The origins of cashmere. The word "cashmere" originates from two words: "Kashmir," from the Kashmir breed of goats that originally produced the wool, and "pashm’," the Persian word for "wool." This incredibly luxurious fabric is referenced in Indian documents as early as the third century.
However, it wasn't until the 16th century that the word "cashmere" was first used, when spinners traveled to India along the Silk Road and spun and traded shawls. Around this time more than 50,000 of these craftsmen wove cashmere products for trade.
by Cecilie Starin Design Inc.
However, it wasn't until the 16th century that the word "cashmere" was first used, when spinners traveled to India along the Silk Road and spun and traded shawls. Around this time more than 50,000 of these craftsmen wove cashmere products for trade.
Legend has it that Napoleon gave his wife, Empress Eugenie, 17 cashmere shawls. The shawls were said to be so fine that they could be drawn through her wedding ring. The celebrated "ring shawls" started a craze among the royal courts.
"Cashmere" was first used in the fashion lexicon around 1837, to refer to finely twilled dress fabric in England, which was made from Kashmir goat wool.
These magnificent cashmere window panels are a stunning example of how you can use this fabric to its maximum potential in the 21st century.
by Cravotta Interiors
"Cashmere" was first used in the fashion lexicon around 1837, to refer to finely twilled dress fabric in England, which was made from Kashmir goat wool.
These magnificent cashmere window panels are a stunning example of how you can use this fabric to its maximum potential in the 21st century.
How cashmere is made. The Kashmir goat lives on very high and dry terrains, including the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, Iran and northern China. This particular breed sheds only once a year, which accounts for the high price of this fabric.
The guard hair, or the external coat on the goat, repels the elements and protects the much finer undercoat, which is used to make cashmere. The coarse coat is 1 1/2 to 8 inches long, while the finer undercoat is only 1 to 3 1/2 inches long.
by Katerina Tana Design The guard hair, or the external coat on the goat, repels the elements and protects the much finer undercoat, which is used to make cashmere. The coarse coat is 1 1/2 to 8 inches long, while the finer undercoat is only 1 to 3 1/2 inches long.
In the spring, shepherds comb the fleece just before the goats begin the shedding process, which lasts three to four weeks. One goat produces about 1/2 pound of white, gray or brown fleece. White cashmere is the rarest.
The raw fiber is washed and the guard and undercoat hair are separated, so that only the undercoat remains. This process reduces the weight of the total fleece by up to 50 percent. The remaining soft undercoat then goes on to be dyed and spun.
The rarity of the raw material and the hard work that goes into producing the finished result makes it truly precious; it takes fleece from about 40 goats to make a single blanket.
by Brian Dittmar Design, Inc. The raw fiber is washed and the guard and undercoat hair are separated, so that only the undercoat remains. This process reduces the weight of the total fleece by up to 50 percent. The remaining soft undercoat then goes on to be dyed and spun.
The rarity of the raw material and the hard work that goes into producing the finished result makes it truly precious; it takes fleece from about 40 goats to make a single blanket.
Modern cashmere. By the end of the 19th century, the Scottish had designed machinery to easily separate the Kashmir goats' guard hair from the undercoat hair. This started cashmere's commercial production.
Today some of the world's finest cashmere comes from China — which produces around 70 percent of the world's cashmere. If you're looking for the best of the best, go for A-grade cashmere, which tends to have a fiber thickness of about 14 microns (14 millionths of a meter).
This library plays homage to a more masculine, refined style. These cashmere drapes are impeccable — not glitzy or over the top, with just the right amount of fall.
More: Browse cashmere throws and more in Products
by Marlene Wangenheim AKBD, CAPS, Allied Member ASID
Today some of the world's finest cashmere comes from China — which produces around 70 percent of the world's cashmere. If you're looking for the best of the best, go for A-grade cashmere, which tends to have a fiber thickness of about 14 microns (14 millionths of a meter).
This library plays homage to a more masculine, refined style. These cashmere drapes are impeccable — not glitzy or over the top, with just the right amount of fall.
More: Browse cashmere throws and more in Products
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More than 6 years ago, the Chicago Tribune documented this facade of "luxury".
http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-china-cashmere-htmlstory,0,7149329.htmlstory
I read @c2blum suggested link. Well, it's sad. I had a shock when I read some time ago about wool that sheep are given some chemical food (a call it chemotherapy) so animal would lose coat which gives longer fiber (more expensive) and no time consuming for trimming coat. I believe it's developed countries invention. Barbarians! My grand- and parents were raising sheep, we were slaving around those animals and would never waste a tiny part of it, but other people are doing those cruel chooses, not consumer. I can't imagine in my family such cruelty. I foresee some questions regarding meat consuming. In the Bible Abel's gift to the Lord was a lamb, so we were taking it as should be. Though nobody could kill the animal in our family we were asking shepherds to do it for us.