Did you know that linen, one of the earliest fibres to turn into string and cloth, reduces gamma radiation by nearly half and protects the human organism against solar radiation? There is evidence that as far back as 3,000 - 4,000 years BC, flax was grown for fibre in Mesopotamia, Assyria and Egypt, where the finest linen cloths were spun. It comes from the flax plant, that is tall and reed-like with long fibres, and grows all over the Mediterranean region. The Egyptians made sails out of coarse linen, but used very fine linen for expensive tunics. People were spinning and weaving linen by about 5000 BC, even before wool. And the modern man thinks HE is the inventor-incarnate!
Over the years, the use of linen has steadily developed not only in the fashionable use of table decoration, curtains, and bedcovers, but in clothes as well. Floating back to present-day trends, Portico New York unveiled its Urban Monk collection for the festive season at the Lakme Fashion Week this year.
Portico is India’s premium bed and bath brand providing holistic home solutions with a wide range of bed and bath accessories.
Festive collection
It’s new festive collection offers a wide range of bed linen and coordinated quilts and duvet covers. Bed and bath linen depicted in rich multicoloured textiles, strong geometrical colour blocks, magical mandalas and embellished stripes, give a unique ornamental patterning. The nature and flower collections are heavily stylised, and captured to bring an essence of nature’s glamour onto everyday textiles. Portico’s Urban Monk collection range of products are available across leading lifestyle, home textiles and furniture outlets across the country, apart from being available at all the outlets of Shoppers’ Stop, Lifestyle, Pyramid, Landmark, @home by Nilkamal, Ebony & Godrej Life space, etc.
Superfine cotton
Says Aloke Banergee, CEO, Carmichael House, Carmichael House products are home linen, created from superfine cotton for softness and ease of maintenance. Bedsheets, pillow covers, towels, table linen, napkins, quilts and comforters, are some of the products in the range.
The price range of various products depends on different parameters like thread count for bedsheets, GSM (grams per square metre) for bath products and quality basis for curtains and upholstery. Primarily based on various factors, the price range is very competitive, he adds. The advantages linen has over other material are that it is highly absorbent, comfortable, and 2-3 times stronger than cotton, with a rich look. It however, is more expensive to maintain and tends to crease easily.
Park Avenue’s 100% linen suits that were launched in June 2007 are offered in 11 innovative options. These summer-friendly suits are an ideal blend of classic comfort and trend. Linen has always been associated with qualities such as comfort and breathability and so do these suits.
More phenomenal plus points of linen—it does not cause allergic reactions and is helpful in treating a number of allergic disorders; is effective in dealing with inflammatory conditions, reducing fever and regulating air ventilation, and is also helpful in the treatment of some neurological ailments.
Linen has sure come a long way to make a niche for itself in every nook and corner of our homes and clothes.
