Loro Piana Group celebrated its 85th anniversary on 4th this April; best wishes from entire fibre2fashion team! How would you express your feelings on this occasion; which episodes do you count as most remarkable or encouraging moments of your corporate journey?
Our great uncle founded the current company, in 1924, that is correct, but our ancestors have been merchants of wool fabrics since the early 19th century. My brother Sergio and myself represent the 6th generation of this family company and we are very proud of our history. There have been many remarkable episodes that have contributed to make Loro Piana the largest cashmere manufacturer and the biggest single purchaser of the world’s finest wools. However the most significant change for our generation was certainly the development of the luxury goods division which today represents 60% of the total turnover. Produced in our own facilities in the Piedmont region (Italy), exclusive lines for men, women and children, along with home furnishing, accessories, and gifts are distributed in over 120* directly operated stores worldwide (*as of April 2009).
Having witnessed an epoch in the industry of fabrics and garments, what note would you like to make on the switch that industry has taken in this period?
On one hand textile producers have diminished, on the other they went global, reaching out across the world and exporting the know-how and craftsmanship.
We at Loro Piana specifically concentrated (and still do today) on the needs of our customers sticking to authentic quality and continued with a totally verticalised company which guarantees quality on all levels. With ever chancing climatic conditions the general request of our customers was focused on lightness. Our first breakthrough was certainly the Tasmanian®, created in the 1960s in response to the growing need for new and modern clothing that was light, versatile, crease-resistant and crease-proof, as well as particularly suited for air-conditioned environments. This lightweight fabric with unique and original features (from Merinos coming from the Tasmania island, Australia) was inspired by Priest Cloth®, that Loro Piana produced especially for ecclesiastic garments.
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.