Our Story
A SILKBODY GARMENT BEGINS WITH A TINY SILK CATERPILLAR
THIS FUSSY EATER ONLY EATS FRESHLY PICKED MULBERRY LEAVES. THE SILKWORM SPINS A COCOON WITH A SINGLE THREAD AS LONG AS THIRTY CITY BLOCKS. UP TO 600 COCOONS ARE UNWOUND TO BE MADE INTO A SINGLE SILKBODY GARMENT.
DESIGNED IN NEW ZEALAND FROM AN ANCIENT FIBRE
Silkbody owners Laurian and Darryl with their daughter Abigail.
Silk was first discovered in China 5000 years ago. The secret of silk was closely guarded for thousands of years. Legend has it that two monks were sent by Rome to smuggle back silkworm eggs in their hollow canes, and so the secret of silk was revealed.
2000 years later Silkbody reveals the forgotten secret once more…
In 2002 Dunedin father and daughter team David and Emily Cooper released their range of natural silk clothing in New Zealand. Emily designed the range shortly after completing a degree in Clothing and Textile Science at the University of Otago in Dunedin.
With a knowledge of the performance properties of silk and the potential of this amazing fibre, Emily set about designing a range of clothing that embodied the traditional luxury of silk within high performance garments for everyday, sport and travel.
Silkbody is now owned and run by Laurian Godwin.
“Silk has captured our imagination, as it did civilisations before us. At Silkbody we are passionate about developing silk clothing for a new generation. In today’s world of petrochemical dependence, we believe it’s important to be able to wear clothing that’s completely natural. Each Silkbody garment carries the story of its evolution - from the finest fibre spun by the tiny silk caterpillar, to the incredibly lightweight, luxurious finished garment. Once you discover Silkbody you won’t want to wear anything else against your skin.”