AlpTextyles
Collaborative solutions for a heritage & consumer sensitive relocalization of sustainable, circular, and innovative Alpine textile value chains
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Overview
Textile value chains are amongst the most polluting industries, with a massive potential for CO2 reduction. When we approach the rich textile heritage of the Alps, we see it brimming with specific aesthetics and know-how based on values of circularity and sensitivity to local resources.
So, as consumers grow increasingly critical of globalized value chains and turn to more sustainable lifestyles, the Alpine heritage could contribute to re-territorialize the local textile value chains disrupted by global sourcing and offshore production while boosting natural local resources and projecting an attractive image that justifies the price point of Alpine products.
With its 12 partner organizations from 6 Alpine countries, AlpTextyles gathers precious textile ecosystems to create a common ground of expertise in research and innovation, foster regional development and job creation, and safeguard cultural heritage and circularity.
Factsheet
- 2021 – 2027
- Carbon neutral and resource sensitive Alpine region
- SO 2.2 - Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy
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- AG3 Labour market, education and training
- AG6 Natural resources
- 11/2022
- 10/2025
- 2.979.694 EUR
- 1.970.770 EUR
Partners
Polo Poschiavo (Lead partner)
- Lead partner
- Switzerland
- Ostschweiz (CH05)
- Poschiavo
- Cassiano Luminati
- cassiano.luminati@polo-poschiavo.ch
Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ERDF Lead Partner)
- Slovenia
- Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
- Ljubljana
- Katarina Šrimpf Vendramin
- katarina.srimpf@zrc-sazu.si
Early Makers Group / emlyon
- France
- Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
- Ecully
- Diego Rinallo
- rinallo@em-lyon.com
Development agency Sora
- Slovenia
- Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
- Škofja Loka
- Katarina Sekirnik
- rokodelskicenter@visitskofjaloka.si
Lombardy Region
- Italy
- Lombardia (ITC4)
- Milano
- Maria Agostina Lavagnino
- maria_agostina_lavagnino@regione.lombardia.it
Textile and Fashion Federation – Italy Fashion System
- Italy
- Lombardia (ITC4)
- Milano
- Mauro Sampellegrini
- sampellegrini@sistemamodaitalia.it
Bellissimo s.r.l. a socio unico
- Italy
- Piemonte (ITC1)
- Torino
- Alessandro Bevilacqua
- bevilacqua@bellissimo.it
Istituto Marangoni srl
- Italy
- Lombardia (ITC4)
- Milano
- Paolo Meroni
- p.meroni@istitutomarangoni.com
ASSOCIATION TECHTERA AUVERGNE RHÔNE ALPES
- France
- Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
- Ecully
- Robin Oddon
- international@techtera.org
Stand Montafon
- Austria
- Vorarlberg (AT34)
- Schruns
- Michael Kasper
- m.kasper@montafoner-museen.at
Mediplant
- Switzerland
- Région lémanique (CH01)
- Conthey
- Audrey Kuhn
- audrey.kuhn@mediplant.ch
Friedrich-Alexander-university Erlangen-Nuremberg
- Germany
- Mittelfranken (DE25)
- Erlangen
- Tobias Chilla
- tobias.chilla@fau.de
- 46.3251697510.06081852952586
- 46.0476100514.504711191204319
- 45.78668264.7647662
- 46.1639070514.306674164430577
- 45.48604249.1959558
- 45.47817529.1656178
- 45.06775517.6824892
- 45.42766139.0495351
- 45.78642114.7713117
- 47.075008559.911752486928934
- 46.22503127.2961027
- 49.59787210000000411.004528231227573
Outcomes
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Concept for the development of heritage-sensitive & circular textile craft & Industrial products through cross-border matchmaking
Jointly developed by PPs based on WP1 activities & tested in pilot actions 2.1&2.4, the output proposes a replicable & scalable format to develop heritage-sensitive & circular new textile craft & industrial products based on: 1 Concept development; 2 Analysis of missing resources/technologies/skills; 3 Cross-border matchmaking of farmers, breeders, craftspeople, technical/technology providers, experts in heritage safeguarding/textile design/circular design/storytelling; 4 product development. -
Format for communicating the value of heritage-sensitive, circular, cross-border textile products to consumers
Jointly developed by PPs based on WP1 activities & tested in activity 2.1, the output proposes a replicable&scalable communication format to persuade consumers of the value of circular, heritage-sensitive Alpine textile products. The format, based on heritage storytelling principles, will address consumer distrust of sustainability claims (perceivable as greenwashing) & difficulties in promoting products from cross-border value chains (respect to regional/national value chains). -
Innovative formats for the cross-border trainings of youth, students and professionals on the living textile heritage of the Alps and sustainable and circular value chains
