Is Organic Peace Silk Vegan, Vegan-friendly and Cruelty-Free?

 

In 2019, vegan actor Benedict Cumberbatch brought cruelty-free fashion to the Met Gala, wearing a vegan bamboo suit with a "peace silk" shirt. And to our delight, vegan actress Izabella Miko shared the "New morning uncomfortable habits" on her Instagram feed wearing our Organic Peace Silk camisole PJ set. Both are known vegans, so naturally, we have the question: Is organic peace silk vegan?

At Ethical Kind, we refer to Organic Peace Silk as cruelty-free, eco-friendly and ethical. As per the wiki definition, veganism is the practice of abstaining from animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. 

What is silk?

Silk is a natural protein fibre composed mainly of fibroin produced by the silkworm larvae to form a cocoon. In its strictest terms, it is a by-product of the animal, not vegan.

However, as with many beliefs, practices and philosophies, the form is personal and varies significantly between individuals. As much as we love this delicate fabric, in the age of conscious consumerism, we feel it's essential to understand the production practices behind the choices we make:

Organic Peace Silk is primarily Tussar silk extracted from silkworms living in the wild that feed on leaves of organic Asan trees. The cocoons are only collected after the silkworm completed its metamorphosis into a butterfly. These are essential species, like bees, in preserving the planet's biodiversity. To protect these silkworms, the silk farmers patrol the farm area to warn off predators like snakes and spiders, and mosquito nets protect young silkworms. No harmful fertiliser, pesticides or chemicals are used in the production. 

Conventional silk uses domestic mulberry silkworms fed with crops packed with pesticides and fertilisers before the cocoons are cruelly boiled with the silkworm chrysalis still inside. The fibres are then extracted and refined by their strength, spun, washed with highly toxic chemicals, and then weaved into textiles.

Unlike synthetic fibres, silk's organic nature makes it entirely biodegradable. It works with nature and solves the cruelty problem associate with conventional silk production. Many vegans are comfortable wearing peace silk for these reasons. 

Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly silk

To conclude, Organic Peace Silk is not vegan but is cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly. Organic Peace Silk is the alternative for people who care about the lives of animals and the environment and for the people who appreciate the queen of luxurious silk fibres feminine grace and beauty. 

Check out the Organic Peace Silk Collection here.   If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a message at hello@ethicalkind.com