Silk

Silk, once sold exclusively through interior designers, is one of the most sought-after fabrics across the demographic landscape. Today's savvy consumers want the exclusivity of interior design customization but with the practicality of "off the shelf" items.

But what is silk and how is it recognized?

Silk is a byproduct of the silkworm, a moth that feeds on the mulberry bush and like all moths and butterflies, it spins a cocoon when it transforms from larva to the pupa. The cocoon is made up of one continuous silk thread that will eventually become a prize silk fabric. And like all natural fibers, there are variations of shading and textures ("slubs", or "doups") which are characteristic of its beauty. To recognize the fiber's authenticity, hold a few threads over a flame. The threads will smell like burnt hair and will leave a fine ash. As soon as the flame is removed, the threads will stop burning. Synthetic threads will continue to burn.

Silk, produced in China, Thailand, India and Italy, weight is measured in "mm" (pronounced "mommy"); the lower the number the sheerer the fabric. Below are a few of the different silks available:

Chiffon

The lightest and most billowy, normally used in apparel.

China Silk

Also called habutai, or habotai, or pongee is a lightweight, sheer, plain-weave fabric.

Crepe de Chine

Manufactured by twisting fibers clockwise and counterclockwise thereby giving itsdistinctive "pebbly" feel and look.

Charmeuse

The front of the fabric has a luminous satin weave while the back is flattened crepe.

Jacquard

Employing matte and shiny threads, jacquard silks offer various woven patterns similar to brocade.

Dupioni

With identifiable slubs, Dupioni has a taffeta-like quality and is used widely in home furnishing.

Noil

Because it's made from short fibers, noil doesn't shine like other silks.

Shantung

Usually made with cultivated silk warp yarns and heavier Dupioni filling yarns, Shantung can has a firm, semi-crisp feel.

Our expert silk selection and direct purchasing guarantees our silk is of the highest value.