Patrizia Ginesi e Maria Varagona

Patrizia Ginesi and Maria Giovanna Varagona opened the La Tela atelier in Macerata (Italy) in 1986 in the refurbished premises of an old turner’s workshop. Using nineteenth-century looms, they work with passion to keep alive a local textiles tradition, a pattern weaving technique called “a liccetti”.

Since 1988 La Tela has promoted educational projects in primary and secondary schools in the Marche Region, inviting pupils to visit the atelier and take part in interactive activities, and organises customised courses for adults to learn hand weaving and lace making. In particular it works with disadvantaged groups, such as rehabilitation centres, correctional facilities, and mental health institutions and is part of the Confartigianato project “Bottega Scuola” for the promotion of crafts and trades. In 2007 the atelier opened a museum tracing the history of this age-old weaving technique.

La Tela has worked with a large number of major fashion houses, including Valentino, Alberta Ferretti, Chanel, Calvin Klein, Gianni Versace, Bally, and Alexander Mc Queen, which helped launch the company on world markets. Every year the atelier produces for the Benedictine nuns of Saint Cecilia in Rome the fabric they use to make the pallia, or liturgical vestments, which the Pope bestows on metropolitan bishops around the world.

In 2007 the Marche Region awarded La Tela the “Marche eccellenza artigiana”.

Awards, Honours and Teaching Appointments

  • Dal 1988
    Educational initiatives and courses in hand weaving, run in the atelier.
  • 1989
    Lions Club of Macerata award for the promotion of important local activities.
  • 2000
    Marche Regional Council award as leading women in local business.
  • 2004-2005
    Premio Donna Impresa della Camera di Commercio.
  • 2006
    Premio La Primavera, International Textiles Decoration Competition, Corciano (Perugia, Italy).
  • 2007
    Premio Creativamente awarded by the Macerata Province.