Learning from European traditions
Merci, a concept store in Paris, and Le Bon Marché, a long-established department store, are destinations admired around the world. Many visitors to Paris make a point of stopping by—and both have large linen sections.
(Photo: Part of Merci’s wonderful linen section, photographed by the author in 2017)
Linen was already industrialized in ancient Egyptian civilization (around 5000 BC). (There are many fascinating stories about Egyptian civilization and linen, which I would like to write about separately.) From there it spread to Europe, and from the modern era to today, the centers of linen production have been France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Much of today’s linen culture was nurtured in this region.
For centuries, villages in Europe cultivated flax (the plant from which linen is made) alongside other crops, spinning it into yarn and weaving it into fabric for everyday life or as a local specialty. Linen was used by everyone—from nobility to commoners. In France, it is still regarded with pride as a fiber that symbolizes the nation.
Even today, linen remains indispensable in French life. For the kitchen, bath, table, and bed, linen is still the preferred fabric.
At Merci, linen cloth for everyday use is sold year-round. The constant variety of sizes and colors, along with the richness of the fabric’s texture, is striking. Behind it lies a philosophy that reflects a deep understanding of linen.
(Photo: Part of the linen section at Le Bon Marché, photographed by the author in 2017)
Design for use
Linen fabric products are also popular in Japan. However, many of those on the market do not seem to be designed in the tradition of European household linen. Most Japanese-market linen fabrics are developed for apparel use, treated with chemicals to enhance “bright color,” “colorfastness,” and “shrink resistance.” While these treatments are useful for garments, they compromise linen’s true strengths—its absorbency, moisture retention, softness, and the richness of its aging process.
Weavearth’s Linen Daily Cloth was designed with European living fabrics in mind, finished in an old-style way for daily cloth use. In other words, we prioritized “absorbency,” “moisture retention,” “softness,” and “the richness of aging” over “color development,” “colorfastness,” and “shrink resistance.”
When you hold it in your hands, you’ll notice its soft, rustic texture. The more it is used, the more character it develops—this is the very essence of linen. Our design philosophy is to bring out this natural quality to the fullest.
We also use more threads than ordinary fabrics, creating a denser weave for strength, quality, and a touch of luxury. With daily use it softens further, changing day by day to suit its purpose.
Various uses
The Linen Daily Cloth is larger than a handkerchief, yet light and compact enough to carry. It can be used to wrap items such as lunch boxes, or worn as a scarf or bandana. The possibilities are many. And above all, linen’s antibacterial, deodorizing, absorbent, and quick-drying properties make it perfect for everyday use. Most importantly, if this cloth can stay close at hand and accompany your daily life in many ways, we would be truly delighted.
(Daitoh)