Jointly developed by PPs based on WP1 activities & tested in activity 2.2, the output proposes innovative formats to raise awareness about & build capacity on the Alpine textile heritage & circular & resource-sensitive textile design through 1Open contests open to students and youth in the Alps 2Collaboration with Alpine textile schools 3Learning visits to farms, weaving workshops & other sites 4Development of new products & communication approaches targeting the new generations' sensitivities. -
Heritage-sensitive & circular Alpine textile value chains: Orientation Guides and Heritage Safeguarding Toolkits
Output will make accessible project insights to TGs. 1 Orientation Guides will help textile SMEs & business support organisations to establish circular & heritage-sensitive value chains meeting consumer need for postcarbon lifestyles. 2 Heritage Safeguarding toolkit will help cultural institutions & heritage communities document, digitalize, revitalize, protect through IP rights the Alpine textile heritage & engage with new generations & textile designers. -
Heritage-sensitive & circular Alpine textile value chains: Policy Brief
This Policy Brief (PB) will report on the traditional Alpine textile heritage & current state and potential of the Alpine textile sector, providing multi-sectoral strategic recommendations for cultural and textile policies at the regional and macro-regional (i.e., EUSALP) level, also considering the EU strategy for sustainable textiles & the coming EU regulation on geographical indications for heritage textile craft&industrial products. -
"The living textile heritage of the Alps and its sustainable circular future" Massive Online Open Course (MOOC)
The MOOC will raise awareness & build capacity on the living textile heritage of the Alps, from traditional knowhow and aesthetics to its circular and sustainable future. Participants – students and professionals alike – will learn about the cultural added value of heritage-sensitive innovation and storytelling and how to work with heritage communities in respectful manners avoiding cultural appropriation.
Videos
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Gallery
- Inspiring cultureArchivio fotografico Valposchiavo | www.istoria.ch
- Preserving natureCourtesy of Rokodelski Center Škofja Loka
- Innovative technologyShutterstock
- Sustainable practicesUnsplash
- Contemporary expertiseCourtesy of Rokodelski Center Škofja Loka
- Community spiritCourtesy of Rokodelski Center Škofja Loka
- Circular fashionShutterstock
- Responsible lifestyleUnsplash
Downloads
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This handbook is a synthesized guide to the project — an overview of its conceptual foundation, work plan, and partners, the collaborative process and the other guiding principles, the outputs, interaction with other European strategies and projects, and long-term objectives.Download
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On January 23, 2023, the twelve partner organizations gathered in Ljubljana for the project’s public kick-off before European institutions. Following up, the first noon-to-noon work session focused on the preliminary work on WP1 and the communication strategy.Download
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Every year, there is a special cross-border festival where 100+ communities across the Alps celebrate the traditional black rye bread making by lighting up their local haven simultaneously. For the 8th edition, Poschiavo (CH) participates with the support of AlpTextyles. The idea was to tell the story of Casa Tomé as the bearer of the bread and textile local heritage, connecting the ancient home with the Musei Valposchiavo through a hanging thread of wool. The focus was the coperta poschiavina, with a call to action to those who still have one to bring it to Casa Tomé for entering it into the local archives — and continue the safeguarding.Download
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THE LIVING TEXTILE HERITAGE OF THE ALPS “The Living Textile Heritage of the Alps” event marked a significant milestone: it celebrated AlpTextyles’ first year of dedicated research work and findings about the Alpine textile market and value chains. The event was an immersive experience with networking opportunities and creative thinking, featuring keynotes, roundtables, and an exhibition. Participants engaged with leading experts on a variety of topics, exploring the mappings of once-missing steps of the value chains and the growing revalorization of local resources at the cultural, industrial, and policy-making levels. All keynotes are available on AlpTextyles’ YouTube channel.Download
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ALPINE THREADS The exhibition celebrates AlpTextyles’ research findings, inspired by the unwavering bond between textile craftsmanship and artistic expression. Each canvas, printed on a special ecological material that simulates fabric, is dedicated to the work of a partner. “Alpine Threads” was conceived as a living exhibition that will grow along with the project developments to accompany the events related to AlpTextyles.Download
