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2021 Spring Colour Trend Highlight
2021 Spring Colour Trend Highlight
During the month of March, the earth is dropping subtle cues, leaving us eager in anticipation. We feel hints of warmth, we see traces of green, we hear birds chirping in the trees. It’s enough excitement to inspire our Universal Fibers® Spring Colour Forecast.
Spring is a season long defined by growth and new beginnings. A perfect catalyst for stirring our senses, awakening our bodies and minds, and reminding us that the world will indeed, bloom again.
As Winter fades into memory and our gaze turns forward, we relish the ways we might embark on a journey of “newness”. As we watch the world slowly begin to reopen, a swell of optimism reaches us individually, and we begin to feel it collectively. We plant seeds, we open our windows, we make plans, we try new things.
Talk about symbolism. Spring is bursting with it.
Our latest forecast is guided by this momentous transition happening in nature and in life. In 2021, we’re soaking in colours that bring new energy into our lives but also keep us grounded. Colours that spark joy and intrigue yet also hold some comforting familiarity.
The power of colour is incredible. It creates a beautiful framework or point of reference as it connects us to nature, sparks an emotion, and gives meaning to a moment. It might inspire a memory or a thought. It can bring us calm or bring us vibrant joy, transitioning us from one state of being to another. Colour can truly change our day.
Spring is defined by growth and new beginnings—and it is also defined by colour.
FEATURED ARTICLE
This month as we take a look at color and trend influences, we were thrilled to sit down (digitally) with Montaha Hidefi, Colour Archaeologist & Colour Expert, for our Q&A series to get to know more about her - playing such a vital role in forecasting in colour.
Montaha is a colour forecasting panellist, writer, keynote and public speaker, who lectured on colour at such events as 100% Design, ChinaCoat, CoaTech, Dutch Design Week, Elmia Polymer, European Coatings Show, Expoquimia, Masterbatch, Neocon, Oxygen for Leadership, Powder Coatings Summit, Warsaw Culture Center and Taiwan Design Center, just to name a few. Montaha has participated as a colour forecasting panellist on many global organization committees including the Mix Magazine and NCS Color Forecast, and her articles on colour and trends have been published in many trade publications like PCI Magazine, Powder Coating, Powder Coated Tough, Product Finishing, Retail Environment, and PPCJ. Montaha is a published author of Groping for Truth – My Uphill Struggle for Respect (2018), The Role of Color in Design (2019), co-author of Colour Design: Theories and Applications (2012, 2017), and she currently serves as the VP of Color Forecasting for Color Marketing Group. Montaha is also a founding member and Guelph community Leader of the Canadian Freelance Guild and participates in many ‘Colour Talk’ collaborations across different industry segments.
Who is Montaha Hidefi and what lead you to becoming a colour forecasting professional?
“The finest phrase that describes me is “colour archaeologist”. An archaeologist studies human history through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artefacts and other physical remains. Similarly, I feel my role in the discipline of colour forecasting is to understand the present and interpret the future, by way of examining the past. The essence of the past is captured through research. It is like going through the biography of specific societal trends.
My work in marketing, colour, and trend advisory on an international scale, with several multinationals in the coatings industry, steered me in the direction of where I landed. I provide consulting services and advice on colour forecasting, and I am a writer and public speaker. My articles on colour and trends appeared in multiple trade magazines and you can catch up with me talking about colour in many virtual venues.”
- Montaha Hidefi
Versed for so long in colour forecasting, what are the main things you take into consideration when developing a new forecast for an audience of architects and designers?
“Before establishing a colourcast, as I like to call it, regardless of the end-user, I investigate and consider political, economic, societal, and technological mega and macro trends that may drive the forecast.
In addition, because the life cycle of colour is industry-specific, when it comes to the specifications market, such as architectural applications, I usually take into consideration whether the colour will be applied indoors or outdoors, the material the colour will be applied upon whether metal, fibre or other, the area where the colour will appear within the installation, the service years expected from a colour and the end-user.
My role is not limited to develop a colour forecast. To be able to provide calculated advice, I am compelled to understand the technical aspects of the colour application. The colourcast becomes a directional tool that allows the architect or the designer not only to be well informed but also to inform and guide their clients.
For instance, for exterior or behind-the-window applications, I would avoid pure yellow, pure orange and pure red, because they will end up fading after a couple of years due to the UV resistance nature of pigments used to achieve these colours. In such cases, I may either select a paler hue or recommend these colours to be used as accents for design articulation in areas away from direct sunlight.
Similarly, when it comes to façades and building shells, they are supposed to last for many years and anything that goes wrong with the colour used might have a great impact on the specifier reputation.
- Montaha Hidefi
Last question for now…
What are the top three things in your list that you look to for inspiration when developing a forecast?
“Inspiration is drawn from many sources. I like people-watching. I get motivated by the human interactions. Nature and plant-based food ingredients, their colours, sounds, and aromas stimulate my creative thinking. My muse, however, often appears in the wee hours. The flow of topics from research, and ideas from conversations done in previous days, gets processed and filtered to develop into perceptible concepts that I then transform into colour stories.”
- Montaha Hidefi
Stay tuned for more from Universal Fibers on our interview with Montaha Hidefi.
If you would like to connect with Montaha or to follow her work, you can find her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and at montahahidefi.ca
Are you ready to An·i·māte ?
For design assistance or to set-up a consultation, please contact our Team of experts through our “Contact” page.
Residential Highlight
Explore the comfort of home with some of our transitional products that fit into almost any environment.
Home.
The word alone holds so much meaning. Naturally, our homes serve many purposes. Our homes are the sanctuaries that encompass the many realms of simply being—cooking, playing, relaxing, sleeping, thinking, and now working.
We’ve all been spending a lot more time at home!
This past year the world has shifted. And over the past year, we’ve shifted with it, navigating how our personal environments might best support additional facets of our lives.
