The mystery of silk: a brief global history of the remarkable material

From the cocoon of the bombyx mori silk moth, to shiny couture dresses, join us on a journey through the fascinating world of silk – all the way from fibre to thread. Used in anything from fashion and furnishings, to fishing lines and parachutes, silk is a remarkably versatile material. But how does it stay cool in hot weather, and warm in cold weather? How is silk made? What makes it a strong, yet lightweight fibre? How can it be used to create so many different styles and textures? 00:00 Uses of silk 00:35 Properties of silk 02:03 What is silk? Under the microscope 02:48 How is silk produced? Sericulture 04:25 Silk embroidery 05:10 Silk weaving 05:35 Silk knotting (from norigae to macramé) 06:21 Knitting with silk 06:40 Finishes – stamping, slashing, moiré, pleating, smocking 07:00 What is the future of silk? Silk in space? Watch more Fashion and Textile videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe2ihXndm5jtMQOlHoql8DiG9zo8_mC8d&si=-IfHjxtJ3wQDi5MN Discover more in our Textile collection: https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/textiles