It’s more than merely ‘a fabric’ – silk was a long-revered symbol of status, wealth and beauty in ancient China, where it originated over 5,000 years ago. For over a millennium, this legendary fabric was the main diplomatic gift of the Chinese emperor to his neighbouring kingdoms or his vassals.

Initially only reserved for the emperor and the highest nobles, this prized treasure eventually flowed from the ‘Middle Kingdom’ through Persia to Europe and North Africa along the caravan routes that became known as the Silk Road.

Today, silk remains one of the most precious natural fibres used in textiles. Shanghai Tang continues this legacy of creation, combining modern designs with the splendour of ancient China.

‘Jacquard’ is both the name of the weaving technique and the resulting fabric. Jacquard fabrics feature intricate textured patterns. Due to the way it’s created, the jacquard patterns often have an enchanting shimmering effect that reflects light from different angles.

This season, we’re loving this bamboo jacquard fabric with a hint of stretch, featuring the key bamboo motif from the FW20 collection Time to Bloom.