Curtain fabric report

ISSUE 71 March 2020

Wide widths continue to drive product design in the curtain fabrics category, while natural looks or touches of shine and luxury cater to diverse quarters of the market WFA reports.

Charles Parsons Interiors Marketing Manager Yvonne Ling comments that demand for wide widths is one of the biggest current influences in the market.  

“It is currently evident in the market that size is a key focus, with grand sized windows in newly renovated homes having an impact in the drapery industry. At Charles Parsons Interiors, we foresee the Australasian Interiors market continuing this trend in 2020. Width is everything!” 

Across Australia and globally, modern high ceilings have meant a need for wider drapery choices to accommodate demand, she says. “At Charles Parsons, we predict that this trend towards wider textile options will increase throughout 2020 and beyond. Constantly evaluating Australian and global markets, analysing sales data, obtaining market feedback from key clients has led to new and exciting collections and improved planning into the future.” 

“Most frequently, our national sales teams are asked ‘how wide is it?’ and ‘show me your widest options’. This demand for wider options has been the catalyst to the reimagining of our entire range, bringing focus to existing collections and going wider. Expansion of several core collections has also brought renewal to the Pilbara, Edra, Capri and Brussels fabrics with wider options coming soon to the market.” 

“Charles Parsons Interiors’ beautiful upcoming collections continue the width factor as one of the main criteria. We are excited to launch new textured sheers: Casa, Calle and Eton; Jacquards – Xenia and Textured drapery; Benares, and our new Callisto, printed 3P coated. To complement our ever growing wide drapery collections, new wider core lining products have been released. Old favourites like Guardian Ultimate, Nightshift and our Eco coloured lining range Solitaire, all locally coated in New Zealand, are produced with quality coating compounds that outperform all others in our tough Australian climate.” 

Textured Sheers: Casa / Calle/ Eton

  • Affordable and classic style 
  • Wider width to suit longer drops
  • FR Rated

Jacquards: Xenia, Benares

  • Poly/Natural mixed composition for a soft yet durable texture
  • Wider width to suit longer drops
  • Soft touch drapery, idea for relaxed styling
  • Neutral and classic colour palettes to suit current trends and ensure versatility

Callisco

  • High quality back-coating for durability and longevity
  • Wider Width to suit longer drops
  • Key stable that works well with our sheers collection

JAMES DUNLOP TEXTILES

New designs Ardent and Hanover from the Dunleith Collection (Grove Studio by James Dunlop Textiles) are a key innovation at James Dunlop. “Both designs come from a commercially focused collection developed in collaboration with Grove Studio; a Dallas based atelier of designers creating premier design collections for hospitality, commercial and residential interiors.”

“The inspiration for Dunleith has been drawn from the natural environment. Classic and architectural elements found in everyday living take on a contemporary feel, with colourways inspired by significant places and people along life’s journey.”

“An elegant and timeless range of high performance fabrics that are consistent with the design aesthetic of Grove Studio, the six textiles pay attention to surface pattern and scale and have an intrinsic respect for detail and character.”

TRABETH TEXTILES

“At Trabeth we’re releasing our new Mistral book which is a collection of chenille fabrics,” says Glenn Whitchurch, Managing Director of Trabeth Textiles. “These designs have a lurex pattern which offers a high end luxurious look to the fabric. Even though it is a chenille, it provides a natural and soft handle drape so it is perfect for curtains also. This collection will offer semi plain/small designs with a high impact look.”

Whitchurch notes a general trend in curtain fabrics towards more shiny fabrics “that are eye catching but tasteful as well.” 

“We will be launching a further two new collections with a slight shine to the fabric to meet the demands of our worldwide customer base.”

“Current market challenges include competition from online sales and the trend to buy low priced ready-made curtains, which has increased compared to made to measure curtains. This has meant that there have been more suppliers working in a sector that has been getting smaller. To overcome these challenges we have focused on our fabric and customer service. We have increased our stock levels, which means we can provide a same day dispatch on both full roll and cut length orders. We have found that by providing a fast and reliable service we have been able to increase our market share in various countries. Going forward we will be focusing on how we can make it easier and faster for our customers to order and receive their goods.”

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