Silk Fibers for Fashion as Drivers of Regional Development: A Comparison Between Italy and Thailand

Native textile fibers have recently gained traction in sustainable fashion for their low environmental impact and potential to drive regional development. This article compares silk production in Thailand and Italy, examining two distinct yet complementary trajectories. First, in Thailand, mulberry silk weaving is a living tradition rooted in Isan’s rural economies, whereas Eri silk has emerged as a sustainability-driven diversification supported by institutional research. In contrast, Italy has witnessed a partial rediscovery of sericulture after its near-total disappearance in the 20th century. Initiatives such as Nido di Seta in Calabria and Tecnoseta in Lazio exemplify emerging efforts to revive silk production on a small scale, reconnecting with local heritage while experimenting with sustainable fashion practices. Both contexts share core traits: silk production occurs in peripheral or rural areas, fostering the regeneration of marginalized areas through small-scale, artisanal methods outside industrial norms, despite differing historical paths of continuity or reintroduction. Despite these similarities, significant disparities remain in terms of historical continuity, institutional support, and market access. By analyzing these convergences and divergences, the study contributes to debates on place-based development, indigenous materials in fashion innovation, and the intersection of craft, sustainability, and territorial identity.