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

When you run your hand across velvet, something happens. 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

Velvet production uses specialised looms that weave two fabric layers simultaneously—a technique where the first double velvet loom was mentioned in France in 1793, though widespread industrial use was delayed by the French Revolution. The process includes four key stages:

• Yarn Preparation: The foundation begins with selecting base yarns. Modern production typically uses cotton, polyester, or blends, depending on the desired finish and application. For mercerised velvet specifically, long-staple cotton from regions known for high-quality cotton production is often preferred. The yarns are wound onto bobbins and arranged on creels according to pattern requirements.
• Double-Layer Weaving: The loom weaves two fabric layers face-to-face with pile yarns integrated between them. Modern velvet is produced mainly on specialised rapier looms or dedicated velvet looms, which allow precise control of pile warp tension and density. The pile threads pass between the two layers, creating the characteristic raised surface that defines velvet.
• Cutting: As the fabric comes off the loom, a reciprocating knife blade or automated wire cuts through the pile threads that connect the two layers, creating two separate pieces of velvet with their characteristic pile surfaces. This automated separation process dramatically increased production efficiency compared to historical hand-cutting methods.
• Dyeing and Finishing: The fabric undergoes dyeing processes, with sustainable operations now using low-impact reactive dyes that can reduce water consumption. Finishing treatments may include mercerisation for enhanced sheen, anti-pilling treatments, and specialised coatings for performance applications.

Market Value and Growth Projections

The velvet fabric market shows robust growth across segments:

Leading Players in the Indian Market

Global Industry Leaders

Industry SWOT Analysis

Consumer Acceptance and Market Reception

Consumer response to velvet shows strong positive sentiment. Search interest data reveals velvet dresses peaked at 92 (normalised score) in November 2024 during the holiday season, with sustained interest through 2025 (Accio, 2025) [4].

Consumer feedback [4] emphasises positive attributes, including effective shade control (30%), sturdy construction (17.5%), and softness (10%), though some concerns exist around durability for prolonged use (18.7% of reviews) and the need for improved tear resistance.

Tactile innovation drives purchasing decisions, with consumers increasingly demanding velvet that retains luster through frequent use. The shift toward sustainable materials shows a lot of buyers prioritising eco-certifications, prompting brands to adopt closed-loop water systems and low-impact dyes.

Conclusion

Velvet production represents a fascinating blend of historical craft and modern innovation. From double-layer weaving looms to sustainable recycled fibres, the industry continues adapting to contemporary demands while maintaining the luxurious qualities that have made velvet desirable for centuries. As manufacturers balance tradition with innovation—incorporating eco-friendly materials, performance enhancements, and smart production technologies—velvet's position in the textile landscape remains secure. With steady market growth, strong consumer acceptance, and expanding applications across fashion, home décor, and automotive sectors, velvet proves that some luxuries never go out of style—they simply evolve to meet the moment.

References:

[1] https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-19L18854/global-velvet-fabric

[2] https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-34B18610/global-mercerized-velvet

[3] https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/6097677/suede-velvet-sales-market-report-trends

[4] https://www.accio.com/business/trending-velvet-fabric-2025