Our team at Universal Fibers® recognizes the significance of reimagining and refreshing our work environments at home. And our evolving technology and products expertly collide with these new needs. The residential market is bursting with unique personalities, individual tastes, and varying degrees of affinity when it comes to colour, texture, softness, and depth.
These speciality yarn finishes, in particular, are perfect for residential applications, meeting both aesthetic and functional needs:
As we continue to think about how design and flooring might positively impact a residential space, we’re also thinking ahead to when we’ll once again greet our office spaces. How we might apply the comforts of home back into the work environment. It’s not a surprise that many companies are considering some changes. We believe incorporating textures and design elements that feel familiar and inviting is a simple way to create a more natural transition for everyone.
Flooring decisions are important and the carpet you select should last and bring joy for a long time. Universal Fibers features and benefits apply to many of our residential products:
Made from recycled content
Stain-resistant
Highly durable
High quality
Available in both Solution-Dyed Nylon and White
Variable DTEX
Variable Cross Section
Variable DPF (ability to range from soft, low-lustre yarns to soft, high-lustre yarns)
Home is a place to retreat to, to thrive in, to feel inspired by, to seek comfort in, to create in, and to share.
We love this market. And while our current product line seamlessly meets residential needs, we’re also excited to be working on something new. And when we launch our latest residential product line later this year, we trust you’ll be ready to sink your toes into something lovely!
Are you ready to An·i·māte ?
Explore more about Universal FIbers’ cross-segment offerings by visiting our website.
Here you will find how our extensive breadth of products, chemistries, techniques, and capabilities allow us to provide our customers with a “one-stop-shop” for all carpet segments.
For design assistance or to set-up a consultation, please contact our Team of experts through our “Contact” page.
Environmental Goals & How We Can Help
Find our how Animating with Universal Fibers can help you meet different environmental goals.
An ecosystem functions because it is a community. A complex network, ripe with different systems that interact with one another, each driving the success and wellbeing of the whole.
It’s incredible to think about and identify the multiple ecosystems at work within our company and within our industry. But the most significant ecosystem lies within our partnerships—the coming together of multiple teams and ideas which so greatly impacts the progression of our industry, and our shared responsibility and care for the environment.
Sustainability is not just an initiative, but an intrinsic value within Universal Fibers®. We’ve adopted a philosophy we refer to as EnLIST®, which drives every decision we make. You see, our goal is not only to design products, but to design systems, communications, and transparency tools that help us share our knowledge and shape a more eco-conscious world.
EnLIST® guides us as we track our key impacts in the following areas:
Energy Reduction: reducing carbon and energy with dedicated operations and processes
Polymer Conservation: promoting product life cycle responsibility
Waste Reduction: conserving land and reducing waste through education
Water Conservation: pioneering solution dyeing processes and ongoing water projects
When innovation is driven by these guidelines and ideas, we create products and processes we can truly be proud of. We continuously invest in R&D for sustainable improvement and innovation in pre/post-consumer recycled content, bio-based materials, high bulk | low weight technology, and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) knowledge.
Of course, it is not our effort alone that raises the bar for our industry, but a collective one. An ecosystem of people, teams, and projects that work together to move the needle. Which again, brings us to partnership.
In a sea of information, a sea of choices, Universal Fibers® can support our customers to achieve various ratings and certifications that simplify the decision-making process when pursuing sustainability in your work.
Our partners and clients have access to unlimited reporting options as we track Product, Process, and Ingredient Supply. Reports include:
Universal Fibers® Value Chain Chemical Management or VCCM® is a process wherein we take stock of our chemical data, screen the chemical ingredients against Restricted Substance Lists, assess the data for hazards, assess the exposure potential, and explore possible alternatives and/or enhanced ingredient transparency. VCCM® analysis allows us to continuously improve on our own innovations.
We’re truly excited to offer our partners in the European market our strength of knowledge in sustainable technologies and green rating systems. And we believe in aligning ourselves with partners who are equally interested and invested in the ever-evolving journey of environmental stewardship. As we continue into this new year, we will continue to share our research, and we promise to:
Produce sustainable products.
Offer transparency tools (and easy roadmaps to follow).
Simplify the decision-making and certification processes.
Anticipate our client’s needs (which in “sustainability-speak”, are all of our needs).
Provide our clients with multiple ways to achieve their goals or vision.
FEATURED INTERVIEW
This week we are thrilled to feature an exclusive video interview with LEED Fellow, WELL AP and Senior Sustainability Advisor for Tengbom Architects. Sue is also Interim WELL Manager at Sweden Green Building Council and a member of SGBC's LEED Advisory Committee.
Beginning in 2006, Sue worked extensively with the Canada Green Building Council, leading one of CaGBC’s LEED certification assessment teams and serving on multiple volunteer groups including CaGBC’s Technical Advisory Group for Sites and Water. After moving to Sweden in 2011, Sue brought her expertise in LEED to Sweden Green Building Council, where she organized the Council’s LEED Advisory Committee, LEED working groups and multiple taskforces to address issues of implementing LEED in Sweden. As a LEED Consultant, Sue has participated on more than a dozen LEED projects across Canada. In Sweden, she led the LEED consultancy on Mästerhuset, Stockholm's first LEED NC Platinum project. Now working with Tengbom, Sue joins the firm's sustainability group implementing ambitious goals for a better-built environment in Sweden and beyond. As the first WELL AP in the Nordics and a WELL Faculty member, Sue works to support and educate the WELL system with individuals and organisations interested in applying better health and well-being practices to the built environment.
View a 5 min PREVIEW of the interview now…
For the FULL INTERVIEW with Sue Clark, where we talk more about Circular Economy, ‘tricky’ sustainability projects, and carbon offsets, you can view the full video interview HERE.
To contact our Sue Clark, please connect with her via LinkedIn here, or you can contact her at tengbom.se
To connect with our Global Sustainability Leader, Ranae Anderson, please contact her directly here.
Be sure to join us February 9th as we highlight our RESIDENTIAL carpet fibre!
