The journey continues for the young talents shaping the future of wool. Our internship program “From sheep to shop” offers not just insight, but real, hands-on experience at the heart of Reda’s craftsmanship.

This time, Lily and Abigail stepped into the heart of transformation, where threads are stretched, aligned, and woven into possibility. From the artisanal precision of warping and weaving to the creativity of the design department, they followed the fabric across three new steps.

Here’s their account of the journey.

Visiting Reda’s biggest department: warping and weaving

Continuing our journey into the next phases of Reda’s vertically integrated production we moved into the warping and weaving departments. This is the biggest department at Reda with over 130 staff! This is a transformative stage of Reda’s supply chain as the spun and twisted yarns begin their transition into fabric. Each process we observed required a deep technical understanding yet it was executed with incredible attention to quality and design.

Speaking with Alessandro Valerio, the warping and weaving department head, we were given technical insight into one of the most important steps of fabric production. Warping involves preparing the yarns into a parallel, aligned configuration on a warp beam—a process that sets the foundation for every fabric produced. We were impressed by how precision-driven this stage is. This was particularly evident with the manual warping machine, which required workers with an intimate knowledge of traditional practices to carry out their tasks with accuracy and patience. From understanding yarn tension, to how many threads are being drawn per centimeter, everything must be calculated to guarantee fabric quality. The combination of these traditional machines and the newer, automated warping machines shows a crucial mix of technology and artisanship, which allows Reda to innovate in traditional spaces.

Moving into weaving, we worked with Alessandro’s assistant Andrea whose knowledge and expertise were incredibly helpful when learning about the technicalities of this complex department. The looms themselves were mesmerising to watch in action! We learnt about the different characteristics of the air-jet and the rapier looms, which are the two types used at Reda. The air-jet looms are incredibly fast and efficient, ideal for plain and lightweight fabrics, while the rapier looms offer greater control with more delicate fibres such as yarns mixed with linen, thanks to their lower tension and gentler weft insertion. Andrea also explained how certain machine parameters– like air pressure, thread tension, and speed— are manually adjusted depending on the fiber being used, as incorrect calibration can lead to imperfections or breakages. We observed the full fabric transition process, including how the machines are unloaded and reloaded when the beams are changed. We also spent some time with the quality control team, who inspects fabric in real time as it is woven and conducts hourly checks. If a defect is noticed, they are called to intervene and address the issue immediately. We also learned how environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature are tightly regulated, as they can influence fabric tension, yarn elasticity, and final texture. Overall, this department was an incredible intersection of high-speed mechanics, expert human judgement, and environmental precision demonstrating how Reda achieves technical consistency while preserving fabric integrity at scale.

Creativity in the textile industry: the design department

The visit to the design department provided a fascinating shift in focus—from machinery and mechanics to creativity and aesthetics. Led by department head Massimiliano Pera Visun the team walked us through the design development process, beginning with trend research and archival exploration. Reda’s in-house archive spans decades and provides constant inspiration for new patterns, colourways, and textile structures. It was particularly interesting to see the contrast between the traditional methods of creating weave patterns with pen and paper, and the new method of using CAD softwares, which allows the designers to more easily access their colour and pattern libraries and create relevant and interesting collections. The collections of Reda are divided into subcategories for both seasons, style and quality, which helps to manage the large catalogue of fabrics produced every year. The collections’ emphasis is not only on visual appeal but also on durability, performance, and sustainability.

At the core of Reda’s excellence

Finally, our experience in the sampling department rounded out our understanding of Reda’s client interactions and approach. With Alessandro Pichetto, his department is vital in maintaining Reda’s reputation for excellence, by producing sample packets and assembling the collections for the sales agents, as well as playing a crucial role in the development of fabrics, ensuring they meet the required final standards. Reda’s Made to Measure business also operates partly from within sampling, leaving a large task to the internal staff to ensure orders are sent on time and fulfilled correctly.

What ties all these departments together is the unmistakable sense of pride each team takes in their craft. At every level, Reda’s process is thoughtful, detail-oriented, and grounded in a culture that values innovation without compromising on tradition.

As our time at Reda continues, it becomes clearer with each visit just how interconnected every stage is. Warping sets the tone, weaving gives it form, design adds identity, and sampling ensures excellence and customer satisfaction. We can’t wait for what comes next.