Tribute to Chinese silk
There's a tendency to equate Chinese production with low-quality goods. In the silk industry, for example, China is the opposite, the country with the best reputation for silk quality and expertise. acquired over thousands of years.
Silk, a luxury product since its discovery
Light, strong, naturally soft and lustrous, silk has been synonymous with luxury for over 4,000 years. luxury and voluptuousness.
Discovered in China between 3000 and 2000 BC, silk remained a well-kept secret for thousands of years, traded by the Chinese without ever revealing its origins.
Initially, silk was the privilege of emperors, then of high dignitaries. It was so precious that it was even used as currency, diplomatic gifts and peace offerings during conflicts.
Over the years, silk grew in popularity in the West and abroad, becoming one of the most sought-after fabrics in the world. This craze for silk led to the development of the mythical Silk Road.
"Court women preparing silk", Artist: Zhang Xuan
Find out more about the history of silk
The history of silk in France
In France, sericulture first appeared in the south of the country around the 13th century. It flourished under Henri IV, who decided to intensify the planting of white mulberry trees to limit the cost of importing silk. In the 16th century, François 1er made Lyon a silk-making Mecca, giving the city a monopoly on silk imports and production. Ideally located, the city benefited from its proximity to Italy, the main supplier of silkworms, and from the reputation of its fairs, which attracted fabric merchants.
Sericulture reached its peak in the 19th century. But silk production suffered a severe blow when several diseases decimated silkworm farms. The industry recovered, but the development of synthetic and artificial textiles and global economic competition greatly weakened the sector.
Today, there are still very few silk producers and manufacturers left in France. They operate mainly in the luxury goods sector.
Silk cultivation and production today
China is the world's leading silk producer. Chinese silk is highly reputed for the skilled labor required to weave it and transform it into textile products. Indeed, silk is an extremely precious and fragile fiber, requiring great delicacy. Many stages in the weaving process are still carried out by hand. It's a real goldsmith's work that requires time and patience.
Photo credit © Fred Dunn
Where are Maison de la soie products made?
Our silk bedding, linens and accessories are made in Suzhou, the Chinese city that has produced the most beautiful and luxurious silk for millennia, mulberry silk. Sometimes nicknamed the "Venice of the Orient" because of its many canals, Suzhou is also known as the "city of silk". the capital of silk.
Photo credit © Adriaan Terblanche
Why choose Maison de la soie?
Since 2010, we have been carefully selecting all our partners, whose work we regularly check. The quality of our products and their certification are essential. Each product carries an Oeko-Tex certification number, the authenticity of which you can check on the label's website.
In addition, our registered trademark with the INPI to protect us, but also with the aim of protect you from counterfeiting.
Buying from Maison de la soie, rather than from a foreign retailer, is your assurance of quality products quality products, thanks to our strict specifications. 100% silk-certified productand the possibility of having a customer service department, offices and warehouse based in France.
Beware of small retailers who don't necessarily control their suppliers or who dropship without any product traceability.
For over 10 years, we've been striving to expand our catalog to meet every need and every budget.
We're actively looking for a workshop to manufacture products in France, but for the moment we haven't found the ideal partner to offer you Made in France silk of impeccable quality at an attractive price.