Are you ready to An·i·māte with us?
For assistance, or to learn more about how Universal Fibers can help you with your environmental initiatives, or to explore our sustainable product offering, feel free to connect with our team via the contact page.
Helix + Heather Helix
Helix and Heather Helix by Universal Fibers
Welcome to a new year that promises to be filled with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
Our love of beautiful, sustainable carpet starts with curiosity around the fibres and processes that bring new products and design visions to life. Universal Fibers® is keen on pursuing that special place where artistry meets technical innovation. Where beauty meets sustainability. Where quality of product meets quality of process. These intersections could be described as “confluence”.
“Confluence means a flowing together. When things come together like rivers do, flowing from entirely different places, you call that a confluence.”
In a world where currents now move so quickly, we work every day to explore and thoughtfully experiment with ways we can create more beautiful, sustainable, unique, and impactful products to share with the world, and with you—our friends and customers located throughout Europe.
As we share these products with you, we also want to share the intricate details behind each discovery and process. We invite you here today to learn more about our fibre innovation and new product, Heather Helix®.
Heather Helix® embodies a confluence. It achieves a natural rhythm between muted and contrast, the best of both worlds. How? By bringing together our two exclusive fibre finish techniques, Harmonize™ and Helix®.
Harmonize™
by Universal Fibers
Harmonize™ is our process of using 3-6 colours of varying hues, and a specialized blending technique that weaves these hues into a near-solid colour. The result is a medium level of contrast, where slight and delicate complexities lend a subtle texture to the landscape, but the overall aesthetic is serene and simple. A heathered mélange effect yarn.
Helix®
by Universal Fibers
Helix® uses advanced processing techniques that offer longer spacing and a wider range of crisp, air twist accent styling. The air twist high-performance fibre creates a distinct colour contrast, delivering high bulk–low weight solution-dyed performance with superior colour clarity from a broad colour pallet.
The Heather Helix® product interchanges these finish techniques, seamlessly and at fixed lengths, combining the Harmonize™ & Helix® yarn in ready to tuft packages.
We’ve created Heather Helix® to provide unique patterning & design opportunities in finished products, even when direct tufted. The crisp, defined colour tuft achieved by the Helix® yarn provides a contrast to the soft mélange heather look achieved by Harmonize™, resulting in areas of textured pattern and colour definition similar to a cut and loop product.
Our favorite part? This is done through one consecutive strand, using technology that offers superior coverage while maintaining low weights and a lower carbon footprint.
Through our work, we strive to be a company that positively impacts the very fabric of our industry. And we see infinite possibility in partnering with our European customers as we continue to innovate around quality, versatility, and sustainability.
Heather Helix® has a unique finish exclusive to Universal Fibers®. This finish is available in all product chemistries and all colours.
FEATURED INTERVIEW
As one of Universal Fibers’ newest Team members, we sat down with Narcis Alleyn, Sales Development Manager for Europe, to learn more about her years of experience in the textile industry throughout Europe. Alleyn, who is based out of Belgium, the “carpet capital of the EU”, has previous experience collaborating with many current and potential clients throughout varying markets. Extremely knowledgeable with flooring products across varying industry sectors, and equally comfortable working with end-users and design teams. We are thrilled to welcome her skillset and leadership to our team and invite you to know a little more about her below.
“My interest in Textiles started when I attended a seminar given by Professor Marc Van Parys of the University of Ghent and president of Unitex, the National Association of Textile Industry in Belgium.
Belgium was and is still the biggest world supplier after the US for (wall-to-wall) carpets, so I decided to study Textiles and graduated in 1996 as a Textile Engineer, specializing in chemicals.
After graduating, I began my career as Sales Manager for Eastern Europe at Domo Oudenaarde, now Balta Home, focusing on wall to wall carpets. Having Polish grandparents, and therefore being able to speak Polish, it was easy for me to translate the customers’ needs into Dutch, and I also went on to learn Czech.
I progressed at Domo and was given the responsibility to start up a new business unit, the Mats division. This was a great opportunity for me, as I was able to get behind the scenes see how the product is made. The first products that were launched were recycled mats from the waste of wall-to-wall carpets and yarns. It was an immediate hit and enabled us to enter into new markets, particularly Germany, so I extended my language skills by learning to speak German.
I then joined Beaulieu Wielsbeke, today BINTG. During my time there, I had the opportunity to develop new Chromojet printing technology.
After 10 years in the carpet industry, I had the opportunity to continue my career development in the automotive industry and worked for 10 years with AUNDE Group, as Global Business Manager, responsible for Ford, JLR & Volvo accounts specializing in semi-finished woven & knitted fabrics for end products.
I am now excited to take on my new role of Sales Manager Europe at Universal Fibers and back in the carpet industry. I am proud to be part of Universal Fibers, their commitment to Europe is clear, fully integrated production in Poland, making our offer truly Global.
Universal Fibers allows me to help the company grow in Europe. This I like to grab with both hands, because I know the market, as well as some of my potential customers, already for more than 25 years.”
“Our service & delivery commitment for our Europe customers.
Universal Fibers have been supplying carpet fibre for over 50 years, and were the first to bring solution dyed nylon for use in carpet fibre to the market, and being global.”
“Professional, customer supportive & reliable ”
“I enjoy spending time with friends and family and cooking. ”
To contact Narcis directly, please feel free to do so by emailing her at Narcis.Alleyn@universalfibers.com
Be sure to join us on January 21st as we delve into Sustainability and how Universal Fibers can help you reach your environmental initiatives. We will be sitting down with LEED Fellow, WELL AP ® Project Leader, and Sustainability guru, Sue Clark for an around the table Q & A. We will be discussing topics like green certifications, navigating the 2030 agenda and the green built environment.
Are you ready to An·i·māte with us?
For assistance, or to learn more about our Heather Helix® and Helix® product finishes, or to explore how we can help you create something beautiful, feel free to connect with our team via the contact page.
