Spiritnomad
Origins
Hey There
Tea made us find this amazingly soft and smooth fabric silk. But what has drinking tea to do with the discovery of silk?
According to a Chinese legend, the silk fibre was found in the 27th century BC by Empress His Ling Shi. Sipping a cup of tea under a mulberry tree a cocoon fell right into her cup and began to unravel. What coincidence, or was it destiny?
She saw the potential of this shiny, shimmery thread and searched for the source, which is the silkworm found in the white mulberry. She soon developed the cultivation of these precious worms called sericulture and invented the reel and loom.
The high demand for this luxury garment created the trading route known as the silk road, which brought silk into the West and gold, silver and wool to the East. For more than 30 centuries the Chinese could keep their secret safe about their luxury and valuable fabric from the rest of the world.
All About the Sari
"Strip of cloth"
Beautifully wrapped and draped around the body the Sari is a very traditional clothing mainly for women in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. Worn throughout the day, or in more luxurious fabrics like silk for weddings or special events.
The origin of this draped garment goes far back to the Indus Valley Civilisation which came into being in 2800-1800BC in north west India.
A handmade saree is a testament to the skill and creative genius of the mostly rural artisanal families that make them. Techniques and expertise have been passed down in these families from generation to generation over centuries. The more complex silk sarees take many weeks to be made.
What started as India's first seamless garment, became the symbol of Indian femininity.