Clockwise from left to right: Woman in jacquard silk head dress/ Silk velvet throw cushions/ Richly dyed fine silk thread on spools/ The "Modern Shapes Collection by Indian fashion designer
Iqbal Hussain/ Balinese batik silk robe/ silk yarn wrapped bamboo/ Silk devorè fabric.

"Silk - The Chosen cloth of Kings"Synonymous with luxury, silk textiles have adorned women and royalty throughout the ages. Its is the inherent luster, and richness of color once dyed, that gives silk such enduring appeal. It is globally recognized as one of the most beautiful and sensual fibers in the world and continues to inspire Fashion and Interior designers today.

I have always love silk from as long as can remember. Those who know me, will be aware that a good silk blouse has been a go-to staple in my wardrobe whatever the year or trend. There is something about the juxtaposition between its casual drape, and sumptuous silky feel ,that speaks to me . Effortlessly versatile, it can easily be dressed up or dressed down. Suitable for all climates, being a light natural fiber, it is cooling in Summer months and can be layered for warmth in colder weather.

Similarly, silk can add decadence and a touch of luxury to home interiors; be it through luscious silk bedding, upholstery, accent pillows, woven throws or a magnificent silk rug as the centerpiece of a room. Contrary to general belief, silk is strong and highly durable and thus surprisingly resilient. Surprisingly it is said to be the strongest natural fiber in the world!
It also has the added benefit that it is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial.



Clockwise from left to right: Silkworm cocoon/ Close up Tibetan wool & silk rug in high low texture/ Satin silk evening dress/close up of satin silk fabric/Silk bedding/Close up of textured hand knotted rug/Silk yarn.

The mystery of "Silk" unravelled

There are many different types of silk and the term " Silk "is often used loosely. One of the best quality and most common silks used for clothing and home textiles is gathered from the cocoons of silkworms that feed on mulberry bushes known as MULBERY SILK. Each cocoon contains one continuous silken thread that is carefully unwound. The process is known as "sericulture". Each silk fiber is made from from a natural protein and is approx 100 meters long. These filaments are then combined and spun to make a yarn that can be used for clothing home textiles or rugs. The yarns final weight, thickness and finish will vary depend on its end usage. Mulberry silk production is an ancient craft that started in Neolithic China and dates back to 4th Millenium BC. Today Mulberry Silk is produced in commercial farms in more than 60 countries. China remains the largest producer of silk (approx 46,500 metric tons per annum) with India second (approx 35,000 metric tons per annum)There are also other types of silk worm that also produce silk. TUSSAH SILK from the Anthera moth has more texture and is stiffer than Mulberry silk. ERI SILK , which is considered a "wild silk" (from moths not raised in captivity) comes mainly in Northern India and has similar characteristics to Mulberry silk.MUGA SILK is one of the most expensive silks in the world due to its rarity. Muga silkworms produce extremely fine silk thread with very high sheen. It is native to the Assam region of India.

You will often hear the term SARI SILK - This is a recycled yarn which is respun from the remnants of olds Indian silk sarees (The traditional dress of women in India). It is often multi-colored and quite textural as it remains undyed,reflecting the colors of the original saree it was spun from. No two yarns are ever the same, so garments or products made from sari silk can be considered unique and embrace and support the recycling movement.

Other types of so called "silk" used in the clothing home textile and rug industry are silks extruded from the fibers of plants , such as BAMBOO SILK or BANANA. These however are inferior in quality from the silk made from silk worms. They are less resilient and are more prone to pilling and staining. They are however a good alternative to those who are against the idea of industrial silk worm farms. Although these plant silks are described as natural, there are a lot of chemical processes that take place during the fibers manufacturing process.



 Clockwise from Left to right: Silkworm cocoons/ Unravelling the silk thread/ Raw Silk fiber/ Hand spinning silk thread on spinning wheel/ Hank of finished spun silk yarn/cutting open the cocoons.

Inspired by Silk on the Runway Warm neutrals and earthy hues dominated the 2024 Runway collections.
The palette, a perfect source of inspiration for our MVM custom made Silk Rugs!

The WINDSOR COLLECTION is a beautiful collection of solid silk rugs, hand knotted in a Tibetan weave. It has a low dense pile and slight antique finish, making it a timeless classic.
The QUANTUM RUG is a hand knotted rug ,crafted from the finest quality wool and pure silk. The silk accents play across its surface texture and catch the light.

Runway images from left to right: Alberta Ferretti Resort 2024/Alberta Ferretti Resort 2024/Ralph Lauren Resort 2024/ Ivory Silk yarn hank/ Stella McCartney Spring Ready to wear 2024.WINDSOR COLLECTION: Colors shown above from left to right- 1.Antique Gold/ 2.Bronze/ 3.Champagne/ 4.Oyster/ 5.Pearl/ 6.Barely Neutral/ 7.Topaz Taupe .......QUANTUM RUG: Shown above in color Champagne

Runway images from left to right: Cinq à Sept Resort 2024/ Satin silk fabric image by Sergil Koviarov/ Carolina Herrera Spring Ready to wear 2024/ Yves Saint Laurent Ready to wear 2024/ Yves Saint Laurent Ready to wear 2024
QUANTUM RUG: Shown above in color Rose Quartz...................WINDSOR COLLECTION: Colors shown above from left to right: 1.Rose Gold/ 2.Rose Quartz/ 3.Blush/ 4.Russet/ 5.Fox/ 6.Espresso / 7. Dk Chocolate

How to care for Silk Rugs

The first thing to understand is that all silk rugs or rugs with silk accents are not equal. There are other factors that come into play.You need to take into consideration the quality and fineness of the silk itselfs and also the density of the knotting. A high quality hand knotted rug with small knots ( more knots per sq inch) will be a lot more hard wearing than a loosely woven silk rug in lower quality silk. A good quality silk or wool/silk rug can easily last 100 years or more if properly maintained.

There are however some basic guidelines you should follow.

1. Avoid placing in direct sunlight: The color will have a tendency to fade if the rug is in direct sunlight, so it is better to place away from the light if possible. If this is unavoidable then we suggest you rotate your rug regularly.
   
   
2. Place it in low traffic Areas: Although silk is a durable ,resilient fiber it can also be sensitive. A lot of friction as can agitate its surface texture.
   
   
3. Clean your rug regularly: Vacuum lightly on a weekly basis to prevent any accumulation of dust or debris. You can also use a dry shampoo from time to time if required. Do not use any heavy duty brush attachments and never use a vacuum cleaner with a powerhead or beater bar on silk rugs. Alternatively brush daily with a soft brush . You can also hang and beat your rug lightly with a broom to remove surface dust.
   
   
4. Absorb odors and moisture: All rugs are prone to to trap odors and silk rugs are no exception. A simple and gentle way to deodorize is to sprinkle baking soda. Leave for a couple of hours then just vacuum it up.
   
   
5. Treat it Gently: Avoid pulling it harshley under furniture so as not to tear any knots or break the threads.
   
   
6. Do not use harsh cleaning substances: If you get a spill or stain clean it immediately. Remove an excess food with a spoon and blot any excess fluid with a soft coloth. Club soda is best to use on silk rugs . Gently pour a little onto the affected area and dab with a clean soft cloth and allow to air dry. Do not over soak as silk absorbs water more than other fibers such as wool. Do not use bleach, harsh detergents or stain removing products on silk rugs. If your staining persists then consider booking an appointment with a professional rug cleaner.