2021 Colour Trend Forecast
2021 Colour Trend Focus
Unlike the fashion industry, where prescribed, on-trend colours are eagerly anticipated at the start of each season, colour trends for interiors are not always as easy to predict. We often look to pioneers in style and design innovation for inspiration such as Bauhaus during the 1920s & '30s. Postmodernism design emerged in the early 1970s, celebrating the unconventional use of salvaged and distressed objects. In the 1980s, distressed paint effects and shabby chic interior design style ruled with the help of vivid theatrical, even flashy colours were heavy trends. ~Think Miami Vice mirrored sunglasses and vivid pastels, and Tom Dixon's iconic copper shade are prime examples.
In 2020, our perception and understanding of the impacts that natural environments have on us as individuals, translated into a requirement for interior colours to reflect nature. "Hue cues" from Mother Nature help us build colour themes and design that create serene and calming surroundings. The use of rich accent colours evoke images like rocky landscapes, tropical blooms, and ocean waves, providing feelings of warmth and optimism.
As the year draws to a close, we have joined forces with colour trend expert Laura Trowsdale to provide insight into what she believes, will influence and inspire 2021 colour trends. Here's what she had to say:
“The 21/22 season continues to find inspiration in the natural world. Despite current conversations on climate change being overshadowed by the socio-economic issues surrounding the global pandemic, sustainability and eco-responsibility remain of utmost importance. The pandemic has and will act as a catalyst for… values to shift, and we as consumers will seek comfort, security, positivity and reassurance,” said Trowsdale.
“The natural shades within the palette with their connotations to earth offer much-needed stability whilst little injections of brighter hues offer optimism and hope.” Laura further explained how “Nuances of tone and texture also add an element of the unexpected in a modern utilitarian, yet natural aesthetic.”
FEATURED ARTICLE
Laura is a textile designer and trend researcher trained in woven design, with a First Class BSc degree from the University of Huddersfield, UK. Laura has a diverse range of experiences with working for high street retailer Marks & Spencer, she has developed projects used in trend forecasting for varying industries, and most recently collaborating with design development teams at a silk weaving mill, in the UK.
If you enjoyed this forecast as much as we do, we invite you to follow Laura on her Instagram by clicking here or following her @lauratrowsdalecreative. To collaborate with Laura, connect and contact her through LinkedIn by clicking here.
Where do you find your
inspiration?
Or, what are some of your favourite influencers?
“As a designer and researcher I am constantly keeping an eye out for inspiration, increasingly over the last few years Instagram has been a great source of inspiration for me especially to seek out new and upcoming designers from across the globe. I have recently set up a creative Instagram account @lauratrowsdalecreative allowing me to keep anything I see in one place. I am also heavily inspired by visiting exhibitions and is something that I have really missed during lockdown. Examples include the annual London Design Festival, last year Kirkby Design transformed the interior of a former London Underground 1967 Victoria line carriage. Other stand out favourites include Breathing Colour by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius and the retrospective of Anni Albers at the Tate Modern.”
- Laura Trowsdale
Tell us about some of your design collaborations?
What previous projects are you most proud of & what does it reflect in you as a textile designer / colour researcher?
My favourite design collaboration was with the Society of Dyers and Colourists who partnered with Archroma. The theme of the project was ‘Colour Communication’ and was inspired by the growing importance of mental and physical well-being. The collection combined traditional leno weaving techniques and digital dye sublimation print.
All over gradations created a mesmerising impact, playing on optical perceptions and intrigue, allowing the viewer to question how the cloth had been created.
With strong links to digital detox and increased emphasis placed on experiences, the designs took inspiration from ‘ChromaYoga’ and an exhibition entitled ‘Harmonics in Space’ by Fred Butler at London’s NOW Gallery. The exhibition explored chromotherapy and light as an antidote to SAD – seasonal defective disorder – and to urban living. “We need a balance of all the colour vibrations in sunlight to nourish us energetically. As with shape Butler believes that colour has a profound affect on our moods, emotions and daily life”.
I completed this project in 2018 and at the time I envisioned the fabrics could be used within technical sportswear or offer new possibilities for zoning screens within the home or workplace - something which is very relevant in today’s times. I think it’s incredibly important as a designer to be aware of current issues even if the work created may not seem ‘relevant’ to the viewer at first instance.”
- Laura Trowsdale
*images by Laura Trowsdale references labelled on photos above
Last question…
Best practices or any final words to share with our audience?
“I think one of the best practices I have learnt is to keep a reference of the designers name or company that they represent if using their work in any of your own work. It’s important for creatives to get the recognition they deserve. Another one which perhaps isn’t a process but within the creative industry, I think collaboration is very important, even more so in these current times.”
- Laura Trowsdale
Are you ready to An·i·māte ?
Explore more with our
Universal Color® system.
Here you will be able to explore our colours and creating a palette of your own with our wide array of beautiful colors.
For design assistance or to set-up a consultation, please contact our Team of experts through our “Contact” page.
Be sure to join us again after the holiday on January 7th, 2021 for our next featurette. We will be showcasing two of our favourite product finishes - exclusive only to Universal Fibers.
We will also introduce you to our newest Team member, Narcis Alleyn.
Thrive
Thrive beyond with Universal Fibers
As a fibre producer, it may sound cliché to say that sustainability is woven, knitted and tufted throughout the fabric of who “We Are“– but it is nonetheless true.
Environmental Stewards + Resource Smart
As we strive to achieve our eco-objectives, our methods and goals may change. Therefore sustainability is framed as a journey for us.
This journey is not just about manufacturers (like us), or the governments and regulations we abide by, not about the public and private sectors... but rather our planet, people and essentially about life.
This trek, like many landscapes, has evolved throughout the years, and through our sustainable products and processes, we continue searching out opportunities to make positive impacts.
