Beware of fake cashmere
According to the Global Times, a Chinese retailer was fined $3.4 (£2.185) million at the close of 2012 for allegedly selling fake cashmere, highlighting the problem of individuals trying to cash in on the rising popularity of this luxury fabric.
China is the largest supplier of the world’s cashmere, though it is also sourced in India and Pakistan. Once the reserve of the rich, it is now widely available on the UK high street and online from specialist retailers such as Pure Collection, though the quality of cheaper cashmere available does not necessarily reflect that of the more expensive clothing.
Cashmere is derived from wool from the under fleece of the Kashmir goat – an animal that lives in harsh surroundings, but the fabric itself is very soft, durable and soft on the skin. Of course, many wools or wool composites are also very soft, so how can you tell whether the cashmere item you have bought is the real deal? Some clothes may use a fabric that is a mix of cashmere and something else, such as cashmere and silk, or cashmere and viscose. But, if the item you buy is sold as 100 per cent cashmere then it should be. One common indicator that an item has been made from a cashmere blend is if it has some sheen to the fabric. Cashmere is usually matte in appearance and the presence of shine usually indicates that another material has been combined with cashmere, or that it is an imitation.