Cashmere workshops in Italy: a timeless craft passed down through generations

Vast and profound—that’s the love story between Charlotte, founder of Linnea Lund, and Italy. And it keeps growing year after year. You may be wondering: Who started it all? What connects Charlotte to Italy’s cashmere workshops? And why, in her eyes, is there no craft more beautiful? Charlotte opens up about her passion for the Bel Paese. Discover the secrets behind this exceptional collaboration that unites her Nordic roots with the artisanal excellence of Italian cashmere craftsmanship.

The roots of a passion: when Charlotte discovered Italian cashmere artistry

Charlotte, where does this love story with Italy come from?

As the saying goes: “The North loves the South, and the South loves the North.” And it really rings true for me. My father, who is Swedish, has an unconditional love for Italy, and he passed that on to me right away. From a very young age, I learned Italian—and I now speak it fluently.

This cultural immersion and language fluency allowed me to build deep, lasting connections with the master artisans we work with—those who keep this centuries-old tradition alive.

Are Sweden and Italy similar in some ways?

Absolutely! Family is at the heart of everything, there's deep respect for elders, and authenticity and generosity are everywhere. There’s a true “family spirit”, a strong sense of legacy and transmission. That’s why there are so many family-run businesses in Italy with unrivaled ancestral know-how. In fact, the cashmere workshops Linnea Lund partners with are exclusively family-owned and operate entirely in Italy. This is a deliberate choice on our part—a guarantee of exemplary and transparent traceability.

Is that what you love about Italian cashmere craftsmanship?

Yes, and also the technique, the patience, the love for the raw material that these workshops know how to elevate. Italian artisans spend their time enhancing the beauty of cashmere—never trying to alter or distort it. It’s not about mass production. It’s about creating beauty, satisfying the person who will wear it, and ensuring the longevity of a garment that can be cherished for a lifetime. To me, Italian expertise in cashmere is one of a kind. Working with these men and women is what gives Linnea Lund its uniqueness and strength.

New cashmere workshops: expanding the Linnea Lund family

Can you tell us about the new cashmere workshops now collaborating with Linnea Lund?

Yes! The Linnea Lund family is growing on the production side with a new family-run cashmere workshop led by Marco (yes, another Marco in the team!), who works alongside his mamma, his brother, and his sister. It’s such a joy to welcome them, especially since we’ll now be able to explore even finer materials together. Then there’s Valeriano and his wife Francesca, who bring passion to every detail—like the knitted buttons on some of our pieces. Every workshop has its own personality, its own style, strengths, and character. That diversity and complementarity—that’s what enriches Linnea Lund.

What connects you all?

I think, like me, they’re driven by the human adventure behind it all. And today, they are fully part of the Linnea Lund family.

The True Strength of Linnea Lund?

People often ask if I personally design each piece in the Linnea Lund wardrobe. I always make a point of saying that it’s a true team effort with our Italian workshops. That collaboration means everything to me. I often say: “Alone we can go far, but together we can go even further.” Without the know-how of our spinner—who creates incredibly strong, soft, silky, and beautiful cashmere yarns—and without the talent of the knitters who transform them into luxurious knitwear of unmatched quality, Linnea Lund simply wouldn’t be what it is today.

What’s the best feedback you get from those who wear Linnea Lund cashmere?

That our cashmere makes them feel good… I love the idea that when worn against the skin, our knitwear brings a sense of calm and comfort that radiates from the person wearing it.