The passion for knitwear is part of her DNA, while the desire to improve one’s professionalism through courses and continuous training is all her own doing. Melissa Santini, part of the TLab team, has very clear ideas on the importance of continuing to study and improve. “Being able to count on targeted training courses is an important added value to increase not only my skills and my creative ability. After having already attended some courses, now, I would really like to be able to receive further notions on the development of knit stitches especially by deepening and learning to use electronic machines by programming them directly from the computer”. It is now clear that the digitalization of processes is an important evolution in the sector in which Melissa operates, so it is impossible for this girl to remain stuck in the same position. After attending a scientific high school in applied sciences, she subsequently enrolled at TAM, taking a two-year post-diploma course on fashion textiles in the knitwear sector. “An almost inevitable choice for me, thanks to the example I breathed in my family. The passion for knitwear was in fact passed down to me by my mother and my grandmother: both of them have always knitted, creating sweaters, scarves, hats and bags that I still have today. Making it a profession was the consequence of a series of choices”. Choices that led her to land in Tollegno 1900. “I arrived at Filatura di Tollegno in March 2021 thanks to a 4-month internship defined by the TAM. In September I was hired in all respects: I have been with the company for four years now, working in its Tlab, a creative area led by Nicoletta Meriglio. A research and experimentation space where ideas and projects are born every day”. Projects for which training is central.
You recently took part in a “personalized” training: how did it take place and what did you learn?
I had the opportunity to follow a more in-depth course on the development of stitches with Coppo flat knitting machines. The training was extremely useful for increasing my work experience, but also for perfecting techniques and machine steps already learned in the past. In recent years, in fact, I had the opportunity to participate in a session of this type, but I believe it is always valuable to update yourself and learn new techniques.
Techniques that you will then apply in your work. What exactly does your activity consist of?
I am mainly responsible for organizing the internal processing cycle for the development of the sample cloths, from the knitting to the finished cloth, ready to be shipped to customers, passing through the washing, ironing and gluing phases on the cloth-holder card.
In the busiest period of the year, during the development of the collection, you also follow other jobs…
Exactly, I also organize the shipments of material to suppliers for the creation of the color cards, the development of the samples on flat machines to be sent to the knitting factories for the final production of the stitch cloths, which will be included in the presentation books.
But not only that: once the collection has been developed, the “process” does not stop..
You are right: another important activity is the digitalization of the colors, which will enrich a vast online archive, which can be consulted by customers. Together with Nicoletta, we also focus on research and development of patterns and stitches, following current trends, with the aim of updating and expanding the sample collection to be presented during the most important event for us: Pitti Filati.
In your experience, what will the future of the knitwear world be?
The wave of eco-sustainability will not stop, on the contrary! Trying to increasingly reduce the environmental impact of the industry will be an even more heartfelt priority. As will the ability to innovate using increasingly cutting-edge technologies. The future will therefore speak the language of increasingly complex and detailed products. Furthermore, as I had the opportunity to read in an interesting article, the fusion of knitwear and technology will allow the development of increasingly personalized tailor-made garments. I believe that our iconic yarn Harmony will also lend itself to this evolution.
Harmony which represents the yarn that you would feel comfortable recommending…
Undoubtedly yes. This pure wool yarn is perfectly suited to any type of processing thanks to its technical characteristics that allow the creation of a wide variety of final products. Personally, I also like to use it on multiple strands to give shape to very voluminous and soft
