Cashmere, one of the finest fabrics in the world, is easily taken for granted in today’s globalized world. However, a deeper understanding of one of the rarest & most prized fabrics is definitely worthwhile.
First of all, “Cashmere” is the anglicized version of Kashmir, the region in Asia from which cashmere production originated. The region now falls in parts of India, China, and Pakistan.
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
The fine hair of a goat from this region is the source for this luxurious fabric. This unexpected source, on average, produces a mere 150 grams of cashmere fibers annually per goat. It takes 2-3 animals to produce a sweater, for example, and 5-6 animals to produce a jacket. The average diameter of the fiber is less than 19 microns, with a micron being equal to one-millionth of a meter. For reference, a human hair is about 100 microns wide, so cashmere fibers are exceptionally thin.
Though cashmere production has been around for thousands of years, the modern formation of the industry is traditionally believed to have started in the 15th century in Kashmir. Cashmere was woven into shawls that featured a paisley pattern, and this particular garment dominated the industry until the industrial age. Imported genuine cashmere shawls were rare in Europe, and due to the high demand, Europeans used other fibers to produce imitation shawls for centuries. By the 1800s, Europeans had imported cashmere goats from Asia and were spinning cashmere yarns on the continent. The cashmere industry particularly flourished in Scotland, and the country continues to be a center of European cashmere production to this day.
CASHMERE IN YOUR DAILY OUTFITS
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As a piece of advice, keep in mind to buy cashmere for products that will best utilize the unique characteristics of the material. Sweaters, vests, robes, and scarves will employ the softness and warmth of cashmere to greater effect than harder-wearing items like socks.
Also, consider buying cashmere from heritage producing countries, such as Scotland, Italy, and Japan. Scottish, Italian, and Japanese producers of cashmere have long been known for producing quality fabrics, and many producers from these countries have been in the business for 200 years. While heritage is no guarantee of quality, they will be much more concerned about protecting their reputation than no-name cashmere.
