Silk
Silk is one of the oldest natural fibers in the world, with records of sericulture dating back to 5000 BCE. Once reserved for royalty, it earned the title “The Queen of Fabrics” for its elegance, shine, and soft feel. Today, silk remains synonymous with timeless style and quality. Silk naturally adapts to temperature, breathable and comfortable in every season. Different weaving techniques and blends create a variety of textures, from lightweight crêpe de chine to plush velvet and breathable linen-silk blends.
Understanding Momme
Momme is the traditional unit used to measure the weight and density of silk. A higher momme count indicates a heavier, stronger, and more durable fabric with enhanced shine. Originating in Japan, momme (匁) appeared as a unit of mass during the Bunmei period in 1484 and remains a key measure in the silk and pearl industries today. In the 19th century, momme replaced thread counts as a more reliable standard, since thread thickness could vary between silk cocoons. Even after Japan officially adopted the metric system in the early 20th century, momme continued to serve as the preferred traditional measure for silk.
Blends
Silk is often blended with other natural fibres to change how a fabric looks, feels and behaves. Silk-cotton blends are lighter and softer than pure cotton, with a more matte finish than pure silk. Silk-linen blends keep much of linen's texture and breathability, with a smoother hand and a subtle sheen. Silk-wool blends are common in knitwear and tailoring, adding warmth to silk and softness to wool. Silk is also blended with synthetic fibres such as polyester. This lowers the cost, but changes how the fabric breathes, handles moisture and feels against the skin. Products described as "silky" or "silk blend" can contain only a small share of silk. The proportion of each fibre shapes the final character of the fabric, which is why the fibre content on the label is the most reliable guide.
