Name: Reda
Founded: 1865 by Carlo Reda in Valle Mosso, Biella, Italy
Headquarters: Valdilana (formerly Valle Mosso), Biella region, Piedmont, Italy
Quick Facts
Specialty |
Fine merino wool fabrics for men's tailoring – renowned for softness, durability, and modern performance properties |
Range / Collections |
Reda 1865 (classic suiting), Reda Active (technical & sportswear fabrics), Reda Flexo (stretch fabrics with bio-based elastane), and Reda Rewoolution (outdoor & knitwear wool line) |
Product Types |
Worsted suiting, jacketing, and technical wool fabrics made from superfine New Zealand merino wool |
Scale / Capacity |
Fully vertical operation – spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, and design all done in-house; annual output in the millions of meters |
Reputation |
Recognized globally for combining Italian textile craftsmanship with sustainability and technological innovation; certified B Corporation since 2020 |
Mill History
Reda was founded in 1865 by Carlo Reda in Valle Mosso, a town within Italy's famed Biella region, long celebrated as a center of fine wool craftsmanship. In the early 20th century, the mill was acquired by the Botto Poala family, who ushered in a period of modernization and global expansion.
Reda sources superfine merino wool from New Zealand through its owned and managed farms and transforms it into high-quality suiting fabrics at its Italian mill. This structure allows the company to maintain precise control over every stage of production, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, and ethical practices.
In recent decades, Reda has become a leader in sustainable textile manufacturing, investing heavily in renewable energy, water conservation, and fully traceable wool supply chains. Today, it is recognized as one of Italy's most forward-looking mills, blending traditional Biellese heritage with cutting-edge textile innovation.
Why We Love Reda
Our master fitters affirm that everything Shepherd's creates with Reda materials is incredible value for the cost of the fabric. Reda is known for their wide range of fun and bright colors used for sports jackets – their Milano jacket collection is very popular with Shepherd's customers. You get your choice of colors, checks, pinks, and purples, but at an entry level pricepoint.
Reda does great heavier fall and winter fabrics like flannel jacketing, as well as breathable, lightweight fabrics like hopsacks for your warmer weather garments. They also offer a shirting selection that is 100% wool, providing a unique feel and flow to a garment you'd typically expect to be cotton. They're excellent at thinking outside the box and providing unique fabrics you wouldn't typically find in a department store, while still being accessible to any discerning gentleman.