The Foundation’s principal aim is to perpetuate and indeed augment production of the so-called ‘art fabrics’ – and to do so it has instituted a research centre devoted to study of the history of handmade artistic textiles and to instruction of personnel capable of cultivating and expanding upon it; thus, the manufactory weaves ‘art fabrics’ and restores and rebuilds precious antique textiles. [13 February 1971]
Manufactory of Excellence
Fidalma Lisio’s mission – to defend the silk art fabric weaving tradition and to prevent its extinction – has been carried forward since her time and the art of hand weaving has indeed survived to our day. The foundation still weaves and markets brocades and figured velvets, ciselé and multicoloured, all produced in strict accordance with the ancient hand-weaving methods and never deviating from the characteristic that has always set the historic Lisio manufactory apart: the extraordinary quality of its products. Manufacture is still carried out entirely by hand, using silk, gold and silver threads, and now even new materials fruit of the most advanced technological research. Our showroom offers visitors the unique opportunity to purchase fabrics at the same time they observe the steps in their creation
Art School and Training Agency
Taking its cue from the work of Giuseppe Lisio, the foundation took up the challenge to create training opportunities and offer specialist training for textile-industry professionals. Since its inception in 1985, the Art School imagined by Fidalma Lisio has earned Training Agency accreditation (2012) and has accrued experience that makes it a respected institution with an international reach. The Art School collaborates with numerous other art schools and universities in Italy, other European countries, the U.S. and the Far East. The courses are designed for teachers who want to expand their knowledge base and for fashion and fabric designers, industry technicians, historians and scholars specialising in textiles, museum and superintendency personnel and indeed anyone interested in learning more about hand weaving in all its myriad facets – from the simplest methods to the most elaborate; for example, velvet-weaving techniques.
The Research Centre
Besides bearing witness to and perpetuating an ancient art, today’s foundation acts as a point of reference for textile scholars and for companies and designers looking to hone their skills and knowledge. But it is also a centre for research which, in its 46 years of activity, has ‘woven’ a specialised knowledge network and activated important exchanges with other institutions and stylists of international renown.
Culture, Events and Publications
The goals of the foundation created by Fidalma Lisio, as we read in its by-laws, are to perpetuate and increment manufacture of ‘art fabrics’ and to promote new experiences in the various fields touched by hand weaving; to organise meetings, exhibitions, and seminars; to award study grants and prizes for research into the artistic activities carried on by the foundation. The year 1989 saw publication of the first issue of Jacquard. Pagine di cultura tessile, the quarterly magazine which still today publishes contributions by scholars of textile and costume history, news about professional textile and fashion schools, and the results of recent experimentation by stylists and designers.
