Basic Introduction to Hangzhou Silk
Hangzhou is known as the “Silk Capital.” The silk fabrics unearthed in Liangzhu dating back 4,700 years reveal the long history of Hangzhou silk. The famous Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi's poem “Silk sleeves woven with persimmon knots, green flags for wine under pear blossoms” indicates the high standard of Hangzhou silk at that time. The numerous silk shops in Qinghefang in old times bear witness to the prosperity of the silk economy. Hangzhou silk combines art and fashion, enjoying great popularity among consumers.
Product Characteristics
Hangzhou silk has a long history, being lightweight, soft, and colorful, with a wide variety of types. Pure silk fabrics have an elegant and soft luster and a soft, flowing hand feel. Synthetic fabrics have bright and glaring luster and a harder, stiffer feel. Some imitation silk fabrics, though softened, have a dull surface without the pearl-like luster. As early as the Han Dynasty, it was exported overseas through the “Silk Road.” Nowadays, it has developed into more than a dozen categories, including satin, brocade, satin, gauze, velvet, crepe, and satin.
History and Folk Customs
Hangzhou has long been known as the “Silk Capital,” with a splendid history of silk production. According to records, the silk weaving industry in Yuhang was already quite developed during the Qin and Han dynasties. At the first West Lake Expo over 70 years ago, a special silk pavilion was set up. Bing Xin once said: “When talking about business in Zhejiang, silk is the top priority.” Hangzhou is one of the six silk capitals named by the state, and the Yuhang District of Hangzhou City is designated as a “Silk Weaving Base.” Hangzhou has hosted four consecutive China International Silk Expos, and the National Silk Information Center is also located in Hangzhou. All these facts demonstrate Hangzhou's unique advantages in developing the silk industry. The project is titled “China Textile Fabric – Silk Product Trend,” and Hangzhou, as the venue, best represents the industry.
Differentiating Genuine from Fake
Methods for distinguishing genuine and fake silk:
About genuine products:
1. Appearance characteristics: Genuine silk fabrics have a soft, bright luster, vivid and uniform colors, presenting an elegant pearl-like sheen. They have a soft, flowing, light, and slippery feel, without any pulling sensation, but with a cool feeling instead.
2. Friction test characteristics: Drier genuine silks, when rubbed against each other, produce a clear sound known as silk or silk crepitus.
3. Single filament characteristics: After extracting and unspinning genuine silk threads, the long filaments are continuous and not easily broken, with finer single filaments.
4. Burning test: When ignited, silk fibers burn slowly and emit a scent like burning hair.
5. Shrinkage characteristics: The shrinkage rate is large, usually between 5% and 10%.
About fake products: These refer to fabrics made of a blend of synthetic fibers and silk, or pure synthetic fibers, such as nylon silk, polyester satin, and polyester silk.
1. Appearance characteristics: Artificial silk fabrics wrinkle easily, have a bright and glaring luster without the natural luster of real silk, feel sticky and coarse, lacking a cool sensation. Synthetic fiber silk fabrics have a smooth feel, do not stick to the hand, are elastic, have a bright and glaring luster, vivid and eye-catching colors, and do not wrinkle easily. Synthetic fabrics have bright, glaring luster and a hard, stiff feel. Certain imitation silk fabrics may feel soft, but their surface appears dull and lacks the pearl-like luster.
2. Friction test characteristics: When fabrics are rubbed against each other, there is no distinctive silk crepitus sound; they feel stuffy when pressed against the skin.
3. Single filament characteristics: The single filaments are thicker and easier to break, with neat ends after breaking, especially when wet. Synthetic fiber silk fabrics have uniformly thick single filaments that are not easy to tear.
4. Burning test: When fibers burn, there is no special odor like burning hair; some may have a vinegar smell or other odors.
5. Shrinkage characteristics: Synthetic fiber silk fabrics have a shrinkage rate of less than 5%.
Awards and Honors for Hangzhou Silk
In 1926, at the Philadelphia International Exposition in the United States, Hangzhou silk won a gold medal. Many products have received national or provincial awards for quality and are exported to over 100 countries and regions around the world.