CASHMERE EXPLAINED
History
Cashmere originated from Kashmir in India and the name derives from the old spelling of the region. Cashmere is obtained from the fine, soft, downy undercoat of cashmere goats that live at the foothills of the Himalayas and the process of manufacturing cashmere is a delicate and lengthy one. The earliest documented usage of cashmere dates back to the 14th century and by the 18th century cashmere shawls were being regularly exported to Europe, particularly Britain and France. Cashmere was already seen as a symbol of status and wealth, in fact it was reported that the wife of Napoleon, Empress Josephine had hundreds of luxurious cashmere scarfs.
Facts
- Cashmere wool comes from cashmere goats and NOT sheep. Sheep Cashmere is NOT Cashmere. It is regular fine wool derived from native Chinese Sheep and NOT from Cashmere Goats.
- Cashmere comes from the entire undercoat of the goat and NOT just the underbelly. NOT all fibre derived from the Cashmere goat is cashmere. The outer coat of the goat is made up of coarse hair, not used in cashmere production, is called guard hair.
- Pashmina is a word derived from the Persian word ‘pashm’ meaning wool. It is a term used by some Asian countries (India, Nepal, Pakistan etc) to refer to Cashmere. Pashmina is NOT the best quality of cashmere. Pashmina is NOT silk blended with Cashmere. Infact 100% Pashmina labelling is used for cheap imitations made from wool or even viscose. Legally, labelling a product 100% Pashmina is as good as not labelling it at all.
Wash care
Cashmere fabric is made from a fine wool fibre which must be looked after to keep it looking its best. Cashmere garments are commonly dry cleaned but you can wash cashmere at home.
Follow these simple rules to keep your cashmere clean:
- Always wash in cold or lukewarm water, never over 40 degrees.
- Always wash garments inside and put scarves in a net bag.
- Use cashmere friendly, mild detergent.
- Gently press out the excess water after washing.
- Never rub, wring, stretch or hang the garment.
- Always dry away from the sun or any other heat sources.
- Always dry the garments flat.
Storage
Correctly storing your cashmere is as important as cleaning it. Follow these rules to keep your cashmere safe in the cupboard:
- Always make sure the garment is clean before you store it.
- Never hang cashmere.
- If you store the garment in a bag or container make sure it is breathable.
- Avoid moth damage by storing the garment near anti-moth agents or cedar balls.
Today 100% Pashmina labeling is used for cheap imitations made from wool or even viscose.
The Quality of Cashmere is defined by many factors. Just because it feels soft does not mean it is good Cashmere. Some important parameters that affect the quality of Cashmere and more importantly the price are mentioned below.