Kapok fibres are the newest member of the natural fibre family. Naturally grown, this soft, lightweight material is a fantastic addition to our designs.
KAPOK
Kapok fibres are the newest member of the natural fibre family. Naturally grown, this soft, lightweight material is a fantastic addition to our designs.
Sustainable Fibre Encased in a Fruit
Kapok fibres, sometimes called Java silk, are soft, fluffy strands harvested from the seed pods of the kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra). Native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, the tree is also widely cultivated in Southeast Asia.
Our kapok fibres are sourced from Indonesian ceiba trees, which produce seed pods annually during the dry season. These pods, large and cigar-shaped, can grow up to 30cm in length. Inside, they contain seeds surrounded by silky fibres that aid their dispersal in the wind.
Kapok harvesting is a traditional process requiring care and skill. Workers manually collect the pods by climbing the trees or using long poles to knock them down.
Kapok fibres, sometimes called Java silk, are soft, fluffy strands harvested from the seed pods of the kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra). Native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, the tree is also widely cultivated in Southeast Asia.
Our kapok fibres are sourced from Indonesian ceiba trees, which produce seed pods annually during the dry season. These pods, large and cigar-shaped, can grow up to 30cm in length. Inside, they contain seeds surrounded by silky fibres that aid their dispersal in the wind.
Kapok harvesting is a traditional process requiring care and skill. Workers manually collect the pods by climbing the trees or using long poles to knock them down.
In some cases, ripe pods naturally fall to the ground. Once harvested, the pods are opened by hand to extract the fluffy fibres nestled around small brown seeds.
Afterwards, the fibres are carefully separated from the seeds, often by hand. The seeds themselves have additional uses, such as oil extraction. Occasionally, a few seeds remain in the fibre even after it’s spun into yarn, appearing as small brown flecks in the finished fabric of some of our designs.
Growing and harvesting kapok is environmentally friendly as the tree produces seed pods annually without the need for cutting or replanting. They thrive with minimal resources–requiring no pesticides, fertilisers, or irrigation–and their canopies provide crucial habitats that support biodiversity.
Afterwards, the fibres are carefully separated from the seeds, often by hand. The seeds themselves have additional uses, such as oil extraction. Occasionally, a few seeds remain in the fibre even after it’s spun into yarn, appearing as small brown flecks in the finished fabric of some of our designs.
Growing and harvesting kapok is environmentally friendly as the tree produces seed pods annually without the need for cutting or replanting. They thrive with minimal resources–requiring no pesticides, fertilisers, or irrigation–and their canopies provide crucial habitats that support biodiversity.
The Sacred Ceiba Tree
The kapok tree, or ceiba, holds cultural and spiritual significance in many cultures. It is the national emblem of Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Equatorial Guinea, and in Sierra Leone it symbolises freedom.
Although Southeast Asia cultivates a smaller variety, the original kapok tree is truly majestic. Growing up to an impressive 73m tall, with trunks reaching 3m in diameter, a vast canopy, and its iconic large buttress roots, it’s no wonder the kapok tree was the most sacred tree for the ancient Maya. Often referred to as “the tree of life” it was the symbol of the universe. Its roots were believed to reach into the underworld, its trunk symbolised the middle world, and its canopy represented the heavens.
The kapok tree, or ceiba, holds cultural and spiritual significance in many cultures. It is the national emblem of Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Equatorial Guinea, and in Sierra Leone it symbolises freedom.
Although Southeast Asia cultivates a smaller variety, the original kapok tree is truly majestic. Growing up to an impressive 73m tall, with trunks reaching 3m in diameter, a vast canopy, and its iconic large buttress roots, it’s no wonder the kapok tree was the most sacred tree for the ancient Maya. Often referred to as “the tree of life” it was the symbol of the universe. Its roots were believed to reach into the underworld, its trunk symbolised the middle world, and its canopy represented the heavens.
Exceptional Properties of Kapok
Kapok fibres are astonishingly light–about eight times lighter than cotton–and have a silky, smooth texture. Thanks to their thermo-insulating qualities, kapok was traditionally used for bedding and coat fillings before replaced with synthetic fibres. What sets kapok apart is its hollow fibre structure, making it an excellent thermoregulator and highly breathable. Interestingly, kapok is naturally water-repellent due to its waxy coating, adding to its unique appeal.
However, these extraordinary fibres are not ideal for spinning yarn on their own, as they are short, slippery, and lack elasticity. To harness kapok’s incredible properties while maintaining fabric quality, we’ve combined it with cotton and linen in our collections. The blend of cotton, linen and kapok fibres creates truly remarkable clothing that is lightweight, breathable, and naturally luxurious.
Kapok fibres are astonishingly light–about eight times lighter than cotton–and have a silky, smooth texture. Thanks to their thermo-insulating qualities, kapok was traditionally used for bedding and coat fillings before replaced with synthetic fibres. What sets kapok apart is its hollow fibre structure, making it an excellent thermoregulator and highly breathable. Interestingly, kapok is naturally water-repellent due to its waxy coating, adding to its unique appeal.
However, these extraordinary fibres are not ideal for spinning yarn on their own, as they are short, slippery, and lack elasticity. To harness kapok’s incredible properties while maintaining fabric quality, we’ve combined it with cotton and linen in our collections. The blend of cotton, linen and kapok fibres creates truly remarkable clothing that is lightweight, breathable, and naturally luxurious.
