MAH: Silk and the Luxury of the East

Silk is one of the oldest and most luxurious materials used in apparel, and its history can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China.

Silk: The Ultimate Symbol of Luxury

Silk, made from the threads of the silk moth, was first produced in ancient China around 2700 BCE. The Chinese were the first to discover the art of sericulture (silk farming), and the fabric quickly became associated with wealth, nobility, and luxury. The Silk Road played a major role in the spread of silk to other parts of the world, with traders introducing it to India, Persia, and eventually Europe.

Silk was prized for its smooth texture, luxurious sheen, and ability to take vibrant dyes, making it the fabric of choice for royalty and the upper classes. Chinese emperors used silk robes as a symbol of power and prestige. In ancient Rome, silk tunics were reserved for the elite.