New Opening: British Brand ILIV Opens New Showroom at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, London

UK premium interiors fabric brand ILIV has opened a new showroom in London at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, marking a significant step in its expansion within one of the country’s most influential design destinations.

Situated on the fifth floor, the showroom forms part of the recently launched Design Emporium Collective — a curated, multi-brand concept space bringing together a diverse selection of homeware and interiors brands.

The new space will serve as ILIV’s dedicated London hub for its residential collections, positioning the company at the heart of the capital’s design community. The showroom is also expected to strengthen relationships with interior designers and retail partners while supporting the brand’s growing network.

Visitors to the showroom can explore a carefully curated edit of ILIV’s pattern books, full-length fabric displays and a selection of take-away samples. The space showcases the brand’s latest collections, alongside a wide range of plain and textured fabrics, all presented within a design-led environment intended to inspire.

Designers and visitors are invited to explore the new showroom by taking the express lift to the fifth floor of the Design Centre East.

Jason Kenworthy, CEO of ILIV, described the opening as a key milestone for the business. 

“Opening a showroom at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is an exciting milestone for ILIV. The Design Emporium Collective provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase our collections in a creative environment while strengthening our relationships with the interior design community,” he said.

ILIV specialises in textiles for both residential and commercial spaces, supported by a global team committed to innovation and quality. The brand focuses closely on detail to help interior design professionals create and transform spaces.

ILIV is part of the SMD Group, founded in 1987 in Lancashire, a region renowned for its rich textile heritage. Since its beginnings as a family-owned business, the SMD Group has evolved into a leading force within the interior textiles market.

Known for its eclectic style, ILIV draws inspiration from archive documents through to contemporary geometric designs, reflecting a versatility that complements both modern and traditional interiors.

Interior Textiles Trend: ILIV Unveils 2026 Fabric Forecast, Highlighting Warm Hues and Narrative Textures

British fabric producer ILIV, part of the Lancashire-based SMD Group, has released its 2026 Fabric Forecast, pointing to a year shaped by warm tones, tactile finishes and rising demand for personalisation in home interiors.

Known for its eclectic and diverse design approach, ILIV combines trend-led styling with a distinctly British design perspective, supplying textiles across both residential and commercial sectors. The company positions itself as a pioneer in innovative fabric design, drawing on archival inspiration while adapting to contemporary tastes.

ILIV's Tree of Life story in Blush

Announcing the forecast, ILIV’s Design Manager, Debbie Leigh, said there is a growing appetite for fabrics that feel “handcrafted and rooted in story”, characterised by rich weaves, gentle irregularities and heritage-inspired textures. 

“The 2026 trend toward interiors with a narrative means fabrics are more than just a background — they become part of the story,” she said.

Leigh noted that colour palettes are set to shift beyond traditional neutrals. “Bold, up-toned terracotta, red-orange and sun-kissed earth tones will appear in upholstery, curtains and cushions, picking up on the optimism and human-connection cues that designers highlight for 2026.”

ILIV's Pembury Collection.
Steeped in traditional designs and celebrating English heritage, the Pembury fabric collection comprises traditional Jacobean trailing florals, classic checks, vertical stripes and small scale motif prints.
The collection is woven into the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the home counties channelling the quaint villages of Pembury, Windsor and Evesham.

ILIV's Tree of Life Collection in Blush colourway.
Sofa in Perseus Tapestry. 
Cushions left to right: Carwayn Vermillion from Studio Plains; Perseus Tapestry, Odila Cinnabar from House Prints colelction, Amoli Ruby; Blake parchment from Studio Plains

Personalisation will also come to the forefront, with fabrics increasingly used as a medium for individual expression. Printed motifs, tailored upholstery and bespoke accent pieces are expected to gain traction as homeowners seek designs that reflect their identity.

ILIV's Verini Fabric Collection.
Cushions - Middle: Murano Charcoal. Clockwise from top left: Napoli Sea Green, Segoa Sea Green, Segoa Ochre, Summit Seapine, Severino Charcoal.

“In a fast-moving world, texture can help to slow things down by adding gravitas and comfort,” Leigh added. “2026 interiors will feel more rooted, and fabric is central to that.”

Leigh also anticipates the rise of subtle colour gradations within interiors, with soft furnishings layered in tones from the same family. “Think cushion fabrics that pick up the ceiling tone, or curtains that echo wall pigment in a deeper key. Fabrics will quietly enhance a scheme’s depth,” she said.

ILIV's House Print Collection in Coral.
Footstool in Bandhani Coral;  Curtains in Suhani Coral; Blind in Odila Aqua.  Cushions from left to right - Bandhani Coral, Pamina Aqua, Patola Linen, Shani Coral.

