FASHION INDUSTRY DICTIONARY

Define Silk.

A natural, protein fiber, this light, shiny, soft fabric has been made from the cocoon of the silk spinner (the mulberry or the tussah butterflies) since 3000 B.C. Silk is cool in the summer, warm in the winter, wrinkle-resistant and durable. Thanks to its fine and even fiber structure, silk flows gently and does not scratch. Since the silk's structure is similar to human skin, people with allergies and sensitivities can wear silk problem-free. Silk balances the body's temperature and can absorb up to 30% of the moisture of its own weight. "Wild silk" varieties make a much stronger cloth, but tend to be more difficult to dye than regular silk. It is cultivated from the Bourette silkworm, which produces a high content of natural silk glue. Bourette silk is very soothing to the skin and healing. It has a characteristic smell of hay.