The European fabric fairs for the spring/summer 2026 season were a showcase for the key trends in colour and design for the season, and they offered displays and presentations of the latest innovations in denim, embroidery, fur, lace, leather, shirting, silk and more. Cool and pale shades were popular, reflecting a trend towards colours which are calming and fresh. Icy tones of blue were key, watery varieties of green were important, and milky white hues were in abundance. That said, there is evidence that colours which are bright and dramatic will also be significant for the season. Prints and patterns were prominent at the fairs, and abstract and expressive designs in particular were prevalent.
The prints and patterns which were most popular featured marbling, ombré effects, stippling, and crackled, mottled and peppered mark makings. Of these, the designs which were most popular featured contemporary interpretations of tie-dye effects. Other designs featured ethnic African and aboriginal prints, and some featured geometric, totemic and mythological imagery. Also in abundance were fabrics featuring folkloric imagery and motifs. Similarly, floral prints and patterns were important. Decorative and fancy fabrics were popular, reflecting a trend for femininity and joyful frivolity. In keeping with this trend, lightweight sheer fabrics were prevalent.
Also prevalent were embroidered and sequined fabrics in sickly-sweet metallic colourways, and metallic jacquards were abundant. Equally popular were fabrics which had been hand crafted using artisanal indigenous materials. Notably, the fabric fairs were brimming with luxury fabrics. Fabrics made using fine natural fibres and noble animal fibres proved to be popular, and especially prevalent were fabrics made using merino wool. Also important at the fairs were functional fabrics, including those which offered thermal regulation and relief from hot weather conditions, and superior levels of comfort and stretch.
The prints and patterns which were most popular featured marbling, ombré effects, stippling, and crackled, mottled and peppered mark makings. Of these, the designs which were most popular featured contemporary interpretations of tie-dye effects. Other designs featured ethnic African and aboriginal prints, and some featured geometric, totemic and mythological imagery. Also in abundance were fabrics featuring folkloric imagery and motifs. Similarly, floral prints and patterns were important. Decorative and fancy fabrics were popular, reflecting a trend for femininity and joyful frivolity. In keeping with this trend, lightweight sheer fabrics were prevalent.
Also prevalent were embroidered and sequined fabrics in sickly-sweet metallic colourways, and metallic jacquards were abundant. Equally popular were fabrics which had been hand crafted using artisanal indigenous materials. Notably, the fabric fairs were brimming with luxury fabrics. Fabrics made using fine natural fibres and noble animal fibres proved to be popular, and especially prevalent were fabrics made using merino wool. Also important at the fairs were functional fabrics, including those which offered thermal regulation and relief from hot weather conditions, and superior levels of comfort and stretch.
Table of Contents
SUMMARYFABRIC FAIRS
- Lineapelle Milan
- Milano Unica
- Munich Fabric Start
- Première Vision Paris
- Texworld Paris
- Colour
- Prints and patterns
- Decorative and fancy fabrics
- Sheer fabrics
- Embroidered fabrics
- Jacquard fabrics
- Crafted artisan fabrics
- Luxury fabrics
- Functional fabrics
