11 Reasons Eri Silk is the Ethical Fabric of the Future
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, native to the northeastern states of India like Assam and Meghalaya, is also known as "peace silk," because it’s harvested using a completely non-violent method: the silk is only collected and processed after the moth has naturally emerged from its cocoon.
But it’s not just its ecological benefits that makes it an amazing fabric, the story of Eri silk is much richer and more fascinating than the tale of a cruelty-free fabric. This special material is deeply embedded in local communities, where the skill of weaving it by hand is passed down by women, generation-to-generation.
Unlike mass-produced silk garments, Eri slik shawls are defined by purposeful slowness. The fibers are spun by hand, woven by hand, dyed with natural ingredients by hand, and shaped by generations of women who understand both the material and the meaning behind the pieces they make.
Origins and Cultural Roots in Northeast India
For communities in Assam and Meghalaya, Eri silk isn’t just a product, it’s very much a way of life. This very special type of silk has been cultivated for centuries, often as part of household-level textile economies based on local women’s labor and knowledge. Every shawl or scarf made from Eri carries the essence of this beautiful region of India, its forests, its rivers, and its people.
Difference From Traditional Silk
Unlike mulberry silk, where the intact cocoon is boiled to extract the longest, smoothest fibers, Eri silk is spun like cotton from open-ended cocoons left behind by the moth. This results in a slightly thicker, more textured yarn. It doesn’t have that slippery sheen that most people associate with silk, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s soft in a different way. Its softness has texture and contours. More real. More mellow.
The 11 Ethical Advantages of Eri Silk
1. Non-Violent (Ahimsa) Silk Production
No boiling. No shortcuts. Just a gentle, patient wait for the silkworm to emerge naturally. This practice (known as Ahimsa, or non-violence) sits at the heart of what makes Eri silk different. It’s a reminder that luxury doesn’t have to come at a cost to life.
2. Women-Led Collectives
Most Eri silk is produced within women-led cooperatives in rural India. These are not factories, the pieces are made in women’s homes and community weaving spaces in which knowledge is shared across generations. At all mellow co., our shawls are woven by one such collective in Meghalaya, where every thread is an act of preservation and empowerment.
3. No Harmful Chemicals Used
Our Eri silk is always processed with zero synthetics, from the soapnut used to wash the fibers, to the dyes extracted from local leaves, flowers, and minerals. This makes it 100% safe for your skin, and it does no harm whatsoever to the surrounding environment, not the rivers, nor the soil, nor the air that surround the communities who make it.
4. Biodegradable and Compostable
Eri silk is a natural protein fiber, which means it breaks down easily in the environment when it’s no longer needed. No plastic particles. No synthetic waste. Just organic matter returning to the earth. That makes it one of the most eco-friendly textiles on the planet, especially when compared to synthetics or blended fabrics.
5. Low-Waste Hand-Processing
Every part of the Eri production process is done slowly and mindfully. Spinning and weaving by hand means very little energy use from non-renewable energy sources. Dyes are made in small batches from seasonal plants. Water is reused. The community only uses a small amount of firewood from local forests to boil the ingredients. The result? A process that leaves a minimal environmental footprint and maximizes respect for every resource involved.
6. Local Sourcing Means Low Emissions
The entire supply chain of Eri silk is hyper-local. The silkworms are raised in rural communities. The cocoons are collected nearby. The spinning, weaving, and dyeing all happen within walking distance. That means no long-haul transport, no complex distribution, and a far smaller carbon footprint. At all mellow co. we also aim to ship from the nearest distribution center in Shillong, the capital city of the state of Meghalaya.
7. Durable and Long-Lasting
Despite its softness, Eri silk is surprisingly strong. It holds its shape, doesn’t pill easily, and softens even more with time. A well-made Eri shawl can last for many decades with the right care. In fact, the women in the villages of Meghalaya have shawls made by ancestors many generations ago, and these pieces are precious heirlooms that are worn with great pride and love. This means that Eri silk fabrics are the exact opposite of fast fashion. It’s a piece you live with, love, and can pass on.
8. Naturally Breathable and Hypoallergenic
Eri silk has a unique thermal quality; it keeps you warm in winter, cool in summer, and lets your skin breathe in every season. It’s gentle, itch-free, and doesn’t trap sweat like synthetic fabrics. For people with allergies, eczema, or sensitivities, this makes a noticeable difference. You can wear it directly against bare skin and feel totally at ease.
9. Minimal Water Use Compared to Cotton
Cotton is known for being thirsty. Silk is not. The production of Eri requires significantly less water than conventional cotton farming, particularly because the plants used for dyeing and washing are grown locally and used sparingly. It’s a fabric rooted in respect for natural rhythms and resources.
10. Supports Traditional Knowledge Systems
Weaving Eri silk isn’t just about technique but also the stories, songs, and skills passed down through generations. By choosing it, you help preserve the indigenous knowledge that keeps this craft alive. That’s more than sustainability. That’s cultural stewardship.
11. Ethical Luxury: Small-Batch, Slow Production
At all mellow co., we don’t rush, and we don’t mass-produce. Every shawl we release is part of a limited batch that's spun, woven, and dyed by hand over weeks, sometimes months. That slowness is part of what gives Eri its soul. It’s what makes it feel different when you wear it. Not flashy. Just real.
Why All Mellow Co. Chose Eri Silk
We didn’t choose Eri silk because it was trending. We chose it because it fit our values, our rhythm, and our sense of what the world needs more of. At all mellow co., we partner with a women-led collective in Meghalaya that works in harmony with the land and the seasons. We build relationships, not supply chains. And we let the fabric speak for itself. Soft, soulful, and slow.
Our decision to build around Eri silk was simple: it ticked every box. Ethical? Absolutely. Beautiful? Undeniably. Scalable? No—and that’s exactly why we love it. This isn’t about chasing growth, it’s about deepening connection to the makers, to the process, to your own skin.
Final Thoughts: Eri Silk in Your Conscious Closet
When people think of silk, they often picture shine and shimmer. Eri isn’t that. It’s matte. It’s textured. It’s human. It holds the spirit of the place it comes from and the people who make it.
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, in time, it feels that way for you too.