Come
Located at the heart of the Italian Textile Valley, Como is founded on its patrimonial textile industry. The city aspires to pass on this deep-rooted traditions and artistic skills from generation to generation, while continuing to improve technique and manufacturing potential. This is thanks to Como’s constant push for innovation, which is ensured by the support of excellent training centres, and promoted by the commitment and creativity of the industry´s artisans and textile manufacturers. The industry focuses on intricate and complex production methods, where the art of silk craft, along with the tradition of sericulture, play a fundamental role.
Como´s textile industry is backed by scientific input from a host of exceptional training institutions, such as the Setificio school, the oldest textile school in Italy established in 1868 and the only one to offer a course in textile design; the University of Insubria, which promotes research, innovation, and sustainability in its textile chemistry courses; the Silk Museum, which preserves the traditions of the industry´s production methods; and the "Ratti" Foundation, home to a prized art collection and monumental textiles archive.
Underlining the importance of the city’s industrial base, today about 70% of European silk is produced in the Como district, and the city is proudly home to about 1,400 silk companies, which provides employment for over 15,000 people. The turnover of the textile district is estimated at USD 2.28 billion, providing not only financial resources, but cultural and social interaction for many of the city’s residents.
As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, the following steps will be important:
- Putting in place strategies for a circular economy that will create opportunities for urban regeneration and inclusion;
- Making its centres of creativity and innovation available to other UCCN member cities to expand opportunities for exchange and good practice development; and
- Sharing experiences, knowledge, and good practices and collaborating within the UCCN on innovative projects.
