English version | Dear Cashmere...

This time of year demands a romantic declaration to the ultimate symbol of comfort: cashmere. And we’re hoping this love will last forever.

If there’s one thing we need during winter is that cozy feeling. When the cold days arrive, the craving for that warm, fuzzy sensation intensifies, as we look for it whether in warm beverages, candles, blankets, and, naturally, in clothes. And what’s the premium material, the symbol of luxury and comfort that depicts this feeling? Cashmere, of course. To buy a piece that has this fiber in its composition is almost an act of self-love – besides being an investment, it’s a little treat our skin appreciates. And when the dream gives place to reality, the love for cashmere goes from platonic to physical. Because there’s nothing better than the softness and gentleness a piece of cashmere can transmit. The quality so very characteristic of the material makes it an object of our affection, and something we always go back to when in need of a warm hug when temperatures drop.

But this coup de foudre of fashion lovers and other admirers of quality pieces is not exactly new, nor something we can call revolutionary. For a long time, cashmere has been considered the ultimate lux material. Hubert de Givenchy never stopped mentioning it when listing the essentials of a woman’s wardrobe: “All a woman needs to be chic is a raincoat, two suits, a pair of trousers and a cashmere sweater.” Well, if the creator of one of the most famous maisons in the world, renewed for its elegance and prestige, tells us we need a cashmere sweater, we simply can’t ignore the advice, and deeply appreciate the incentive. It wasn’t just him who shared his appraisal for this fiber. The French writer Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was also one of the historically editors of Elle magazine, suffered a stroke that left him incapable of speaking or moving. Yet, he managed to write an entire book by blinking his eyes every time he heard the letter he wanted to type. It was in the midst of his physical condition that his well-known quote resurged: “If I must drool, I may as well drool on cashmere.”

It became somewhat natural to see the words “love” and “cashmere” intertwined in a quote. When we feel its touch, the pleasure inherent to the experience is faster than the overhyped “love at first sight”. What also immediately catches our eye, when we type “cashmere” on Google, is the brand Falconeri, which pops up immediately. The “evolution of luxury” of the Italian brand is focused on sustainability and on supplying conscious options to those searching for elegance, quality and luxury, all in an ecologically feasible way. The company is part of the Fashion Pact, along with 67 other names in the textile and Fashion Industry, and supports two international organizations – all this to ensure they contribute to a greener planet. The brand’s philosophy states that, although it employs refined technology in order to produce high-quality cashmere pieces, prices don’t have to be unattainable. Therefore, the brand’s goal is that its clothes, its collections, and its basics, become an inheritance to be passed on through generations, and that stands the test of time.

After this very atypical year, where what we took for certain remained in the last chimes of 2019, there’s no shame in wasting a little bit of time, dedicating a little more attention to our bodies. Wherever way we see fit. And why not start by gifting ourselves a cashmere sweater – that will light us up this holiday season and, for sure, the time to come? Once again, we are not alone, and we’re not the only ones feeling this unconditional love for the material that turned Falconeri into a cult brand. In the words of the legendary American writer, Fran Lebowitz: “I do not believe in God, I believe in cashmere.” And so do we. With love, Vogue.

Translated from the original article from Vogue Portugal's Love issue, published in December 2020.