Loro Piana’s Cashmere Exhibition Turns Raw Materials Into Exquisite Craftsmanship 

Storied Italian fashion house Loro Piana is reminding us why it continues to be a leader in the textile and cashmere industry. The fashion house’s new installation “Master of Cashmere: The Quest for Fiber Excellence” spotlights its longstanding relationship and responsible approach to the rare and coveted material. The exhibition, held in collaboration with The Brant Foundation in New York City, offers guests a 360-degree overview in an immersive tactile setting with educational segments explaining the intricacies of cashmere, its origins, and the expertise behind it. It also showcases a commitment to excellence that has enabled the house not only to source the finest fibers, but also to refine and elevate them, continually expanding their possibilities through research. 

Although there were many notable moments peppered throughout the installation, the Baby Cashmere was its crown jewel. Obtained from the underfleece of young goats, the textile is defined by exceptional rarity and fineness. Each baby goat yields only around 30 grams of fiber, making the cashmere 10 to 15 percent softer than its adult counterpart. 

For over a century, Loro Piana has made it its mission to offer discerning connoisseurs the finest cashmere creations—and that mission was more than evident at the exhibition.

The fashion house also celebrated its 11th edition of the Loro Piana Cashmere of the Year Award with an exclusive gala dinner earlier this week. Created by the maison in 2015, the award honors the herders who produce the finest cashmere fiber. It is a testament to Loro Piana’s unwavering dedication to sourcing the world’s finest raw materials, and to its commitment to cashmere excellence.

Three couples of cashmere herders from Inner Mongolia earned the prestigious award with the first prize going to Mr. Siqingbilige and Mrs. Hasiqiqige, whose cashmere weighed 135.8 kg greasy, with a fiber diameter of 12.89 microns. The second prize went to Mr. Jiyatu and Mrs. Gegentuya, with 87.1 kg of greasy cashmere at 13.01microns, and the third prize went to Mr. Lifuqiang and Mrs. Qiqi, with 116 kg of greasy cashmere at 13.04 microns. The winners will receive a financial reward per kilo of fiber produced, along with an ornate silver comb symbolizing the cashmere gathering process.

The “Master of Cashmere: The Quest for Fiber Excellence” exhibition runs until November 17.