On 9 April 2026, Woolshed took part in the sixth edition of the Giornata della Lana, held at Lanificio Cerruti in Biella and promoted by Agenzia Lane d’Italia. The project was invited by Patrizia Maggia, Director of the Agency, within an edition specifically devoted to territorial wool micro-supply chains and to the innovative, sustainable production models that are currently contributing to the renewal of Italian wool.

The event offered a valuable opportunity to present Woolshed to a highly relevant audience of sectoral operators, institutions, designers, researchers and organisations engaged in the relaunch of wool-based economies. The presentation focused on the project’s transnational network of partners and stakeholders, and on the role of the Design Marathons as collaborative experimentation formats through which new uses, applications and narratives for Alpine wool are being explored.

In this context, Woolshed was positioned not only as a research and innovation project, but also as a platform for connecting local wool ecosystems, design expertise, textile knowledge, manufacturing capacities and territorial development strategies. The discussion around micro-supply chains was particularly consistent with Woolshed’s ambition to turn underused wool resources into new economic, cultural and environmental opportunities for mountain areas, while strengthening the visibility of pastoralism and local textile heritage.

The exchange with the invited speakers was especially relevant. The dialogue with Vincenzo Zezza, Director of Casa del Made in Italy in Turin, helped frame the project within a broader reflection on Italian manufacturing identity, territorial production systems and the strategic value of sustainable materials. The contribution of Vanda Bonardo, National Head for the Alps at Legambiente, opened a complementary perspective on the ecological role of Alpine pastoralism, landscape maintenance and the environmental value of resilient mountain economies.

The event also created concrete opportunities for networking with other initiatives and actors working on wool innovation. Particularly useful was the exchange with Giuseppe Demelas, Executive Sales Manager at Mariantonia Urru, who is involved in the Interreg Marlaine project. Following the meeting in Biella, the Iuav working group planned a further discussion with Demelas during Milan Design Week, in order to assess possible synergies with the activities being developed within the Woolshed Design Marathons.

The participation in the Giornata della Lana also opened a promising dissemination and awareness-raising perspective. Together with Giusy Bettoni from C.L.A.S.S., the Iuav group is exploring the possibility of bringing the Inside Out communication project to Venice, as a way to strengthen public engagement around wool, sustainability, design and the cultural value of local textile supply chains.

Overall, Woolshed’s presence in Biella confirmed the relevance of the project within the emerging debate on the future of Italian and Alpine wool. The event strengthened relations with key stakeholders, helped connect Woolshed with complementary initiatives, and contributed to positioning the project as an active component of a wider movement working to rebuild value, meaning and innovation around wool.