Silk Guide
A modern glossary for the collector, the connoisseur, and the quietly discerning.
Foundations of Silk
Mulberry Silk — The Origin of Purity
The heart of Maison Satyné. Mulberry silk comes from the Bombyx mori silkworm, whose diet of pure mulberry leaves produces the world’s finest, longest, and most luminous filaments.
Its natural protein structure gives it breathability, thermoregulation, and a softness that feels almost liquid against the skin.
Momme — The Weight of Luxury
Momme (mm) measures silk density. Higher momme means richer drape, deeper lustre, and greater longevity.
Maison Satyné works primarily with 22–25 momme mulberry silk — a weight chosen for its sculptural drape and couture-level durability.
Lustre — The Quiet Glow
Silk’s signature sheen comes from its triangular filament structure, which refracts light softly rather than shining harshly.
Our finishing techniques preserve this natural luminosity without artificial gloss.
Drape — Movement as Design
Drape describes how silk falls under its own weight.
High-drape silks (like charmeuse) flow like water; structured silks (like twill) hold architectural lines.
Maison Satyné selects each weave intentionally based on silhouette and movement.
The Weaves
Silk Charmeuse — The Signature Satyné Surface
A satin weave with a matte back and a luminous front.
Charmeuse is fluid, sensual, and iconic — the silk most associated with luxury sleepwear.
Its drape is liquid; its touch is unmistakable.
Silk Twill — Structure with Soft Authority
Recognizable by its diagonal weave, twill offers subtle structure while remaining featherlight.
Perfect for tailored silhouettes, refined piping, and pieces that require quiet architectural presence.
Crêpe de Chine — Matte, Airy, Effortless
Lightweight with a soft, pebbled texture.
Crêpe de Chine is matte, breathable, and ideal for warm climates or pieces meant to feel weightless.
Silk Chiffon — Sheer, Whisper-Light
A semi-transparent silk with a delicate, floating drape.
Used sparingly in Maison Satyné for layering, lining, and ethereal detailing.
Silk Marocain — Matte Elegance with Depth
A heavier, more formal cousin of crêpe de Chine.
Its weight creates sculptural folds and a refined, evening-wear character.
Specialty Silks & Technical Terms
Raw Silk — Silk in Its Natural State
Unprocessed silk that still contains sericin (silk gum).
Textural, matte, and organic — rarely used in Maison Satyné, but foundational to understanding silk’s origins.
Sericin — The Silk Binder
A natural protein that holds silk filaments together in the cocoon.
Removed during degumming to reveal the softness and sheen of pure silk.
Fibroin — The Core of the Fiber
The structural protein that forms the silk filament itself.
Responsible for silk’s strength, softness, and hypoallergenic properties.
Denier — Measuring Fineness
Denier measures the thickness of silk filaments.
Lower denier = finer, more delicate threads.
Maison Satyné uses ultra-fine filaments for maximum softness and drape.
Reeled Silk — The Highest Grade
Filaments unwound directly from the cocoon in continuous lengths.
This is the purest, strongest, and most lustrous form of silk — the foundation of Maison Satyné’s textiles.
Textures & Effects
Sandwashed Silk — Softened to Perfection
A finishing technique that gives silk a matte, suede-like hand.
Ideal for pieces meant to feel intimate, warm, and quietly indulgent.
Silk Velvet — Depth, Shadow, Opulence
A silk-viscose blend with a dense, even pile.
Used sparingly for accents and limited-edition pieces where richness is essential.
Jacquard — Woven, Not Printed
Patterns woven directly into the fabric using a jacquard loom.
Creates depth, dimension, and a sense of couture craftsmanship.
The Life of Silk
Degumming — Revealing the Silk Within
The process of removing sericin to expose the soft, luminous fibroin fiber.
A critical step that determines the final hand-feel and drape.
Screen Printing — Art on Fabric
A traditional method that produces saturated, vivid color.
Used by luxury houses for its precision and depth.
Thermoregulation — Warmth & Coolness in One Fiber
Silk naturally adapts to the body’s temperature, making it ideal for sleepwear and year-round wear.
The Maison Satyné Philosophy of Silk
Silk is not simply a material — it is a medium of intention.
At Maison Satyné, every weave, weight, and finish is chosen with purpose:
Charmeuse for its sensual drape
22-25 momme for its longevity
Mulberry silk for its purity
Our glossary is not a technical manual — it is an invitation into the world we craft: one of restraint, precision, and quiet luxury.