Vitelli's sustainable knitwear on show at Pitti Uomo

On the occasion of Pitti Uomo, the Italian artisanal knitwear brand Vitelli has unveiled a new collaboration with Consinee, a Chinese cashmere company. Thanks to this valuable partnership, Vitelli will dive for the first time “beyond the thread”, working with the raw material for the development of new yarns responsibly, using scraps and spinning for textile fiber production. Renewing its commitment to slow fashion, with “beyond the thread”, Vitelli has previewed Cashmere trail: a Vitelli journey beyond threads, a campaign divided into three acts to narrate this new chapter at Pitti. The documentary, directed by the brand's founder Mauro Simoniato, explores Consinee's cashmere supply chain, a limited edition zine created with photographer Patrick Bienert, and a preview of the capsule collection.

Founded in 1999 in Ningbo, Consinee is one of the most significant knitwear companies globally, contributing to 20% of the global production of pure cashmere yarns. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the group's philosophy, a feature that takes center stage in the collaboration with Vitelli. Recycling and protection of the pastures from which Consinee's cashmere originates are crucial for the company's production, which reuses dyeing water, uses plant-derived materials and recycled cashmere, harnesses the energy of solar and photovoltaic plants, and exercises careful oversight of its supply chain.

At Pitti Uomo, within the Fortezza da Basso, Vitelli has set up an immersive installation to showcase the capsule collection in recycled cashmere. With ten pieces combining the brand's contemporary design with the richness of yarns, Vitelli has introduced its sustainable vision by highlighting zero-impact knitwear. The presentation is complemented by images captured by Patrick Bienert, a German photographer known for documenting youth culture and territorial change, while the film directed by Mauro Simoniato narrates the production stages of the Consinee supply chain, a journey to discover the raw material unveiled in the heart of Florence this week. «The collaboration with Consinee stems from the Chinese company's interest in Vitelli's 'regenerative' practices in high-end knitwear,» recounts Simionato, «as well as curiosity about my brand storytelling, constantly balancing between product and image, craftsmanship, and 'culture.' When I asked the company for detailed information about their production chain, particularly their certified cashmere and recycled yarn, the company's response was, 'Why don't you come and see and document it in person?'»