General Information about Silk
The most commonly used silk comes from the thread spun by the "Bombyx Mori" silkworm. The fine, smooth thread produces strong, soft, and uniform silk. When woven, it gives the fabric a shiny appearance caused by light refraction, making it ideal for dyeing.
Silkworms feed exclusively on fresh leaves from mulberry trees (Morus). They live for about six weeks. From the time they hatch until they're fully grown, their weight increases by about 10,000 times – they’re true heavy eaters :-)
Each silkworm spins a thread about 1,000 meters long. It takes around 2,500 silkworms to produce half a kilogram of raw silk – enough for about 2-3 kimonos. China produces approximately 58,000 tons annually, accounting for about 75% of the world's total consumption.
Once the silkworms finish spinning, they are placed in boiling water. This kills the worm, and the thread can then be unwound in a long, continuous strand, which gives silk its strength. If the worm breaks through the cocoon, the thread tears and has to be spun. A spun thread doesn’t have the same uniformity or strength.
Some consumers prefer silk that's made without harm to the worms, and some manufacturers offer this type of silk. However, in the context of sustainability, it’s worth mentioning that the dead worms from the heat treatment are used as food for both humans and animals, so nothing goes to waste.
Silk is also produced from other types of leaves. In Northern China and Thailand, for example, silk called "Tussah" is made from other green leaves, like oak leaves. Since the cocoon is broken and the silk must be spun, it’s coarser and not as strong as classic mulberry silk.
Regarding Sustainability and Silk
We’ve tried to find out exactly how much water and fertilizer is used in silk production but don’t have precise numbers. According to gardening books on mulberry tree cultivation, the mulberry tree can tolerate some drought and doesn’t require much fertilizer. In other words, it’s a low-maintenance tree.
We also know that little to no pesticides are needed for the trees, as the silkworms are highly sensitive to chemicals.
Silk has a very long lifespan. Archaeologists have found silk that’s been buried for thousands of years. In modern use, we’ve learned that a high-quality silk garment (whether knitted or woven from pure silk thread) can last through wear and washing for 10-20 years. We’ve even seen examples of durability up to 30 years, despite frequent use and washing!
This longevity likely comes from the fact that silk is more highly valued than other materials and is therefore treated with more care. In any case, our experience shows that people don’t have a "use and throw away" attitude when it comes to silk. When you combine this with lower water, fertilizer, and pesticide usage compared to the production of cotton, viscose, or synthetic materials, silk clothing offers a high level of sustainability.
Additionally, since silk doesn’t attract dirt as much, you only need to use a small amount of soap (without enzymes), low temperatures, and the shortest possible wash cycle. In many cases, you can simply air out silk (like wool), skipping washing altogether.
That’s why we aim to create garments with simple, timeless cuts and colors, making them meaningful to wear and cherish for many, many years. It benefits both us and the planet we live on.