FAQs
Where are your silk scarves made?
Mainie’s luxurious silk scarves are handmade from the best silk in the world. We source our premium quality silk chiffons and silk twills from the historic Silk Cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou in China. Suzhou in Jiangsu Province is known as the “Venice of the East”. Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province was referred to as a “City of Heaven” by the thirteenth century Venetian traveller Marco Polo. The world’s first silks originated in China 4,700 years ago. Today, China produces 80 percent of the world’s silk. Silk is not manufactured for commercial purposes in Australia.
Where does your Aboriginal art come from?
Many of the artwork designs featured in the Mainie fashion collection are by Warlpiri women artists from the remote Tanami Desert region in Central Australia. These designs depict traditional Aboriginal Dreaming stories, which have been handed down to the artists through many generations of their Warlpiri ancestors over tens of thousands of years. Mainie also sources artworks from contemporary Aboriginal artists in North Queensland, whose designs are inspired by the reef and rainforest environments unique to this region.
How much do you pay the Aboriginal artists?
Mainie is an approved Dealer Member of the Indigenous Art Code. The Aboriginal artworks featured in the Mainie collection are ethically acquired under licence in accordance with the Indigenous Art Code. Under the terms of the art licensing agreements, Mainie purchases the original artworks at the prices set by the Aboriginal artists and pays license fees to reproduce the artwork images. The Aboriginal artists retain the copyright to their original artworks. Mainie also pays royalty fees from sales to the Aboriginal artists. Mainie embraces Fair Trade ethics and is committed to supporting Aboriginal artists to earn an income from the own work and preserve their unique cultural heritage for future generations.
Why is Australia’s Aboriginal art so special?
Australia’s Aboriginal art is the oldest unbroken arts tradition in the world. Aboriginal rock paintings in Australia have been dated by scientists as being over 60,000 years old. The Aboriginal art from the remote Central and Western Desert regions is particularly valuable because many of the artists are among the last generation of Aboriginal people in Australia who made first contact with Europeans in the latter part of the twentieth century. These artists are keeping alive their unbroken spiritual and cultural connections to their country and their ancestors through their paintings.
Can I wash my silk scarf?
Silk is a natural fibre. Correct care will ensure that your Mainie silk scarf will become a lasting heirloom piece. We recommended that your silk scarf should be dry-cleaned only. However, if you must wash your silk scarf, it should be hand washed in lukewarm water using only a small amount of mild detergent or shampoo. Do not wring. Lay the garment flat to dry. Do not spin dry and tumble dry your silk garment.
Other important things to remember when caring for your Mainie silk scarf:
- Never spray silk with perfume or deodorant
- Never use bleach or harsh detergents
- Never expose silk to direct sunlight for long periods of time
- Never spray silk with water while ironing
- Always iron the backside of your silk garment with the iron set to the SILK setting