Shantung silk ties

Summer calls for lightness and freshness—but never at the expense of elegance.

And for the season, some materials manage to strike that perfect balance. One such fabric is Shantung silk, a refined choice for accessories like ties.

Shantung silk, also known as wild silk, comes from non-domesticated silkworms that live freely, far from human intervention. Their diet depends on their environment—oak, juniper, or other local plants—unlike the domesticated Bombyx mori, which feeds solely on mulberry leaves and produces a smooth, uniform silk.

Wild silkworms, on the other hand, produce a shorter, more irregular fibre, resulting in a fabric with a textured, almost raw surface. This natural irregularity is precisely what gives Shantung silk its unique character.

Among raw silks, two main families stand out: Tussah and Shantung. While Tussah has a softer texture, Shantung is denser and more structured. Its subtly ribbed surface, created by slubbed yarns, catches the light in a distinctive way—bringing depth to colour and offering a rich, nuanced visual effect.