Satin has been a staple in wedding gowns for centuries. Satin supposedly originated in China and became popular in Europe in the 12th century. It saw its rise in Italy in the 13th century, and in England in the 14th century. During the Renaissance, satin was used for lining the clothing and shoes of the nobility. Today, satin can be found amongst the rich and the not-so-rich, in many different countries, under many different names.