MYRN Silk: Our Designs

It’s hard to really put my finger on where the design inspiration came from for MYRN Silk. If you’ve read our story, you’ll know that MYRN Silk started quite simply because I couldn’t quite find what I was looking for.

I’ve always been a fan of a bold, elaborate, modern pyjama print; if I could own 50 different pairs I would. Big cats, birds, lobsters, you name it and there are plenty of options to choose from. But when I tried to find this for a silk pillowcase, it simply wasn’t there. Most brands were plain and those offering prints felt garish, old fashioned or too simple. I didn’t want muted designs, or symmetrical repeats of bows, cherry blossom and ribbons. I wanted something modern and contemporary, that still felt rooted in everything that’s so beautiful about nature.

Where the MYRN Silk designs began

Nature is soothing and grounding, whilst bold colours and modern lines bring joy. That became a big part of the inspiration for our collection. Colours inspired by nature; sage and forest greens, deep pinks, reds and purples, coral and yellow, that work so beautifully together. I love the idea of bringing elements of the natural world into a bedroom, but not necessarily in an obvious or traditional way.

Wildlife, safari and rainforest environments all became part of that visual language. Big cats, tropical foliage, birds and flowers give you so much to work with in terms of shape, colour and movement. I wanted to take those familiar elements and make them feel more contemporary, creating something that felt unique to MYRN Silk. This is why we selected Paige as our freelance designer, to help us turn our ideas into something we could actually take into production. Based in Dorset, Paige’s portfolio was full of contemporary coastal and wildlife inspired designs.

I’ve actually never been a fan of traditional animal print. Black spots on brown backgrounds or a black and white zebra print has always felt sort of dated to me. But as soon as you add colour and bold lines, it gives the design a more contemporary lift. When working with silk, there’s this beautiful sheen that makes the colours really pop. When it comes to our Tiger design, I can’t stop staring into the Tiger’s eyes.

When thinking about commercial design, it was a completely new process for us. Initially, MYRN Silk pillowcases had been intended as a one off personal item, a silk pillowcase gift that felt thoughtful, or a treat for you. I was looking at MYRN Silk through the lens of a beauty accessory, as mulberry silk has so many benefits for your hair, rather than a bedding set I might buy for both of us to match the decor.

This was our first time designing something properly for production, so there was a lot of learning as we went. I really went with my gut and hoped the designs would appeal to others. Bold and contemporary, but not too niche. We only had the budget for three designs and needed to think about our initial cost of stock, as we really had no idea what would sell.

Our leopard print silk pillowcase

The leopard print was our first design. I wanted a print that was simple, yet striking, and could work in multiple colour combinations and to eventually expand our product range. It’s not an uncommon design idea, but not something I could find as a silk pillowcase print. I wanted the leopard to feel less traditional and more colourful, whilst embracing the full animal and its many forms, from sleeping, to prowling and leaping.

As for colours, I felt pink leopard would be a big hit, plus our initial launch date was planned for Valentine's Day. The blue came from our brand colours; the light blue print uses the key light and dark blue colour combination from our brand and the dark blue uses the reverse print, perhaps appealing to a different audience than pink.

It took a few attempts to get the colours perfect. Translating digital files to fabric Pantones is trickier than I expected; different screen settings can make it surprisingly easy to get the colours wrong. Our first samples were meant to be for light blue leopard, but instead what we’d ordered was an almost sea green. It wasn’t right, the colours just jarred; they didn’t feel calming and natural but awkward and clashing. 

At least my son Rory loved it, so the sample now belongs to him and he uses this pillowcase and matching silk mask every night, revelling in the knowledge that his is a total one off. This delayed the design process further and meant we missed our Valentine's deadline by three weeks.

It was frustrating at the time, but looking back, that was really the beginning of understanding just how much goes into taking a design from something you like on a screen to a finished printed mulberry silk pillowcase. The colours, the fabric, the scale and even the way the light catches the silk can completely change how a pattern feels once printed.

