What Is Eri Silk? The Cruelty Free, Ethical Silk Changing Sustainable Fashion
What Is Eri Silk?
When people ask what Eri silk is, they are often surprised by the answer.
Unlike conventional silk, Eri silk is made without killing the silkworm.
Most silk production relies on boiling silkworms alive inside their cocoons in order to preserve long, continuous filaments. Eri silk follows a different path. The moth is allowed to emerge naturally before the cocoon is collected and spun. This single act of patience changes everything.
Eri silk is often called peace silk or Ahimsa silk because its production is non violent. The result is a fabric that is soft, strong, breathable, and deeply ethical.
Where Eri Silk Comes From
Women gather the empty cocoons by hand, spin the fibers using traditional methods, and weave the yarn on wooden looms passed down through generations. Every stage happens close to home, within small village communities where knowledge moves from mother to daughter.
Eri silk carries the story of its place. The forests that feed the silkworms, the hands that spin the thread, and the quiet rhythm of village life are woven into the fabric itself.
How Eri Silk is Different from Conventional Silk
Eri silk behaves differently from mulberry silk, both in process and feel.
Texture
Eri silk has a matte finish rather than a high gloss sheen. Its surface is softly textured and subtly irregular, carrying the presence of the hands that made it.
Strength and warmth
Eri silk is stronger and warmer than mulberry silk, making it ideal for shawls and wraps that can be worn year round.
Look and feel
Less shine, more depth. Eri silk appeals to those drawn to quiet elegance rather than polished perfection.
Eri silk does not chase uniformity. It celebrates variation, patience, and human touch.
Why Eri Silk Is Considered Cruelty Free and Vegan Friendly
Eri silk is widely recognized as one of the most ethical forms of silk available today.
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The silkworm is never harmed
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No boiling or killing occurs
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The lifecycle of the moth is respected
Because of this, Eri silk is often described as cruelty free silk and is accepted by many people who seek vegan friendly fashion alternatives.
While it is still a silk protein fiber, its non violent production makes it a preferred choice for those who value ethical textiles.
The Ethical Benefits of Eri Silk
Eri silk stands apart not because of one feature, but because of the entire system around it.
Women led craftsmanship
Eri silk production is centered in women run cooperatives that support rural livelihoods across Meghalaya and Assam.
Low impact processing
Spinning, dyeing, and weaving are done by hand using minimal energy and water.
Biodegradable and natural
Eri silk is a natural protein fiber that returns to the earth without leaving microplastics behind.
Small batch production
Every piece is made slowly, not scaled for mass production.
This is the opposite of fast fashion.
If you are interested in how other handcrafted textiles come to life, you can also read our guide to Indian block printing, a craft that shares this same respect for time and process.
Why We Chose Eri Silk at all mellow co.
At all mellow co., we did not choose Eri silk because it is trending. We chose it because it aligns with our values.
Eri silk reflects our belief in slow fashion, ethical craftsmanship, and meaningful partnerships. We work with a women led collective in Meghalaya because we believe sustainability begins with people, not certifications.
Each of our Eri silk shawls is woven in small batches and released intentionally. No excess. No shortcuts.
You can explore our full Eri Silk Collection here.
You can also discover the clothing created by our partners at LAL Design Studio and Hibiscus Heroes who share this same commitment to natural materials and handmade processes.
Eri Silk in Conversation
Mellow Matters Podcast
To understand Eri silk beyond the fabric, we sat down with Iba Mallai, founder of the women-led collective behind our shawls.
In this episode of the Mellow Matters podcast, Iba shares how she returned home to Meghalaya, revived traditional weaving practices, and built a community centered around Eri silk.
Listening to her story reveals why Eri silk is not just a material, but a living culture.
Why Eri Silk Matters Today
In a world moving faster every year, Eri silk asks us to slow down.
It protects traditional knowledge.
It supports women artisans.
It offers an alternative to extractive fashion systems.
Understanding what Eri silk is helps us understand what ethical fashion can be.
This is why we continue to choose it. Every time.
If you would like to explore more about how our values shape what we curate, you can read our philosophy here.