Dashing Material Trends

Dashing Material Trends

A Softer Side

Throughout 2024 and into 2025, we have observed a notable increase in the use of fabrics within both retail environments and interior projects. This trend seems to build on the bow motif that gained popularity in 2023. Extending into a broader aesthetic that draws inspiration from styles often regarded as Nana-ish and traditionally feminine, transforming them into edgy designs. Additionally, there is a growing fascination with elements from distant historical periods, such as the Baroque era and the dramatic opulence of the Golden Age, adding a sense of grandeur to contemporary spaces.

This trend is all about texture and softness in unexpected places. Rooms are completely draped in opulent fabrics. Typically, hard fixtures, such as tables, chairs and plinths covered entirely with soft textures. Carpets running up from floors onto fixtures and walls, creating immersive environments. AI artists have also played a role in driving this trend, creating imagery of building facades covered in otherworldly fabric installations that defy logic.

  • Tulle & Mesh

    Mesh-like fabrics can be used for layering. Good for use when visibility through needs to be maintained. Mesh fabrics such as tulle are quite rigid and can be used to form more structured shapes.

  • Velvet

    Great for more opulent displays and campaigns, velvet has a luxurious quality. Soft and tactile nature makes it good for areas where customers can get closer and interact with the installation.

  • Fur

    Successfully used by brands creating environments clad entirely in fake fur, this fabric has a lot of personality and is not for the light-hearted. Great for playful executions. Its highly textural nature makes it highly engaging.

  • Carpet & Tufting

    Choosing the right carpet for the flooring execution can make a big impact on the feeling of a space. Pushing its use even further up onto walls and fixtures creates an experience that customers will remember. Carpet is available in bold colours and unique textures can be achieved by engaging artists to create one-off tufted pieces.

  • Echo Panel & Felts

    Echo panel is a rigid board material made from recycled PETG bottles. Its soft felt like texture makes it a great substrate to create structured forms with a soft feel. This material can also be printed on.

  • Ribbon

    Ribbon is great for creating smaller details and flourishes to displays. En Masse it can create unique textures through weaving, knotting and spiraling forms.

  • Knitted

    Knitted fabrics add a warm and comforting feeling to displays. Great for autumn and winter campaigns. It can be hand made at large scale to achieve a bold look.

  • Canvas

    Canvas is a great, durable, and neutral material. Often used to create artist studio-like sculptural installations. It can be printed onto and drapes nicely.

  • Denim

    Denim is a very versatile material. Due to its hard-wearing nature, the edges can be left raw or it can be distressed to create unique effects. Rivets and buttons can also be added.

Crafted textural details are a way brands are adding their twist to this trend. Liberty in London, who is well known for its fabrics, built a large-scale house in-store made entirely from quilted patches of their fabrics. Each square tells its own unique story. Embroidery details, contrasting stitching and shredding down and weaving fabrics are some of the ways brands are making this trend their own.

Long-standing fabric brands such as Kvadrat, Marimekko and Liberty are great places to start looking for further inspiration on how to push the boundaries with this trend.

The choice of fabric is important for the type of look you want to achieve. Choose a lightweight transparent fabric for a delicate, flowing effect and sheer layering. For a dramatic, theatrical look, go for taffeta or upholstery fabric, which offers volume and mimics curtain drapery. Retailers can also utilise waste materials from their processes to create cohesive campaign storytelling moments around sustainability and brand.

Playing with this trend instore can be as simple as switching out typical banner materials for sheer fabrics to create interesting layering effects. Or use existing instore fixtures and drape them with fabrics. When used cleverly alongside brands ’s seasonal campaigns, it will leave a lasting impression on customers through its tactility and ability to completely transform a space.

Contact us to learn more about these materials and how to use this trend in your next display.

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