Story of Xsilk
I've always appreciated hand made things. We are hardwired to find special beauty in hand crafted things. If and when I can, I like using hand made objects for everyday use.
As a maker of hand made objects, I came to appreciate resources and raw materials more, and I value all the work behind an useful object.
After studying fine art and earning a master degree in multi media arts, I wanted apply my education to "handmaking" process and designing everyday things. So with occasional inspiration from my husband(artist and architectural designer), Xsilk workshop was born in my kitchen.
I opened my Etsy shop wanting to offer things I'd like to wear - something naturally beautiful, handmade and long lasting. I started working with silk four years ago and fell in love with all the possibilities it offered. It's natural material, feels great on bare skin, drapes elegantly and dyes beautifully. It's light, but surprisingly warm when layered, and it also breaths to provide good ventilation in warmer weathers.
My mother-in-law, who is a classically trained Kimono silk painter has also been an influence and a teacher in my work. I use a traditional method of painting and dyeing. This method is a slow one - hand painting silk with non-toxic dyes, curing painted silk for a few days and then slow steaming silk to permanently set the colors. The color quality of hand dyed silk is quite different from factory dye or print jobs. Hand dyed colors are more luminous and have richer nuances and depth. Slow steam setting colors also means Xsilk garments can be washed with water, instead of only being allow to be dry cleaned.
I am focused on creating simple and timeless pieces which can be worn for many years. And by making Xsilk pieces in environmentally responsible way, I hope to decrease "disposable" fashion trend in the market.
Xsilk products are made individually or in small batches in Brooklyn, New York.