From Leopard to Tiger print

Then came the Tiger print, another big cat but with bold, beautiful stripes that would translate so well to our style of stencilled and abstract prints. We wanted to add more elements than with our first simple leopard print, adding in banana leaves and tropical foliage that allowed us to play with more colour and design detail.

I loved the idea of the Tiger sitting amongst rainforest foliage rather than simply being a simple Tiger print on its own. Working with our designer Paige, we built in the detail, avoiding large blocks of colour, that really makes MYRN Silk designs feel unique and thoughtful.

Champagne Gold Tiger came later, inspired by a friend who suggested we create a design that used a simpler colour palette, for those who wanted a silk print that blended more naturally into their existing bedroom design. Our Tropical Tiger print felt like the perfect fit, so I played around with greys, golds and warm browns and beige, ordering three different samples and this one was our favourite.

Then came the Hummingbird silk print, our busiest of all the designs. I loved the elegant long lines of the hummingbird, making it a perfect fit for the style of design we had started to create in our first collection and increasing our range beyond just safari prints. This was the hardest to get right, with so much going on that colour was so critical to avoid the pattern getting lost. We had a few colour samples created and I went with a darker tone in the end.

This was Matt’s least favourite design. He found it too busy and we nearly didn’t launch it. I wanted a minimum of three designs, two wasn’t enough to launch a new brand, knowing our designs wouldn’t appeal to the masses, so we went with it and it’s ended up being our best selling pillowcase.

That still makes me smile, because it was probably the design I questioned most. It’s a good reminder that you can spend a lot of time trying to predict what other people will like, but sometimes you just have to trust your instinct and put it out there.

Designing the collection around real life

I favoured dark prints and patterns, as from experience, it’s easier to keep clean and hide any blemishes that can appear over time from oils or, if we are honest, drool! When testing fabrics at home with my family, we found the lighter prints needed much more care and attention, so we needed designs that would appeal to all types of buyers. We use 25 momme silk because it feels luxurious but is also robust, and I wanted our designs to have that same sense of longevity. Since launching MYRN Silk, it’s amazed me how many people have invested in a silk pillowcase for their children, discovering the benefits of mulberry silk not only for smoother, less tangled hair but for children’s sensitive touch. 

The fabric itself became a huge part of the design. A printed mulberry silk pillowcase isn't simply a pattern transferred onto fabric. The natural sheen of silk changes the way the colours look and gives the print a depth and movement that I really love. A colour that looks one way digitally can look completely different once it is sitting on silk, which is why we spent more time than expected testing fabric samples.

It made me realise how important the relationship between the pattern and the fabric is. A beautiful design can still feel wrong if the scale isn't right or the colours don't work with the silk. Equally, the right fabric can bring a pattern to life in a way you can't really appreciate until you see the finished product.

Designing the matching silk sets

When it came to masks and scrunchies, we wanted to offer a complete matching silk sleep set. While building our brand, key values for us include quality, customer service and delighting customers. I wanted to offer a free matching scrunchie with every pillowcase and a travel case for every silk eye mask.

But a big part of the design process was the scale of the pattern. Too small on a pillowcase and the pattern could feel too much, too big and you’d lose the detail of the print. A scrunchie is a completely different shape again, so simply taking the exact same artwork and putting it onto everything didn't always work.

We decided to make the scrunchie and mask fabric in a smaller scale for Tiger and Leopard, so that they match but still work perfectly for each item. It’s a small design detail, but those are the sorts of things we found ourselves obsessing over throughout the whole process.

And then there’s our presentation boxes. Using the simple light blue leopard print, taken from the key MYRN Silk brand colours, we wanted the boxes to feel elegant, modern and bold. Something you might cherish almost as much as the silk itself. I created the packaging design myself using Paige’s fabric design, so it makes me feel so proud when people tell us they love it. 

A collection that has evolved along the way

Looking back, I think the thing I love most about the MYRN Silk designs is that they haven't come from a perfectly planned process. This has all been a journey, and our first time designing something for production. There have been samples that didn't work, colours that looked completely different from what we expected, designs we nearly didn't launch and plenty of moments where I've had to trust my instinct.