Thrive Beyond
Thrive® began as a premium Nylon 6,6 fibre, won a 2016 Best of NeoCon award, and is dubbed “The most sustainable Nylon 6,6 fibre in the world.” As industry needs evolve, we press on. We are proud to say that the most sustainable nylon fibre (Thrive) has now grown to encompass a family of eco-friendly products. Thrive is now offered in an array of different chemistries, for a variety of industry segments.
What makes Thrive® special…
At Universal Fibers®, we understand that running an environmentally sustainable business isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. That’s why we seek opportunities to better what we find and use less to produce more. We believe this is best achieved through partnered collaborative relationships, and we invite you to EnLIST™ with us on our sustainability journey.
To learn more about our Thrive® family of products, contact us here.
Stay tuned to learn more about our mission to create positive impacts throughout the An·i·māte series. We have upcoming sustainability focus features on “How Universal Fibers® can help you meet your Eco-Initiatives and green rating systems”, as well as a segment focusing on carbon impacts and our response.
FEATURED INTERVIEW
Since 2011, Ranae Anderson has led sustainability initiatives within Universal Fibers. Developing and facilitating holistic environmental initiatives to educate and lessen negative impacts, Ranae has influenced projects on local, national and international levels by collaborating with a variety of suppliers, customers and end-users researching sustainable paths for specifying in many different sectors. Dedicated to this journey + beyond within our organization, Ranae knows that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Be sure to join us on December 10th for our next featurette as we focus on colours we expect the new year to bring as we dive into 2021. Textile designer and Colour Trend Researcher, Laura Trowsdale curated a beautiful palette exclusively for our viewers.
Are you ready to An·i·māte with us?
For assistance, to learn more about Thrive®, or to explore how our eco-friendly products can help you achieve ‘green’ certifications, feel free to connect with our team here.
High Bulk | Low Weight
Animate with our amazing innovations
Building an authentic culture of innovation takes time and involves a conscious effort to change behaviors, processes, and ways of thinking to bring new ideas to the table.
For more than 50 years, our experts at Universal Fibers® have been developing a variety of innovations for solution-dyed fibre. Some would say we were born to do this. One of our recent innovations brings a new twist to the old concept that ‘less is more’
The result of years in research and development, by blending our deep technical expertise and our proprietary technology, we now offer an exclusive finishing capability "High Bulk | Low Weight."
True to its name, High Bulk Low Weight delivers a highly bulked fibre, with voluminous coverage when tufting at lower weights; while simultaneously offering opulent aesthetics different than anything in the market. Utilizing our proprietary bulking technology with our exclusive 667 dtex building block, you can now achieve full coverage while using approximately 20% less fiber, a standard unmatched in the industry.
"Why is this an advantage" one might ask? A main bonus is a reduced cost, since lower fibre weights mean less carpet fibre needed per square meter. There are also multiple sustainable advantages; less fiber requires less energy in production, minimizing the use of non-sustainable resources; the result is lower CO2 emissions. Other environmental benefits are achieved with lower shipping weights and associated shipping costs to your carpet customers.
Weight reduction also provides conveniences with ease of care and maintenance. Less carpet fibre to maintain means less effort during the soil removal process and less drying time associated with common hot water cleaning methods; the result is less down time and disruption while cleaning.
Defying Gravity
Two examples of our exclusive fiber finish techniques that utilize this patented high-bulking technology are Intrinsic™ and Harmonize™. Both exclusive finishes offer superior coverage while maintaining low weights and a lower carbon footprint using this technology.
A perfect marriage of colour
Harmonize™ can, in simple terms, be defined as a selection of varying colours that work together in harmony and result in a heathered mélange effect yarn. This finish allows for several lightweight ends to be combined through our specialized blending techniques to create a unique aesthetic.
Delicate distinctness
Intrinsic™ fiber finish offers a blend of our fine denier solid colours to accentuate the contrast level, bringing each colour component to the fore. The result is a tailored and sophisticated, multi-tonal yarn with highlighted colour accents.
Both Harmonize™ and Intrinsic™ are available now in Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6. These finishes support low weight carpet objectives while providing end-users with sustainability benefits, lower costs, and ease of care and maintenance.
At Universal Fibers, we believe less is more.
Feature Interview
This week we are proud to spotlight our very own Larry Kestner. A true leader, team player, and innovator, Larry joined the Universal Fibers team more than 45 years ago. Throughout this journey, Larry is credited as one of the folks who have helped us maintain the title "Pioneers in the industry." Larry's leadership and insight, mixed with his ability to think outside the box to produce unique, custom solutions through collaboration with our customers, make Larry a pivotal asset to the Universal Fibers Team. We are thrilled to sit down with him to ask him some questions.
“I started in Oct. 1975, about 6 yrs after our founding. We were still considered a startup operation with only about 35-40 people. At that time, this operation was kind of a pilot program - a “vision” from our founder, Buzz Dawburn. In Bristol, Virginia, in the ‘70s, there were not many “gainful” places to work, but my father worked in the maintenance department here, and I began working in the Spinning Department, running our two extrusion lines. I loved that it was something different than the previous places I had worked. The atmosphere was that of a family, and everyone here had a sense of ownership in what we were making/doing. We all wanted to be a part of making this company succeed.”
“Over the years, I’ve worked in virtually every department, from extrusion and winding maintenance to managing color compounding. I ran our textile production in plant 2, then automotive production. I’ve worked in our finishing and texturing operations and supported quality, sales, and marketing through the years. I also directed process engineering and now have a chance to put all that experience to work in product development.
Each of my many experiences have allowed me the opportunity to learn and understand the process completely. Knowing the capabilities of each step helps you understand what is possible, and this has been invaluable to me in leading our development efforts.”
“Honestly, there are so many unique, groundbreaking products we’ve introduced. Heather Helix® is one of my new favorites. Taking two different yarns, varying in lengths and textures, and marrying them within one cone, was a very challenging process. Wool-Look™ is another one, this was something completely different – trying to duplicate the aesthetics of something so natural and organic, but we’ve done it. I am incredibly proud of both achievements. In a short time since development, the design teams who have seen these products have shown great interest – which is extremely rewarding.”
