Today, linen is one of the most beloved fabrics in the world. Frequently found in garments such as shirts, blazers, and trousers, it conveys a relaxed and casual style. Connoisseurs often choose linen as a highlight for occasions and events held in spring or summer. Even the wrinkles in linen have come to symbolize elegance, status, and affluence.
However, the rustic and pleasant impression we associate with linen today is the result of a relatively recent fashion revolution. While now it is rare to find a linen suit that is not in a light pastel shade, before Solbiati placed linen firmly on the fashion map, it was nearly impossible to find it in colors beyond beige, navy, or royal blue. From a modest family business founded in 1874, Solbiati has grown into the world’s premier supplier of linen, forever changing the way we perceive and use this fabric.
History When Michele Solbiati founded his namesake company in 1874, it primarily produced the popular textiles of the era—cotton, velvet, and satin—fabrics favored by Europe’s upper classes. Initially, the company operated on a small scale, serving a local clientele in Italy.
It was not until the outbreak of the First World War, when Michele’s three sons—Enea, Carlo, and Leopoldo—took over, that Solbiati began its transformation into the prestigious textile manufacturer it is today. The brothers resolved to make Solbiati an international weaving mill, exporting products worldwide.
As the war intensified, many businesses could not survive the harsh conditions. Yet these challenges enabled Solbiati to endure. With demand for military uniforms and equipment surging, Italy turned to Solbiati—by then an internationally recognized name—to meet its needs. This collaboration with the Italian military helped the company thrive during one of history’s darkest periods.
The Linen Revolution Originally, linen products were coarse and stiff. Before the 1960s, linen was used almost exclusively for tablecloths and household items, being far too rough for apparel.
At that time, the fashion industry was awash in synthetic fabrics, and public attention was directed elsewhere. However, when the fourth generation of the family, Vittorio Solbiati, made the bold decision to shift the company’s focus from rayon and other synthetic textiles to linen, it reignited the fashion world’s interest in natural, authentic materials, and reinforced traditional craftsmanship.
Softness & Brilliance In just fifty years, Solbiati transformed the role of linen in fashion. They introduced new weaving techniques that rendered linen softer and more pliable. The use of tiring methods and special washes gave rise to the renowned “linen crepe,” whose elegant wrinkles and graceful drape on the wearer marked an entirely new form of luxury.
Soon, fashion houses worldwide embraced this revolutionary change. New colors were introduced, along with dyes that created vibrant palettes, including the “cloud sky” tone that would become emblematic of linen style.
Solbiati’s business rapidly expanded, continually refining linen to ensure the highest quality. Innovative techniques demonstrated the company’s remarkable creativity and secured its place in fashion history.
Solbiati Today: The World’s No.1 Linen Brand Today, Solbiati is an irreplaceable name in the realm of fine linen. As proof of its prestige, luxury conglomerate LVMH—world leader in high-end goods—has recently acquired Solbiati to secure control over the world’s foremost linen supply. Their innovations have defined the modern perception of linen: its softness, luminous colors, and natural fit to the human form. Wrinkles, once seen as flaws, have become hallmarks of wealth and style.
Through a fusion of creativity, culture, and excellence, Solbiati has not only changed how we view linen but also redefined how we experience fashion. In the world of fine linen, Solbiati has been, is, and will remain the undisputed leader.