Our Journey into Cashmere Luxury
Kanz Cashmere was founded by Saadiya and Hamzah, two South African expats who moved to Mongolia for work and unexpectedly discovered a deep appreciation for one of the world’s most luxurious natural fibres. Living in the heart of the country that produces the finest cashmere, they were inspired by Mongolia’s centuries-old tradition of herding goats and carefully crafting cashmere garments.
Having always shared a passion for natural, high-quality fibres, Saadiya and Hamzah fell in love with the softness, warmth, and timeless elegance of Mongolian cashmere. What began as admiration soon became a mission: to bring authentic, premium Mongolian cashmere to South Africa.
Kanz Cashmere connects the rich heritage of Mongolia with the style and appreciation for quality found in South Africa. Each piece reflects a story of craftsmanship, natural beauty, and the journey of two founders who discovered something extraordinary while living abroad.
The Rarity of Cashmere
Cashmere is not simply another type of wool—it’s one of the rarest and most precious natural fibres in the world. Its scarcity begins with the animal itself.
Unlike sheep, which are bred primarily for wool production, cashmere goats produce only a small amount of the exceptionally fine undercoat that becomes cashmere. Each spring, this delicate fibre must be carefully hand-combed from the goat during its natural moulting season. The process is labour-intensive and cannot be fully mechanised without compromising fibre quality.
After harvesting, the raw fibre undergoes extensive cleaning and dehairing to remove coarse outer hairs and impurities. Only a small percentage remains as the ultra-soft cashmere used to create luxury garments, making the final yield remarkably low.
By comparison, sheep produce significantly more fleece each year, and modern shearing methods allow wool to be harvested quickly and efficiently on a large scale. This difference in production volume is one of the key reasons why genuine cashmere commands a much higher price than ordinary wool.
Cashmere vs Wool
| Category | Sheep Wool | Mongolian Cashmere |
|---|---|---|
| Source Animal | Sheep | Cashmere Goat |
| Annual Clean Fibre Yield per Animal | Up to 9 kg | Approximately 100–200 g |
| Garments Produced | Around 20 sweaters from one sheep’s annual fleece* | Approximately one sweater requires the annual fibre from 4–6 goats* |
| Typical Fibre Diameter | Around 35–40 microns (breed dependent) | Approximately 14–16.5 microns |
| Harvest Method | Machine shearing | Carefully hand-combed |
| Typical Raw Fibre Value | Approximately US$5/kg (varies by market and quality) | Premium Mongolian cashmere yarn can exceed US$225/kg |
*Approximate figures based on garment weight, yarn construction and fibre quality.
The remarkable difference in yield explains why cashmere is so scarce. Producing twenty cashmere sweaters may require the annual fibre from around one hundred goats, whereas a single sheep can produce enough wool for approximately twenty sweaters. Nature simply cannot produce cashmere on the same scale as sheep’s wool.
This rarity is what makes genuine cashmere one of the world’s most exclusive natural fibres. Every garment represents thousands of hours of traditional herding, careful harvesting, meticulous fibre selection and skilled craftsmanship.
Why Mongolian Cashmere?
Mongolia is widely recognised as the home of some of the finest cashmere in the world.
The country’s harsh continental climate, where winter temperatures can fall below –40°C, creates the perfect natural conditions for cashmere goats to develop an exceptionally dense and insulating undercoat. This ultra-fine undercoat is what becomes cashmere—one of the most luxurious natural fibres on earth.
Not all cashmere is created equal. Textile specialists evaluate quality using two critical characteristics: fibre diameter and fibre length.
Fibre Diameter
Softness is determined by the thickness of each individual fibre.
The finest cashmere measures between 14 and 16.5 microns, making it dramatically finer than traditional sheep’s wool. These ultra-fine fibres create the silky-soft feel that genuine premium cashmere is renowned for.
Fibre Length
Length is equally important.
Longer fibres produce smoother, stronger yarn that resists pilling, maintains its shape and lasts significantly longer. Mongolian cashmere is particularly prized for its excellent fibre length, allowing it to be spun into exceptionally durable yet incredibly soft garments.
Grade A Cashmere
The world’s finest cashmere is commonly classified as Grade A, characterised by fibres that are exceptionally fine, long and consistent in quality.
This results in garments that are:
- Exceptionally soft against the skin
- Naturally lightweight yet remarkably warm
- More resistant to pilling
- Beautifully draped
- Designed to last for many years with proper care
Why We Chose Mongolia
At Kanz Cashmere, our story is deeply connected to Mongolia.
Living in Mongolia gave us the unique opportunity to experience the country’s centuries-old cashmere heritage firsthand. We witnessed the traditional nomadic herding practices, the meticulous hand-combing process and the extraordinary craftsmanship that transforms raw fibre into timeless knitwear.
By sourcing directly from Mongolia, we ensure every piece meets the highest standards of premium cashmere while preserving the authenticity and heritage behind one of the world’s most prized natural fibres.
We don’t believe luxury should be fleeting. Genuine Mongolian cashmere is designed to be worn season after season, becoming softer with time while retaining its elegance and performance. Rather than following fast-fashion trends, we create garments that offer enduring quality, exceptional comfort and timeless style—pieces to be treasured for years to come.