Notes from the forest

Journal

slow reads for curious Creatures

Where things come from, how to look after them, and the odd rabbit hole we fell down on purpose. Pull up a chair. Nothing here is in a hurry.

Illustration comparing ivory duchess satin holding structured folds on the left with flowing silk charmeuse on the right, against a lavender background.

Newest

Guides

Duchess Silk vs Charmeuse Silk: What’s the Real Difference?

One holds its shape. One flows. A simple guide to duchess satin, charmeuse and the label check that tells you whether either is silk.

Words by Elivai23 October 2026 5 min read

Read it slowly

A woman in a shimmering silver-white satin gown, seen from behind, in Gerard ter Borch's painting Gallant Conversation, about 1654

Stories

Satin or Silk? What Charmeuse Really Is, and How to Spot Polyester

Satin is a weave, not a fibre. This is the story of charmeuse, the silk Europe once rationed by law, and the one label check that tells you if yours is real.

15 Oct 202612 min read

Letters from the forest

A slow letter whenever there's a new page worth reading. New stories, new Creatures, nothing shouty.