An Italian innovation hub dedicated to reducing denim industry’s environmental footprint, Pure Denim has launched Komorebi, a unique denim capsule collection featuring silk yarns.
The collection was launched in collaboration with Cosetex, a company known for transforming silk waste into yarns and other textile materials.
A Japanese word, Komorebi is inspired by sense of suspended time and harmony between nature and poetry. The yarns used in this collection blend the ruggedness of denim with the refined qualities of silk. The fabric combines the strength of denim with the elegance, performance and natural quality of silk to achieve a perfect balance between durability and lightness, explains Silvio Mandelli, Owner, Cosetex.
The denims in this collection have been integrated with silk threads to give them a soft and natural glow. Their unique texture gives the fabric a warm and balanced luminosity, as well as a softness and light-reflecting surface that is unlike traditional denim. The denims contain up to 40 per cent silk, resulting in fabrics that are both elegant and authentic, while remaining durable. Furthermore, Cosetex's silk is cruelty-free, sustainable, and circular, holding certifications such as Oekotex, GRS, and GOTS, aligning with Pure Denim's commitment to responsible fabric production.
Komorebi denims also prioritise the comfort of the wearer, as the silk components prevent chafing and irritation, notes Mandelli. This advantage is due to the presence of silk proteins like sericin and fibroin, which are known for their compatibility with human skin. Sericin is widely used in cosmetics for its moisturising properties, while fibroin has applications in medicine for sutures and the reconstruction of blood vessels and ligaments.
A pioneer in silk innovation, Cosetex has developed various specialised silk yarns, T Silk paddings, and the T Silk Collection—products made and padded entirely with silk. The company recently collaborated with Casati Flock to create flock material by grinding leftover silk. They have also introduced g_Silk, a line of silk fabrics dyed using an exclusive process that incorporates recycled graphite powder. Developed in partnership with Alisea—a non-profit Italian ‘Società Benefit’ focused on material recovery, this dyeing method enhances the fabric's UV protection, representing a step forward in sustainable and innovative textile practices.