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TAKEAWAYS FROM A MULTI-LAYERED RESEARCH DAY The report gathers the keynotes and main takeaways from all speakers of “The Living Textile Heritage of the Alps.” The high-profile line-up includes representatives from EU institutions (DG Department of Growth of the European Commission, EURATEX – European Textile and Apparel Confederation), international organizations (WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization, IWTO — International Wool Textile Organization), and cultural associations (European Fashion Heritage Association, Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs), as well a number of project partners.Download
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REDISCOVER THE PATH OF WOOL The cultural transhumance was conceived as a grassroots event involving all the stakeholders that contribute to the sustainability of the wool supply chain — from shepherds to local associations that have reactivated traditional artisanal skills and restored value to wool, innovating products and highlighting their sustainability and circularity to consumers. AlpTextyles brought together the pastoral world and our community for a day-long journey. The event featured a walk with a flock from morning till dusk along the shepherd’s path, allowing participants to meet firsthand the people involved in the wool supply chain of Valle Camonica.Download
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CONSUMER INSIGHTS: CIRCULARITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND MADE IN THE ALPS Consumers can drive the market to support circular, sustainable value chains in the Alpine textile sector, disrupted by globalization. While people do not tend to immediately associate the Alps and textile products, the “place brand” is strongly positive. Critical views against the current globalized textile chains and a willingness to buy local, artisanal, and environmentally friendly products are widespread phenomena, providing an encouraging outlook for the promotion of Alpine textile products.Download
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COMMUNICATING “MADE IN THE ALPS” As the Alps are associated with nature, heritage, tradition, adventure, exploration, performance, and luxury, brands strategically use geographic locations to infuse their products with symbolic meanings. This paper examines how brands connect themselves to the Alps in their marketing communications, showing that some brands emphasize the Alps as a place of production, while others depict Alpine landscapes as a site of consumption.Download
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ALPINE TEXTILE MAPPING. ECONOMY, INSTITUTIONS, AND LABELS The alpine textile sector is comparably strong, especially in Northern Italy, in certain regions of Switzerland and Austria, and in some parts of Northern Bavaria. However, it does not receive enough support in terms of institutional regulations, labels, and certifications. Alpine wool encounters financing issues connected to not being classified as an agricultural product, and is negatively impacted by environmental classifications. Meeting these challenges could unlock the potential of a strongly promotable sector.Download
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MAPPING ALPINE WOOL. PRODUCTION NETWORK, VALUE CREATION, AND FOOTPRINT Due to global concentration processes and the increasing importance of synthetic fibers, the wool sector is weakening, both in the Alps and worldwide. However, Alpine wool, if adequately supported, has great economic potential. Up-to-date marketing strategies, improved networking, technical innovations such as sustainable production processes, and pilot actions to create inspiration can strengthen the sector.Download
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ALPTEXTYLES: BEAUTY UNVEILED Istituto Marangoni delves into the open questions on the relations between the Alps and contemporary creativity, threading a visual journey that connects it to traditions of the past, and challenges of the future. Unveiling the essence of the Alps in reference to the fields of fashion, and design, it offers a stimulus for creative and innovative visions. Visual research on aesthetic values can also facilitate innovation and experimentation with new codes and evocative languages.Download
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ALPINE TEXTILE HERITAGE. AN OVERVIEW Knowledge of the textile heritage and production history in the Alps is fragmented at the local, regional, and national levels. ZRC SAZU has researched the production and use of textiles in traditions and current practices in the Alpine region, focusing on wool, linen, and silk, as well as aspects of aesthetics and costumes. The research also shows how resource sensitivity rooted in local customs can inspire current circular practice, highlighting key milestones and traditional aspects of textile production to promote sustainability across the industry.Download
