Since its origins, the Prato textile district has been inextricably linked to the concept of sustainability. A highly developed textile sector has developed in the area, which specialises in fibre recycling.
Ancient recycling and reuse traditions are today a productive reality that act as a driving force for a fashion industry that’s increasingly seeking to be more environmentally and socially sustainable.
Prato was the first district to implement a circular approach to resource management, and has been reusing a huge variety of textile waste since the end of the 19th century.
Nova Fides was born here, in a true circular economy laboratory where
creativity and advanced technical skills are combined with versatility and technological
innovation.
HERE WE ARE
The journey of Nova Fides begins in the sixties, when Giuliano Calabresi was a factory worker in the Prato area of Casarsa.
In 1964, his inventiveness, determination and entrepreneurship led him to buy his employer’s company – Follatura di Casarsa – which specialised in fulling, a mechanical process of scouring (cleaning) and milling (thickening) woollen fabrics. In antiquity, this was done in the Bisenzio River before it moved indoors into the factory.
At the end of the 1960s, new company headquarters were built in the heart of Montemurlo, a still virgin area that was only just beginning to welcome textile companies, fostering a thriving industrial district.
Our company was one of the first to settle in this new centre of Prato’s textile district, significantly contributing to its development and growth.
In the 1970s, the company became Lanificio Fides, managing the sale of the finished fabric by coordinating every phase of development from raw material to finished product.
The woollen mill created samples based on its collections and market trends. Then when it received an order, it managed every step of the supply chain.
In the 1980s, the woollen mill was renamed Nova Fides. It stood apart for its textile recycling practices and efficient reuse of raw materials, becoming an industry leader in reducing chemical use and water and energy wastage throughout the production phase. It became renowned for designing quality, durable fabrics, investing heavily in product development, staff skills and cutting-edge machinery.
In 1996, Giuliano Calabresi passed away suddenly.
Although their careers had been projected towards other horizons, Giuliano’s sons, Paolo and Claudio, decide to take over the family business.
Thanks to them, Nova Fides’ growth does not halt. The family textile tradition continues, adopting an even more cutting-edge and sustainable business model.
Nova Fides now boasts a vast knowledge of recycling and specialises in sustainability.
In the 2000s, our recycled efforts continued to be a “hidden revolution”. Purchasing recycled raw materials costs less than purchasing virgin ones. Additionally, the recycled fabric is already dyed, allowing us to skip the very expensive step of dyeing, which uses a lot of energy and water.
We still have to wait a few more years before we can champion this sustainable practice.
In 2007, Marks&Spencer teams up with Nova Fides to put sustainability at the top of its agenda: “Plan A” (because there is no plan B) is launched.
The two companies present the first knitwear recycling experiment, creating a new finished garment – a coat – made from regenerated wool and cashmere.
The knits were donated by the customer who took them, at the end of their life, to a Marks&Spencer store, where they were collected and, through the OXFAM network, transported from England to Prato.
The Nova Fides production chain in the Prato textile district recycled the knits with the regenerated yarn made into a new fabric that was then used to create a recycled cashmere coat.
While this decade talks about ecology, it’s still too soon for sustainability. PLAN A is perhaps too avant-garde a project. The market isn’t ready and it’s only partially successful.
After a 2020 dominated by a pandemic, a 2021 full of obstacles and challenges, and a 2022 defined by the war in Ukraine, 2023 begins with optimism and determination, looking to the future with hope.
The challenges of this decade have not affected the operations, objectives or growth of Nova Fides. The priority has always been to safeguard the health and employment of the people who work at the company, with well defined precautionary strategic and health measures.
Nova Fides is well equipped to respond to the different needs of a market in constant evolution. Thanks to the strong production flexibility that has always distinguished our company, we are able to develop and present hundreds of new proposals to clients every season.
Ensuring a high level of customization, while championing economic, social and environmental sustainability, is one of the most important strengths of Nova Fides. We achieve this by investing in cutting-edge solutions, next generation machinery and skilled staff, with plenty of new hires and continuous training.
Consciousness Innovation Uniqueness with a dynamic heritage
#novafides a tradition in sustainability
People are the pillar of our business, an absolute priority and core value. Nova Fides fosters a work and development space where people can meet, discuss and grow together.
Renewable resources, avoiding negative impacts on society and the environment, preserving and meeting the needs of future generations.
Elegance and tradition meet with trends, new materials, colours and textures,
in search of the perfect balance between heritage, sustainability and innovation.
The collaboration between the style team and the technical department makes our designs unique. The synergy between the commercial team, weaving team and internal laboratory is the fulcrum of the creative process and the winning ingredient in all our projects.
Giuliano Calabresi is responsible for the name Nova Fides.
To him, Latin is the language that illuminates language, telling the story of a civilization, human evolution and the culture of a people.
From this Nova Fides was born. Where Nova draws innovation and an eye to the future, Fides represents the responsibility, trust and reliability of the company.
1965
1970
1990
2010
2020
2023• Sustainable projects with Marks & Spencer - Close Loop and Miracle Linen
2007• Solar panels and WOVEN BY THE SUN BY NOVA FIDES trademark
2014• April: Digitization of the textile archive
• May: Listen to your clothes
• November: 2ND CHANCE - Liter of Light
• December: LET'S GROW THE FUTURE - corporate projects
• Friends of TIPO
• May: Company vegetable garden
• June: MEGAFABRIC - headquarter renovation
• Unlock the future
• Defibrillator installed and made available to the community of Montemurlo
• Partnership with Florida State University
2021-2022• WemPark sponsorship - digital communication
2022• New looms - 52 for production and 20 for play
2023• Water fountains
• Recycled waste containers
• July - Employee bonuses
• Training in Google Suite NF and PTX tools
• Corporate ERP training
• Trello, Notion and digital showroom training
• December - Additional company bonus
• December - Christmas Party
• January - Branded Clothing
• January - Waste management training day with ALIA
