“The word ‘canut’ is part of our history, and we are very proud of it. But we don’t want to turn into a place of pilgrimage. »President of Intersoie France, association behind the organization of
Silk in Lyon (from Thursday to Sunday at the Palais de la Bourse), Xavier Lépingle wants to take advantage of the 3rd edition of this silk festival to emphasize the dynamism of the sector: “it represents around forty companies and several thousand employees in the region. , with brands that shine globally ”.
The days of the weavers of Croix-Rousse (in the 19th century) are therefore obviously over. “Our heritage can be found in 200 years of archives,” specifies Philippe Delfosse, Managing Director of Sfate & Combier and of Guigou (50 and 25 employees respectively). I am reappropriating this heritage dimension which can really give us ideas for the future. “Also Managing Director of Hermès Textile Holding, Xavier Lépingle continues, about the privileged relationship between this natural textile material and Lyon since the Renaissance:” We have unique know-how, and despite the search for cost optimization in textiles, these have always remained in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ”.
“Hermès and Chanel make it possible to perpetuate an ecosystem”
A great historic house like Tassinari & Chatel thus illustrates this attachment to “a basin of silk” recognized throughout Europe, just like the region of Como in Italy. And the sector is currently recruiting in large numbers in the region, like Guigou, who is looking for several machine operators in Saint-Rambert-d’Albon (Drôme).
A momentum also enabled by the presence around Lyon of luxury mastodons Hermès and Chanel. “By investing in companies in the region, they make it possible to perpetuate an ecosystem”, estimates Philippe Delfosse, who will be part of the sixty exhibitors present at the Palais de la Bourse from this Thursday.
A creation from one end of the chain to the other, under the eyes of the general public
Praising “the alliance between tradition and innovation”, and exporting mainly its silk to the United States and England, it is keen to “not be dependent only on luxury houses which make it rain and shine”, and has therefore launched partnerships with young designers. Like Hermès Textile Holding, it is pleased to recall that even the milling of the thread of its productions is carried out in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (in Ardèche). It is also this long process made in AURA that Silk in Lyon will highlight during four days devoted to cultural, industrial and know-how aspects.
The festival, which attracted 8,000 visitors in 2019, offers the general public “an immersion in the world of silk”. “Visitors can see the product being created before their eyes, from the cocoon to the fabric, and even get their hands dirty, which is quite impressive,” confides Xavier Lépingle. By showing all the stages of manufacture, it also makes it possible to make Lyonnais better understand the value of the final price of a product. Many are surprised to find that silk is still made in the region today. “
Silk in Lyon, from 2 to 7 p.m. this Thursday, from 10 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 to 6 p.m. Sunday, at the Palais de la Bourse (Lyon 2nd). € 5 for the day, € 10 for the 4-day pass. The entire program of conferences and events is here.