Embroidered Heritage

Here at SKYLENCE we just can’t get enough of Chinese embroidery which has a history dating all the way back to the Neolithic age. Traditionally most Chinese fine embroideries are made in silk due to its superior quality. Some ancient vestiges of silk production have been found in various Neolithic sites dating back 5,000–6,000 years in China. Currently the earliest real sample of silk embroidery discovered in China is from a tomb in Mashan in Hubei province identified with the Warring States Period (5th–3rd centuries BC). After the opening of Silk Road in the Han dynasty (202BC-220AD), the silk production and trade flourished. In the 14th century, the Chinese silk embroidery production reached its high peak. Several major silk embroidery styles had been developed, like Song Jin (宋锦 Song embroidery) in Suzhou, Yun Jin (云锦 Cloud embroidery) in Nanjing and Shu Jin (蜀锦 Shu embroidery) in Sichuan.

The ancient technique of basing embroidery on the art of painting led to the creation of some of the most exquisite designs manifesting in the form of Imperial robes on which commonly dragons and other creatures entwine. Embroidery further developed into one of the most significant aesthetic traditions in China to be exported around the world. The fine craft of embroidery continues to inspire contemporary fashion designers and SKYLENCE reflects this through the quality of our embroidery, which adorns our garments. Some of our most exquisite embroideries are still undertaken by a generation of incredibly skilled craftspeople in South China where the artisans techniques have been passed down through the family.

Here are some of our favourite selections: