Ever wondered what goes into that ultra luxurious cashmere stole you adore? Each stole has a story, and this is how it begins.
Every cashmere product starts its journey in the soft downy undercoat of a goat that grows during the winter months and is naturally shed at the beginning of Spring. Due to the natural process of getting rid of the soft hair, many breeders understand that shearing is unnecessary. Not only does this prevent injuries, but simply combing through the hair will help them gather the necessary fiber required to create the soft fabric.
While all goats can produce the fine fur needed for cashmere, only some produce it such that it matches the quantity and quality necessary for commercial use. Consequently, selective breeding has led to numerous varieties of goats specifically bred for the purpose of growing such an undercoat. Depending on the breed, the cashmere can vary as well, with the Kashmiri Changthangi goat producing the finest cashmere in the world, locally known as ‘pashmina’. This term is derived from the Persian word, ‘pashm’, referring to the soft inner coat of the goat.
Usually reared in mountainous regions, many of the goat breeds have been adapted to flourish in desert and semi-desert conditions, such as the Hexi and the Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats. The numerous varieties have led to a vast range of cashmere products to choose from. To know more about cashmere and its products, stay tuned!
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