All About Velvet

Now an iconic material, velvet was long reserved for the elite, serving as a distinctive symbol of power and wealth.

Let’s Travel Back a Few Centuries

The word velvet comes from the Latin villosus, meaning “covered in hair.”

Originating in the Kashmir region, velvet didn’t make its way to Europe until the 14th century, when it was imported to Italy 🇮🇹 and rose to prominence during the wedding of the Duke of Ferrara and Lucrezia Borgia.

From that moment on, velvet—especially in rich red tones—became a symbol of aristocratic luxury, adorning the most influential figures of the time. A perfect example: the capes worn by Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine de Beauharnais at his imperial coronation. 🤴🏻

Capes en velours lors du sacre de Napoléon

Renaissance-Era Velvet was woven with silk threads and precious metals, making it a material reserved for royalty and members of the Church.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that velvet became more accessible and entered mainstream fashion.

What are its properties?

Velvet is a fabric manufacturing method composed of dense, closely-cut pile.It is based on a plain or twill weave: the former is used for lower-end velvet, while the latter is reserved for higher-quality velvet. Velvet is a durable fabric, typically made from cotton, silk, or polyester—each giving it different characteristics.

A distinction should also be made between weft velvet, used in clothing, and warp velvet, which is mainly used in upholstery.

Velvet has a nap (or direction) that affects its appearance: it may look lighter or darker depending on the direction it is touched. The direction of the weave also influences the fabric’s shine. This effect of light on the fabric is known as double tone.

Common Uses

• Dresses

• Blazer-style jackets

• Trousers

• Suits

• Gloves

• Curtains

Don’t miss our new selection of blended silk velvet! 😍

Discover the velvets in stock