Silk shopping

It is of no regret that the silk tradition in Lyon took leave of the canutes, rooted to their «bistenclaque»* all day long. This does not mean that silk tradition has disappeared from Lyon. On the contrary, the Rhône-Alpes capital knows how to maintain its rank and to develop itself. Lyon carefully maintains the memory of what has contributed to its glory and entrusts its future to young designers inspired by the unwound thread of the precious cocoon. Everyone living or staying in Lyon knows very well where to go in order to get silk squares and clothes at the best price. Let's follow them ...

As a matter of interest, you should pay a visit to the «Maison des Canuts», a true conservatory of the whole silk activity with its shop where you can buy ties, scarves and many other objects, labelled "souvenirs" but not at all. At «l'Atelier de Soierie», you can also find silk items between 4,50 et 230 euros : ties, pockets handkerchiefs, shawls, squares, chiffon, silk velvet, scarves...

The Tousoie shop in the Ainay neighbourhood is a sort of factory shop that offers products from the Doissin factory which specializes in silk chiffons and taffeta. The firm's female stylist has also created a silk square collection you can offer yourself for an unbeatable price. Lyon is the city of the most beautiful materials but it is also renowned through its «Musée des Tissus», which is unique in the world, with its shop offering numerous items made of the precious material: silk squares, stoles and "crêpe de chine" scarves, twill and muslin, ties...

In November, you can buy material by the meter at the silk market «Marché des Soies» which come from the greatest designers' workshops, as well as accessories coming from the most famous silk manufacturer in Lyon and displayed in the museum shop and at the "Palais de la Bourse".

For about 30 years now, fashion in Lyon has regularly reinvented itself producing numerous young designers every year. To be held up among the pioneers: Max Chaoul, Nicolas Fafiotte and all the young artists just out of the "Université de la Mode" (fashion university).

In short, the city still remains very busy in one of the fields of its own choosing. But let's not forget that silkworms have always been cultivated throughout the whole region.  You can find these shimmering fabrics especially in the Drôme and Ardèche departments, where, in times gone by, the cocoon was unwound to supply Lyon's workshops with raw material.

* The « bistenclaque » is the name given to the loom because of the noise it made while the workers were at their job.