So, now you know what Ahimsa Silk is all about, what does that make of all your silk pieces we now recognise as, well… not so peaceful? As we delve more consciously into our daily practices, it’s important to understand the behind-the-scenes of what is truly organic and Fair Trade production.
What’s the difference between Ahimsa Silk and commercial silk?
Is there any tactile difference? Can someone tell you're sleeping on Ahimsa silk as opposed to commercial silk?
The question is: can you live with yourself not sleeping on Ahimsa silk?
Now used in designer collections all over the world, first and foremost - Ahimsa silk is a much happier alternative to commercial silk for those whose values are along these lines.
On the plus side, both types of silk production are considered to have a very low water footprint - that’s almost zero percent water waste. Silk is also biodegradable within a couple of years, compared to hundreds of years it will take for that viscose dress you bought to break down. And, both types of silk don't emit toxins while they degrade, unlike synthetic materials.
However, by now it’s no secret that the commercial production of silk kills the very organism that produces it, but did you know that 30,000-50,000 silkworms are killed to make one six-yard sari? Yikes!
While our gluten-free, plant-based Bombyx Mori Moth is eating mulberry leaves in the lap of relative luxury, the Eri Silk Moth eats the leaves of the castor bean or cassava leaves. Eri silk is made from the cocoons of these particular insects and is also produced using less violent methods, but the quality of Eri silk is often seen as inferior to that of the silk created by the offspring of the Bombyx mori moth.
An extra 10 days are required to allow ahimsa larvae to grow into moths and hatch. Moreover, ahimsa silk cocoons yield around one-sixth of the fibre volume. Ahimsa silk is made on a very small scale as a cottage industry in India, and its production supports a wide community of rural silk farmers, spinners, and weavers - who are mostly women. A win, win.
Fortunately, in comparison to commercial silk, Ahimsa silk has an incredibly soft texture and gorgeous hand-feel - in-demand by celebrities and royals alike. It’s just as durable, with all the beauty-enhancing, fave-saving properties as regular silk.
In a nutshell; Organic Peace silk is the more humane and sustainable way of making silk that produces the kind of high-quality silk thread we know and love while skipping the harmful chemical, pesticides and fungicides step of the production.
Even though Ahimsa silk is costlier, more time-consuming, and labour-intensive to produce than regular silk, it’s the non-violent, organic, and long-lasting nature of the silk product that makes it worth the extra investment.
And the benefits don’t stop there - find out why sleeping on Ahimsa silk is your best night’s sleep, ever.
