Silk
Silk from domesticated mulberry silkworms is a strong, naturally organic fiber. It was the first fiber used to make cloth. Silk regulates body temperature and dries eight times faster than cotton. Most silk that is produced is rain-fed. The Mulberry trees that are grown to feed silkworms sequester carbon from the atmosphere and require less water than cotton. Unlike synthetic materials, silk doesn’t require harsh processing, soaking silk simply requires soap, soda and water. The by-products of silk production are also utilised, with pupae being eaten by people or used as animal feed and sericin used in cosmetics and medicine. As it is rich in protein and amino acids, it can aid in hydrating skin and hair. Silk is also hypoallergenic and antibacterial.
Our silk comes from farms in China. Our fabric supplier has a long-term relationship with these farms and visits them regularly. Communities that work with silk have created a cycle that feeds itself, where silk waste is given to feed the fishes in the ponds nearby, and the mud from those ponds is used to fertilise mulberry trees, which in turn feed the silkworms. The process of making silk is laborious and requires great attention to detail. Sericulture or the silk industry has always employed rural populations, where most of the income goes back to the farmers. It is also recognised as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
