Virgin Cashmere
To help protect the mongolian steppe from desertification, we do not use virgin cashmere
Rising demand for cheap cashmere combined with the impacts of climate change has had a devastating impact on goat-herding regions in Mongolia, with overgrazing contributing to desertification. Between our concern over the animal welfare standards of this supply chain and the limited ability to create our own supply chain, as we did with wool, we have opted not to use this fiber.
Why We Choose Not To Use Virgin Cashmere
The population of cashmere goat herds in the Gobi Desert increased from 2.4 million to 25.8 million between 1949 and 2004. 1
The rearing of these goats has led to extreme overgrazing and desertification, severely threatening local communities and natural environments.
The goat’s sharp hooves break through topsoil and their eating habits - ripping up plants from their roots - make it impossible for grasslands to survive. 2
It takes the combed hair of five goats and a year of growing to make a top-quality cashmere sweater. 3
