How Fashion is Blessed by the Production of Silk
In commercially produced silk, the silkworm is killed in the process of obtaining the silk threads. Traditionally, only a few silkworms are allowed to live to continue the reproductive cycle. However, there is a new process emerging, which is referred to as “peace silk” in which the silkworm moths are allowed to emerge from the cocoon unharmed, and the remaining empty cocoon is used for the production of silk. Rather than unwinding and reeling the silk from the boiled cocoon from a continuous strand, the broken fibers of the empty cocoon are de-gummed and spun like any other fiber, instead of being reeled. This type of fabric works well with shiny hair.
Many people are unaware of the cruelty involved in the traditional commercial processing of silk, and equally unaware that there is a non-violent way in which silk can be obtained. While this may not qualify the fiber as “vegan”, it certainly provides an alternative that is eco-friendly and sustainable.