The Scoop: It’s about time we brought passion and romance to ethical consumerism. We spoke with The Ethical Silk Company’s Director of the UK, Margaret Ring, about how the company’s luxurious products prioritize quality silk pieces and respectful production practices.
You can say “I love you” in countless ways, but silk says it with extra romance. The silk products manufactured by The Ethical Silk Company aren’t all flash, though they do shimmer. “A deep appreciation of generational, expert craftsmanship and beautiful, high-quality tailoring” goes into every stitch, The Ethical Silk Company’s website explained.
Most importantly, a gift from The Ethical Silk Company says “I love you” to your partner and to the earth itself thanks to the company’s dedication to ethical consumerism.
From silk robes to nightdresses to slips to pillowcases, The Ethical Silk Company’s products are made to last. Its mulberry silk is cruelty-free and ethically sourced, the silk is timeless, and the products themselves will never go out of style. Neither will the company’s ethical product sourcing and business practices.
You can feel good about your purchase from The Ethical Silk Company, and I mean that literally; the product’s soft, silky texture just feels good. Margaret Ring, Director of the UK at The Ethical Silk Company, explained how the company prioritizes ethics and high quality silk products.
How Is The Ethical Silk Company Ethical?
The Ethical Silk Company has “a love of natural, sustainable fabrics” and ensures that “no animals have suffered in the production process,” the site claims.
Specifically, “We only use peace silk, ensuring that our production is cruelty-free, with the mulberry silk fibers extracted only after the moths have left the cocoon,” the site claims. After all, the goal is for the production process to “make as little impact as possible on our planet.” This way, the manufacturers and the consumers can enjoy the products with clean consciences.
The Ethical Silk Company ensures a safe, sustainable product by keeping a close eye on its manufacturing process. “We know our suppliers well,” the site claimed. “We contact and visit them regularly in North and South India.”
Margaret told us how the company “welcomes customers to grill us about our supply chain!”
When was the last time a company invited you to pull back the curtain on its business practices? According to Margaret, The Ethical Silk Company’s confidence is well earned.
“We work closely, have regular contact with, and visit the companies and people involved in all aspects of our production,” she told us. The Ethical Silk Company makes its appreciation for its hardworking employees and suppliers clear on its site.
Most of its products are produced in India, which The Ethical Silk Company said is “full of talented artisans who keep alive heritage crafts that have been handed down through many generations.”
And now, new generations of families all around the world can luxuriate in The Ethical Silk Company’s silk fabrics. The company’s ethically made products speak for themselves. Although every piece is a unique work of art that, according to The Ethical Silk Company, “tells its own story,” each piece is also wearable. “With the correct care, [each product] will be enjoyed and last for many years to come.”
The Ethical Silk Company aims for “longevity over landfill” so as to cut down on waste and emphasize the importance of beloved, expertly made silk products.
Part of being an ethical consumer is doing your due diligence before ordering something, and The Ethical Silk Company encourages consumers to do just that. It follows a core philosophy that prioritizes customer satisfaction. “Without our customers, we wouldn’t be here,” according to the company’s site. “We are truly grateful, and strive to offer old-fashioned customer service and listen to your suggestions.”
The Power of Ethical Gifting
“We never sit still in the world of slow fashion. The future is eco,” The Ethical Silk Company’s site claims. “Slow fashion” means that the company’s products are not only luxuriously made but ethically sourced and produced. Unlike fast fashion, slow fashion prioritizes quality over quantity.
I get it: Fast fashion is alluring. It’s convenient, it’s cheap, and it’s faceless, meaning you can click “add to cart” without thinking too much about the production process, or the people who actually stitch your clothes together. But have you ever thought about the cost of those fast fashion pieces? And by cost, I don’t mean the financial cost. Saving a few bucks is a major plus, but it comes at the cost of countless workers, not to mention the earth itself.
In our conversation with Margaret, she emphasized how every consumer should question the environmental and social impact of the clothes they buy. “Ask yourself about the sustainability of the piece,” she recommended. “Will it be something that can be used, and, with care, will last for many years?”
Care and sustainability: two words that describe The Ethical Silk Company’s mulberry silk collections to a T. Its silk products look and feel beautiful because they’re made with passion and respect. The company even hopes to add more sustainable fabrics to its collections in the future.
Of course, prioritizing ethics gets much more difficult in the face of financial hardship. But there’s something to be said for ethical gift giving at special times, such as the holidays, anniversaries, or even date nights. Never underestimate the power of ethical gifting. “It’s about adding value to the gift for both the giver and receiver,” Margaret explained.
A silk nightdress or robe should be a standout gift that feels as luxurious as it looks. What makes it even more special is when the product itself matches the ethics of the giver and/or receiver. “Showing them that you know what they stand for in life and that you love them even more as a result is a wonderful feeling for both parties,” Margaret told us.
Mulberry Silk is as Romantic as it is Ethically Made
Does it get more romantic than silk? There’s a reason why we associate silk with romance. From silken hair to “smooth as silk” skin, the word evokes sensuality and passion. The Ethical Silk Company’s silk products are also a result of passion, albeit a different kind.
The artisans and production team who make the products care deeply about the consumer and the environment. “Each piece in The Ethical Silk Company’s mulberry silk collections is made to not only look and feel beautiful, but also for longevity,” Margaret told us.
The Ethical Silk Company describes its mulberry silk as “more like a fine linen with a beautiful matte lustre rather than the shiny finish of traditional silk satins.” This makes the silk more practical for everyday use without sacrificing the smooth texture of genuine silk. Most importantly, the natural benefits of mulberry silk are preserved during the sustainable production process.
If someone in your life values sustainable products, especially beauty or lifestyle products, then a mulberry silk pillowcase may “match their ethics and beliefs,” Margaret told us. Countless beauty products promise to eliminate frizz and clear acne, but most end up collecting dust in your linen closet (or worse, in a landfill). Mulberry silk provides a natural alternative. “Unlike cotton, a mulberry silk pillowcase doesn’t absorb moisture but encourages a proper temperature and moisture balance that helps to keep skin hydrated and healthy,” the site emphasizes.
The Ethical Silk Company highlighted mulberry silk’s benefits for frizzy hair, too. “Silk fibers are also anti-static, which helps to reduce pull and hair breakage, keeping your blow-dry in great condition for longer and the hairline protected.”
The company’s other silk products, including sleep masks, loungewear, scarves, and even sheets for babies, promote luxury without contributing to waste. The Ethical Silk Company knows its consumers care more about their environmental footprint than others, so it makes its dedication to ethical consumerism clear.
“The Ethical Silk Company customer can have peace of mind knowing they don’t just enjoy the timeless elegance of our collections for men and women. They support a cycle of sustainability and social responsibility, making a statement that luxury and ethics can coexist beautifully,” the five team leaders emphasized.
If you’re new to the world of ethical products, The Ethical Silk Company is a great place to learn more (and find some truly beautiful silk pieces). Margaret also recommends the app Good On You, which provides ratings for brands that claim to use ethical and sustainable practices. “This can be a very good starting point as their reviews are non-biased and independent,” she said.
One of the most important lessons to come from the world of ethical consumption is how quality really is better than quantity. “One well made, ethically produced and sustainable piece is definitely worth two or three of inferior quality,” Margaret told us. Judging by The Ethical Silk Company’s glowing reviews and open-book business practices, we’re inclined to agree.
