Sarah Lee, creator of Sarah's Silks, smiles while reflecting on her oldest son's early childhood days. "Mom, I am a turtle today. I need some green to wear." "I need some wings to fly today - blue ones!" Or, "She is the princess and I am the knight. We need some pink, purple and red colors." First Sarah reached for an old silk scarf. Her son loved the smooth, silky feel. Finally something he didn't declare itchy! Soon she found herself dying squares of silks to support his play.
Sarah's Silks is based in California, US. As a family-owned company Sarah's Silks has been importing sustainably-produced, hand-woven silks from China for many years. Sarah sources her materials from a village near Suzhou. The workers - mostly women - generally work from home, weaving, dyeing, sewing, ironing the silk products. Sarah's Silks pays their workers an above-average minimum wage, and also provides incentives such as access to supplemental health insurance for them and their families.