TEXTILE BRANDS IN THE WORLD
art and design
Text By KATS TANAKA
TEXTILE
The world is home to a diverse range of fabrics, each with its own unique characteristics and cultural significance. Particularly noteworthy is how regional uniqueness is mirrored in various shirt fabric brands. In Europe, Italy and France are renowned for their high-end fashion fabrics. Italy is celebrated for its soft wools and cashmere, both characterized by durability and refined textures. In France, luxury fabrics like lace and chiffon are staples in high-end clothing and accessories. In Asia, silk fabrics are particularly well known. China has a long history of silk production, and its luxurious and smooth texture is appreciated worldwide. In Japan, silk used for kimonos is known for its delicate patterns and bright colors, symbolizing the country’s culture and history. In South America, alpaca and vicuña wool are particularly renowned. In countries such as Peru, these soft, warm fabrics are used to make traditional clothing and blankets. These fabrics are deeply ingrained in the region’s distinct environmental and agricultural heritage. On the African continent, Ankara fabrics are characterized by their bright colors and intricate patterns. In West African countries, Ankara fabric is a staple in daily attire, symbolizing African cultural identity. Thus, fabrics from all over the world have a unique beauty and meaning rooted in their local culture, history, and environment. It is through these fabrics that we can learn about and deepen our understanding of different cultures.”
世界には多様な生地が存在し、それぞれが独特の特性と文化的な意味を持っています。特に、シャツ生地のブランドには、各地域の独自性が色濃く反映されています。以下は、世界各地の特徴的な生地に関する作文です。ヨーロッパでは、イタリアやフランスが高級ファッションの生地で名高いです。イタリアはその柔らかなウールやカシミアで知られ、耐久性と洗練された質感が特徴です。フランスでは、レースやシフォンなどのラグジュアリーな生地が、高級ブランドの服やアクセサリーに広く用いられています。アジアでは、特に絹の生地が有名です。中国には絹の生産に関する長い歴史があり、その豪華で滑らかな質感は世界中で評価されています。日本では、着物に使用される絹は、繊細な柄や鮮やかな色彩で知られており、国の文化や歴史を象徴しています。南米においては、アルパカやビセーニャのウールが特に有名です。ペルーなどの国々では、これらの柔らかくて暖かい生地が、伝統的な衣類やブランケットの製造に使われています。これらの生地は、その地域特有の環境と農業の歴史に深く根ざしています。アフリカ大陸では、鮮やかな色と複雑な柄のアンカラ生地が特徴的です。西アフリカの国々では、この生地を使った衣服が日常生活の一部として広く着用されており、アンカラはアフリカの文化的アイデンティティを象徴しています。このように、世界中の生地は、それぞれの地域の文化、歴史、環境に根差した独自の美しさと意味を持っています。これらの生地を通じて、私たちは異なる文化を知り、理解を深めることができるのです。
TEXTILES
TEXTILE BRAND
Carlo Riva is an Italian fabric manufacturer with a long history, established in 1871, and continues to produce the world’s finest fabrics, known as jewels.The fabrics are spun in Switzerland, where the water is clean, from carefully selected cotton from Egypt.The finished yarn is not used immediately, but stored in a humidity-controlled warehouse for more than six months, and the matured yarn is then woven at low speed using an old shuttle machine to complete the process.The amount of time and care that goes into the production of these fabrics is the reason why their distribution is extremely low and why they are known as ‘the jewels of fabrics’.
Albini is an Italian textile company with a long and rich history dating back to 1876. The company was founded by Zaffiro Borgomanero, who started out as a small trader in textiles and then expanded into production. In the early 20th century, Albini began exporting its fabrics to the United States and other parts of the world, and by the 1950s, the company had established itself as one of the leading textile producers in Italy.
Bonfanti Tessuti is an Italian textile company that was founded in 1965 by Alberto Bonfanti. The company is based in Como, a city in northern Italy that is renowned for its textile production.From the beginning, Bonfanti Tessuti has been dedicated to producing high-quality fabrics using the finest materials and the latest technology. The company specializes in the production of luxury shirting fabrics made from cotton, linen, silk, and other natural fibers.Over the years, Bonfanti has established itself as a major player in the textile industry, with a reputation for producing some of the most luxurious and high-quality fabrics available. The company’s fabrics are used by some of the world’s leading fashion houses, and it has also supplied textiles for prestigious hotels, restaurants, and other high-end establishments.
