Maison de Luxe · Atelier Guide
The Velüra Silk & Lace Care Guide
Italian Como silk and French Chantilly lace are living fibres. Treated well, they soften and grow more beautiful season after season.
1 · Hand-wash, always
Fill a clean basin with cool water — never warmer than 30°C. Add a single capful of a silk-safe, pH-neutral detergent (we recommend a Marseille soap flake or a fine-textile wash). Submerge the piece and swirl by hand for no more than two minutes.
Avoid rubbing the lace seams, twisting bodysuits or scrubbing embroidery — silk's natural sericin coating breaks down under friction.
2 · Rinse, twice
Drain the basin and refill with fresh cool water. Rinse until the water runs perfectly clear — trapped detergent dulls silk's sheen and weakens Chantilly lace fibres over time.
3 · Press dry — never wring
Lay the piece flat on a clean white cotton towel and roll the towel tightly to absorb the water. Repeat with a second dry towel. Wringing distorts silk's drape and snaps the fine threads of guipure and Chantilly lace.
4 · Air-dry, away from heat
Reshape the piece on a fresh towel out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Never tumble-dry — heat melts silk's natural coating, shrinks lace and warps underwires. Allow at least eight hours to dry fully.
5 · Store with intention
Once dry, fold bodysuits and silk slips between sheets of acid-free tissue paper to prevent crease lines. Hang long robes on padded hangers — wire ones leave shoulder marks on silk satin. Lay underwired bras side-by-side, never stacked, so cups keep their shape.
What to avoid
- Machine washing — even on a delicate cycle, agitators snag French lace.
- Chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach and enzyme detergents — they strip silk proteins.
- Perfume, body lotion and self-tan sprayed directly onto the piece — apply, wait, then dress.
- Plastic storage bags — silk needs to breathe; use cotton pouches instead.
Need atelier advice on a specific piece?
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