[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

#Weaving

Lindauer DORNIER GmbH welcomes new apprentices and dual-study students

For 22 new “DORNIER Talents”, these days mark the beginning of a new chapter at Lindauer DORNIER. For the family-owned company, in-house training is a key pillar in developing skilled professionals and retaining them within the company for the long term.

#Weaving

"Dynamic markets do not only create uncertainty – they also create opportunities."

Volatile markets, increasingly complex materials and growing demands for flexibility are changing the weaving industry. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in technical textiles, filtration, composites and many other specialised applications. Since taking over as Head of DORNIER's Weaving Machines Product Line at the beginning of 2026, Yvonne Schuberth has been helping to shape this development. In this interview with TexData, she explains why process stability and customer proximity remain the foundation of innovation, how digitalisation is transforming weaving mills, and why she believes the future belongs to technologically demanding applications.

#Composites

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

#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.

More News on Weaving

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Stäubli supports Asia’s weaving industry with solutions across the full value chain

From PCB fiberglass fabrics to denim production, and from premium Jacquard weaving to 3D technical textiles, Stäubli continues to drive the transformation of Asia's textile industry through innovative technologies. With reliable machine performance, advanced automation solutions, and a comprehensive service offering covering the entire equipment lifecycle, Stäubli is committed to helping weaving mills enhance productivity and overall operational efficiency, enabling them to better meet future market challenges.

#India ITME 2026

KARL MAYER highlights new technologies and growth opportunities at INDIA ITME 2026

India‘s textile industry is undergoing a profound transformation: What was previously a production hub driven primarily by cost and volume is increasingly evolving into a market focused on technology, exports, and value creation. KARL MAYER supports this change with high-performance machinery solutions and innovative textile concepts, and is therefore looking forward to INDIA ITME 2026 with great anticipation.

#Weaving

Stäubli showcases its global expertise in 3D weaving through its Technical Weaving Systems center of excellence

From aerospace and defense components to carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP), ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and high-tenacity fabrics in ballistic and industrial applications, 3D weaving is opening new opportunities for advanced technical textiles.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Three stages, multiple customer benefits: KARL MAYER during ITMA ASIA 2026

At ITMA ASIA in Shanghai, KARL MAYER will once again demonstrate that it understands the challenges facing the Asian textile industry – and will present tailor-made solutions.

Latest News

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Mayer & Cie. Global gears up tor ITMA Asia 2026

Mayer & Cie. Global will focus on mattress fabric production at ITMA Asia, taking place in Shanghai from 20 to 24 November 2026. The company will showcase one of its flagship models for this application: the OVJA 2.4 EM. Joining the mattress fabric specialist will be an OV 3.2 QCe, presented at ITMA Asia in a configuration for knitting double-face fabrics in E40. This gives the OV 3.2 QCe a combination of capabilities rarely found in the market. The German textile machinery manufacturer will also introduce its new portfolio strategy and share updates from its development team at its Albstadt headquarters.

#Associations

EU and Mercosur textile industries launch new Textile and Apparel Dialogue

EURATEX, ABIT and FITA have launched the EU–Mercosur Textile and Apparel Dialogue (TAD), a new industry platform aimed at strengthening cooperation between the European and Mercosur textile and apparel sectors.

#Spinning

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Vietnam’s market evolution creates new sourcing opportunities at VIATT 2027

As Vietnam’s textile industry continues to upgrade and scale, new opportunities are emerging for suppliers of advanced raw materials, design-led fabrics, production technologies, and sustainability solutions. The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return 24 – 26 February 2027, presenting a cross-sector platform – spanning apparel, home and technical categories – for overseas companies to connect with manufacturers, brands, sourcing offices, retailers, and industry buyers from Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond.

TOP