The Velvet Revolution: How This Timeless Fabric is Redefining Modern Textiles

When you run your hand across velvet, something happens.

- Tanvi Munjal

The fabric catches light differently depending on which way you brush it. That signature shimmer isn't just beautiful; it's the result of a production process that has fascinated textile makers for centuries. Today, as the global velvet market reached USD 265 million in 2023 and heads toward USD 377 million by 2030 at a 5.2% growth rate (Valuates Reports [1]), this luxurious fabric is proving it has staying power in both fashion and home décor.

Understanding Velvet: More Than Just a Soft Touch

Velvet falls into the category of warp pile fabrics, where vertical threads create a dense, raised surface. Think of it as thousands of tiny threads standing upright on a woven base. The word comes from the Latin villus, meaning tuft or down.

What makes velvet special isn't the fibre it's made from—you can create velvet from silk, cotton, polyester, or blends—but rather the technique used to manufacture it.

The fabric comes in several types: plain velvet with uniform pile, crushed velvet with its signature wrinkled appearance, embossed velvet featuring pressed patterns, and mercerised velvet known for its silk-like gloss. Each serves different applications across the textile landscape.

The Production Process: Double-Layer Weaving Innovation