Few things are more fascinating than the ancient story of silk, but silk production has been highly industrialized. The Bombyx mori silkworm used for commercial production can no longer live in the wild, and has a short life with a harsh ending in service to our hunger for silken luxury. Workers don't fare much better; they are typically underpaid and often suffer unacceptable conditions.

Renegades in sustainable textiles and apparel are sourcing alternatives such as muga silk, a strong, naturally golden-colored fiber made by a species of wild caterpillar in the Assam region of India.

If you’d like to experience muga silk, Indigo Handloom is an inspiring small company (with a very hip store in Brooklyn and a charming web site). Featuring fabric handmade by weavers in small villages in India using traditional techniques, Indigo Handloom's pieces are both ethical and gorgeous.

Their designs capture the essence of muga’s beauty – universally flattering and softly natural – and all of their products support an ethical approach to clothing and business: “We started this company because we believe in karma, the ancient belief that every action has a resulting reaction. Our mission is to bring light to the remarkable craft of hand weave as seen in our fabrics, clothing and home furnishings.”

Image: Indigo Handloom