Silk is making a return in the outdoor business with Silkbody, a New Zealand brand of silk-based garments that is attempting to get into the European market. The company was set up five years ago by David Cooper, a former psychotherapist who came across silk sacks in Vietnam, and his daughter Emily, who graduated in clothing and textile science. Silk has already been used for decades as an undergarment for outdoor sports, for example by climbers. Silkbody’s designers have blended it with merino wool and cotton to make garments that could keep warm or cool, without itching. For the time being they are sold in around 60 stores in New Zealand and through a distributor in Australia. Later this year Silkbody garments will make their appearance in a few British outlets and the Coopers hopes to seal distribution agreements in some other European countries.