Simone Falli: The Italian Artisan Textile Designer Championing Slow Design

Jul 30
4 min read

Updated: Aug 15

In a world where fast-paced trends and fleeting aesthetics often shape interiors, Simone Falli stands as a quiet revolutionary. Founder of Ozio Piccolo Studio Tessile in Tuscany, Falli is not just a textile designer—he is a true Italian artisan, weaving sustainability, heritage, and poetic slowness into every thread.

His work reflects the values of the slow design UK movement: intentional creation, timeless beauty, and a deep respect for material and process. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Falli to uncover how his practice embodies a more conscious approach to design—one that collectors, designers, and aesthetes are increasingly drawn to.

“I believe in the beauty of imperfection and the strength of repeated, intentional acts.”— Simone Falli

Portrait of Simone Falli, Italian artisan and textile designer, standing outside his countryside studio in Tuscany holding handwoven sustainable textiles in muted and botanical tones.

Sustainability by an Italian artisan dedicated to timeless craft.

Sustainability is embedded in every part of Falli’s work. He uses only natural, high-quality yarns—wool, linen, silk, and cashmere—woven on looms he constructs himself. In 2024, he deepened his commitment by introducing natural dyeing, with a special focus on indigo and traditional dye techniques.

"Each fibre responds differently to dye and to touch," he explains. "It’s a conversation—not a formula."

His approach echoes a broader movement we’re seeing across the UK: a turn away from disposable décor and toward slow interiors, where the emphasis is on longevity, meaning, and material honesty.

For more on this philosophy, we recommend this read on slow interiors from Business & Interiors.

How did your journey as a designer and artisan begin?

My path unfolded almost naturally. I grew up in my family’s workshop, surrounded by looms and yarns. After experimenting in restoration and video art, I returned to my roots at 21, working alongside my uncle. That ten-year apprenticeship taught me the discipline and depth of the craft."

Falli's studio name, Ozio Piccolo, meaning "small idleness," is a nod to the value of slowing down—not to do less, but to do better. It is a meditative space where heritage techniques meet contemporary minimalism.

For more on his live/work space, we recommend this read on Tuscany from House&Garden.

What materials do you love to work with, and why?

I work exclusively with natural, high-quality fibres: wool, linen, silk, and cashmere. These materials have a tactile and visual honesty. They let me stay aligned with my sustainability values. Each fibre responds differently to weaving and dyeing—they have their own voice.

A soft stack of Simone Falli’s hand-dyed textiles in indigo, beige, and natural tones resting on a wooden bench in his Tuscan studio—showcasing small-batch, sustainable design.

Is there a guiding inspiration or philosophy in your work?

Absolutely. My work is about respecting time, matter, and gesture. I believe in the beauty of imperfection and the strength of repeated, intentional acts. I’m not interested in trends—I want to create something that carries presence, memory, and calm.

Is there a piece you feel especially connected to?

Yes—a fabric made from GOTS-certified organic fibres and dyed with natural indigo. It was part of the project that won the 20>40 Award by OMA. That piece brought together my years of research: from building my own loom, to exploring plant-based dyeing, to questioning how time and care shape meaning.

What does it mean to create in small batches or limited editions?

It means preserving uniqueness. It lets me remain close to the process, to honour each material's rhythm. I can listen more, rush less, and keep the human scale of making intact.

How do you choose the weaving technique for each piece?

It depends on the fibre, the function, the feeling. Sometimes I begin with a visual intuition, other times with a technical need. I search for a balance between traditional technique and expressive freedom. The warp and weft can become a language.

Italian artisan Simone Falli at work on his handcrafted wooden loom in his Tuscan studio, weaving natural fibres by hand in alignment with his slow design philosophy.

What role does tradition play in your process?

Tradition is my anchor. The skills I learned from my family, and the regional techniques I've inherited, are my base. But I don't repeat them—I reinterpret. It's not nostalgia; it's evolution.

For more on this philosophy, we recommend this read on slow interiors from Business & Interiors.

What do you hope people feel when they bring your work into their homes?

I hope they feel a connection, as if the fabric speaks to their own story. I want to transmit calm, respect, and a sense of care. I want my work to create spaces that breathe.

Detail of a handwoven table runner by Simone Falli, made from natural fibres and styled with ceramic ware—an example of Italian artisan textile design for slow interiors.

Have you collaborated with other artisans or designers?

Yes. I regularly work with architects and designers on custom textile projects. Every collaboration challenges me to step outside my patterns, to explore new ideas. It's a valuable part of my growth.

How has your creative vision changed over time?

It has become more essential. I’ve learned to subtract rather than add. Today, I work with cleaner lines, muted palettes, finer textures. My eye has become more sensitive to nuance and imperfection.

In the context of slow design UK and the growing desire for authentic, handmade pieces, Simone Falli’s work couldn’t be more relevant. He is a textile designer who doesn't just create objects—he creates atmosphere, memory, and presence.

His textiles are not decorative flourishes. They are quiet companions that ground a space. Whether you are an interior designer, collector, or design enthusiast, Falli offers more than beauty—he offers meaning.