This winter, we reimagined one of our core designs, the Mia dress in 100% silk duchess. For this style, we've collaborated with Manufacture Oslo to make the dress locally in Norway. Below you'll find some information about the fabric, the history of the color of the fabric and our production partner. 

Silk satin duchess

Silk satin duchess is a luxurious, tightly woven fabric that synonymous with elegance and sophistication. Made from silk, it features a lustrous surface with a subtle sheen, achieved through its dense satin weave. This fabric is heavier and stiffer than standard satin, which make it a popular choice for garments requiring structure and formality. It is not possible to compare the feel and drape of silk duchesse to polyester satins, the fabric has a heavyness and smoothness you can only experience through wearing it.

Deadstock

Our silk satin duchesse is a deadstock fabric, Deadstock fabric refers to surplus or leftover materials from textile mills, factories, or fashion brands. These fabrics were originally produced for specific orders or collections but were not used for various reasons, such as overproduction, canceled orders, or design changes. Using deadstock fabric contributes to a more sustainable fashion industry, as it reduces textile waste and prevents these materials from ending up in landfills. 

The history of Violet indigo

To us, violet indigo lands in between blue and purple. The history of purple dye is fascinating. Purple dye, known as Tyrian purple or royal purple, was extracted from the glands of certain species of sea snails, particularly Murex brandaris, Murex trunculus, and Purpura haemastoma. This process dates back as far as 1500 BCE, with the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon serving as major production centers.

The extraction process was time-consuming and expensive. Thousands of snails were required to produce small amounts of dye, contributing to purple's status as a symbol of power and wealth. The color was often reserved for royalty and high-ranking individuals in many cultures, including the Roman Empire, where purple togas were exclusively worn by emperors and senators.

The story of indigo pigment spanns thousands of years, crossing cultures worldwide. Indigo, derived from plants like Indigofera tinctoria, was prized for its vibrant, rich blue hue. Its production dates back to ancient civilizations, including India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, where it was used to dye textiles and create intricate patterns. Indigo's labor-intensive extraction process, involving fermenting the plant leaves to release the dye, made it a valuable commodity often referred to as "blue gold." It became central to trade routes, with India dominating its production for centuries.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, indigo played a pivotal role in colonial economies, particularly in the Americas and Africa, where enslaved labor was used to cultivate it. Today, we assosciate indigo largely with denim, and synthetic alternatives have largely replaced natural production of the pigment.

How to combine this color?

Violet indigo pairs well with orange and green, which are both tertiary colors. The complementary color for purple is yellow which creates an interesting contrast. We also like to pair any color with white which will allow it to shine on it's own.

Norwegian production

This design is special to us for many reasons, but particularly because it is manufactured in Norway, at Økern outside the norwegian capital of Oslo. We've partnered up with Manufacture Oslo to explore local production, as an effort to reduce the strain we know fashion manufacturing has on the environment. It is also a nod back to Norway's former booming textile industry, which is now kept alive by a few important contributors. We belive in having a close relationship with our manufacturers both to make better products but also to support other small businesses.

Have a look at the Mia silk duchess dress in violet indigo here