Collaboration across the textile supply chain is the central theme of the 65th edition of Filo, reaffirming the belief that only a united and dialogue-driven system can address the complex challenges facing the global textile industry. Among these, sustainability remains the most critical. At Filo65, this challenge is addressed through a renewed and focused approach in the Sustainability Area, once again developed in collaboration with C.L.A.S.S., the international eco-hub founded by Giusy Bettoni.
Located within the Networking Area of the exhibition, the Sustainability Area brings together innovative and responsible textile proposals, with a strong emphasis this season on two key themes: Native Wools and the continued evolution of the InsideOut value system introduced in the previous edition.
Native wools represent a deep-rooted connection between landscapes, rural communities, and centuries-old pastoral traditions. Curated by C.L.A.S.S., the Sustainability Area offers an immersive exploration of local sheep farming, regional identities, and traditional knowledge, demonstrating how these heritage fibres can be reinterpreted for contemporary textile, fashion, furniture, and interior design applications. This focus has been made possible through the close coordination between C.L.A.S.S. and Patrizia Maggia, President of Agenzia Lane d’Italia.
Through selected case studies, the Sustainability Area highlights how native wool supply chains can evolve into niche, high-quality products with strong added value. Participating companies and projects include Fibre Gentili, Piacenza 1733, Lanificio Paoletti – MTF, interior design brand Mariantonia Urru, Agenzia Lane d’Italia, and the Marlaine project, funded by the Interreg Italy–France Maritime Programme with the National Research Council and the Institute for BioEconomy as key partners.
Alongside materials and processes, the Area reinforces the importance of the ten measurable yet often invisible values defining the new generation wardrobe: ethics, social initiatives, transparency and traceability, environment, health, circular economy initiatives, design, ingredients, production, dyeing, and finishing. These principles form the foundation of the InsideOut project by C.L.A.S.S., which aims to make sustainability values visible, verifiable, and easily communicable. The next phase of InsideOut focuses on end-user engagement through awareness, education, and participation, supported by a new language that connects supply chains, industry, designers, and consumers.
The Native Wools focus at Filo65 is designed to encourage constructive dialogue among professionals, designers, and visitors, positioning local fibres as a realistic and forward-looking pathway for a responsible textile industry where tradition and innovation reinforce one another.
This discussion continues beyond the exhibition space through two sessions of the Dialoghi di Confronto, organised in collaboration with C.L.A.S.S.:
• Native Wools: From local sheep farming to territories, customised supply chains and knowledge for contemporary textile industry on Wednesday, 11 February at 2.30 pm
• InsideOut: Visible and invisible values in the new generation wardrobe. A new language to communicate them, from supply chain to consumers on Wednesday, 11 February at 3.30 pm
Both talks underline the strategic role of integrated supply chains in responding effectively to the demands of an increasingly complex and value-driven market.
The 65th edition of Filo will take place on 11 and 12 February 2026 at Fiera Milano Rho, Hall 5.
