Is Silk Vegan and Ethical? Unveiling the Truths about Traditional Silk
Silk, often referred to as the 'queen of textiles,' holds an unparalleled place in the tapestry of Indian attire. From the opulent Banarasi silk to the intricacy of Kanjivaram silk sarees, silk graces an array of garments including kurtis, shawls, suits etc. Sourced from the cocoons of silkworms, the delicate silk thread boasts a natural sheen, durability and unparalleled smoothness, making it a versatile and enduring piece of fabric.
As we admire the delicate nature of silk fabric, we often overlook the cruel process of making silk. Behind the splendid beauty of silk sarees lies a less-acknowledged reality and unrealized harm to the little insects - silkworms.
This blog explores the cruel process of silk extraction and how it poses a serious threat to the lives of silkworms. We will examine an ethical alternative and sustainable choice for traditional silk: vegan silk produced from plant-based fabrics. Join us and learn about the nature of traditional silk and make informed choices for a cruelty-free lifestyle.
How is Silk Extracted?
Silkworms spin protective cocoons around themselves using a fluid produced by their silk glands. This fluid hardens into silk threads upon exposure to air, forming a protective covering for the pupa. The spinning process takes about 2-3 days to form a compact structure called a cocoon. Once the silkworm completes the entire structure, the meticulous process of harvesting cocoons from silkworms begins.
The cocoon is a long single continuous silk thread that extends to several hundred meters. To extract the silk thread without damage, the harvested cocoons are boiled or steamed with silkworms inside. By doing so, this terminates the pupal stage and kills the pupa within.
After boiling or steaming, the softened cocoons are ready for the extraction process and weavers carefully unwind or "reel" the silk from the cocoon. The extracted threads are twisted together in a process called spinning to enhance strength and durability. The resulting silk yarn can undergo dyeing before being intricately woven into fabric.
Is Silk Vegan?
The traditional method of silk production, involving boiling cocoons with silkworms inside, poses significant ethical questions regarding the harm inflicted on these insects. Shockingly, it takes approximately 2,500 silkworms to produce a pound of silk and over 4,000 silkworm cocoons are needed for just 500 grams of silk thread. This clarifies the question "Is silk vegan?" with a resounding no. However, an alternative method of sourcing Silk threads is vegan silk production - a cruelty-free manner of sourcing silk fabric without compromising on elegance or quality.
What is a Vegan Silk?
Vegan silk is an ethical and sustainable alternative to traditional silk obtained without harming silkworms or any other animals. Unlike conventional silk, harvesting cocoons from silkworms, vegan silk focuses on cruelty-free methods, by extracting silk threads from plant fibres like bamboo, soy, beech etc. or even recycled materials. Vegan silk promotes principles of compassion towards animals while reducing the ecological footprint associated with silk production.
How is Cruelty-Free Vegan Silk Saree Made?
The creation of vegan silk involves a series of steps centred around plant-based materials to create cruelty-free vegan silk. Firstly, wood pulp from plants like bamboo, beech, birch and aspen are carefully collected depending on its suitability. The collected conventional wood pulps such as viscose, modal and lyocell undergo a chemical process that breaks them down into cellulose to further extract the fibres.
Once extracted, these fibres undergo spinning, where they are spun into fine threads. This results in cruelty-free vegan silk threads that mimic the luxurious texture, and natural sheen and meet the desired standards of texture, strength and colour.
Skilled artisans begin with designing the saree by envisioning the patterns, motifs and colours. Following, the weavers skillfully interlace the vegan silk threads according to the planned design and bring the saree to life, row by row.
After completion, the saree undergoes finishing touches and is finally embellished with decoratives like embroidery or beadwork. The resulting product is the guilt-free vegan silk saree exuding elegance and beauty. These sarees not only showcase exquisite craftsmanship but also embody a commitment to vegan fashion by embracing cruelty-free vegan silk, achieved without harming animals.
Buy Vegan Silk Sarees from Hand N Yarns
Hand N Yarns Stands as India’s first vegan silk boutique certified by the Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) organisation for crafting exquisite cruelty-free vegan silk sarees. With a commitment to sustainability and compassion, the brand has redefined the silk saree industry by offering a range of cruelty-free vegan silk sarees without compromising on ethical values.
At the heart of Hand N Yarns lies a meticulous production process that utilises innovative techniques, with wood pulp sourced from plants and recycled materials processed to create vegan silk fibres. This ensures that every saree produced is devoid of harming silkworms, aligning with the brand's ethos of sustainability and compassion.
Hand N Yarns champions cruelty-free practices and emphasises sustainability in its entire production chain. They prioritise eco-friendly processes, minimal waste, and recycling practices, ensuring that every vegan silk saree not only exudes beauty but also reflects a commitment to an environment of sustainable and ethical choices.
Conclusion
Vegan silk promotes a more ethical and environmentally conscious choice in the realm of fashion. It aligns with the principles of compassion towards animals while reducing the ecological footprint associated with silk production. Embracing vegan silk allows individuals to indulge in guilt-free clothing while making mindful and sustainable choices.
Hand N Yarns empowers consumers to make conscious fashion choices by offering cruelty-free vegan silk sarees without compromising on style or ethics. Their dedication to creating elegant and sustainable vegan silk sarees makes them a trailblazer in the realm of ethical fashion, setting a commendable standard.