The Latest in Linen and Drapes: The Bold and the Beautiful
When it comes to fabric, get ready for a daring new year.
by Lindsey Getz | Published in December 2009 Features | linens
When it comes to fabric, get ready for a daring new year
Fabrics play a major important role in event design. Using linens is one of the easiest ways to make the most impact on the largest surface area, says Aaron Kaufman, president and CEO of 5th Element Events. Linens and drapery can simply transform a room. Designers and representatives of linen and drapery companies are looking ahead to the
hottest trends for 2010.
The Look
Fashion tends to dictate what colors will be hot, says Joyce Jones, regional general manager, BBJ Linen: “The popular linen colors for 2010 are going to reflect what’s been popular on the runway.”
The Pantone Fashion Color Report for spring 2010, compiled based on top designers’ New York Fashion Week collections, is reporting some bold and bright tones, she notes, including turquoise, a vibrant and tropical blue; tomato puree, a classic red; and aurora, a slightly greenish yellow. These likely will end up being popular linen colors as well.
Amanda Uhlein, vice president, Grosh Scenic Rentals, says that in the world of drapery, the yellows, purples and grays will be popular for 2010. “I still expect to see lots of earthy tones as well,” she says.
Rich tones also will be popular. “A lot of people call in for our chocolate and wine velour,” says Chrystian Tigeleiro, marketing manager, Drape Kings. “If an event planner is trying to avoid black for a certain occasion, colors like chocolate and wine do the same job of masking an area while giving the room some flavor.”
Kaufman says he also anticipates a big change on the horizon for fabric colors. Pastel colors that have been popular in the past year, but he believes things are going to turn up a notch in 2010.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of pastel green paired with crisp whites for that fresh, clean sort of feel,” he reports. “But what I’m showing my clients a lot of now are metallics—golds, silvers, coppers and bronzes, especially with a shimmer to them. Think Aretha Franklin outfits
from the ’80s. Anything with sequins and anything shiny is going to be very in style for 2010. People are focusing on that ‘coming out of a recession’ feel by going bolder and brighter and that’s being translated into the color palette for fabrics.”
Color combinations will also be popular for 2010, with monochromatic setups continuing to reign. “The monochromatic tablescapes with tone on tone of the same color palette are very in,” says Brett Walters, senior account executive, Kirby Rentals. “I know we’ve been seeing this for a while, but it continues to be popular.”
Mitch Kelldorf, president of Sculptware, says that bright-on-bright will be a hot combination. Some designers are taking that bold factor to another level with animal patterns paired with bright hues and even neon colors.
The pared-down look that seemed to reflect the recession is now on its way out. Christine Merser, vice president for marketing and communications, Classic Party Rentals, says unusual color pairings will be a surprise look this season. Designers are not sticking to any particular rules. “Think odd combos,” she says. “Like purple and yellow or greens and ivories.”
Neutrals still have a place in the new year and there will be still clients who want a lower-key look as they continue to be wary of ostentatious displays. These neutrals never go out of style. “It’s comfortable and easy and it’s a safe way to go for those who don’t want to spend money on a trendier color,” says Zenya Moreira of SGASI Production Services. “Neutral colors like our cocoa, taupe and Sahara velour are in high demand.” The Pantone Color Report says that neutrals also can be punched up easily by pairing them with bolder colors.
Youngsong Martin, founder and chief designer of Wildflower Linen, agrees that a softer look will remain in season for many. “Rustic colors, beiges, olive greens and sages are popular for corporate clientele,” he says. “For corporate events, printed runners of natural fibers are being used a lot.” Martin says these trends may be a result of designers either being aware of, or even subconsciously influenced by, the green movement.
Madeline Stevens, co-owner of Table Top Fashions, says that runners are very popular for layering linens. “One of the things we’ll be focusing more on in the new year is the availability of more runners in a variety of fabrics,” she says. “It’s an inexpensive way to decorate an event. I’ve been suggesting an overlay and runner in the same fabric for those on a tight budget.”
David Beahm of David Beahm Design says that in 2010 he’ll continue to find surprising ways to use fabrics to convey a particular mood. “We are continuously seeking out fabrics that are specifically manufactured for home decoration – ones for upholstery, drapes, and more,” he says. “Not only are these fabrics unexpected when employed in an event scenario, but they inherently convey the warm and welcoming sentiment to the event guests that they would in one’s home.”
The Feel
Texture is as important as color and layering this season. “Texture will be a key player in joining the spectrum and color palette of 2010,” reports Mark Addison, director of experience design at New York-based EVENTSTYLE. “This year’s décor trends will be about creating high-volume and dynamic dimensions by adding ruching and ruffles to create the illusion of movement. More of my fresh ideas are graphic pattern overlays on sheer fabrics, burn-through fabrics and cutaway drape panels.”
Textures are bigger and bolder than ever and much more in the forefront, says Wade Wesson, director of production services, Dazian LLC. “Textures are always big in architecture and the latest trend is to translate architecture into every aspect of design. Form and function are involved in the process from start to finish. Bold, large-scale patterns and layered textures are the style trend. And layering textures and patterns that are much larger and bolder is a trend as well. Soft and subtle are buzz words of yesterday. ‘Bold,’ ‘expressive’ and ‘oversized’ dominate the current trend style.”
Lighting adds interest with the perception of texture to drapery. Tigeleiro says the company’s Star Drape, usually a black velour with LED lights arranged within the drape to create a starlight effect, has been in and out of the Drape Kings’ warehouse frequently.
Attention to detail is key. “In the past, some designers have not paid much attention to the napkins, but when someone walks into a room and sees the tables all have napkins with an accent color, that does make a difference,” says Jones. “Guests are holding that napkin in their hands throughout the whole meal – picking it up and setting it down over and over – so it’s very visible. I think that this year people will be paying much more attention to those little details.”
It will be the same for drapery, Wesson says: “Attention to detail in trimming, finishing and fabric selection are key to design detail and trend. Attention to every element in the drapery from sewing details to fabric selection to trim and hardware are all the elements that make up the design. The drapery trend is about the details and time to design the drapery so that it is still something noteworthy five years from now.”
Using fabrics is a smart and trendy way to create the perfect look. New colors, textures and uses of linens and drapery in 2010 will make it an exciting year for design.