Future Continuous
Unusual, original and innovative - these are the Heimtextil Trends 25/26 under the new curatorial direction of Alcova Milano. The founders Valentina Ciuffi and Joseph Grima combine traditional elements and contemporary design in a creative dialogue - and create new, insightful narratives in the process. Look forward to unexpected discoveries and inspiring encounters with visionaries from different areas of the textile world - under the motto ‘Future Continuous’.
Quotes
"In fact, textiles are the very first technology, deeply inherent in mathematical and economic structures. People started to knit things with their toes. It is a technology that has to do with touch, which everybody goes nuts about."
"There has been a notable revival in the use of natural fibres in design because of their unique properties which have been valued for centuries: durability and comfort. Some of the plants that were overshadowed by cotton are really making a resurgence. Hemp, jute, flax and nettle."
“The yarn is historically autarchic; everything needed to produce it was available within the radius of the valley” comments Christine. This approach not only supports local agriculture but also maintains the traditional pastoral landscapes of the Alps. Christine underscores the importance of transparent supply chains and fair value distribution, ensuring that those who produce the raw materials benefit from the final product’s success."
"Circularity is defined as everything that increases the value of material through its permanence in the market. Given the ambiguity and arbitrariness with which producers and companies label their products as sustainable and circular though, the European Parliament is working to promote greater transparency and traceability in the production chain, limiting greenwashing practices and enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions."
"The ethics around life sciences are central, as well as making the process more open and participatory, with a radical approach to local production, highlighting the importance of sourcing both colour and fibres from nearby natural sources. Democratising making practices is a core aspect that cuts across all projects within the Lab, and involves providing designers and creators with accessible, open-source tools and resources with which to experiment, free from the traditional barriers of high costs and exclusive access."
"When evaluating the sustainability of a textile or fashion product, we often focus narrowly on the productivity per square metre, measuring output by the quantity of spun yarn. This approach, however, overlooks crucial factors. We must consider the ‘true costs’: the water and fertilise used, labour conditions and wages, transportation impacts and long-term soil productivity. If the soil is depleted after 20 years, what are the costs of this degradation and the related damages to its ecosystem?"
Heimtextil Trends 25/26 Colour Palette
From Naturally Uneven Green to End of Petrol and Imperfect Pink - the Heimtextil Trends 25/26 present a visionary colour palette that Alcova has interpreted both visually and linguistically. Inspired by the six interviews, the colours interweave the ideas and concepts that came up in the discussions. In this way, they tell a vivid story. Natural, unbleached tones meet dynamic, vibrant colours and reflect the tension between tradition and innovation. This contrast represents an active balance that is constantly evolving - characterised by renewal, growth and a forward-looking vision that goes beyond mere sustainability.
- Image descriptions (pdf, 77 MB)
About Alcova
Alcova Milano questions traditional design conventions and sets new impulses with its unconventional approach. The Alcova presentations, which are considered a hotspot for design enthusiasts during the renowned Milan Design Week, put independent designers in the spotlight.
Founded by curator and creative director Valentina Ciuffi and architect Joseph Grima, the collective show has made a name for itself by revitalising historical locations.
Whether an old bakery, abandoned cashmere factory or former military hospital - the founders bring unique locations to life that would otherwise remain hidden from the public eye. The fascinating spaces are used to present pioneering exhibitions and captivating installations and promote dialogue between people who shape modern design culture.
Since its foundation in 2018, Alcova has impressively demonstrated how traditional elements can merge with contemporary design to create new and insightful narratives.
Disclaimer
Some of the colours in this publication may deviate due to print techniques and are to be corrected according to PANTONE® Textile Colour System. PANTONE and PANTONE Textile Colour System are trademarks of ©Pantone LLC, 1995-2024.
Representation of the RAL colours with approval by RAL gGmbH, Bonn. The brand RAL is a registered trademark. Only the individual cards of the RAL 840-HR and RAL 841-GL registers for RAL CLASSIC, the primary standards RAL E1 for RAL EFFECT and the colorimetrically measured RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus colour sheets are to be used for the binding production and control of RAL colours.
NCS – Natural Colour System© is the copyright and trademark property of NCS Colour AB, Stockholm. Nearest NCS sample is based on visual assessment in accordance with SS 01 91 04 and may deviate from the NCS Notation due to these conditions. We refer to the Original NCS Colour Samples.