The original idea was simply that I wanted to find a silk pillowcase that I would actually want in my own bedroom. Something bold and colourful, inspired by nature and wildlife, but not overly traditional. A leopard print silk pillowcase, a Tiger surrounded by tropical foliage, a Hummingbird print full of colour and detail.

I wanted printed silk pillowcases that felt a little different. Beautiful mulberry silk, but with personality. Designs that could bring colour into a room without feeling like they belonged to a particular trend or season.

And perhaps that's what MYRN Silk has become. A collection of printed silk pillowcases inspired by the natural world, but interpreted in our own way. Bold, colourful and a little bit unexpected, with plenty of learning along the way.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about MYRN Silk designs

What inspires MYRN Silk's printed silk pillowcase designs?

Our designs are inspired by the natural world, particularly wildlife, safari and rainforest environments. We love the shapes, colours and movement you find in nature, from big cats and hummingbirds to tropical foliage, leaves and flowers. We then take those elements and turn them into something a little more contemporary and colourful.

Rather than creating traditional wildlife or safari prints, we like to play with colour, scale and shape to create designs that feel modern and work naturally in a bedroom.

What are the benefits of a printed silk pillowcase?

Our printed silk pillowcases are designed to be something you enjoy looking at as well as sleeping on. Silk is delicate, easily blemished with make up, oils and saliva while you sleep, the dark prints especially are practical as well as beautiful, hiding these imperfections and ensuring your silk pillowcase lasts.

What fabric are MYRN Silk pillowcases made from?

Our pillowcases are made from pure mulberry silk, a natural silk fibre known for its smooth feel and beautiful finish. The fabric was an important part of our design process because silk behaves very differently from cotton or a flat image on a digital screen. Colours can look quite different once they are printed onto the fabric, with the natural sheen changing how the colours and patterns reflect, which is why we spent extra time testing colour samples during development.

Are MYRN Silk designs inspired by wildlife and nature?

Yes. All MYRN Silk designs have some connection to wildlife and nature, from the prints to the colours we choose. Our Leopard and Tiger designs were both inspired by big cats, who's natural designs lend themselves perfectly to creating beautiful details for our prints to come to life and absorb different colours. While our Hummingbird print brings a different style to the collection.

Do you have a green printed silk pillowcase?

Green is one of the colours we return to again and again for our prints. So much of nature contains beautiful shades of sage and rich forest greens. Green works beautifully with the natural inspiration behind our designs and can create a calming depth, while still adding colour. You won't find a plain green pillowcase, but if you like green tones, you will enjoy our Hummingbird and Navy Tiger prints.

Do you have a floral silk pillowcase?

Some of our designs include floral and botanical elements, although we don't currently have traditional floral patterns. This is particularly noticeable in our Hummingbird, amongst the hibiscus and our Tiger design, where banana leaves and tropical foliage sit alongside the animal pattern. It gives the design a more contemporary feel than a conventional floral silk pillowcase.

Do the silk pillowcases come with a matching scrunchie?

Yes. We wanted our accessories to feel like part of the same collection, so our silk scrunchies are designed to complement the pillowcases.

We use a smaller scale of some of the same pattern for the scrunchies. This means they match the pillowcase without simply reproducing exactly the same pattern at the same size. It also allows the design to work properly when the silk is gathered into a scrunchie.

Do the pillowcases have a zip?

Yes, our pillowcases have a zipper closure. Silk is very slippery and the zip close helps keep the pillow securely inside the case while maintaining a clean, crisp finish.

Are MYRN Silk pillowcases a good gift?

We think so. A printed silk pillowcase can be a lovely gift for someone who already has everything, particularly if you know their favourite colours or have an idea of the kind of patterns they like. Silk pillowcases are still a relatively new, untested concept in mainstream shopping, so if you have a friend obsessed with hair, then this is the ideal gift for them.