Spring in Europe this year is with unpredictable weather conditions. After a few weeks of heat, the skies over northern Italy were once again covered in clouds. On one of those rainiest days, we went on a journey to Borgosesia, a picturesque town in the Valsesia valleys a few hours’ drive northwest of Milan. Even though the weather is not the most ideal, I must say that the rain and the mist gave this occasion a charming and peculiar mood.

Invited to Borgosesia by Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia, we took a half day off discovering the story behind the textile house. Hailing from Piedmont, one of the main regions that process wool textile in Italy, Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia stands as a beacon of Italian textile excellence since 1850. Surrounded by scenic landscapes of the Italian Alps and entwined by the gurgling Sesia River, Borgosesia and its vicinity offers lush mountain pastures and abundant water supply essential for fleece washing and mill powering. Taken full advantages of the nature, Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia grew from a small worsted spinning mill with just 20 employees to a textile company of 635 people over its 175-year of existence.

During the tour, we learnt that the growth of factory transcended mere industrial success. By the late 19th century, Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia has become a cornerstone of the local community, providing housing for workers, a fire brigade, and a medical clinic. Such organization underscored the company’s deep commitment to social responsibility and welfare, and the tradition of giving back to the society continues. Today, Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia focuses on its sustainable development, employees’ welfare and the workplace’s health and safety.

The factory of Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia is another interesting point worth mentioning. The building retains the spinning mill’s original structure and design, where at the entrance a monument of shepherd and sheep is an inherent link through the history and essence of the brand. Walking through the factory, we had the opportunity to take a glance at all the production steps. Starting from raw material spinning into yarn, then dyeing into colorful threads; the wools were transformed into diverse textures with different thickness, catering to a myriad of luxury fashion needs.

While maintaining the tradition of yarn-making, Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia does not stop innovating. With a coherent sustainable strategy, the brand develops diversified high-quality and trendy textile with greener and more environmental-friendly operations.

Another highlight of the tour was a private concert of a string quintet inside the factory’s historical “Sala Consiglio” council chamber. Corresponding to the brand’s FW24/25 collection “Orchestra”, the musical notes echoed in the room are like spindles, spinning into beautiful melodies. A performance of a passionate soloist ensued by introducing each musical composition to the guests, explaining the nuances in each piece and immersing the audiences into the world of classical music. With the excellent acoustics of the hall, the concert was turned into a cozy delight.

The tour ended with a concluding cocktail in a hall surrounded by historical images and vintage manufactory machines. Even though the weather wasn’t the most pleasant, we had a more than pleasant experience in Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia, getting an insight about the history and the manufacturing process, and having a tour through the beautiful factory with euphonious music echoing in the background.