Over the past three weeks, we have told you about three new developments that, viewed one at a time, might seem like separate stories: our partnership with Maeko Filati for natural fibers, the Sopravvissana breed in our short supply chain for merino wool, and our collaboration with Reverso for regenerated cashmere. Today, we want to take a step back and show you why, in reality, they are the same story told from three different angles.
Three answers to the same problem
Each of these partnerships was created to answer a question we have asked ourselves since founding Lanaioli: where does a yarn really come from, and what happens to the people who produce it and to those who discard it?
With Maeko Filati we expanded our range of natural fibers - organic cotton, hemp, linen, Himalayan nettle, and yak - choosing raw materials that reduce environmental impact compared with conventional cotton or synthetic fibers, without sacrificing quality or comfort.
With the breeding of the Sopravvissana breed, we addressed a different but related problem: the disappearance of Italian sheep breeds, abandoned because wool has lost its economic value compared with meat and milk, reducing one breed from nearly 800,000 animals in the 1970s to just over 7,000 today.
And with Reverso we closed a third gap: giving the cashmere discarded by consumers a second life, instead of continually requiring new virgin fiber.
New fibers chosen thoughtfully, heritage fibers saved from oblivion, existing fibers recovered: three different paths that all lead to the same place.
The common thread: short supply chains, traceability, less waste
If we had to sum up in one sentence what these three developments have in common, it would be this: we can always say where every thread we work with comes from, and why we chose it. This is not a detail for a press release: it is the criterion that has guided every decision, from the farms in Lazio to the Italian artisan workshops that transform these fibers into finished garments.
This approach comes at a cost, in terms of time and the price of the finished garment, which is higher than fast fashion. But it is a conscious choice: buy less, choose better, and always know what you are buying. It is the same principle behind our garment repair service for pieces that need it, rather than treating them as disposable.
What changes from here on
With the close of this reveal cycle, our fall-winter 2026/27 collection can rely on three distinct pillars: short-supply-chain merino wool, including wool from our Sopravvissana sheep; natural fibers developed with Maeko; and Reverso's regenerated yarns. Over the coming months, we will enter the actual promotional phase: we will show you the garments made from these yarns, styling combinations for the cold season, and continue telling you about the Italian artisans who make them.
But before looking ahead, this week we are dedicating two more articles to topics close to our hearts: on Wednesday, we will discuss where the money spent on a garment really goes, comparing long and short supply chains; on Friday, we will take stock of an entire summer of work, from July to today.
Thank you to everyone who has followed us through these weeks of announcements: the most interesting part - the garments you will wear - begins now.
