Let us journey back to the roots of cashmere, to the birthplace of the cashmere goat. In the desolate Northern Slope of the Himalayas, the cashmere goat roamed the harsh terrain, incorporating strength and flexibility into the fabric at its core.
Originally from this region, the Chinese shepherds migrated the cashmere goat to Inner Mongolia and the northern provinces of China from the 11th to the 13th century. As the Mongolian leaders Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan built their empires in Asia, the valuable cashmere fiber was gradually introduced to the West through the historical Silk Route.
In the late 18th century, British businessmen would return home from their travels with a rare and extravagant gift for their wives - a piece of cashmere shawl. This item soon became a symbol of wealth and status in the UK, and eventually caught the attention of the French.
The young Josephine Bonaparte was captivated by cashmere and, as the story goes, Napoleon himself purchased sixty different types of shawls. These luxurious items fetched a high price, with some costing as much as 8,000-12,000 francs, a significant sum during that time.
After French Emperor Napoleon I gifted Josephine with a cashmere shawl from Egypt, cashmere quickly swept Europe as an essential element of modern luxury. For two hundred years, cashmere was a favorite among European aristocrats, and it remains a beloved material to this day.
Today, w.awake by W. Cashmere sources its raw cashmere from the Pamirs Mountain region, between Tibet and Xinjiang Province in China. We honor the history and tradition of cashmere by using only the highest quality fibers in our designs, creating sustainable and timeless pieces that are crafted to last.
Our commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible practices is a testament to our belief that fashion can be a force for good. At w.awake, we strive to empower women through beautiful and meaningful fashion, paying homage to the rich history of cashmere while looking towards a bright and sustainable future.
A: Fillthe basin or sink with warm water, around80degrees Fahrenheit. Add a small amountof cashmere care wool shampoo or just shampoo for your hair! Because cashmere is the undercoat of Cashmere Goats, it would be best to treat cashmere items gently as you treat yourself.
Gently swirl it around in a circular motion. Don’t pull, stretch or rub the fabric. This can change the shape of the item and ruin it. Do this for two to five minutes, depending on how soiled the garment is.
Lay the item on top of a towel and gently squeeze out the moisture.Carefully pull into shape and lay flat to dry. Never hang cashmere as the shape can be distorted easily. Please do not put in the sun or directly on a heater. Strong heat shrinks cashmere.
A: Moths love cashmere, especially when your cashmere items placed in a moisturized environment. Do not use hangers as they will stretch the cashmere. Fold items up and store in a zip-lock bags. For extra security, line the bags with anti-moth drawer liners. All our pieces come with zip-lock bags to keep them safe:)
A: Pilling occurs as a result of the fabric rubbing against itself or other surface. That’s why the sides of sweaters and the insides of forearms are likely to pill first. Pills form when yarn become loose or when the ends are exposed and then tangle together. Theoretically, items made from finer yarn and knitted tightly is less prone to pilling.Unfortunately, pilling can not be entirely eradicated because of attributes of natural fibers. Lay items flat and use a cashmere comb or brush to remove pills. Never use a razor or scissors as you will make it worse.
A:Your new premium W.Cashmere items may have experienced wrinkles while in transit, to help remove wrinkles we recommend using a steamer. Run the steamer in a downward stroke while maintaining a slight distance between steamer and garment. If a steamer is not available, cover the cashmere item with a cloth and hold the iron approximately ½ inch above the item. Release short bursts of steam as you go. Allow items to dry completely.
