Glen Raven Presents Automotive Fabric Fashion Trends

Technical fabrics maker, Glen Raven, announced its latest design trends which will be featured in the overhead fabric systems it makes for automotive manufacturers. Glen Raven’s trends reflect consumers’ desires for attractive, visually appealing automotive interior environments.

“We believe the automotive headliner—the largest uninterrupted canvas in the car— can play a critical role in the definition of a car’s interior environment,” says Patrick Hennessy, director of Glen Raven’s automotive fabrics division. “We’ve seen innovation in seat fabrics and other automotive textiles. We wanted to introduce that same fashion awareness into the overhead fabric systems we provide to the automotive industry.”

Design options in overhead fabric systems have historically been limited to a small range of solid, conservative color choices. Glen Raven, with 95% of its automotive fabrics business concentrated in headliners, has expanded its line to include patterns and textures that complement a car’s interior design elements and actively contribute to an enjoyable driving experience.

Glen Raven’s fabric offering reflects four key fashion influences for the 2009 season:

Sustainability: Fabrics that feature natural and recycled fibers
Contemporary: Highly engineered designs based on small geometrics
Luxury: Sophisticated colors and finishes to complement leathers and wood
Out-of-the-Box: Non-traditional designs featuring bold, large scale patterns that create a sense of excitement and spaciousness

“Overhead fabric systems can contribute to a driver’s sense of comfort, excitement, luxury, and roominess,” continued Hennessy. “Now, with a larger assortment of overhead fabric systems, automotive designers can ensure that all elements of a car’s interior blend to create that positive, desirable driving atmosphere.”

Headquartered in Glen Raven, North Carolina, Glen Raven is a global leader in performance fabrics. Founded in 1880 by John Q. Gant, Glen Raven is still owned and managed by his descendents. The company is renowned for its specialty fabrics marketed under such well-known brand names as Sunbrella®, Dickson®, Patio500™, Minemaster™, and GlenGuard®FR. Glen Raven provides its fabrics to a broad range of apparel and textile markets from operations in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. www.GlenRaven.com.