The Biella area, the Manchester of Italy
2 minutes
When it comes to yarns and fabrics of the highest quality worldwide, everything points to one name: Biella. Nestled at the foot of the Piedmontese Alps, this province is not merely a district with a long history of industry, but the cradle of a centuries-old textile tradition, a place where the creation of fine fabrics is elevated to a true art form.
Here, the art of wool has roots dating back to the Middle Ages, but it was from the 19th century onwards that the area developed into a world-renowned industrial hub.
The city that Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, called ‘the Manchester of Italy’ boasts industrious manufacturing prowess and an unwavering tradition of expertise in the processing and production of fine wools and yarns.
This excellence is part of the region’s identity and, in 2019, led to Biella being recognised as a UNESCO Creative City, thereby enhancing its artisanal heritage and centuries-old textile culture.
The wool mills of the Biellese area: from yarn to icons of Italian style around the world
This success story has been built by families of entrepreneurs who, over the course of generations, have researched and perfected every single stage of the process, creating what is now a complete supply chain: from the careful selection of high-quality raw materials (such as Australian Merino wool or precious cashmere) to spinning, from weaving on increasingly modern looms to ‘finishing’, the series of treatments that give the raw fabric its final characteristics and feel. We are talking about leading luxury-goods manufacturers such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, F.lli Cerruti and Vitale Barberis Canonico: the latter boasts a tradition dating back to 1663 and is now considered the oldest wool mill in the world still in operation.
The world’s most precious fibres, from Andean vicuña to Mongolian cashmere, undertake a long journey to reach these valleys, where they find ideal conditions: crystal-clear water and unparalleled craftsmanship are the essential factors that enable the production of exceptional fabrics ready to dress the international jet set. This world of beauty and style also counts Cappellificio Cervo among its pillars: here, the creation of a hat is the result of over 120 years of ideas and tradition. Its archive – comprising 656 wooden hat blocks, 431 metal hat blocks and 392 recipes for an equal number of colour shades – offers a true overview of the history of fashion and costume, and is a source of inspiration that is virtually unique worldwide.
A living heritage to discover
Examples that have made history as unique ecosystems of manufacturing heritage and sustainable innovation, combining art, vision and enterprise, include the Maurizio Sella Wool Mill and Cittadellarte – Pistoletto Foundation, a contemporary art centre and creative laboratory active in the fields of fashion, food, architecture and politics, founded in 1998 by the Arte Povera master Michelangelo Pistoletto in the former Trombetta Wool Mill. In the town and the surrounding area, the factory outlets of the major manufacturers offer the allure of quality, with fabrics and clothing available at attractive prices. Just outside the city, the Strada della Lana (‘Wool Route’) is an approximately 50-kilometre itinerary that winds through the Strona Valley and the Valsessera from Biella to Borgosesia (home to a historic wool market), retracing the history of the textile industry via historic wool mills – such as the ‘Fabbrica della Ruota’, housed in the former Zignone Brothers wool mill, now a fascinating museum of industrial archaeology and cultural centre – and the ‘workers’ paths’, once used by factory workers.