“Development decisions are driven by one of three ways, in my opinion:
1. Customer-specific – creating a new, distinct fiber that the customer has requested (not anything standard), and we develop what is needed.
2. Customer collaborations where they partner with us to achieve something new; either party may have no idea what that may be. Something unique for a particular application, and they advise the aesthetics or finish look they desire, and leave the “fiber know-how” to our experts. We create a solution for them (it may be a combination of 2-3 different finishes or styling attributes that help achieve what they are looking for.) It is a unique solution that can address what they desire.
3. The last is ‘thinking outside the box’; or knowing what has and hasn’t been done before. It may be a marriage of different styles or processes – you never know what this product may end up as. In my opinion, this one is the most gratifying. That is part of that “sense of ownership” instilled within me – from being here so early on.”
“In addition to working on developments for the commercial carpet market, I really enjoy working on development projects that take the novelties of carpet and apply those to other market segments we participate in. We have developed products for apparel and military applications as well as different transportation segments such as rail and tractor-trailer. This process takes a ton of qualifying and testing over time and is something that I’m proud of. Taking a carpet fiber and completely changing the way it is used. You see, each time you work on a new project, you learn something new – you understand what can and can’t be done, and you take that knowledge with you onto your next project.”
“One of the things you need to remember is the cost. You know, we can pretty much figure out how to make anything. But, something I always ask is, “Is the view worth the climb?” In other words, can we sell it? Is it reasonable or commercially viable? You know – if I can make this, and the concept is there, what’s it going to cost us to make it? That typically determines the path forward.
The other thing you need to realize is (something that should be obvious) - not everything will work. By its nature, the development process requires many iterations; it’s natural to have failures on your way to success. The key is learning from those failures and using those as a step toward success. I’m confident in saying that I believe we can make almost anything if we take the time to figure it out and work the process for a solution. But again, is it viable? This question sometimes puts you back to the drawing board.”
“One example I can think of is how back in the ‘70s, and early ‘80s, “standard” denier ranges were averaging 3800-6000 dtex. ‘Cushion was King’ back in that era.
You would see heavy carpet being used in healthcare applications and schools, etc. A lot has changed since then. The heavyweight carpets were taken out of those public spaces because of things like dust issues and soiling/staining problems, drastically changing over the years into a lower weight, tighter tufted variation of products. A “denser” carpet is typically easier to clean, and it lasts longer. Our current average product weight range is 1200-1800 dtex, which would have been unheard of back then – especially considering that we are using a 600 dtex building block for our products. You can now achieve this low weight with a blend of 2-3 different color ends if desired. We offer a ton of variation as far as color capabilities. We can vary a broad array of colors and finishes together in a lightweight fiber –making unique and innovative combinations that were unheard of in the past.”
“It’s hard to point out one specific thing.
I’ve had my name on several patents over the years, but there’s nothing like the feeling when you’re showing one of the design teams you’re collaborating with a new product, and them saying “Wow!” I believe that I’m fortunate to be able to use my creative mind and make something new. Dreaming up a unique product and asking yourself, “how do I get there”… in a way, I get to leave my mark by making something unique. There’s a great sense of achievement in that.
I also feel fortunate to be a part of this team we have here at Universal Fibers. We have something truly special, almost like a family. There is a level of trust and respect that I have for my colleagues here. Imparting what I’ve learned over the years to someone new also gives me that sense of fulfillment – “passing the torch.” I know I can’t do this alone, and I wouldn’t have the experiences that I have without the partnerships and relationships I’ve had with this team over the years. Developing these friendships over the years and has been truly rewarding.”
Be sure to join us on November 30th for our next featurette. We will be sitting down with our Global Sustainability Leader for a Q & A, discussing our family of sustainable products, and how Thrive® can help you meet your eco-initiatives.
Are you ready to An·i·māte with us?
For assistance, or to learn more about Harmonize™ and Intrinsic™, or to explore how our high-bulk/low weight fibres can help you create, feel free to connect with our team via the contact page.
Colour Trends:
Jump into Winter Trends with Universal Fibers
Jump into winter
As we celebrate National Colour Day (October 22nd), we want to highlight one of our favourite specialities: beautiful colour.
This feature focuses on several trends that our design experts are predicting will rock the runways and be noticed as the latest colour-craze throughout this winter season.
We are also delighted to have with us printed textile designer Lisa Jukes answering a few questions about her design process, inspiration, and tips. But first, let's jump into COLOUR!
FEATURED ARTICLE
“I am the Director of Lisa Jukes LTD and, along with Emily Sedgwick, run Code Studio, a print and sweater design studio based in London. I have over 20 years of experience producing textile prints for an international client base working across women’s, men’s, kids apparel, and home-wear markets. During my career, I have; produced prints for European and American design Houses, had my work displayed in the windows of Liberty’s Regent Street store, had my prints used in an advertising campaign for Calvin Klein, had my designs being worn on the cover of Vogue and established hugely successful long-running relationships with numerous fashion and interior brands in both Europe and the US.”
“From a very early age, I’ve had an interest in fashion and clothing. At the age of 10, I would bring books on historical dress home from the school library and copy the drawings. My parents were members of the National Trust, and Sundays usually entailed visits to stately homes. I may not have always enjoyed it at the time, but all those tapestries, brocades, and needlepoint cushions obviously had an impact. As I grew older, like most teenagers, I became interested in contemporary fashion and would spend hours pouring over the pages of Elle and Vogue. Growing up in a small town, the photoshoots in those magazines were exotic and full of wonder to me. My love of fashion continued, and after completing a BTEC National Diploma in general Art and Design, I decided to specialize in textiles. I went on to study at West Surrey College of Art and design and gained a First-Class Hons degree in printed textiles. After graduating, I moved to London, where I spent two years working for Austin Reed—initially working on the shop floor of their Canary Wharf store before advancing to assistant buyer for men’s formal wear. This gave me a solid understanding of the mechanics of retail but lacked the creative element that I desired.
