Matka Peace Silk Long Shirt | natural ivory

A sophisticated take on a classic shirt, elongated into a fluid silhouette that moves easily between structure and softness. Cut to mid-thigh with a curved asymmetrical hem and high side slits, it layers with ease while maintaining a refined line. This style is crafted from exquisite homespun and handwoven mulberry peace silk.

• Semi-fitted across back and torso

• Cropped sleeves that end in cuff slit

• Closes in center front with hand beaten brass buttons

• Back shoulder yoke with box pleat for ease

• Mid thigh length with high side slits and curved asymmetrical hem

• Made exclusively from peace, or non-violent, silk - no silk worm is harmed in the making of this silk.

• Hand spun & woven by a weaver’s cluster in Assam, in beautifully soft & slightly slubbed matka mulberry silk.

• All orders come lovingly packed in upcycled silk bags

• SM

  • Length center front 39“

  • Chest 42” round

  • Hip 44” round

  • Cross-back 15.5”

  • Armhole 20” round

  • Sleeve length 21” and cuff 11” round

• ML

  • Length center front 40“

  • Chest 46” round

  • Hip 48” round

  • Cross-back 16.5”

  • Armhole 23” round

  • Sleeve length 22” and cuff 12” round

+/- a tolerance inherent to hand made clothing

• Fabric: 100% mulberry peace silk 

• Handfeel: Super soft, mid weight with an incredible drape

• Care: Gentle & quick hand wash in mild detergent. Don't soak as some colours may run. Drip dry in the shade. Gentle steam iron. 

• Origin: Assam, India

Textile Story

Conventional silk is produced through boiling silk worms in their cocoons, killing some 6,000 worms to produce 1 kg (2 pounds) of silk. Peace silk, also known as non-violent silk, is a sustainable and ethical approach to silk production which does not involve harming or killing the silk worm. Though the silk worm is not killed during the production of the this natural dye silk, the larvae are sometimes manually removed from the cocoon , dried and turned into a local culinary delicacy in the region where this fabric is woven in Assam. It constitutes a nutritious and important element of the local diet.

The production of peace silk is a cottage industry, which supports a wide and varied eco-system of women and men farmers, spinners, weavers and dyers. Our Peace Silk Collection brings together this diverse range of silks and artisans from India's northeastern rural villages. Cocoons are collected by silk farmers, then spun by hand, yarn-dyed using local, natural dyestuffs and hand woven - each step carried out by women. Our Ahimsa Collection includes domesticated matka mulberry and eri peace silk, wild tussar and balkal silks, as well as the waste silk generated by regular silk production, like raw silk.

Silk spun and woven in this way retains properties lost during conventional means of silk production. Peace silk is less lustrous than typical silk, but is incredibly soft and has a rich, slubbed texture and an incredible drape. It retains warmth in winter and breathes in the heat so is comfortable to wear year round. Any variations or irregularities are part of the design and inherent to the production process.