Eri Silk: Why This Sustainable Fabric Belongs in Your Wardrobe

When we think of silk, we think of luxuriant, soft, sensual pieces that flow like honey and shine like…well…silk, but this rich elegance hides an ugly truth. To harvest the thread intact, silkworms are boiled alive in their cocoons.  

Here is where Eri silk is different. 

Eri silk, also called peace silk, offers an eco-friendly and humane alternative. Known locally as Ryndia, it’s harvested only after the moth emerges naturally. This natural fibre clothing is fully biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and surprisingly strong, and it’s one of the most sustainable fabrics for clothing. 

Unlike mulberry silk, Eri silk has a matte, textured softness and subtle irregularities that give it depth and character. As Iba Malai, who leads a women’s collective in Meghalaya, explains: 

“Eri silk is the most sustainable silk because we don’t kill the silkworm. It also has unique thermal properties — cool in summer, warm in winter — and it’s very comfortable and soft on your skin.” 

For centuries, Eri silk has been central to Meghalaya’s identity. Traditionally gifted to kings and tribal leaders, it remains a heritage textile that represents not just comfort, but culture. 

In our first mellow matters podcast episode, Iba shared her journey from corporate life in Bangalore back to her hometown. 

“I wasn’t happy with what I was doing. I felt this voice inside me pushing me to find something with purpose… something that also supports my community.” 

Her story shows why more ethical fashion brands are choosing eco-friendly fabrics like Eri silk, not just for aesthetics, but for their positive environmental and social impact. 

Eri silk begins in rural homes, where silkworms feed on castor plants, which are a rain-fed, low-impact crop that supports sustainable textile production. Iba and her team are expanding this supply chain: 

“We’ve already distributed over 2,000 castor plant saplings to farmers. The more they grow, the more cocoons we can produce.” 

Once harvested, the cocoons are spun into yarn, dyed with natural ingredients like turmeric, bark, and roots, then woven entirely by hand. It’s a slow and intentional process: 

“It takes around six or seven days for two weavers to create just two shawls.” 

This kind of small-batch, artisan-made production embodies the principles of slow fashion clothing and stands in stark contrast to mass-produced fast fashion. 

In Meghalaya’s matrilineal society, women have long been the custodians of this craft. As Iba explains: 

“You hardly find women here who just stay at home. In our community, women are very active — earning income, joining self-help groups, leading social activities. We are proud of what we do.” 

“For me, being sustainable means making sure our weavers are treated fairly. You cannot over-push them. You have to understand the culture and their responsibilities.” 

Eri silk combines the best qualities of eco-friendly fashion and sustainable fabrics textiles: 

Iba’s words are a reminder to shop mindfully: 

“You need to be conscious of what you buy: who made it, how they’re treated, and what impact it has. That’s the cost of fast fashion we don’t always see.” 

Choosing Eri silk means supporting eco-conscious clothing and earth-friendly fashion that aligns with your values.

Eri silk is more than just a fabric, it’s a connection to people, place, and planet. That’s why we love it so much and wanted to share it with the world as the first all mellow co. product. Bringing Eri into your wardrobe isn’t just a style choice, it’s a values choice. It’s choosing softness that doesn’t cost the earth. Comfort that doesn’t come at another’s expense. Beauty that doesn’t shout but lingers. We believe in fabrics that feel like home. That’s what Eri is to us, and we hope it feels that way for you too. 

Listen to episode one of mellow matters on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, and discover how peace silk is redefining sustainable fashion one mellow thread at a time.