This foundation was created by Fidalma Lisio in 1971 to protect and revitalise the legacy of her father, Giuseppe. In 1906, he had founded a textile manufactory in Florence to keep the art of silk hand weaving alive and in time his fabrics became famous worldwide. When her father died, Fidalma took over the manufactory and created an art school to train new professionals.

The foundation went on to weave brocades and velvets for prestigious clients in the arts, cinema and theatre, haute couture, interior design. The research centre became a polestar for textile scholars and designers. The art school collaborates with different institutions in many European countries, in the United States and in Asia. Since 1989 the quarterly magazine 'Jacquard. Pagine di cultura tessile' publishes contributions and news about professional textile. Fidalma passed away in 2001 but her spirit is still alive and continues to inspire the entire foundation team led by Elena Baistrocchi.