Anticipating Proposte Fair 2026
The 33rd edition of Proposte returns to Villa Erba in Cernobbio, May 5–7, with 87 exhibitors from 14 countries—an 11% increase over last year. This year’s theme, Heritage Forward, signals an interest in what tradition can still set in motion.
Proposte Overview
Proposte is a small, selective business to business trade fair—originally conceived by a consortium of mills to present Italy's finest textile manufacturers to an international audience of buyers, editors, and designers. Over the years it has grown to include exhibitors from across Europe, but the scale remains intimate and the entry bar high: every company is vetted for production quality, design commitment, and technical capability. It's one of the few events where exhibitors are selected for their direct involvement in production—whether that means weaving, printing, dyeing, or finishing.
A Glimpse into Proposte 2026
Under the theme Heritage Forward, this edition marks the debut of a new presidency led by Marco Parravicini, alongside longtime director Massimo Mosiello. Architect Cristina Celestino has been commissioned to redesign the fair's shared spaces, with a particular focus on the Ala Regina—which returns to a central role in the exhibition route—as well as the Sala Esedra overlooking Villa Erba's centuries-old gardens, the cafés, and the entrance portals. The Sala Esedra will be reimagined as a lounge for business meetings and cultural programming.
I've been attending Proposte since 1997, first as a designer for Schumacher, now as editor-in-chief of The Textile Eye. Nearly three decades later, Proposte remains an important part of my business, from sourcing for my clients to connecting with the industry. It also provides insight into how the industry evolves. In recent years, I’ve been able to attend as a guest of the Italian Trade Agency, and each visit brings something fresh—this year, 11 new mills.
Eleven new names join the exhibitor list
Eight Italian companies, one Belgian, one Lithuanian, and one British.
Manchoni GSF (Belgium)
Woven fabrics in mixed-fiber compositions—linen, cotton, wool, acrylic (Dralon), polyester—partnering with Italian yarn manufacturers. Their focus is on weaving technique, thread density, and finishing.
Photo via Proposte
Audejas (Lithuania)
The first Lithuanian company at Proposte. Operating out of Vilnius since 1946, they produce over a million meters of upholstery and home textile fabric per year for furniture producers and wholesalers across Western Europe, the UK, and Scandinavia.
Photo via Proposte
Edinburgh Weavers (Great Britain)
A welcome return. Founded in 1928 under the Morton textiles dynasty, Edinburgh Weavers built its reputation by commissioning artists—Barbara Hepworth, Terence Conran, Paul Nash—rather than textile designers. They now work across lifestyle, contract, and healthcare.
Photo via Proposte
Fasac 1955 (Italy)
A printing, dyeing, and converting house with nearly seven decades of production behind it.
Italreflexes (Italy)
Wallcoverings since 1980, founded by Gianfranco Salvi, whose first client was Donghia. They work across fabrics, metals, beads, glass, and velvet to build textured wall surfaces well beyond conventional wallpaper.
Photo via Italreflexes
Jacqart
Since last year, Imatex has merged with Prosetex—a Gruppo Marzotto company known for jacquard velvets in residential, hospitality, aviation, and marine—to form Jacqart. Headquartered in Bulciago, backed by Rino Mastrotto and Gruppo Marzotto, with Giorgio Meda (formerly of Rubelli) as general manager. This is their first Proposte under the new identity.
Photo via Jacqart
Nice – Gruppo Aurim (Italy)
A family company from the Veneto, now under the ALCE S.p.A. holding, with an almost fully verticalized production chain—polypropylene yarn extrusion through weaving. Their imNativ brand collects fabrics that are recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable, all made in-house.
Photo via Aurim
Paoletti Tessuti (Italy)
Based in Quarrata near Pistoia, producing jacquard, woven, and raffia fabrics in cotton, linen, wool, nylon, and polyester for leather goods, footwear, furniture, and apparel.
Photo via Paoletti Tessuti
Pontoglio 1883 (Italy)
A fully verticalized velvet producer on the banks of the Oglio river, handling everything from yarn to finished fabric in-house. Their printing department offers both rotary and digital, drawing on an archive of historical and contemporary designs.
Tecnofinish (Italy)
Textile finishing with a strong sustainability line, including their ECOFIRE natural fireproof treatments—over two million meters of fabric processed annually with ECOFIRE GG77 alone. They work across furnishing, apparel, and wallcovering.
I believe this is the first time a finisher is showing at Proposte, which is worth noting.
Velvetex (Italy)
Cotton, linen, viscose, and polyester velvets in piece-dyed, yarn-dyed, and jacquard constructions. Their Villa Pillo collection produces upholstery entirely from recycled rags and old clothes, rooted in Prato's wool-regeneration tradition.
Ala Regina
International Observatory
Beyond the Booths
As always, expect the streets of Cernobbio to be populated with pop-ups and presentations from mills not included in the official Proposte programming. Many of these are serious producers showing outside by choice—worth visiting, though it helps to know what you're looking at. Ask how and where the product is made, and whether you're talking to the manufacturer or a reseller.
Comocrea Interni, the companion event dedicated to textile design for home furnishings, continues its collaboration with Proposte but moves this year to a new venue—the Palazzetto dello Sport on Via Privata Bernasconi in Cernobbio, running the same dates. The shift clears the way for the Ala Regina's expanded role in the main exhibition route. Comocrea is where textile artists and designers show original artwork for purchase—it's one of the more idea-driven parts of the week, and the new space may change the way visitors encounter it.
The International Observatory returns for its 10th edition at the Sheraton Lake Como Hotel, with eight international producers. A shuttle from Proposte's main entrance connects the two venues, and your e-badge gets you in.
The traditional gala evening returns on the first night—always a good way to ease into the week before the booth visits begin in earnest.
The fair opens Tuesday, May 5th, and closes Thursday, May 7th.
Planning Notes
Proposte is a trade-only event. Pre-registration is required and can be completed on the official Proposte website.
The fair runs Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday, May 7 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
My standing recommendation: stay in Como and take the ferry to the fairgrounds. It's scenic, efficient, and a much better start to the day than sitting in traffic.
Bring a layer—Lake Como weather in early May can turn on you quickly. See my selfie below - I’ll be bringing an umbrella this year!
If you want a proper sit-down meal, the buffet at Villa Antica is the best option on-site
I’ll Be There
I'll be posting from the fair throughout the week and taking notes for our full report. The Textile Eye subscribers can expect a comprehensive dispatch soon after, covering the key takeaways, trends, and standout moments.
If you’re planning to attend and want to connect—or if you’re curious about receiving our Proposte report—feel free to reach out!
