History
From its origins to the present
Fermo Fossati 1871, the oldest silk industry in Italy and the third born in the world, specializes in fine tie fabrics, but also makes accessories for the fashion and luxury world such as scarves, foulards and pochettes. The company has belonged to the world history of tie fabric since 1856 and was relaunched as Fermo Fossati 1871.
Coming from a well-known family of weavers, Ottaviano Mantero Scheuten, the last of Beppe Mantero’s eight children, decided in the 1990s to take over and relaunch local companies in crisis. His grandfather, Riccardo Mantero, had founded his own company in 1901, paving the way for a family history of success and excellence.
Ottaviano in 1990 acquired Fermo Fossati, a historic and glorious silk manufactory founded in the mid-19th century in Binago, in the province of Varese, and moved in 1964 to Tavernerio, in the province of Como.
Then in 1992 he took over Tessitura Serica Carlo Riva, bequeathed by the founders to Lecco Hospital, which with the proceeds of the sale could finally open the entire “Coronary Unit” department.
Carlo Riva, which arose in the 1940s, was already a world-renowned manufacturer of silk and cotton fabrics for shirts and pajamas, with a tradition of excellence that the new owner carried on with skill, dedication and passion.
In 2022, Ottaviano acquired Seteria Bianchi, an entrepreneurial activity of the Bianchi family, established in 1907, when Ettore Bianchi, who had already been working as a sales agent in the silk business for several years, made the decision to establish his own company. The company evolved over the years, participating in fairs and exhibitions, expanding in facilities and personnel, and reaching a role of importance in the world silk weaving scene.
Today at Carlo Riva, traditional craftsmanship is perfectly intertwined with new techniques: the technologically more advanced looms in terms of performance are flanked by traditional shuttle looms in 90 cm. height with selvedge, which are more suitable for those who tailor shirts.
Yarns with very fine counts, derived from Top quality raw materials from Egypt, can thus be used to make these fabrics.
