China, Noir Mud Silk / Marcella Echavarria, Chuba Rust Mud Silk

Mud silk dates back to the Ming Dynasty in the fifth century. Commonly known as “tea silk,” “Lacquered Silk”, “Canton Silk”, or “Mud Cloth”, Gambiered Silk has been a traditional fabric used by Hakka people in Guangdong, China. Its cultural relevance was recognized in 2009 by adding the technique of dyeing Xiang Yun Sha to Intangible Cultural Heritage in China.

The lengthy manual seasonal manual process starts with drying the medical yams Dioscorea cirrhosa followed by grinding and simmering them in a large clay basin until the water turn orange and the fabric takes in all the color and medicinal properties. Then the fabric is laid down to dry and to be prepared to receive the many layers of mud from the Pearl River. This gives the fabric a laquer texture that is firmed with a thin layer of anthracite coal. The production process to create mud silk is labor intensive and season specific happening only from March to November in Canton.

Noir Handmade is a brand created by Marcella Echavarria to honor mud silk: its qualities, process and tradition. Noir presents editions once in a while according to the availability of the fabric and the different hues that the Pearl river carries each year. Mud silk is equivalent to wearing liquid, or to be embraced by the wind. The Chinese call it variously: perfumed cloud clothing, fragrant cloud silk cloth, and singing silk cloth.Noir is a one size unisex clothing label made to layer and to last.

76 cm wide x 125 cm long x 63 cm sleeve. One size. Made to order.  Ready to ship in 1 month. Made in Guangdong Province, China.