The business expanded significantly when Michele’s three sons took over just before World War I, turning it into an international textile mill that exported globally and produced military uniforms, ensuring the company’s survival and growth during a period of conflict.

In the mid-1930s, the third generation diversified production into rayon, viscose, cotton, and silk to meet market demands for a variety of durable fabrics. However, by the 1960s, the Italian cotton industry faced a severe downturn. Fourth-generation leader Vittorio Solbiati made a bold move to concentrate almost entirely on linen, a fiber largely underutilized in high fashion at the time.

This pivot defined the modern Solbiati brand. Vittorio innovated how linen was processed, pioneering unique washing techniques that made the fabric softer, more malleable, and introduced a wide range of colors and patterns, moving it beyond simple summer wear into the world of high fashion. This “linen revolution” made Solbiati the leading name in luxury linen textiles, with its fabrics sought after by top fashion houses worldwide. In 2013, the company was acquired by the esteemed Loro Piana mill, and subsequently became part of the LVMH luxury goods conglomerate, securing its place in the global luxury market.