Why we chose them
Cariaggi has focused for decades on producing and honing its reputation as an international supplier of high-end cashmere and other fine natural fibres for premium yarns. In recent years, it has also become strategically important enough that Chanel and Brunello Cucinelli each took a 24.5% stake, with the Cariaggi family retaining control (51%), touted as a typical “secure the very best raw material + know-how” move in luxury. The Chanel–Cucinelli investment is a strong external signal: the mill is viewed as strategically important for consistent access to top fibers, stable quality, and the preservation of know-how and jobs in Italy.
Cariaggi positions itself around cashmere excellence and works with a portfolio of very fine fibres, including vicuña. Vicuña is one of the rarest, highest-value animal fibres requiring special certifications and handling.
In addition to its reputation as a specialist in luxury fibres such as cashmere and vicuña, Cariaggi distinctly separates craftsmanship and engineering into two categories: carded yarns (built for volume, softness, lightness, and a signature mélange look) and combed yarns (engineered for fineness and “second-skin” feel, with very even, clean color and a sleek handle). This specialization makes the mill highly relevant, as it can serve both fluffy, lofty luxury-knitwear aesthetics and ultra-clean, refined worsted-knit aesthetics. For carded yarns, Cariaggi highlights stock-dyed fibers first, then blends them to produce timeless mélange effects. This is a high-skill area because uniformity and repeatability are hard to attain at luxury standards. For combed yarns, Cariaggi emphasizes the complexity of color recipes due to fibre alignment and the goal of achieving bright, even tones.
Cariaggi explicitly talks about using customized technology to “bring out” cashmere’s qualities and combine industrial precision with Italian craft sensibility. In practice, that typically translates into strong control over handfeel, hairiness, pilling behavior, consistency, and color outcomes, all of which are critical factors for top-tier brands.
Sustainability is important to Cariaggi. A standout example is its Systema Naturae® line, based on research into traditional recipes and plant-based dyeing, which aims to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals while using modern technology to achieve luxury-quality results. While Systema Naturae® is a more niche dyeing practice, Cariaggi lists multiple standards that matter for premium clients and responsible sourcing.
