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Fashion, design and textiles in Lyon
Lyon has been a breeding ground for creators since the 16th century. Its textile know-how, born of silk, gave rise to neighbouring industries: dyeing, chemistry, technical textiles. Today fashion, jewellery and design carry on the tradition.
From silk to chemistry
Silk dyeing helped the chemical industry grow, later followed by pharmaceuticals and research. Lyon thus remained a research platform for fabrics, with so-called smart textiles for medical or sports use.
Technical textiles
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a major hub for technical textiles, backed by the Techtera competitiveness cluster. These materials are used in healthcare, sport, industry and construction.
Fashion, jewellery, design
The city has young designers of lingerie, made-to-measure clothing, leather goods or jewellery. On the slopes of the Croix-Rousse, small workshops carry on the creative tradition. Several fashion and design courses are based here, including the Université de la Mode.
Silk in Lyon
Each November, this silk festival takes place at the Palais de la Bourse. It invites visitors to buy and discover fabrics and revives the story of the canuts.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Lyon linked with fashion and textiles?
Because Lyon's silk trade, born in the 15th century, durably established weaving, dyeing and design skills.
What is Silk in Lyon?
A silk festival held in November at the Palais de la Bourse in Lyon.
Silk and the canuts
Contemporary art in LyonUpdated 25 October 2026.