No other textile drapes like silk. It’s been prized in China since 2900 B.C. Today you’ll find it softening the texture of everything from cardigans to wedding gowns.

Norwegian fashion house Fin is one of the pioneers in using “peace silk,” which is obtained from cocoons after silkworms have matured into moths. They describe the process on their website:

This silk is grown in the wild and is handpicked and hand spun by artisans. While conventional silk production requires the killing of the silk moth at the pupae stage, the production of non-violent silk lets the pupae turn into a free and flying silk moth! The texture is rich and soft and has quality only inherent in a meticulous production process carried out by people with the knowledge on how to produce silk on nature’s own premises.

Processing peace silk is slightly different from the traditional method, which unravels each cocoon into one continuous silk thread. Hand spinning renders the silk loftier and thick.

Fin designed this body-skimming asymmetrical zippered dress out of handspun peace silk for its spring/summer 2009 collection. It won’t be available until the new year, but online retailer Equita stocks Fin’s 2008 collection if you’re inclined to browse.