F.01 - Cracked Surface Xiangyun Silk (Naturally Aged)
Availability & Custom Orders
Due to the traditional and time-intensive nature of its making, this fabric is offered in limited lengths.
For current availability or to explore alternative options, we recommend contacting us prior to purchase. We will be happy to assist in sourcing a fabric that best suits your needs.
Fabric Overview
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Material: 100% silk (28 momme white habotai)
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Surface Finish: Sand-washed cracked texture
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Dyeing: Botanical dyeing + river mud dyeing
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Color: Black-facing surface / deep brown reverse
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Hand Feel: Dense, firm, resilient
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Breathability: Lower than conventional silk
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Recommended Use: Tailored garments, structured designs
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Each piece: Naturally varied
Design & Material Process
Crafted on a 28 momme white habotai silk base, this fabric undergoes a sand-washing process that creates a ceramic-like cracked surface texture.
It is then dyed through repeated botanical dyeing and river mud application, combined with cycles of sun-drying. The fabric is left to rest for three years, allowing the surface black to deepen naturally while the reverse fully oxidizes into a dark red-brown tone.
This time-intensive process results in a distinctive dual-tone appearance: a deep, naturally lustrous black-facing surface paired with a warm red-brown reverse—an outcome unique to traditional mud-dyeing methods.
Compared to conventional silk, the fabric offers reduced breathability but enhanced density, resilience, and firmness, making it well suited for tailored garments and designs requiring defined structure.
Texture & Performance
Despite its silk origin, the fabric exhibits greater density and resilience than conventional silk.
Botanical dyes derived from Dioscorea roots contribute to the fabric’s natural resistance to odor buildup over extended wear.
Natural Characteristics
As a fully plant- and mud-dyed textile with no chemical fixatives, slight color release may occur during the first few washes.
The black-facing side is finished through river mud application; subtle shadowing may occasionally appear on the brown reverse. These are natural results of the traditional process and should not be considered defects.
Each piece carries slight variations in tone and texture, reflecting its handcrafted nature.
Care Instructions
– Rinse gently with clean water only
– Do not use detergents or chemical cleaners
– Avoid prolonged soaking
– Air dry in shade
With proper care, the fabric will continue to develop depth and character over time.