Cashmere is a textile fiber obtained from the Hircus goat,
living in Asian mountain regions and plateaus.
The word Cashmere derives from the Indian region of Kashmir,
from where this fiber has been exported to Europe since the
beginning of the nineteenth century.
Today only small quantities are produced in the Indian region
of Kashmir, while the largest producers are Tibet, Mongolia,
China, Iran and Afghanistan.
Cashmere is characterized by its soft, silky and velvety fibers. It
is noted as providing a natural light-weight insulation without
bulk. The goats produce a double fleece consisting
of the fine, soft undercoat or underdown of hair
mingled with a straighter and much coarser
outer coating of hair called Guard Hair. The
grow of undercoat is associated with the
particular climatic conditions and drastic
changes in temperature between day and
night in these areas. More than all animal
fibers, this hair is able to thermo-regulate
the body of the animal, protecting it both
from low and from high temperatures.
Cashmere is collected during the spring
moulting season when the goats
naturally shed their winter coat. The
mixed mass of down and coarse hair is
removed by hand with a coarse comb.
It is estimated that on average yearly
production per goat is 100-200 grams.
The luxurious softness of cashmere Loro Piana
upholsters the Boheme collection.
Cashmere
