OUR ITALIAN FIBERS:
ORGANIC COTTON POPLIN

INSIDE BORGHI 1819, THE STORIED ITALIAN MILL BEHIND LAFAYETTE 148’S SIGNATURE WHITE SHIRTS.

In Varano Borghi, a small village outside Milan, textile heritage runs generations deep. Here, Borghi 1819 produces the organic cotton poplin behind one of Lafayette 148’s most enduring wardrobe staples. Laura Marcora, the mill's visionary creative lead, reflects on how family legacy, place and craft converge to produce one of the finest cotton fabrics in the world—redefining what 'Made in Italy' means for a new generation.

SHOP WHITE SHIRTS

The foundation of Lafayette 148’s signature white shirts begins with exceptional cotton. Borghi 1819 works exclusively with organic cotton grown in the United States—chosen for its remarkable purity and long fibers, which allow for finer yarns and a smooth, resilient weave. The fibers are spun into exceptionally fine yarns, then woven into a dense poplin construction with tightly twisted yarns in both warp and weft—creating the crisp clarity, strength and refined structure that distinguish the fabric. The result is a cotton that balances softness with structure, designed to hold its shape and beauty wash after wash.

SHOP WHITE SHIRTS

The mill was built here for a reason. Set in Italy’s lake district, Varano Borghi has long been home to textile production, where access to water shaped the region’s manufacturing history. At Borghi 1819, that same water still runs through the company and remains essential to the craft. Used in the dyeing and finishing processes, it contains naturally occurring microorganisms that help create the distinctive softness and refined hand that have become hallmarks of the mill’s cottons. It is this rare sense of place—combined with exacting technical control at every stage of production—that gives the fabric its singular character.

“Tradition is something that's inside the brick of where we are.”

Laura Marcora sees textile craft as inheritance and responsibility. Her family has worked in textiles for generations; today she leads Borghi 1819, believing heritage must move forward through innovation. Guided by passed-down knowledge, artisans oversee every stage—from weaving to finishing. Here, ‘Made in Italy’ is a legacy, not just a label. Under Marcora, that philosophy transforms shirting: a menswear staple reworked through a feminine point of view.

A shared reverence for craftsmanship and quality defines the relationship between Lafayette 148 Creative Director Emily Smith, Laura Marcora and the Borghi 1819 team. Together, they shaped the organic cotton poplin behind Lafayette 148’s signature white shirts—revisiting the mill’s archives, reviewing samples and refining each nuance in pursuit of the singular softness and refined structure that define shirting at its finest. The finished poplin becomes the foundation of Lafayette 148’s signature white shirts, where exacting proportions and refined construction create a timeless essential for the enduring wardrobe.

SHOP WHITE SHIRTS