Sattler, Dickson and Parà

Awnings of all shapes and sizes continue to be in demand by end users. Moreover, as cloth manufacturers periodically update and refresh their collections, screens are constantly receiving visual updates. But it is not only the design of the cloths that changes, but also the quality, with modern high-tech cloths also showing improved cloth technical properties. 

At the upcoming R+T, from February 19 to 23, 2024 in Stuttgart, the major fabric manufacturers will, of course, also be in attendance. Sun protection specialists from all over the world will then be able to view and compare the new collections live. Among them are the collections from Sattler, Dickson and Parà. 

Austrian cloth manufacturer Sattler presents its new collection The World of Sattler. Sattler has complemented previous popular designs with the new innovative design line Lumera Leaf. Other design lines have been updated, such as Lumera Landscape, Lumera 3D Surface and Elements Urban Design. 

"With the 2023 collection, Sattler presents cloths with the most beautiful colors and designs," said Sabine Katzer, head of product management at Sattler Sun-Tex. "Our Lumera Leaf, for example, stands out with its natural colors, for which forests and foliage are the inspiration. The combination of high-quality staple-fiber yarns and Sattler's special CBA yarns gives the colors a very special brightness that comes into its own completely, especially in translucent light." 

"Design lines that have been popular for years are also reflected in the 2023 collection," Katzer continued. "Such as Elements Urban Design, which reflects the layered impressions of urban spaces. Lumera quality is also strongly represented with Lumera Landscape and Lumera 3D Surface. With Lumera 3D Surface, Sattler illustrates how textile fabrics can be designed three-dimensionally." 

"Incidentally, it is not only the design of our cloths that sets them apart, but in addition their versatile application possibilities and performance," adds sales manager for the Netherlands Nico van Hattum. "The TEXgard impregnation specially developed by Sattler makes cloths multifunctional. Moisture is discharged in small droplets and at the same time dirt particles are absorbed and washed away. Thus the awning fabric cleans itself and looks like new even after years!" 

There is also news about the perennial favorite Lumera, Van Hattum continues. "The new Lumera All Weather offers a very special feature. Thanks to the special IPC coating, it is also resistant to continuous rain, because in addition to the proven TEXgard impregnation, this innovative and equally thin and flexible coating is placed over the fabric. This coating acts as a protective shield that prevents the penetration of water into the fabric."

"Furthermore, Lumera All Weather is also a pioneer when it comes to color variation," Katzer concludes. "Selected designs from the Lumera lines make up the comprehensive Lumera All Weather range. With this innovation, Sattler proves that design and functionality are not mutually exclusive. A Lumera All Weather fabric thus has the same rich colors and texture as all Lumera fabrics, but with a water column of more than 1,000 millimeters, it also offers protection against rain." 

During the preparation of the 2023 cloth collection, Dickson very carefully studied all possible relevant trends in order to ensure that the collection best meets the needs of modern consumers. "The result is a very up-to-date and compact collection of awning fabrics with very versatile uses," said Dickson-constant's Sales Manager Benelux Lars Huizenga. "We presented the collection to the Dutch and Belgian awning world at Polyclose in late summer 2022 and it was well received there. We are convinced that it will impress again during the R+T." 

Dickson has divided the collection into four color families, namely Stone with gray tones, Natural with natural tones, Solar with warm tones (with colors such as yellow, orange and red), and Polar with cold tones (with colors such as green and blue). In addition to solids, designs with irregular, thinner stripes are an important theme, as are plant motifs. 

The Link collection is the newcomer to solids. The palette consists of 17 colors: a blend of gray with natural, classic and timeless shades, and reds and deep natural tones. Among the remaining 16 uni colors are two new unis, six piqués, five tweeds and three chinés. Some shades Dickson calls deep and intense, while others are light and subtle. 

Dickson has also updated its stripe designs with the new collection. The 25 new stripe designs range from plain and wide, with soft contrast, to fine, with asymmetrical and mini stripes.

Dickson not only profiles itself with the color and design richness of its cloths, but also emphasizes their technical qualities and multifunctionality. "Among other things, our cloths are colorfast, UV-resistant and maintenance-friendly," Huizenga says. "They are suitable for all types of awnings, from articulated and drop awnings to pergolas and vertical fabric awnings." 

(An extended post on the new cloth collection appeared in the 2022 issue of Cloth in Z&R 6).

With its Collezione Centenario, Parà is taking the awning world through the company's more than 100-year history. In addition to the anniversary collection, Parà - which will return to the R+T in Stuttgart in 2024 - is launching what it says is a new and innovative acrylic fabric with Tempotest Materia. "The fabric is a logical further development of Tempotest Seta Cruda - with wild silk effect - which has been well received in the market since its launch in 2018," said Nikolaus Kratz, who acts as brand ambassador for Tempotest. "A completely new, nature-inspired generation of effect yarns forms the basis of the Tempotest Materia fabric line. Wild silk effects and the beauty of the imperfection of raw fabrics are characteristics of this design line. The special optical effects determine both the transparency and appearance of these fabrics and make classic weather-related soiling much less noticeable. We offer the innovative Materia cloth in a selection of 26 designs - 14 modern solid designs and 12 minimalist stripe designs - as always all 100% spindle-dyed." 

Another absolute novelty in the Collezione Centenario is the Tempotest® Micro to Macro line. "A micro design structure in a macro context forms the basis of this design series," Matteo Parravicini, co-owner of Parà, says somewhat cryptically. "By playing with the infinite complexity of the human eye, optical illusions and unusual effects are created, interpreting the microstructures of these canvases as solid, block stripes or multi-stripes," he explains. "This results in a completely new interplay of colors and textures that lend elegance, color freshness and modernity to the fabrics. The Micro to Macro design line consists of 26 designs, 12 solid colors and 14 striped designs." 

In the Collezione Centenario, Parà further presents a range extension of Tempotest Starlight blue. "It is the world's first GRS-certified outdoor fabric collection made from 85% recycled PET," said Nikolaus Kratz. "The collection of originally 16 designs, developed together with Weinor and already presented two years ago, has been expanded to 32 fashionable designs due to the increasing market demand for truly sustainable fabrics. This collection has already won awards, including the Special Sustainability Award at the last R+T Innovation Awards, and has also secured a place among the finalists for the German Sustainability Award Design. This durable quality is available under the name Tempotest Starlight blue XL in nine solid colors in a width of 325 cm, ideal for blinds applications." 

Naturally, Parà has also included the successful evergreens in the new collection, Matteo Parravicini emphasizes. "Structured plain fabrics, Seta Cruda with its unique wild silk effect or classic Tempotest fantasy stripe designs that have done well over the years are of course all available in our program unabated!"

(This article was written based on a press release from Messe Stuttgart.)