It is one of the softest fibres in the world, yet the product of one of its harshest climates. The finest cashmere comes from the goats of Inner Mongolia grazing on desolate stretches of land and exposed to the most extreme elements.

Cashmere can also be sourced from Iran and Afghanistan. The cashmere fibre from these areas is stronger than the fibre from China and is ideally suited as a fibre for the weaving industry.

The harsher the environment - the better the quality of the undercoat which is why no other cashmere can match the cashmere produced by the goats of these barren plains.

Chinese cashmere fibre comes in three colours, brown, grey or white. White cashmere is by far the most valuable and the majority of this originates from Inner Mongolia and China. Fibre from Afghanistan and Iran is in a wider range from the white of Iran through to the beiges and browns of Afghanistan.