The Thomas Mason fabric mill was founded in 1796 in Leeds, England. The first fabrics were considered top quality and were widely used by West End London tailors to clothe the British aristocracy.Through the 1800s, as Britain’s empire and wealth expanded. Back in Victorian Era London, Jermyn St and Savile Row emerged as a center for fine gentleman’s clothing. During the WW1, the Thomas Mason mill developed new fabrics and treatments, such as waterproofed cotton, that proved vastly helpful to the British cause. In the few decades after the war, aided by the solidification of Savile Row as the international epicenter of elegant gentlemen’s clothing, Thomas Mason transitioned back to producing the finest dress shirt fabrics in the British Empire. In 1936—at the height of English style icon Duke of Windsor’s roguishness—Thomas Mason became the exclusive fabric supplier for Turnbull & Asser, longtime shirt maker of English royalty.In 1992, Italian-based Albini Group acquired Thomas Mason and moved production to Bergamo, Italy where it remains
Anderson & Lawrie, founded in 1822 by David Anderson, specialized in gentlemen’s neckwear. In 1839, Alexander Lawrie retired, and David’s brother joined the firm, which became David & John Anderson. By the 1870s, they were headquartered in Glasgow and had works at Atlantic Mills. They became a private limited liability company in 1911, with David Blyth Anderson as the new chairman. After 1911, they absorbed the Glasgow firm of Lambie & Readman and formed links with Wm Hollins & Co Ltd. David & John Anderson (London) Ltd was set up to oversee the export market in high-quality shirts made from Anderson fabrics. Despite their focus on quality, the firm struggled financially and was taken over by House of Fraser Ltd in 1959.And in 1992 David & John Anderson was acquired by the Bergamo-based Albini Group
lumo’s story began in 1918 when Carl Albrecht established a weaving mill with 48 looms, taking advantage of Switzerland’s strong infrastructure in spinning and weaving technology. By 1927, the business had grown to 84 looms and was handed over to Carl’s son. Despite economic crises and the Second World War, Albrecht + Morgen, as it was renamed after Robert Morgen joined the company in 1941, successfully continued operations. Eventually, the name was shortened to Alumo. Since the 1950s, the company has specialized in producing the finest cotton fabrics for shirts, constantly refining their expertise. With over a century of experience, Alumo remains committed to producing high-quality textiles, and their selection of exquisite cotton fabrics is trusted by bespoke tailors and garment manufacturers worldwide, all made to the highest standards of Swiss quality.
CANCLINI is a textile brand based in Italy that has been operating for over 80 years. The company was founded in 1925 by Giuseppe Canclini in the town of Como, Italy. The company started as a small workshop producing silk fabrics for the local market, but it quickly grew and expanded its product line to include cotton, linen, and wool fabrics as well.During the 1950s and 1960s, CANCLINI became known for its innovative fabrics, which were often used in high-end fashion designs. Today, CANCLINI is a global brand that produces a wide range of fabrics for the fashion, home, and hospitality industries. The company is still based in Como, Italy, and it continues to be family-owned and operated.
Albiate 1830 is a textile brand based in Italy that has been in operation for almost two centuries. The company was founded in 1830 in the town of Albiate, near Milan, by Luigi Bigatti. Initially, the company produced fabrics for local markets, but over time it expanded its product range to include a wide variety of textiles. In the 1960s, Albiate 1830 became part of the Gruppo Albini, a family-owned textile group that includes several other prestigious brands.Today, Albiate 1830 is still part of the Gruppo Albini and continues to produce a wide range of fabrics for the fashion and home industries. The company is particularly known for its denim fabrics, which are used by some of the most famous denim brands in the world.
Monti is a textile brand based in Italy that has been operating for over a century. The company was founded in 1911 by Luigi Monti in the town of Cesano Maderno, near Milan. Initially, the company produced high-quality shirting fabrics for the local market, but over time it expanded its product range to include a wide variety of textiles.Monti fabrics are highly regarded by fashion designers around the world for their quality, durability, and innovative design. Some of the most prestigious fashion brands in the world use Monti fabrics in their collections, including Armani, Gucci, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Zegna, among others.
At the beginning of the 1900s, Vincenzo Caccioppoli decided to leave Naples, together with his eldest son Raffaele, and start importing clothing fabrics from Italy and the United States to Bogotà, Colombia. There, he opened a shop called “Almacén Italia” in Plaza Bolívar. A few years later, his second son, Salvatore, also joined them in Colombia.Around 1920, with the conclusion of the First World War, Vincenzo Caccioppoli and his two sons decided to return to Naples and start a business selling fabrics. This led to the establishment of the historic Caccioppoli shop in the heart of Naples, in Piazza Nicola Amore, which is still the current headquarters of the company.A few years later, Vincenzo’s other two sons, Cosimo and Antonio, also joined the company, leading to the formation of the “F.lli Caccioppoli di V.zo” (Caccioppoli Brothers of Vincenzo).
Since its foundation in 1924 in Mazate, on the outskirts of Milan, Italy, SICTESS has pursued high quality fabrics as a top quality brand of shirt fabrics.In 2005, SIC TESS became part of the MONTI group, which has a long tradition and shares the same philosophy, and today the SIC TESS brand continues as a division of MONTI.While maintaining the tradition of SIC TESS, the collections are made up of high-quality, classic designs as well as modern designs.
SÖKTAŞ, established in 1971, is a leading fashion supplier, specializing in cotton and cotton-blended fabrics for shirtings, jackets, and trousers. With complete control over our production chain and a vast archive of fabric samples, we offer luxury at every level and stay ahead of industry trends. Our commitment to developing unique yarns and blends, such as Meander 71, sets us apart in the market.