I knew that I wanted to be directly involved in the design process and that my interest lay with the fabrics and textiles themselves. I returned to education and graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1998 with an MA in Printed Textiles. Upon graduating, I was one of 30 individuals selected to exhibit at Premier Vision, Paris as part of Textprint (since renamed TexSelect), a charity regarded as a leading supporter of emerging UK textile talent. This proved an amazing launchpad and placed my work on an international stage for the first time. Through this experience, I was able to build relationships with clients, many of which are still maintained to this day. On returning from Paris, Code Studio was established with two of my peers from the RCA. At the time, we were unique in offering designs across three disciplines: print, knit, and embroidery. Sharing a strong design aesthetic, we offered clients a “one stop shop” for fresh, modern textile designs. Clients could purchase from the collection or commission specific projects or catwalk designs. As the studio grew, we began to exhibit at international trade fairs and offer private appointments in London, Paris, and the US. Today the studio offers printed and knitted designs and has evolved to include an extensive range of globally sourced vintage pieces and garments.”
“Although I’m constantly designing and adding to the print collection, there is a point when you feel a sea change. Sometimes it’s only a subtle shift; at other times, it’s more obvious. After so long in the business, it’s often down to intuition. Certain colours, fabrics, and imagery suddenly feel “right” and “new.” I believe it’s important to be open to many different sources for inspiration and allow things to filter in overtime.
Living in London, I’m fortunate to have access to some of the best museums and galleries in the world, the Victoria and Albert being one of my favourites. One of the most incredible exhibitions I’ve ever seen was “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” at the V and A in 2015. I also travel to the states frequently and make the most of galleries, exhibitions, and stores whilst there. Travelling allows one to “reset” how we see things, be that how we notice the difference in light or a passerby’s way of dressing.
As a print designer, nature is, of course, a constant source of inspiration. I am a frequent visitor of Kew gardens and having grown up in the Somerset countryside, and I love nothing better than a country walk photographing the natural world. My favourite time is early evening in late summer, the sun starts to drop, and colours take on a golden tinge and seem to hum; it reminds me of the summers of my youth and has a very romantic quality. I am an avid collector of books. Be it books on fashion, art, rugs, ceramics, photography, graphic design, architecture, etc. A book forces you to slow down, to absorb information over time. It’s being able to return to something, to make multiple visits that is so different from scrolling through social media. It forces more of an engagement for me.
One of my biggest drivers and sources of inspiration is colour. Colour is so emotional and is often a starting point. Although every design is different, having worked in this field for over 20 years, there are, of course, recurring themes. I find colour, and especially the combination of different colours, an immediate way to modernise seemingly classic or traditional designs. I also love visiting vintage fairs and have a huge collection of vintage textiles. Some of which are for sale, and others which form part of my private collection. They range in date from 1800-1980 and include pieces from all over the world.”
“I adore the seventies, so the recent revival of 70’s florals in fashion has been great to see. (A few years ago, I was able to source some amazing 1970’s vintage wallpapers, and they are a joy to look at). I also loved the revival of Tie Dye in Dries Van Noten’s Winter 2019 men’s and Dior’s Summer 2020 womenswear collections, a trend that is continuing into Autumn/Winter 2020.
In terms of fashion, early Vivienne Westwood and Catherine Hamnet looks fresh. Bodymap from the 1980s also looks relevant again and ties in with the current trend for athleisure whilst injecting individuality with their bold shapes and prints. Many of those British designers from the ‘80s had a rawness and directness that feels exciting again. I’d like to see more focus on creativity and less focus on consumption, something that Westwood and Hamnet both continue to strive for with their brands.”
“When I design, it’s important that I’m not just reiterating current trends. I’m a reactive designer. When I start working on a design, I very rarely have a finished vision in my head; instead, I like to develop the print as I go, making decisions as it forms in front of me. In this way, it maintains my interest; I like developing something that isn’t fixed from the outset. That’s not to say, however, that I’m not aware of what I’m making. I’m fully aware that I’m designing a product for an end-use, be that fashion or interiors. I understand the difference, for example, between a successful swimwear print and a successful women’s or men’s print. This awareness informs my decisions whilst the process leaves room for creative freedom. I was recently listening to a talk between Tim Walker and Molly Goddard (link listed below) - Molly Goddard spoke about “Zoning out” during the creative process. It struck a chord with me. It’s not about disengaging from the creative. Instead, it’s about disengaging from everything else around you. Switching off from the numerous distractions of everyday life and allowing the mind to wander, to daydream.”
“At Code, we present our designs in a different format to most textile studios. Rather than showing individual designs on header cards, we curate groups of designs into “mini-collections” shown in folders. It’s about storytelling. Generating relationships between different designs. One folder may include a floral next to a stripe, which in turn sits next to a vintage design. It’s this interplay, this arrangement that encourages new possibilities. I spend a huge amount of time compiling the designs into collections. It’s a very labour intensive process, but it’s one that I’m very proud of and that our clients love and frequently comment on. It reflects my level of colour sensitivity, my awareness of texture, scale, and end-use, my ability to merchandise seemingly unrelated prints, and present them in a modern, coherent, and relevant way. It’s a much truer reflection of what’s actually interesting in fashion today. That fusion of different ideas and styles, that’s the true expression of personal identity.”
“He opened my eyes to the world of fashion…..and in his eyes it was one with no boundaries.”
“Greens and natural tones will play a big role. From deep forest green to olive, greens reconnect us to nature and give a sense of calm in these uncertain times. Brown, ochre, and camel provide good neutrals and are less harsh than black as we seek out comfort and reassurance. Brights will come in the form of reds from the warmer end of the red spectrum; these shades give joy, vibrancy, and empowerment and connect us with our life force.
