WHY CASHMERE
Our hero piece - and the very first item MILLEN began with is the Essential Cashmere Sweater.
Our cashmere is sourced from Mongolia, where it is collected from goats through either hand-combing or the gentle shearing of their fine undercoat. Nearly half of the world’s cashmere supply comes from this region, which is conveniently located near the factory in China that produces our knitwear.
We don’t talk about this enough, but we work with an incredible family-owned sourcing business, Total Supply Inc., with long-standing ties to the factories we partner with. After many meetings, emails, and rounds of sampling, we knew we had found the right team. They’ve supported every step - from cut and sew to the final labels.
As a start-up, was it risky to launch with one of the most premium materials? Yes.
Did we move forward anyway? Also yes.
We knew from the beginning that the piece had to feel organic, clean, and irresistible to the touch - qualities that, to us, define luxury.
Cashmere may appear effortless in its final form, but it does require thoughtful care to maintain its softness and longevity.
Washing
- Add a tablespoon of gentle detergent or sulphate-free shampoo to a basin of cold water. (Sulphates can break down delicate fibres, leading to pulling and pilling.)
- Let the sweater soak for 20–30 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly in cold water.
- Gently press out excess water - avoid wringing, as this can stretch and weaken the fibres.
- Lay flat on a clean towel, roll it up, and press again to remove additional moisture.
- Unroll and replace with a dry towel if needed.
- Lay flat to dry. Cashmere dries relatively quickly, which is one of the many reasons we love it.
Care
- Noticing small holes after storing your sweaters between seasons? This is often due to moths. Cashmere is a natural fibre, and moth larvae are drawn to it.
- To prevent this, store clean cashmere folded in a sealed bag, and consider adding cedar balls as a natural deterrent.