Building on over 30 years of expertise in commercial textiles, Mary-Jane Copeland, Commercial Division Manager at Warwick Fabrics New Zealand, has seen fabric trends come and go—and her eye is keenly set on what’s next.
As a leading supplier of high-quality fabrics for both residential and commercial markets, Warwick Fabrics is driving textile innovation. In this Q&A, Jolene from our marketing team talks with Mary-Jane about emerging textile trends, the impact of technology, and what the future holds for fabric design.
Mary-Jane Copeland, Commercial Division Manager at Warwick Fabrics New Zealand.
Jolene: Mary-Jane, how did you get started in the fabric and textile industry?
Mary-Jane: My love of colour, design, and tactile products drew me into the textile industry over 30 years ago. My first role was with a textile company that sold to wholesalers. I learnt a great deal about production, the global fabric supply chain, and the advantages of sourcing different textiles from various countries.
Jolene: Have you noticed the fabric industry evolve during your career?
Mary-Jane: Absolutely! For me, the most fascinating change has been the advancement of polyester and other synthetic yarns that can now emulate natural yarns.
Jolene: How do fabric trends in residential and commercial spaces compare?
Mary-Jane: These days, contemporary residential and commercial design trends often align. With many people working from home, the line between living and working spaces has blurred, and both settings prioritise a balance of comfort, aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. But because commercial spaces see higher use, durability in our manufacturing and testing processes is paramount.
Jolene: What are some of the most prominent current trends in commercial settings?
Mary-Jane: Our Melbourne Design Team has just launched our annual trends forecast, Tres Trends 2025, featuring three personalities: The Innovator, The Naturalist, and The Collector.
The Innovator pushes design boundaries with striking aesthetics and bio-based materials. It’s perfect for those who embrace the avant-garde, featuring primary colours and composite textures that offer a dopamine hit.
Think: hard surfaces that look soft, surprising pops of colour, and fabrics like Buckley Punch, Caulfield Electric, and Bedford Teal, that bring a dynamic energy to any space.
Konfurb Loop chair custom upholstered in Buckley Punch fabric, with Picton Rosehip fabric in the background. Konfurb Loop chair available in Australia only.
The Naturalist is inspired by the earth’s organic beauty and creates spaces that are familiar, comforting, and deeply connected to nature. In our fast-paced world, The Naturalist reminds us to slow down.
Think: pearlescent fibres, hues reflecting the forest, textures that evoke nature’s primal roughness—fabrics like Augustus Earth, Dicaprio Pecan, and Hiranni Stone.
The Collector believes interiors should tell a story. It celebrates individuality and enjoys blending different eras and styles. The Collector is a maximalist’s dream, and its plush textures, indulgent tones, and a mix-and-match approach create a theatrical, European-influenced interior.
Jolene: Which Warwick fabrics are best for durability and maintenance?
Mary-Jane: The man-made fabrics in our Halo range are designed to last. They boast high Martindale scores, are stain-resistant, and come in a variety of textures. Our anti-bacterial and durable HealthGuard vinyls are widely used in high-traffic areas like airports, hospitality, and hospitals. Tritan’s moisture-back fabrics work well in healthcare settings and spill-prone spaces; Renew fabrics made from minimum 50% recycled yarns, are ideal for offices and other spaces; and SunDec fabrics are designed to withstand UV, mould, and mildew, making them perfect for outdoor commercial areas or sun-soaked indoor spaces.
Jolene: How do you measure the success of a fabric in a commercial project?
Mary-Jane: Success starts with selecting fabrics that suit the client’s colour, texture, and durability needs. Longevity is key, so we choose highly durable textiles and select the right Warwick fabric sub-brand. While we love the finished look of our fabrics at the end of a fit-out, having satisfied customers who are proud of their projects is the ultimate measure of success.
The Waka Kotahi fit-out is a great example of how our fabrics significantly contribute to both the aesthetic and functionality of a space.
Waka Kotahi fit-out. Source: Warwick.co.nz. Image: Thomas Seear-Budd.
Jolene: How does technology impact the efficiency, customisation, and innovation of fabric design?
Mary-Jane: Technology has revolutionised fabric design, especially with digital printing. In recent years, Warwick has shifted almost entirely to digital prints, allowing us to see fabric samples in a matter of days rather than months.
Digital printing also offers an unlimited range of colours, so we can achieve a level of photo realism that was previously impossible. Our Flowerbomb and Zanzibar fabric collections are great examples.
Advances in indoor/outdoor products are also exciting. Traditional outdoor fabrics struggled with New Zealand and Australia’s harsh local conditions, often feeling hard and waxy. Now, we’re seeing soft outdoor yarns that can handle our conditions, which suits the current trend toward large windows that flood interior spaces with sunlight.
Jolene: How do you balance traditional fabric production with modern, tech-driven innovations?
Mary-Jane: Our Design Team would tell you there’s room for both. Technology needs to respect the fundamentals of design while considering the complexity of costing and market expectations.
Sometimes tech outpaces demand—for example, drapery widths have grown as wide as 380cm, but many warehouses and workrooms aren’t equipped for this, making it impractical.
But our new Sheffield collection gets the balance just right. Using digital printing, it allows traditional tapestries that would never have been strong enough for commercial use to find their way into commercial settings.
Jolene: Do global events influence fabric trends?
Mary-Jane: The hangover from Covid is very real! Since people couldn’t travel, the feelings of home comforts became invaluable. When the world opened back up, commercial spaces needed to give people a reason to venture outside.
Commercial spaces are now expected to make people feel safe and special, so we’re seeing more luxurious finishes in hospitality businesses, vibrant school environments, and sophisticated yet comfortable office spaces.
Interestingly, Australia’s and New Zealand’s isolation has become a strength and our unique local market has been gaining global attention.
Jolene: How does the Design Team stay informed on the latest trends and technology in the fabric industry?
Mary-Jane: We gather insights in many ways. We take international trips and attend trade shows, we cross-reference with high-end local brands through showroom and retail visits, scour digital sources, and visit our supply chains. All this offers invaluable networking and collaboration with like-minded brands, from Dulux and Laminex to overseas businesses.
Jolene: What upcoming fabric trends will shape the industry over the next five to 10 years?
Mary-Jane: Design cycles have become less defined, with trends blending like a melting pot. In the past, a grey-based trend would last around 10 years, and then move into browns. Nowadays, we’re currently in a cycle of brown tones, yet grey remains an essential part of the palette. Similarly, boucle and chenille, once alternating trends, now coexist.
Colour is making a comeback as people cherry-pick looks based on nostalgia rather than staying true to a single era. Brand collaborations remain strong, bringing diverse perspectives into design. Visual merchandising is also on the brink of change, with brands starting to incorporate technology like AI and VR.
Bottom line, the showroom of the future will look very different from what we see today!
Konfurb Loop chair upholstered in Warwick Fabrics: Copeland Gull and background Easton Jet.
At Buro, many of our customers seek custom upholstery for their office chairs and visitor seating—this is where fabric suppliers like Warwick Fabrics make all the difference.
Our Buro upholstery team custom upholstered the seat and backrests of six Buro Mentor chairs in Eastwood Tan fabric from Warwick Fabrics for Majesty Mortgage & Insurance Advisors. Supplied by Modern Office. Interior design by Urban Lounge Interiors.
Keep an eye out for part two of our chat with Mary-Jane Copeland, all about sustainability in the world of textiles.