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MAPPING CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF TEXTILES “MADE IN THE ALPS” emlyon lifestyle center at emlyon business school focuses on consumer communication strategies to justify premium prices, fostering appreciation for sustainable Alpine textile products. “Made in the Alps” can benefit from an added symbolic value, but there is a gap in consumer perception: the positive Alpine image, tied to nature and artisanal know-how, is more linked to tourism consumption than local production. Moreover, except for traditional attire, textiles are absent in consumer perception, which align with brands’ emphasis on sports and luxury.Download
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MAPPING VALUE CHAINS OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN THE ALPS As per Alpine textile production, FAU’s work underlines the coexistence of two distinct value chains differing in scale and product segments: while the global part features highly standardized fibers (i.e., Merino wool), the regional part emphasizes the revaluation of wool for local production. Additionally, the research highlights the gap between Alpine textile institutions and Alpine certifications and labels.Download
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ELEVATING VISION BY TRADITION: ALPINE BEAUTY UNVEILED How do contemporary designers turn the mountains’ aesthetic elements into original interpretations for new products? The work by Istituto Marangoni unravels how the perception of the Alps has changed throughout the centuries, from a dangerous and inhospitable place populated by beasts and demons to a landscape for the sublime and spiritual elevation — a beauty that allows textile heritage to communicate resilience, transparency, and celebration.Download
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RESOURCES TURNED INTO WASTE? FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE OF WOOL, FLAX, AND SILK IN THE ALPS ZRC SAZU’s research untangles the rich textile traditions and innovation in the Alps, revealing the intricate relationships between natural and social dynamics. Combing through Alpine textile history from prehistory to contemporary times, the work stresses how the intangible cultural heritage of local textile communities reflects their cultural, artistic, economic, and educational values. In this sense, including textile practices on national and UNESCO lists is pivotal to safeguarding them and the liveliness of the communities.Download
Project calendar
No upcoming events
04 - 05 Jul 2024
AlpTextyles Partners Meeting
Project: AlpTextyles
63830
1
2024-07-04
2024-07-05
00:00:00
23:59:59
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|project|
74
46.32516975
10.06081852952586
12 Mar 2024
The Living Textile Heritage of the Alps
Project: AlpTextyles
60297
0
2024-03-12
2024-03-12
09:30:00
18:30:59
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|project|
71
45.7406977
4.8193793
25 - 26 Jan 2024
AlpTextyles Partners Meeting
Project: AlpTextyles
60302
1
2024-01-25
2024-01-26
00:00:00
23:59:59
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|project|
71
45.7866826
4.7647662
20 - 21 Sep 2023
New Intertwinings: Cross-border Meeting of Communities from the Alpine Textile Tradition
Project: AlpTextyles
60304
1
2023-09-20
2023-09-21
00:00:00
23:59:59
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|project|
74
46.32516975
10.06081852952586
06 - 07 Jul 2023
AlpTextyles Partners Meeting
Project: AlpTextyles
60301
1
2023-07-06
2023-07-07
00:00:00
23:59:59
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|project|
69
49.5967873
11.0069311
23 Jan 2023
AlpTextyles Public Project Presentation
Project: AlpTextylesPublic presentation of the Interreg Alpine Space project AlpTextyles.
25927
2023-01-23
2023-01-23
10:30:00
12:00:59
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|project|
73
46.0476515
14.5045884
Project news
2024 IWTO Wool Round Table / AlpTextyles’ keynote video is out!
29.11.2024
This year’s keynote for the IWTO Wool Round Table is online! See you at the 2025 Congress!
IWTO Wool Round Table / AlpTextyles at the 2024 edition
28.11.2024
Taking our mapping and marketing research finding to a global platform for the textile industry.
Welcome, WOOLSHED!
06.11.2024
Newly-launched project WOOLSHED to leverage AlpTextyles’s work on sustainability for its mission.
November 14th-15th / AlpTextyles and the EUSALP 9th Annual Forum
06.11.2024
Contributing to the discourse on the circular economy in the Alpine Region with our findings!
Community call / Share your historic photos of traditional Slovenian attire
30.10.2024
Help us create a digital archive of historic photos of traditional attire in the Škofja Loka area.
New European Bauhaus Days 2024 / Ljubljana
25.10.2024
Our research works keep traveling and we’re sharing our insights to more and more students!
UNESCO’s International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
17.10.2024
Showcasing and safeguarding the diversity and richness of living heritage.
