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  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823780_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948ee )
    Penelope Cruz
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823849_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948dh )
    Molly Sims
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823823_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948cu )
    Milla Jovovich
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823817_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948bc )
    Jared Leto
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823802_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948bu )
    Kate Bosworth
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823801_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948cg )
    Mechad Brooks
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823790_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948aq )
    Ginnifer Goodwin and Joey Kern
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823786_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948am )
    Ginnifer Goodwin
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823774_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948ea )
    Penelope Cruz
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823756_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948s )
    Bijou Phillips
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823753_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948dm )
    Nicky Hilton
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823714_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948ek )
    Rachel Griffiths
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823701_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948ex )
    Ryan Phillippe and Abbie Cornish
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823686_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948bz )
    Lady Victoria Hervey
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823680_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948o )
    Andy Whitfield
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823679_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948fk )
    Taylor Dane
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    DUKAS_12823674_BEI
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron / BEImages ( 637948cj )
    Melissa George
    Calvin Klein Collection Party to Celebrate Los Angeles Arts Month, Los Angeles, America - 28 Jan 2010

    (FOTO: DUKAS/BEIMAGES)

    DUKAS/BEI

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613818_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132dz )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613817_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132dy )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613815_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132dx )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613804_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132du )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613803_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132dr )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613797_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132dn )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613789_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132ds )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613788_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132dw )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    DUKAS_14613785_REX
    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Haydn West / Rex Features ( 1196132dm )

    Silk production - from worm to catwalk, southern India - 2010
    SILK PRODUCTION - FROM WORM TO CATWALK

    For many silk - the Queen of all fabrics - spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort.

    But for hundreds of thousands of people in India it is something much more mundane but infinitely important - a vital life line.

    An estimated 700,000 people are involved in various sericulture (silk production) activities in India.

    Half of all the silk produced in India comes from the region of Karnataka where a sub-tropical climate allows for year-round production.

    In 2007-08 India exported more than GBP 400 million of raw silk, carpets and ready made garments.

    In 2007 alone it produced 18,320 metric tonnes of raw silk, making it the second a largest silk producer in the world.

    It is second only behind China, which produced 108,420 metric tonnes of raw silk in the same period.

    While the difference is vast, India's contribution is even more impressive considering that much of its production is done using outdated tools or by hand.

    Ultimately, however, poor technology and high production costs undermine the vital role played by sericulture in improving India's rural economy.

    The Worm

    The Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Mysore is run by Professor N.M. Biram Saheb.

    He explains that the Indian government pioneered the provision of disease free lays of eggs as a way of improving yields without increasing start-up costs

    The practice means that farmers are provided with a steady stream of healthy silkworm eggs.

    It is deep in the seed production centre where the 'work' of creating these eggs takes place - in darkened rooms where moths are laid out on newspaper in racks of plastic trays.

    Powerhouses of the silk industry they may be, but in reality they are pale weaklings whose only purpose is to mat...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/EJXQVU

    DUKAS/REX