The production and processing of velvets dates back to the 16th century.
Velvets were used for liturgical vestments, clothing and furnishings. In fact, Genoese velvet was one of the favorite fabrics of the nobility and the papacy for over three centuries. With industrialization and the substantial increase in production, the market seems to have sidelined Ligurian production, also in favor of the foreign market. The artisans were unable to adapt to the new pace of production. Weaving just a few dozen meters of fabric using artisanal methods takes months of work and the highest levels of specialization, but the resulting product is infinitely better than the industrial one. This is why the art of silk in Genoa and Liguria is still practiced today. In the past, Sergio Gaggioli, at the age of 15, initially accompanied by his father, would visit the homes of the 25 outworkers to check their work and the operation of the looms that produced “Genoa plain velvet “.
This is where he began to gain experience, learning the tricks and secrets of the trade.