NeoCon 2025 was a whirlwind of product launches, new showroom reveals and a seemingly ever-expanding reach. From the bustling floors at the stalwart Mart to the burgeoning scene at Fulton Market, Chicago’s Design Days offered endless inspiration and innovation that we’re still unpacking. While furniture debuts are always a favourite feature, we’re also excited to see what’s new from the world of textiles. Here are five Neocon 2025 textile launches that stopped us in our tracks. 

1

Racetrack by Designtex

More than a high-contrast stripe, Racetrack from Designtex sets a new standard for indoor/outdoor textiles by combing sumptuous velvet with natural raffia-like yarn. Detailed with a vibrant checkered motif – a direct nod to the iconic final lap flag – the crafted-in-Italy fabric makes an attention-grabbing statement. 

Available in six saturated colours – Arena, Speedway, Asphalt, Accelerate, Yield and Finish Line – Racetrack appeals to the maximalist with a sense of humour.  

2

Best in Show by HBF Textiles

New York textile designer Erin Ruby took a fun-loving approach to her Best in Show collection for HBF Textiles, creating a distinguished three-pattern series with a “pedigree of playfulness.” Bringing warmth and character to high-traffic commercial and hospitality settings, the three patterns are: 

Perrito, a domestically-woven glen plaid houndstooth in nine fresh and fashion-forward colours; the versatile Haberdash bouclé (made from 70 per cent post-consumer recycled polyester), inspired by classic suiting and offered in seven colours; and an expansion of Brushed Canvas, now available in 13 new colours (for a total of 26) to celebrate the grounding solid’s 10th anniversary. 

3

Idyllwild Collection by Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering

Inspired by specific locations in Southern California, the Idyllwild collection from Momentum introduces a refined spirit and expressive colour to workspace settings. Considered a love letter to the region by studio artist and senior textile designer Ellie Moser, the five textiles (Del Mar, Idyllwild, Julian, Ramona and Soledad) are intended to foster connection and creativity. 

Depicting the energy of the lively seaside town, Del Mar expresses dynamic movement through its mirror-image stripes and is offered in six colours; Idyllwild is a lovely hand-drawn, large-scale floral that references the natural beauty of the mountain village in five colours; a bold tweed, Julian balances softness and dimensions and is available in 10 colours; the rhythmic Ramona echoes the movement of the foothill town known for its vineyards and is available in seven colours; and finally, the velvety Soledad, which is named for the highest point of La Jolla and features mesmerizing linework in nine colours. 

4

Banner Stripe by Maharam

With his 30th textile for Maharam, designer Paul Smith reinterprets a favourite motif – the classic stripe – through a compelling use of colour, pattern and scale. Continuing an evolution of Smith’s tailored menswear, Banner Stripe was actually inspired by the raw elegance of colour options for a shirt concept from his 2024 Autumn/Winter collection before being reimagined as an upholstery fabric. 

The archetypal result is defined by repeating thick bands in distinct hues, with a subtle luster in the worsted wool referencing fashion tailoring. Presented by Maharam in six colours – each of which contains 22 individual tones – Banner Stripe is at once complex and simply charming.  

5

Hyphyn Biodegradable Performance Vinyl

An absolute standout for sustainability, Hyphyn is considered to be the first biodegradable performance vinyl that proves being environmentally responsible doesn’t have to comprise quality. The innovative upholstery material is engineered with a special (patented) enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation, which means that if it does end up in the landfill, more than 90 per cent of the fabric will biodegrade within two years. What’s more, as it degrades it will not leech any harmful chemicals and will contribute to the overall health of the soil. 

A popular NeoCon 2025 textile launch and boasting the performance attributes of a conventional vinyl, Hyphyn is addressing and solving the long-term environmental impact of its forebearer while offering workspaces, healthcare settings, retail and hospitality venues and other spaces infallible durability, strength and cleanability. Among the exclusive distributors are CF Stinson, Kravet Contract, Mayer Fabrics, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Pallas Textiles and Wolf Gordon.