Unraveling the reasons behind the extremely high price of cashmere wool.
Cashmere wool has long been favored for its softness and warmth-retaining properties. But have you ever wondered why this type of yarn is always so expensive?
Cashmere is a material that represents luxury and extravagance, and it comes with a high price tag.
Legend has it that, since the Middle Ages, hand-woven cashmere scarves symbolized loyalty from subjects to their rulers. During the Roman Empire, cashmere was a rare and precious material, used only in high fashion and affectionately known as "the yarn of kings."
According to records, the famous Emperor Napoleon once gifted a cashmere scarf to his wife, Joséphine. The scarf was so soft that she could thread it through a ring.
Today, a sheepskin scarf can easily be found for between $100 and $200. Meanwhile, the lowest price for a similar product made of cashmere is more than double that.
Why is cashmere so valuable? Read on to find out why.
Cashmere wool is extremely scarce.
Cashmere wool originates from Kashmir, a high-altitude region in the Himalayas. Unlike regular wool, which is obtained from the outer fleece of sheep, cashmere is derived from the wool of cashmere goats. The goats living in the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas typically provide the highest quality cashmere.
This is because the Himalayan environment is much colder than other regions. The extremely insulating fibers grow beneath their thick hides, allowing the goats to survive in the harsh climate. A scarf made from cashmere goat wool, with a thickness of just a few millimeters, can protect the wearer from temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.
Cashmere is obtained from the hair of the goat of the same name. Of these, the hair of goats living in the Himalayas is considered the best in the world.
The amount of wool produced by goats each year is very small. Each goat can only provide 170 to 200 grams of fiber at a time during the year. With such limited supply, the total amount of goat wool harvested each year only reaches a few thousand tons. This cashmere must meet the needs of the entire world.
Cashmere wool production is complex and time-consuming.
Due to its delicate and fragile nature, most of the production process for cashmere is done by hand. While sheep's wool can be harvested in batches, with goat wool, farmers must extract cashmere from each individual animal. They use specialized combs to brush the undercoat of the goats, then collect the raw wool.
The world's leading cashmere producers are China and Mongolia. China is the world's largest source of raw cashmere, with most of the production carried out by Western factories. The oldest factory still producing cashmere clothing is located in Elgin, Scotland, and was founded in 1797.
The ideal time for this work is during the transition from spring to summer. At that time, the artisans carefully hand-pick the finest goat hairs. These hairs are cleaned, de-aired to prevent clumping, and then dyed. After dyeing, the hairs are hand-spun and woven into strands.
The entire process, from start to finish, takes several months. During this time, the artisans must be extremely careful and meticulous in the weaving process. The complexity and sophistication of high-end cashmere textiles have driven up their already high prices even further.
The superior quality of cashmere wool.
One extremely compelling reason for the high price of cashmere wool is its superior quality. Cashmere wool is renowned for its versatility: warm in winter and breathable in summer.
The durability of this material is also considered "unparalleled." A cashmere sweater will not stretch or fade after many years of use. Of course, that's assuming you care for the cashmere properly. If exposed to chemicals such as perfume or detergent, the fiber structure of cashmere will be altered and the quality of the garment will be affected.
Cashmere is a versatile material: it's warm in winter and cool in summer.
Despite its high price, cashmere remains highly sought after by fashion enthusiasts. Many designers from high-end fashion houses still use cashmere in their annual collections. Designs made from this material are always elegant, sophisticated, and have exceptionally beautiful silhouettes. Similar to velvet and tweed, cashmere is considered a material for the elite.
This cashmere sweater is a design from the Saint Laurent fashion house.
Cashmere sweater
Ecrit par Celi Dior
Laisser un commentaire
Ce site est protégé par hCaptcha, et la Politique de confidentialité et les Conditions de service de hCaptcha s’appliquent.