Bennett Silks Limited – Silk Fabric Wholesaler and Supplier in the UK

Bennett Silks Limited is a British textile company specializing in the wholesale supply, sourcing and development of silk fabrics for fashion, interiors and other textile applications. Founded in 1904 by William Henry Bennett in Manchester, the company is headquartered in Stockport, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.

With more than 120 years of experience in the silk trade, Bennett Silks supplies a broad collection of silk fabrics, including chiffon, crepe de chine, satin, dupion, georgette, habotai, organza, taffeta, twill, velvet, silk jersey and decorative textiles.

The company combines extensive fabric stocks, international weaving partnerships, bespoke dyeing and printing services, and worldwide distribution. Its customers include fashion designers, clothing manufacturers, interior designers, textile businesses and retailers.

Company History and Development

Bennett Silks was established in Manchester in 1904 by William Henry Bennett.

The business initially operated as a textile agent supplying different fabrics to the clothing industry. It subsequently concentrated on high-quality silk textiles and developed commercial relationships with the Chinese silk industry.

The company remains under the ownership and management of the Bennett family.

Over successive generations, Bennett Silks expanded its international sourcing and weaving activities, establishing manufacturing relationships in Europe, India and China.

In 2016, the company acquired a 50% shareholding in the French weaving mill FCN Textiles, formerly known as TBM Soires.

This investment strengthened its European silk production capabilities and supported the establishment of Bennett Silks Europe in 2021.

Silk Fabric Wholesale and Distribution

Silk fabric wholesale is the company's principal commercial activity.

Bennett Silks maintains extensive stocks of silk fabrics at its warehouse in Stockport, supplying customers in the United Kingdom and international markets.

Its product collection includes lightweight, medium-weight and heavier silk fabrics with different weaving structures, textures and finishing characteristics.

The company provides fabric cutting services, allowing customers to purchase materials in quantities appropriate to their requirements.

For standard stock products, the published minimum order quantity is one metre, with subsequent quantities available in increments of 10 centimetres.

Silk Chiffon Fabrics

Silk chiffon is one of the fabric categories supplied by Bennett Silks.

The company offers lightweight silk chiffon fabrics in different colours and constructions.

Its published collection includes satinised chiffon made from 100% silk, with a specified weight of 26 g/m² and a width of 140 cm.

Chiffon fabrics are characterized by their lightweight structure, transparency and fluid drape.

These materials are commonly used for dresses, blouses, eveningwear, scarves and decorative garment applications.

Crepe de Chine and Crepe Fabrics

Bennett Silks supplies crepe de chine and other crepe fabrics for fashion and apparel applications.

Crepe de chine is valued for its fine texture, soft handle and characteristic drape.

The company's product range includes traditional crepe de chine, sandwashed variations and double crepe fabrics.

These materials provide different options for clothing manufacturers and designers seeking silk fabrics with distinctive surface characteristics.

The company also supplies crepe-backed satin, combining a smooth satin face with a crepe reverse.

Silk Satin and Duchess Satin

Silk satin fabrics are an important part of Bennett Silks' collection.

The company supplies crepe-backed satin, duchess satin and other satin constructions with different weights and finishing properties.

Satin fabrics are recognized for their smooth surfaces and characteristic lustre.

Duchess satin offers a more structured appearance and is frequently selected for formal clothing and garments requiring greater fabric body.

Bennett Silks offers these materials in a variety of colours for fashion and specialist textile applications.

Silk Dupion Fabrics

Silk dupion is one of the company's established product categories.

Bennett Silks supplies traditional dupion fabrics alongside textured, decorative and blended variations.

Its standard silk dupion collection includes a 100% silk fabric with a published weight of 84 g/m² and a width of 137 cm.

The company offers an extensive colour selection, with more than 160 colourways described for its principal dupion collection.

Additional products include slubby dupion, silk-linen dupion, glitter dupion and dupion fabrics incorporating velvet embroidery.

These materials are suitable for fashion, occasionwear and selected interior textile applications.

Silk Organza and Georgette

Bennett Silks supplies silk organza and georgette fabrics for different garment applications.

Organza is a lightweight, transparent fabric characterized by a relatively crisp structure.

It is commonly used in layered clothing, decorative garments, formalwear and applications requiring volume or shape.

Georgette offers a softer drape and a characteristic crepe-like surface.

The company's collections include variations of these fabrics in different colours, weights and finishes.

Silk Taffeta and Twill

Taffeta and twill fabrics form part of Bennett Silks' woven silk portfolio.

Silk taffeta is valued for its smooth surface, crisp handle and structured appearance.

The company's interior fabric collection includes Naples Taffeta, with a published weight of approximately 83 g/m².

Silk twill features a diagonal weave structure that creates a characteristic surface appearance.

These fabrics are used in fashion, accessories and selected decorative textile applications.

Silk Velvet and Decorative Fabrics

Bennett Silks offers velvet fabrics for fashion and interior design applications.

Its published collection includes short-pile and long-pile velvet, as well as decorative devore fabrics.

One short-pile velvet product is composed of 82% viscose and 18% silk, with a specified weight of 175 g/m² and a width of 135 cm.

The company also offers decorative silk dupion fabrics incorporating velvet appliqué and embroidery.

These materials combine different textile surfaces and decorative effects for luxury clothing and interior applications.

