NEW ZEALAND WOOL
New Zealand wool is the purest, whitest wool in the world which allows the wool to take on a more superior quality by enhancing excellent dyeing characteristics that create longer lasting colours.
The wool is considered to be a renewable and biodegradable fibre allowing it to be one of the leading environmentally friendly products worldwide. Along with this, New Zealand’s farms have banned all international pesticides allowing sheep farming to be the world greenest animal production recognized today.
Wool has been used in carpeting for centuries due to its wrinkle resistant properties, creating the ability to bounce back into shape after being crushed by foot traffic. It is much courser in texture in comparison with cotton, linen and silk.
New Zealand wool is considered to be a symbol of excellence and Silk Avenue only uses the best the world has to offer.
SILK
Silk is a natural protein fibre and highly recognised as one of the leading luxurious fabrics worldwide.
The silk yarn used in weaving is obtained from the silkworm’s cocoons made by the larvae produced by the silkworms in their pupal stage, before becoming a moth.
The recognised luxurious sheen is created by the fibres’ triangular prism-like structure which allows silk cloth to refracts incoming light at different angles.
The lustre, dyeing versatility and softness allows the material to be one of the main recognised fabric within luxury carpet production.
BAMBOO SILK
Bamboo silk yarns are produced by fibres extracted from the Bamboo plant. The stalks of the bamboo plant are broken down allowing the cellulose fibres to be extracted. These particular yarns from the pure bamboo plant, take on a soft, silky texture with a subtle shine.
This material takes on the exact same qualities as pure silk. However, Bamboo is a resource that is easily renewed, so once again it is a more environmentally friendly alternative along with being the more affordable yarn.
BANANA SILK
Banana Silk is often considered the vegan’s alternative to silk.
The yarns begin as bark from the banana plant/tree. The bark is then soaked for a substantial length of time, resulting in the cellulose fibres being all that remains.
Finally, it is then extruded into pulp and then spun into yarn.
This particular silk takes on a moderately more shiney appearance in comparison with the silk yarn, however still maintaining its glorious versatility and softness.
The beautiful white yarn can be dyed into hundreds of vibrant shades without losing its natural lustre.
SARI SILK
Recycled Sari Silk yarn is undeniably the rarest yarn to be used within carpet production. It is produce by silk remnants from India’s weaving mills being handspun together by local women’s cooperatives into luxurious silk thread. Through their embedded traditional techniques, India’s women are able to create vibrant textured yarn in an endless array of colours.
By using this remarkable yarn, the carpets take on a more authentic and charming aesthetic. This is because the hand-spinning process of the silk skeins, create natural inconsistencies, allowing a more 'honest' and some what primitive element being introduce into contemporary carpet design.
Silk Avenue believe the juxtaposition of the authentic handspun thread combined with a contemporary design creates an unexpected and unique end product.
LINEN
Linen is a cellulosic textile fibre derived from the stem of the ‘flax’ plant. In comparison with cotton, the linen fibres are more lustrous and almost twice the strength, and three time that of wool. Linen fibre takes on a subtle ‘silky’ quality which can emulate into sophisticated luxury once incorporated into a carpet design. The fibres are also more resistance to sunlight in comparison with others, another important component when considering wall-to-wall carpets.
COTTON
Cotton is a cellulosic textile fibre derived from the mature capsule of the cotton plant. The fibres have moderate strength and have high absorbency power, which is an important component when custom dyeing the thread for carpet design. Cotton also has excellent colour retention, meaning that the dye doesn’t spread where not applied, resulting in accurate colour detailing where necessary.
VISCOSE
Viscose/Rayon Fibre is a re-generated cellulosic fibre. Although it is manmade, Viscose is manufactured from naturally occurring polymers, so takes on both the properties of a natural and a synthetic fibre . Consequently it is considered as semi-synthetic fibre.
It is a versatile fibre and can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton and linen. The fibres are easily dyed, and can retain the dyes luminosity over time.
JUTE
Jute is a natural 'bast' fibre, meaning it derives from the inner bark of the plants. The properties of Jute can vary depending on the origin but primarily composed of cellulose, pectin and allowing its structure it to be stronger in comparison with cotton or other fibres. Jute is amazingly versatile. It is a long soft shiny plant fibre that can be spun into course, strong threads. Jute has the ability to be blended with other fibres, both synthetic and natural, and accept colour dye effectively. Its UV protection, sound and heat insulating properties make it a successful fibre for carpet production.