As a material, silk has always been popular all over the world, and it can be referred to as a symbol of elegance and sophistication. Its shine, silky surface, and elegant look make it a popular choice in clothing and interior design today. India, being a country with a long history in textile and apparel manufacturing, is one of the world’s main producers of silk. Various types of silk used in sarees, scarves and other apparel manufactured by the leading companies in India are extensive. Now, let us discuss various types of silk fabrics.
Experience the Rich Tradition of Indian Silk Fabrics
Mulberry Silk: The Queen of Silks
To most people, silk means Mulberry silk. Described for its super softness and strength, mulberry is the most popular type of silk that silk manufacturers in India produce. This silk originates from the Bombyx mori silkworm that exclusively feeds on mulberry leaves. The result? A translucent and delicate material made from natural silk drawn into a thin strand. An important characteristic of mulberry silk is that it is not an allergen, making it ideal to be used in clothing and bedsheets.
Tussar Silk: The Wild Silk
Tussar silk, also known as Kosa silk, is derived from wild silkworms. This type of silk fabric is known to have more thickness and an original golden hue. While Mulberry silk is very soft and shiny, Tussar silk has a rough look, making it look more rustic. Tussar silk is used extensively by Indian textile artists due to its warmth and natural lustre, and is used for making sarees, shawls and ethnic wear.
Eri Silk: The Peace Silk
Ahimsa silk or Eri silk is special due to the fact that it is produced without harming any living being. In contrast to other types of silk, the production of Eri silk does not require the death of the silkworm. This is a compassionate approach, and thus it is referred to as the ‘peace silk’. Eri silk is also characterized by its durability and thermal comfortability. It is a soft fabric with a warm feeling and therefore it is most appropriate for winter clothes and accessories. Fashion designers in India have adopted Eri silk because it is environmentally friendly and does not involve the killing of silkworms.
Muga Silk: The Royal Silk
Muga silk is produced only in Assam, and it has a natural, shiny, golden colour to it. The natural fabric is also characterized by its extremely durable nature and natural shine, which gets even better with washing. Its tensile strength is high, and it’s commonly used in traditional Assamese wear. Because of these features, Muga silk is considered to be one of the most expensive kinds of silks in the world. Local enthusiasts in India regard this silk as special and elegant due to these aspects.
Art Silk: The Frugal Option
Art silk, also known as artificial silk, is a man-made fabric that mimics the characteristics of natural silk. Technically, this is not silk, but it is widely accepted in the market and the industry because of its cheap nature and the ability to mimic silk in appearance and texture. Silk manufacturers in India use synthetic fibres like rayon or polyester to produce art silk. This type of silk fabric is especially used to produce cheap sarees, blouses and other garments. Art silk, though not possessing all the attributes of natural silk, can be used as a more affordable material for many.
Organza Silk: The Delicate Beauty
Organza is a fine, thin and very stylish fabric made of silk. This type ofsilk fabric is most suitable for formal wear such as evening gowns, bridal wear, and formal sarees. Organza silk is also preferred by Indian textile designers due to its sheer and fine appearance. Organza is generally translucent, has a crisp feel and a subtle sheen which gives class to the garment. Due to its sheerness, it can be easily layered and is perfect for achieving fuller and larger garment shapes.
Raw Silk: The Rough Appeal
Raw silk or Silk Noil is manufactured from cut shorter fibres that remain after reeling of mulberry silk. This type of silk fabric is slightly rough or textured and has a dull lustre. Raw silk is slightly more natural, which lends it a natural look. Silk manufacturers in India utilize raw silk to produce apparel for daily use and home accessories. It has a unique feel and looks natural, which appeals to most people.
India’s silk industry, being age-old and rich in heritage, presents a large variety of silk products for every customer’s taste. Starting from the rich and noble Mulberry silk to the environmentally friendly Eri silk, every kind of fabric has something special about it. The leading silk producers in India today remain committed to creating and sustaining such methods and thus supplement the tradition of Indian textiles and natural fabrics for clothing. Discover the beauty of silk at Svarna! Discover a gallery of silk textiles that enrich both classic and contemporary styles. Svarna presents an exquisite range of silk clothing items and accessories made by skilled weavers. Experience refined luxury in every single item from Svarna.
FAQs
1. Do silk manufacturers in India produce only natural and handmade silks?
No, the silk manufacturers produce both the handmade & machine-made silk fabrics.
2. Are the silk fabrics in India lightweight & glossy?
Yes, the silk fabrics in India are mostly lightweight, with a few having a slight glossy structure.
3. Does a muga silk fabric lose its sheen with the passage of time?
No, a muga silk fabric does not lose its subtle shine with time; rather, the shine is enhanced with several washings.