Coloured denims will gain in popularity. These will be over-dyed, giving coloured hues rather than flat, even colours. Greens, reds, and purples will prevail here.”
Are you ready to An·i·māte something beautiful with us?
Explore more with our Universal Color® system.
Here you will be able to explore our colours and creating a palette of your own with our wide array of beautiful colors.
For design assistance or to set-up a consultation, please contact Anna Plumb through our “Contact” page.
Be sure to join us on November 12th for our next featurette. We will be showcasing some of our exclusive innovations, and how our superior bulking and blending technologies can help you achieve your design objectives. We will also be talking with Larry Kestner, Director of New Product Development about some industry changes in innovation over the years. So you won’t want to miss it!
Wool-Look™
Animate with Wool-Look by Universal Fibers
If you’ve picked up any interiors or décor magazines over the past few months you have likely seen mention the trend for natural products throughout any given feature… Said to add a “big dose of style” to any space.
Striking The Perfect Balance -
The Possibilities Are Endless
As “resimercial” spaces become a more prominent trend, searching for products that balance health, wellbeing and comfort in the corporate office environment, whilst maintaining premium commercial quality may sometimes be challenging. Look no further. The beautiful aesthetics of Wool-Look “check all the boxes” with the colour fastness and durability you would expect from a high-performance nylon fibre. Add in recycled content and sustainable manufacturing processes that deliver the lowest carbon footprint in the industry, lasting wear, and superior colour clarity - and you have Wool-Look™ by Universal Fibers®.
Hospitality environments are synonymous with highly styled, sophisticated carpets that emulate luxury and comfort. Wool-Look can add warmth to any space. Utilizing its interesting texture and soft look, without sacrificing the durability needed to accompany high traffic areas, the ultimate alternative is here.
Wool Look at home provides endless possibilities for creating on trend, characteristically natural looking, soft to the touch, textured loop & cut pile domestic carpets with the added benefit or being available with permanent stain resist.
Wool-Look™ is a finishing technique that offers the aesthetics of a natural wool fibre. The result of a unique patented process and a state-of-the-art research and development team with over 50 years of experience in pioneering new fibre innovations.
Offered in Type 6 and 66 nylon, this incredible innovation is available with access to Universal Color®, and Prestiva®. Not only was Wool-Look™ developed in a wide array of weights ranging from 2,000 up to 6,000 dtex and varying filaments, it works beautifully with all carpet technologies, woven and tufted. Wool-Look™ can be applied to all of Universal Fibers’ premium products, including Thrive®.
Rewriting the Rules…
With Wool-Look™, carpet manufacturers, interior designers, architects, and end users across Europe can reap a variety of advantages. These include stain resistance, colorfastness’, fibre retention, colour consistency, and UV fade resistance. Wool-Look™ provides the ability for you to achieve stunning designs that may have been unattainable in the past.
FEATURED INTERVIEW
As Universal Fibers® VP of Sales and Marketing for Europe, and with 20 years of experience in the textile flooring industry, Anna Plumb shares her personal story about how she joined Universal Fibers and her perspectives on the market.
“At University, I studied Textile Design, focusing on colour, design, and producing fabrics for use in woven textiles. After graduating, I joined an Interior Design company working with clients on the selection of interior finishes. One of the projects I worked on was sourcing contemporary soft flooring finishes for a large commercial project. The business element of this process really interested me, and I wanted to learn more. I felt my personality lent itself to selling, so I took a career leap into sales, and have never looked back. Since then, I have worked for carpet manufacturers, selling finished products into residential, commercial office, public, and hospitality sectors. Moving from regional sales roles to key account management, and ultimately managing sales teams across Europe, then I was approached about joining Universal Fibers, and here I am. Working for Universal Fibers has been a precious and rewarding transition for me; it has enabled me to get back to my textile routes if you like. Allowing me to use my extensive market knowledge and my textile background, generate and grow our business in Europe, develop relationships, and work with manufacturers to develop new products.”
“With already established manufacturing in North America & China, Universal Fibers have been supplying products into Europe for many years. Still, the introduction of our manufacturing facility in Europe, which started production in 2019, makes us truly international, and the partner of choice for manufacturers worldwide. Being global provides our customers with the flexibility they need to achieve growth. Working in partnership globally can open up new market opportunities for both parties. Universal Fibers are able to adapt and streamline our business to supply aligned global products, without any compromise to quality, which can also be exported from any location.”
“I think that customer success is a more proactive process, and about how we, as a business, can facilitate and realize customers longer-term goals. Customer service is how we react by way of supporting our customers business. Ultimately they go hand in hand, as excellent customer service is key to achieving customer success.”
“Proactive, Committed and Trustworthy”
“Visiting art galleries here in London and also when I am abroad. When I was in Denmark, I went to ARoS in Aarhus, it was so good, really interactive and exciting, and when Olafur Eliasson was on at the Tate, I went three times. I have always enjoyed singing in a choir and swimming and missed both these things during recent lockdowns, but my gardening skills and love for it grew in equal measure!”
“Well, Universal Fibers need to keep up to date with trends in the market, so we can work with our customers on focused product developments. One good example of this is the requirement for low weight high-performance carpet; our low denier building blocks allow us to make unique yarns that can be tufted at low weights and still maintain excellent coverage for use in commercial heavy traffic areas. Another interesting trend, which could gain further momentum in the market due to the global pandemic we are experiencing is health & well-being in the workplace environment. The need for residential, commercial cross over products, promoting comfort and a more homely feel in the office are essential.”
“At Universal Fibers, we value our customers and engage in relationship led partnerships. I look forward to working together with each of you in the future.”
Be sure to join us on October 22nd as we celebrate National Colour Day. We will be sitting down with the amazing Lisa Jukes, founder of Lisa Jukes LTD and co-founder of CODE Design Studio for a Q & A on textile fashion design, trends, and inspiration. We will also be taking a look at everything COLOUR as we unveil our winter trend forecast.
