Who we are
Rooted in the cultural magnificence of China, KOSSU is steadfastly devoted to preserving and propagating the very epitome of traditional craftsmanship and intangible cultural heritage - the beguiling charm and resplendent beauty of "kossu", a silken tapestry of exceptional artistry. With a steadfast determination to explore, innovate and apply techniques to this rich tapestry of craft, KOSSU occupies a premier position in the sphere of heritage protection and innovative development. Offering exquisite, high-quality, contemporary textiles and allied products that cater to diverse fields spanning interior decor, fashion, art, technology, and other fields around the world., KOSSU rekindles the radiance of kossu, bestowing upon the global fabric industry possibilities to experience and revel in the splendid legacy of traditional techniques. Centuries ago, kossu arrived in China from the West via the legendary Silk Road. Reserved for royal use and praised as a "sacred craft" with the proverbial value of "an inch of kossu equals an inch of gold," this silken tapestry has been passed down as a precious cultural inheritance for millennia. From the year 2010 onward, the team of KOSSU dared to defy the established conventions of their predecessors, launching a creative assault on the tools of their craft and innovating an autonomous loom capable of weaving kossu fabrics with a luxurious width of 120cm. Not content to rest on the laurels of their heritage, we boldly infused traditional techniques with the cutting-edge, forging a new path in the art of kossu weaving，and incorporate other excellent human weaving techniques, such as horsehair weaving , Luo, etc. KOSSU remains committed to upholding and revering tradition, while staying true to its artisanal roots and embracing a passion for the future. Solely handcrafted by Suzhou's master craftsmen, the exquisite craftsmanship involves more than 16 intricate weaving techniques. With a timeless commitment to the pursuit of perfection in textile craftsmanship, KOSSU continues to offer global architects, designers, and consumers an array of functional yet sophisticated textile products.
At present, the R&D and production center of KOSSU is located in Suzhou, CHINA. All fabrics are made by hand. In the whole production and design process, pure natural materials are used as much as possible, and waste discharge and resource use are strictly controlled. We adhere to the principle of using the best raw materials to make the most sophisticated textiles. Years of practice and accumulation make the team have a clear division of labor, which can not only meet the personalized needs of customers, but also complete the standardized production operation.
What is Kossu
Kossu, also known as "carved silk," originated from the technique of weaving woolen yarn. Thousands of years ago, linen kossu weaving was already present in ancient Egypt, followed by similar fabrics found in the Aegean region of Western Asia and the Palmyra region of Syria. Introduced into China through the Silk Road by land and grasslands over 2000 years ago, the craft gradually spread from the north to the Suzhou and Songjiang areas of the south, where it became more widespread yet monopolized by the imperial court. The unique style and strong decorative effect of kossu silk radiate an eternal charm in the treasure trove of art, making it the only weaving technique in the world that cannot be replaced by machines.
Kesi can be summarized in three characteristics: continuous-warp, discontinuous-wefts; double-sided, and creation-from-nothingness, which encompass its fundamental techniques, criteria for evaluation, and superiority over embellished embroidery. The unique weaving technique of kossu silk involves creating small holes and notches where patterns and colors meet at the weft, resembling the fine carving of a knife, and creating an effect that is akin to exquisite latticework. In its production, raw mulberry silk is typically used for the warp threads and various colored processed mulberry silk for the weft threads, occasionally including precious materials such as gold or silver threads and peacock feathers. The color scheme can be altered at will in accordance with the artistic vision, requiring exceptional technical skill and proficiency. The labor-intensive and slow manual weaving process, coupled with the rarity of surviving pieces, has traditionally equated kossu silk with the value of gold. Thus it earned the honorific titles of "an inch of kossu silk equals an inch of gold" and “the sacred art of weaving."
Located in Jiangnan, the Suzhou region with its prosperous sericulture industry has witnessed rapid development in silk weaving. Endowed with unique natural conditions, the region has fostered a distinctive cultural charm. It's no wonder that even today, kossu remains rooted and preserved here as the only production center. In 2009, kossu was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, reminding us of its precious value as well as the crisis it faces, even reaching a state of scarcity. Through unceasing practice and exploration, KOSSU aims to integrate modern aesthetics with the quintessence of kossu craftsmanship, and to broaden the horizons of this independent artistic language into diverse realms of expression, ultimately merging with the contemporary world.
