For the first time I find standing inside a world made of silk scarves to be one of pure enjoyment. Facing these sensual scarves, touching the gentle silk, it's as if you can see how the flowers start blossoming and the birds spring into song in an early morning garden.

This is what I felt from the Marja Kurki's spring/summer 2007 show. Marja Kurki is a Finnish brand for t he scarf and tie.

The design of this season's collection puts the focus on the change of light and nature. Each piece has its own romantic name, such as light of life, magnolia, or freesia.

Floral pattern is a leading role in this season's collection. For example, freesia is a grand but delicate flower with an enchanting scent. This scarf's smooth and gentle tones are deeply appealing. While Mognolia is a flower that blossoms in the beautiful color combinations of the early spring. Its subtle flowers and distinguished material create an exquisite and stylish scarf.

Apart from t he traditional silk scar ves, Marja Kurki also presented a new material -a special chiffon in its triangle scar ves. Another new arrival is a combination of a unique size and material - the blend of silk and cotton is a novelty for this coming season.

Satu Kurki, the global director for designing, also provided some fresh ideas about how to highlight your scarf in a presentation held in Shanghai last week.

"The scarf is not only for your neck, it can be an ornament for a hat, a bag, or be worn as a waistbelt,¡± she said.

For example, a piece of small triangula- shaped scarf can be binded around your pure-colored hat or the belt of your handbag. A piece of big square scarf can also be made into a sexy topwear or a headband. Very bohemian..

Washing instructions for your silk scarf:

Dry-cleaning is recommended for silk scarves.

*If you want to wash your silk garments by hand, make sure you follow these instructions:

*Wash your silk gar ments separately.

*Always use a special detergent meant for natural silk, or use Marseille soap.

*Wash q uickly in a large quantity of water.

*Stretch the garment to its original shape.

*Do not use a tumble dryer.

*Allow to dr y in a cool dry place.

*Iron on the reverse side when still damp.

*Stains can be removed with trichroloethylene; ask your chemist for availability. Woollen scarves and silk ties should be dry-cleaned only.

Types of fabric:

Silk can be used to weave many different kinds of fabric. Ter ms such as'twill ' and 'satin' thus tell us how the fabric was woven. The following are some of the most common types. TWILL -A shiny silk fabric woven so as to produce a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs.

SATIN -A smooth fabric with a glossy face and a dull back. CDC (Crepe de Chine) -A smoot h fabric with a dull glow.

CHIFFON -A dull, transparent fabric of twisted t hreads.

JACQUARD -A fabric with an intr icate pattern of alternating glossy and dull weaves. In woven ties, for example, the pattern is woven with dyed thread.

Kurki Shanghai Office
Location: Suit 825 - 829, Shanghai Central Plaza, No. 381 Huaihai Zhonglu
Tel: 021-63916828/63915798