Loro Piana

As part of the LVMH Group, Loro Piana may be more commonly recognized for its luxurious fashion brand image. In the world of tailoring, it holds a distinguished position as an Italian mill known for providing only the finest fabrics. Since the beginning of my career in this field, I have regarded Loro Piana with a special admiration and respect. Around 2010, the first item I tailored using Loro Piana fabric was a wool-linen navy jacket. At first glance, it appeared to be a simple plain navy weave, but I vividly remember being impressed by its exceptional comfort.

The History of Loro Piana

Loro Piana was founded by Pietro Loro Piana in 1924. In comparison to some Italian mills that have a history spanning over 200 years, Loro Piana's story might seem relatively recent. However, the company's roots in the wool trade go back to around 1800, and it started weaving its own fabrics in 1924. Within about 20 years, the company had already established an unshakable reputation as a top supplier of wool and cashmere. By the 1980s, Loro Piana had launched its own brand and evolved into a unique luxury SPA (Specialty Processing Area), managing everything from raw wool procurement to spinning, weaving, and product creation. Since joining the LVMH Group in 2013, Loro Piana has continued to develop while preserving the quality it's renowned for.

Not Just Fabrics for Apparel

While Loro Piana is known as a fashion brand, focusing purely on its mill aspect reveals three additional divisions. The Loro Piana Fabric Division comprises 'Clothing Fabrics' for apparel, 'Furnishing' for furniture, and 'Knitwear Yarns' for knit products. Beyond suit fabrics, the company's ability to supply original, top-quality fabrics for everything from furniture to knitwear underscores the remarkable breadth of Loro Piana's expertise in various fashion domains.

The Origin Story of the Masterpiece "Tasmanian"

There is an interesting anecdote about Loro Piana. Known for its "Tasmanian" fabric, synonymous with soft, drapable fabrics made from fine Super150's wool and higher, Loro Piana's association with fine yarns began somewhat accidentally. Around 1970, the prevalent fabrics in circulation were traditional, heavy, and sturdy. An Italian tailor, responding to a client's request for a softer fabric, discovered the "Priest's Cloth," a fabric Loro Piana supplied to the Vatican for clergy garments. This encounter led to the development of Loro Piana's renowned "Tasmanian" fabric, a transformation of the Priest's Cloth into an unprecedented soft and drapable material. The reputation of this fabric spread globally, shaping Loro Piana's future direction and redefining the perception of Italian fabrics as light and soft.

Efforts in Sourcing the Finest Raw Wool

The belief that only the finest raw wool can create the best fabric is a cornerstone of Loro Piana's philosophy. This premium wool is a gift from animals raised in optimal environments. Committed to "ensuring only the highest quality products," Loro Piana goes beyond mere procurement, deeply caring for the animals' living conditions to source the finest raw wool.

Wool

The globally sought-after "Tasmanian" collection by Loro Piana is woven from the finest Australian Merino wool. By forming exclusive contracts with select Australian farms that produce ultra-fine wool, Loro Piana ensures a stable supply of incredibly fine fibers, including Super150's and even Super170's. This strategic sourcing enables the creation of their world-renowned Tasmanian fabric, celebrated for its exceptional quality and finesse.

Cashmere

Cashmere from Inner Mongolia is reputed to be the finest in the world. However, given its popularity, the market is unfortunately rife with imitations. Rest assured, though, when it comes to Loro Piana's cashmere. The company maintains its own agency in Mongolia for sourcing and inspecting raw wool, ensuring a consistent supply of the highest quality genuine cashmere. Loro Piana is a preferred customer to local producers, often receiving the best raw wool due to its significant annual purchases.

Vicuna

Loro Piana spares no effort in procuring Vicuña, often referred to as "the fiber of the gods." The company has established reserves in South America, in countries like Peru and Argentina, to protect this rare camelid species. Vicuñas, native to the Andes and coveted for their beautiful fur, became targets of overhunting and poaching since the 17th century. From a population of around 3 million before the 17th century, their numbers dwindled to a mere 5,000 by 1960, prompting the Peruvian government to establish protected areas. About 30 years later, in 1994, Loro Piana led an international consortium and secured contracts with local Andean communities. By cooperating with local producers and protecting vicuñas from poaching, Loro Piana obtained the rights to humanely shear the animals and export the fabric (shearing the vicuñas also helps protect them from poachers targeting their beautiful fur). In 2008, Loro Piana went a step further by establishing Peru's first private reserve, the "Dr. Franco Loro Piana Reserve." Thanks to these efforts, the vicuña population has increased significantly, thriving in a protected environment. Based on the philosophy that only animals raised in good conditions can provide the finest raw wool, Loro Piana works closely with local producers to protect these animals while sharing their blessings.

Unrivaled Elegance of an Italian Brand

What makes Loro Piana stand out? The ability to procure superb raw wool as a top supplier and to manage the entire production process from fabric to finish in their own factories is a remarkable advantage. This advantage is reflected in the understated elegance of Loro Piana fabrics. The use of colors, patterns, and finishes is always subtle and refined. The excellence of these fabrics becomes indisputable upon touch and wear. It's this confident, restrained assertion of quality that defines Loro Piana's elegance. For those seeking top-quality comfort without ostentatious display, Loro Piana is the ideal choice. Though understated in appearance, the texture, comfort, and drape of the fabric eloquently speak of its extraordinary quality.