The Academy
We promote education, research and culture in European textiles: independent, expert, international.
Mission
The Academy brings its work together in four pillars: promote, research, preserve and educate. In this way it creates fresh impetus for the future of textiles.
Promote
Research
Preserve
Educate
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the organisational backbone of the Academy. It sets the strategic direction, builds international connections and ensures sustainable development.
Fashion designer and author. Works mainly with linen and natural fibres. His aim is to give textile craft a new standing. Focus areas: regionality, ecology, economy. Lecturer in master craftsman training for clothing, fashion and textile ecology.
A leading authority on textile restoration and conservation. Works internationally with heritage offices and organisations. Initiator of numerous exhibitions. Lecturer in restoration at international universities of applied sciences. Member of the International Sindone Committee.
Trained in graphic design and art, studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bologna. Fourth-generation head of Kunststickerei Hofer, an art embroidery studio in Bolzano. Specialises in artistic designs in embroidery and painting.
Goals and values
The European Textile Academy aims to protect the long tradition of the European textile industry as cultural heritage and to pass it on.
Our main areas of focus:
- Knowledge transfer between science, business and society
- Supporting young talent in their professional development
- Promoting sustainable innovation in textiles
- Building a Europe-wide network of experts
- Developing and running training programmes
The Academy also organises events such as conferences, competitions, fashion shows, exhibitions and presentations.
It advises individuals, museums, institutions and public authorities on the restoration and conservation of historical textiles. It prepares quality and authenticity reports and manages valuable objects received as donations or gifts.
Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board supports the work of the Academy with specialist expertise. Its members come from research, teaching, restoration and professional practice, and they advise on projects, publications and educational programmes.
Architect. Works at the Assessorato dei Beni Culturali in Caltanissetta. Organises international exhibitions and museum installations. Editor of publications and restoration projects.
Professor of Social Sciences at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. Specialises in sustainable development and local economies. International experience in research, teaching and practice.
Over 25 years of experience in textile architecture. International project developer and expert consultant. Focus on natural fibres and technical textiles. Speaker, author and workshop leader.
Professor of Medieval Economic and Social History at the University of Vienna. Research interests: the history of clothing and textiles, and European connections between Italy and north-western Europe.
Maria Luise Fill: trained in textile conservation, specialising in Coptic and pre-Columbian textiles.
Robert Trevisiol: Professor Emeritus of Art History at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Together they collect antique carpets and textiles, which have been exhibited at the Musée Royal de Mariemont (Belgium).
A pioneer of textile conservation. Set up the textile department of the Abegg Foundation (Bern). Has restored cultural treasures internationally, author of numerous specialist publications and a speaker in demand worldwide.
Professor of Competitiveness and Sustainability at LIUC University, Varese. President of Blumine srl. Author and researcher in sustainability and innovation in the textile and fashion sector.
Computer scientist and expert in virtual media. Specialist in the visual implementation of marketing strategies.
Member of the Scientific Advisory Board (see also Board of Directors).
President of the Leopold Kohr® Academy. Head of the Leopold Kohr® Institute at the University of Salzburg. Organiser of international projects and publications focusing on textile culture.
Questions? Partnerships? Become a member!
Would you like to join our network, suggest a partnership or ask about our programmes?