Festa de lo Pan Ner 2024 / Monno
16.10.2024
This year, AlpTextyles celebrates the Festa de lo Pan Ner in another community: Monno, Italy!
Festa de lo Pan Ner 2024 / Poschiavo
14.10.2024
Once again, AlpTextyles supports the Festa de lo Pan Ner to intertwine textile and food heritage.
October 2024 / Flachs-Brächete Flax & Linen Festival
10.10.2024
Celebrating the ancient, autumn tradition of the collective processing of flax.
Natural Fibre Connect 2024 & The European Wool Network
10.10.2024
AlpTextyles joins a new cross-border collaboration, the European Wool Network.
September 2024 / Septimo Cultural Festival
20.09.2024
Through project partner Stand Montafon, AlpTextyles participated to a special cultural festival.
September 29 / Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024
17.09.2024
A panel on how wool has turned into a waste product and how to rethink our way forward.
Check out & download our new content online
30.07.2024
Head to: AlpTextyles homepage > Resources > Downloads
Research Day / Highlight videos are out!
24.07.2024
Discover the highlights of our Partners' research work.
It’s a wrap on our fourth Partners Meeting
12.07.2024
Meeting #4, and we’re halfway through the project.
Stand Montafon / Get to know the Partner
12.06.2024
Stand Montafon is an innovative regional management organization.
May 11th, Transumanza culturale / Register to our walk with the flock
02.05.2024
Register for the 2024 edition and discover the cultural heritage of Alpine sheep transhumance
May 11th, Transumanza culturale / A special event to rediscover the path of wool
18.04.2024
Come take a walk with a flock! May 11th, Malonno, Italy
Article about Fast Fashion published on The Conversation
16.04.2024
emlyon writes about the importance of regulatory actions to go with consumer and market practices
Until April 20th, Of flax and linen / A new exhibit in Slovenia
27.03.2024
Discover the textile heritage of linen production in the Škofja Loka area
Our Research Day, from the press
19.03.2024
Read the AURA Region's article on the "The Living Textile Heritage of the Alps"
March 12, Research Day / Thank you!
19.03.2024
"The Living Textile Heritage of the Alps" was such an inspiration!
The RSI podcast episode on AlpTextyles' mission
05.03.2024
The podcast episode documents AlpTextyles' project to create a new material from wool.
emlyon business school / Get to know the Partner
15.02.2024
One of the top 10 European business schools (Financial Times ranking)
March 12, Research Day / The agenda
09.02.2024
We are excited to announce the full agenda for “The living textile heritage of the Alps"
Workshop on natural dyes
17.01.2024
Techtera and AlpTextyles join hands to organize an exciting workshop for the textile industry.
TECHTERA / Get to know the Partner
14.01.2024
TECHTERA is an innovation cluster for the French textile industry.
Polo Poschiavo / Get to know the Partner
11.01.2024
Polo Poschiavo is an Alpine competence center for vocational education and the creation and coordina
March 12, Research Day / Save the date
18.12.2023
"The living textile heritage of the Alps": an event to celebrate our first year of work
Festa de lo Pan 2023: for the lovers of history, textile, and bread
05.10.2023
AlpTextyles takes the "coperta poschiavina" to the cross-border initiative.
Textile communities gather in Poschiavo / Part 3
29.09.2023
The meeting with the communities couldn't have gone better!
Textile communities gather in Poschiavo / Part 2
19.09.2023
Less than 24 hours till we meet with 5 special organizations!
Textile communities gather in Poschiavo / Part 1
01.09.2023
We're delving into the textile heritage with the people who keep it "living".
Intertwining cultures / Project full video
10.07.2023
AlpTextyles’ full video: the entire tale is here!
On our way to Erlangen / Part 2
02.07.2023
Only 3 days left until we gather for #AlpTextyles second Partners Meeting!
FAU / Get to know the Partner
21.06.2023
FAU is an internationally recognized university in natural and social sciences.
Discovering the textile biennale BIEN in Slovenia
16.06.2023
We're back in Škofja Loka for an exciting textile art event.
ZRC SAZU / Get to know the Partner
15.06.2023
ZRC SAZU: the foremost Slovenian public research center for Social Sciences and Humanities
