Do you know the process of creating silk? It is actually innovative but also cruel at the same time, as this process requires killing silkworms. In this era, when the majority of people want fashion to be cruelty-free, this way of creating silk doesn’t match, right? Well, you will be amazed to know that Vietnam, in this process, has come up with such an innovative way that not only successfully makes silk but also doesn’t require the killing of silkworms. This alternative silk is called lotus silk which is mainly made from the fibers which has been found in stems of lotus.
Vietnam, by introducing lotus silk, has also successfully registered itself as a pioneer of sustainable fashion. However, did you know that this initiative directly came from a 73-year-old woman of Vietnam and that too by the internet?
How the Internet brought lotus silk to Vietnam
Mrs. Phan Thi Thuan, who is credited as the brainchild of lotus silk in Vietnam, has been weaving and selling traditional silk since the age of 6 from the colonial time.
As she stated in 2017, she was surfing the internet to find some alternative way to produce silks that don’t require the killing of Silkworms. In this process, she got the information that how Lotus silk is one of the common approaches to collecting silk in Myanmar. She actually felt very strange, but she decided to try it off.
It took two years for her, but finally, in 2019, the products made from lotus silk were completed and put into the market, which quickly gained popularity worldwide; this also drew the attention of the Government of Vietnam, who lent their support.
The role of the Vietnam Government in making lotus silk a success
The government of the country, in the process, has collaborated withand with An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta to successfully develop the majority of the products from lotus silk. In this process not only was the main aim of this thing, but it also ensured to make a sustainable livelihood for the workers, especially women. In this process, various supports have been provided to them starting from financial to technical. The project in this process has been financially backed up by the Coca-Cola Foundation.
This approach of the government has actually helped a lot especially for a particular village of Mekong Delta.
How a village in the Mekong Delta is producing high-quality lotus silk products
Thanks to the help of the Government, the village, which is known as Dong Thap Lotus Silk Village, has successfully produced the majority of the accessories and home décor items that are made of lotus silk, and not only these products are known for its softness breathability and natural beauty. However, the unique texture and purity of its fibers also help them to successfully export it outside of Vietnam, especially to western regions due to the majority of the consumers there being luxurious.
Halfway through this article, we bet that this question has already come to your mind: how is lotus silk actually being created? Well the process is entirely not easy at all.
The process of creating Lotus Silk and how it required careful monitoring
As stated by Mrs Phan Thi Thuan herself, the process is not entirely easy and it is heavily different from the process of how traditional silk is being created. To get the lotus silk, the artisans ensure that they use a small knife to cut the stem of the lotus but also, in this process, they ensure that they don’t cut it too deep as it can break the silk which is inside. So, in this process the artisans in every step need to carefully monitor the entire process. Per day, artisans are expected to cultivate more than 200-250 lotus stems.
Also, in this process, the Lotus stem also needs to be cleaned numerous times to ensure it produces clean and beautiful silk, which is required. In the production stage, it mainly being done with hand so weaving lotus silk takes a lot of time in this process.
It certainly requires a lot of time; however, this long amount of time actually gets paid off successfully you will believe it when you see the benefits of it.
Some of the common benefits of lotus silk
Not only due to it successfully contributing to sustainable fashion but also because there are numerous benefits besides this that can actually resonate well with the fashion enthusiastic.
The product, which is made from lotus silk, is soft and lightweight, which makes anyone wear it comfortably in any weather, especially during the time when the climate is warm. Besides that, these products are also highly breathable, which makes an ideal garment to wear when the temperature is humid.
Due to the products are made naturally and not artificially, if someone wears these products it will automatically provide them with elegant and luxurious appearances. Also, the products are anti odor and anti-sweat, which is a perfect thing to wear when it comes to the time of April-October. Besides that, another prime benefit of these products is that they are biodegradable in terms of nature.
An average price of products which gets made from Vietnamese lotus silk
| Product | Price (USD) | Price (GBP) | Price (INR) |
| Scraf (For both male and female) | $50-$100 | £40-£80 | ₹3,360-₹6,720 |
| Dress (For both male and female) | $200-$500 | £160-£400 | ₹13,440-₹33,600 |
| Shirt (For both male and female) | $150-$300 | £120-£240 | ₹10,080-₹20,160 |
| Bag (For both male and female) | $300-$600 | £240-£480 | ₹19,200-₹38,400 |
Some countries where lotus silk gets exported from Vietnam
| Country | From when it exported lotus silk, there | |
| Japan | 2020 | |
| United Kingdom | 2020 | |
| Italy | 2023 | |
| Belgium | 2022 | |
| Germany | 2020 | |
| United States | 2021 | |
| France | 2022 |
Some prominent fashion companies that use Vietnamese lotus silk in their products
| Rank | Fashion Brand | Country |
| 1 | Stella McCartney | United Kingdom |
| 2 | Bottega Veneta | Italy |
| 3 | Hermès | France |
| 4 | Gucci | Italy |
| 5 | Chanel | France |
| 6 | Prada | Italy |
| 7 | Louis Vuitton | France |
| 8 | Dior | France |
| 9 | Burberry | United Kingdom |
| 10 | Alexander McQueen | United Kingdom |
FAQ
What is lotus silk?
Lotus silk is a sustainable alternative to traditional silk derived from the fibers of lotus plants. It is produced through a cruelty-free process that does not involve the harming of silkworms.
How is lotus silk produced?
The process of producing lotus silk involves harvesting lotus plants, extracting fibers from the stems and leaves, spinning the fibers into yarn, and weaving the yarn into fabric.
What are the benefits of using lotus silk?
Lotus silk is known for its softness, breathability, durability, and natural beauty. It is also a sustainable and cruelty-free alternative to traditional silk.
How did lotus silk become popular in Vietnam?
Mrs. Phan Thi Thuan, , discovered the potential of lotus silk and began experimenting with its production. With government support and international interest, lotus silk has gained popularity both domestically and internationally.
What are some of the challenges in producing and promoting lotus silk?
The production of lotus silk can be more labor-intensive and costly compared to traditional silk. Additionally, building awareness and market demand for lotus silk can be challenging. However, the growing interest in sustainable fashion presents opportunities for the growth of the lotus silk industry.
