Do Fabrics Stand the Test of Time?

Last Updated on Friday, 16 January 2009 11:45 Written by Administrator Wednesday, 12 November 2008 09:41

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Here at Brandt and Whitney it is important for us to make sure that our customers have the finest selection of designer and designed upholstery fabrics in all price points and types of fabrics. Whether you are looking for a great deal on that fabric for kitchen curtains or whether you are in need of that special designer fabric that will finally pull together that whole space we have what you are looking for. Selection is but one of the many points of importance that comes when choosing a fabric for even the simplest of projects. 

Some of the other factors include the wearability, the durability and the design. Let's look first at the wearability. As a designer textile customer, it is important to have the selection to make the most informed choice and the most comfortable. There is nothing worse than having to make one's choice out of only a few fabrics. This is why we here at Brandt and Whitney like to make sure that we have the latest in what is hot in the market today.

It seems that after our research on what is the newest and best we keep wanting to move back to the tried and true. I guess this means that we are wanting to make a move back to the classics. This seems to be an appropriate work to use as we move ahead into the fall of 2008. With the changes we have seen in our world and the changes in our economic climate it seems that our customer base is moving to what can only be termed the classics.

The fabrics for this fall and winter season are design debuting that seem to have ageless quality and ones that also transcend the image of traditional patterns as being considered old fashioned and stuffy. It seems that the more ethnic patterns in designer fabrics are becoming the new classics. Designs from Hawaii, the Philippines and even from the farthest reaches of the planet to tribes and peoples that have yet to be named these, are becoming the new classics. 

In our shop and showroom in Denver we see some of the most classic pieces in for reupholstery, refinishing and repair. The features of these pieces of furniture are often the finest of the their time periods. From a rolled arm on an art deco sofa to the lacy crest on a Victorian chair. These are the hallmarks of these pieces of furniture. So when it comes time to choose a fine designer upholstery fabric for these furniture pieces is one stuck, so to speak, with the usual selections or can their possibly be more? It seems that today we are given a choice that is still going to the traditional or classic but with a twist. It seems that the tried and true patterns are being reinvented with a twist in beautiful, fresh colorways. 

The organic and geometric prints with textures are allowing a polished look to emerge that mingles the old with the new. This is being seen in an almost uncanny way with a look back to patterns that were poplar in the 1970s, paired with  fresh color ways that allow the patterns to pop! Designs are clean with a soft edge. What the customer wants is a fresh look that they are familiar with. As funny as a statement like that seems the customers wants to feel at ease in their environment again. With all of the turmoil in the work today homes are becoming a haven away from a world that is increasing difficult.

The corporation of Robert Allen knows this and has presented a brand new line of soft very usable upholstery fabric designed with the customer's home in mind. The line is called Robert Allen@home. The designs reach back to a time that most of the customers who are now purchasing these high end fabrics remember with some amount of fondness. The upholstery fabrics are rich in texture and and color and are utilizing patterns that are both ethnic and traditional. The hand of most of these upholstery fabrics is soft and very inviting with Batik prints, fine wovens, and even the traditional stripes.

In the home fashions industry the buzz word is green! Natural fibers and the ecology movement are important this season. Many companies like Robert Allen, Kravet, Scalamandre and even Donghia as well as many other premier fabric manufactures are emphasizing the cleanliness of their manufacturing processes. Take Fabricut's manufacturing process for instance. This is, by the way, a company that Brandt and Whitney carries. All of the fabrics manufactured in the environment plus line are done so under the most stringent manufacturing procedures. They are passing the Oeko-tex standard 100 rest and the MBDC'S Cradle to Cradle that certifies that products manufactured under these standards are proven safe for the health of the human being and and the environment. 

There is also the use of multi fibers in the newest and most fashionable of upholstery fabrics this season. They are combining bamboo, raffia and organic grown cottons into the fabrics for this season. Decorative touches such as flocking, and embroidery can be seen in some of these newest lines from almost all of the premier  manufactures. 

Another line that is being presented this season will be leather and leather look lines. These fabrics are becoming more interesting than ever.  

Faux leather  and ultra suede's are also becoming popular again as well. these faux fabrics and leathers are being jazzed up with the use of metallic, pearlized and even embossed patterns that give that faux skin look. These are being enhanced with clear coat colored finishes and metallic glazes. 

 Let's not forget the trims. In bygone days the use of these items were the perfect finishing touch for an interior. Their popularity has come and gone. it seems that this season they will be used more often than ever.

 The emphasis of course, just like the fabrics, will be on the ethnicity of the designs. Many of these fine trims are given the look of the far or middle east. They resemble the turkish tie backs of the 1900's with the multi colored silks and satins and beading as well. The beads can be found as crystal, glass and jet as well as ceramic and even trade beads have found their way into the newest designs. Hand tied and cut fringes are becoming popular as well. The use of the hand manufacturing process has once again come back into vogue. It used to be that the more production there was on these types of trim the more sales occurred the better. The use of hand manufactured trims allows the manufacturer to market the trims as green or at least green friendly. The use of natural fibers and natural beading also allows this distinction.

 It is important to stress that not all of the trims and fabrics that we have spoken about will always be providing a green product however it is important to state that most all manufactures that have been in business for any length of time have grasped the concept that, if they are to stay competitive   they must be embracing the green way of manufacturing or at least implementing a green ponit of perspective into their manufacturing process. 

 All of this is in answer to the question: do fabrics stand the test of time?  I would have to say that after what we have seen in the fabric field today the questions is best answered with the reply that if a fabric is to stand the test of time it must have a fresh look with a traditional element as well. The fact that many of these fabrics and trims are being manufactured in a forward thinking green way and with the use of natural and not petroleum based elements we can safety say these new fabrics and trims will actually stand the test of time. It is not the fabrics or the trims themselves that will have a longer life because of these points but even when these trims are no longer attractive or the fabrics have worn and are needing to be replaced the end user can feel comfortable that in disposing of these items that the garbage and the landfills are not the only answer. The recycling and reuse of these items in other spheres will certainly not be unheard of. 

 So what of the fabrics that are still manufactured in a way that is less progressive and  less friendly to the environment? It is our understanding that these are the companies that will be unable to last out the test of time themselves. The old guard will find it difficult to keep their market share and keep the new breed of customer buying their goods. The newer generation of designers and end users does not want items that will poison our environment even at the cost of being beautiful. The savvy end user and customer will buy their goods from the companies that offer the best quality and the most stylish of lines but will also be delivering a product that is acceptable to the standards of the green sphere in our world today.

 It is ironic that over the past 50 years that the fabric industry have reused and recycled styles and colors but have brought their lines ti a new and growing group of designers that are demanding that their products do stand the test of time in more ways than were ever thought possible.