Silk is one of the oldest natural fibres in the world with some records dating the practice of sericulture to 5000 BCE. Traditionally reserved for royalty it became known as The Queen of Fabrics, prized for its elegance, hand-feel and lustre. It remains synonymous with luxury to this day - a fabric that women turn to in the moments they want to feel their very best (from a beautifully made silk satin bridal gown or a simple but oh-so-chic silk twill scarf) - we are proud to work almost exclusively with this princely fabric. 

Silk is hygroscopic, meaning it will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter and is therefore a dream to sleep in. As an entirely natural fibre, it has self cleaning properties - simply airing it will keep it fresh between washes. 

Silk can take on new characteristics when blended with other yarns, for example to make our plush silk  velvet, or altered by weaving technique, for example to make our lightweight, matte silk crêpe de chine.

We use traditional screen-printing methods to print all of  our silks. This centuries-old craft affords the vivid and intense saturation of colour for which Olivia von Halle is celebrated. It is the eye-catching effect of misregistration that imbues every individual piece with distinct character, and makes each item of the Olivia von Halle wardrobe a wearable work of art. 

Momme is the unit of measurement that is traditionally used to indicate the weight and density of silk. A higher momme count makes for a denser, heavier, and more durable fabric. It also indicates greater lustre and opacity. Our bestselling silk satin is 19 momme - a weight rarely used today due to its expense but one that makes an Olivia von Halle pyjama recognisable by its touch.

A term that describes the uniquely subtle sheen of silk, caused by the light reflecting properties of certain silk fibres. Lustre can be dialled down by altering the weight and texture of the silk, for example, silk satin has a high lustre whilst silk Marocain is matte. This beautiful natural quality is difficult to replicate in synthetics, which often appear overly shiny. 

A term that describes the way the fabric hangs under its own weight, falling into elegant folds. Fabrics such as silk satin have a high drape and hang more fluidly over the body whilst those with a low drape such as silk twill offer more structure. 

Smooth.

Crafted from : 100% silk  

Jane Birkin once, correctly, said: “When you've got nothing left, all you can do is get into silk underwear and start reading Proust.” OvH silk satin makes the persuasive case for Jane’s argument–slick, smooth and lustrous, there is nothing more spoiling to slip into.  

Often incorrectly associated with synthetics, the term satin refers to the weave, which affords the fabric a gloss-like finish that is countered with a matte back. Not ones to stop short of perfection, the majority of our silk satin is 19 momme -  a term that you do not need to know but you certainly do need to feel, because it describes the uniquely luxurious weight and density of our silk. A cult classic (for good reason) wear this literally anywhere, any time, any way. 

Structured.

Crafted from : 100% silk  

When structure is the order of the day, lean into the borrowed-from-the-boys aesthetic with our statement-making silk twill.

Our pyjama silhouettes take their cues from the traditional shirting of Saville Row - expertly tailored and quietly confident, there is perhaps nothing quite as timeless as a crisp button down. Except perhaps, for a button down crafted from our signature silk twill. Recognisable by its diagonal weave this fabric gives strength and structure but with a featherlight finish, making it a dream to wear - from boardroom to bedroom.

Weightless.

Crafted from : 100% silk  

Our answer to languorous summer nights en terrasse, crêpe de Chine offers easy all-hour elegance and is best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand.

Beautifully lightweight and with a subtly pebbled texture our crêpe de Chine is the perfect partner for balmy summer evenings. Supremely soft, naturally breathable and with a matte finish that flatters the wearer, this hard-working summertime staple is the epitome of easy elegance.

Soft.

Crafted from : 100% silk  

Butter-soft and deliciously weighty, this impossibly indulgent material has unsurpassable levels of feel-appeal.

Few things can be as spoiling as an evening spent in sandwashed silk - supremely soft and with a weight that seems to ensconce the wearer this fabric has a matte finish and is a dream to sleep in.

Matte.

Crafted from : 100% silk  

Matte with a lightly pebbled texture akin to crêpe de Chine our silk marocain gets the royal treatment with added weight that delivers the most decadent drapery.

Formal in character, this weighty, stately fabric is the perfect choice for elevated evening-wear. With the same butter soft finish inside and out, it feels every bit as good as it looks.

Sumptuous.

Crafted from : a unique silk / viscose blend 

File under: party perfect.

With its dense, even pile our silk velvet screams decadence. Today, velvet is often recreated using synthetics but our traditional blend - which places silk centre stage - results in a super soft fabric that is imbued with a subtle sheen. Timeless yet with a slight nostalgia that speaks to the ever-elegant and iconic looks of Princess Diana in the 80s, our velvet is at-home fireside but will do double duty as perfect party-wear come cocktail hour. Silk Velvet

Crisp.

Crafted from : a unique cotton / silk blend  

If it isn’t broke then don’t fix it, or so the saying goes. Unless of course it can be elevated to lofty new heights. Case in point: our quietly confident silk-cotton, which marries the cool crispness of cotton with the easy elegance of silk.

Consciously crafted using Global Organic Textile Standard cotton yarns, our fine cotton-silk blend marries the best of both textures. Like cotton but lighter, softer and more elevated it is your perfect companion in warmer climes. Wear to to discover the sun-baked corridors of the Mediterranean or watch the moon ascend on an al fresco dinner. This is utility, made luxe.

Buttery.

Crafted from : a unique silk / cashmere blend 

Developed especially to elevate the humble tracksuit, our unique silk-cashmere blend is designed for on-the-go-glamour. Like a jersey but exceptionally luxurious it will transport you from A to B in unmatched comfort and on a cloud of aesthetically elevated elegance.

Crafted using a heritage knitwear technique rarely used today due to its expense, our SilkCash is double faced - meaning if feels just as heavenly on the inside as it does on the outside. The presence of silk provides the most subtle sheen and reduced piling. SilkCash

Cosy.

Crafted from : 100% cashmere  

Crafted using only the longest, finest yarns for a softness beyond compare, our next-generation cashmere is luxury in its purest, most sincere form. Woven, rather than knitted, it is silky smooth on the inside and butter soft on the outside.