The Origin
Discovered by European merchants and travellers along the Silk Route, cashmere has been recognised and utilised in the textile industry since the times of the Roman Empire. Known as the "fibre for kings", cashmere wool has always been considered a special material. Renowned for its softness, warmth and luxurious feel, cashmere has captivated the European nobility and wealthy merchants by the 16th century. History of cashmere and the discovery of the fabric can also be found in accounts detailing Marco Polo's legendary journey across the vast Chinese empire, with records of cashmere shawls being exported to the West. The word "cashmere" derives from an anglicisation of Kashmir, a region in the Himalayas. A region where we also source our cashmere and run our cashmere production. Cashmere has been manufactured in Asian regions such as Mongolia, Nepal and Kashmir for thousands of years. The handmade cashmere shawl known as pashmina originated from the word pashm (Persian/Urdu word for wool).
The History
While there are many citations of the cashmere fabric in history books, one of the most significant incidents took place in the early 19th century. The Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon of France, supposedly had hundreds of cashmere shawls. Her love for pashmina helped to further strengthen its popularity in Europe. She inspired others in her court to wear them and thereby helped to establish it as a luxurious material in the European market. The renaissance era also marks a significant chapter in the history of cashmere, particularly in Italy. During this period Italian artisans started experimenting with new techniques to enhance the quality and appearance of cashmere and blending it with other fibers to create luxurious textiles. The new era of cashmere in Europe began in the 19th century, when pashminas became highly fashionable in Paris. Up until the 80s, sheep’s wool was used extensively in the UK. However, when designers began to use cashmere to make cashmere dresses, suits and other knitwear, promoting cashmere wool as a luxurious modern-day fabric, its popularity grew. The demand for high quality natural fabrics such as cashmere has seen a significant rise in the 21st century, with the expansion of timeless styles such as cashmere capes, ponchos and other cashmere accessories.
The Fabric
Capra Hircus goat, also known as cashmere goat, resides in the high altitudes of the Himalayan region. To protect itself from the long and cold Mongolian winter which is said to last for 6 months and reaches temperatures down to -40 ° C, these animals grow a warm and long fur. Cashmere is made from the processing of the soft undercoat of the Capra Hircus goat. Which is a particularly warm and fine fibre. These are then hand woven by skilled artisans in Nepal and other bordering regions to create these beautiful pashminas and cashmere capes you see online. While there are many replicates and low priced alternatives for cashmere, a good quality cashmere scarf or pashmina will be much lighter and softer to the touch and will lend you warmth without weight. Cashmere clothing is a timeless staple to own and will last longer in your wardrobe, when looked after with care. You can read more about how the fabric is sourced, processed and made into beautiful cashmere shawls, pashminas and ponchos you see on our website from our blog, Behind the Seam.
