lightfast, rot-proof and stain resistant. Flocart has now filed a patent application and is rightly proud of the creation that would never have been without Flemish Masters.

Flocart NV

Thinking out of the box delivers the best innovation – Hyosung

Prof. Marc Van Parys is a member of the jury for the MoOD Innovation Platform. The judging, and especially the judging of the Blue Drop Award for Innovation, does not usually happen overnight. In September, however, for a change the jury was unanimous: the creation of the South Korean company Hyosung is simply a masterpiece.

It's a window treatment that can be used in two modes (see photo) and is ready to use right off the loom. So it has the strings for mounting and everything. At a first glance, this product looks ready-made. Prof. Marc Van Parys didn't waste any time in having this work of art screened in the laboratory. "This shows a serious amount of research," says Filip Ghekiere, "and there's a lot of creativity behind it". Hyosung is a company committed to R&D. The results are testimony to this dedication.

Hyosung Corporation

Carbi.Pel breaks into the accessories market

Biolo Grazia is the woman behind the imaginative designs of Carbi.Pel. Using laser cutting, shaving and printing, this Italian company creates fun, completely original designs in cow hide.

So it's not surprising that the handbag market, among others, found its way to the Carbi.Pel stand. Handbags, agendas and accessories are excellent platforms for extravagance and Carbi.Pel does extravagance like no other.

Carbi.Pel

CELC – Masters of Linen shows knitted voile for the contract market

As a MoOD partner and linen promoter, every year CELC goes in search of a strong linen product. This year, the choice fell on a beautiful, lightweight, contract-quality knitted voile. An unusual choice, as although knitting with linen is already well established in the fashion industry, it remains very uncommon in interior decoration.

It isn't surprising then that it is CELC that supports this innovation, as the company is active in fashion as well as interiors. This cross-pollination is inspiring and new technologies make it possible to offer knitted linen as window coverings.

The linen of this Blue Drop winning product is from locally-grown European flax without irrigation and with low use of pesticides or fertilisers. It is manufactured in 100% pure linen and is flame resistant: UNI 8456: Category 1; DIN 4102/B1.

CELC - Masters of Linen

Fidivi Tessitura Vergnano in peak condition for the highest contract requirements

Fidivi Tessitura Vergnano SpA is a highly regarded specialist in the Italian contract market. At MoOD, it had a booth beside Trevira and the former duly noted the rising trend of the contract market. There is particular interest for technical products such as thermoforming and electro-welding.

Thermofolding is a process whereby heat is used to form layered fabrics into a shape. Electro-welding blends different fabrics according to the required application. These processes mould fabrics into permanent shapes. They increase comfort and make this fabric rather exclusive due to the exciting 3D graphics that occur.

Fidivi Tessitura Vergano SpA

The most beautiful innovation came from Nelen & Delbeke

Nelen&Delbeke's entry was met with a rapt response from the jury. "Creative, innovative and very beautiful" said Axel Enthoven. "Nelen&Delbeke is known for very fine fabrics," Prof. Van Parys added, "and this really is a strong innovation".

Design CMJUG2/03 does indeed combine innovation with beauty. The play of light picks out a subtle design that interweaves in the fabric. MoOD asked the designers to explain. Thierry Delbeke: "It is really high-tech weaving because we're working with 22 decitex. This is finer than hair. We had to adapt the loom to achieve this. An excellent collaboration with Picanol and BONAS made it possible, but it certainly wasn't easy."

The fabric is available on order in different colours and patterns. You can find further information to the MoOD Innovation Platform catalogue here. The product is also available for the contract market.

Nelen & Delbeke

Watercolours and natural yarns from contract specialist Dina Vanelli

Viscose, cotton and linen are the ingredients in the watercolour fabrics of Dina Vanelli. They can be used for window coverings and upholstery. Dina Vanelli created the design in its own studio.

It was developed as part of the new 'Linen by Vanelli' collection. The watercolours, along with indigo, fall into the label's 'Indigo' category. Two of the designs were selected for the Blue Drop awards. Some of the fabrics have a brush effect finish. Vanelli concurs that this collection has been particularly successful and it will therefore continue with this theme in 2012.

Dina Vanelli