 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
Italy produces 91% of all the silk produced in Europe . The city of Como covers 78,8%.of this amount all by itself. Its annual production totals 3,200 tons of silk, (broken down into material for clothing, upholstery, decorator fabrics, scarves, ties and shawls). In economic terms, exports around 1,000 million Euro per year. It's a huge business and there are two huge presences which stand out in any study of the silk industry in the 20th-century: Antonio Ratti and the Mantero family, still the most prominent influences in the market, produce their own textiles as well as custom fabrics for the big names in fashion design. Among the famous fashion houses who commission silk materials from Ratti are Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianfranco Ferré, Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Romeo Gigli, Loewe, Bulgari, Gucci and Paloma Picasso. Mantero's clientele includes Kenzo, Yves Saint Laurent, Ungaro, Nina Ricci, Trussardi and Lonchamp. |  |
The Museo Didattico della Seta (Silk Museum) was opened in 1990 to document an accurate account of the history of the silk industry in Como. It is provides physical evidence, from past to present, of an industry that still operates a veritible world-wide monopoly. In the museum's main hall, reference is made to the art of silkworm breeding. Also on display are machines that were used during the various stages which precede weaving. Two hand looms are on exhibit in the weaving room, one specialized for producing Jacquard prints. Next up is a reconstruction of a chemical laboratory, the hub of dye-printing activity, with original furnishings. The dying room comprises a dye vat for fabrics, a copper kettle for yarns and a number of tools, including a precious dowel. The visit finishes up in the printing room, including the color kitchen used to blend and cook the wide assortment dye-stuffs.
Museo Didattico della Seta
| |
Back to:
 |
 |
