Italy’s historic wool and silk festivals spotlight regional textile revival

The Aosta Valley is hosting a series of summer cultural events that celebrate its long‑standing wool tradition. The cooperative Les Tisserands will stage the Mo’delaine festival on August 29‑30, a two‑day showcase of wool craft amid a broader programme that includes the Seupa soup fair in Valpelline (July 24‑27), the Gravity Race downhill mountain‑bike competition in Breuil‑Cervinia (July 25‑26), the Jambon grill fair in Saint‑Oyen (July 31‑August 2), the Aosta summer craft fair (August 1) and concerts as part of the Aosta Classica series.

In Campania, entrepreneur Giuseppe Menniti is reviving the historic silk‑making heritage of San Leucio, the 18th‑century setificio founded by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon. Menniti, who runs the menswear brand Barbuti, plans to launch a high‑end silk and sericulture project in October, aiming to combine traditional handcraft with modern production and to position the output internationally. Barbuti has expanded its turnover from €18 million to an expected €30 million by 2025, reflecting the broader push to link Italy’s fashion sector with its artisanal roots.