a hidden treasure
Divided between Afghanistan, India and China, the region of Kashmir extends, where the Capra Hircus lives, a small animal known for the natural treasure it carries with it. The enchanting but inhospitable landscape of the areas where the Capra Hircus lives undergoes a notable temperature range between day and night with scorching temperatures during the day and 30°C below zero during the night. To withstand such conditions, the goat's coat must necessarily ensure warmth and protection. The outermost layer protects it from sun, rain and dust, while the soft undercoat also called duvet has an insulating function. This undercoat represents the most precious part, the “golden fleece”, or cashmere. The quality of the fibres depends in an essential way on the harshness of the climatic conditions.
The ancient communities of shepherds living in Central Asia exploited cashmere as a natural protection from the climate. This excellent fiber has crossed civilizations protempore, linking East and West through cultures and eras. The extremely high quality, the enveloping sensation and the unique insulating properties have seduced merchants, princes and emperors, to arrive in the present day in fashion as a noble material par excellence.
refine the work of nature
When the weather becomes milder, the shepherds collect the cashmere from the leeward side of the goats through a very delicate combing treatment, completely harmless for the animals, which are stroked with a small comb only in the areas of the chin and underbelly. From each Capra Hircus, approximately 250 grams of undercoat are obtained, which once cleaned is reduced to approximately 150 grams. These are the reasons why cashmere is such a precious fiber: each single product starting from the fiber is the result of hard work, patience but above all passion.
Scientific research has revealed the secret of cashmere: the extremely thin thickness of the fibre — 15 microns, much less than the 24 of the finest Merino wool — hides an “air chamber” that forms a natural barrier with a thermo-regulating function.
The cashmere is then treated and colored in our laboratories and worked by our skilled tailors who give it refined shapes and a modern appeal.
care for and maintain the "golden fleece"
The care and maintenance of this precious fiber is a task that falls to our customer. Coutique, taking advantage of the prestigious experience of the tailors of ErreBi Maglieria, has collected some practical and simple advice that our customers can follow to preserve and take the best care of the product in cashmere.
Don't wash your cashmere every time you wear it!
After a day of use, leave it in the open air and wash it only when really necessary. Let your garment rest between 3 uses for at least 24 hours. During this time, the elastic fibres have the ability to relax and find and enhance the softness that distinguishes them.
For a good hand wash : hand wash in warm water with a quality mild detergent. Soak for about 15-30 minutes. Press the garment with a light “massage”, do not twist or rub. Rinse with clean water at the same temperature as the wash.
For a good machine wash : machine wash with delicate program for wool garments at 30°; less than 30° is counterproductive, because the dirt particles do not dissolve, at more than 30° the fiber risks being ruined.
When finished washing, dry flat, do not hang. Iron with steam iron at medium temperature.
In the early stages of using a pure cashmere garment, a superficial excess of fiber may appear, commonly called “pilling” . Pilling is the particular process that leads to the formation of small irregular balls of fibers called “pills”. These balls are formed due to rubbing or friction mechanisms, and are not to be considered a sign of lower quality of the cashmere, but a natural consequence of use. After two or three washes, the excess fluff will disperse to make room for the “heart” of the fiber. You can manually remove the excess fiber with the help of a soft brush or with the appropriate comb.