The booming silk trade in Lyon brought many fabric manufacturers to France in order to meet the demand. In 1466, King Louis XI created the silk industry in Lyon in order to reduce France's trade deficit with Italy, who was the major producer of silk at the time. The industry continued to grow and by the 16th century, Lyon had become the capital of the European silk market.
While the beginning of the French silk trade dates back to Louis XI, it wasn't until 1540, when Francis I granted Lyon a monopoly on silk production that the industry really took off. As the region became more confident in its own style and unique approach to the craft, Lyonnais silk developed its own appearance and characteristics distinct from Italian and Asian silks. By the mid-17th century, over 14,000 looms were running in Lyon in order to meet the incredible international demand. The silk trade greatly bolstered the French economy and provided jobs and steady income for about a third of Lyon's huge population. The fabric trade centered in Lyon today is known for much more than silk. Recorbet specializes in the production of fine net, mesh, and lace fabrics ideal for curtains. Established in 1947 by founder Leon Recorbet, the small workshop originally held just a few small looms. The company outsourced much of its production to small local workshops. Croizet Sur Gand is a very small town with less than 300 inhabitants. It's located about 70 kilometers northwest of Lyon in the beautiful Rhone-Alpes region. This region is one of the most innovative in the country, and is the center of much of France's industrial economy. Many technology, science, and design and architecture businesses are centered in the Rhone-Alpes region. While at one point fabric production was among the most thriving industries in the area, today there are only a small number of these mills remaining. Beginning in the 1960s, Recorbet had expanded substantially and began specializing in lace curtain fabrics. They acquired a number of wide width looms and built new additions onto their factory allowing them to specialize in new types and widths of fabric. The latest addition was built in 1992 and houses a state of the art facility for ultra-modern weaving.Recorbet has remained competitive through their commitment to innovation and exploring new designs and production techniques. They boast a highly diverse product line and are one of the last five French curtain weavers still in production. Their many years of experience and deep commitment to quality and excellence allows them to continue to create new styles of organza, etamine, and gauze fabrics that excite interior designers the world over.