[pageLogInLogOut]

#Weaving

The kings’ cloth: How one of Lyon’s oldest silk manufacturers lives up tradition and drives innovation

Whether in the palaces of Versailles, Compiègne, Fontainebleau or in the Louvre: Prelle’s magnificent silk fabrics still adorn the rooms of numerous state palaces. The manufactory is the only family-owned company of its kind that designs and produces exclusively in France.

The history of this traditional company in Lyon dates back to the 18th century. Thanks to the Prelle and Verzier families, both Canuts, the art of silk weaving lives on today. For more than a century, the family workshop has been located in the same premises in Lyon, the former centre of the French silk craft. Today, meaningful pieces of history are brought back to life there beneath the fingers of Guillaume Verzier. In addition to producing fabrics following old patterns as they used to be found in royal residences and palaces, the manufactory has also increasingly taken over restoration works in recent years. These demand above all an instinctively sensitive touch, dexterity and skill: In the King's bedroom at Versailles, it took 23 years to restore the silk fabrics with gold threads. As one of two out of formerly 400 remaining silk weavers in Lyon, Mr. Verzier emphasises: "It is both an honour and a privilege. It is a unique know-how.”

© 2021 Lindauer DORNIER
© 2021 Lindauer DORNIER


Traditions over generations

For more than two centuries, the strength of the manufactory has been its "cabinet des dessins", a treasure trove of drawings. This tradition of always establishing a partnership between silk weaver and designer still characterises the company's profile today. The combined competencies allow the Prelle Manufactory to offer a very close collaboration to creative people, architects, decorators and designers. As an ambassador of luxury and refinement “à la française”, the prestigious weaving mill is proud to continue the history of the silk manufacturing tradition in Lyon for customers in search of the extraordinary.



Weaving silk threads on P2 rapier weaving machines from DORNIER

Guillaume Verzier in the fifth and his daughter Sabine Verzier in the sixth generation of the Prelle family carry on the traditions of their ancestors and at the same time drive innovation. Numerous technical developments, such as the installation of DORNIER weaving machines in Jacquard version, are intended to expand the possibilities and flexibility of the manufactory. 

The replication of the cultural heritage succeeds, among other things, with the P2 rapier weaving machine delivered to Prelle for the first time in 2020. In addition to the unrivalled DORNIER SyncroDrive® drive concept, the latest, more compact machine generation is characterized by an increase in productivity achieved through an improved shed geometry, optimized positive-controlled central transfer and the patented colour selector and feeding system (DisCoS®), which allows up to 16 colours to be processed even more efficiently.

Prelle and DORNIER interweave these values in a very special way: tradition and quality. We look forward to many more years of partnership and cooperation.

© 2021 Lindauer DORNIER
© 2021 Lindauer DORNIER


More News from Lindauer DORNIER GmbH

#Techtextil 2026

From carbon to canvas: DORNIER presents flexible and reliable weaving technologies for 3D weaving and dynamic markets at Techtextil

At Techtextil from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt am Main (Hall 12.0, Stand D95), Lindauer DORNIER will be showcasing reliable and flexible weaving technologies for ever-changing market requirements. The machine and plant manufacturer will present retrofits for existing machines, the new TRITOS® FLEX 3D weaving technology, intuitive automation concepts and software solutions for data-sovereign networking of the weaving machine fleet.

#Weaving

Lindauer Dornier announces leadership transition in weaving machine business

After more than ten successful years at Lindauer DORNIER GmbH, Mr Wolfgang Schöffl will leave the family-owned company at the end of the year to enter well-deserved retirement.

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

DORNIER celebrates its anniversary at ITMA Asia + CITME

To mark its 75th anniversary, machine and plant manufacturer Lindauer DORNIER will be presenting the latest developments in its rapier and air-jet weaving machines at ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore (Hall 2, Stand B401) from 28 to 31 October 2025. The focus will be on energy-efficient weaving technologies, new IoT solutions for networked textile production and systems for the series production of modern fibre composite components.

#Weaving

From the Venus flytrap to foldable aircraft wings: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2025 honours bionic research on 3D weaving technology

Long wings with foldable tips have the potential to reduce aircraft fuel consumption and make aviation more sustainable. An interdisciplinary research team has now developed a new solution based on the Venus flytrap: Freely movable wingtips made of fibre composites which are produced using innovative 3D weaving technology. For this pioneering combination of textile technology, aviation and bionics, researchers Patrick Meyer (TU Braunschweig) and Michael Vorhof (TU Dresden) were awarded the Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2025 in mid-July.

More News on Weaving

Latest News

#INDEX 2026

ANDRITZ at INDEX ’26: Driving sustainability with next-generation nonwoven technologies

From May 19-22, ANDRITZ Nonwoven & Textile is presenting its innovative solutions for the nonwoven & textile industry in Geneva, Switzerland. ANDRITZ will focus on technologies for sustainable and durable nonwovens, converting, sustainable fiber processes, textile recycling, and life-cycle services on booth 2114 in hall 02.

#INDEX 2026

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

From 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will gather in Geneva at Palexpo for INDEX™26. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how the future of technical materials will increasingly be shaped by collaborative supply chains and integrated innovation across the nonwovens industry. This year’s edition focuses not only on individual technological advances, but also on how cooperation throughout the value chain can enhance the performance, sustainability and value of nonwoven solutions.

#INDEX 2026

The LYCRA Company launches LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens, advancing comfort and fit in disposable hygiene at INDEX™ 26

The LYCRA Company, a leader in innovative and sustainable fibers for apparel and personal care, today announced the official global launch of LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber for nonwovens at INDEX™ 26, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 19–22. This breakthrough stretch fiber, already trusted by leading global apparel brands, now ushers in a new era of comfort, fit, and performance for baby diapers, disposable hygiene products, adult incontinence, and feminine care.

#INDEX 2026

Innovations for today – solutions for tomorrow: Trützschler Nonwovens at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May, Trützschler Nonwovens will present itself at booth 1641 as a long-term partner to its customers. The focus will be on new products for all nonwoven processes, further developments of the digital working environment T‑ONE, and an expanded service portfolio.

TOP