The Cashmere Solid Beanie

Knitted in Umbria, Italy

Made in Italy carries an almost instant validation in the world of Cashmere - however, it's never quite simple with many facilities choosing to cut corners and engage in lower-quality production in order to compete with the 'democratized offerings of fast-fashion. Seeking somewhere with exceptional standards for the knitwear in our 'Quintessential' collection, we searched through many of the boutique facilities peppered across the country (mainly around Piedmont, Genoa, Bologna, and finally Umbria), until we found a place that was rather special. The founding craftsman of this workshop in Umbria took his first step into the world of textiles and knitwear at the age of seventeen, when he accepted an apprenticeship working for his aunt. A renowned artisan herself, she groomed him for over a decade until he had garnered the experience and contacts he felt necessary to open his own shop. Today, the small business that opened with just two pieces of machinery has expanded under the watchful eyes of his family, who continue to run the workshop. These artisans craft beautiful knitwear from some of the highest quality materials for luxury houses all over the world. Most important to them is the continuation of beautiful, authentic Italian craftsmanship.

##Not all Cashmere is created equal, and we wanted only the best. The decision of where to source our yarn was simple - Cariaggi Three generations, sixty years of successfully supplying luxury houses with the very best for their product, Cariaggi is known to operate what is perhaps the most prestigious spinning mill in the world. Sourced from the prized Capra Hircus goat, found in inner Mongolia, where the extreme changes in temperate from day to night leads to the growth of a wonderful downy fleece. This soft down - what we call cashmere - is known for its exceptional quality and temperature adjusting properties. In selecting fibres, Cariaggi goes to great lengths to painstakingly choose only the highest grade - with an average length of 40 mm and 15.5 micron thin for its yarn - allowing for the creation of items that resist pilling and pair lightweight comfort with a luxurious delicate touch.

A $3,000 Men’s Scarf for $575? A New Kind of Bargain by S. Christian (03/05/2017), The Wall Street Journal.

#What's the difference here? "Pride and reputation". Through years of training, hard work, and experience, one can gain skill, perfect an art form, and become a master. But without pride, there is nothing to ensure they will never cut a corner and constantly deliver the highest standard possible. Pride can be a virtue and it is ultimately the difference that pushes this humble family to put their all into creating only the finest knits. We have learned this over time and by trusting the wrong people have made mistakes in the past, learning the hard way that there is plenty of talent in the world but talent is meaningless without pride and honour. Cariaggi might provide us with a special ingredient, but without the masters applying their skills to ensure each item is knitted to uncompromising standards, it would all be for naught. Pride - in the family they are from, the art form that has been passed down through generations, the country they represent, and the product they deliver.