“Good, healthy, clean, fair and durable” textiles were the fil rouge of the entire sixtieth edition of Filo. But it was particularly during the opening ceremony that the topic was discussed, thanks to the presence of Dario Casalini, founder of Slow Fiber, and Barbara Nappini, president of Slow Food Italia.

The opening ceremony of 60th edition of the Yarn and Fiber Exhibition was the in perfect Filo style: effective, concrete and capable of addressing a crucial theme for the future of the textile industry: the creation of good, healthy, clean, fair and durable.
The debate led by Dario Casalini, founder of Slow Fiber, was preceded by some more institutional interventions. Paolo Monfermoso, manager of Filo, introduced the works with data and news from the Show. The Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, sent a video-message, in which he wanted to underline how “the success of a textile spearhead, such as the one represented at Filo, can be decisive in reaching a truly circular economy in the sector” (link al messaggio del ministro). Elena Chiorino, Councilor for Education and Merit, Work, Professional Training, Right to University Education of the Piedmont Region, reiterated how appreciable are “the projects on the sustainability of textiles, which however must maintain the same current quality levels”. It is therefore necessary to develop “the skills necessary to keep up with the needs of companies, an objective that is at the center of the technical education reform just launched by the Italian government.” Pier Francesco Corcione, president of ITS-TAM Biella, recalled that “the Biella area has always been at the forefront when it comes to corporate responsibility. Today, to achieve sustainability goals, it is necessary to support the development of skills and continuous training, through ITS. Above all, however, it is the task of large companies to become a driving force for smaller ones, to spread and develop awareness and responsibility on environmental and social issues along the entire supply chain.”
During the debate, Dario Casalini explained the mission and goals of Slow Fiber, while Barbara Nappini, president of Slow Food Italia, recalled the analogies between food and the world of clothing and furnishings and retraced the stages of Slow Food experience, underlining the commitment to giving the right value to food, practicing and spreading respect towards those who produce it in harmony with the environment and ecosystems, thanks to the knowledge of which local territories and traditions are custodians.
The five adjectives that define Slow Fiber textiles were interpreted by representatives of as many companies of the network: “good, healthy, clean, fair and durable” thus took on a concrete meaning, transported into the good daily practices of real production processes.

Biella, October 4 2023