Page 73 - Homes & Antiques (February 2020)
P. 73
MATERIAL MATTERS Silk
a bu!er against poverty in rural
communities,’ explains Hollie
Moreland, Creative Director at David
Hunt Lighting and The Light Shade
Studio. ‘The main silk-producing
countries are China and India,
however it is also important in
Brazil, Thailand and Vietnam
amongst others.’
Silk antiques in good condition are
always collectable and there’s a broad
spectrum of silk "nds available to
suit every taste and budget, from
vintage Japanese kimonos to elegant
antique embroideries, but silk rugs
command consistently high prices.
‘Antique silk rugs are always
highly sought a#er,’ says dealer
Stephen Marsh of Farnham Antique
Carpets. ‘The sheen of the silk and
the luxurious texture underfoot
makes these rugs stand out – plus,
the workmanship is incredible. They
Whitchurch Silk Mill
ensures the craft of silk took a long time to create.’
THE FUTURE weaving is passed down Sophisticated Styles
through generations.
OF SILK The "nest silk rugs have plenty of
knots per square inch. ‘Turkish silk
Bioengineered synthetic silks Kumkapi rugs (mostly made between
are on the horizon 1916 and 1938 in master weaver
The Stella McCartney
Microsilk dress was unveiled Zareh Penyamine’s workshop in
Spider silk is much stronger than at the New York Museum Istanbul) are particularly stunning,
silkworm silk, but silkworms can be of Modern Art in October with gold and silver threads, and can
farmed, whereas spiders eat each 2017. The Bolt Threads fetch between £20,000 and £100,000,’
other if they’re all kept together. and Stella McCartney reveals Stephen. At the more
Heralding a new era in sustainable partnership has also a!ordable end of the spectrum, small
produced Mylo, a synthetic
textiles, Bolt Threads (boltthreads. alternative to leather, made silk rugs from Fereghan in Persia or
com) has developed technology to using mycelium spores from Qum in Iran can cost in the region
replicate spider silk fibres and create mushroom roots. of £3,000-£5,000.
super-strong Microsilk™, which can ‘The many di!erent faces of silk
be produced with less environmental are endlessly intriguing,’ agrees
impact than traditional textile Lesley. ‘I love the cra#smanship in
manufacturing and has the potential to the historical examples, and the
biodegrade at the end of its useful life. $uidity and lustre of many of today’s
silks – and, at the couture level of
Genetic code for spider silk proteins production, the extraordinary
is put into yeast cells then mixed with innovative approaches to design and
sugar and water and left to ferment embellishment. Now, it is also being
in large tanks. The resulting liquid championed as a sustainable "bre.’
silk protein is then turned into long, With cu%ing-edge developments
continuous strands of synthetic spider on the horizon (see page 74), perhaps
silk, which can then be woven to silk’s story has only just begun.
create soft, durable fabrics. So far,
beanie hats, ties and a dress (right) in
collaboration with Stella McCartney
have been made. Turn the page for essential expert advice
on collecting silk
February 2020 Homes & Antiques 73
