Dupioni Silk for Gowns & Sculptural Tailoring
Core supply
Dupioni silk is a textured mulberry silk with a distinctive slubbed surface, widely used for evening gowns, bridal wear and structured couture garments. Available in 16 and 19 momme, up to 21–22 momme.
Silk dupioni is a tightly woven, crisp silk fabric made by pairing a fine standard silk yarn in the warp with an uneven yarn reeled from two or more entangled cocoons in the weft. Those double-cocoon threads — called dupion threads — are thicker and more irregular than standard silk, and that is exactly what creates dupioni's signature look: bold, prominent slubs running across the grain, exceptional body, and a stiff, sculptural drape. The name appears in several spellings across the trade — dupioni, douppioni, doupion, dupion and doppione — and all refer to the same fabric.
Dupioni is prized for evening wear, bridal gowns and special-occasion garments, as well as light home decorating. Because the weft and warp are often woven in different colors, it carries a natural two-tone iridescence that shifts as the fabric catches light — a subtle luxury that solid-dyed silks cannot match.
Traditional, high-quality dupioni is hand-woven, which adds to its characteristic irregularity and heavier weight; more affordable versions are now machine-woven. The white Thai-style silk is a natural fibre, so a finished piece may carry minor variations and irregularities in the weave. These are a mark of a fine silk yarn, not defects, and should not be treated as such.
We supply 19 momme dupioni — the most-requested weight for gowns and bridal — alongside a 16 momme option in 114 and 140 cm widths, with heavier 21–22 momme available on request. As a Yizhou dupioni supplier, we ship greige as standard, or dyed to order from a standard shade card or your custom color, with shrinkage around 5% accounted for in cutting.
Specifications
| Type | Dupioni (double-cocoon) mulberry silk |
|---|---|
| Momme | 16 / 19 mm (up to 21–22 mm) |
| Weight | ≈69–95 g/m² (1 mm ≈ 4.3 g/m²) |
| Width | 114 cm / 140 cm |
| Texture | Slubbed, textured surface |
| Finish | Greige (undyed) or dyed to order (standard shade card / custom color) |
| Shrinkage | Approx. 5% |
| MOQ | Reference MOQ — no fixed minimum; confirmed in the written quotation |
Specifications are industry-standard values and are confirmed against current mill availability before quotation.
Applications
- Evening gowns
- Bridal & occasion wear
- Structured couture
- Jackets & tailored pieces
- Light home decorating (draperies, cushions, upholstery)
Frequently asked questions
What is dupioni silk used for?
Dupioni's slubbed, textured character makes it a favorite for evening gowns, bridal wear and special-occasion garments, as well as light home decorating such as draperies, cushions and upholstery — anywhere the fabric's bold slubs and structured drape are part of the design.
Why does dupioni silk have a two-tone, iridescent sheen?
Dupioni's iridescence comes from the weave itself: the warp and weft are often spun in different colors, so the fabric shimmers and shifts between two tones as it catches light. It is a natural quality of the fabric, not an applied finish.
Are the slubs and irregularities in dupioni a defect?
No. Dupioni is woven from uneven double-cocoon threads, so minor variations and irregularities are characteristic of a fine silk yarn. They are a signature of the fabric and should not be treated as defects.
Is your dupioni hand-woven or machine-woven?
Traditional high-quality dupioni is hand-woven, which adds to its irregular, artisanal character and heavier weight; more affordable versions are machine-woven. Contact our team to confirm the weave for the weight you are sourcing.
Is dupioni silk for evening gowns available in color?
Yes. Dupioni is supplied greige (undyed) or dyed to order — we offer both a standard shade card and custom color matching, so you get the exact shade your collection needs.
What weights does dupioni silk come in?
Dupioni is woven in 16 and 19 momme, with heavier 21–22 momme available on request. The 19 momme dupioni is the standard weight for gowns and bridal; the 16 momme weight suits blouses, linings and softer structured pieces.
Request a quotation
Tell us your denier or momme, target volume, deadline and destination. Our B2B team will respond with a tailored quotation and available certification.