The Secret Garden of Silk

The Secret Garden of Silk is Lansei China’s London pop-up and an invitation to encounter traditional Chinese silk crafts at close range. At the centre of the space are two traditions: Ronghua, a flower-making technique that transforms untwisted mulberry silk and fine copper wire into soft, sculptural forms; and Shu silk embroidery, known for its exceptionally fine silk threads, controlled stitch direction and luminous surface. Rather than presenting the crafts only as finished objects, the exhibition opens up the making process itself. Visitors can see raw silk, traditional tools, works in progress and completed pieces side by side, following the transformation from material to object. Throughout the Festival, the Lansei studio team will host free open demonstrations and short hands-on tasters. Visitors can watch silk being brushed, twisted, trimmed and shaped, and selected sessions will offer the chance to try a simple part of the process using prepared materials. No previous experience or purchase is required. The exhibition is arranged as four imagined gardens — The Scholar’s Garden, The Garden in First Bloom, The Golden Garden and The Moonlit Garden — each bringing together silk flowers and embroidery through a different mood, botanical language and colour palette. Alongside the exhibition and demonstrations, visitors can explore a special London collection of DIY kits, materials and handmade works, with selected products available to order online and collect from the pop-up. The project reflects Lansei China’s belief that traditional craft remains most alive when it can still be touched, questioned, practised and passed from one pair of hands to another.