Silk

Pure silk is one of the most valuable natural fibers in the world. Fine silk fabrics have always been considered luxurious and were once reserved exclusively for the upper classes.

Over 5,000 years ago, China began trading this precious fabric, which was transported along the more than 6,000 km-long Silk Road from China to Europe.

The phrase "dressed in velvet and silk" originates from these earlier times, as only the wealthy could afford to wear such expensive and opulent fabrics. The valuable velvet was also originally made from silk. Silk became a status symbol and a luxury good.

In the fashion world, silk fabrics have always been coveted for festive clothing due to their unique luster and flowing properties.

Today, this delicate fabric is used for a variety of garments and accessories: for example, blouses, shirts, and suits. It is also popular for elegant accessories such as ties, scarves, and shawls.

Due to its pleasant, temperature-regulating properties, silk is often used for luxurious underwear and nightwear.

What is Silk?

Silk is a natural fiber, produced from the thread spun by the silkworm to form its cocoon. There are various types of silk-spinning worms and insects.

The most well-known is the cultivated silk from the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx more).

This silkworm is also called the mulberry moth because it feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree.

About 90% of the world’s silk production comes from this species.

What is Silk Made of?

When the silkworm pupates, its glands in the mouth produce a very fine silk thread. The silkworm wraps this thread around itself in loops until a protective cocoon is formed. This continuous silk thread is a very fine, uniform, and glossy natural fiber, measuring over 1,000 meters in length when unwound.
About 500 cocoons are needed to make one T-shirt.

How is Silk Produced?

Silk production primarily takes place in Asia, especially in China and India. The most famous Chinese province for silk is Honan.

The process begins by planting mulberry trees, which serve as the food source for the silkworms until they pupate.

To prevent the worm from biting through the silk thread after pupating, the cocoons are placed in hot water or treated with steam to kill the worms before they emerge.

The cocoons are then cleaned in a water bath to dissolve the silk glue (sericin) that holds the cocoon together. Rotating brushes in the water bath pick up and unwind the silk threads. Several silk threads are processed together to form raw silk (called Grège).

This raw silk thread is then further processed into smooth textiles, often involving steps like degumming (removing silk glue), finishing, and dyeing.

Silk production is labor-intensive, making silk fabrics expensive.

Characteristics of Silk

Besides its aesthetic beauty, silk offers other properties and advantages:

Silk is a particularly lightweight, fine fabric.
It has an exceptionally smooth texture, which gives it a strong shimmer and shine.
Silk is very comfortable to wear and is gentle on the skin.
It is highly breathable and helps prevent sweating.
The fabric cools in warm weather and warms in cold weather.
Silk is naturally dirt- and odor-repellent.
It is very tear-resistant and elastic.
With proper care, silk fabrics are highly durable.

Cashmere Silk at Iris von Arnim

Cashmere silk is a material blend of cashmere and silk fibers. This luxurious combination unites the benefits of both precious natural fibers.

The fine wool from the cashmere goat provides warmth and an extraordinarily soft feel.
The smooth silk fibers are breathable and gentle on sensitive skin.

The combination of these soft, elegant materials provides both comfort and style, giving every cashmere silk garment a unique elegance.

Caring for Silk

Silk is a very delicate fiber.

It is essential to always check the care label on each silk garment and follow the instructions.

Hand washing is generally the recommended method for silk care. Coloured silk should only be soaked briefly in cold water with a silk detergent. Gently move the silk while washing and then rinse it with cold water, adding a splash of vinegar to remove any residue.

If the care label allows machine washing, silk should only be washed gently at a maximum of 30°C (86°F) with a special silk detergent containing mild, pH-neutral surfactants that do not damage the fibers.

Silk should never be subjected to excessive mechanical strain, so avoid wringing it out. Instead, hang it up while still damp or lay it flat to dry.
Do not dry silk in the sun or a dryer, as this could damage the delicate fibers.
To iron, turn the garment inside out and spray it with water beforehand.

Learn more about other premium materials such as cashmere and velvet.