Fabric introductions nod to emerging trends, execs address tariffs

HIGH POINT – When Interwoven 2025 kicks off this month, fabric and leather suppliers plan to introduce innovative textiles that will attract consumers and designers while company executives address the potential impact of tariffs.

Whether produced in the U.S. or abroad, textile introductions reflect consumer lifestyle preferences, from calming and cozy to colorful and crafted.

Many showrooms are providing options for a variety of looks and price points, giving upholstery and textile décor buyers a healthy assortment of designs to consider.

STI

STI is focused on Classic Craftsman, Charmed and Graphic Modern for its spring introductions.

For Classic Craftsman, the inspiration comes from traditional handwoven designs. “Key elements include overshot motifs, whimsical novelty prints, windowpane plaids, herringbones patterns and richly textured boucle and chenille fabrics,” said Anderson Gibbons, chief marketing officer of STI.

Charmed is a modern, relaxed take on timeless classics, he added. “It brings together florals, plaids and small-scale patterns in soft, subtle color palettes.”

Graphic Modern focused on bold, graphic motifs and clean textures with “soft chenilles in striking stripes and modern patterns, drawing inspiration from modern art and Italian design,” said Gibbons.

STI is doubling down on the story it has always told — value and performance textiles made in the U.S. — when discussing tariffs with customers.  The company is also investing in increasing domestic production capacity.

“Our focus this season is reinforcing our commitment to affordable, high-quality fabrics that offer exceptional performance- all domestically made,” said Sean Gibbons, CEO. “We are working to bring our third shift back online and expanding our finishing capabilities. We are doubling down on the production of domestically made textiles priced at $5 per yard and below.”

Covington

Layered textures, dimension, earthy and warm color palettes, neutral maximalism and sustainable and eco-friendly textiles are Covington’s focuses this spring.

“In 2025, there is a strong trend toward biophilic design, emphasizing natural materials and earthy color palettes,” said Charli Voehl, senior vice president of design, and Kristin Olson, vice president of sales for the company. “The push for sustainability continues to dominate with fabrics, emphasizing natural cotton, hemp, linen and recycle textiles.”

Additionally, the company is offering plush and luxurious fabrics such as velvet, high-piled chenille and boucle textured solids that will bring a lush and tactile richness to interiors. This trend emphasizes comfort and luxury that creates inviting, layered spaces, said Vohel and Olson.

Covington imports a large percentage of its fabric programs and began diversifying its product mix in 2014, which officials said has improved cost competitiveness from suppliers in other parts of the world.

“Due to the increasing tariffs, a significant amount of the tariff costs with need to be passed onto consumers which will result in higher pricing and lower demand. Additionally, the lead times in our industry are being impacted,” said Voehl and Olson. “Prior to 2014, 70% of our imported goods came from China; today, that figured has dropped to 30%. This transition is helping us address some of the newest tariff increases.”

Sunbrella

Sunbrella’s introductions center around the idea of self-expression and feature four distinct fabric groupings — Wonder, Sunkissed, Earthen and Glow — each rooted in natural inspiration and curated to bring dimensionality and warmth to interior spaces.

“We’ve leaned heavily into texture, offering elevated takes on classic linen and basket weaves, as well as soft stripes and botanical motifs that invite visual interest,” said Suzie Roberts, vice president and general manager of furnishings. “Additionally, our two new collaborations, Block Shop x Sunbrella and Max Humphrey x Sunbrella, further reinforce our focus on blending artistry with durability by introducing performance textiles that marry distinctive perspectives with trusted performance of Sunbrella.”

The company is working with its partners to determine how it can support potential shifts in its supply chains while keeping a close eye on how the market may change with all the new tariffs. Sunbrella/Glen Raven has a global footprint, including five manufacturing facilities in the United States.

“We’ve made investments to expand and upgrade our production capabilities, and we are well-positioned to increase production in the U.S. to effectively support our partners,” said Roberts.

Regal Fabrics

Regal Fabrics is introducing five collections this spring. The patterns are sourced from across its network of global partnerships.

Global Whimsy is focused on maximal pattern drenching using witty global designs in uniquely joyful colorations, while Forestry offers a mature update to the cottage-core trend that blends old world traditional looks with modern sensibilities and a few delightful forest finds, officials said.

Surreal Garden is where “imagination meets artistry in this group that combines dreamlike floral scenes, groovy shapes and luscious texture in mod colorations,” and Artful Lodge focuses on nature and skilled craftmanship, with layered, warm ‘70s inspired colors with translucent ombres, organic and structured shapes, and authentic designs.

Luximal showcases Art Deco-inspired patterns and sumptuous textures in rich metallic and jewel-toned colors combined with a decidedly formal flair, said Andy Kahan, director of marketing for Regal Fabrics.

For nearly 40 years, Regal Fabrics has focused on providing competitively priced fabrics to the market and the changing tariff policy only heightens the importance of having deep knowledge, capabilities and networks of partners across the globe as Regal Fabrics does.

“We are traveling more and doubling down on relationships, both in our supply chain and with our customers,” Kahan said. “In such confusing times, it is important for Regal to remain a trusted resource to help our customers sort through the implications of changing policies.”

Valdese Weavers

“Pattern, color and texture are the focus of Valdese Weavers’ introductions this season,” said Jill Harrill, director of marketing and brand communications. “Our latest lifestyle fabric collection, Wonderland, addresses the pattern trend.

“Rooted in Grand Maximalism, Wonderland celebrates patterns of all scales and color, along with slow, intentional collecting and layering of these patterns with repurposed treasures to create spaces full of personality. Designed for the Cultivated Collector, this collection embraces ‘Newstalgia,’ combining heirloom and contemporary elements.”

The company continues to monitor the tariff situation closely and is doing everything it can to minimize the impact of increases for its customers.

“We are expanding our product sourcing beyond China, so our availability of global products remains strong. Fortunately, a majority of our products are designed and produced in North Carolina where we can leverage our vertical manufacturing and first class customer service,” Harrill added.

Europatex

Europatex’s focus on its new collections is to create high performance and durability, while maintaining beauty and elegance.

“We are excited to introduce a new division within our company dedicated to wall coverings, highlight by the debut of our grasscloth line,” said Fernando Sanchez.

The top three trends the company will focus on are textured fabrics, natural patterns and cohesive color themes.

“Textured fabrics are becoming a key focal point, adding depth and warmth to spaces while creating inviting environments. Nature has also emerged as a popular design element, and our fabrics capture the raw beauty of the outdoors, bringing it inside the home,” said Sanchez.

Nice Link Home Furnishings

Innovation and timeless appeal are the focus of Interwoven for Nice Link Home Furnishings.

“The collection celebrates the tactile beauty of fabric with an emphasis on luxurious yarn techniques including eyelash yarns, space-dyed chenilles, and looped and sculpted boucles,” said Alexis MacGregor, senior merchandiser.

Nice Link says the tariffs will have a great effect on current and future business; however it does have a strategy in place.

“Our strategy has been and will continue to be offering the best overall value, season after season and across our wide range of collections,” said Doug Henderson, vice president of residential upholstery fabrics. “We do this by leveraging the tremendous expertise and talents of our design and sales teams led by our CEO Echo Yu, who founded the company in 1999 as a cut-and-sew provider and built it to a global home furnishings design and vertical manufacturing powerhouse.”