There are many weaving districts in Italy, specialising in many different types of cloth: velvet, damask, silk, macramé, etc. The weavers are highly qualified and are the modern representatives of ancient traditions. They serve famous designers and world famous artisans, but also customers who want to create elegant spaces with exclusive tapestries, fine rugs, bespoke household linens and so forth.
Just consider the province of Genoa: it was already the worldwide capital of textile manufacturing in the 1400s. Today, as in the past, damask is still produced in this zone on the ancient shuttle, lampas and macramé looms that are typical of the Liguria region.
Other centres in Liguria include Zoagli, the city of velvet, and Lorsica, famous for damask since the 1500s.
Traditions are also very strong in Calabria, where skilled weavers continue to work on fascinating medieval looms that originated in Lombardy (for weaving robust rag rugs) and the Aosta Valley.
The 18th and 19th centuries introduced much innovation to the textile sector. Workmanship was still artisanal, but new machinery opened the way to very fine warps, reduced thickness and woofs of all types. Examples are still extant in Perugia and in Tuscany.
Rugs and tapestries would deserve a chapter of their own. In Italy, they incorporate a perfect union of tradition and contemporary design.