Meet The Makers - Throws

‘Meet the Makers’ is an ongoing series about our world-class manufacturers, covering their techniques, materials and cultural heritage.

Who makes our woollen throws

After scouring the market, we found the perfect manufacturers for our woollen throws in the sun-drenched lands of Northern Italy. This family-owned company is set against the gorgeous backdrop of Lake Como, an area that’s famous for its rich textile heritage and was named a UNESCO Creative City in 2021.

Some history

The group started in Milan in the post-war years, with a network of shops selling canvas, muslin and linen. Then in 1948, a small workshop was set up to cut, sew and embellish the fabric with lace and embroidery. Their clients? The emerging bourgeoisie (who were no longer hand embroidering themselves).

As they expanded into printing, spinning and weaving the group joined forces with other textile houses to cover the full production of household textiles, end to end.

Over 150 years of craftsmanship

One of these groups (the one that makes our premium wool throws as well as a whole range of other household linens) was founded almost 100 years earlier. Today, its full production line remains in Northern Italy.

The recipe is a simple one: take the finest natural fibres, use state-of-the-art manufacturing looms, and pay close attention to quality at every single stage. Then watch as precious yarns transform into luxurious linens.

staff member from Gabel working at a desk

Techniques

From start to finish, every step of the textile process expresses a century-old Italian cultural heritage, creativity and style.

WEAVING

The weaving stage produces fine bedding, tablecloths, throws, towels, and more. Skilfully combining experience with the most modern looms, guarantees the creation of superior fabrics of outstanding quality.

PRINTING

The printing, dyeing and finishing stages are done in Rovellasca, Como. Here fabrics are enriched with the most refined patterns and colours. The choice of digital and traditional rotary printing allows total freedom of creativity.

DYEING

The dyeing phase is done in autoclaves where fabric is immersed in an alkaline bath with wetting agents, levelling agents and reducing agents. It is then washed and oxidised: to remove any excess dye and set the colour.

FINISHING

And lastly the finishing touches. Also called ‘ennobling’, this process can improve the hand-feel, physical properties or look of the fabric -  making it softer, stronger and more beautiful.

Treatments can include singeing, calendering, bleaching, raising, brushing and shearing, creping, antibacterial, stain-proof, anti-crease, water-resistant and waterproofing.

Sustainability 

Long committed to sustainability, our wool throw manufacturers have chosen not to outsource any of their production, keeping every step of the process in Northern Italy. This way they can maintain their high standards on quality control, environmental sustainability and working conditions. It also means they can make sure all their production units, offices and stores use only renewable energy sources.

Their products and processes have been awarded two important certifications: STeP by OEKO-TEX® and GOTS.

STeP

(Sustainable Textile Production) is an environmental certification for ecological textile plants that communicate, in a transparent and credible way, their own path towards increasingly sustainable production.

GOTS

(Global Organic Textile Standard) is the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic agriculture.

Wool throws

Every one of Rise & Fall’s wool throws is made with love in this small scale Italian production house, imbued with their creativity and technical know-how. Choose from a range of subtle colours and gorgeously tactile wool blends that are sure to elevate your home.

Tonal Check Throw 

This 100% lambswool throw is luxury for the everyday. It’s timeless, stylish and looks great thrown over your favourite armchair.

  • Comes in two classic colours, blue or grey check
  • It’s cosy, beautifully woven, and soft to the touch
  • 100% Lambswool makes it super strong, warm, temperature regulating, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, wrinkle-resistant, odour resistant and breathable

Basket Weave Throw

With a gorgeous and subtle basket weave texture this throw comes in a 50/50 blend of lambswool and alpaca.

  • Comes in two pastel tones, that bring a certain softness to your living room
  • The 50/50 blend gives the comfort and strength of lambswool, with the lightweight, smooth, glossy and extra breathable benefits of alpaca
  • A luxurious, flawless weave at an incredibly reasonable price

Two Tone Cashmere Throw

Made with a sumptuous blend of cashmere, silk and wool, this throw brings a five star feel to your home.

  • Comes in two neutral tones, bringing pure sophistication to the end of your bed or sofa
  • This blend brings the irresistible softness of cashmere, the sheen of silk, and the strength of lambswool
  • Perfect if you’re looking for pure luxury without the huge price tag