Silk Jersey and Specialty Fabrics

In addition to traditional woven silks, Bennett Silks supplies silk jersey and other specialty fabrics.

Its collection includes matka, grosgrain, mikado, lace, tulle, spun silk and fabrics developed for tailoring and decorative applications.

These products provide designers and manufacturers with a range of textile structures and surface characteristics.

The company also offers fabrics incorporating silk blended with other fibres, depending on the product specification.

Interior Silk Fabrics

Interior textiles represent another important part of Bennett Silks' product portfolio.

The company supplies decorative silk fabrics, velvet, dupion, taffeta and other materials suitable for interior design applications.

Its interior collections include Kensington, Como, Rococco Devore, Ravenna Devore and other named fabric ranges.

The products feature different constructions, weights, textures and decorative effects.

Bennett Silks supplies interior designers, contract textile customers and businesses sourcing fabrics for decorative furnishing projects.

Bespoke Fabric Dyeing

Bennett Silks offers custom fabric dyeing services for customers requiring specific colours.

The company can arrange dyeing for many fabrics within its collection according to customer colour specifications.

This service supports fashion designers, manufacturers and interior textile businesses seeking coordinated or exclusive colours.

Custom dyeing is subject to product suitability and higher minimum order quantities than standard stock fabrics.

Customers can request information about colour matching, available materials and production requirements.

Custom Silk Printing

Custom printing is another service offered by Bennett Silks.

The company can arrange printing of customer designs onto selected silk fabrics.

Its fabric portfolio includes digitally printed silk materials alongside plain and decorative collections.

Custom printing enables the development of textiles incorporating exclusive patterns, colours and visual designs.

The availability of printing services depends on fabric selection, technical requirements and production quantities.

International Silk Weaving and Production

Bennett Silks has established international relationships supporting silk fabric production and sourcing.

Its corporate history identifies weaving interests in Europe, India and China.

The company's investment in FCN Textiles in France provides a direct connection to European silk weaving operations.

These international manufacturing relationships complement Bennett Silks' wholesale and distribution activities in the United Kingdom.

The company combines its sourcing network with stockholding, fabric development and customer services.

Bennett Silks Europe

Bennett Silks expanded its European business structure through the establishment of Bennett Silks Europe in 2021.

This development followed its earlier investment in the French weaving mill FCN Textiles.

The European operation was established to support customers in European Union markets following changes to trading arrangements associated with Brexit.

It forms part of the company's broader international supply and distribution network.

Stockholding and Fabric Cutting Services

Bennett Silks maintains a substantial fabric inventory at its Stockport warehouse.

Its stockholding system supports customers requiring relatively small fabric quantities as well as businesses purchasing larger volumes.

The company offers fabric cutting services for stock products, with a minimum order quantity of one metre.

Swatches and colour cards are available to help customers assess materials before placing orders.

The company's online ordering system also provides access to fabric collections and stock information.

Quality and Fabric Selection

Bennett Silks emphasizes fabric quality, material selection and customer service.

Its collection includes silk fabrics with different fibre compositions, weaving structures, weights and finishing characteristics.

The company provides technical product information, including fabric composition, width and weight, for individual products.

Customers can use samples and colour cards to assess fabric appearance and suitability for their intended applications.

The company also offers assistance with fabric selection and custom development requirements.

Sustainability and Responsible Sourcing

Bennett Silks identifies environmental responsibility and responsible sourcing as priorities within its business activities.

The company highlights the natural origin and biodegradability of silk while recognizing the environmental impacts associated with textile manufacturing.

Its sustainability approach includes reducing waste, encouraging reuse and recycling fabric offcuts.

Bennett Silks also states that it requests supplier documentation relating to regulatory and certification frameworks such as REACH, GOTS, OEKO-TEX and GRS.

The applicability and validity of individual certifications should be confirmed for specific fabrics and suppliers.

International Textile Markets

Bennett Silks supplies customers in the United Kingdom and international markets.

Its business serves fashion designers, clothing manufacturers, interior designers, contract textile businesses and retailers.

The company offers worldwide shipping and maintains relationships with textile production partners in several countries.

Its international operations combine fabric sourcing, European weaving interests and distribution from its UK warehouse.

The company also participates in textile trade exhibitions to present its collections to industry buyers.

Stockport Headquarters and London Showroom

Bennett Silks operates its headquarters, warehouse and showroom in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

The facility supports stockholding, customer service, fabric selection and order preparation.

The company also maintains a London showroom at The Design Archives, Worlds End Studios, Chelsea.

Both locations provide opportunities for customers to view fabric collections and assess materials.

Showroom visits can be arranged through the company's sales team.

Bennett Silks – British Silk Fabric Supplier

Bennett Silks Limited is a British silk fabric wholesaler and textile supplier with a commercial history dating back to 1904.

Its product portfolio includes silk chiffon, crepe de chine, satin, dupion, georgette, habotai, organza, taffeta, twill, velvet, silk jersey and decorative interior fabrics.

The company combines international weaving partnerships, extensive stockholding, fabric cutting, bespoke dyeing, custom printing and worldwide distribution.

With operations in Stockport, a London showroom and European silk production interests, Bennett Silks serves fashion, interior and textile businesses seeking a wide selection of silk fabrics and specialized textile sourcing services.