It's one of the worlds most desired fibres, so lets get to know it a little better...

FACT 1 ~ THE FIBRE IS NAMED AFTER THE GOAT

BUT, here’s a riddle for you… Which came first, the name of the goat or the place? In this case, it was the place. Cashmere goats are named after the Kashmir region, where they can be found. This region has an area of approximately 222,236 square kilometres – a lot of room for happy goats!

Another fun fact: One of Led Zeppelin’s most iconic songs, Kashmir, was also named after the region. Ironically, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were travelling through the Sahara Dessert when they wrote it, which geographically, is slightly off but still makes for a great sub-fact.

FACT 2 ~ DESIRABLE QUALITY = HIGHER PRICE

One of the most common questions about Cashmere is ‘why is it so expensive?’ The desirable qualities in the wool that come from exposure to extreme climate changes throughout the year are the main reason for this. The Kashmir region experiences intense sunlight due to high altitude as well as freezing temperatures. This is what makes it such a desirable material during the cooler months.

FACT 3 ~ COLOURS GALORE... TECHNICALLY

“Okay, but does it come in Pink?”

Yes! Well, kind of...

The colour of the fibres is dependent on the goat it comes from, which can be white, grey or brown. Much like other fibres, though, Cashmere can be dyed to your desired colour.

FACT 4 ~ THE BIGGER THE BELLY THE BETTER

The process for collecting the fibres from the Cashmere goats is through combing their underbellies, a tummy rub if you will. At Mia Fratino, we ensure that our Cashmere is sustainably sourced and collected during the warmer months when the fleece is naturally shed.

FACT 5 ~ CASHMERE FIBRES ARE 6 TIMES FINER THAN HUMAN HAIR!

This just goes to show the incredible properties of Cashmere fibre. While it’s so much more delicate than our own hair, its dense properties allow us to stay warm in winter, and its insulation properties keep us cool in summer.