The empress of noble fabrics, whose trade secret was jealously guarded by the Chinese for over 2500 years, silk is the only natural textile fibre whose thread is continuous. It is taken from the cocoon of the Bombyx Mori caterpillar, also called the silkworm, and its appearance varies according to the way it is woven or worked.
Velvet
Matt and smooth on one side, soft and silky on the other, this Oriental fabric, imported into Europe by the Italians in the 14th century, was then made in silk and remained essentially a luxury product until the end of the 19th century. Used to make workman’s trousers in a ribbed version known as corduroy, the king’s fabric was democratised and earned its stripes as both a mainstream and prestigious material.