The 20th century

At the beginning of the century, the rapid succession of great world exhibitions and the appearance, all over Europe, of numerous specialised fashion publications quickly brought about the circulation and comparison of the ideas put forward. In this context the movement called Modernism was born, which, depending on the country in which it developed, took the name of Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Modern Style, Liberty.

Modernism, which asserts the functionality of ornament against the gratuitousness of the decoration of the previous historical period, takes shape in works that reject all revivals, showing a marked interest in Japanese art.

The famous Weimar school, as early as 1919, included a textile section, whose activity can be considered the last great effort to find a comprehensive solution to the problem of art and industry, in line with the principles set out by Morris.