For over 4000 years silk has held the position as the Queen of Textiles. It is the ultimate luxurious cloth for the individual with discriminating taste.

To quote Oscar de la Renta, "Silk does for the body what diamonds do for the hand." Once upon a time...... there lived a Chinese empress, Si Ling Chi, who watched a silkworm spinning its cocoon while on her morning walk through the royal gardens. She dreamt of clothing herself entirely with fabric made only from these fine, shimmering threads...

Such was the beginning of the breeding of silkworms 5000 years ago, and even today the principles remain the same.

So what exactly is silk and how is it made?

Silk is the fine thread with which a silkworm spins its cocoon. The silkworm pupates in its cocoon and emerges 20 days later as a moth. The thread which is produced by the spinning glands of the silkworm is the finest and strongest natural fiber in the world.

Silk is a protein fiber, meaning that is chemically quite similar to human skin. Because of this, silk is an ideal "second skin".

So what is it that makes silk so special and sought after for clothing?

* Silk Shines Because of silk's unique sheen, colors radiate and assume a luminescent character. This gleaming however is not the only quality of silk.

* Silk Caresses Thanks to its extremely fine and smooth fiber structure, silk flows in a supple and soft way.

* Silk Insulates Silk cools and warms simultaneously. Silk garments are perfect for summer and winter. Silk can be worn as a second layer underneath to warm without being bulky. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp. Silk will absorb perspiration while letting your skin breathe. Silk contributes to your well- being.

* Silk Wears well In spite of its delicate appearance, silk is relatively robust. Its smooth surface resists soil and odors well. Silk is wrinkle and tear resistant, and dries quickly.

* Silk is safe and Non-Allergenic Because of its protein structure, silk is the most hypoallergenic of all fabrics. That means it's less likely to cause allergic reactions to the wearer. For people with skin allergies silk can be a God send.

* Silk Flatters Silk has been celebrated throughout history: Princesses are clad in silken robes and noblemen in silken capes. 2000 years ago, Chinese poets wrote of the harmonizing virtues of silk clothing. Silk is naturally wrinkle-resistant, glossy, hypoallergenic, and easy to care for. Other fabrics can only claim these qualities after being treated with additives.

Get yourself some silk and see the difference.