Founded in 1987 in Lancashire — a region steeped in textile heritage — the SMD Group has grown from a family-run business into one of the UK’s leading interior fabric suppliers. ILIV, recognised for its eclectic style ranging from archival prints to contemporary geometrics, continues to bridge modern and traditional design influences.

All images courtesy of ILIV.

Textiles Trade Fair: Milano Unica Celebrates 40th Edition with Record Exhibitor Numbers and Industry Innovation

Milano Unica, Italy's premier trade show for high-end textiles and accessories, marks its 40th edition at Fiera Milano Rho, unveiling the Spring/Summer 2026 collections in halls 13-15 and 22-24.

Photo: Milano Unica

Running from February 4 to 6, 2025, this edition has set a record with 723 exhibitors—the highest in the event’s 20-year history, according to organisers. The exhibitor lineup includes 556 participants (+9.5% from January 2024) across the Ideabiella, Moda In, and Shirt Avenue showcases; 150 exhibitors in Special Areas and the Korea and Japan Observatories; and 17 publishing houses. All Italian textile districts are represented in the fair.

Photo: Milano Unica

The increase in exhibitors has led to a 12% expansion in exhibition space compared to the previous January edition.

These figures reaffirm Milano Unica’s role as a key global platform for high-end textile and accessory manufacturers, helping them navigate an industry shaped by both opportunities and challenges for Made in Italy products.

Photo: Milano Unica

According to Confindustria Research Center, sales of Made-in-Italy textiles declined in 2024, with domestic sales down 5.2% and exports dropping 8.5%, though some markets showed resilience. Exports to China, including Hong Kong, which account for over 10% of the total, grew by 4.8%, while Vietnam and Sri Lanka also saw increases, collectively making up 5% of exports. Despite a slight 1.3% dip in export volumes in the first nine months of 2024, total textile exports remained largely in line with 2023 levels, though at lower prices and margins—a sign of potential recovery in 2025.  

Simone Canclini, President of Milano Unica

Milano Unica President Simone Canclini says, "Reaching this milestone 40th edition with a record number of exhibitors should inspire us to further strengthen Milano Unica’s international leadership," says Canclini. "In a climate of economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the industry needs a robust and strategic platform to support the global expansion of Made-in-Italy and Made-in-Europe textiles and accessories."

He adds, "Thanks to the creativity, innovation, and commitment to sustainability of professionals across various textile districts, the industry remains a key driver of Italy’s economy, generating income, employment, and a positive trade balance. Milano Unica continues to evolve as a research incubator, bridging past, present, and future to foster creative growth. The exhibition dedicated to Anna Piaggi, an iconic fashion figure known for her visionary style and boundary-breaking aesthetics, exemplifies this direction."

The Milano Unica Tendenze area showcases materials for Spring/Summer 2026, emphasizing natural fabrics, lightweight textures, and innovative fibre blends. Accessories also highlight raw materials featuring metallic or recycled plastic and rubber details. Sustainability remains a focal point, with a range of new eco-conscious textile innovations on display.

DESTRO FABRICS

Among key presentations, DESTRO Fabrics debuts new fabrics developed in collaboration with ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei and TENCEL™ by Lenzing, emphasizing sustainability and circularity in applications from apparel to outerwear. 

MARZOTTO Group

The Marzotto Group, through its partnership with Authentico® by Schneider Group, showcases its brands’ creative interpretations infused with passion and values.

ILUNA Group

Iluna Group’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection highlights Plissé and Volants, including a lurex version with fresh floral prints certified by GOTS, emphasizing water conservation. The collection features metallic accents crafted from lurex and GRS-certified foils. Iluna draws inspiration from three designers: Ken Scott, the "gardener of fashion," known for his vibrant floral motifs; Iris Van Herpen, whose sensory design philosophy embraces movement and fluidity; and Guo Pei, who blends Chinese imperial elegance with European royal aesthetics.

Since 2018, Iluna Group has held GRS certification for its Green Label range, championing sustainability through a fully traceable production chain and measurable environmental progress using the Higgs Index.

Photo:  UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT)

A delegation of 23 British textile companies, including leading UK mills, manufacturers, cloth merchants, and textile design firms, is exhibiting in the ‘Ideabiella’ area (Hall 24 F09) at Milano Unica under the auspices of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT). International buyers can explore the UK's rich textile heritage and innovation, discovering everything from classic suiting fabrics to specialty textiles and premium natural fibers like wool and cashmere. Renowned as a global leader in luxury fabrics, the UK showcases responsibly sourced wool, high-fashion silks, and cutting-edge weatherproof materials, reflecting the latest trends and advancements in textile production.

Beyond a commercial event, Milano Unica continues to integrate special areas and cross-disciplinary projects that merge creativity, tradition, aesthetics, and technological innovation.

The 41st edition of Milano Unica is set for July 8-10, 2025.