Silk, Silk flower, Silk scarf, Silk lingerie, Silk pantie

These silk costumes, apparel and textile samples display a dazzling variety of weaving and embroidery techniques that bear testimony to the remarkable refinement of the art of silk weaving.

Pure silk

In the West, silk was considered more precious than gold and it remained very rare and expensive. To the best of our knowledge, the Roman emperor Elagabalus (218-222) was the only Roman to wear a dress of pure silk. The westerners called the Chinese simply the Silk People (Seres); the capital of the Han dynasty, Chang'an, was known as Silk City.

These silk costumes, apparel and textile samples display a dazzling variety of weaving and embroidery techniques that bear testimony to the remarkable refinement of the art of silk weaving.

the characteristics of silk

Silk is a natural fabric and for this reason, you must be prepared for some irregularities. Surface variations in silk are caused by the yarns themselves and are considered to be part of the charm of silk. They are in no way undesirable or to be viewed as defective. Like pure linen and cotton silk will crease to some extent and this is also part of "the look". Without these, silk lingerie would lack the character and uniqueness for which it is prized. If you are not prepared to accept this fact an alternative would be polyester, which is consistent because it is man-made.

Treat it gently and it will give years of enjoyment. European women have grown up with a reverence for silk fabric and an intimate knowledge of it's care. Our "wash and wear" culture has an unnecessary fear of this cloth. Silk is a protein fiber, like hair. While most clothing manufacturers put a "Dry clean only" label in silk lingerie this, in many cases, is to prevent careless washing. Undergarments and smaller pieces, as well as simply constructed larger pieces, can usually be hand washed using the following guidelines.

The dye process for natural fabrics such as wool and silk is never 100% accurate. Unlike man-made fabrics, silk lingerie breathes and is both warm in winter and cool in summer. It has a lustre and finish unlike anything else and feels wonderful against the skin.It is also in the nature of silk lingerie to have some shading variations which are usually more noticeable in darker colors. As the fibers are irregular, the dye may "take" differently from one area to the next creating subtle shadings. Silk lingerie that may seem initially a little stiff will soften beautifully with the first washing. The same is true for french lace which occasionally has a crisp finish to begin.If well cared for, silk lingerie garments can become heirlooms.

While silk is a very strong fabric, it is delicate when wet so care must be taken with hand washable garments. Using a mild soap, silk wash or colorless shampoo (never detergents or bleach as they will "strip" the finish), soak the garment in lukewarm water for five minutes. Move it about gently, do not wring or twist. Rinse well in cool water to which a teaspoon of vinegar may be added to remove all traces of soap. Roll in a towel to absorb excess moisture and lay flat, straightening out seams. Iron while slightly damp on warm setting. Tailored silk garments such as robes and pyjamas require careful pressing in order to maintain their look and dry cleaning is highly recommended.

Like most natural fabrics, silk wrinkles! Run a tub of hot water in your bathroom and hang the garment for an hour or so to eliminate the worst creases. Smooth finish silks like charmeuse, look fresher if pressed with a warm iron rather than steamed.

what not to do

Never expose silk articles to strong direct sunlight. Silk will fade.
Never spray perfume or deodorant on silk clothing.
Never soak silk dresses in water for a long time.
Never try to clean a "spot" or soiled area with water.
Water leaves a ring around the wetted area that even Dry-cleaning may not remove.